Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Daphne, what a simply beautiful photograph.  I have a real "thing" about polar bears - they are just perfect animals.  No wonder you brought this picture.  Enjoy it.

Lots of love, strength and good wishes for a speedy recovery for this dear little boy.

With every good wish from the other side of the world Daphne for a wonderful, successful, and enjoyable show.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Bron for your littlies to have a speedy recovery.  What a worry for you.

Fantastic news Judi, and such recognition of your wonderful work is totally deserved.  Best of luck.

Lots of good luck and wishes Catherine - great news on your nomination.  Thanks for letting us know Gemma.  Lets hope it is your turn next time - your bears are just gorgeous.

So very happy for you Jenny - well deserved recognition for your fabulous work.  Best of luck in the judging.  Will have everything crossed for you.  :dance:  :dance:

Thank goodness your sister found them and has taken such wonderful care of these babies.  Some people's behaviour just leaves you speechless doesn't it.

Thanks for telling us about the coupon option girls.  For us international "bearies", every cent counts when we have to pay shipping.  Ta.

A warm welcome to TT Sue.  Look forward to chatting and seeing your bears.  Everyone here is just lovely and you will see the most wonderful creations.

Jenny, this little bear is just superb, I really think you should include this design back in your current range - he has turned out wonderfully.  That hair is to die for!!!

The joy on your little grandsons face is just a delight to see - thank you for sharing this super day you had.

Thanks for sharing the pictures Aleta of your magical day with all your friends.  There is nothing better than getting together for a good hug and lots and lots of laughs.  Would love to come to one of your soirees one day, but it might be a bit too far!  Next year's idea sounds brilliant - lots of very happy, friendly witches casting lots of wonderful spells for everyone.

Hi Shelli, that was very sweet of you to compliment Brittany.  I am Australian and my husband is English, and all of his sisters have that wonderful peaches and cream complexion.  Fortunately, Brittany inherited it.  From the day she was born she has had the most amazing rosy cheeks, and she looked like she had applied full makeup before her birth to be ready to face the outside world.

She was also born with a full head of long dark hair, and the theatre nurses were joking that she had been to the beauty parlour to get ready for her big entrance to the world.

Only trouble was, when she was teething, her cheeks looked like they had two bright red neon light globes in them!!!!!   I don't think she will ever have to spend a cent on buying rouge.

Yes, Muffy is a cutie too, and the biggest, sookiest boy in the world - we adore him.

Hayley, I really think you have done a terrific job with your website.  I love the photography on the home page.  It is really easy to navigate around and full of useful information.  Terrific job.  Enjoy your holiday before the big show. 

You know, I am sitting here in my little house in Adelaide Australia, and my life is revolving around Pen and her garden fiasco.  Every day, the first thing I do on the computer is go to the Shoot Me Now topic, so that I can catch up on the latest garden catastrophy and all the hilarious comments from other girls around the world.  Penny's garden has really become a "United Nations" topic, and I think that when it is finally complete, we should all fly in and have an unveiling of the new garden and a memorial plaque commemorating the event.

Now, what would you girls put on the plaque.....

Oh Melissa I know just how you feel.  We only have one child, a 10 year old daughter Brittany.  My husband works so much that Britty and I do everything together, we are really best buddies.  Last year she went away on school camp for the first time ever, and it was for three days.  I couldn't believe how "lost" I felt.  I know that they have to do these things to become independent young adults, but I couldn't believe how "alone" I felt, even with my dear husband.  I love him so much, but your child is your child - you girls know what I mean.

This year, in a few months, she is off on a camp for five days, and so expect to see me here on TT crying on your shoulders.  Thank goodness for my bears when I have time to kill.  Normally, I am chasing my tail all day.

Your daughter will have the best time away with her Dad, and just think of what a terrific homecoming you will all have.  Take the time to recharge your batteries whilst they are away.

This is my daughter Brittany and our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Muffy.  Brittany would kill me if she ever knew that I had posted this picture as she had just got out of bed.  Everyone keep the secret won't you!

Eileen, I have never heard the term "Pukarama" before.  I love it and it is so descriptive.

Krista, when he goes off to his new home I think he should take his blue wig with him.  That way he can revert back into  a wildchild at any time.  I think he looks gorgeous both ways.

Oh Bron, I think we can all sympathise with you enormously.  Sicky kids, one after another really can get you down mentally and physically.  It's times like this that I think that the washing machine is the greatest invention ever.

All I can do is give you the best piece of advice I was ever given, and it was said to me by a Doctor during a fairly difficult time in my life, it was "Nothing ever stays the same forever".  Repeating that over in my mind at difficult times has certainly helped me hold on for better days.

I hope the little chickens are better soon.  Good on you SuperMum.

Such great information Heather - thank you for letting us all know about it.

This was so interesting to hear all your stories about revealing your profession to enquiries.  So many people out there don't even know that artist bears exist, and only assume that all teddy bears are produced in mass quantities in factories.  In one way, if you do have the time and patience to explain the craft to them, it is only positive promotion of our "business", not always easy though if you have some cynical character making the enquiry.

Paula, your story about the mortgage application made me feel so sad for you.  To be treated in such a "dismissive" way after so many years of hard, hard work in perfecting your craft and artist skills, well I could quite easily have socked him one.  Paula, as a very proud owner of one of your beautiful bears, I consider the title "Professional Bear Artist" officially bestowed on you. 

The one good affirmation for all us girls is that on these discussion boards, other like minded artists can certainly appreciate all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into every design, and appreciate everyones work for what it is - pieces of art.

I know what you mean about computers.  I am such a baby with them.  Getting just my avatar photo up was was of lifes great challenges.  Still, I am learning all the time, just like you.  Only trouble is you chew up so much time playing on the computer, and all these dear little bear body bits are looking at me waiting to be finished.

Lots of good wishes Jennie.  I am sure it will be a wonderful success.  Look forward to seeing your website with your goodies.