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Just Us Bears Jul 25, 2005

Sue Ann said in another thread "I just love finding out more about all of you bear artists . . .  what you love besides bear making!"....
And I have to agree...I'd love to know  more about everyone and what other things people do and enjoy besides bearmaking! Tell us all something we don't know about you and your life!
I'll bite the bullet and start...

I have been married to the love of my life Chris for 17 years and have three great kids, Adrian 14, Anna, almost 12 and Damian 8. I married into a farming family and became an instant dairy farmers wife, which is what I remained for the first 15 years of our married life.
I spent three years as a teen living in the Solomon Islands with my family..an experience I hold very precious. I developed lasting friendships over there and the experience of living in a third world country certianly played a large part in who I have become and what I think matters.
I am a qualified Veterinary Nurse, but had to give it away a few years ago due to allergies to cats and horses. I work two days a week at an embroidery and screenprinting shop and operate a six head, a three head and a single head computerised embroidery machine, embroidering logos on workwear and leisurewear. I've been there for 5 years now.

I love walking on the beach with my family and dog Holly. I collect old family photos and make them into slideshow presentations as gifts. I grow and sell 1000 standard roses each year.  I love to restore antique furniture and I'm really into the "country' look for home decoration.
I try REALLY hard not to be drawn into new crafts.....but sometimes find it really hard. There are a few things I'd like to have a go at but I don't want to run out of time to play with my bear making!
And I LOVE white chocolate! Mmmmm...nuff about me...who's next????:D

NancyAndFriends Jul 25, 2005

How nice Hayley...that was fun.
I am a grandmother to 3 adorable little girls and a soon to be grandson.  Matthew David is due September 21.  He is going to have a real shocker, with 3 older sisters...he will end up with 4 'mommies', I am afraid.
I have a son, who those of you who know me...lost his beautiful wife to cancer.  I think it will take many years for him to get over his loss, so please keep him in your prayers for me.
I was an Office Administrator for a large construction company in St. Louis...for, too many years.
I decided to stop that and went into my original doll making full force.  I was doing wonderful, articles in magazines, newspapers and was even invited to be on a TV program in Mobile, Al.  At the peak of all this, I lost my mother, very unexpectedly.  Well, I am sure anyone who loves her mother dearly, can relate.  My little 'dolly light' just went out.  I packed all my doll making things away in boxes and never looked back.
So, I decided to go into Floral Design...got all the training and had a ball.  I became a manager and worked my bottom off.  I really love floral work, but you never can spend holidays with your family.  Standing on your feet some 16 to 20 hours a day with flower cuttings up to your knees at Christmas was not my idea of fun and I did it for too many years.
So I decided to sit back and consider my options.  I guess bears and puppy dogs are my thing right now.
I raise African Violets under lights and would be happy to share leaves with anyone interested.  They are all named hybrids.
I love to crochet, sew, violets, read a lot of books, study the Lords word (opps, hope I don't get kicked off for that), garden, travel and have fun with my husband...since 1964 ), make lamp work glass beads on a minor torch , make silver and gold custom jewelry.
I know I have forgotten something...because I am sure you are all like me...tried every craft out there.
Oh, yes, still working on a quilt, I started in 1989 :lol:.  I went to a class and everyone started out with pillows but not me...oh, no...I had to start a king size quilt.

Hayley, have you ever heard of the Green Rose?  I am a member of Barnsley Gardens here in Atlanta and have become very good friends with the Master/Head Gardner there.
I have some rare plants that I have gathered in our travels and have shared with the gardens...as a result she has told me to take any cuttings of anything I want.
Their rose garden is full of heirloom roses and one of them is called the green rose.  I don't know the botanical name off hand but it is written there.  Many of the roses date back into the early 1800's.  If you would like any cuttings, I would be happy to send you some.
Nanc.......

kbonsall Jul 25, 2005

I am a newlywed - married in October of 2004.  I have two pomeranians, Daisy and Max (Daisy is 2 1/2 and max is almost 6 mo).  I love creating art (3-D - I can't paint!!!) and have since I was little!  I am a collector of many things... mostly bears, clothing, shoes, purses, ya know, the typical gal items!  I live in Pennsylvania, where I have lived all of my life, kind of boring around here!

