Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Tracy, my mom is 90, and speaks 3 black local languages, so to her, everyone who in South Africa is a black person must speak one of them, so she will  always speak to them in the first language, if they do not understand her, then she tries the 2nd, then the 3rd. Now we are getting more and more people coming into the country, name ly from neighboring states, and these people speak, French, Portuguese, and of cause we get lots of American and other Black visitors to the country. Of course my mom does not understand why they cannot understand her when she speaks to them in "their language" The more I try and tell her, "Mom they only speak French, whatever" the more she tells me, what utter rubbish" and loudly too. Yikes, do I want to hide. Luckily because of her age, most people are very understanding at these times.
 
Lynette

Some Mini Bears that I have been experimenting with. The bigger ones are made from Schulte alapaca mohair, the smaller one from long cashmere from Sassy Fabrics. I used Super-lon nylon thread to sew the small bears by hand, also purchased from Sassy.
Steph, has been shopping for me in USA, for all the things that everyone talks about on TT, that I can not get in SA.She has gone that extra mile for me, so I must say a BIG BIG thank you to her. I did ask her to include some coffee , milk and tea, but we did think the milk would be sour by time it reached me. I am even getting the " udder cream" to try thanks to Daphne, the gauze that Judi mentioned for the bear/bunny  ears, the alligator clips that everyone mentions- which Sassy Fabrics now stocks, and some Heirloom patterns and fabrics that were mentioned here in TT as well.

Lynette

I am busy doing a course with Nancy at EBearZ University. its the Fabulous Heads course. I am a bit behind, but did manage to complete the first head. The Dog Head,is finished, and I have sewn the Rabbit Head,so slowly making progress, and will post a picture of them when finished.

Here is a picture of the first Head, I am calling him Wizard- as he can change into whatever he wants to be, at the moment he is a Bear.
Sitting on Wizard's knee is one of my mini's.

Lynette

Teddy talk reached out and gave me so much- new friends, new tricks, and taught me a new craft- needle felting.
It lifted me up when I was down, and made me smile .It also kept me glued to my computer many a day, in my pyjamas,when I just quickly came to check something.

I salute TEDDY TALK,its staff, its chatters, thank you for making this possible.

Lynette

Dilu, I am constantly ordering from Sassy Fabrics, ask Steph !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! will post pictures soon of what I have made and busy making. Did you see that Sassy is also carrying ALLIGATOR CLIPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Taking some mini bears with you to bide your time is a good idea, and I look forward to seeing some of your work when you get round to posting the pictures.

happy stitching
Lynette

A wonderfull Easter to one and all

Lynette

I always think that showing your knickers must be embarrassing, so Jenny yes, showing "not so [INVALID] bottle green knickers at 14" most have been so very NO NO.

I was taken to a Dinner/Dance with my boyfriend, and wore a dress that I had made from a woollen fabric. While dancing "The Ultra Violet Lights"(not sure what they are called) came on, which made all white things very  sparkly. I hear another woman say to her partner, just look at your suit, it is covered with all these white flecks. I then looked at Ed, and saw that all over him, he was also covered with these white flecks, and then realised that it was the wool from my dress that was rubbing off on everything that I touched. Well all could say was "Please take me home" Ed could not understand what was wrong- but took me home- I of course was so embarrassed, as all I could think of - was being asked to get off the dance floor as I was the culprit  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
Lynette.

p.s. Kim- Pleased to meet you Miss Vegetable.

sitting here having a good giggle
Lynette

Thank you for all the pictures and notes.
Lynette

Over the years I have had a few, but two I will never forget.

The first was when I was on a plane flying to visit my son, I had bought the local "Hustler magazine"(Topless girlie magazine) which had just been launched in S. Africa. I was curious to see if it was anything like the International version. After being seated, the attendant came along handing out newspapers, and when he asked 4 young guys sitting in the middle row behind me, what they wanted to read, they replied a Hustler magazine. He promptly replied, that they did not have them on the plane, to which they answered, but oh yes you do !!just ask the lady if we can borrow hers. My copy that I thought was nicely tucked away was on full view for all to see.  :redface: 

The second, was on our way to the airport after having spent a holiday in Mauritius. We were being taken to the airport by one of my husband's contacts from Pepsi. Denis told me we had plenty of time, so we ordered something to drink. I had a large orange juice, then Denis said oh, here is the lift, lets go. I promptly ran to the toilet as I know I have to go every few minutes, and asked how long to the airport. Oh only about 40 minutes, so I thought ok, I can manage that. Well lots and lots of road works along the way, two hours later, and you can guess what next- I needed the loo- I started fidgeting, and looking out for a place with rest rooms,ha- none in sight. The minutes ticked by,till eventually I told Denis he would have to get the guy to stop. So on the main highway in Mauritius, with a sheer drop on the side, I could not even escape somewhere for privacy, behind the car door, I had to do the necessary.  :redface: 

 
Lynette

Daphne never fear when TT is near !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How difficult it must all be for you and your family and Dad at this difficult time in your life, it is something we all have to face and it is not easy. My thoughts go out to you and your family.

