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puca bearsHi all..........
we're back - sort of! And SO tired.
The show was GREAT - lots more visitors than last year, and good sales - I was surprised that people were buying, with all the dire news of the economies. It was huge fun, with so many lovely people to meet and chat to, and particularly nice to be able to meet Mindy, Kellie and (huge apologies, I forget her name) their colleague.
There were bear artists from all over - SE Asia, Russia, New Zealand, America, and of course, all over Europe........
as usual, I didn't have enough time to get round the whole show, and by Sunday afternoon when it was a bit quieter, I went foraging for materials - only to find that my brain was so scrambled that I couldn't remember what I was looking for.
Missed out on a Golden George this time, but my lovely Russian rat, made by the very sweet Alena Zhirenkina (Teddy Story) made up for it - I love him to bits!
And the only sour note - a visitor picked up one of my bears, mauled it around and then proceeded to SCRATCH at it's needle-felted face with a finger nail - AARRRGGGHHHHH.........in the circumstances, I think I behaved in exemplary fashion!
Anyway - we have got photos, but it may take a couple of days to sort them out...........so for now, you'll have to make do with Ratsputin!
big huggies
Maria
q.D.paToOtieSSounds like you had fun. Exhausting fun, the best kind! Love that Pirate Rat, he is totally fabulous, creative, unique - well, AWESOME! 
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)then proceeded to SCRATCH at it's needle-felted face with a finger nail - AARRRGGGHHHHH.
AARRRGGGHHHHH indeed!!
I think that I would've handed her a # 38 or 40 needle and shown here how to re-needle the fiber back down again! Such chutzpah!!
Almost everyone I can catch gets handled a needle, as they don't understand the process and concept until they actually see the fiber being pushed into lower regions through their needling, which thrills them to bits when they see how EZ it is. That one would've gotten the longest lesson yet!!!!
LuxembearsMaria, I love the rat. You're a lucky girl. Sounds like you had a nice time and I look forward to seeing your photos.
Yesterday I did a bear presentation at a mother daughter banquet. Since there were going to be daughters of all ages attending I was concerned about kids grabbing my bears.
I had my two daughters with me to help keep an eye on everything as I had 20 pieces with me. What I did was bring along a "touchy-feely" bin ...a plastic box filled with various mohair scraps so "touchers" could be tactfully re-directed to this box. My youngest daughter would quickly pickup this box and show it to the hands-on-people..."Look at the the different kinds of mohair. Would you like to see what mohair feels like?". It worked like a dream.
I don't mind people touching if it is done gently and with respect. Nobody wants to see their work, poked at, pulled, grabbed, scratched, man-handled, or biffed.
The kids were great...it was one adult who made me a bit nervous poking my bears and my lion in the eyes. 
.....and bending the claws of one of my larger bears......My oldest daughter policed it well, gently intercepting picking up the bear and showing the lady how the joints moved. 
I think being gentle is the best approach. Nothing is more off-putting at a show then when you try to touch a bear and the person behind that table say, "Don't touch!" That happened to me at a show and I just moved on.......maybe that's why people steered clear of this person's table.
Maria, how did you handle the scratcher?
Posts: 3,540Poking them in the eyes...scratching faces with fingernails?? 
What on earth is wrong with the 'adults' ?
So glad the touchy feelie bin worked out well for you Judi
And that rat is so totally awesome!!! :clap: :clap: :clap: I adore the whiskers...and the attitude 
puca bearsBobbie - if I'd had a felting needle to hand it might just have got nasty! But I was good(!), biting back a scream of horror, I politely asked her NOT to do that - the face had taken countless hours to felt.
She was the ONLY problem visitor - everyone else was SO nice. I had a very long chat with one lady who was a beginner at needle-felting, so I gave her a few tips - ended up with mentioning TT, so we might have a new member soon!
And the most amazing coincidence........someone told me about an Australian artist whose work she'd seen on the internet - who made platypuses.........and just by chance I had my beloved Melody puddle with me, and produced her with a flourish! Good, eh?
huggies
Maria
Bumpkin BearsI'm glad it was a good show this year Maria, even if your poor bear having his nose scratched I love your rat by the way :dance:
Hugs,
Catherine x
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)Oh you were VERY good in handling that situation!! It's a good thing you weren't 'packing needles'...
Wendy's ears must be burning. What an interesting coincidence, half-way around the world!!
Posts: 3,540
I bet the visitor was astonished that you could produce a Matilda puddle for her to see You just never know who you'll bump into at these shows
LuxembourgYour rat is wonderful!!!! So funny you were able to show a puddle from Matilda.
