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Last Saturday I took the plane from Boston to Philadelphia. We had some Frequent Flyer tickets, so the plane ride was free. Then I took a taxi to Mt. Holly, N.J. to take a class with Art Rogers at Teddies of Mt. Holly. There was also a show which I missed because I thought it was also on Saturday, but it was only on Sunday. 
For the class, you could either make a cat or a dog. I made the cat. It was such a fun day. Art and George who also helped teach were so nice, as was Pat, the shop owner. The students were very friendly, also. There were about 24 people in the class. The cat people sat at one table and the dog people sat at another table. One brave man made both the cat and the dog in one day. I learned lots of new techniques. Art's work is amazing. He even makes his own critter eyes.
For lunch, we had yummy roll-ups, a choice of turkey, roast beef, chicken salad, ham, or cheese with veggies, and pasta and potato salads.
At the end of the day, several of the students asked Art if he could bring out his citters he brought for the show. At least a third of them were snatched up and bought. I got a rabbit. 
Pat's husband even insisted on driving me back to the airport, about a 45 minute drive.
Here is a link on Art's website with pictures of the cat and dog for the class. You have to scroll down the page a little to the Teddies of Mt. Holly Cat and Dog class.
http://www.chathamvillagebears.com/classes.htm
A completely wonderful day! 
Here is a photo of the cat I made in the Art Rogers class. He supplied sewn pieces. We stuffed, put the animals together and did the faces and other details.
And a photo of Art Roger's wonderful rabbit, Maeryn, that I bought from him.
OH My Lucky You Ellen!! That looks like it was so much fun, and you did an awesome job on your cat.
Hugs,
Krista
BlondheartArt is such a doll. It sounds like you had a great time!
DoodlebearsWow, what a fantastic day to have had. Your cat looks great, I would have loved to have been there with you all. What a shame you got the bear fair date wrong. Never mind I'm sure if you start saving hard you can join in on both events next time.
Hugs Jane. 
Dolls N DreamsLucky you and what a cute kitty!!
Burlison BearsEllen,
That's awesome! And you did a wonderful job on your cat!
Sounds like you had a fun and adventurous day! 
What a great kitty, Elle! I've never met Art in person but have long admired his work. I'm so jealous you got to see his stuff and meet him in person! I also love the website for Teddies of Mt. Holly; they carry an awesome variety of bears by some great artists. Sounds like it was a really fun day every way you slice it. Thanks for posting pics!
Chaska, MinnesotaEllen: what a cute kitty!! well done. Now do tell, how did you find out about the class? Do you know if he is giving other classes. I love to travel to take bear classes. I went to his website you posted but it does not tell us about classes....
Waggle BearsWonderful kitty. I checked his website and love his work...think I would have made the doggie.
Thanks for the kitty compliments! Everyone's cats and dogs came out great -- Art and George are wonderful teachers.
Michelle, the link should take you to his classes page. Didn't it work? His next class is a golly class on Oct. 13 in Mill Valley, Ca. He also teaches from his studio in St. Louis. I can PM you the info if you can't get to the page. I love his work and looked to see if he had a website. On his home page, he has a link to his classes. I found it that way. The link to the Teddies of Mt. Holly site was down with technical problems, and Art emailed Pat to let her know and ask if there was still room in the class. It was less than a week before the class when I saw it, so it was great that it worked out. It was really a spur-of-the-moment thing.
I know, Marlys, I was really torn between the dog and the cat. I thought the cat looked like it might have more new techniques, but when I left to go to the airport (6:15 PM) all the dog people were still working and most of the cat people had left. A few of the dog people said it was pretty hard. I love his wrinkly muzzle.
Shelli, the shop, Teddies of Mt. Holly, is amazing -- a large, beautiful shop in an old residential area of town. And the teddies and critters were all so wonderful. Lots of big name artists, too. I wish I had more time to just look around when I was there, but saw several that I wanted to take home. When Art brought out his critters, though, I fell in love with the rabbit and grabbed him.
P.S. The photos were taken in my new light box. What a difference it makes! -- the color and brightness, lightness are so much better than in previous pictures I've taken.
Mutz's Tootsz Bears & BudsWhat a cute kitty. Art is such a fun person. He seems like he would be a great teacher. You must have had a blast!
AMy
Little Bear GuyOh Ellen you are so lucky, I wanted to take that class as well but by the time I looked into flights and hotel and the cost of the class (which was not expensive I might add) but when you totaled everything up it was going to be pretty expensive for me. I already have the dog that he was teaching in the class, I bought it from him in April as soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it. He does an adorable Weiner dog too, the head is almost as big as the body and I must have one of those at the next show.
I'm sure you would have learned to much from Art as he is such a fun guy, we had a blast at TBAI in August I just laugh so hard when we are with Art and George.
So glad you had a good time, and your Kitty is adorable, if I didn't know you made it I would certainly think it was one of Art's originals you did an amazing job on it.
big hugs
Shane
Bears by Jodi
Matilda Huggington-beareI have often admired his quirky creations. His designs have such a unique flair.
I am pale green with envy. I would have loved to have joined you for the class. :redface:
It sounds wonderful and congrats on your lovely cat and being able to score such an interesting rabbit. :clap: :clap:
Wendy
Your cat is awesome!!! Art and George are fantastic - Art is a wonderful teacher and always willing to share. Ohhh boy... if I had known he was doing a class... I may have looked into flights too! I took his teddy necklace class in Schaumburg.
Hugz,
Laura Lynn
Love Bud Bears by SandyHi Ellen,
It was a pleasure meeting you at the class. It was such a fun and interesting day. I was really happy to meet Art & George and learn some new techniques
I loved the photos of your little bears, you really should make them available for adoption.
Your cat turned out grrreeaaattt!
~ Sandy
Shane, I think Art had one of the weiner dogs with him. He was wonderful. I'm sorry you couldn't make it to the class. It would have been great to meet you there. I don't think I could have gone either, if I didn't have the free tickets. It sounded like he will probably do another class there next year. George said they also do a lot of shows.
Laura Lynn, do you have a picture of the teddy necklace you made in Schaumburg? I'd love to see it.
Kingfisher Farm Teddies and Folk ArtArt and George are total hoots!!! They are great teddy world ambassadors! Pam
PawssiblesThat bunny is something else. Love him, in fact love all your stuff!
Acid Attic BearsOooh your kitty is so sweet ! And I'm dying for this rabbit !!
Past Time BearsYup - can't say enough nice things about Art . . . he's truly a very talented gentleman!!
Here he is! His pattern was later published in Teddy Bear & Friends so you can make your own too!
Hugz,
Laura Lynn
He's adorable, Laura Lynn! Very sweet :clap: Thank you for posting his photo.
Hi Sandy, it was so nice to meet you also. Wasn't it a wonderful day? Did you get back on Sunday for the show?
What a great class! Lucky you! And Pat from Teddies of Mt Holly is one of the very nicest of bear ladies, with one of the biggest and bestest of smiles!!
puca bearsanother huge fan of Art Rogers here! I absolutely adore his work - and he is SO nice..........
I traded a bear with him last year (VERY exciting) - and when the bear arrived, he had a little travelling companion....... Art assured me that Fadey didn't want to make the journey alone, so O'Riley hopped in the box too - how nice is that?
huggies
Maria
