Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I've finished too Paula, hopefully photos tomorrow. A well timed challenge as I thought, hey I make lots of pandas, how can it be a challenge? So....brand new size, brand new pattern, thanks, you've got me inspired! :dance:

I tried ebay Susie. I have a stash of 'cheaper' stuff thats great to use for extra bits, add ons etc to the main bear.

Hi Susie. You have made the first step, asking questions! Thats how we all learn. This site is fabulous, just post a question, maybe under miniatures and someone is sure to answer.

I started off making bigger bears and as I think of it pretty much make the miniatures the same way. Books are great too. Its a matter of making a bear then seeing where you could change it, and the pattern. So many bears later and you are one step nearer to where you want to be.

The panda is one of the very first bears I made, abot 13 years ago.
The other bear is one I made about three years ago when I started back making.
The last bear what I do now!

Its all a learning curve but I think keep making, keep adapting your patterns, keep asking questions!

Yep its not the seller's fault, but thats why I was wondering, so at least I could pre warn buyers. Saying that it looks like my bears won't reach the price where it matters!

Roll on december if the limits are going up.

I shall console myself with a glass of wine later and add a bit more to the tax coffers!

What I do know is that USA to UK the limit is £18 (but as Ruth says watch dollar conversions) but that does not have to include postage. If its a gift its £36 but that includes the postage. The if you do get caught up they charge duty on the whole lot including the postage!

Good old Gordon Brown, wants me start a small business.....he gets enough tax off me in alcohol duty!!!  

Hi everyone. Could some of you lovely USA TTers tell me how much allowance you have when importing from the UK before you are hit by customs tax.

Also have I got it right that the EU (importing tax outside EU countries) is raising their limit at the end of december 08? Hope so as its way to low now. Sigh, just got hit on that one.

Thanks!

Gorgeous eyes! Three little cuties.  :hug: Well done you.

A Panda Bear walks into a café and orders a sandwich and a drink. After he is finished eating, the waiter comes over to bring him the check/bill. When the waiter arrives at the table, he just starts to ask 'Would you like any des...' Then the Panda Bear reaches into his fur, pulls out a gun, and shoots the waiter dead. The Panda Bear then wipes off his chin with his napkin, gets up, and starts to walk out. Just as he is about to go through the door, the manager grabs him. 'Wait a minute!' he yells, 'You just killed my best waiter! Besides that, you didn't even pay for your sandwich!'

The Panda Bear grasps the manager by the throat and growls, 'Hey I'm a PANDA! Do you know what that means? Why don't you look it up!'

At this the Panda walks out the door and ambles down the street. The manager, shaken, returns to his office and consults a dictionary.

He reads:
'panda - a large mammal of the Asian mountain forests related to raccoons and true bears and characterized by bold black and white markings. Eats shoots and leaves.'

Count me in!   

This is Brodie, my first elephant. I was really pleased how he turned out, on the first pattern drawing as well. I hope you like him, he's off this afternoon to live with a fellow TTer.  :hug:

Have a great day!!!!

Stunning work. More miniatures to come? I hope so!  :clap:

I had a sort of 'life got in the way' break last year, a whole year. But when I did get back this year, its all on track and fun. What ever you decide, I hope everything works out. Just to say one thing I would have made the most awful bears last year if I had made any as I was under stress for other things. So maybe a break is what you need. :hug:

Good luck! Could be someone else sees this. We'll all keep our eyes open, charity shops etc. You just never know.  :hug:

I'll have to try that thread Melissa.

. I use the beading thread in D size, not AA. I needlesulpt, well I have to as my heads are 4 piece patterns with no centre head gusset, then I also use shading and needlefelting to get the look. I do think the needlesculpting helps do away with having to have too much tension when pulling the beads in. You know you've got it right when you can't see the bead holes. I've seen bears where the photos show the holes, not a nice look. Its very much trial and ever and even I think I could improve what I do. So keep those tips coming!

I'd agree, standing. That said I always like to take a photo of the bear in the palm of my hand, it helps to show how small it is. Not a silly question though, as I see some artists using the seating measurement as well.

Very interesting points raised. I make to sell. I get a massive buzz from someone saying 'wow I would like to spend my hard earned cash because I want that bear'. So my bears are geared to what I think my collectors might like. When I have time (not at the moment) I like to try different things some are liked, others not. Then of course if someone does buy one of my bears, the cash comes in very handy!

Its a lovely coming together, I enjoy making them, hopefully people enjoy having them and I'm rewarded with a good feeling and extra cash to make life more fun and for treats.

Saying that a few months ago I think I went through major thoughts about my style of bears, it was pretty messy in my head! I got to a better place in the end.

Good luck to all of you, I bet this topic will be on a few people's minds.

Steph is one lady who makes it very easy for me to do what I do. Lovely fabrics and she puts in lots of hard work getting them to the stage when we can buy them. Yes, I'm a fan!!!!       Just hope I can get some money together to get some new stuff. :pray:

Hiya. Great advice about the kits. I started with a kit, many years ago. Sassy long pile is fabulous and so easy to work with. I use the nylon thread she sells too. A pair of forceps (I got mine off ebay) are much needed to turn pieces easily. There are lots of things really, but just get started and go from there. We all learnt as we went along. Good luck!

I think its fab too and really works as you don't expect the Italian/American accent. We have a local factory near us and I used to know people who worked there. Lets just say I knew them as they came to my Slimming club! Those bags of broken biscuits were lethal. What a place to work and try to stay slim.

http://www.foxs-biscuits.co.uk/

Welcome to the.....coven!  :crackup: You are now and truly bewitched! :dance:

Thanks for all the info. At one time I listed on both and they charged me double fees! Then I just did ebay.com as it still showed up on ebay UK. Saying that all my sales have been overseas lately, no wonder! Its so hard to keep up with ebay. So many thanks, back to ebay.co.uk and tick the extra box.

Good luck. I had 2007 completely away from bearmaking. We were renovating the house we had purchased and it was hard work and very stressful, I just could not concentrate on bears. Even the forums I frequented in the evening were about plumbing or house selling as our old house was for sale. If I'd tried to do my bears they would have just been a chore to do, not like now when I enjoy doing them. All the best, with whatever works out. :hug:

WOW!!!!!! Thanks as usual Jane. Sam must be buzzing from it all. Fantastic tables and of course the bears.....

Well done Clare. What a cutie!!!!

I've not been in touch with her as I felt she needed the space, which seems to be the case. Last year, although no problems, I was so wrapped up in renovating this house it was hard to think or do anything else. Hopefully there will be a point where she can have a bit of time to herself.

Miss ya!