Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thanks Aleta, I just loved reading this, and for animal parents who just love their babies, it is all so true.  I have always believed that people who love animals have a "special" part in their soul.  It is just a little bundle of compassion that is there that people who don't like animals, and carry on about them negatively, that they just don't have.

It is like children who grow up with animals.  It just adds a lovely touch to their whole outlook of life and people.  They seem to have a greater understanding of caring and compassion.  It breaks my heart to see my little daughters friends who aren't allowed to have a pet, and when they come to our house, they think our little dog is just dreadful and that he should be banished outside.  All kids need a pet for their soul, even if it is a little goldfish or mouse.

Hi Missy,
Tulip is just lovely.  Welcome to TT, I hope we see lots more of your creations.

Sarah, she is just beautiful, what a gorgeous, soulful little face.  Photography is fantastic as well.

Please keep working on this little guy.  You may be really surprised at how he turns out.  I have worked on lots of bears and have thought "Gosh, I'm not happy at all with this",  I have kept going and trying different techniques, which is fun in itself, and have ended up with a bear that I have been really pleased with.

Let this little guy live!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope we can see the results if you decide to carry on.  Good luck.

I was paid recently by a customer who did'nt have a Paypal account, but she paid via paypal with her credit card.  It showed up straight away in my Paypal account, but it said next to it that it was "pending".  It took about four days for the "pending" to go away, and "confirmed" in its place.  That must have been the clearing time.  I mailed the bear once the payment was "confirmed".  Hope that helps.

That is just the best news ever Sarah, no wonder you are excited.  Isn't it getting harder and harder to find international bear magazines here in the newsagents in Oz.  I know we can subscribe, but it is quite expensive, and it just doesn't seem as extravagant if you can buy them one at a time.  It will be great if they send you a copy.   Am really thrilled for you.

The responses from the ladies on this forum are as funny as the bear itself.  I just love the way you ladies have "expressed" your opinions on this bear with a "willy".  I am just loving the idea of a challenge Wendy.  I can just imagine the guidelines.

I also appreciate very much the time and effort you put into finding us these beautiful, uplifting pictures.  My 10 year old always checks out your posts to see the "picture lady".  You have a fan.

Oh Danni, I agree with you 100%. I live in Adelaide, and we have had such an awful hot summer, it is so tiring and exhausting, and also not very comfortable for bearmaking.  Aletas garden, with all its icy glory, looks like a magical wonderland to me, and it is such a treat being able to see it whilst my poor little body is dripping with perspiration.  Any snow photos are eye candy!!

Hi everyone,
I have participated in two swaps in the past on a different bear forum (Australian based), and have organised one of them.  My whole personal philosophy on swaps is that it is totally about friendship and sharing.  It is about wanting to make something for someone else, perhaps someone in another country, purely as an act of friendship and giving.  We have had no criteria in our swaps on our forum, apart from a flexible time guide line, and perhaps an optional theme.

I believe that if you want to make sure that you receive a bear of a particular "standard" or "size", then a privately arranged swap, straight between two people is the way to go.  If you participate in a large, public, volunteer organised swap, then you need to go into it with the spirit in which it is organised, - for joy, fun, excitement and friendship.  Let's say I have someone to swap with who is a little more, or a little less experienced than me - that is fine.  I need to appreciate that bear for the time and effort that person has put in at the level that they are at.  I know that my first ever bear took me weeks of blood, sweat and tears, far longer than a bear today.

My personal opinion is, if people are going to look at swaps from the point of view of only what am I going to get, then the whole exercise is pointless.  I believe that most people do enter into swaps with enthusiasm and the realisation that their bear that they receive will be a total surprise,  in materials, size, level of experience, etc.  Perhaps if people have expectations far above this criteria, they should refrain from entering swaps, or restrict themselves to personal swaps where they know they will have more control on what they will get.

These are all my own personal views, and are from the point of view of someone who has organised a swap.  It would be an awful shame if the organisation of a swap became so complicated and "tight" with guidelines, that firstly, no one would want to organise it because it would be too much of a headache, and no one would want to participate due to fear of disappointing their partner.  By the way, I do waffle on a lot!

Isn't that the most amazing picture, they almost look prehistoric.  See, Mum's come in all shapes and sizes don't they?

I know how she feels.....

Just wonderful news to hear of your daughter getting stronger and stronger.  Such a worry for you and it is lovely to hear that she is home planning her wedding.  Wish her all the best from us all.

Thanks for the information, and I shall eagerly await any more news about her next book.  I have all of Jennifers books, and I find them just brilliant.  Full of information, great design information and really good value for money.  I can highly recommend them to any new bearmaker.  Her bearmaking video is also brilliant for newies.

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your daughter for her recovery.  Such a awful time for you all, hope things turn around soon.

She is adorable.  Mini's take quite a bit of patience and "gentle persuasion" in the turning.   The results are certainly worth it though.  Those tiny little bundles you can hold in your hand - I just love them.  The trick is, if you are totally frustrated, put it down and go back to it later, if you pull or push too hard, you may rip a seam.  Sometimes also, if it just won't turn through, push it back to where you started and start again.  Sometime the seam might position itself slightly differently this time and it will come through easier.  A pair of hemostats for turning is a must for mini makers.  You can get them through any bear supplier and they really grip the fabric to help turning.  Make sure you grip the fabric though and not just the fur.  Keep at it, they are such fun.

So gorgeous - thanks for posting these great animal piccies - we love them.

Tami, I just so love your animal pics of the day.  Thank you so much for going to all the effort to do them each day.  They really bring a smile to my face.  My little daughter is also very keen to check out the "animal lady" each day.

I think you have done a great job on your first mini.  They are a real challenge aren't they.  Hope you have the bug to try some more.

Thankyou so much for sharing with us.  Loved the photos.

Vegemite spread is a real Aussie tradition, and we were all brought up on it.  Vegemite spread on your toast in the morning, Vegemite sandwiches for lunch at school, and often Mum would put a spoonful of it in the casserole for extra flavouring.  It is really an acquired taste, and I have had overseas friends say that they thought they were going to die after tasting it.  If I were ever going to visit America, it would be on the condition I could bring my Vegemite with me.  We Aussies can't survive without the stuff.  Please Mr. President, give Vegemite the thumbs up!!

Hello Tracey,
I get my small black eyes from www.gerrys.com.au

I am pretty sure they go down to 2mm with wires on the backs.  Their website is very comprehensive.  Good luck.

Wonderful, I love the one about never buy a car that you can't push!!

Absolutely superb work.  I can see how much time, care and detail you have given to this wonderful piece.  Truly a work of art.  Congratulations.

Bron, take your time, and please don't feel guilty.  You have been through such a difficult time with the kids and yourself - no one wants anything but for you to be feeling much better and stronger.  We are here when you feel up to it.