Just Us Bears Jul 28, 2005

Aawwwww C'MON you guys!!! Won't anybody play this game? Isn't anybody else out there interested in what other things we all do besides making bears??
Nance, I enjoyed reading your story..you've certainly had a busy life so far!! As to the green rose.....what I wouldn't give to take you up on THAT offer...but alas, I live in Autraia and I don't think the customs guys would understand! :(
Nice to hear a bit more about you too Kimbee!:D Thanks for responding!

Just Us Bears Jul 28, 2005

Hmmm...sorry...SOME of us Aussies pronounce our country name as Oztraylya, but it's never spelt like I just did.:rolleyes:

mj Banner SponsorJul 28, 2005

I live in North Carolina but I am originally from New York where I was born & raised. Married hubby four years ago and relocated with my kitties first to Virginia and then to North Carolina where the weather is much nicer – not much snow in the winters!

I am an avid Bear collector, have been for most of my life. The bears occupy almost every room in the house. The is even a room that has been deemed the “Bear Room” because so many of them reside there.

I am into of course, bear making but have tried quite a number of crafts such as beading and jewelry making, floral arrangements, memory boards, sweat shirt printing and knitting, to name a few. Although I have stuff to start scrap booking I just haven’t tried it yet. I need to though – we have a new grandbaby!.:)

Judi Jul 28, 2005

I wanna play !

What a great topic Hayley!

I am married to a dairy farmer x almost 9 years.  We met Ballroom Dancing and to this day it is still our passion.  We have three lovely children , 2 girls and a boy.  I am a liscenced Registered Nurse but gave it up to be a stay-at-home mom and persure my love of art in the form of Teddy Bears.  I have been an artist since early childhood, drawing and pianting mostly.  I have also designed and made Ballroom Dance dresses.   These photos were taken last Saturday in West Palm Beach Florida.  I am 40 and also an insulin dependant diabetic since the age of 12.

If any of you ever get the chance to danec...DO IT!  It has keep me young and flexible and does wonders for the soul.  Making bears hours and hours a day does not leave much room for excerise to my hubby and I dance hard every Friday night.

I hate to cook but love to eat.  I also milk cows when our hired help is not available.  I love all animals and am a complete Disney Freak. 

I feel truely blessed and attending church every Sunday is very important to our family.  I have been airbrushing for 22 years and teach an on line airbrush course for teddy bears.  I will also be teaching a class on needle felting onto a mohair bear.  It should be fun.

I wish I could grow roses and flowers like some of you.  I can plant them but it ends there for me.  My hubby has the farmers touch when it comes to growing things.  I'll stick to art.

I also coach six grade cheerleading/dance team x seven years.  I am ready to retire from that though.  I also love to knit toys...in my "spare" time!

Come on everyone...play!!!

kbonsall Jul 28, 2005

You are multi-talented!  look at that flexability!!! 

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJul 28, 2005

Judi, check out those gorgeous gams!  You only practice on Friday nights???

bearsbybeesley Jul 28, 2005

Wow Judi! Look at you! You go Girl!!!:lol:

Hugs Louise

Eileen Jul 28, 2005

Wow Judi! Cute husband, too :D

Eileen

Judi Jul 28, 2005

Oh you guys!  I am going to take those photos down in few days.  I am a bit embarassed.

Shelli, what is a gam?  Yes, we dance every Friday night.  In fact tomorrow is Mark's 38th birthday (I am a cradle robber):D and I am going to surprise him with a cake at our dance.  I am having it made with cows all over it.;)

Eileen, I am going to tell my husband you said that.  He does not think he is very cute at all. 

Yeah ebay, I got that dress there!

Eileen Jul 28, 2005

Judi,

Tell him he's not only cute, he's very, very cute. I love the smile! :D

Also tell him that he's a very lucky man, just in case he's forgotten!

Eileen

Marie_ Jul 29, 2005

Judi, you are so gorgeous dancer!
Your are very beautiful inside outside,and your husband is truly cute
Thank you for sharing beautiful photos.

