Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Not only are they out but they WALKED , arms raised in triumph , after 14 days trapped  1km underground. Everyone is overjoyed, however,thinking of their co-worked who was killed in the rock fall. His family waited as long as they could but decided to go ahead with the funeral today. It now seems that the two miners MAY be able to say goodbye to their mate.(If cleared by doctors...they have just arrived at the hospital)
A huge effort by resee workers who worked in dangerous very difficult conditions,
A bitter sweat day.
Susan

Please keep some kind thoughts for two miners in Tasmania, trapped approx. 1km underground. They are alive...and in a small cage. Rescue workers have been working for 12 long days/nights . drilling through  16mt. of rock , fearful that if they blast it will cause another rock fall. With only 3m to go they have to drill by hand but have just said they have struck rock, 3 times harder than cement/concrete. Reluctantly they now say they will have to use explosives.
If you have a God , now is the time to talk to him...for them.
Susan

I place the legs more to the back of the body when I want to achieve this effect. If you place them LOWER on the body you may end up with feet that hang together.
Hope this is a help.
Susan

Thanks Erin,
It's amazing how you go through patches where few bears are sold then things go crazy and if you are lucky  , as I have been, you just keep getting orders. The down side is that my website has had few added...... but i am not complaining.
And thank you I will have a great time. I know I will come home more inspired than ever to create new designs.

I haven't had time to visit TT very often over the last few months and when I have thought yes I can contribute to that conversation , see that someone else has said exactly my thoughts....so quickly went back to work.
     I have completed 11 bears (Koalas/ Pandas) in the last 12 weeks plus made two new patterns for Gerry's Teddy Supplies. I am taking a five week break and with my husband am travelling to Europe. We leave for 8 days in Paris on the 13the May then to Basel (Switz.) for two days where I believe there is a wonderful bear/doll museum. We then visit Frorence ,Milan. Assisi and Rome..plus some detours. We will also visit The Steif museum in Germany.
     Part of my dilemma with packing is to know how warm/cold it will be. I have accessed two lots of weather  sites for Paris and both give very different forecasts. One says to expect about 12C max. and the other 25C max. Could anyone give a better or more accurate forecast for any of these places, for this time of the year?
    Back to bears..... I don't think the patterns I have sent to Gery's are up on their website as yet but I understand that they had them in time to take to a show in Queensland, and they did very well. They are the first patterns I have made for the new owners so hope they do well for both of us. I created a Koala pattern, the first one for actual sale and not just my use. He is called "Kenny". The other is an open mouth Panda called "Chengdu". Both patterns have around nine pages of detailed instructions including illustrations of creating pulled toes. It took many hours of work  to get them finished.
      After all that I decided that I wouldn't start another bear until I returned. However, two days later I just had to cut out a tiny Koala to take with me. It is certainly an addiction.
       Please excuse all my ramblings . I just wanted to touch base and if anyone out there can give me a long range weather forcast..or suggest anywhere I should visit while on my travels  I would really appreciate it.
Regards,
Susan

Actually I would change the name just to avoid any confusion, especially if you haven't had the name too long or spent too much on labels etc]. I believe they are very similar and a Collector could go to the wrong name which could result in a lost sale. I just think it may become a hassle for you in the future.
Susan

Hi Sheila,
I haven't been visiting TT very much lately but couldn't help but reply to your call for help. Like others I visited your website and think your bears are wonderful. You seem to have a special style ,which is important. It is not the fault of the bears or your talent in creating them. I think many people are reluctant to buy or sell through ebay at the moment as so many of us have had our accounts or listings compromised. I would look at making your website more user friendly...just don't ask me how as I have to pay someone to do any major changes to mine. I find people like to often buy on impulse and so a buy button is essential on your website.
I had a couple of months last year when I didn't sell a bear. However, I love making then (despite pain in both hands), plus there was a huge stash of fur that I couldn't ignore!. So I started making without thinking about selling. I spent many more hours on each bear /koala or Panda...I had fun and a change developed in my style. Since Oct 05 I haven't been able to keep a supply of my work it is selling so well. I list as much as I can on my website but often people will email me and ask me to contact them as soon as I finish one of my creations.
So please keep faith in you talent  and follow Mindy's advise in marketing your work. Ebay is not for everyone!
Best wishes,
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

