Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I just posted this on Louise's thread....

A Cosmopolitan toast to all those nominated for a Golden Teddy and to all those who entered the competition.  You're ALL winners in my book!!  

Warmest and biggest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

I know I already congratulated you Louise but now I'm making a Cosmopolitan toast to all the nominees......and ALL those who entered the Golden Teddys as well.  You're truly all winners in my book!! 

Warmest and BIGGEST bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

My dear Dilu, 
I think I must have one of your gollies!  My poor bears don't have a golly friend.....not a one!! 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Shelli,
You really ROCK!!  I hope someday we have a chance to meet each other.  How far are you from San Jose? 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

This is just the best day!!  Sooooo much wonderful news.  I've just been grinning from ear to ear all morning for all of you.         Congratulations Louise!!!!!  Oh happy day!! :dance:

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

I love hearing how everyone else works!!  Like most everyone else has posted, I too, just jump right into the mohair.  Each of my bears is one-of-a-kind.  I'm always changing my patterns.....and drawing right over the last one to create a new one!  Is that crazy? 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Scott,
You're sooo right about retail!  Just look at the nominations for the Golden Teddy so far.  Judi's whimsical bears and Sue Ann's anime bear.  The retail market is always looking for the next "new" thing.  It certainly keeps things interesting!!  It also keeps us all growing and expanding our vision of art.

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Oh Sue Ann, that's delightful news!!  Congratulations to you!!!!  You should start a new thread so that everyone hears the news......    

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

I'm thrilled for you Judy!!  Congratulations!!     :dance:   

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Thank you girls for the kind words.     There is such joy in creating!!

Shelli,
This particular card won't go for trade since it's my first one.  It will go in my journal instead.  I have some others in mind though if you'd be willing to trade.  When I get them finished I'll post them.      I love the idea of trading cards!! 

Come on everyone!  Let's see your art cards!!  :dance:

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

I love him!  Beautiful work and the perfect fur choice!

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Hi Mindy, 
Welcome to Teddy Talk!  I'm thinking Toy Fair might be the equivalent to The Gift Mart.....open to retailers or "the trade" only.  Or, is it open to the public as well? 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Well, here it is.  My very first art card.  I thought my first one should say a little something about me and my bears.  The bear pictured is Georgia Claire.  She wears a crown with a vintage velvet flower and brass bee.  My nickname is Queen, I collect vintage flowers and my trademark is a bee.  I make my bears "slowly and with expression."  My studio is filled with music when I work.  Mohair is my fabric of choice and I accessorize my bears using vintage textiles, lace, mother of pearl buttons and silk ribbons.  Oh, and my favorite colors are pink, green and warm shades of white.  They're also the colors preferred by my bears.....at least the girl bears!

This little card was soooo much fun to create!    

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Okay Shelli, now you've gone and done it!  I spent yesterday afternoon creating one of those ACEO cards  instead of working on a bear.   

I'll post a picture of it as soon as it's light enough.  Then I will have to seriously sit my rear end away from the computer and in my studio chair for the rest of the day!!! 

Warmest bear hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

Interesting topic Shelli!  I've seen and admired art cards on eBay for awhile.  Some are just amazing works!  There are so many artistic avenues in which to explore and expand bear artistry.  Paper, mixed media and altered art all come to mind.  I've even contemplated gathering a group of artists together to create a one-of-a-kind bear using various mediums with each artist really "coloring outside the lines".  If each artist were to start with, for instance, a body part or parts and then each add their own artistic style, vision, or whatever.  Can you imagine the amazing bear that might be created?  I've seen this done and a book written about it called The Art Doll Chronicles. 

I guess I sort of went OT, didn't I?    The art cards are a great idea.  I'm much more a tactile person though....not so much the computer wizard.  I think I'll go play around with this nifty little art card idea. 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Good Lord it's getting hot in here!  Shall I find the hose?  LOL         

Warmest (and I do mean warmest!) bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Holy moly!!  Was that ribbon spun with 24kt gold thread?  And I thought French ribbon was expensive!! 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Thank you for sharing the story about the bears, Brenda!  I didn't know the whole story behind them.  I knew there were sisters making the bears and I knew they were in Canada.....and I knew I loved their bears the minute I laid eyes on them.  For some reason I thought they all had a hand in each one.  I didn't know Liz was my favorite until I skipped in to take a peek at their tags earlier this afternoon.  Both of my bears are boys.  I'd dearly love to find a little girl! 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Nancy.....napkin bear heads?  What am I missing here?

DebbieD......you're right on track with the Velveteen Rabbit line of thinking.      Little bunnies first though.  I've finished the first prototype already.  Changes are in order.  My eyes say the feet are not quite right.....a skosh too little.  I'm waiting for my Intercal order to come to make the piggie!  It should be here any day.   

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Brenda,
I adore your Forget-me-Not bear!  I've been lucky enough to have acquired two of them myself this past year, both made by Liz.  They've come by way of collectors in a pinch.  It just breaks my heart when collectors find themselves in a "spot" and have to give their babies up for adoption.  I know it must break their hearts too.....

It seems to me that we have similar taste in bears.....Forget-me-Nots and Wee Scones!  Funny, sounds kind of like things you'd find on a table set for tea!   

Warmest bear hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

Delightful topic!!

I'm working on some small, but simple, bunny designs for tucking into Easter eggs.  I've finally figured out how to make an under-belly for the silly things so now I've drawn out designs for different styles of bunnies and even a flying piggie.  A sitting rabbit like the old wool felt bunnies of the 30's and 40's is on the drawing slate too. 

As for the larger bears, I'm working on center seam designs once again.  I've also designed a bear I think I may use for a limitied edition run or "line" of bears.  We'll see what direction the wind blows on that one.

So many projects!!

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

My dear Gina, 
Blessings to you for handling all the details of the swap.  Please include my name on your list.   

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Hi Brenda,
You make a valid point.  There are only so many ways to draw a basic bear pattern, and yes, depending on the materials used one bear can look vastly different from another.  I suppose it then comes down to a question of honesty and integrity.

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Oh golly!  You've opened pandora's box asking that question!  I go through phases of collecting really.  Before Christmas I was collecting great big apothecary/candy jars so I could display, en masse, my collections of antique glass ornaments.  I have a penchant for pretty handmade velvet and ribbonwork pincushions too.  They also look lovely en masse in apothecary jars.  A serious downfall of mine is antique children's clothing and old silk and velvet flowers.  Let's see.....I also collect bunnies and bears and old dolls that have been truly loved.  And then there's my collection of dress forms, and ironstone pottery, and ladies lace collars, and Halloween, and the one thing my husband chides me the most for.....children's chairs!  I really don't have that many.  I'm just so drawn to them for some reason.  Probably because they're perfect for bears!   

I guess the easier question here would be "What don't I collect?"   

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Oh Tami!  This could be a prickly pear.......
I'm just going to jump right in here.  Speaking as a bear artist I don't think it's ever a good idea to sell another artists designs.  Make the bears, perhaps as guides and practice, and give them away to family and friends instead and label them as an Artist Designed Bear crafted by Tami.

With practice you'll soon be designing your own bears.....I just know it!!   :rose:

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta