Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thanks Winney!!!

Yeah...I just got an email that my domain registration went through and they gave me my username and password.  I'm so very happy.  Wooo hoooo...doin' the happy dance...wait...I can't dance and I might hurt myself...scratch that.  :)

Thanks everyone for listening to me ramble on and on and on... :):)

And thank you so very much Kelly for your awesome suggestion.  What's your commission?  :)

Shantell

Thanks everyone...feels great to finally have made a decision.  This has been so difficult for me and I'm normally good at decision making...what happened...Dilu's gollies messing with my head or something. 

I am however a little concerned that my domain registration didn't go through.  I went through the whole sign up thing...got to where they tell me Thank You and how it will show up on my credit card (debit really) statement but that was it...no place to register a password...and it's still showing up as available....so I've emailed them...but now of course I'm worried someone will snatch it from underneath me.  Ol' Murphy's Law...seems to follow me wherever I go...that what I get for naming my most beloved (now deceased) cat Murphy...it's haunted me ever since.  :)

Okay...on a serious note.  I just did a search on web hosting and well there seemed to a bizillion of them.  Can anyone recommend one that is reasonably priced and user friendly, etc.  I'm in no way ready to start a website...gotta have something to put on it first...and my plate is kinda full right now but I would at least like to know where to start when/if I am ready. 

Thanks for any direction you can lead me...

I did it...I registered a domain name...Apple Dumpling Bears...:rolleyes:

Now what...I have no clue...I'm clueless in Scio!!!

Hi Deb,

I don't know much about shipping internationally either.  It seems that each country has different rules.  I'm fortunate in that I live in a very small community so I know the folks at my post office and can go in and ask a bizillion questions and not have a huge line waiting behind me.    I do believe there is a packet you can get from USPS about international shipping.  I've never had much luck with those digital scales...even for domestic shipping...seems like the postage is always different by the time I get to the post office anyway so I don't even try anymore. 

It's really not that hard...just more paperwork.  I think the other end has more hassle then we do with duty fees, customs, etc. 

Good Luck...

Shantell

I was just in Ebay...and found this link in the discussion boards...so I thought I would post it here.  It's titled "How to spot a fake PayPal email and which countries are approved for use with PayPal."  It included a link to a list of Paypal approved countries.

http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa? … 5740250333

I just thought I would share...

I think living with Libra for so many years has affected my Scorpio decision making.  So...I think I'm going to go with Apple Dumpling Bears or Apple Dumplin Bears.  Now to find the discussion on how I register a domain name, etc.  I know it's here in all this good information somewhere...

Shantell

Angel?  Shhhh...you'll ruin my reputation...:lol::lol:

Shantell

One thing to add to Kelly's information...

I'm not sure when they started doing this but Ebay also has their own messaging center so when you get an email from "Ebay" (whether it's from Ebay themselves, a buyer or a seller) it should also show up in your Ebay message center...meaning you get an email in your personal email AND a duplicate message in your Ebay account.  At first it was kind of annoying to get the message twice.  And, as Kelly pointed out you can reply through the message center and choose the option to not reveal your email address....all very good ways to protect yourself.

Thanks Kelly for all your great advice.  I'm sure you have way more Ebay experience that I have and I think anything we learn we should share.  For example, I didn't realize you could check to see what a buyer was bidding on until someone mentioned it in another message thread...great advice if you are suspicious of a bidder. 

Sad our world has come to this...what happened to the good ol' girl handshake?

Shantell

Sabine,

I completely understand and agree with your perspective.  It's a two way street.  I recently made a purchase that took nearly a month to get...and it was from the US.  I got all kinds of excuses as to why it hadn't arrived.   Very frustrating indeed.

I personally have never had any problems with international buyers or sellers.  I think can feedback speaks for itself...and it is important that kind of feedback you leave for others...I check that just as much.

Thanks for adding your view...it's important to remember...

Shantell

I am by no means an Ebay expert but here's what I do know...oh and a few more things...:) 

With Paypal you don't get credit card information in order to verify the information.  It is all run through their system (whatever that is).  And...Ebay just instituted a policy that if you except Paypal, you have to take all forms of Paypal....not just bank transfers, etc.  You can no longer say "I don't take credit cards." Alot of sellers would accept Paypal but only if it were through a bank transfer...that's where they take money directly from your checking or savings account like a debit card (for those who don't know).  I'm sure that didn't make very many sellers happy.  I personally would not take credit cards over the phone unless I was set up to verify the information and get an authorization code for that particular transaction. 

I'm not sure about this...but I think your transactions are only protected by accounts that are "verified".  Which means that you've gone through the process of having your banking information cross checked with your online information.  When I did that I gave them my banking information and they then deposited a small amount of money into my accounts (like 7 cents total).  They made two deposits and then I had to go back into Paypal and log that information into their verification system.  Sounds complicated but it's really not.  Which...is another good way to protect yourself...not fullproof by any means but another check...and that is to only accept Paypal transactions from individuals who are "verified."  Also, be very careful about taking money orders especially postal money orders because there is a HUGE fraud ring going on with them right now.  I also state that I prefer bank cashier checks...which you can call and verify.  It sounds like a lot of work...but if you are diligent about doing a few simple things I think you can protect yourself.

There is also an Ebay forum not unlike this...you can just go and read some stuff...it's very informative once you get through the trash...there are some folks that are just plain mean spirited.  You can also search specific topics.

In my opinion, you just have to treat Ebay like you would an onsite business.  If someone comes into your store and they make you uncomfortable, you don't do business with them.  You still have that old saying "I reserve right to refuse service to anyone".  It sounds mean but...well...we live in a mean world anymore.

