Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Aleta you are better off to send it just regular mail and not the global express it will take the same amount of time just cost more.  I really hate the 5.00 fee and taxes we have to pay for a shipment coming in.  If the value on the package is more than 20.00 then they will charge you the 5.00 fee for handling.  We won't get hit with duty on a teddy bear as there are no duties as it is considered a toy but you might get hit with the taxes on it.

We use UPS to ship our pracels to the US and have never had any problem, we also ship our bears back from the US with UPS and again no problem , I guess we have just been lucky.  It doesn't appear that there is a brokerage fee going to the US unless the value is over 250.00.  WE don't get hit with a brokerage fee when we ship our bears back as we show them on the declaration as show samples.

Something I found out interesting as well just recently was with our Provincial Sales Tax (like your State Tax)  If someone comes on to our website and orders a bear from us , regardless if they live in Ontario or in Germany or the US  we are suppose to charge them Ontario provincial tax (now that's bloody stupid if you ask me).
I was under the understanding that if you lived in Ontario then we had to charge the tax , I didn't realize it has to be charged on every sale on our website.  It's very frustrating let me tell you.

Big Hugs

Shane

Hi Christine,  I like using brown paper.  Like from a brown paper bag I found that worked the best for me, someone also mentioned to me one time that Nylons were good at buffing the nose but I haven't tried that.

big hugs

Hugs

Just needle them in like you would if you were needle felting.  Determine the area you want them to be in, and needle felt in the ends.  They will lock in just like regular roving, we have done that loads of time, they will lock into place no problem.

hugs

shane

OH Bobbie you certainly made me laugh with your website comment  .   You did a ton of travelling when you were doing shows,  we'd love to try Germany one yr but Asia hmmmmm I am not so sure about that's a bit of a distance to go for a show  .

big hugs

Shane

Good for you Richy way to go.  It is very scary and it is stressful but as someone else said you have almost eight weeks to get them done.

We did a commission awhile ago for 16 bears  (I have no idea what we were thinking)  this lady had very specific instructions for us.  All 16 bears also were dressed, she provided us with old clothing that was from her parents who had passed away.  Not only did we have to design the bears, but we had to design each outfit, one of them included hats with fur trim and boots with fur trim.  We managed to get them all done but it was an absolute nightmare, while doing them we were also trying to get other orders done and getting stock ready for all the shows we do.

What I suggest is take one day and sit down and trace and cut out each bear, put each bear in a zip lock bag so all the pieces are together.  The bigger ones if you sew on machine then you can do them all at once.  Even if you hand sew then sew all the bears first.  Then spend an evening and stuff all the heads, then work on the heads first and get them done because that is most of the work is.  Once you have the heads completed then it's smooth sailing from there, just stuffing the bodies and arms and legs.  It takes a little organization but you know what, as long as you don't panic you will be just fine.  You have lots of time to get the bears done, just do so much each night and don't stress about.

By the way we no longer do commissions because of the above order, it was just to much for us and we nearly had a nervous breakdown  :crackup: .  You will get through this the person who you are making the bears for will love everyone of them.

big hugs

Shane

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:   I know exactly what you mean Karen,  we did a show one time  I went to bed at 3:00 and STeve stayed up until 5:30 and we had to get up a 6:00.  We both were so out of it, I don't even know how we got through the show.  that was the last time we pulled a stunt like that. 

hugs

Shane

OH come now Karen you could do both if you really wanted to    :crackup:  :crackup:   I know we are thinking the same thing but I think we may manage it  (easily said I know)

I agree with the cardboard boxes, we just knock them down and we are out the door .

big hugs

Shane

Well I can't wait to see your little guys in person, they are so gorgeous and I know you will have a wonderful time there.  I will certainly have to look for you, and make sure you stop by our booth at Expo would love to see you.

What makes it so easy is using the card board boxes for display especially when you are coming from the uk you don't want to be bringing a lot of display stuff.  What's nice is there are a lot of nice little shops in binghamton that are within walking distance of the hotel. Also check at the front desk when you check in ,  we will bring lots of extras with us just in case as we will be driving there so that's not a problem.  We just make sure that our table top fabric is big enough that we can cover the boxes. 

As for my gallery piece  hmmmmm no we haven't started on it yet but we will start on that soon.

Don't worry about flying,  I've flown to the UK so many times it's a breeze.  Of course I love flying so that helps the time does go by quickly, just remember to get up and walk about a few times to stretch your legs and get the blood flowing 

So looking forward to meeting you and your bears.

