Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Phew made it just in time. I don't mind international either. I think I said that before but this is a big task to organise so good on you Susan for all your help.

Sarah it was exactly like moccasin on the fur side but nothing like it on the backing. I have some moccasin and this was very odd. When you look at the backing it looks like false ultra suede. Its as if the backing had been bonded on. Would make great paw pads. By the way I'm as bad as you, I must get a tripod!

I have just found something out about macro on my camera. I have a canon powershot a75. I always had the macro on (the flower) and thats all it said in the manual. I never shoot on the auto function as I like to set white balance etc. By mistake I pressed the macro button twice and I found I can set the macro distance! Straight away you can see the difference. Its loads better, I just use a sliding scale for how far the camera is away. I went back to my manual and there is nothing there about setting distances. I am a monkey for not reading manuals but I can't miss what they have not included.

I have ordered some fabric from Sassy's thanks. This is Pepsi I am putting him on ebay tonight. He is 3" tall. The fabric was not nice to sew as the backing was really weird, like a suede effect. The fabric looks lovely though. I got it in a mixed ebay auction. I must say I enjoyed doing a miniature as the last one this small was ten years ago.
By the way I did end up just using cotterpins in the end, they were fine.

Glad you feel better Melissa. Ebay is a mad place. Without sounding like' sour grapes' I have seen many bears sell for good money and you think they are not as good as others that don't sell. Its hit and miss. I have just finished a 3" bear and am very pleased with it but who knows. I will get it put on ebay this Sunday. I think you have to earn your stripes so to speak with the collectors. As to your' team building' its a load of b#'l;'#s, just go along with it and remember you are not on your own , we are all here to help and support you. Team Teddy Talk!

What a lovely bear. I adore the foor pads, they look very fiddly. Is that smokey fabric easy to sew, I have nearly finished a bear and it was very hard to sew because of the backing. The back of the needle kept going in my thumb, I had to put a plaster on in the end. ( sticky plaster, they could be called something else in the States)

I don't have that mag, any chance of a picture? Also I am on here even when I am not making as it inspires me for my next bear. Its such a nice group we can't help being addicted.

All the best Jane. You have got fighting spirit, for sure. Don't get too tired. Let us know how you go on.

I would also add to send any bears by 'signed for' mail. I had 2 bears in the same package go missing. I refunded the lady her fees but was out of pocket as the Royal mail only refund upto £30 without insurance. It was my first ebay sale. Now the 'funny' part is I had a email saying they had not arrived (from the lady) and maybe they were giving each other a hug, or something like that, I can't remember exactly. Guess how I packed them? Hugging each other in the box. Benefit of the doubt that they never got delivered, but hmm...
So now I always get them signed for.

It sure is a learning curve this ebay lark!

I too get a bit bogged down with 'whats a true miniature' but I suppose its anything that 'looks' small and fits in your hand. Could be less than 3" but I have seen bigger bears that look so sweet and small. For me its anything that does my head in and I want to give up making! I do keep going but at the moment there is a few half made small bears!

I think its does.

Subtitle: Add a Subtitle (searchable by item description) to give buyers more information. See example. 

Thats what I found on ebay. Its under promote items click for more examples. I could not see a price but I think it is one of the more cheaper 'extras'.

Ditto everything that has been said. Love the feet very proffesional looking.

I know on the bear I did 10 years ago I must of thread jointed as the legs fell off! I'll see how it goes as the cotterpins I have are small but I'll take my time if I thread joint and follow some of your tips. I could always do both on the bear, there could be room (in the body cavity) to do the legs in cotterpins then thread joint the arms, theres a thought.

I am making a 3" bear. Well I have done the head. I have tiny cotterpins but would thread jointing look better. I have looked and a lot of people thread joint. I have some fantastic thin but ultra stong thread. I'm not 100% sure how to do it right either so you don't get those little dimples. I have not done a 3" bear for ten years so am a bit out of touch. Any ideas?