Hi Shelli,
I would love to exchange banners. I have one on my website but don't have the skills to send it to you.I would like to say one day I will learn how to use all the features on the computer ...but I always have to make one more bear first!
Best wishes,
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

Don'r feel sorry for us...we LOVE our hot Aussie Christmas. Yes most towns have their Christmas carols in the parks..under the stars.
Christmas eve and /or Christmas night sitting outside near the pool. Lights making the garden a wonderland. Heady perfume of  Summer flowers...fresh fruit, seafood platters..barbeques. Christmas blending into long Summer holidays (for school children at least).People out walking as it is not dark until after 8pm.
Love it !
Susan

Cooking a traditional hot meal for Christmas dinner is not difficult these days as most homes are air conditioned, unlike when I was a child and my Mun had to cook a meal on a wood fire stove...no air conditioning and weather around 110F.
But with an abundance of fresh seafood, even inland, it is very tempting to have a cold meal or a combination of both.
My husband and I will be going to a resteraunt , together with his 83 y.o Mum, for midday Christmas meal so I won't have to worry about cooking . Later in the evening we will go for a long walk...to work some of the indulgence off..then go for a swim.
Last weekend we went strawberry and boysenberry picking at a nearby farm so there will be  homemade jam on fresh baked bread toasted for Christmas brekky.
I have already smelt the wonderful smell of freshly cut hay on nearby farms so it at least smells like Christmas !
Whatever, you do...have a great day.Enjoy.
Susan

No snow here. I have been swimming.
Susan

All wood, plant animal products ...etc. must be declared as they may hold a disease/virus which could harm our agriculture industry. Some of these viruses may do little harm in some countries but also may thrive in a warmer climate.
If you go into the Australian Customs website they will give details.
Susan

I had intended to do the Christmas card swap...sent my address to mandie, but the 11th was the day my nephew died and you can imagine i didn't think of it again.
Just now i don't think I will do any cards at all.
But just wait..next year I will send those who do the swap some really great Aussie cards.
Hope you all enjoy the card swap. I think it is a fun idea.
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

Life is too short to get bored.
I was going to say go for a run but i guess that is out. But there are so many books to read that there will never be enough time for all of them.
I also find it rewarding to have a good clean out of clothes that haven't been worn in the last 12 months. You end up with more space and a local charity is happy to receive then. The same goes for kitchen cupboards.
If that doesn't appeal take a long hot bath, put the mask on ,the dry skin off, the moisturiser on and relax to some good music.
But don't cut your hair....that could end in tears.
Enjoy !
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

Most of my bears go to the USA ( from Australia). The price of my bears as sold from the website, include post and insurance. Worldwide. It is a huge cost and I am sure many buyers do not realise how much of the full cost the post/ins. equals. However, they at least see the total price. I post air mail and delivery  has always been very quick.
Only one bear has been "lost" and Australia Post tracked that it had landed in Canada but could get no cooperation from their post as to where it then went. I replaced the bear for the lady and received a full refund from Aust Post.
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

Thanks you to everyone for their kind words and support. It does help. We understand that the funeral is on Thursday 17th. At this stage I am just trying to get my tears out of the way so I can be stronger for Tim's parents and sister.
I haven't felt like stitching but every now and then I do some needle felting. Not sure how it will turn out because the needle  is sure going fast when I do felt. Also there is more than a couple of tears mixed with the wool.
Thanks again.
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

Unfortunately we have further reason not to forget 11/11/05.
Just after posting my last message of thanks to all for their kind words we received a phone call to say our nephew in melbourne had been found dead in his apartment.We drove straight down, together with his grandma 83Y.O. to be with family. We have returned home  for a day or too to attend to things, but will return for the funeral. We believe that he died due to complications with diabetes, however, are awaiting autopsy results.We are just shattered. He was 34 y,o. very fit despite being a diabetic.He  represented Australia in World Ski Diving championships..and did well. Worked in Medical research and was just the best person.
I will get back to this group as I do enjoy it so don't think too badly of me if I don't return emails for a few days.
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

