Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

My dear Shelli, 
You're always welcome here.  We have a big house with two guestrooms and a pool (though it has a lovely layer of ice on it at the moment!).  The bears and I love company!!      Make your reservations early though.....the summer months book up fast at Le Hotel de Breese!!     If you say it with a french accent it sounds really cool!   

Hugs and hugs and hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

Thank you Shelli and Kim!!    I found a great web development company to make up my site for me.  The initial investment was really pretty reasonable (at least to me) and I told them EXACTLY what I wanted....from the colors and text to the scrolly things and bee size.  I'm Miss Picky Pants when it comes to things like that and they didn't even bat an eye.  It is exactly what I wanted in every detail.  I'm able to make new listings myself....it's that easy to operate.  Believe me, it has to be easy for my pea brain.   :redface:

Hugs and more hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

Oh dear sweet Clare, Montgomery has arrived!!!       I absolutely adore him!!  He's the sweetest bear ever......and so handsome!!       He was a little overwhelmed by all the excitement at first, with a crown and tea party in his honor,  :redface:  but he's adjusting quite well this morning.  It looks like a certain Aussie bear by the name of Matilda has taken quite a fancy to him.  She told me just this morning she can barely breathe when he's around and her paws get all sweaty.  I think she's in LOVE!     I think we're all in love with Montgomery!!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you Clare!!   :hug:

After posting a picture of my three newest bears on the Bears For Sale page I received questions regarding the clothing and accessories I use.  I hope you don't mind my answering here in General Discussion.   My thinking is that the answer would reach more of you here.      

After designing bears for five years I have a pretty good sense of the bear to child size ratio.  I collect antique and vintage children's clothing.  Maybe collecting isn't quite the right word.....it's more like hoarding.  I also collect what I call "Bearaphernalia".  I have cabinets and drawers full of old silk and satin ribbons, old toys, marble bags, little books, silver cups......Oh gosh, the list goes on and on.  It's all child, baby and doll size and it's all, at the very least, vintage.  Thank heavens I have a large studio and a walk in closet!  Needless to say, my bears are quite spoiled indeed.  If I can't find an outfit for a bear then I'll make it out of vintage fabric.  Yes, I collect (hoard) that too.      

Where do I find it all?  There are specific antique shows and shops I always frequent.  Dealers know me as the "Teddy Bear Lady".  They know what I like to buy so they hold things aside for me now.  They're so sweet!  I also buy occassionally on eBay....if the price is right.  The only way for that to be cost effective though is to buy multiple items from a seller to save on shipping.  I'm a bargain shopper.  I like to keep clothing and accessory costs to a minimum.  There is no mark-up on these items when I put a bear up for adoption.  Exactly what I pay is added to the cost of the bear.  So if two bears are the same size and one is a lot more expensive than the other it is due to the cost of clothing the bear......and some of my bears have very expensive taste!   

One more thing I'd like to say......Thank you for all the kind and generous compliments about my bears.  It really means the world to me.  I love what I do and I love to share what I do with others.  I'm very blessed in this life.          

Warmest hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

I adore her!!        She has the same look a baby has when they are just waking up from a lovely nap.  I collect traditional bears (probably because that's what I design) but this little princess would look really darling sitting on the bed in my pink guestroom.  Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!   

:hug:   Aleta

OH NO!  I'm going to be one of those 70 year old ladies in a (gasp) 5000 sq. ft. home!!   Egad.       .......and a million or so cats to boot!!  I'd better start saving my bear money!!!!!

               
Aleta

Gee whiz.      I didn't realize there was a science to sniping!  About that "Dummies" book.  That's how I started on eBay.  Dummie number one here!!   :doh:   I know about as much about computer stuff as a block of cheese.   

Waiting for pizza to arrive,
Aleta

Oh, you gals are going to hate me for this one......I don't cook.      My husband and I have a deal.  He cooks....I clean.  I'm a neat freak and he loves to cook.  It's been working for almost 25 years!!   :dance:

No hate mail, please.   
Aleta

His eyes are the prettiest blue color and his cape is so full of Christmas cheer!!   

Merry hugs,
Aleta

Oh dear sweet Clare,   
I'm delighted you opened the box and let Posey Grace out.   There is only so much air packed in those boxes and it's such a long trip over the big pond.  Had you waited she may have been awfully growly, or even worse, turned an awful shade of blue by Christmas morning.   

Tickle me pink!  I'm so glad you like her.  I just know I'll love my little one when he arrives as well.  The bears and I are all so excited to meet him and have set up a little tea party for his arrival.  I'll have to take a picture......I know how much everyone loves pictures around here.   :dance:

Bless you TT'ers for all the lovely compliments.      You say the nicest things.   :redface:  It makes a really big smile on my heart, not to mention my face!!  You're all so very kind.  Thank you.

Warmest bear hugs from my heart to yours,
Aleta

Your web site is wonderful, Chrissie!  It's really easy for computer dodo's like me to navigate.....I love that!   

Warmest bear hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

My Dear Santa,
I've been an awfully good girl this year.      Please bring me something sparkly......preferably diamonds!  They're a girls best friend....next to her teddy bear, of course!   