Hayley,  sorry..I'm little shy here
I am 36 now and will be turn to 37 next month! I married to my husband 11years ago. 30th JUL is our 11th wedding anniversary. We have no kids now.   I was born and raised in Japan, My mom is Japanese and my farther is American. I have one younger sister , she lives in Oregon USA now.
My sister speaks perfect English but
no-Japanese and I am otherway around, I speak perfect Japanese + funny English. he he

Right now, I work full time at office in
Tokyo, I travel 1.5hours each way
from my home to work place. :(
My co-worker was who taught me
how to make a bear and since then
I am really in to the bear making.

Same as Judi, I don't like cooking but
I love to eat! I don't even like to do
any of cleaning, washing but I do all in
minimize way.
Since I started bear making, I do most of my bear works on nights and weekends. I'm glad that my husband never complaint . :)

I am Disney freak too and also,
X-file freak. I watch the X-file video
over and over...I think I remember
all story now. he he

Hmmmm, Sorry not so exiting thing
happened in my life except the bear making.... ahaha

I want to be a Teddy Bear Artist and
make cute website as everyone in here has!
If anyone need a informaiton for traveling to Japan, please feel free to ask me.
Hugs/Marie

Delartful Bears Jul 29, 2005

Oh wow, what a show off!!! LOOK at those gams (Legs) You are such a stunner Judi, did you ever do any modelling?

Black Forest Bears Jul 29, 2005

I live in South Carolina and originally from Germany.
My other Hobbies are Trompe`leil painting, then I have to Exotic Birds, which keep me busy, plus I have a Gift Store.
I only cook what can be microwaved or bought finished prepared. Even that is toooo much time for me to spend in the Kitchen.
My Husband is working as an Airplane Planner, and he loves to "fix and build" things. But, his "fixing things" is like on the Bill Cosby Show! What a mess up he makes, it never gets done, and always needs to be finished by a Professional.
This is his means of saving Money ( hahaha )

Rita

Dilu Jul 29, 2005

WOW!  That seems to be my word for the day

JUDI-  talanted, as sweet as the day is long, and [INVALID]?!!!  you bet!

I know- I showed this to my honey and got his vote.....Now I really love the word picture you painted for us a long time ago about dancing for the cows!

Are you guys sure you want Dilu to play this game.....the older we are the longer we talk.....and I have been trying to be pithy/short and sweet

Dilu

Marie_ Jul 29, 2005

Dilu, I'm waiting here.....

NancyAndFriends Jul 29, 2005

Judi...you are awe inspiring!  I think all of us have a 'little dancer' in us. :D:D
I love to watch ball room dancing on TV and have wanted to get my hubby involved, for years.
My aunt and uncle were ball room dancers and they absolutely loved it.
I think it is wonderful that you and your husband have something that you enjoy doing together and I can see in the happy photos that you both really are having a good time.
You are a beautiful couple!!

Just for fun, look at the first picture and your leg that is high...it looks like the lady in blue right behind you, just took a whap along side the head from that high kick. :lol:

Keep on enjoying life to the fullest sweetie and stay young at heart...you are doing a great job!
Nanc...

doodlebears Celebration AmbassadorJul 29, 2005

Hiya all you busy people!
WOWWEE!!! Judi and Mark what a beautiful couple you really are.....both cute and so fit, you put me to shame.
I've loved reading all of the posts so far. Mine is not so exciting.
I'm married to Philip and have five grown children, Mark, Eve, Simon, Sarah and David. Since a small child I have always been making one thing or another. I've always loved to draw and paint and went to art college as a teenager, oh so long ago!!!!! I try most crafts and still love to find new things to try. Although I must say since being bitten by the most lovable BUG (are you reading Penny, a nice BUG) the bear making bug, I've never moved on. I am happy here with bear making as it is the only craft that has brought me so many happy days and one big bear family here on Teddy Talk. I love to cook but now have been ordered out of the kitchen because of my balance problem and can sit back and enjoy the beautiful cooking of my darling daughter Sarah! I live on a diet of only fresh foods, no prepacked foods or microwaved dinners. I love to chat with children and hear their wonderful stories. I love being a Mum and treasure my family and have wonderful memories of my children. Whilst in hospital this week two beautiful children aged 6 and 3 spent a lot of time by my bed chatting with me and singing nursery rhymes. Zac an Molly had gone to the hospital to visit their Granddad but loved to come to me also for a visit, which I loved. I worked at a school for children with special needs when I was fitter so having these children chat with me bought back many a lovely memories. If any of you by now have not realized I Luvvvvvv the Harry Potter books and have read them through and through.
JUDI please take a photo of the cow cake, it sounds a hoot. I'm sure Mark will love it!

Jane

Eileen Jul 29, 2005

I know I'm going to be repeating myself here, but I do that a lot lately :/

I was born in NYCity, but I've lived in Schnectady and Long Island NY, Stamford Connecticut, Falls Church Virginia, Wellesley, Boston and Williamstown Mass., Baltimore and Severna Park Maryland, Houston Texas, Arlington Heights Illinois, Lebanon Missouri, Moorestown and Princeton New Jersey, and now Toronto, Ontario, Canada!

I started adult life as a Prof. of British and Comparative Lit at Princeton, met my husband John (a Scot and Prof of English Lit at University of Toronto), resigned my profession for mommyhood, and have so far lived happily ever after except for a bad case of homesickness and my youngest daughter's OCD.

I have three grown daughters and a son in law, all but the eldest daughter living with us. I'm in no way ready for an empty nest! I also have 2 dogs, 5 cats, 2 rabbits, 3 fish and a gerbil. We're actually a little low on pets, since we lost a gerbil, a fish and a parakeet this summer. I've done a lot of volunteer work for the public schools, which involved a lot of holding-my-own with school boards and politicians. I also foster kittens and rabbits and baby squirrels for the Toronto Humane Society. I'd love to foster raccoons, but hubby draws the line there!

At present I tutor English to high school and university students, which helps to pay for my bear supplies. Unfortunately, it also gets in the way of my bear-making.  I'm a complete newbie to bearmaking, but I love it. I also love all you bear-makers, the best and the brightest anywhere! Like some of you, I discovered the world of artist bears whilst cruising eBay for something else, and never looked back.

I just turned 61. I've never felt better. Oh, and I did get my digital camera!! Just waiting for the batteries to charge while I puzzle over the instruction manual!

Eileen

Judi Jul 29, 2005

Well this is such a fun topic ,hearing about what you all do besides bear making.  What busy and interesting lives you all have.

SHelli, I guess you will have to get your self over here and come to the dance tonight so you can take a photo of the cake I got for Mark. LOL!!!

Shelli please take a photo of the cow cake, it sounds a hoot. I'm sure Mark will love it!

tee hee!!!  What fun we could have!

Lisa, Three daughters in two years!  My your hands are full!  Yes yes definitely take up tap dancing again.  I guarantee you will feel wonderful mentally and phsyically.  When Mark and I go dancing I feel like I am on some kind of high.  What happens is your brain releases...oh gosh..is it dopamine or seratonine?  I should know this...anyway, it is a 'feel good' chemical.  I float out of the dance studio every Friday night.  AND it is so much fun that it does not at all feel like a work out.

Nanc... get your hubby involved.  tell him my hubby had two left feet when he first started and now he is a wonderful dancer.

Also, when I have those 'feel good' chemicals coursing through my viens I become inspired with new ideas for bears.....see  it IS bear related.;)

Eileen I hope you get your camera sorted out soon...I/we want to see some pictures of you and your bears.

Lets hear some more ladies!

All Bear Jul 29, 2005

Love the pics Judi!  It must be wonderful to have such a lovely hobby and to share it with your partner.

I was married for a couple of decades before things went pear-shaped and married life ended.  That was five years ago and now my kids (not really kids any more at 22 and 20) are becoming more independent by the day and so I've had the freedom to discover that I'm me, not simply Mum and Mrs.  Quite a revelation!

