Grapevine Show

Got back last night from the Teddy Bear and Doll Show in Grapevine.  My table was right next to the supplier and I was sorely tempted by all the lovely mohair and Tissavel.  I got a lovely piece of Tissavel and some pink mohair.

I met some bearmakers that I have only known through facebook and others that I had heard of from other venues.  Bettina Groh was there and my sister and I ran into her and her husband while we were walking along quaint old Main Street, Grapevine.  They had walked from the hotel into Grapevine, all the way to the end of Main Street and back again.  Quite a distance.  Jan and I took the courtesy van; I can't even walk from the front door to the car without having to sit on my walker!  It got pretty cold and Jan and I had left our jackets in our car, so, we froze while waiting for the courtesy van to pick us up.

The next morning, those of us who were staying in the hotel were all in the hotel dining room at the same time having breakfast.  We chatted up a storm, discussing the storm (Sandy), the height of the hotel beds (could have used a stool to get into bed) and, of course, bears.

Jan takes a quick nap before the show

There weren't a lot of visitors at the show which may very likely have been due to the nice weather.  People wanted to do things out of doors instead of being inside a building, even to look at teddy bears.  But, probably more likely, due to the fact that the show was on Sunday, which is a family day.  Nevertheless, I think I made a few contacts and certainly learned some new tricks from other bear artists.  All in all, I had a very good time.

Bettina sets out to look around.

Setting up

Here, Jan is ready for our first customer

Toby watches Jan (Teddy Smiles) and Jerry (her husband) set up

Some more people setting up

A view of my table

More of my table

And, still more.

  

Dallas, on the way home.

To 45.  Yay!

O, sh*t (literally)!  A bird did it on the windshield.

Toolin' along.

I promise, last picture

   

Catchin' Up

Oh, my bad!  I keep telling myself I'm going to post at least once a week and I have good intentions, I really do.  But, sometimes, Life just gets in the way.

Well, a lot has happened since my last post.  On September 28th I turned 65.  So, now I am officially a "Senior Citizen."  Some days I really feel like it.  My sister took me to Benihana as I had a coupon for $30 towards my dinner. I am the one on the left.

Fleur

Fleur

Raelyn

I am not always a bear making fool, but, I had been gifted with some fur garments which I recycled into teddy bears.








                    *********************

On October 28, I will be in Grapevine, Texas for the Texas Bear & Doll Artist Show.  So I have been working hard to prepare.  Here is a peek at one of the new bears I will be taking with me.  His name is Nanuq (which means "polar bear" in the Inuit language).

Nanuq

I hope to see you at the show and I promise I will be better in the future and keep you apprised of what I'm up to.

Two Mink Bears

This is Gigi.  She is 12 inches tall and made from the mink jacket that was given to me by a friend.

This is my newest little bear fashioned from the same mink jacket as Gigi.  She is 8 inches and a new design.

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A TEDDY BEAR

There's nothing like a teddy bear,
He's always faithful and sincere.
And, when you go to sleep at night,
He's there when you turn out the light.

He listens to what's on your mind.
He's always loyal, true and kind.
He's there to hug you when you're sad
And there when you are feeling glad.

A teddy bear keeps secrets well;
A teddy bear will never tell.
A teddy bear will not annoy
Or break your very favorite toy.

He's there when you are very small
And when you grow up big and tall.
And, though he might need much repair,
There's nothing like a teddy bear.

I wrote this and I plan to enclose it with my bears.  Now, I will have to look into getting it copyrighted.

April Showers . . .

The day has dawned dark and rainy.  Thunderstorms rolled in here about 5:00 this morning, just before I turned in.  So, it's a good day to do things around the house.  Or even work up some new patterns for bears.

My sister picked up this little parasol (umbrella?) at an after Christmas sale -- it was a tree ornament.  It has been stting on my desk next to the computer just waiting for a little bear to come along and use it.  April showers bring May flowers.  What an opportunity to grant this little gem its wish.

A Good Idea???? Not Always.

I always seem to get the best ideas when I'm lying in bed at night, trying to fall asleep.  Then, when I wake up in the morning, I forget them.  So, I started to keep a small notepad by my bedside so I can write down all these good ideas.  But, somehow, in the morning, when I read them I wonder, "What was I thinking?"

Anyway, last night I actually worked out a good idea for the Little Red Riding Hood flip doll.  I decided that Red's face will be sculpted from polymer clay.  I haven't worked in polymer for awhile so I am hoping it will be like riding a bicycle -- it wll all come back to me.  Expect to see some "work in progress" pictures soon.  

A Spring Bunny and Some Thoughts for New Work

This is Esther, a little Spring bunny who is available for adoption in my Etsy shop.  www.etsy.com/listing/97342696/esther-a-9-inch-sheared-beaver-bunny

Esther

I am deciding whether my next project will be a little mink bear which will be called Ruthie Rae, a Little Red Riding Hood flip doll depicting Red on one end and Grandma and the Wolf on the other or a Goldilocks and the Treee Bears flip doll wth Papa and Mama bear on one end and Goldilocks and Baby Bear on the other.

Hope everybody had a Happy Easter or Passover.  

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy Valentine's Day!

Put your diet aside and indulge yourself. 

It's Almost Valentine's Day!

It's almost Valentine's Day, so . . .

Toujours l'Amour is now available on Etsy.  www.etsy.com/listing/91920652/toujours-lamour-a-9-inch-mohair-valentine-cherub-bear

I have been thinking about what I can create for Easter and have several ideas rolling around in my head.  So, watch out and see what I come up with.
My sister works for Home Goods.  They are getting in Easter merchandise, so she is on the lookout for anything I might be able to use.  You just never know what she may come up with.

Toujours l'Amour



TOUJOURS L'AMOUR

He has arrived.  Here is little Toujours L'Amour.  He is a little cherub bear approximately
8 1/2 inches tall with feather wings and a heart emblazoned on his chest.  Just in time for Valentine's Day.  I will be listing him on Etsy tomorrow, after I take some more photos.  

New Year, New Start

Well, I sure started the year out right; with a week's stay in the hospital with pneumonia.  What a crummy way to start the year.  I am diabetic and the doctor put me on IV medication which he described as steroids on steroids.  Boy, did it wreak havoc on my blood sugar.  But, I guess better that than a longer hospital stay with less effective medications.  And they injected me in the belly with this medication that prevents blood clots.  It caused these HUGE black and blue marks that are now healing and itch like crazy  Oof.   So, now I am behinder than I've ever been. 
Well, at any rate, I am presently working on my first bear of 2012.  It is a little 9 inch Valentine bear which I hope to complete by week's end.  So watch out.  I will be previewing her/him (don't know the sex yet) here and on facebook.  I also have plans for an Easter bear or bunny  with a little parasol. 
I hope you have had a better start to the new year than I. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!