Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hey, me too...pick me up on your way! :crackup:
That sounds like lots of fun! You know Shane, that's an idea we could work with...we have enough TTr's in the southern Ontario area that we could do an artist get together a couple of times per year too! Let's talk!

:dance: Congratulations!!!!! :dance:

Every day is precious. You learn to see the world through their eyes...the little things we tend to forget as adults. The 'I love you mom' at every stage. Or how about 'mom, you're the best'!   As irritating as kids can be, they always make up for it. I've learned so much from my kids, I'm glad I have them to love!

Congrats on your 5th sweetie! You get a studio! nice! :clap: You have a lot going on! I have 3 kids I've raised by myself (deadbeat dad). They are now 20, 15 and 12. They are still demanding lots of my time, but it's more "can you drive us here...can you take us shopping...can we have friends over"...etc. I'm glad they love spending time with me! It was harder when they were small. You take one day at a time. Enjoy them as much as you can now, they grow up sooooo fast, I can hardly believe that my son will be 21 this year
I'm not much of a morning person either, but you have to adjust for the kids. If I want to accomplish anything bear related in my day, I need to write my goals down the evening before or the morning of and schedule time for it. I get distracted easy by all of the creative things I want to do , so I need to focus. Writing it down gives me a visual 'to do' and I get back on task easier. I have to do the same for the kids so they do their chores :crackup:
We all love to create...never a dull moment around here!

What an amazing story!

If you could find someone in your area that works with cast pewter, they could replicate these wheels for you. I suppose they could be cast in any metal, maybe aluminum? Pewter will possibly be cheaper though.

It's against the law to have a gun in the city here in Canada! You would go to jail with a weapons offence real quick! Even a farmer is supposed to have a gun registered to be legal. They are pretty tough about it here! I guess it would be an effective deterrent for agressive coyotes though!

Just a thought...I know it sounds wierd, but any of the canines mark territory. I have heard of men urinating around their property and preventing intruding wolves or coyotes this way. Of course, the marking has to be repeated after a rain. I'm not sure how effective this is, but it sure would have the neighbours talking :crackup:

Thanks so much for taking and posting all those great photos! What a delight to see all the different bears!

There have been a few customers along the way that ask for a discount...I gave occasionally in the first few years. I have learned that most of the time you need to say no. I work hard making a great product for a fair price, would they work for discount rates at their job??? I think not!!! Sometimes I offer a good customer a small discount if they buy more than 1 piece at a time, but It's my choice. If they can't afford to pay, why are they buying so many? I work in an upscale flower shop, and some customers ask for discounts there too! We are not a flea market or garage sale :crackup: There will always be some people that will try to talk you down in price, just smile and tell them no!

:clap: Kassie, that is amazing! I can hardly wait to see him finished! I love the happy face, he looks pleasant!

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup: That's cute!

I've been making bears for 20 years and have tried lots of stuff. I use fiberboard for the smaller discs, and hardboard for the larger ones. For my really big bears, I cut my own hardboard discs, because I can't find them big enough anywhere. I suppose you could use unwanted cd's glued together for large discs, but I haven't tried this. I wonder if they would hold up? The plastic doll joints are fine for toys, but I find they don't stay tight enough for artist quality bears. If you want to use metal washers for joints, just make sure they are zinc plated, aluminum or stainless steel so they won't rust.

Thanks so much Paula! I joined up...it looks great! Looks like you put lots of thought and hard work into it!

:crackup:  :crackup: I'm glad all women don't drive like that!!!!!

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

:dance: congratulations on the safe arrival of your new sweetie!!!!

It's so cute!

It must be awful for the loved ones. It is a very tragic accident. This happened only about 40 minutes away from me.
Life is fragile...it's a reminder again to live each day to the fullest, love those around you with a deep tenderness and realize this life is short. Make the most out of every day. Live like every day counts...because it does!
:pray: I pray for peace over the families and loved ones that lost someone in this tragedy. May God bring comfort to them. :hug:

  wow...very touching...thanks for sharing.

so cute!

You are so right...I really enjoyed that! One of my favourite songs too!

That is really cool... took me a couple of seconds!

So cozy!!!!!

He's awesome! The entries must have been amazing for you not to have been chosen!!!!