Also, I think we should remember when dealing with international business...just because they say they are from Indonesia or Singapore...doesn't mean they are.  People from those countries in particular are a very soft, gentle and friendly.  I know this from my work in International Admissions & Relations at a college...and my ex-husband travelled extensively to those countries as well as other Asian countries.  Once I got past the language barriers they were some of my favorite students to work with...so sweet.

I'm done...sick of me yet?

Shantell

Okay...I'm kinda likin' Kelly's idea...where's Shelli...she's gotta have a interesting twist... SHELLI!!!!!!!!!!!!

hmmmm...so apple bottom bears is giving you folks a sorta negative vibe.  I actually kinda like Kelly's suggestion of Apple Dumplin Bears...but for the sake of spelling perhaps...

Apple Dumpling Bears ...  which still gives me that warm cozy feeling...and my grandma use to make the best apple dumplings...HMMMMMMMM...Okay now I'm hungry!!!

And...neither pulled up under a google search...

Oh no...I just remembered...my daughter's friends affectionally call her apple bottom...why you ask...well she's has the cutest (although she would strongly disagree) little bubblebutt. 

Too funny....I can hear her now... MOM!!!:lol::lol:

I'm back to the whole business name thing...sorry...and as much as I like the whole visual of green pasture bears...something about it just isn't working for me...not sure what it is.

But...what do you all think of...are you ready...it's not that exciting...

Apple Bottom Bears...

here's why...one I love apples (to eat not decorate with :))...they are round and rolly polly...for me a sense of wholesomeness...two...that's the way I like my bears too...round and rolly polly...soft and squishy and loveable.  I wanna be able to pick them up and give them a snuggle or two. I feel the same way about quilts.

So tell me what you think?  Be brutal...I can take it!!!  I have teenagers :)

TTFN

Shantell

Lydia,

This is Nancy's website and there is a link the her Bear University classes there.  Maybe we'll be classmates?  :)

www.northcountryteddybears.com

Shantell

Wow...I've bought and sold quite a bit on Ebay and have never had that many problems.  I have run across a couple non-paying bidders before which is very frustrating.  Who did you get email from?

Did that come directly from Ebay...because if it didn't I wouldn't respond.  There is just alot odd stuff going on.  I recently listed a doll and the buyer never paid...I sent a couple email through the ebay messaging system.  I get this reply finally from the lady saying that she has a multiple personality disorder and it must have been her "other identity" that placed the rather large bid. She went on about how sorry she was yadda yadda...  Part of me was sure I was being conned but then another part of me was...well it could be true...so I just did the non-paying bidder form, she agreed to the terms...and I relisted the doll.  She gave me the sweetest feedback and then closed her ebay account.  It was very strange. 

I also note in my listings that I reserve the right to cancel bids if they do not have so many (I chose 10) positive feedbacks and their account is less then 30 days old and ask them to please email before bidding.  I also read the kind of feedback they leave for others...that says alot...especially if they have negative feedback and how they respond. 

Best of Luck...

Did I hear "icecream"...that is definitely my addiction...I love the stuff...and since I no longer drink...I try to treat myself at least once a week... :):)

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!

I bet someone snatched up that darling little anime bear I so was admiring...hmmmmpf!!! 

As you can probably tell...we've been a lively bunch!!!  Glad to read that the bear show was great fun...wonderful photos..makes me want to curl up with that little panda...so sweet!!!

Shantell :D

That was me last night...I almost had myself in tears...thinking...now this can not be that hard...deep breathing...throwing it across the room a few times...swearing...good thing there were no children present...but I'm over myself and am reading to tackle another block...I will win this war!!!  And the finish product will be worth every frustrating moment.  This however may very well be my last paper-piecing project. 

Tammy, I didn't think I had the patience for it either.  A friend of mine who has quilted for years kept dragging me to quilt stores...for months...and I'd help her pick out fabric etc.  She kept telling me I had a knack for picking out the perfect fabric to go with the perfect pattern...I thought...yeah right.  But, when another friend of mine had her first baby I decided to try it by  making a simple baby quilt....I was hooked...and even more hook by giving them as gifts.  I've never stopped loving it.  I feel the same way about making bears...I just love the whole process...it's like opening a Christmas present each time you finish. 

The story about the dad was Lynn's story...and it was very touching...amazing what we learn about our parents when they are gone. 

Shantell

Sure...I actually found the pattern online when trying to research this project for ideas before I agreed to do it.  I have to admit that it is a little nerve racking because if I screw up I can't just run down to the local quilt shop and buy another fat quarter.  ;)

Here's the website (on the bottom).  There is also a pattern for a flannel or long sleeve shirt version...however I think I would have chosen different fabric to highlight how cute the pattern is.

Lynn, how sweet that your dad use to quilt with your mom.  I have a feeling that would be something my dad would do if my mom sewed.  He's quite handy and does alot of woodworking...he's a crafty ol' guy.

This particular pattern is an 8" block without any borders.  I wanted a bigger block so I took it down to the copy center and asked them to enlarge it to 12 inches.  The pattern is two halves (left and right).  I plan on adding borders to each block just not sure how I want to do them yet.

Enjoy...

http://www.paperpanache.com/guests/ashirt.htm

I agree that he's not a very attractive little beast...but the story that goes with him is heartwarming.  I heard an interview with the owner of this little dog and it was so encouraging to hear that someone was willing to take this poor critter in and love it as though it were the most beautiful animal around.  Apparently, he had been taken to several animal rescue places and none of them would take him because he wasn't "adoptable"...and when the lady found him (not sure where...perhaps the Humane Society...can't remember) they weren't going to adopt him out...but she insisted.  He has a bunch of health problems, is blind, etc.  One lucky dog....