Can't wait to see more pictures!! :photo:
Beary hugs,
Sandrien
Past Time BearsThat rat is so winsome and creative - lucky you! Your experience reminded me of a show attendee that picked up one of my bears and asked what the nose was made of. Before I could answer, she dug her fingernail into the WAXED nose which produced a nice scratch mark. She put it down quickly and made her escape before anything else was said. Humph! Glad you had a good show and I look forward to seeing photos when you have time. Your Puddles are famous, Wendy!
Matilda Huggington-beare[b]
/b]
The rat is wonderful, Maria!! Alena is a great artist, I too have one of her bears and love him to bits!!
I loved the show, I loved the new location as wel. I think it is better as Munster, though there are differing opinions about this. I already signed up for next year :lol:
Now I have a few weeks to prepare for the next shows, Ladbergen and Stratford up Avon... and then.. get ready for USA.. YEAH!!
I am going to participate on 2 shows and thinking about a work-shop. Bobbie offered me a room to hold the workshop.. my thoughts are going to a crochet workshop and/or Oya lace workshop if there is enough interest.
May I ask if here are Teddy Talk members who would be interested in Oya-Lace and/or thread bear workshop??
Please let me know your thoughts?
Thank you!!
Berta
www.threadteds.com
puca bearsMe again - as I already told you Wendy - entirely my pleasure!!!!!!!!! But it was HUGE fun too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And BERTA............haven't you forgotten to tell us your news????????????????????????????????
Apologies about the pics from the show - we were just so shattered yesterday...........Thursday is a holiday, so between us, we'll get pics posted then................
huggies
Maria
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)Yes, we are thrilled to have Berta in the Chicago area for the first time! We are accompanying them to the show in Saunders Village (where Tami E—and who else?—will be exhibiting) on Tuesday, 5 August, we have a Free day - the last day before Berta & Leo head back to the Netherlands.
Berta is going to do a workshop here at our home (I'm really going out on a limb here, being willing to let others see my chaotic workroom...Yikes!). The agenda & price hasn't been fixed yet until we see how viable the class is. On Wed, the day they leave, to make traveling here worthwhile, I'm going to have a needle felting (plus shuttle tatting!) wkshop.
We have 2 students already coming, I can accommodate about 10 at the dining room table. My costs will just be a contribution for the food. All of our online friends are welcome to join us. Formally the days will be on Tues & Wed, 6 & 7 Aug, but you're welcome to stay on longer or come earlier with plans of your own. We'll be happy to shuttle to and from O'Hare, about 8 miles away, but won't return from Ohio until sometime late afternoon on Monday.
We've opened the invitation to several online lists that Berta & I belong to - - and would love to have you come for a visit! We're setting a deadline to do a head count by the middle of June; waiting much longer than that will raise the airfares higher, too. I haven't yet booked Berta & Leo's room and would love to get a reserved, block rate for 10!! Berta & I can be contacted via email if you're interested and I could give you any more information to help you decide.
Hggzzz!
Bobbie
rkr4cds@comcast.net
My news.. ofcourse,
I won one ..uh...hope I don`t brag.. I won 2 Golden Georges !! One for the Climbing Bear and one for Marina, who is also nominated for a TOBY !!
I was soooooo surprised.. even though Maria told me that she thought I would win one..
So sorry you missed out this time Maria... competition is stiff.. so many wonderful entries. For sure it was not your bear.. he is wonderful!!
I entered before and was not nominated before, so that already was a honor. And to be in that special Golden George edition with all nominees..you are in there too Maria.. so cool!! And now on top of it both my entries turned out as winners... !!
I normally save my winners, but sold the climbing bear on saturday, as I didn`t expect to win a Golden George for him on saturday evening. The lady picked him up on Sunday and was very happy to have bought a winner.. and I know he went to a wonderful collector and very nice lady!!
Berta
Seamore CollectiblesCONGRATULATIONS Berta!!! Well deserved and thank you for sharing your great news.
Maria, Ratsputin is divine!! I love his nose and body structure. Fingers crossed that one day I'll make it to Europe for a show. Looking forward to your photos (after your hard earned rest!)
Past Time BearsBig congrats, Berta . . . way to go!
Busser BearsBobbie! So you're coming to Sauder Village in Archbold? I've done the show for about 10-12 years now! I always stay in the Founders Suite, a kind of vacation for me. Last year we had our delayed honeymoon! It is a fabulous place, you will have the best time! Oh, there also an ice cream place nearby that makes their own homemade ice cream. YUMMY!!
hugs,
Leeann Krikau
Busser Bears