Big hugs

Shane

Andrea you will have to track me down at the August show,  I'm not sure what shape we will be in for that show  .  We are doing the DC doll and Teddy Expo August 10 - 12, the following week we are in Binghampton NY for the Teddy Bear Artist Invitational from the 16-18 and then at TBOV the following weekend.  Man are we nuts or what, good thing I enjoy flying  because we are doing a ton of it this yr.

big hugs

Shane

Majority of our sales are from shows, next would be our website and with that said our website sales have at least tripled in the last yr.  Have only done ebay once or twice, didn't care for it, didn't like being nickled and dimed and hate the fee's that they keep raising every 6 months (but I will likely give it another shot this yr sometime).  I guess I don't rely on ebay as much because we attend so many shows, throughout the yr.  We will no longer take special commissions from people either, if we have done a bear and someone else likes it we will do one similiar to it but it's based on our idea not theirs.  Did commissions  a few times and it was always a headache, and we just don't have the time or patience for it.  It takes away from your own creative process.

Brenda I fully understand what you are saying about doing shows,  you are not alone on that.  I know several artist who don't do shows because of the anxiety of them and the crowds, it's great that people like that have ebay to turn to and it works out well for them (we still enjoy seeing you attend the show though as a friend and collector)   

big hugs

Shane

Hi Jen,

We use cotterpins for our mini bears.  I know you say you have troubles turning the cotter pins, but on a small mini the cotterpin is not near as difficult to turn, they are very flexible so you might be able to do it with no pain.  If not then show your husband what has to be done and get him to turn down the cotterpins for you  .  I didn't care for thread jointing either, I know lots of people do it but it jus wasn't for us.

big hugs

Shane

:crackup:  I watch a lot of TV .  Actually because I take them with me everywhere it's amazing how much you get done.  Now this is over the course of about 2 months and remember there are two of us doing bears,  I tend to sew and stuff and Steve does the faces and the toes and stuff like that so it goes go quickly with two of us.   We do have a lap board that we use now and then, for me sewing I don't use it that often (that's what the arm of the coush is for haha)  Steve uses it more when he's sitting and doing faces (it's more a serving tray idea that we have) it has sides on it so nothing can roll off of it.

We do a lot of camping in the summer and we take them with us then, it's so nice to sit around and hand sew them but we have taken the sewing machine before because we did have a camp site with electricity so we just set it up on the picnic table and worked away.

big hugs

Shane

Oh and the boxes that Daphne is talking about are the coolest thing, we saw them in Schaumburg and we were all over her asking her where she got them  .  They are amazing and so easy to transport.

hugs

Shane

We are going to be at all of the TBOV shows this yr , the one in Niagara Falls, August  and the November Christmas show.  We have not registered for the Upholstered and stuffed articles act either, we have been doing shows for about 3 or 4 yrs now and have never had a problem ( most that I see at the shows don't have them) our swing tag also gives all of the information on what's in the bear.  I know we should register for it but to me it's a tax grab yet again and I would hate putting that stupid tag on my bear.   

As for the cost of the show Gail, I think if you look around you will see that TBOV is likely one of the cheapest teddy bear shows to do.  We are paying over $300.00 US to do a one day show in the US.  I still put it down to advertising cost, you have to be at the shows in order for your product to be seen.  It's not cheap putting on a Teddy bear show and with the hall rental and the cost of advertising the money just goes through your hands like water.  I know because we helped organize the one show in our area and I was amazed at how much it cost to put it on.  Most times the show promotor is not making any money from your table registration they make their money on the admissions.  What they charge for table fee's goes towards the cost of operating the show. 

As for Table displays, Steve and I play around with that all the time.  We always try and do something different, when it's a show close to us we can usually go all out with table decorations.  When we travel that's a different story, I agree with Laura Lynn that I like the staggered look and different levels.  We usually put cardboard boxes on the table all in different heights, we can travel with them as the knock down easily or usually we can find them at the hotel we are staying at and there is no cost.  We then cover them with fabric, but suitcases work well and depending on the style of your bear they help show them off.  The crates are wonderful too and help showcase the bears.  We tend to not load our table up with tons of bears, usually 15 to 17 bears max.  If the table becomes to crowded then people can't see the bears for the bears  .  When I walk around a show room I don't necessarily stop at every table, and I think some collectors are like that as well  they tend to scan the table as they go by and if something catches their eye they will stop.  That said if the table is to full then no one bear really stands out and people walk on by, so if you are able to give enough room for each bear then they can be seen clearly and you have a better chance of a collector seeing "the one bear they must have"  and stopping to check it out.

