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Love the way cats do that. When they really love you they press their forehead against yours. A kitty mind meld 
Karen
I have to say I am really surprised at how small a reaction there was to this announcement. I know many of us expected some sort of announcement about at least one of the two major US Teddy Bear Magazines, and this one was a bit of a shocker. Teddy Bear and Friends had had the widest and largest circulation of any Teddy Bear Magazine through early 2000 (actually I'm sure longer than I remember). The magazine came out 12 months a year and each issue was over 70 pages! When I had my first article in TB&F they assigned me their professional writer and they photographed my pieces for the article. Times have changed, now almost all my sales are through the internet. I'll probably attend only one show this year. We're not even sure what is happening with the Awards. This year should be interesting as we follow what happens next. But I can't help feeling sorry for all the people who lost their jobs and wonder about where the rest of us are heading?
Email excerpt from Ashley Buenning, Head of Advertising for the New ~ Teddy Bear and Friends:
The merger means several great things for KJ Lyons Design.
1) You can advertise in 1 magazine and reach your entire audience as our circulation has taken a leap from around 1,300 to over 4,000.
2) Teddy Bear & Friends (formerly Teddy Bear Review), will be published 6 times a year.
I asked who the editor would be for this new Magazine and Ashley was kind enough to answer:
HI Karen
The Editor is Joyce Greenholdt and the Publisher is Carie Ferg.
It is all the same staff from Teddy Bear Review, we have just taken the Teddy Bear & Friends name because we felt it told the story of what is in the publication better! 
I hope to work with you in the near future!! Call or email.
Ashley Buenning
800-331-0038 x114
Teddy Bear & Friends
What shocked me the most is that it will be called 'Teddy Bear and Friends' but the publisher will be Jones, Teddy Bear Review's publisher?! I wonder who the editor will be? I also wonder if Jones Publishing will now manage the TOBY Awards? OR will there be awards? A lot of questions. 
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
I have to ask, what did he mean to you? I love him, but he is definitely anxious.
Hello, Edie
I use an industrial Singer Machine 31-15 with table made about 1950. My Belgium Faux fur can be very thick and I do sew leather. I marvel at the amazingly milled steel parts in this machine. Real craftsmanship went into the making of these Industrial machines. Over sixty years and as far as I know only the bobbin has been replaced. You can get one for only a couple of hundred but you have to look around, locally. If you're lucky you'll have some sewing factories not to far away that have gone out of business and are selling machines. I got mine when I was living in NYC during the 1980's.
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
THaNKs, everybody!
Awesomesauce ;-> funny Shelli. Now I have to see if he gets a home? I'm cursed with creating the characters that I see. I guess most artists know this; you have the vision of a character that needs to be seen, you may try to deny him/her but you just have to bring this character into existence.
Karen
Oliver is 17" tall, with an 9" tail. Oliver is created out of the finest quality Belgium faux fur. He has hand-colored features. His gold and green glass eyes are set in handmade eye sockets. Oliver has a sculptured suede nose. His neck and back legs are jointed, his front and back legs have armatures for posing. He is poly-filled and weighted in strategic places for a proper feel. He has a brown leather cap and suede vest specially designed for him. And he holds a small wooden bowl. He is shown with a stand but he can also sit and pose without the stand.
Beautiful :clap: I know how difficult that kind of coloring is! One slip and you have to create a new head.
Karen
Love him!
Oh, Wow! That is beautiful
I TOLD YOU! NO Photos 
Hey everyone... I have spent hours surfing the net for Tissavel and beguim synthetics......where are all the shops that DO supply a plain white in 15 to 20 mm pile length. That is 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch??
PLEASE I am getting quite desperate,
HUGS Wendy xx
Kathy,
I think any seller that could get a hold of quality white fur 20mm and longer would make a fortune. I have inquiries almost every month and I'm in the same boat. The last time I ordered the supplier special ordered me 10 yds. from the manufacturer. But now they seem to be having problems with the quality of the fur, I had to return one order.
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
Need a closeup of the face? Is it a center seam head or not? I'm guessing it's a Muffy bear from North American Bear Co.
http://www.shopatron.com/products/categ … 35.0.0.0.0
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
Got this one from Karen Waschinski's Bat group 
'Dear Santa, next year I'd like a hat that fits, thank you!'
Couldn't resist, here's a kitten sized Santa Hat 
I was going to do a happy Christmas cat but this guy showed up and wanted to be listed.
http://tinyurl.com/77vtfpu
I've shocked many a TSA agent when they inspected my bag and saw a realistic cat staring back at them 
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
Joanne, they're wonderful :clap: I love the way each one seems to have his own personality.
Karen
Thanks! Everyone. I think this is the first year I actually have pieces available in time for Christmas and the Holidays! I tend to work in cycles and they don't seem to line up with any certain dates. 
Karen
:dance:
1)This is my version of Puss in Boots and he stands about 17". His costume, right down to his red leather topped boots and walking cane are all designed and handmade just for him. I wish I knew how to photograph satin. Both his red metallic hat and royal blue cape are satin.
2)And the kitten is Taz, 7", an eight week old grey tiger kitten. His Santa hat is made out of vintage red velvet with an off white mohair trim. It doesn't show in the photo but he has dark sapphire blue glass eyes.
Getting ready for my
. Have to get all the players dressed and ready for their big stage appearances It's always such a crush behind stage but we have fun! I'll post some of the characters next week.
Karen
OK, Here's how it goes ~ Alibaba is HUGE. And, yes, they do have designers that could duplicate almost any piece they can see. It's just a matter of if they find a design that they think will make them a decent profit. Again, as I have been told, the only way that we can stop them is if we contact a U.S. representative of the company, then we might be able to stop them at Customs into the U.S.A.
Karen
Kim,
I talked to someone involved in import/export. He said the best way to stop this is if any of the copies come into the U.S., then Customs can get involved. A large U.S. registered company would have to be involved and you would be more able to enforce your copyright.
