Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I guess I will put my two cents in for Nevada City.  Bill or Connie where are you?  I can't say for sure about the gate since I am not in on that information.
The exhibitor base was way down this year.  There was worry that this would cause the collectors to not return for next year.  Along with the exhibitor base being down, the circus was gone.  So we did not have the families with children or the clowns coming through the show.  That did not really impact the artists, they did not buy artist bears.  I was concerned about that impact on the gate but was told that most of them did not pay to get into the show so it was not an issue.  It did feel like there were less people coming through the show but when we realize it was not people who were the buyers it was rather pleasant.  I did know ahead of the show that the show would have a smaller exhibitor base and did let my collectors know ahead of time so they would not be shocked when they walked through the doors.  The ones I visited with were not put off at all by the show being smaller.  They were happy with it.  It appeared to me that it was one of those shows where the exhibitor did very well or not well at all.  In the past, Sunday had been a dead day where we all had a chance to visit with fellow artists.  This year, there were collectors in there buying on Sunday.  I think this year without the circus the true collector had less distractions from the small children and the clowns and could focus on the bears, the true reason they come to the show.   Our tables had a very good year last year at this show and I was worried how we would do this year.  We were very close this year to last.  We usually do not do as well at the big shows where we have out of state exhibitors or international competition because we do most of the local doll and bear shows.  The collectors can see us any time so they will buy from the people who they won't see again.  That is smart on their part but hurts us as locals so we are not always a good judge as to how a show was.
I personally do a show about every two weeks.  Some months I am gone every weekend.  Most of these shows are smaller doll and bear shows.  What I am noticing is that the collectors are still coming to the shows.  They are still wanting to buy.  They may not have as much money now but they do want to take home some treasures.  They are buying but they are being more careful.  What I am noticing is that they want new, fresh bears and critters.  They may have to go smaller to get a lower price.  If you can do your same good quality work in a less expensive form it will be a hit.  We as the artist need to work as hard as the promoter (maybe harder) to get the collectors to the show.  Once you get them to the show, you need to spend some time with them.  It seems that now more than before there needs to be a story to go along with the bear or critter.  It seems they need something extra before they commit to the purchase.
One last thing I would like to throw out there is that most of the promoters want to do a good job.  They welcome good positive suggestions and ideas on ways to improve the show.  If you hear comments from the collectors or other artists that would help the promoter make wise decisions about next years show please pass them on to the promoter in helpful way.   The promoter has no control over the weather but by moving the show back two weeks to possibly avoid snow might be an answer.  Rack your brains and see if you have any ideas or suggestions that could make the shows better for all.
Sorry, did not mean to write a book!
Donna

Hi Robin,
I would say that I would consider needle sculpted and thread sculpted the same technique.  I would consider both these techniques to take a needle and thread and make the eye socket or pull the bridge of the nose in.  Maybe lift the corners of the mouth to give it more of a smile and puffy cheeks. 
Donna

Congratulations,
I had a friend selling bears here in the US.  She was from another country.  She applied for a resale number and got it.  I don't know if your school situation will be a problem for you or not.
Best of luck,
Donna

Hi,
There is an exhibitor at the Nevada City show that has all kinds of props and accessories for our bears.  I think the business name is All My Children or something like that.  I will see if Connie can get you contact information for them.   I'm thinking 10-12" for the rifle, is that right?  Somebody here in the states did a John Wayne bear years ago.  That bear had a holster and guns if I remember correctly.
Donna

Hi Robert,
I see that Brenda beat me to the punch with the SS6 set screws from Edinburgh working in the 1/2" loc-line.  Thank You Brenda.  One other point that I should make about the different loc-line sizes.  On the 1/4" loc-line the pliers work to connect and disconnect the loc-line links.  For the 1/2" loc-line the pliers only work to connect the links.  You have to pry the links apart as best you can on the 1/2".  I have my hubby do it.  He uses a screw driver and bends them.  Brenda can you please step in here and give more info as to how you get the 1/2" apart? 
Donna

Hi,
I usually only use the 1/4" loc-line.  I have not had any problem with the set screws being long enough for that size.  I can't remember if I get the #6 or #7.  I have not used the 1/2" loc-line.  I don't do much over 16" and the 1/4 works fine for that size bear or critter. 
If you will give me a day or two to play with the 1/2" loc-line I will figure out what you all will need.  Are you all thinking you will use the drill or burn through method for jointing or will you put the cotter pin or set screw into the inside of the loc-line?
Donna

I was raised on a farm where they could be a major problem.  We always had firecrackers by the back door.  Anytime they got too close for comfort or got to howling we would step outside and set off a few firecrackers.  The urine also works.  We had a fox that was eating our chickens and our son took care of that by marking the area we did not want the fox to cross.  There are scent packets you can buy if you don't have anyone to do the territory marking for you. 
Donna