Lynette

I sometimes wonder why this world of ours can be so cruel at times. And then somthing so simple like watching the sun seting in the African bush, sitting on a stranded beach just watching the waves touch the shore, smelling the tummy of  puppy, holding a new born baby or somethling simple like smelling a rose, and then somehow everything just seems right, and that I will be OK.

for you Judi
Lynette

What lovely pictures ( except for a little boy with horns) !!!!!!!!before going to sleep last night,I was trying to think what I had up in the cupboard, must climb up and see- at least I got to sleep without counting sheep

Lynette

Bronwen, I normally do not teach, but was also asked to do classes. So for the past two months have been doing some at the local craft shop. For a 13" jointed bear-
At the moment the classes are small, so it is easy to cope with the pupils. But it takes time,and some people can be slow. I have noticed this when I have taken classes myself when in Europe.
I do not supply a kit- but l get them to buy the fabric etc at the shop as the point of the class is for them to purchase the supplies from the shop, if the classes expands then we will make up a kit. So I get paid a fee for the teaching.
I supply a pattern with a template sheet that quilters use (plastic)included in my fee.
Its a 2 day course.
When we start, we discuss bear making- mohair, jointing, eyes etc- briefly, then I get them to start tracing off the pattern onto the template, and while doing this we also choose the fabric , paw pads fabric, . (remember it is only 3-4 pupils, so I can get this done)
The fabric is cut out and slowly we start working on the bear, mainly the head which I always stitch by hand. For homework the legs, body, and arms are sewn up at home, and for the next lesson, which is normally in a week's time we then finish the head, insert the eyes ( the eyes and joints are now chosen), and then the bear is jointed, stuffed and finished.
I normally supply basic notes, but get them to add notes as we go along. I also take my digital camera with and I take a pictue of the bear and I let them have a certificate with a picture of the bear they have completed on the certificate, with my name and the shop's name on it.
We do have allot of fun, and we can make tea and coffee on the premises, two tea shops are close by for them to buy something to eat for lunch.

Last week thou , I had a mother and daughter, the mother had sewn last in School and daughter had, had basic sewing lessons in school. We are making slow progress- I have to keep them both interested in the stages of putting the bear together, which at this stage does not look like a bear, and get them back this Saturday to finish the bear. We shall see

In Europe some of the classes I have attended, what the teacher/s have done, is to provide you with a bear that is partially sewn, as the course is just a day, so you have to move fast, this is especially if you are concentrating on working on the head, but you pay for this, and it does not come cheaply.

Lynette

Judi, thoughts are with you.

Lynette

Dirty dogs being taken to the dog parlour to get washed and groomed- Jessie- Cross jack russel who we think must be almost 17 years now, Kimmi is looking at the camera, and is sitting between Mania who has her head in the air and Boujoulica, and Teddy, is wearing the blue collar and not looking at the camera. As I have mentioned before they are all strays who found me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lynette

Now I will throw in my two tuppence worth,having been in business for the past 20 years and run and sold 3 successful businesses, my experiences are these,
Selling is hard work, never mind what you are selling. What works for one, might not work for another, but that does not mean you must not try it.
In business, there is no Mr Nice man, unfortunately, and if you think there is you will burn your fingers.You will make mistakes but learn from these mistakes it will strengthen your business.
Your customers are always right( even if you know they have pulled the bears leg off) you have to smile and say Mrs Jones, of course I will replace poor Billy's leg !!!!, look after the customers that you have.
Do not put all your eggs in one basket- while I can, I travel and use every means of spreading my bears around, and it can be hard. I recall sitting in Switzerland after a show, the hotel being empty, as most people had checked out, the small town asleep, and me bawling my eyes out as I had travelled so far and only sold two bears for the whole week-end.
Not one to give up, I got up in the morning, camouflaged the puffy eyes, packed up the left over bears and thought well if the customers did not come to me, I would go to them- well I did sell them - to the Puppenhausen Museum in Basel.
One can never just sit back- never mind how successful you are, you always have to be one step ahead, always giving your customers something new, building up a client base, send out news to them, birthday wishes, season greetings,just anything.
And always respect other bear artists, and other people in the industry,
Lynette

A BIG THANK YOU,
I printed out all the messages which was sent to Sylvia last week Thursday, yesterday her son called me from the hospital to say THANK YOU, that Sylvia also sends her thanks to everyone and God bless everyone of you.

Lynette

sorry to hear about the loss your of dog Jane,
Lynette

Ahh Brenda, today I have an appointment with the gynae, it is scheduled for 10.15, but I know that I will wait, so I have my needle felting ready . I have been there before when he has had to run out to deliver a baby, so I go prepared. He also finds it amusing, as do other people waiting.
At the airports I sit and knit, since no scissors are allowed in, on the plane and in the car, hairdresser etc.
I am just someone who can never sit idle and I do get lots of hand work done this way.

Lynette

Smarty pants !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lynette

My thoughts are with you and your family Daphne,

Lynette

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Jenny I went to the link you posted and got this !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never bought and never sold on Ebay- would not know where to start- although I would like to list now.
Seeing this I am totally confused is there a subject on TT on how to get started and what to avoid.
I would hate to get caught out,

Lynette

I see lots of pictures, when I click on larger image , so Ii assume they are all there- I have not yet started on ebay, that is my next step-
does this help you
Lynette

Sylvia will be having a birthday on Monday 27th March, she will be 42.
Last year, she was involved in a car accident which left her a paraplegic. Can I ask you to send her a birthday wish, which I will print out and send to her. I hope you dont mind this .
She has just called me to remind me !!!!!!!!!!!! that it is her birthday and will I be sending Joyce with cookies to visit her.

Sylvia is an African woman and part of my extended family that I care for, for the past year she has been in hospital as we cannot find a place that will take her in. If I send her home with Joyce, Joyce can care for her, but she  is not a nurse and in Sylvia case she needs nursing care 24 hours, so  feel where she is although not ideal, at least she is cared for. Last Thursday she was taken to a sports day, and came second- someone pushed her in the wheelchair.
She cannot stop speaking about it.

I know she will be thrilled to get some messages

thanks

Lynette