Warmest bear hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

My dear Jenn,  :rose:
Perhaps you need a lovely glass of wine, a piece of chocolate and a hot bubble bath!!     Sounds lovely.......see yah!   :dance:

Silly smiles and warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

My dear Shantell,  :rose:
Please don't beat yourself up over eBay!!  Your bears are delightful and full of personality.  As Tammy and some of the other gals have said, eBay is saturated with bears right now.  In my humble opinion, this is one of the worst times of the year to sell unless you have a collector following.  Heavens, even with a following, some big name artist bears aren't meeting reserves.  I know it can be quite discouraging when you see some bears going for big bucks.  Keep in mind that these artists have been doing business on eBay a long time.  Most of the "Big Dogs" started out on eBay just like you.  From the listing I looked at of yours it looks as if you're doing everything right.  The only suggestion I would make.....if I may be so bold....is to put your company name FIRST on each and every listing.  Then bear size, mohair bear and bear name.  You want that company name recognition attached to your bears!!  It took me several months (and selling my bears for a song) to create a following.  Have patience!!     It's been five years since I began on eBay.  I've just recently changed my business name thinking it would be easier for people to remember and I find myself back at square one again trying to gain name recognition.  I'm lucky though, I still have a wonderful collector base.....and a web site!  Which, by the way, was started about three years after I started selling on eBay.  One step at a time, my dear.  Sometimes those steps must be baby steps!!   

And as far as watchers go.....my last listing had 55 watchers.....and still didn't sell.  I had a good laugh over that one and took some time off.  My sister came to visit, my mom came to visit, my daughter announced her engagement, I've decorated my house for the holidays and I'm working on my "swap" bear with Clare.  Life is GRAND!!  I refuse to beat myself up over eBay!!   :dance:

Exactly where in the Willamette Valley are you anyway?  We should get together sometime.  I live just off 205 (Sunnyside Rd.).  Maybe we could meet for lunch at Monticello!!  Have you been there?  It's a great little antique store on Stark Street in Portland.  They have a delightful little sandwich and coffee shop there.  Maybe we could get together with Dilu too!!  Maybe we could start a TBAG club.....Teddy Bear Artist Guild!!  Now there's a brilliant idea!!

Warmest and biggest bear hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

My dear Sandi,
How does one NOT like chocolate?  Surely there must be some mistake!  Have you tried milk chocolate (not my personal favorite), dark chocolate, white chocolate, chocolate with raspberry, chocolate covered cherries, grand marnier truffles, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate fudge sauce, chocolate ice cream, hot chocolate...........????  Nothing, huh?  You poor dear!

Has anyone tried the chocolates from Target?  You know the one's......they're advertising Choxie like mad here on the west coast.  They're yummy, yummy, good!  The bears ate a whole box of them today!  heehee

Sticky chocolate fingers typing,  :)
Aleta

Oh Shelli!  That babies face and your exclamation after Sandi's post is priceless!!  :)

Warmest hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

Oh Deb!  You made me laugh BIG!!  I simply must pass that one along.  Thank you for the giggle!!

Silly bear hugs,
Aleta

Good gracious!  That bear of yours is huge, Jared!  He's also quite handsome indeed.      My largest bear was 27 inches tall and sold for $750.00 on eBay.  (Those were the days!)  I rarely design the real biggies anymore......it's too much like a wrestling match.....and the bear always comes out ahead!  :(

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

My dear Dilu,
Totally off topic......where exactly are the backwoods of Oregon anyway? We've just moved here from Seattle so I'm still getting to know my way around.

Here's a giggle for you.  I live in Happy Valley, just off Sunnyside Road and my company name is the The Silly Bear.     It couldn't be more perfect!

Silly smiles, 
Aleta

My dear Judi,
Your work is exceptional!  Thank you for showing before and after pictures.  You have perhaps inspired another artist to give air brushing a try. 

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Oh you naughty Penny!  I don't know what you said but I have noticed there are quite a few sensitive souls out there lately.  It was awfully nice of you to apologize and pull the offending note though......whatever it was about. 

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Ooooh......she's just beautiful.   The Lord has blessed us with another angel on earth.  Congratulations to you and your family, Jenny.

Sweet baby hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

My dear Susan,
Thank you so much for presenting this great idea and handling all the details.  What a fun way to get to know another artists work.  You totally rock girlie!   :rose:

Silly smiles and warmest bear hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

My dear Clare,
I'm delighted to have been given your name in the swap!!  I just peeked in on your web site and fell in love with your old teds!!    :love::hug:  They have the most endearing faces.   I'm so excited I can hardly sit still.....oh geez, I almost fell out of my chair!     This is my first ever swap.  Okay, now what?   :o

Silly smiles,
Aleta

Can't think of an all time favorite but one song that comes to mind is Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt.  Just picked up a couple of new Chistmas CD's that I really like.  If you like a little jazz in your holiday Harry For The Holidays by Harry Connick, Jr. is great.     Jazz for the holidays by Martha Stewart Living Music is pretty darned good too.  Enjoy!   :dance:

Silly smiles,
Aleta