Just returned from the Gym to read all these generous comments. Thank you.
The music box came from Christie Bears in the U.K. I purchased nine for a Workshop I took last year and have a few left.
They are expensive..I just went into their website and see that they are now 15 Pound each,,which equals $37.80 Aussie dollars or $21.13 U.S dollars. They got the Christmas carols in for me as a special order and I don't see listed  now.
While they are expensive they are that much better than the cheaper ones. I guess you get what you pay for. Just one point. If you decide to order outside the U.K remind then that you don't pay the 17.5% VAT Tax. Once that is removed the price is a little better.

Just took a one minute break then. It is Rememberence Day in Australia and at 11a.m on the 11 day of the 11th month we stop....Radios. traffic etc...and we remember all those who gave their lives in war and also those who have and are suffering from war.
Regards and thanks, :love:
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

I have just listed a new Christmas bear on my website. He is called "Stratford".
I have inserted a Swiss "Reuge" music box in him which plays Jingle Bells. These music boxes are just beautiful..the best sound.
I did an open mouth then some needle felting around the eyebrows plus sculptured paws.
I made him a red velvet fully lined coat which can be removed as I know some would not want to have him look like Santa all year.
Until I can learn to add photos to me these.....i would love you to take time to have a look at him and comment. He is a brief departure from my Koalas.

Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

It has been ages since I placed a bear on eBay and thought I would do so this afternoon (with help from a very patient husband). However, i just had a look at what was on offer and it appeared to me that there were lots of bears for sale. not many really great quality bears (only my opinion) but really low prices and many no bids.
Has anyone been selling on eBay recently...and getting reasonable prices?
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

You may not have had any problems, however, Customs do require that any plant, that is wood shavings etc. be declared. They may not have checked every parcel in the past but they are being more thorough these days.
As an Australian I would not deliberatly bring anything into the country which could hurt our Farmers. It is not difficult to declare what material it is  and it may only be that it is then taken aside and sprayed. I think it would be easier to use a none plant stuffing or check that what you are using is allowed through customs.
Returning into Australia it is interesting to see the litle dogs customs use. They run over cases any walk among the crowd then get very excited when they find someone has hidden something.
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

In Australia I buy mine from a road making company. They are mixed with paint to create a reflective finish to the white line markings on the roads. When i bought mine several years ago they were very cheap and exactly the same as i had been buying from a teddy supply .
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

Just remember that if you are thinking of sending a bear into Australia you will face a problem at Customs if it contains any plant matter. You will have had to declare that it has wood or coconut shavings...I wouldn't risk it.
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

I attended a Bear Show in Australia, another Sate, not Victoria. It was a VERY long drive but as my Dad had just passed away we thought it would do us good. The show turned out to be much smaller than organisers had indicated but It was a lovely location and people made us feel welcome. No one sold much including me then right at the end of the day another trader/bear artist/shop owner asked would i sell one of my bears and give her a discount as she was a trader. She bought my bear and a week later it was on ebay USA and sold for more than double the priced I asked.....legal yes but honourable...not in my books.
It was my own fault she caught me at a vulnerable time. Sadly I learnt that old saying all bear people are good is not true . She did say she was a collector and wanted the bear for herself. I was also silly enough to buy bear supplies from her table.
What I have learnt is value your work and don't discount to just make a sale ,and collect bears that you love..even if somewhere down the track you may want to, or have to sell it. I have a small collection. The Steiff may increase in value but I don't buy just to make money.
I have also learn't it is much better to give a bear away..to a friend or charity.than to sell it cheap.
Susan
www.adorablebears.com.au

Hugs Dancer sounds like a great name.....I will watch it on T.V but the weather is too good to stay inside. Lots of Gardening to do then at 33C , about 94F, it may be time for the first swim of the season.
Susan
www.adorablebears.com