Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Shelli!

When you say photoshop, which programme do you use, I'd love to try this myself!!

I'm having my PC taken to have maintenance on it tomorrow so not sure when I'll get it back, but while the boss isn't looking at work I'll catch up with you all then.............

Take care

Hi Shelli!

It's 11.42pm in England right now, and my husband's moaning that I've tapped on the keyboard all through the evening film, so I'd better catch some Zzzzzzzzzzzzs............

Speak soon!!!!!!
xx

Hi Shelli

I get that rolled tummy effect from the way I stuff the bear, not too much, not too little, in fact the bear in my avatar has that lovely rolled tummy but it's hard to see.

Try to imagine the bear............he's been around for some years........lost bits of stuffing here and there.......mum's tried to fix him............grandma's had a go............a loose limb, ear, or even an eye, bless him........Ahhhh............

Ooooh I love old bears!!   I find looking at my old bears does give me hints and tips on recreation, I do look in books etc for ideas too......the old shapes, and the wear and tear, I'm sure I was born in the wrong era!!!

Penny, you crack me up!!!

Hi All!!

I'm interested in how you all present your bears when you SEND them in the mail...........

I know in the US you get free 'boxes' to send but in the UK we don't, and I want to make an impression when I send a bear without costing too much.   

I sell mostly on eBay and don't want to charge a fortune for postage as this puts buyers off, but would like them to receive a parcel that doesn't look like the bomb squad have had a go at it!!!

What do you do??

Thanks!!

Penny - Hee!! Hee!!   Spending a 'Penny' luvvy??

Anyway - I too LOVE the tea staining, especially for the accessories on the aged bear, ribbons, lace, clothing etc. I do intentionally buy sparse mohair to help me along with the ageing process, it's a head start.   Actually, one of my artist friends actually takes a lighter to her mohair to age it, but if I did that I would burn the house down so I tend to try other things!!   I love my copic markers, newpaper print works well and of course plucking mohair.   As an antique bear collector I have lots I can refer back to, nearly all old bears have complete bald patches so get those tweezers/forceps out - sounds mean but has to be done to get the look!!!:o   Ahhhhh........they don't mind really!!!   Gives great effects.:D

Hi Danni!

I have visited Bearpile before, but I must go there and study it a bit more.   I have had a good sale (for me!) on eBay tonight, and have another one finishing tomorrow evening which has a lot of interest (I'm on a high because it's my highest sale yet!!!)   I will certainly visit Bearpile, all marketing is great, I'll let you know how I get on!!!

Best wishes as always

Hi Penny!!

I always make heads first too, it somehow always motivates me to make the rest of the bear!!   Make me!:)   Finish ME!!!:D   PLEASE!!!   I try to finish what I start, I know a lot of makers have lots of bears at different stages of creation but I like to finish and start again.......I don't think I'd get anything done otherwise!!!

Best wishes as always
Clare x

Hey Danni, how are you?!!

I love it here, can't believe I've only just found it!!   Lots of new friends, and old ones too - LOVELY!!!

Horace is Gorgeous!!!

Looking forward to speaking to you again soon!

Hi Again!

Thank you for your kind words, Sunset was a lovely bear made in really unusual gel mohair, but only sold for £33.00GBP, all that hard work!! :(   He did go and live in the US and the collector was really pleased with him, so that makes me feel better!!!:D

One day huh...................!!?:rolleyes:

All my best wishes for your future success!!

Hi Rita!!

Oh bless you for your kind words, actually I took a sneaky peak at your website too --- oooooh!!!   Lovely, LOVE Granny Kate and Tobias, wish they were sat on my mantle piece, in fact I wish I had ROOM on my mantle piece!!!!  Tee! Hee!

Look forward to talking to you again soon!

Hello!!

I struggle with this too.  I usually sell on eBay, what with working full time and having two children, I don't get time to do much else!!   I never sell my bears for much, I nearly always lose on my material costs let alone what time I spend making them.  I'm always being told, put them on for more, but I would be even more gutted if they didn't sell at all!!!

I'm going to be doing my first fair in October, and will have to put prices on them, I haven't got a clue!! 

I'll be interested in advice from this thread too, thanks for starting it!!

Hi!

Thank you so much to you both for taking the time to look at my site, that's really made my day!!   And thank you Dilu, I love the blocks too, they set the 'scene'!!   Bless you all!!

Best wishes
Clare

Hi Sue Ann!

Thank you so much for your kind words, you know with the help of Shelli (wonderful Shelli!!) I have got my own avatar!!!  I'm so not technically minded!!!   She has been wonderful.

Please take a look at some of my previous work when you have a moment (like when does that happen??!)  on my website - www.davistedds.co.uk

I must apologise in advance that my photos are a bit big there at the moment though, so you have to wait a while for them to down load :(, but when I get the hang of it, it will be better - promise!!!   Ha! Ha!!;)

Love your bears!!
Clare xx

Hello Laura,

Ahhh, I will look into that!!   Unfortunately my computer needs to go to my good computer friend for him to do some maintenance to update it a bit (and free some space which I've blocked up!!)  Ooops!!!   He says he can get me a photo programme so I shall enjoy playing as soon as I get it back!!   

Hugs to you!!
Clare x

Hi Louise!

Oooh chocolate and wine, mmmm, ANYWAY, hum, why don't you try something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT??   Different colours, sizes, TOTALLY DIFFERENT!!   It's good to get a break from the Old Routine as they say - go on be a devil!!!   

Clare x

Hi Penny, Louise and all!

Hee! Hee!!   General wonkiness, know THAT feeling!!   Thank you ALL for such a lovely welcome, can't wait for chit chat, warts and all!!!   We're going to have great fun!!!!

Penny, you crack me up:D:D:lol:

Clare xx

Hello - me again!!

Forgot to say, is that a special programme you all have for your avatars, I'm jealous, let me know what it is - pleeeease!!!   They're all great!!

Well done!
Clare x

Hi Laura!! Hi Winney!! and all my new friends!!

I'm so happy to find a new group to talk 'bears', people who never tire of talking 'bears' - something I love to do but not sure the recipient is as interested in.................!!!   The constant yawning and looking at the watch is a sign!!

Look forward to posting some new topics soon!

Best wishes and thanks
Clare x

Thanks so much for the lovely warm welcome everyone!!   I can see there's LOTS of talent here, WOW, some I'm familiar with and some new which I'm enjoying to discover!!

Look forward to 'meeting' you in future posts!!

Clare

Hello Everyone!

I'm new here and love everyone's Avatars, they're fab, like a little businees card, what a great idea!!   Trouble is I've been trying to sort even just a photo out for me but my pic's are too big.  I haven't a clue how to reduce them, far too technical, much prefer sewing..................ha!  ha!!

Anyway hello everyone!!   Looking forward to chatting to you all, can't believe I've only just discovered you!!  Hello to Penny (Gotobed Bears) - many congratulations on your Charity Bear for Hayley!!   A wonderful cause, she is beautiful!!

Best wishes
Clare

www.davistedds.co.uk