I'm so excited!!!

The next Teddies Worldwide show is coming up July 15-17 but the preview starts this Friday July 1st at 4pm New York time and wait 'til you see the preview photos!!!!

The theme is "Bears on Parade" and these 75 artits have come up with some very original, fun and creative ideas to portray that theme! During the preview all visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite bear in tw categories... Miniature Bears and Full Size Bears. The winners in each category will be announced at the start of the show! Be sure to visit http://www.teddiesworldwide.com/ to vote starting this Friday!

In additon to the show (which I organize, by the way) I've also created a new website for the Teddies Worldwide shows and I'd love for you to come have a look! http://www.teddiesworldwide.com/

See you there!!

Hugs,

Daphne

New Year... New Shows & Workshops!

I'm organizing two exciting events this spring! The first is an online show so no matter where in the world you live you can come visit and have a teddy fix! Many award-winning artists will be participating as well as some new bear makers! Click HERE to see the complete list of participating artists!

Then in April I'll be hosting the 2nd annual New England Teddy Bear Gathering. 3 days of workshops, a public show and plenty of opportunity to meet or catch up with your favorite artists and collectors.

Workshop registration can be done online HERE and

Artists: There are still tables available! Click HERE for an application!

Only 4 Months this time!

Does anyone even READ this blog? Do you bother ever checking in? Did you take me off your reader cause there's never anything new anyway? I wouldn't blame you if you did! Those of you who know me likely follow me on Facebook anyway!

If ya don't know me run! Now! LOL! I'm just kidding! :)

So it's September 1st. Another summer over and I'm not really sure what I did all summer! I spent the majority of it sewing and preparing for the Teddy Bear Artist Invitational in Binghamton, NY. We visited an alpaca farm while there. They are such interesting creatures. We got right in the pen with the mommas and their babies.

The show itself was a lot of fun. It's always great to see my collectors!!

Now I'm working on plans for the Chicagoland Show which I put on in October. Lots of great things will be happening and the artist line up is amazing and new names are being added daily! You can check out the exhibitor list on the website if you're interested.

I'm also working on putting together an online teddy bear show that will take place in November. Oh, and I'm headed to Maryland in November to do a bear show in Hunt Valley too. I'll also be spending a few days with my very good friend Chrissi and her son, my "nephew" Ben. :)

So, you know I'm alive, where I've been and where I'll be until a few more months pass and you hear from me again! LOL!

I hope you are well and have great plans for fall... or spring... depending upon where on earth you live! And if you're ever on Facebook look me up! You can find me under Back Road Bears or by my name!

Hugs!!

Pictures from The Teddy Bear Gathering

Two weeks ago artists and collectors from across the US and Canada joined together for the first annual New England Teddy Bear Gathering in Nashua, NH, USA. It was a wonderful day and you can now get a taste of the magic and fun we had by reading a review of the show and seeing the many, many photographs that were taken! Ready?

New England Teddy Bear Gathering
Review and Photos
Experience the Magic!

Um, I have a blog??

I can't believe it's been 6 months since I've posted here. I'm sorry my friends! I actually sort of knew that might happen. I'm active on Facebook, a couple of bear maker forums and have my website... writing for my blog too just seemed daunting and time consuming.

That's not to say I'm not out here... keeping busy.... still making bears and organizing shows! In fact, I wanted to tell you about a show coming up on April 17 & 18 with workshops and a pizza party on the 17th and a public show and sale on the 18th. It's sure to be a lot of fun and in tax free New Hampshire, just an hour from Boston! Stop by the show website for more details! www.TeddyBearGathering.com



I gave my website a much needed face lift earier this month. If you haven't been by in a while I invite you to stop in for a visit! www.BackRoadBears.com

And if you want to keep a little more up to date on the goings on in the Back Road Bears studio I invite you to check out my Facebook Fanpage!

Big Bear Hugs!!
Daphne

Pickity Place

My neighbor and friend, Mary took me out to lunch today. But this wasn't just any old lunch... it was a very special afternoon filled with sights and smells to please the senses and delicious flavors to awake the tastebuds! It was the perfect day for an early autumn adventure to Pickity Place in Mason, NH.



The sprawling gardens surrounding the antique cape with weathered shakes offered the remains of flowering perennials and herbs, giving one last show before going to bed for the winter months. Nestled on the edge of the gardens was the Drying Shed whose name says it all!







After touring the garden and gift shops... filled with lots of delicious spices, seasonings, mixes, teas and more... we sat down to a delicious gourmet, 5 course lunch in the house's dining room.



First course was a delicious garden vegetable dip with crackers followed by Summer's End Soup full of vegetables and herbs. A pinwheel with mixed greens garden salad came next with Sunflower Nut Bread. For the main course I had a vegetable crepe with a creamy herb sauce that was absolutely heavenly.





Dessert was strawberry rhubarb pie! (OK, I passed on that one but I did bring it home for hubby!) Everything was asbsolutely delicious and coming from me that says a lot as I'm not a vegetable lover and would typically eat a PB&J sandwich for lunch! I just may be a changed woman now!

It was a beautiful day with great company and fantastic food! I can't wait to bring mom there! I know she'll love it!



Thank you for a lovely day, Mary!!

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

New Annies

I have finally finished, photographed and put up on my website the first 5 annie cloth dolls I've made! They are all available for immediate adoption.... well, three are... I just put them up about 3 hours ago and two have sold already! :)

You can meet them all here on my website!!

I've already created a bigger and much different, more traditional cloth doll but she needs some tweeking before she's ready to be seen! In the meantime these little brightly colored annies will entertain you with their silly smiles and wild hair! I look forward to making more as I've found a wonderful source for some fun Japanese fabric!!!

Thanks for taking a peek at the annies!!!

Show Review

The Maine Teddy Bear Show happened last weekend and was a mix of fun, education and a little disappointment. With our economy the way it is everyone is feeling the pinch on spending and bear artists are no exception. But that didn't stop us from having a wonderful time together! The work the artists brought was absolutely amazing! The collectors were in awe and thrilled to be a part of the excitement!

Come read the whole review and see lots of pictures from the show!

You are invited...

I'm busy getting ready for the Maine Teddy Bear & Fiber Arts Show as I'm both producing and exhibiting in the show! Phew!! I hope to post a preview of the bears and annies I'll have available for adoption! In the meantime, if you fancy a trip to the Maine Coast be sure to visit the show!! Here's a coupon you can "click and print" or visit the show's WEBSITE where you'll find a complete list of exhibitors (you'll be impressed if you are a collector of artist bears!!), see a sneak peek of special bears made just for the show and more!!

Hope to see you there!

The Greatest Reward

In a phone interview today I was asked what I enjoyed most about producing teddy bear shows. Why, the end result of course! Here was my answer:

"The greatest reward in producing teddy bear and cloth doll shows is the joyful atmosphere that fills the venue on show day. Artists and collectors have the opportunity to share their passion, exchange hugs and laughter, catch up with old friends and create new ones. The sea of color, texture, shape and style creates a captivating scene. Our giddy inner child comes out as we gaze into the loving, knowing eyes of a bear or hold a doll with a sparkle in her eyes! Amazement, wonder, giggles and love fill the air and become contagious. Next to Disney World, I can’t think of a more magical and imaginative place to be than a teddy bear show!"

I hope that you will take the time to attend a teddy bear show this year, especially if you have never been to one! If dolls or quilts or crafts in general are more your cup of tea then by all means, seek out an arts and crafts show to your liking and go!!!

In a world that's become so focused on technology and gadgets I'm finding more and more people are yearning for a bit of the "old world".... human interaction, things made with love, talent and imagination by human hands. Sure, we can buy handmade items on the internet, most artists have websites in this day and age and Etsy is a fantastic place to find handmade items of all sorts! But there's something about being in a room full of other people with similar interests and being able to see and touch these works of art that can't be replaced by even the highest level of technology!

So, go, pick up the local paper, see what's happening in your corner of the world and treat your self! Grab a friend and a latte and GO!!

Makin' Cotton Candy!

I've been busy in my lab creating fat free, sugar free Cotton Candy that's still yummy and can be enjoyed year round! I think it just might be a hit! (Wait, my "lab"? Er, reminds me of a high school science class I flunked!) Introducing the Cotton Candy Cubs!

These little guys are 7 inches tall and made of hand-dyed LouBear Mohair in the softest, yummiest colors of cotton candy. The backing on this mohair is black giving the color even more brightness and depth. I've been having so much fun with these colors! I can't wait to make the rest of the mohair into bears today!

The cubs'll have special little boxes to sit on... my next project once the bears are done! Seven Cotton Candy Cubs will make their debut at the Maine Teddy Bear & Fiber Arts Show on July 11 in Wells, Maine. Future siblings in this limited series will be available on my website through the end of August... just waiting for more mohair to arrive from South Africa! No two will be exactly the same in color or facial expression but they'll all be guilt free!

I must get back to my lab... er... studio but before I go I must ask....
which is your favorite color?

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!

HELP WANTED

Do you like teddy bears? Do you enjoy talking with people? Would you like to spend a fun filled day at an upscale teddy bear show greeting collectors, selling bears and more? Then please contact me about helping out!

What: Maine Teddy Bear & Fiber Arts Show (website)
Where: Wells Beach, Maine USA
When: Sat. July 11th, 9:00am-3:00pm

You'll receive a free gas card and special gift for volunteering your time to help make this exciting show a great success! Contact me today!!! :o)

Email me at events@backroadbears.com for more information!

-Daphne

The Winner Is.....

The winner of my very first Blog Give Away is......

LINDA HEARN

Congratulations!

I've sent you an email requesting your mailing address so I can

get Sweet Jane on her way to you!

Thank you EVERYONE for entering this give away!!! I look forward to doing more give aways in the near future! I also appreciate your compliments on Sweet Jane and already have many sisters in the works! They'll make their debut at the Maine Teddy Bear & Fiber Arts Show in Wells, ME on July 11th. Then I'll have them available on my website! I'm having so much fun making them!!!

Love & Hugs,

Daphne

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

Blog Give Away coming!!!

Shhh....... it's a surprise!

I'm going to host my very first Blog Give Away!

Wait 'til you see the cutie one lucky blog reader will win!

Announcement to come Tuesday, May 26th!

Few words, big impact!

"It's been about 2 months since I made a teddy bear."

There, I said it! A month and a half ago I was still making bunnies but once they were done I seemed to have shut the door to my mohair closet, never looking back. No, I'm not exactly happy about this! In fact, my disinterest in bear making concerns me. But I suppose, like any job, you get burned out after a while, need a change, even if temporary. Unlike a "real" job, I can indulge myself in change, if only for a little while!

I have been working on plans for the Chicagoland Teddy Bear Show and the Maine Teddy Bear & Fiber Arts show. The Maine show is in less than two months so local marketing plans are in full swing. Floor plan is almost complete, the show is sold out... it's all looking good! I am in need of helpers on show day though so if anyone would like to spend a day or even the weekend on the southern coast of Maine with us, surrounded by teddy bears and annies and all kinds of fun people, we'd love to have you! Just email me!



Despite all this "other" teddy bear related work, my fingers and imagination have been itching to CREATE! So, while cleaning out my studio one day I found sheets of washed wool felt. I don't recall what my original plan was for it all but decided to make some little doorknob pillows. They will be my contribution to the "Ornaments for Giving Tree" at the Maine show. Every artists hand-makes at least 3 ornaments (for any occasion - not just Christmas) to hang on the big white tree in the lobby. Collectors LOVE the ornaments, all priced at $25 or less! A portion of the ornamnet sales is donated to Habitat for Humanity. We raised $500 last year, selling nearly 100 ornaments! With more artists participating this year I know we'll raise even more!


With the recent purchace of "Emmaline", a beautiful Singer Featherweight from the 40's, I'm now drawn to anything resembling the look of these beautiful old machines! I found the cutest buttons and just HAD to do something with them!


I've put a number of these pillows, some not shown above, in My Etsy Shop! Please feel free to have a look at the others I've made! At 4.5 in. x 3.5 in. they make wonderful little gifts, great decorations on presents and are fun to just decorate any little spot with!

Work on another 'project' (to be posted in the near future) took me to a quilt shop last weekend. While standing at the cutting table waiting for my pretty fabrics to be cut, my eye, already filled with beautiful, colorful eye candy, spotted a sign. It said

"She who dies with the most fabric isn't sewing fast enough!"

So that's the problem!!! That's why my mohair inventory keeps growing, not shrinking. And my quilt fabric stash... well, I won't even go there! I started thinking about all the unmade quilts and teddy bears that haven't been brought to life.... all just lay in waiting, still in yardage in my closets. That actually made me feel a little guilty! I better get sewing faster!!!

So, without further ramblings....... I'm off! To create! To sew! And sew fast!

Feelin' Springy!

As the last big piles of snow melt away the bears are coming out to play! And not just any ol' bears... spring bears in their beautiful spring colors!! Let me introduce you to Christian and Rosalie!

"Christian"

"Rosalie"

Both of these bears are 17 inches tall and made of super soft kid mohair! They are both hoping to find new homes so they can celebrate Spring with their new families! They are available for immediate adoption on my website.

I've also listed a 13 inch bunny for adoption. His name is "Cotton Candy" and I think you'll see why! Won't you stop by and visit him on my website? I'm working on some new little bunnies which I'll have ready for adoption in the next couple of days, too.

Then I must get to work on a special purple bear for a collector in Singapore. I've hand-dyed some long pile, dense, Schulte kid mohair in the most delicious shade of purple. In fact, that's what I've used as the background here on my blog! I can't wait to see a bear all made up from it!!! I think I'll have enough left over to do a little bear, too!

I just LOVE the colors of spring!!

Making Plans...

As you may know, I'm a teddy bear show promoter. "Promoter" sounds like an understatement! I'm more like a wedding planner for bear artists, a marketing director, graphic design specialist, travel agent, menu planner, sales director, administrative assistant, mail room gal and bill collector all in one!!! (I could do without the last title but unfortunately someone has to do it!)

Whew! No wonder I take a lot of naps!!!

This year I'm planning two events:
The Maine Teddy Bear & Fiber Arts Show - July 11, 2009 - Wells Beach, ME
The Chicagoland Teddy Bear Show - October 24, 2009 - Schaumburg, IL

This will be the 4th year for the Maine show and each year it gets easier and easier though I do keep it fresh with new artists and new features. This year we'll offer collectors The Artist Showcase featuring one of a kind pieces by our talented artists made especially for purchase at the show. The theme this year will be "Fun in the Sun". We'll also continue a new tradition we started last year with the Ornaments for Giving Tree. The sale of the handmade ornaments will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Portland, ME.

The Chicagoland show is making it's debut this year! There used to be a long running bear show in Schaumburg until it's promoters retired last year. Together with friend and fellow bear artist Laura Matthews we're going to create a brand new event for Chicago area collectors. We are having so much fun planning the show and are incredibly appreciative of the support we've received from artists, collectors, suppliers and the magazines!!! It's such a blessing to be part of such a wonderful bunch of kind-hearted people!!! It makes wearing so many hats worth the 'hat head' look!

As time goes on I'll share more info with you about plans for the Chicago/Schaumburg show! However, I encourage you to visit the official show website at http://www.chicagolandteddybearshow.com/ and check out the list of participating artists! You might be interested in Tami Eveslage's workshop or in joining us for a buffet dinner and silent auction after the show too! It's all there!

If you are interested in attending the Maine show and would like a postcard with an admission discount offer please email me with your snail mail address! Artists: there are still tables left at this show! Download an application and mail it in today!

Well, I must get back to designing our next ad for Teddy Bear & Friends magazine!!! Deadlines... deadlines.... deadlines.... hat-head....hat-head... hat-head.......

And I wouldn't trade what I do for anything!