My avatar is just over 4". I would call that mini but when people make 3" and less I suppose 4" is huge! OH that does sound a bit 'Carry On' does'nt it! :redface: I have done another 4" and want to go slightly less for my next one. I am still working on the patterns. Well after I get off here and have been out shopping. I hope 4" counts, but I could say its all in the technique!

I would list in bears/artist/artist, one of a kind.
Start off at the lowest you are prepared to accept.
If you except international put at bottom bidders please email for postage costs before auction ends and paypal only please. Get a fees list from the post office and then you can work out the costs. Paypal is the easiest way to go in general, even if it costs you.
In your title make sure you have the word 'artist' 'mohair' (if it is) 'OOAK' and key search words like maybe 'mini' again if it is!
Try to get one of the free templates and then if like me you use a free photo holding site (can't think of the right name) you can put as many photos on as you want, for free. Please email me if you want some very easy examples. I will try to put them on later when I have more time.
Always have the gallery option, and a nice cropped photo will work wonders.
Sundays are the best to end at 7.00pm although mine are timed to work in for the USA and the UK so we are still both awake! I would put them on for at least the 7 day option.
A good description will help but people can always email you.
I am trying to think of other things, but ebay is so hit and miss, but once you have done it its so easy. Email me if you want to know anything else as it can be daunting for that first auction. I am still learning as I go along so don't worry and good luck.

Kim what a fantastic bear. You have captured that 'it could be any size' quality that I am trying to get. I'm not there yet but I will keep trying. Well done! :clap:

As someone else said there are ebayers who follow other bidders. By that I mean they keep an eye on what each other bid on. They also can get a bit competitive, after the same bears. Great for the seller as it can push the price up. I suppose thats why some high price range sellers keep it private to protect their customers from other people sometimes doing that. My bears don't reach that status so I just keep it as it is.

Along the same lines I feel very guilty sometimes. Like not saying hello to every new member or commenting on all the lovely bears in showcase and for sale. The best is if there is only one person active on the board I feel like I am leaving them on their own when I log off!

You are right Heather. Its to do with most of the USA users going on the artist OOAK section and your bear only shows up in 'the other' section, when you have listed it from other than the USA. At this stage I am happy to pay double listing fees for the extra coverage where it matters. Its still hit and miss, though.

Hiya Clare. A tip to try from Helena was to list on ebay.com (USA). Go to ebay.com. Then here is what Helena told me (I'm sure she won't mind passing this on).

To list on both the UK and US site at the same time you'll need to place the listing on the US site. Then choose the categories 'bears>artist>artist, one of a kind' and 'bears>artist>other'. The first category brings your bear up in the US listings, whereas the 'other' category means your bear will be seen in the UK listings.

You pay two listing fees and the price is dollars but so far my Shamus bear has had more hits and watchers than Bruno who was similar but was just on the UK site. I do think I will do this again. I noticed Shelli's bear on the UK site too so it can work both ways. We did have a post on this and there was good advice from when to sell to the free ebay page templates. Its always good to share even though ebay is a bit mad!

In answer to people following each other, I read in an ebay selling book (from the library) go to the advanced search put their ID in and, very big brother, you get to find what the are bidding on, have bid on, won, and sold. So the same group of people can keep an eye on each other. Also its a cheeky way of finding out where artists get supplies from (OK I confess I check popular artists out). Not everyone is as sharing as us and I have found some great suppliers through other ebayers. It is a bit...voyeuristic though. Remember it works both ways and someone could be watching me!

All the best. I only had three hours sleep last week when I came back off holiday. I could not think straight, so you look after yourself as I am sure the weather won't help. No wonder there were lots of Russians in Turkey last week as the weather was so nice there. Good luck with your show.

And here we are! Thanks to Intercal again. I am making a mini and should have it finished soon. I am doing a new pattern so it is a bit time consuming. I can't wait to see some bears and pick your brains as I do think minis can be that bit more daunting. Bring it on everyone :dance:

Bearly Cheap in Australia has one but it is not as well used as this one. Like me you only have time to go on one really. Hey Intercal......pretty please?