As part of my learning curve, I took on a significant project last year. I had avoided learning to drive all my adult life and finally I faced facts; at 41 (as I was then) it was time to stop hiding.  I was so nervous even the thought of making that first call to the instructor made my stomach sink to my boots. It took my deepest resolve to make that call and now, I am so glad I did.  I passed my driving test last November and every day I take my car on the road, I can't quite believe how lucky I am; at last!

My other special 'outside' interest is writing.  I love to write and recently put myself through an Open University course to discover whether my writing had the potential to be worth reading.  I have a certificate to say that my dream wasn't a waste, so now I steal time from my bears whenever I can and indulge my instinct to write until my head is emptied; catching the tumble of words for posterity!

Tammy Jul 29, 2005

Judi, Did anyone ever tell you that you look like a Barbie Doll ( I mean that in the nicest way ).  You look like a model and WOW can you dance.  I threw my back out just looking at those pcitures- hehe !  It is wonderful that you and your husband share that joy of dancing.

Gina, you are such an ispiration with your determination with Alex
and his dog.  We are the same in that we both met our spouses at the age of 17 and.  We've been married 15 years after dating 6 years.  We now have 2 kids 9 and almost 12. O.k I'm 38, so you can all stop adding on you fingers now ;)

Marie, I just love reading your emails.  You do so well with your english , it makes me smile .   

Eileen, you have lived in so many places .  Do you ever wake up and forget where you are LOL ! I'm looking forward  to seeing pictures of your bears too. 

Lisa, you amaze me that you have 3 young kids. My kids are 9 and almost 12 and they wear me out.   You are a supermom !

Rita, I am just like you-------I hate to cook too.  Seems like such a waste of time to be in the kitchen for hours when the food disapears in 5 minutes- especially the way my son eats.  Thankfully my family doesn't complain too much.  I try hard to feed them healthy meals, but they sure aren't fancy   Maybe I can pretend to have balance problems like poor Jane and get my hubby to cook, heehee .

MJ you really must shares pictures of your bear room !  We'd love to see them all.

Kim, aaaaah the newlywed days, enjoy them girl !

Hayley and Nancy I am envious of your green thumbs, I plant flowers and the rest is up to them.  I'm no help. 

Paula, I am so proud of you for learning to drive.  I helped a hungarian friend of mine learn 2 years ago, when she was 45. She was soooooo nervous but after 3 driving tests she finally made it and was so thrilled.  I can just feel imagine how excited you must have been too.

I stick to crafts and will try anything.  I love making the fur bears and I recently learned that my grandmother. a  seamstress, ( who passed away in April) worked at a furriers many years ago and worked on one of Marilyn Munroe's fur coats. I thought was interesting !  I definately inherited my grandmother's love of sewing., and I teach a free kids (ages 5 and up) sewing class at my church since the schools here no longer offer sewing. 

Phew, that was long winded.  I hope I didn't put you all to sleep

shantell Jul 29, 2005

How fun to read what everyones posts!!!  Judy...you are amazing...I'm 40 and I wish I was that flexible and looked that wonderful.     I have two left feet and never could get the hang of dancing...I think I'll stick to gardening, quilting, and now bear-making!!!

I have three children...2 boys and a girl...my sons are 21 & 14 and my daughter is 18.  I've been divorced for 2 years...best thing I ever did after having three wonderful children.  I guess it's true your parents do get smarter when you get older...should have listened to them when I was younger.  HA HA

I retired three years ago from my job of 13 years due to health problems...it was a very difficult decision because I really loved what I was doing.  But I've have learned that it is true that when one door is closed a window is opened...and many have opened for me that I would never have seen before...so I'm am thankful.

I live in the country and enjoy the neighbors cows that roam the 80+ acre pasture behind my house.  I get to watch the mamma's with their babies, feed them apples in the fall...they now come running (literally...it's sometimes a stampede) when they seem me come out the back door just waiting for an apple or two or a bucket....cows have personality...I had no clue. 

I'm trying to learn to play the piano...I suck!!!  It's so hard...I never dreamed it was so hard.  But...I'm determined to get past the childrens books.:D

Thanks for sharing everyone...

Shantell