I'm back after a quick check.  There is a direction page on Edinburgh's website.  Look in the Artist Tips and Techniques section.  Also check the library here on TT.  Look under armature.  Judi posted pictures of how she does her loc-line.  Pictures are worth 1,000 words.
I have the blue loc-line for sale both in the 1/4" and 1/2" sizes.  I have had bad results with the white armature for dolls.  I have broken it every time I have used it.  Also if you use pellets or glass or steel shot in your bears you will want to stuff the end with some stuffing or put something over the end so that the pellets don't get up into the loc-line and rattle.  Also some people are put off by the sound that the loc-line makes when you move it.
Donna

Hi Robert,
I will try to help.  It has been years since I used the connectors.  The Y connector is for the legs.  Turn it upside down.  The T connector is for the shoulders.  It connects the head, arms and the body.  You would need to make an unjointed bear to use the connectors.  There used to be directions on Edinburgh Imports website for doing loc-line.  Basically how I do it is to make a regular bear with the jointed arms and legs.  I drill or burn a hole through the waist of the loc-line segment.  Put the loc-line in the arms and legs and put the cotter pin or set screw through the hole I drilled in the loc-line, put my disc in and joint it to the body.  I hope that makes sense.  I'll go look and see if I can find a tutorial on it for you.
Donna

Hi,
I have gone on my yahoo email account twice today with no problems.
Donna

Hi Tami.
If you are talking about the VAT tax, you should not have to pay it.  Some companies charge it and then will refund it.  If you contact the company ahead of your purchase they should tell you how they handle it. 
If you are talking about customs fees, that all varies according to what you are buying.  You can do research and find that information.  It took me several weeks to sort stuff out when I was looking.
Good Luck,
Donna

I get mine from Wal-Mart.  Our local Hancock Fabric has it also.  Wal-Mart is less expensive.
Donna

Hi,
You could try getting ahold of JoAnne through ebay.  If you look up hucklebearypatch you can send an email through the contact member option.  It looks like she has not done anything on ebay since July of 07.
Good Luck,
Donna

Daphne,
It looks great.  Wish I would get my behind in gear and get all the bells and whistles.  I have Firefox and it is fine on my computer.
Bear Hugs,
Donna

Hi Laurie,
Do you happen to have a picture of the critter you made using this fabric?  Or some of the fabric left that you can take a picture for me?  I have someone that might be interested but would like to see a picture first.
Donna

The sticky feel or tackiness seemed to go away after it was completely dry.  I had no trouble sewing it at all.    It is just something to be aware that might happen so you don't freak out that you have ruined the fabric.
Enjoy,
Donna

Hi Laurie,
So far all I have found in the white is small pieces.  I will keep looking.  I have used the brown to make my burro.  That fabric is so realistic looking.  I have used the white for mice and rats.
Donna

Hi Jaina,
What is the name of the bear in the kit?  Maybe one of us has used that pattern before.  My first thought was that it had the nap going back towards the eyes on the muzzle and then the rest of the head came forward to give the bangs look.  Do the directions give you any idea or instruction about laying it out to cut?  Some patterns have a section that it shows you how to lay the pattern pieces out on the fabric.  Could it be telling you that the nap can go either direction?  Check the pattern to see if the artist gives contact information.  Sometimes you can contact the artist that made up the pattern to get help.  Please let us know when you find out what it means.
Donna

Hi,
If I remember correctly they are having a special right now.  If you make a certain purchase you get 1/8 meter free.  As far as the delivery date, I always just put in the date that I place the order.  I think that form was designed for large companies that do bulk ordering that need delivery throughout the year or quarter.  If you are concerned about how you did just send Bernard an email and he will fix it for you.  He is wonderful to deal with.
Have fun with all your new fabric.
Donna

I dyed their Nora blue with the brown tip a very dark navy blue.  I put it in a pot of boiling dye.  It came out at true navy with no sign of the brown tip.  If I were you and want a deep purple.  I would start with a colored mohair.  When I was doing a lot of dying, I used a stone or tan color when I wanted a dark rich color.  Since I used boiling liquid I did feel like the back got a little gummy but it did not cause any problem.
Have Fun,
Donna

Kathy,
I can't stop smiling!!!  I am so happy for you.  May this job meet all your needs.
Best Wishes,
Donna

Since we don't do TV at our house, I will have to get the DVD.  Wanda was still doing bear shows when I first started.  I was in awe of her talent as a bear artist.  It will be fun to see what she has come up with in her new endeaver.
Donna

I checked Gund, Ganz and Russ and did not see it.  Was that picture an advertisement for bears?
Donna

I think it is a Ganz bear.  I did a google search of Ganz bears.  That would be a start.  I will keep looking to see if I can find it or a local bear store to be able to get it for you.
Donna

Hi,
Another way to get good movement would be to use loc-line in the neck.  You could use it with or without a joint.  It would be less expensive than the yes no mechanism also.  Also you will need to make a good sized bear to accomadate the yes/no mechanism.
I am sure there may be more ways to do this.  I am looking forward to more answers so I can learn other methods.
Donna