Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Warmest congratulations Aleta, what a wonderful recognition for your beautiful work.  Must have been such a thrill for you.

I don't know, my passport photo looks like I've been dead 20 years!!!

Renae, visiting Australia 20 years after you are dead - well at least you'll be down under!!!!

We do have some unusual things here in Australia, and we really are the Land of Oz!  Some of you girls overseas will have to come over and have a look in person, and we'll flash some "gumnuts" at you!!

Australian customs are very strict.  I know that I had to have written proof that a bear I purchased from America actually had little glass balls in it.  When it was x-rayed, the glass came up as an "unknown mineral" and they wouldn't release it until I had proof that is was glass. Apparently glass pellets are OK.  The Customs chap told me that they are strict with fillings, because they don't want things coming in packed with "road fill".  They were his exact words, and so whether gravel would constitute "road fill", I don't know.

I asked the Customs chap what I could do to minimize all this fuss next time, and he said get the artist to just put a note in with the bear, preferably on some letterhead or a business card, stating everything the bear has in it, and then it would probably be passed without any problems.  I don't know if that would apply to crushed gravel.

Any other Aussie girls got any ideas?

After reading your thread, I'd put the tree up there as well!!!

Hi Gemma, Your bears all look wonderful in this gallery shot together, and they just keep getting better and better.  Good luck with all the competitions.

What a wonderful fellow.  Your friend is going to be thrilled.  I just love his dapper look in his little suit.  He looks so proud of himself.

Ahh, how awful for you.  You just can't imagine what is going on in men's minds sometimes - maybe that's the trouble - nothing is going on in them.  I am so sorry you lost your precious plants, and I am so sorry for the poor little plants being squished by that enormous "Boy Toy".  Still, you must start again, and strive for the most beautiful garden ever, and I think the idea of the statue in the middle of is would be a wonderful memorial to your dear Terry.

Duffie is beautiful Jennie, I agree, the fur is lovely.  Such beautiful detail in the face and such terrific photography.

An absolutely superb pair Jenny - you should be really proud of yourself.

Those beautiful faces, both the girls and the bears, say it all - just gorgeous.  Well done.  I bet you're really tired.

Renae, I do get guilt feelings when a new order arrives - for about 5 seconds - and then I run off and play.

Tammy, you should be so proud of yourself.  Your daughter will always remember this party and how much trouble you have gone to to make it special.  You will probably be encouraging several new bearmakers of the future by getting them involved at this stage.  Hope it all goes well and that you have some beautiful memories, and photographs to share.

What a fantastic idea for a personalised gift from the school.  You have done such a beautiful job Lisa.  No wonder they were thrilled.

Thank you for taking time to post this Jane - it is very important, and they are changes in our life that we can all make.  I must admit, putting plastic in the microwave (even microwave safe containers) has always had me a bit uneasy.

I can just imagine.  Brittany hates me to ever part with a bear, and I have only ever given them away.  I told her that I might start to try and sell some soon and the look on her face was heartbreaking - she said "But our bears can't go away Mum".  Oh dear, I have a difficult time ahead.

She looks a sweetheart, such a lovely colour - hope there are lots more to come!!

Thank you girls, you have made me feel very "normal" with my mohair obsession.  Kim, that is the most beautiful picture of your dog in his boxer shorts.  What a patient boy he is.  He can come and guard my stash anytime!!

I think it is a wonderful idea, and I am eternally grateful to these amazing computer people, like Quy, who can make it happen.  I love to be able to see such a quick reference to people's current work, and I am just a newie.  I have never tried to sell a bear, but it is on the agenda for future plans, and getting exposure like this can only help a newie.  Thank you again.  I am such a babe in the woods with computers.  My adviser is my 10 year old!

Bron has done a fantastic job with this sheep.  From what I know of sheep, which is not a lot, it looks very anatomically correct!!  Great work Bron, I'm so proud of you.  What did the girls think?  I bet they want to keep her.

Edie, your location sounds just perfect.  I have always been a city girl, but I suppose "city" here in Australia is probably not an American's idea of a city.  Adelaide is about the fourth largest city in Australia I think, and our population is around the 1 million mark (please correct me Aussie girls if I am wrong).  Your location looks just superb, and if you can get a decent pizza nearby - you're in heaven!!!!   I think it looks the kind of lifestyle that a lot of we city people crave.

Melissa, your little ones are just superb, and I think you are so very talented.  I'm sure you will do so very well at the show.  Look forward to seeing pictures.  Bear Shows are such fun.

Nope, can never, ever have too much mohair.  What I would like to get from you girls is some tips in good excuses for my husband for reasons for buying more.  When a new package arrives he says, but you have already got a shelf full.  It is very hard to explain that when you see a new colour or style, it is a must have.

I have actually gone to the lengths of leaving a package in the boot of my car until the next day so that I can smuggle it in unnoticed.  Then I rearrange the new lot into my stash, and it goes unnoticed.  Am I a total nut, or do other girls have various strategies.  My husband is wonderful, he just doesn't understand my bear addiction.

Scientific fact:

Single women live the longest, next come married men.
Third longest living are married women, last in the longevity stakes are single men.

Scientific conclusion:

Single women are having the time of their life, doing what they want, when they want, and hence live a long, peaceful life.

Married men spend their lives being cooked for, cleaned for, washed and ironed for and generally babysat their entire lives, and so do pretty well in the living stakes.

Married women come in third as they are tired, worn out, and have never had the opportunity to "retire".

Single men die earliest, as they never had a good woman looking after them.  They never bothered to cook properly, exercise, or moan at their wife, which is very good for the stress levels.

Scientific disclaimer:  Single women do live the longest, the rest I just made up!!!!