Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Great topic   I came by the open mouth, I think, in a different way? I have always created my cats with a three piece- upper nose/cheek&jaw and a lower jaw piece with a center dart. When I decided to create open mouth cats I just added some extra seam material to the the upper and lower mouth pieces; added a mouth armature and an ultra suede mouth interior. I can very easily add teeth to the hard armature but for my cats that seems just too threatening    But I think creating this type of pattern first, helps with the realistic creation of the open mouth?
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

Hello!
I do almost exclusively, cats.  There is no price category for cats. I think I started out looking at teddy bear prices and I did figure my base price through materials and time. But I suppose my ebay experience helped a lot in deciding where to set my prices. But, of course, my ebay prices had a lot to do with collectors knowing who I am through awards and magazine articles. IT is such a complicated process "a long and winding road  " but the WOW factor is Big, thanks to ebay and other online venues! I think it's a personal decision. Who knows, it's worth a try. When you put your heart into a special piece, why not try? But REMember don't take it personal You piece may just be ahead of the curve
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

Mikki!
Beautiful! So delicate!
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

Roxanne,
Sounds like a scam to me. She probably gets a list of all expiring domains and tries to use them as scam. You are right; she has no use for your old domain name. I would just let it go. But it wouldn't be a bad idea to check with you old domain server and ask what their policy is about old domains?
Karen

IT should be exciting!
I had to take this year, off (moving took almost half my year!). And I believe Michelle Lamb took this year off, too. It appears that many past winners have taken this year off?! Can't wait to see the NEW winners 2008!  :clap:
Karen

,
I remember reading that a kitten that needs a mother will accept a 6'+ guy as his/her mother It can work. Love is what matters most. Dogs are geared for love. Sweet story.
Karen

Hey!
If you don't want this to happen don't make it SOOO easy!! Duh!

Shane,
First, Miss you! Haven't seen you in a long time! Actually, I'm more concerned about collectors than myself. I keep thinking "if this would be so hard on me what does it mean for a collector"? What is the incentive for them to go through all the expensive of visiting a show if there are no events? I believe that catering to the collector is very important and we have to look at their side. THere was a survey, I think it was by TB&F? Anyway, the consensus was that the most important factor for collectors visiting a show was that they got to meet and talk with the artists. I don't know about youse guys, wait I do know ;-> like me, during a show you are soo busy it's very difficult to have a conversation with your collectors. I meet many of my collectors during events or in the evening after a show. Still just thoughts..... I haven't attended many one day shows so that's why I'm asking?
Karen

Now that I live ALL the way out in Seattle I have to make careful decisions about shows. I guess I'm used to two to three day shows. Now there seems to be a lot of one day shows. I know many of us complained that Sunday at a show was hardly worth it, sometimes, but now with one day??.... I think of all the work of packing, flying across country, setting-up (usually exhausted). THen it's all over in 6 hours! No dinner, little time to talk and socialize. Then I started thinking of it from a collector's view. Would a collector spend all the money to come to a 6 hour show and fly home again? No dinner, special events, not even much time to meet with the artists? Have any artists, here, traveled a long distance to do a 6 hour show? Do you get the same crowd as when the show was 2 days? How exhausting was the "fly in, fly out" whirlwind?

Penny  What's with the red face?
I should check, again, with online shows. I did participate in the first HO HO HO show. In early shows I noticed that it was difficult to sell anything for over $300 with an online show, but that might have changed? I think it's true, online shows might become more popular since it's so expensive for customers to travel to shows and most people are watching expenses.
Karen

Thanks for all the thoughts, I guess I'm not alone :hug:
Lisa, YES! I'll be at the Washington EXPO, see you there! Love that show and, especially, the artists  Mindy, I will be advertising, I'll talk to Kellie. Now I have to learn how to update my website in Dreamweaver instead of my Adobe GoLive since I've updated my Mac OS and I can't use Adobe    I wish I could create a blog!? I am in admiration of the artists that create such creative and thoughtful blogs! They are wonderful  My thoughts are so "out there"  I can't imagine being collected enough to maintain a blog. Then again, maybe that would be a good exercise for me!
Karen

Hmmmm 
I've been creating and selling my cats and bears since 2000. I work in my studio full-time and I guess my work is my life. Not that I don't have an outside life, it's just I'm most ALive at shows, creating designs for my collectors and talking to fellow artists and collectors. It's a wonderful life    Usually I would have my whole year's schedule planned by January. This year I'm just not sure? I've entered 3 of my favorite shows but I'm at a lose for what to do next? Usually I would take a chance on a couple of smaller shows, but from what I've heard 2007, that can be very costly I love shows but I'm considering less shows and more advertising or more promotion of my website? Any thoughts from the group? What are your plans for 2008? Do we have any psychics in our group 
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

Laurie,
I know what you mean. It's like "I really want a pea but are you going to hurt us with that camera thing you're aiming at us?"  He's really sweet and innocent.
Karen

I'd LOVE  :clap:  to send some elegant cat ornaments for the tree? Does your friend understand cats? Judging from his taste, I believe he would understand cat art? 
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

Aleta,
We're just starting to get the snow in Seattle    I thought I left this all behind in CT! But it is beautiful and we know it will melt soon 
Merry Christmas!
Where are you planning to move?

Jane, Truly Wonderful!
But No Shark Swallowed Teddy Talkers?! I would have loved to be with the Bear Guys 
Karen

Wonderful  What sweethearts!
Can I ask what camera do you use? I think those are the most detailed photos I've ever seen
Karen

Wow! Lisa
I wouldn't have known where to start with an anteater, Congratulations! Also, will you ever be creating ant pin jewelry? I'd buy one in a second :clap:
Karen

Jane!
That brings back memories Jacko was my sister's favorite gift. too! I think it had a lot to do with how it felt and moved. To a child it could be a real chimp   
Karen

Wow!
I have such a different idea about furs! I started with mohair and I was driven crazy by the short stubble fur when I clipped. It was so sharp and really hurt when it got into body crevasses    I started with synthetics and developed a system. As I cut I hold the piece over a trash bin and shake/brush-off the excess fur. Very clean. I only have to vacuum once a week and no more painful short mohair stubble clippings.
I guess my challenge this year is working with my eye sockets to get more expression. Should be fun 
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

  Debbie,
You're way ahead of me. Just printed it out and I'm going to try to get him ready for Washington in August. HAVE to do that face 
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

Wow!
What an amazing Tree!  Just wonderful. Great artists, thank you all.....next year I hope I'll be there    My big move really put a krimp in my dreams and plans for this year.
Karen

THis was WAy back    My family was also having a difficult time, financially. Boy, parents were sooo young back then; my dad was 25 years old and my mom was only 22! I was only 4 years old, but I remember    My uncle, 17 years old made a wooden horse in woodshop class. It was amazing! Cut out of flat wood pieces with a barrel body and solid wood barrel head, leather ears. It was taller than me and had a handmade leather saddle and bridle. He had painted it as a black and white Pinto. Me and my younger brother and sister could sit in the saddle. What wonderful dreams I had riding that horse!
Karen

Marlys,
And anyone else! NEVER! NEVER! answer any email from ebay or paypal. Always go to your secure account. If the message is REAL, it will be there. Neither ebay or paypal expect you to answer any unsecured email messages. Be safe 
Karen

Bobbie,
Thanks    I've been wanting to thank you for some time for all the great advice and website suggestions you have given over this year. IT's the Holiday Season! A great time to say THANK you Bobbie
Karen