Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thanks Kelly!  I'm trying to get some roomates for the show.  I stay in the Founders Suite the apartment in the hotel.   We've got 3 dogs at home and financially, just can't swing rooming 3 dogs for 3 nights plus hotel.  Soo unless I get volunteers to spread the expense, I'll have to cancel out on the show entirely.  I emailed her and hopefully she'll be interested!

hugs,
Leeann

yeah I tried to find one...like a needle in a haystack!!  lol  and i check at work and don't have that much time during the day now.  thought throwing this in would help!
thanks for the hint!
hugs,
leeann

Hi, I can't find Bobbie's email address. I need to contact her it's about the Sauder Doll show in August and seeing if she'd like to room in the apartment with me during the show.  It's very big for lots of artists!!
hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

Laura Lynn wrote >>Aww that is so cute!!  Now the cynical side of me wonders if Disney will sue the puppy herself for trademark infringement !<<

They'd have to sue Mother Nature/God!!  :crackup:

lol,
Leeann

In our local paper's website ETruth, a puppy was born with Mickey's ears on her back.  Photo and video are at
http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?ID=453639
just waayyy too cool!!
Sure brought a smile to my face!
hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Beras

I LOVE it!! I'd wear it, but then again, I'm weird!  lol
hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

Lisa,

boy you guys missed that big twisted that went thru not too long ago in Norfolk, VA!  Wow, what a mess there!  I've driven by that area going to Virgina Beach many times.  How's that are doing?  It's not big news anymore, so nothings reported on the clean upl

We've had some bad weather that's luckily just went around us and missed us entirely!

I think mother nature having bad PMS!!!   :twisted:

hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

I also like the fact that in Australia, there is truth in advertising, at least it was about 10 years ago.  A friend from Australia was visiting in Ohio and we went to a local craft store.  There was a ribbon flower kit with one of those logos "AS SEEN ON TV"  I told her, don't believe what you read...she was ASTOUNDED!!  Said it's not that way in her country!  Ahhh, if only they would do that here!
hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

1. Where is your cell phone?  pocket
2. Your significant other?   home
3. Your hair?  head
4. Your mother?  marion
5. Your father?  marion
6. Your favorite thing?  husband
7. Your dream last night?   xrated
8. Your favorite drink?    dietpepsilime
9. Your dream/goal?  living it
10. The room you're in?  lobby
11. Your hobby?   creating
12. Your fear?   heights
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?   living!
14. Where were you last night?  home
15. What you're not?  undependable
16. Muffins?  PaneraBread'sApplecinnamonraisin!
17. One of your wish list items?   rich
18. Where you grew up?  marion
19. The last thing you did? lunch
20. What are you wearing?  clothes
21. Your TV?  off
22. Your pets?   dogs
23. Your computer? hewlet packhard
24. Your life?   happy
25. Your mood? pleasant
26. Missing someone? son
27. Your car? malibue
28. Something you're not wearing?  hat
29. Favorite store?  nordstorms
30. Your summer?   cool
31. Like someone? husband
32. Your favorite color? brown
33. When is the last time you laughed?   today
34. Last time you cried?  blank

Judi, try www.ericas.com  the store is here in south bend, in.  they have many teddy bear magazines from australia, germany...i was really surprised to see them when i stumbled to look for fabric and stuff.  the store is advertised on tv lots and it's a pretty cool little shop.
congrats on the story!!
hugs,
leeann krikau
busser beras

I use whatever is available for pattern pieces...I've taken boxes apart...and use permanet marker.  I've used gold marker on black fur...I mark the pattern right on the backing.

hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

Wow, Europe!  Been there twice when Neysa Phillippi used to do the tours. 

One thing I don't think anyone mentioned in their posts-sorry if I missed it...but VERY IMPORTANT!!!
TOILETS ARE NOT FREE TO USE!!!  You must have coinage to enter and use...if you find one that is free, you DON'T want to use it!  It is well worth the small change for a clean toilet & bathroom!!  But for free clean toilets, McDonalds is the place!  And it was good to have a big mac after we eating all that German sausage and kraut! 

Getting a snack around 2 or 3 in Germany was such fun!  We needed a break, a wee snack and tea...my aunt Maxine, Lynn and Phil Gatto and I stopped at a really neat restaurant.  We got a fabulous desserts, tea and it was in lovely small china teacup and saucer, a small napkin and a small plate of cookies too!  Way too much fun!!

And enjoy, enjoy enjoy....pictures are important, but if you take too many photos, you loose the "moment" of really being there and the experience.  I took so many the first time and realized that when I came home.  I took less the 2nd time, but was more particular in what I did shoot and really enjoyed being there more.

hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

Brenda...
here in the US the Red Squirrels chase out the greys!!  They are VERY territorial and DON'T like to share.

got a laugh from that!!

hugs,
Leeann

Quoting Christine,
     OOOOOOh, I would love to see a badger!  I know they can be nasty, but I'd love to see one up close.  Are there lots of them or are they quite rare?  I feel badly for you mum, if it's digging up her lawn - is it looking for bugs? >>

Badger....noooo go to a zoo!! You DON'T want to meet up with one!   :twisted:  :twisted:  :twisted:   I saw a wild life tv show where they were trying to trap some bears for tagging and weighing.  Huge logs were used to build the thing...a badger had gotten trapped and EATEN his way out!  A beasty to be respected!!

hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

Brenda, we have horrid little red squirrels here.  My husband has been taking shots at them with his pellet gun and hitting the bird feeder instead.   The little buggers have been tearing apart the feeds by chewing them up!  They are cute, but terribly destructive.  He bought a brand new tube feeder with the stems that fall down/spring loaded when they attempt to land on them.  He just put it up last night and I can't WAIT to see a squirrel fall down off of it!

