Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

This is something I have been struggling with for a while and can't decide which is the right thing to do.

I'm sure many of us have customers who pay using paypal which is very convenient for both us and the customer, but, the charges for using paypal can be quite high.

I am wondering how others deal with those charges, do you take it as a loss on each bear or do you charge the customer a percentage for using paypal, example..add 4% to the total cost of the bear? (paypal charge 3-5%)

I worked out that on my average priced bear i am losing about £4 on each sale, I don't want to incorporate that into the initial price as it wouldn't be fair on those paying by other methods but on the same hand, i don't want to lose money on each bear sold   I guess those who manage to get £100's for each bear the loss probably wouldn't be noticed so much but at a lower price it is.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this 

I can't believe what I'm reading here, i didn't think this sort of thing went on in the bear world  All I can say is ignore and carry on creating exactly what you want to :dance:

Source  http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/tycoon … 71869.html

Please, please forward this on to as many friends, parents, colleagues both
at home and abroad as you can. The  picture is of of her Madeleine, If you can, please print this out and display it
wherever it may be seen by members of the public.

If you in the UK, call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
If you in Portugal or elsewhere, call the Portuguese Judicial Police +351
282 405 400.
Or just call your local authority.

Thank you

So sorry to hear about your dad Gaby, I'm not one to pray but am sending the most positive thoughts i can to you, your dad, and you mum :hug:

Sending huge hugs to your friend , i lost both parents suddenly and know the pain and deep void it can leave in your heart, I know it's a cliché but in time things will get easier, a smile will linger on her face as she remembers the good times of the past years, but until that moment i offer my deepest sympathy and hugs :hug:

Thanks for your help Richy, Sonya, and Sarah

I had forgotton about Planet Teddy Bear, I shall definately go and have a look there I will also try enlarging one of mine and see how it turns out.

Thanks again, this is going to be a bit of a challenge I think

hi all

I am hoping some of you maybe able to help me with this please

The picture is the mohair i was thinking of using, it's 16mm dense, straight. (it's the same as the club colours)

I have never made a large bear before (i make 4-6") but would like to make one as a mascot for my sons swimming club, something they can take to competitions etc.

This bear would gets lots of handling , probably quite rough handling from all the kiddies and may well get a little damp now and again so he needs to be made of tough stuff:lol:

I have a few questions to ask so it might be easier for me just to list them.

What size is a good size for this project? I was thinking about  18" ?
How on earth do I make a pattern that big..ie proportions?
Mohair or synthetic? I am concerned about the strength of the backings to, and going on my own collection the synthetic can go bobbly!
Ultrasuede or something else for paw pads?
What size joints and eyes for this size of bear? (They would have to be safety ones)

Thats all i can think of at the moment but i'm sure there will be more

Any tips or advice would be gladly welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks 

aaww Jennifer, I love you boxes   I have been trying to find papier mache boxes in the UK that i can paint but can i find them in bulk..nope!

I currently package mine
Small carboard base
Wrap in florist cellophane
fold over at top and add ribbon
add my Label
pack in a too larger box full of biodegradable packaging

it's not how I want it to be but trying to find the right thing is a nightmare

Hi Jennifer

1 Website
2 Shows
3 Magazines

Having said that, the website sales have grown through attending shows and magazine advertising,  and the shows also lead orders and to future potential customers  especially if you hand out business cards while chatting to people, and I also have an email mailing list they can fill their details out on so they get updates when new bears are born

I also send out postal updates to those who do not have access to the web and maybe only buy the magazines.

I tried ebay about 3 yrs ago 4 times when I first started bear making and got no where so gave up, maybe I was just impatient, but others do have great success with it, I think it does take time to build up a customer base on there and win peoples trust but it's worth a try

There are so many options and i think it's best to try all of them and see where it takes you, good luck

What an honour Sue Ann, a very well done to you :dance:  :clap:  fabulous 

Maria they are fantastic    I love the theme   well done :dance:

I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions but aawww he is fantastic .. I want him   Hope you managed to do what you wanted to him :dance:

:clap: Well done Chrissi :dance: 

I didn't win but hey....I joined the Nerd club  :crackup:  what more could I want  :crackup:

aawww nooo I can't stay awake any longer,  tis gone midnight here   I shall go an' sleep sweet dreams...Emmett!.....Emmett!....wherefore art thou Emmett!   ...there is room by thou bed for thou Emmett.......:crackup: oh pleeeeeease   

aaww Jenny, what a shame these winter bugs go on forever don't they, it won't do you much good pushing yourself if you are not up to it,  and like you say, there is no point going with not enough bears,  or worse, ones you are not happy with, onwards and upwards for Sept, you have the lovely British summer to recover....hhmmmm

Bit late to reply to this one but he's fantastic   he does make me giggle too,  he reminds me of my ex husband from yrs ago  :crackup:

I don't get chance to post often but just popped in to wish you all a very Happy Christmas    have a wonderful time everyone :hug:

My Christmas wish for you, my friends
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun

I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer

May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold.

I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas friends
And a happy New Year, too ..

Wendi xx

thanks tammy i know what you mean now, i will have a look for some, byeeeeeeee :hug:

right ladies, i'm off to bed it's just about 1am here , enjoy the rest of the party  :dance:  i hope you all have a wonderful christmas and may all your wishes come true in the new year :hug: 

definately ellen, mine is doing the same   mind you it is past his bed time

whats fun foam tammy?

oh thanks for the pattern tammy, will have to try making some of those, might try to make some out of something that can can have food put into for parties

byee fribbles, enjoy your shopping

appologies for my total lack of capitals, grammer , content and spelling ....i have not had one too many  but am trying to one fingertype as one arm in sling :doh:

roast turkey and all the trimmings for us, yum :dance: