I'm still here!

Actually, I'm here, there and every where! The end of summer means the beginning of "show season" when you are an artist. And it means the height of advertising, organizing and planning when you are a show promoter with one of the country's largest all-teddy-bear shows scheduled just weeks away.



So, how do I make lots of bears (and actually, my studio seems to be taken over by a herd of elephants at the moment... well, 4 anyway.... does that qualify as a "herd"?) and also do all the work that's involved to put on a top notch, not-to-be-missed teddy bear show of nearly 50 international artists complete with workshop, buffet and silent auction? Well, when I get that figured out I'll let you know! LOL!!



"THE SHOW"... The Chicagoland Teddy Bear Show is October 24th. I will then be exhibiting at the bear show in Hunt Valley, MD the following weekend. That's a lot of bears that have to be made! Then I'll be doing a 2 day craft show in Concord, NH on Nov. 20 & 21. It's a new show so I have no idea what to expect but I'm going in hopes of doing a lot of business which means a lot of inventory! I'm looking forward to this show though because I can make other items besides just my mohair bears... and I have a lot of fun and affordable ideas... now to find time to bring them to fruition!!!

Now you know why I haven't been around. I'll try to pop in to show you some of the critters I'm making for the shows!

If you are interested in finding out more about the Chicagoland show be sure to visit our website! It's Schaumburg, IL's newest and largest teddy bear show with an amazing line up of artists! The list is on the site! Reservations for the Harvest Buffet & Silent Auction to benefit Good Bears of the World will be accepted through Oct. 1..... you could even get a FREE SOUVENIR BEAR (one of the other things I've been working on before sending them to Laura to be finished) just for joining in the festivities!! Download the registration from the website!



Be sure to support the arts.... attend a local arts and crafts show or find a teddy bear show.... don't let the art of exercising one's imagination and creative talents be left forgotten in this technology based era we live in!

Hug to all!
Daphne

Look who I found!!

The sun finally came out today... haven't seen it for nearly 5 days! To celebrate my husband and I went to Peterborough, NH for lunch and to do a little shopping and antiquing. We ate at a wonderful outdoor cafe then poked around the shops. Lots of artsy shops! Very fun, relaxing afternoon. But we didn't find any treasures worth bringing home. I hate that!


We were nearly home when I suggested we stop at a little antique shop that's open just during the summer months. I wasn't filled with any expectation but not 60 seconds inside the barn Henry says "Hey, a teddy bear!" No way! Well, doubt it's anything special I thought to myself. I peeked around a chest to where he pointed and there, sitting at a child's desk and chair, facing the wall, surround by 'stuff' was an old fashioned looking bear made of mohair, wearing an old navy blue velvet coat. Its back was to me so I gently lifted it from its seat and thats when I saw the hang tag: "Chauncey" by Limerick Bear - Lynn Gatto! No way! One look at his face and there was no doubt he was an early bear by my dear friend!


My heart is now beating double time and I'm trying not to jump up and down and squeal like a little kid! There was no question but that "Chauncey", made by someone who is not only super talented but such a wonderful lady, was coming home with me! I couldn't wait to call Lynn (who lives less than two hours away from me) and tell her about my find and hopefully find out a little more about the bear. The tag told me his name and the fact his coat was vintage but no birth date. As soon as we got home I took a few photos of him. I've since pressed his collar and freshened him up a bit. He has some stains on his wool paw pads and one on the back of his lace collar but otherwise is in excellent condition. Of course I know he's not really 'vintage' but Lynn makes wonderful antique style bears! This one is no exception with a hump on it's back, the long limbs, etc. He's just wonderful!



I called and had a wonderful chat with Lynn. She thinks she made him in the mid 1990's. They will have a little reunion next month as I'll bring him to see her at the Maine Teddy Bear & Fiber Arts Show where we'll be exhibiting and more photos will be taken for sure!

As a bear artist it thrills me to death to see the collector in me get so excited over such a find and reminds me that even when I have lost my interest in making bears I must continue and that it'll be worth it as surely my work will have a similar impact on someone someday! That giddy girlish feeling..... there is nothing like it!

Welcome home, Chauncey! You are very special indeed!

Blog Give Away!

In an effort to MAKE myself get back to work (seems I've been goofing off in my gardens this spring, focusing on plans for the Maine Teddy Bear Show and just plain being lazy) I thought I'd host a blog give away. My very first here at the Back Road Bears studio!

I'm also taking this opportunity to introduce you to a new project I've been working on.... cloth annie dolls. I went with a sweet and simple design utilizing some of the really fun new and colorful fabrics in the local quilt shops! And by shear accident I happened to find the greatest yarn for doll hair! My annies have embroidered faces with painted eyes and freckles. At 9 inches tall these girls are small enough to be a great companion for a big teddy bear but not so small they'd go unnoticed!

Without further delay may I introduce to you "Sweet Jane"!

One lucky blog reader will win "Sweet Jane" on Sunday, May 31, 2009!

To enter: Simply join my email list by entering your email address in the box below. Then leave a comment to this blog post. (You must do both!) The winner will be selected at random on Sunday, May 31 at 5:00pm eastern and announced here. The winner will also receive a private email message.

Join My Mailing List

Email:

"Sweet Jane" will be shipped absolutely FREE to the winner and arrive carefully packaged with a signed and dated hang tag and extra goodies!

Sign up today for your chance to win "Sweet Jane" and be among the first to know about new bears and annies available, show updates, patterns and kits and more by joining my email list!

Good luck!

Hugs,

Daphne

Teddy Sweaters.....

My Dad has been a busy bee knitting sweaters for teddy bears so they'll stay warm while they wait for the long, snowy New England winter to end!

Yes, my DAD! He's also a great seamster, he can repair a furnace, build shelving, change the oil in the car and was a computer software developer throughout his professional career, traveling all over the world! He's had some serious health problems in recent years which have forced him to stop working and have really slowed him down. Because he loves to do things with his hands he began knitting.... a skill he learned from his grandmother as a young boy! Would she be proud of what he's done with those skills!!

In addition to teddy-bear-sized sweaters he's made sized-for-humans purses and shoulder bags in some gorgeous spring colors!!

I invite you to visit my Etsy shop to see all of his latest designs!!! I just added new inventory today!