Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

FIRST,
I, too, want to put my wish in that all of us out here are ok? THe cats and I are fine. Our new home is located on a gentle hill with no run-off water coming down on us. Although, my real cats are constantly soaked since they insist on going out to explore their new environs  I've heard this morning that in Seattle we've had 5 inches of rain and it's still raining. Apparently, this is the second largest rain storm they've ever had in Seattle and we may beat the old record if this doesn't stop! A great number of roads are flooded and they've called in the National Guard to help with the sewers and evacuations. I know in the East, 5 inches of rain can be just absorbed into the spongey soil but out West there is a different type of soil. Also our city infrastructure is just not able to handle so much water at once.
Karen
P.S. I think I'll get on the phone and see if I can help? I believe they're going to have to evacuate many more homes before this is over.
I still LOVE Seattle
Yesterday I got a taste of Seattle understatement; A reporter was reporting on the traffic situation. It went sort of like this "THere is a tie-up on route 1, they're working on clearing the water off. Wait....No- apparently the road is closed, it has washed away."

:photo:  Krista! Congrats for camera and Anniversary,
I need a digital camera, too. THe old manual needs to go. Maybe I'll get the same camera as you, let you learn how to use yours, then I'll bring my camera, come up to visit you, and you can show me how to use it  (Talk about a looong sentence?!)
Karen

Peta,
I opted for courses at the New York City Sculpture School. It really helped with designing realistic animals. I was interested in 3d work and not, particularly, in an art degree. I took courses for about three years, part time. IT was an excellent school and I found my sculpture teachers really enjoyed my unique niche of using classical sculpture to improve my soft sculpture skills. We are a unique branch of art and I think most teachers of 3d art enjoy teaching someone who is into soft sculpture. Good Luck! Yes, it is worth it.
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

Sweet 
What makes this even more interesting is that Red Tiger Cats are almost always males! It's genetic, as with calicos; they are almost always female.
Karen

I use a Singer Industrial from the 1940's :clap:  I got at a close-out of a NYC sweat shop. I use very thick Belgium synthetic materials and some leather. This machine can go through anything easily, it's very simple. They just don't have machines that are created out of such finely machined metal parts anymore. It's a credit to the machinist and craftsman of that era. If you can find a fabric sewing manufacturer going out of business or at a manufacturing company auction, you can get some great sewing machines, very strong and durable!
Karen
P.S. It was dropped into a nice new sewing table with a foot and knee pedal included.

Kelly!
Beautiful! Congratulations  :clap:  I know how difficult it is to learn how to manage and build your own site. O.K. probably I'm older than you, but I found that learning to design my own website was one of the most difficult projects I've ever attempted    BUt it's so rewarding! Now I can change my site anytime by myself and I'm even starting to learn how to write html code, skipping my Adobe Live Program (But I'm very thankful for the special tricks the program offers). Persevere it's worth it
Karen

Reminds of something my cats would do. "Just sitting against the sofa arm, decided to sleep and fell over." I love the way cats can totally relax in any position. My cats, actually, help me relax.
Karen

Coming for Fall! I hope! (THE house move puts some brakes on my design schedule )
I'm working on a relaxed Grey Tiger cat. Pretty complex, I want him to look realistic yet be able to relax into sleeping cat poses. I'm going to try out a lot of new design ideas for this guy 
Karen

Paula,
I, too, have found over the years that black cats are wonderful! HAve you had you kitten checked by the vet? I noticed she's showing her third eyelid (the white on the inside corner of her eyes) This is usually a sign that a kitten has stomach problems or something that is upsetting her stomach.  She is beautiful and so young 
Karen

Vicki,
Aren't people amazing  :clap:  This probably is what saved these guys from a life of poverty. I know we have no where near the problems of Chinese acrobats! But I have to admit, this balancing act reminds me of the delicate balance we artist have to assume if we want to make a living as teddy bear artists    I know I am constantly balancing every day.
Karen

WoW! Lisa,
Your bunny is not only cute, she's very arty. She fits right in with all the art pieces    I hope she's not intimidated
Karen
See, I told you your work was solid. I bet you thought I was just saying that  This proves what I said.

