Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thank you Susan! He was a joy to create.

Just wanted to let everyone know that FIGARO is now up for adoption on ETSY at the following LINK

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?li … d=29709711

Hi Eileen

Baird'sBears is great! What's wrong with that?

Also, to everyone, don't get me wrong, I LOVE little kitchy names! It was just explained to me that your name could not be beat.

Hi Daphne, what about your last name and middle name... or could you do something fun with your first name that would simplify it and would work with your bears? Daft Bears doesn't work for me though hahahaha but maybe something else, your initials? Anyway, like I said, the bear names that are kitchy are sweet also... Good Luck~

When I was starting out I had a very successful artist and business person tell me to change my "Seraphim's Attic" name to my own name. She explained to me that you need to brand yourself and with success that your bears will become synonymous with you. You want people to get to know your name, and then once you find your style your bears will automatically be known as a Michele Seraphim for instance. I love all the cute names but can honestly say I often have no idea who the artist is and that is a bit sad really! I use only my first and middle name and leave my last name out myself but that is because I have a very different middle name. Also if your style changes or you start another art like dolls you will have established YOUR name already and will not have to go through the finding a name that incorporates your new art. Take a look at the really established artist.... they all use their name as the name of their business! That is my take on this issue, hope it helps.

I use to be a figurative artist and make very tiny fingers out of fabric for my dolls. In that time I found a set of tools called turning tubes that I still use for my bears and they are fabulous! You might want to try those or make a set for yourself. I find them to be a real life saver!

Very nice work as usual. Love the one that got away shot and very much look forward to seeing the new elements you add to this piece.

Thank you so much everyone. It has been a while since I checked back into this thread but I was thrilled this morning to spend my sunrise surfing through Gail's site! What fun. I use to be a doll maker and still love my primitives and might just have to take one of her on line classes for old times sake... cause I have soooo much spare time.... not! Anyway it really was a great morning and seeing as how I am very fond of my cotton stuffing I am planning to try some of Gail's and some of her wool also. I will let you all know how it goes. I currently get my cotton stuffing from Gerry's so we'll see how they compare.

Have a creative day!

That little pink belly makes me want to just kiss it up! So realistic and sweet as alway! Adorable!

What a sweet bear! Love that nose! Beautiful colour blue and so shiny!

Love these two! Very nicely made and what a wonderful colour! I liked these so much I even went to your site to see if I could buy one... just lovely!

Just visited your site! Your stuff is supper fun! I love Halloween! Great stuff!

I love this little one! Really nice!

cute, cute, cute!!!

These two pandas are now available on eBay. They are called Chai Tea and Tai Chi  in the order you see them here and have been created in my dopey style ~ Chai is  6 inches and Tai is 13 inches and they are up for adoption as a couple. Hope you enjoy them!
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie … 0343956358

Little Ebony is so sweet! I love the expression on the face and good job on the realistic style!

I LOVE this guy... saw him on your site and he just reminds me of my little Italian greyhound (I realize he is a mouse... they remind me of my IG also)... long nose, long tail, a little dopey, big bulgy eyes and I grew up in Calgary so am a BIG fan of the cowboys and cowboy hats! Just in love with this little guy! The prince makes my heart smile!

So pretty! Just love this one!

Thanks so much everyone for your wonderful input on my little Katie. She was picked up today and will be heading to her new Mum very soon. It is a very special gift that we bear artist have - being able to offer comfort and a smile with our art! How blessed we all are~

This bear is wonderful! I love the eyes and the crazy hair! So sweet I just want to kiss her!

Bravo! Really sweet little bears! Loving the bee and Hive! Really nice!

WOW, really wonderful... looks a lot like my boy HOOK ~ he's real and a Siamese... very very nice work~

Hi Everyone: I just wanted to share with you a commissioned bear that I just completed. My adopter wanted something for a friend who is very ill in hospital. She is a bear collector and so this would make a great pick me up. I was told she enjoys Victorian things and bears so I tried my hand at it.

It was really important to me that the bear be a sweet and happy little bear so for me this was a bit outside my box as my bears are often a bit sad and slouchy. I had to create a new pattern in a completely different style than I am use to which was a wonderful challenge and in the end I think she turned out not to bad at all. Her bonnet was purchased at a local antique store and added the final touch. So here she is everyone ~ Katie~ is here to meet you all!

Hi Nina

Unfortunately they do not seem to have any Kapok and only have fiberfil and plastic beads - too new for my liking.

Thanks for trying though!

Hi Becky: Sure if I find somewhere I would be happy to let you know. I can tell you that currently I used ginned cotton and never polyfil and I LOVE it. My bears are very old in feel and it lends well to that. It is a bit heavier and firmer than your polyfil so you might like to try that for a change of pace. It can be found at Gerry's.

Thanks Beckie! That is a big help... however I thought I was posting in tips and techniques? Thats what it says at the top of my screen? Oh well, your information is a great start! Thanks so much!