Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Yet again top tips. Some great ideas. Thanks.

Hugglets is a well known guide in the UK. Here is the link so you can check it out for yourselves.
http://www.hugglets.co.uk  (I'm not sure how to do links) You can see an example of the guide for yourselves. You can usually get the guide at fairs and bear shops.

I would agree with Shelli. I'm sure there are technical reasons not to do bias/diagonal but then I never was technical. I don't like reading instructions either. So go with the fur flow, so to speak and I'm sure it will be just fine.

Hiya. I think it depends on what type of bear you are doing. On scruffy type bears I would not worry too much as it adds to the effect.
On the last one I did I had the same problem. I followed how the fur lay, even though it was on the diagonal. I use a large T pin on the fur side following the pile, then turn over to see where it lies. You may have to keep checking with the T pin as my mohair pile was all over the place. Stuffing is then the next thing to get right as you may have backing that stretches different ways.
You could always lightly spray the made up bear after and brush in the direction you want. I use hot iron protection spray ( the one you use for your own hair). It is not too sticky and gives a lovely smell and finish when dry.
NO EXPERT myself, so I would also be interested in the replies. All the best Suzanne.

Great topic. I think you do tap into a different market over the sizes. There are collectors who only buy small bears for example. I don't sell enough to have an opinion so would love to hear from someone who makes in lots of sizes. I wonder if small sells well over the net as the postage is cheaper?!!

Hi Winney. I find it very hard to write descriptions. I just write what the bear composes of etc. I just can't seem to be more... well a storyteller, I suppose. My husband put some of my old bears that did'nt sell on Ebay and did the whole gorgeous, lovely, well made thing and guess what, yep they sold!
I did see a tip on Penny 'gotobedbears' and that was to say different monitors may show the colours differently, very true.
I think you can do templates that you can use every time. So your details, maybe some history can be used on every listing. My trouble is I need to do the marketing side more.
In the end though I think it comes down to getting the photography right and making sure your gallery picture is one that will lead them in.

Wow, your site is so fast. Thanks for the tips Rita. A web page is my next job, ready for Christmas. Love 'Bully' the dog. He's under the Critters link if anyone wants to look. Fab!!!

Shelli, thanks ever so much. You can't have put it simpler (just as well with me). I managed to do my avatar and so it will now be easier to do my Ebay photos right.
By the way, I left the computer on your Willy Wonka photos to show to my daughter who is a big Roald Dahl fan. She collects the Roald Dahl magazines and is in the fan club. When I went to kiss her goodnight there was your Willy Wonka on her wall alongside Britney Spears. Shes now a Potbelly fan!

I have invested in a new camera with macro, white function and light settings. I have got as far as the macro function. I finish a bear then always seem to want to skip the 'boring/confusing' photography part. Its got to be done and learnt though, so thanks for the links. I am guessing if I want to use photos for say, Ebay, then to use 72 pixel like I used for my avatar? See Eileen another 'photophobic'!

It seems 19 or 20 have been killed. Spare a thought for the victims then carry on being the kind and generous people you all are. Terrorists are NOT going to beat us down.

Yes Shelli, Robbie is a true Brit rock and roller. He comes from my home town of Stoke-on-Trent. I used to do body weight classes with his mum. (my claim to fame!?).
Doesn't Chirac know our national dish is curry? Chicken jalfrezi with a garlic nan and a nice Californian chardonay to wash it down...hmm.

Hello Maddie. I started making bears around the same time and can remember you at a Telford fair. I can also remember all the bears other artists made with your unique style! I know its a thin line between ideas and copying (one I worry about crossing all the time). Your talent will shine again and it will be lovely for everyone else to share in this. It feels different this time around, more relaxed. Hope you feel the same. Best wishes, Mandy

Hi Kelly. I have had some experience in this. 7 years ago I had a bear shop near to where I live. The standard mark up on Steiff, gund etc. was 100%. You just doubled what you paid for your bears.
Artist bears... well thats when it gets tricky. Some artists just were not prepared to reduce them much (fair enough!). I just couldn't afford to buy them and put a good enough mark up on them.  Sue Ann seems to have got it about right. The other thing is to make them more exclusive for the shops etc. Then if they have to put more of a mark up on, the collectors will be willing to pay a bit more than you usually charge.
I also made bears for wholesale. I offered 50/50. I did sell plenty of bears to shops though! I considered them to be my 'bread and butter'. They kept me going through lean times.  Hope this helps!

I was lucky to purchase several large reels of thread a few years ago. The lady I had them off got them from a shoe manufacturer that was closing down, so I guess they were used to stitch leather. You can't snap it. My husband even used it to make a humane 'mouse trap'. Don't ask. It was like something off the road runner with a bucket one end, and my thread used to lever it up over the bait and my husband the other ready to cut the thread if the mouse appeared. No he didn't get the mouse but it proved how good my thread was! ( he had tried everything else from glue traps to the humane ones you buy)  Neep Neep!

Hello. I have wooden tags. I get my dad to cut them out and drill the holes for my hessian or leather thong to go through. I then use an ink stamp design one side and write on the other.