  Thank you, all!
I'm calmer this morning. Isn't it strange how as the day goes on and a lot happens, your mind starts giving you all kinds of extra stress (ok, maybe it's just me ) Jane, Closing is the date the house deed is exchanged. It's all very legal with attorneys present and all the agreement items and monies are checked. THe reason it's Sept. 30th is because the new owner wants to get settled before the snow falls (starts in Oct. sometimes around here.) And that is a date the attorney had open. It's a 3,000 mile move. I think one of the biggest problems is going to be getting 3 cats out there  I'm having a big moving sale this weekend and I'm going to sell almost everything I own! (Studio stuff is another matter. I'm going to be very careful about what I sell there.)
Karen
Life is an ADVENTURE 

Oh! Aleta,
You're a Saint    I'll definitely contact you and I think we'll have some fun times together once I get settled! Can't wait to show you the cats in person 
Karen

Ok, I'm a little shaken!!
Just found out that we will have a house closing, Sept. 30th, and I have to find a place to live in the Seattle area by then  My husband is getting a job, there, but I never expected things to happen SO fast! KJ Lyons Design Studio will be relocating?! Can anyone in our group tell me a little about Seattle and the art scene? IS there any area that is better for a studio. Wow, this is so sudden and confusing. But the cats and I will survive this! It's just a new adventure    At least that's what I keep telling myself!
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

Hmmm,
I had/have a stuffed cat of that year that has a sewn on rubber face with a similar expression. It was made by the Gund company. THe problem was that the faces tended to peel and get oily. Despite that I kept mine since it was my first and favorite stuffed animal  I guess that's where it all started!
Karen and the cats
P.S. Use- Rubber face stuffed bears- in the search box. I did a quick search and there's lots of leads. Another company, Rushton, also was making rubber faced bears.

Daphne,
You can back me up on this? Bears are chickens, at least black bears, here, in Connecticut. If you yell or make any noise they will run away. And it's true, even kitty cats can chase away a black bear. My biggest worry is Raccoons who can be as much as 50 lbs. and may not back down if you threaten them! I'm in town, but out of town people have to worry about Eastern Coyotes which can be MUCH larger than their western cousins approaching Wolf size! But, no, I would never be afraid to walk outside. Walking back and forth from my studio 100 ft. from my house I bump into all kinds of animals if I work late; deers, opossums, raccoons (shiver!), skunks (not as quick to spray as you would think), woodchucks if they're working late, bears are never there until the wee hours of the morning. Just think about it; all we have done to black bears in the last century and I can't remember anyone in the last 18 years I've lived here in CT being attacked by a Black Bear! Who are the dangerous aggressors, here
Karen

 
My kittens used to sleep in my husband's very smelly hospital rounds shoes! I believe it's because they love the smell of their beloved human?
Karen

Wow! Judi
You know HOW to vacation  :dance:  I think it's wonderful that Rachel is learning how to socialize and get along with all kinds of people. You're setting a great example for her.
Karen

Judi!
Thanks so much for showing your trip photos. As you probably know, I love the way Disney does things. (I've been at their Teddy Bear Show for the past 5 years.) THey seem to have a knack at making every age feel comfortable  :clap: Boy! I bet it was hot down there! Joey looks a little worn out by the third day?
Karen

Nah, the cat came back, you can see the kitten's back foot coming up from behind. I can understand the puppy's prospective. Kitten's that age are ALL over the place, lightening fast and more than a poor puppy can handle. I think he just got tired of fending off the kitten attacks and decided to slow things down 
Karen

Let's see....I see 5 chicks and 2 kittens. One of those visual puzzles 
Karen

Lisa,
I'm in, too!  I was in NYC for 12 years and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was wonderful ;-) It's the start of the Holiday Season. WE could have fun with this  :dance:
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

  Chloe!
He's just amazing!! IF you can create a sloth you can create ANY animal :clap: I have created at least 50 different kinds of animals and creatures and a Sloth would have been a challenge for me! You have already accomplished this as a beginner
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

Wow!
I never even considered that we are inferior    I have a B.S. degree in Botany, but  to me, that's nothing compared to my current occupation as a teddy bear artist! I proudly carry a packet of photos and show them to anyone who asks what I do and I get a LOT of attention (too much, actually). I am so proud of what I do and I guess it shows because people treat me with great respect. I think a lot of people have jobs that are very tedious and are nothing like what they would have chosen for themselves. I think they are very excited when they meet someone who is excited and enthusiastic about their work? Maybe, this is more of a USA trait 
Karen

Vicki,
WONDERFUL! photos. Your have a real "feel" for the animals and it shows in your photography 
Thank you,
Karen