Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi!

First I was intrigued and quickly I was seduced by this charming giraffe.      She has such a sweet face with loving eyes!
Plus she looks extra cuddly!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Aaaaah, Peter, aren't they gorgeous? You must feel so happy among all these gorgeous bears...
That is such a great filling to be surrounded by teddy bears!

Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

This bun bun is a little charmer. Absolutely adorable! Lovely sweet face, beautiful colour.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Oh, Gemma, I am so glad to see you back!

I have been wondering what kept you away...

You little princess is as beautiful as a blossom!

I look forward to see your next bears.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

         
Thank you soooo much, Sharon, and your hubby for giving us the opportunity to see all these marvels.
I saw a few pieces I am really in love with. I also saw some that are amazing. I think many of them deserve to be in a museum are they are such beautiful pieces of art they cannot stay hidden.

I will have to watch them again later, they are soooooooo fantastic!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Hi Peter!

I also happened to meet Pauline as well as her nice husband and lovely parents in Summer 2007.
Isn't Pauline a lovely lady? I also have one of her bears.

These two new additions to your hug are gorgeous!

I guess it might become hard to find names after 35 years of teddy bear making...

What about Horatio for this marvellous golden bear?

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Well done!
He looks great for a first big bear!

I think you did well for his trapunto pads...

Now if there was something to had, it would be to his head, to my view point. what about making him a clown hat with a touch of colour (right, I love colours so I want colour everywhere    )?

And if you still feel as if something is missing, why not needle felt some white under his eyes?

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

In France, there are special laws concerning what we are allowed to build in each area.
For example, in an area where all houses have red tiles, you will not be allowed to put black tiles on your houses.
Before building something, you need to ask for a permit to do it. Depending on what king of thing you want to build, it might take more or less long. For example, Malko and I wish to make an extra room on top of our bathroom. It means removing the old roof and adding rows of bricks until we reach the wanted height, and of course redo the roof. We will have to ask for a permit at the city hall and it will take about one month to receive it.

A few years ago, Malko's older sister wanted to change the colour of her house shutters and was not allowed the colour she wanted even though she lives in the middle of the countryside. The given reason is that it would be visible from the nearest castle! This is totally wrong because she already had the opportunity to go into that castle and check if she could spot her house from there and it was nowhere to be seen!!!! How stupid is that?
So she decided to paint her shutters the way she wanted and no one came to check on it.
It is not always like that though!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful story, Katy!

It looks like Morgan will become the happiest bear in the world!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Oh dear! That just sounds unbelievable! Why did they let you have the wooden house built if this was to ask you to unbuilt it a few years after???
Did you talk to a layer about it? I guess you did.

If you want to stay in the area, do they have small houses with garden to rent so this would be suitable for your doggies?

Did you see with your house insurance is there is a way to get reimbursed for it?

Oh, Susan I really hope you will manage to get all sorted well and I am glad you have your hubby fighting with you. Try to keep your sanity, both of you!

There must not be anything I can do for you, unfortunately but tell you good luck and keep you in my thoughts.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Hi Katherine!

Congratulations for your price!
I guess that's the one on the photo... What a little beauty!

Rest well!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Hi!

Welcome back!
It is nice to read you again. What is your new home like? Can you share photos with us?

Your new chinchillas are beautiful.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Hi everybody!

Today I received my order from Christie Bears. I ordered only plastic joints because I aimed to make bears for young children. Before placing any order I compared prices from a few retailers and this one was the only one which had all items available and together offering a fair price. So this is why I chose them. It was not my first order there.

Anyway, back to the plastic joints I bought. I just opened the packet and my eyes spotted a warning on all item bags saying that these plastic joints were not certified safety joints and so were not suitable for young children under 14!!!!

My concern is I never even think about doubting a single minute plastic joints could not be suitable for very young children.

So suddenly I feel very stupid and wonder if I can decently use them to make toys now.
They look quite strong joints. I never remember I ever broke a white plastic joint. and I am fairly sure I already use similar plastic joint that were not certified as I cannot recall seeing CE on them...

In another hand I already broke a few Glorex safety joints while installing them (a bad move when pulling the washer) so had to change them! now I put all my strength in pulling.

I would be happy to get your view points about it.
Should I use them as initially planned and just tell my customers to be careful as they are not certified?

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Our little Hope made my day!
I am so glad she is doing well and stays around the red pine tree. She looks like a little clever girl. With so many guardian angels looking after her, she should be alright...

I also check many times a day to get some news about Hope and Lily. I still wonder what crossed Lily's mind when she split from Hope.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Oh dear! What a story!
The lattest update said that hope is going well and they showed a photo of her feeding at one of the feeding points.  :dance:

Let's hope little Hope will stay around to get the food given by the bear center people... and that eventually Lily will remember she has a daughter to look after. that is really strange this does not seem to care much about hope. Sounds like "out of sight, out of heart". 

Hopefully, the bear center people will install her a radio collar to keep a caring eye on her.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Thank you to all of you for your lovely comments about Faolin.

I hope he will eventualy find a loving family.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Hi Andrea!

It is warming my heart to know your hubby and you still are so much in love after 26 years.
Have a fantastic time for this anniversary!

I wish you many many more happy years together!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Hi!
To help you it would be easier if we knew in what country you live!!!!

DMC makes some nice perle cottons. Just go to their website and use the shop locator to know if there is a retailer near your place.

Also think about ebay...
In ebay France we have a huge choice in embroidery, perle and twisted cottons. It might be the same in your ebay.

Good luck!
Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Hi Andrea!

Rainbow is true eye candy! I agree with the others that his nose is perfect and I add it looks like a sweet (yum yum). He has a real sweet face and it is impossible not to want to hug him again and again.

I love the way you dyed your mohair.

I am glad you managed to get back into teddy bear manking. Let your imagination drive your hands and keep bringing more bears to "life"!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Hi Chris!

I was begining to worry about you as you were not posting anymore on TT.
Glad you are well and selling artwork to local farmers.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

They are beautiful!
I really love a lot Faelen!
His outfit is gorgeous.

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

I have to confess I am in awe! Such a terrific bear!

Keep making more!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

These bears are gorgeous!

I really am in love for Fairy : such a charming bear with such a gorgeous fur!...

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Meet Faolin, who got a nomination for the ACD awards 2010.

He is now available for purchase on TBACA Fantasy Ball (public opening planned for 31st of may).

You can also vote for him if he is your favourite.

To see more photos of him, visit my blog! There are also details of the making.

Thanks for looking!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

Welcome back, Krista!

I think about you every time I see someone with a Chihuahua. When I can, I even tell these people that I know a lady who makes fantastic plush chihuahuas, hehehehehehehe!

Well done for your nomination!

Beary hugs,
Sophie.