Sorry for the long post I just had a lot of idea's to put out there.

big hugs 

Shane

Oh Sonya you are so right,  I can't tell you how much I appreciate you giving us that website.  I'm gonna have so much fun with it.  We don't usually dress our bears, but lately I have been knitting some funky scarves to go with some of our bears (plus the knitting is a nice change from sewing ) and I was thinking about adding a cute hat to some of them, it's just difficult to find time to sit and design one.  Steve has a degree in costume design but again it's finding the time to sit down and work on it.  We've been working on bears like crazy lately trying to get some ahead as we have a lot of shows this yr and we are always scrambling trying to get them done.  I've been hand sewing them all as I can do it while watching TV.  I just counted them and I have about 30 sewn so far     I didn't realize I had that many done , plus we have 15 completed bears sitting on the shelf so I think we may be ahead of the game for a change.

Once again Sonya thanks so much for the webpage information,  LOVE IT

big hugs

Shane

Hi Kim,  I went to the site that Sonya recommended and downloaded the free pattern maker.  There is a hat pattern on there called the Paperboy hat and it's similiar.  What's really cool about the pattern maker is you can measure the head of the bear and input that dimension and it will adjust the pattern for that size and then you just print it out.  The Paperboy hat as a bit of a peak though, but would still be a cute hate.

Thanks Kim would appreciate it if you are able to come up with a pattern for it.

big hugs

Shane

Very adorable Daphne,  I love the stance on him with his arms behind him  kinda makes him look all prim and proper like  .  Well done and yes 3.5 lbs is heavy.  I think our heaviest is about 18" tall and weighs close to 6lbs  because of so much steel shot in his feel and hands .

keep up the great work

hugs

Shane

Thank you so much Louise, that would be wonderful.  I"ve sent you off a pm .

big hugs

Shane

That's what we do as well.  We provide people with Bear Guys Bucks, they get 10-20 BGB's that they can use for a future order.  We also send out thank you cards after a show and try and send out christmas cards to all of our collectors.  An email is nice now and then but collectors enjoy getting something in the mail as well.

Big hugs

Shane

Thanks so much Sonya, I've already downloaded it and can't wait to start trying it out.

thanks so much 

big hugs

Shane

Oh I would be interested in a pattern like that as well,  I've been hunting for a hat pattern for boy bear. 

hugs

Shane

Thanks Nancy I even have that book sheesh  why didn't I think of looking there, but you know sometimes there is so much information everywhere you don't know where to look first or maybe I was just being lazy and didn't want to take the time to look  :crackup: . 

Thanks as well Jeremy I never thought of Sassybears either, man I must of had a major brain fart  not thinking of them either.

Big hugs and thanks again

Shane

OOOOHhhhh   very nice Heather thanks so much, I may have order that .  I've never made wings but I always like something different and yours look really great.

thanks so much

Shane

Well there are only two of us living in our house ok the dog and cat are here as well.  Even we find it difficult to find time to get things done.  Between working full time (both of us still do ) and then coming home and having to get supper ready and your exhausted from working all day to boot.  We did treat ourself to having someone come in every two weeks to clean the house.  I know it sounds terrible that there are only two of us and we can't do our own housecleaning  .  But we all know how long it takes to tidy up a house and do all the vacuming and dusting and cleaning the bathrooms and on and on. Well this freed up a fair amount of time for us to do the things we like to do.  Being organized is very helpful, and taking time to relax and unwind is very important as well. 

We are always working on bears, no matter where we go we have bears with us and work on them constantly. I can't stand idle hands and I need to be doing something.  I rarely work on a bear while in the car though, I"m to nosey and need to see everything that is going on around me. 

I think we all struggle with this problem  but remember you need to take time for yourself.  Working full time and doing bears full time is tough and it will drain you, take a day or two off now and then and just do nothing or do something different , it refreshes the mind and refreshes you.  You'll feel more creative and have more energy.

Hugs 

Shane

Brenda from someone who suffered tremendously with ear problems growing (and I still do to this day).  I do remember my mother heating up some mineral oil just slightly warm and putting a couple of drops in my ear.  Also adding heat to is does make if feel so much better and by all means put a cotton ball in the ear, that alone seemed to help me as it cut the noise level.  Try and just get him to lay down watching TV or something for awhile and keep him quiet ( I know easier said than done).  I hope it gets better for him and hope you and your daughter are feeling better as well.

hugs

Shane