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LuxembearsHe guys, I have to comment that I am enjoying seeing all the new and very creative avatars.
Shelli created mine for me. She is awesome! I also use it for printed hang tags on my bears. Then I fill in the back side with the bears info, and heat laminate them. They really look great. 
Are you making your own? I am going to try playing with my photo program...one of these days...when I get all the bears done that I want to do 
...in the year 20.........???
Until then, I will be "bugging" Shelli for my avatars.
Posts: 3,177Lisa, i love your new avatar!!!
What a super photo of you and the 'twins' - the colours are gorgeous too. You may be using a 'bargain basement' programme but you've produced an avatar with true charm and character.
Well Done Lisa 
Penny :hug:
The avatars are lovely aren't they! Full of personality. Shelli is doing a wonderful job for TT members and everyone is brightening the forum with their artwork! Lisa, your's made me smile the moment I saw it!
I really enjoy seeing all the avatars. What a great idea to use them as hangtags ... might give that further thought!
I wanted to get a real British flavour into mine 'cos you just can't take the Brit out of this girl! I hunted around until I found a pic of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace then I superimposed an image of of my 'Buckingham' bear over it and hey presto!
These are such fun to play with aren't they? ... I'm going to have a think about my next one soon!! 
Flying Fur StudiosI just wanted to add that Penny is also doing Aviators for people. They are amazing!!
Judi, great idea to use them for hangtags. Might as well.
Baird'sBears
Penny made my beautiful new avatar--my first real one!! Isn't it yummy?
Eileen
Yes, it is... VERY pretty, with a great color combo I AGAIN must steal for some future project, Penny. :)
Eileen, I love that little TEDDIES 4 CHARITY bear in the corner so much. I'm happy to see it again!
Posts: 3,177I just wanted to add that Penny is also doing Aviators for people
HA HA HA Heather - i don't think i could be trusted to do anything with 'Aviators' - maybe Leonardo DeCaprio would tempt me though!
Penny - 'Flying Tonight'
Baird'sBears
I know, Shelli! I miss her!
Does anybody else pore over pictures of their bears after they're gone?
Eileen
Flying Fur StudiosAlright, so I don't proof read my post..................... 
Admit it............ come on.....
And yes Eileen, do all the time! It's very hard for me to get rid of bears. Most of the time anyway.
Sunnie BearsI made my own also, but as before I used Shelli's style on this one as a base.
Sonya
tee hee - my boring one is gonna stand out amongst all the flash jobs now!!
You people who can do computer design amaze me - it is soooooooo not my forte. I'm destined to be a Luddite forever 
BEAR ME SHOOTKAShelli, you inspired me to venture in my Photoshop..
Thank you! Your work is just amazing..
Penny, you too make great avatars!
I made my avatar yesterday...I like it so far..
Hugs, Julia :hug:
Apple Dumpling DesignsI just wanna collect new avatars...perhaps instead of ATC cards
My new one is also a Shelli!!! 
Julia, it's lovely! Just like it's creator... :)
It's really fun to make these, but I spend not enough time bearmaking as a result. I think I am a graphic designer at heart.
I'm really enjoying seeing everyone's unique vision of their own "branding," or "business identity," as well as that they envision, for others.
When I create a design, I think to myself, "What is the flavor of this person's work? What is the feeling it evokes? What do I know of this artist's personality, tastes, and values?"... and then try my best to match font, and colors, and styling, and theme, to those answers.
I think it's incredibly interesting to see how other people take the same basic concept -- bear photo needs frame and text! -- but come up with so many variations on it. It's one of the same reasons I like bearmaking. An inexperienced, clumsy eye might think, "A bear is a bear is a bear." But we know better! Those subtle differences in shading, feature placement, fur choice (or NOT fur choice!), and so on, just STAMP each bear with its maker's identity and hand.
Fun stuff!
We should have an exercise like they do in the scrapbook magazines. Start everyone off with the very same image, and some digital elements like bows or stripes, and a palette of colors, and then see what everyone comes up with! I wouldn't want it to be a contest or a competition, or in any way something that pits one person against another, or results in people saying, "I like HERS better than HIS," etc. But it might be a fun exercise, since it is so much fun to play around with these things, and check out all the new ones. I know Penny, Julia, Sonya, and Hayley, off the top of my head, are tinkering a bit with one photo editing program or another.
Let me know if there's any interest in this and I can maybe throw together a fun little exercise for us to play around with, and then share results!
BEAR ME SHOOTKAShelli, that is another bright idea of yours!
I would love to try too!
But I have so many bears to make and I started a full-time job and I have a little daughter and I want to make some cards, AND I WANT TO SLEEP A LITTLE TOO!!!!
............I would love to try just say when and what image...
Julia :hug:
Posts: 8,574Sleep? Julia, you took hours to make the Borscht, ansd you have a darling little daughter, and your #1 man and bearing and working....uh.....exactly when do you sleep?
yikes!
dilu
Sunnie BearsMe! ME! I think that is a superb idea! By the way Shelli, I have often wondered what you would come up with for me. You are so creative and seem to capture the essense of the person you make your avatars for.
Sonya
BEAR ME SHOOTKADilu,, I sleep..honestly..but a little..
I need to sleep at least 10 hours to feel like I'm alive and still human-being..
:doh:
I haven't made any bears since I'm off to work.. For a month already..
But I will, promise.
Hugs, Julia :hug:
Jellybelly BearsI want to make a newer prettier avatar soon. I'd be in on any contest thingy Shelli. I'm home a lot so it will be a welcome distraction :)
xo Sarah
I just wanted to add that Penny is also doing Aviators for people. They are amazing!!
Judi, great idea to use them for hangtags. Might as well.
Oooh Heather, you have made me chuckle out loud ... I love the idea of Penny 'doing aviators' for people!! Sorry to giggle like a girlie, but you've brightened my morning!!!
Baird'sBears Thanks all the same, but I for one like to do my own aviators!
Eileen
Irenours-bearsI would like to challenge myself with that good idea, but where can i find graphic elements? Please help 
LuxembearsPenny, are we talking Avatars...or Aviators? George Clooney might get jealous by your mentioning Leonardo!
Lisa, I like how you put a photo of yourself in your avatar. Neat!
You're all doing a great job! WHat creative people we have here. :clap: :clap: :clap:
Matilda Huggington-beareWell I did my avatar with 'irvanview'. My microsoft program thingy wont let me transfer any images out of it. I can print them and use them for my hangtags and tushtags and such, but alas.........I must settle for 'irvanview', (which Hayely put me onto by the way) for my avatar.
I have big plans for new programs when my allowance arrives next month.
I must say it is good to see everyones bears being treated with the professional respect that they dearly deserve, with these new avatars. :clap:
Matilda :doh:
Sophie Z'OursHi!
Dear dear dear, so many professional looking avatars!
I will have to do something too! someday maybe... When i feel like it!
Yours are all great! so colourful! Well done!
Beary hugs,
Sophie.