You don't have hawks up there?  Strange, thought they were all over the continent.  If I had the time, I'd love to be a falconer.  I do admire them.

hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

I tend to stick out my tounge and lick my lips a lot...have to keep chapped lip cream very handy!! 
hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

We feed the birds, several feeding stations at our home...and it's also like ringing the dinner bell for the red tailed hawks.  Fortunately, we really like the hawks. 

I know a lot of you are going euwwww and squimish at the thought, but those of you that know me, know that I am a bit "twisted"!  lol

I could tell you stories about the hawks eating the pigeons when I lived in Ohio!!

hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

A "decade" ago....geesh, that sounds soooo much longer than 10 years!!  lol  Myself, I've done the show for about a "decade".
For any doll collectors, Robert Tonner is the guest doll artist.  He designed the April character from my very favorite comic strip "For Better or Worse".  I was very fortunate to meet the creator of the strip at IDEX in San Franciso, she came for the show when Bob debuted April.  A very nice lady, and she also liked my work, too.  A very nice compliment to both our works.
hugs,
Leeann
Busser Bears

Racoons as well as chipmonks...God just dressed them too cutely!  But chipmonks when they come INTO my domicile-inside my walls-then all bets are off and it's goodbye varments!!!

hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

Bobby,
it's Sauders Village, like Sauder Furniture...it's the town where it's made.  Info can be found at www.saudervillage.org  I love the place!  If you get a chance at the show, make sure to do the "tour" of the Village.  You name badge gets you in!

Can't wait to see you!
hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

Melissa, whatever machine you purchase, it's GOT TO BE HEAVY DUTY. Mohair does a number on machines!  I was lucky enough to purchase a used Bernina 910 years ago.  It's a simple machine without all the bells and whistles of computer stuff.  Plus I use a zipper foot and denim sewing machine needles. The zipper foot allows me to get closer to the edging and also allows me to see exactly where I'm sewing. I also sew almost always to the right of the foot...only do the left with the hand pad.

Good luck!!
hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

Are there any really cool shops that we fellow artists and collectors would be interested in visiting in the area?  I'd go into their shop with a few of the teddies to show them what kind of show it would be, not dime store stuff, something that will peak their interest...ask them if they'd like to offer some kind of discount or map or something to advertise their place.  The map would be great so that you could find the place. 

Also, a great restaurant, maybe they could advertise the show and you could advertise the restaurant...maybe a dinner for 2 or 1 give-away. 

The shops I think would bring some customers who might be really interested in another cool venue to attend....and the artists could find a really neat place to shop.  I know when I used to travel, I would have LOVED to find some really cool shops or visit a really nice restaurant.

hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears

I just went to ABC Unlimited website and found this letter...very sad....

Dear Friends,

After nearly 22 wonderful years of producing teddy bear and doll events it is with very mixed emotions that Connie and I are announcing our retirement as of June 1, 2008.  The changing market and the desire to spend more time with our families has dictated our choice to re-channel our energies.

We want to thank everyone who has taken this long journey with us and being our family away from home and for the many years of laughter, joy and tears that have enhanced our lives along the way.

OUR MANY THANKS

To Etta Foran and Pat Joho who got us into this glorious business.

To Hank Currier who partnered with us for several years and put up with a lot of PMS (think that's why he retired to Florida?) but, leant his fantastic artistic talents to all of the events (we continued to use many of the signs he designed right up to this past show in April Schaumburg).

To the artists from all over the United States, Canada, Asia, Australia and Europe who have supported our events by exhibiting at the shows, making souvenir bears, centerpieces, special gallery pieces, presenting workshops and seminars throughout the years enabling us to produce such grand events.

To Teddy Bear and Friends and Teddy Bear Review magazines for their continuous support and giving us the opportunity to host TB & F's TOBY awards and TBR's ambassador awards programs making our events even more special.

To the retailers who also supported our events and spread the word about teddy bears and dolls to their many customers in their shops.

To Intercal and Edinburgh Imports for having a presence at all of our teddy bear events making it possible for the artists to pick fabrics first hand and not just from tiny samples.  In fact, Dale Junker is the only exhibitor who attended every single show that we produced or had a representative present.

To the manufacturers: North American Bear Co., Cooperstown Bears, Bearington Bears, Bearland Express, Deb Canham Artist Designs, Russ Berrie and others.  If we have left someone out it is not intentional, but let it be known that without their extreme generosity we would not have had so many wonderful give aways at the conventions.

To Charlie Misovye for the fantastic stage productions he created for a number of our convention/banquets.  Who will ever forget Sonny and Cher?

To the BEST BOYS who helped on many occasions when we needed an extra hand.

To Linda Mullins, Joel Hoy and Daniel Epley for thinking of us when they decided to retire from the business of show promotion.

To Good Bears of the World for their constant support and friendships.  May they continue their good works for many years to come.

And, to all of the collectors who made us so happy when we watched them leave a show with huge smiles on their faces because they have just added that one, two or dozen special teddies to their hug.

To borrow a phrase from that famous comedian Bob Hope - THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.  Wherever life takes you from here we hope that you take along some fond memories as well.

Warm regards and Big hugs,

Amber Beeler & Connie Brouillette

Rules are rules and it is very obviously stated that you cannot have any website info listed.

Plus at Disney she sells out almost right away and just gets to RELAX the whole rest of the time!!  lol
hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser bears