Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Okay, here's a couple of pics of my Ronald McDonald House Charity Auction piece.  This is T.T. Chuck O'Lut ... a 10 inch tipped mohair teddy who thinks he is a Triple Thick Chocolate Milkshake of all things!!! 

Chuck is wearing a collectible Ronald McDonald 50th Anniversary pin on a bright red sash around his neck and loves to sit in a McDonald's cup.    Occasionally he will rest beside the cup and dream of candy sprinkles.

Sue, I almost forgot about the auction entirely.  Woke up early one morning and just knew I had missed the deadline.   Fortunately I did have a week to get him ready and he should have arrived in Albany, NY today ... I hope he didn't melt along the way ... ha.

Wanda

Helena,

I agree with you on commissions.    They can be a pain in the you-know-what.  But I would kindly inform the customer that I was sorry the color was not exactly as she had envisioned and that I would be more than happy to have the bear returned to me in the same condition as she received it for a refund.  I would explain that colors are so hard to match.  The same color can be slightly different from one run to another.

Then I'm sure you will make your customer happy and you will get your bear back to perhaps sell to someone else for more money.

Whenever I do a commission and a special color is involved, I always send a swatch of the actual fur I'm gonna use to the collector.  Remember, even with teddy bear collectors, the customer is always right.  I'm sure she will think you a very gracious teddy bear artist and will purchase more teddies from you.  And you do not have to feel that you are to blame for this.   These things just happen and should not be considered anyone's fault.  I know it hurts the ego a tad bit, I know I would be upset if any one of my collectors was unhappy with a bear.  But the collector has purchased several teddies from you, so she apparently loves your little guys.

Anyhow, this is how I would handle the situation. 

Hugs,

Wanda

Shelli,

My ... it's nice to know I'm missed! ... Sorry I haven't been contributing much to the board, but I'm very busy at this time.   I have been sneaking in to check out the goings on during my lunch break at work, so I have not abandoned you all.  I enjoy reading all the posts and there have been sooo many, I can't keep up.

We are doing a running inventory at work, so I'm beat when I get home.  Just finished a little bear for Ronald McDonald Charity House Auction (got it under the wire) and have several orders to complete, so I'm just overwhelmed.  When I get home, fix supper and clean up, I'm ready for bed ....must be the hibernation thing kicking in ... shorter days, cooler evenings, etc.

Oh, I did have an interview with the Peoria Journal Star for a feature article in one of their Sunday papers.  My sister-in-law (who works at the county courthouse) and a friend were talking to the local reporter and mentioned that they were tired of so much bad news and thought an article about the teddy bears would be a refreshing change.  So she came out, took some notes and pics.    Here is another "free" way to get those bears out to public view.    If you have made a special limited addition, donated to some charity, or something really special has happened in your bear life, mention it to the local paper.  They always need something to write about and it might as well be something more refreshing than crime.

So keep up the lively conversations, tips, jokes, and pics.  I am enjoying them when I can and I'll try to contribute more often.

Hugs to All,

Wanda

Daphne,

Like you I wanted to design my own website and maintain it, but there is just so much one person can do.  I did hire a designer to do my website and I am delighted with it.  True, it is a large investment at first, but it is yours forever as long as you maintain it.  It is a window to the world displaying your bears to an evergrowing internet market.

The time it would take for me to learn and actually write the website can be used to make bears to pay for the site.   Working full time, I must spend my time efficiently and this works for me.  At present, my bears are paying for my site.   Whenever I converse with a collector or shop owner, the number one question is "Do you have a website?"   

There are several good people out there that provide this service.  Good luck whichever way you go.  Just wanted to contribute my experience on this subject.

Hugs,

Wanda

Congratulations Shelli ....How Wonderful!!!    I am not surprised, you so deserve the recognition for your talent.

Hugs,

Wanda

Okay, here's my take on this.  I am the oldest with one brother and always loved school, got great grades, was always on the honor roll and received perfect attendance.  I always tried to follow directions all the time.  (Boring, huh?)

I was kinda the odd man out on most things as my interests were not the same as most students my age.  I was always drawing and doodling and lived in my own fantansy world when alone.   Was friends with all the boys (but no boyfriends) loved horses and always dreamed of the day I would have one.   In fourth grade a school friend and I made hand puppets and wrote a puppet play on The Reluctant Dragon which we presented to the class.  The teacher was so impressed, she had us give the play to a couple more classes and at the public library.

I most always put my own spin on a pattern, a recipe, etc.    So I don't really think of myself as defiant, but never tell me I can't do anything as I will "bust a gut" trying to do it better than anyone else.

Hugs,

Wanda

Janet,

I didn't realize you were the "Janet" from Teddy Talk until I got home.  It was so much fun meeting you and visiting at the show.   Isn't that the most Awesome show ever???   I didn't want to come home!   Yeah, had to get a picture of me stuffing my face with that plate full of dessert.

And Shelli, by all means, try to find a way to attend.  The collectors and artists are the BEST!!!   Yes, that is Laure's wonderful bunny next to your Willie Wonka.  Glad I was able to get a few snapshots for you all to enjoy.

Hugs,

Wanda

Hayley,

Thank you for the kind compliments all around.   I won't be able to walk through the door for my big head jamming into the sill.

My heads are two side pieces and two gusset pieces.    Just slit a regular full gusset down the center and then add the seam allowances, and Wa La .. you have a center seam pattern.    It seems silly to slice the gusset and then sew it back up, but that's what gives the center seam such charm.    I always make sure the center seam gusset pattern is placed on the mohair so the fur is running away from the center seam.

Hugs,

Wanda

Kelly,

Don't feel bad, I didn't meet half the people there at the show.   I did see Laure but only because she recognized me.  What a sweet gal and very talented.

I am looking forward to next year.

Hugs,

Wanda

More TBAI Photos

As you can see, Laure's Rabbit and Shelli's piece are pictured as well as Adam and Eve by Kislingbury.

Binghamton is the Carousel Capital, so we took a turn on the carousel at Ross Park Zoo on Saturday evening.

And the delicious dessert at the Banquet Friday night.... it was a chore, but I ate it all!!!!

Wanda

Shelli,

Here goes with the TBAI pics .... shown here is myself and the sweetest gal from NJ who has a couple of my bears.

Shelli and All,

Been kinda busy making bears and getting ready for the most wonderful show I have ever had the pleasure of attending.     The TBAI show is just as great as someone else posted here, and more.   

This is a "high class" show with serious collectors and artists.   I have just a few pictures as I took a disposable camera and left my good one at home since I flew out and didn't want another thing to manage.    I roomed with Sharon Barron of CA and Barbara Burke of Massachusetts ....  and then me, from the Midwest, so we had the country pretty well represented.

I will try to post what few pictures I have tonight.   I took a pic of your piece, Shelli, which was Wonderful.   Right now I'm eating my Cheerios for breakfast and trying to get ready for work .... Yuck... it sure gets in the way of my bear life, but it does pay the bills.

Til later,

Hugs,

Wanda

Did I hear my name ???

Yes, I love the center seam bears.  They remind me of the old Steiff bears and it is an extra step or two, but well worth it.   You might want to give it a try, just to do something different.

And thank you for the kind compliment.   It is greatly appreciated.

Hugs,

Wanda Carson

Kirsten,

I have not been to the Bear Paths shop, but I met Diane Pawuk at the TBAI show and she is soooo nice.    I am sure you will enjoy the trip.    You will have to tell us all about it.

Wanda Carson

Can you move the pictures from the floppy to a file?    Then when you open PS Elements, you can open that file and your picture is there for editing.

Wanda

Eileen,

We just returned from a swap meet and while there I saw a little guy around 8/9 years old with the newest Harry Potter book and asked him if it was good.  He replied, "It's my Mom's book" ... so on my return trip to the car I saw a lady sitting beside the little boy reading  and I asked her, "Is it good?" ... she looked up at me and said, "Yeah, very good.  I started reading last night and have gotten this far, it is great" ....

So there you have it, Harry Potter has a lot of grownup followers.

Wanda

Jossan,

Jim Dale reads the Harry Potter books and gives each character a very distinct voice.  While listening, I am transported to Hogwarts to mingle among all the characters. 

I just ordered the new book on tape this morning from Amazon.com and it should be here in about a week.   I can wait, but it will be hard.

Hugs,

Wanda

Dilu,

No, this is not a cheap hobby, but we could be spending more ... look at golf, boating/sailing, flying, gambling, race car driving ????

If you enjoy it, then do it.

You might check out E-Bay for Harry Potter tapes.   I bought four sets as a package deal for a very reasonable price.  And if you don't want the tapes, they have CD's too. 

Good luck,

And Jane, here I thought I was getting the unabridged version of Harry Potter.   I did discover since the recent terrorist act that there really is a King's Cross railroad station.  Since I'm not familiar with the UK, I thought it was a made up name like all her names  (which I LOVE).

Wanda

Gals,

Can't hardly wait for the book on tape of the newest Harry Potter book.  I have to be doing more than one thing at a time, so love to listen to Jim Dale read the Harry Potter books on tape while I work on bears.  It is soooo entertaining to hear all the different characters.   I just finished listening to the Order of the Phoenix for the 3rd or 4th time  to bring me up to date for the next installment.

I'm ready for a new Dark Arts teacher, hopefully a successful season for the Gyrffindor Quidditch team and, of course, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Hugs,

Wanda

Sewzanne,

I know what you are saying about the fur running different directions even on the straight of the grain.   Even so, I usually cut my bear pattern with the nap or straight of grain.  After cutting out the pattern if a piece has the fur running against the grain or diagonal, I use my steam iron to straighten it.

I hold the steam iron over the fur piece, not touching it, but almost and give it a couple of bursts of steam.  Then take my fingers or a comb and coax the fur to go the right direction.   

I use this technique a lot on the head pieces.  Ever stitch a bear and one side of the head looks a little different shade or color than the other?  Chances are the fur is not running the same direction on the two pieces.   I have even "straightened" the fur after the head has been stitched and stuffed using the steam iron.   Actually, my iron is used more for coaxing bear fur than for ironing clothes ... tee hee.

Hugs,

Wanda

Jane,

I had the gallbladder surgery just last August.  They were able to use the "keyhole" surgery which consists of four tiny bandaid slits into which a camera and tools are inserted.   They fill the cavity with gas/air and inflate so they can work inside.  It is so much better than the traditonal surgery.   I sure hope they are able to do yours that way.  There are no stitches and they actually use band aids to close the incisions.

Mine was done around noon and  I came home that evening.   I pretty much slept through the night but was bothered by a dry throat cause by the tube they insert for breathing.   I didn't move very fast the next day, but was able to get out and feed my horse that evening.   Luckily I only took half a pain tablet the whole time, using Tylenol instead.

I had surgery on Wednesday and was back to work in ten days.  You start eating slowly and not a whole lot at first.   I am sorry to hear you are having problems, but in the end you will feel much better.

I just could not eat ... I had a lazy gal bladder that did not work and my food was not digesting causing all kinds of problems.  I am 5'7" and got down to 121 pounds, too thin for my frame.

Good luck and things will be much better after the surgery.

Hugs,

Wanda

Shelli,

Click on Intercal Features at their home page to see what we are discussing.

Thank you Dilu, so glad I'm not the only one with nearsightedness.

Wanda

Johnna,

I just noticed the new format for indexing the different mohairs and color scans.  This is sooo much easier to use.  I have always had trouble finding a certain color in the type of mohair I want or visa versey finding what types mohair come in a certain color.   I usually go to the web catalog and try to figure it out.

I do hope this is a new feature as I just noticed it, or has it been in service for quite a while ??    Whatever, it will make my mohair shopping a breeze!

Thanks for the indexing of mohair and color scans.

Hugs,

Wanda

Danni,

Just saw Bears and Buds... How Wonderful!   Your little bears are sooo  cute!!!   Every one of them has personality.   

I see several are sporting those bell collars.   Too cute!!!

Hugs,

Wanda

My experience with layaways has always been great.  I used to submit a legal form such as Shelli's, but anymore I try to keep things as simple and informal as possible.   

I usually type on my statement the date and amounts due for each month (usually three months duration).   The last payment usually includes the shipping charges or I will list those separately.   The dollar amount column is totaled at the bottom so the collector sees what the total cost is going to be.   I print this statement and make a copy for myself so I can keep track of the payments as they are made or not made.  As each payment is made, I pencil in the date and check that payment off.

So far I have had very good success with this approach.  I did have one customer who was a month behind, but she did complete the layaway.  Another collector couldn't wait for the final payment and made two payments so I could go ahead and ship the bear.

I know collectors appreciate this service and many would think twice before buying a bear if layaway was not offered.   After all, you have the bear until it is paid for, so they are taking more of a chance than you are.

Wanda