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!

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!

What's in a name?

Naming a bear is sometimes the easiest part of the bear making process! Often the bear tells me his name just as soon as his eyes are set. "I'm Benjamin" he'll say!

Other times he'll be completely finished and just have a blank stare that says "I'm cute, but I'm not sure who I am. I'm waiting for you to tell me."

I tend to write down names, sometimes just words, that would be great bear names. Sometimes I pick a theme like names of spices, trees or poets. Other times I'll go through a book of baby names, the Bible or pick a state and look at names of towns. Usually a name will jump out that says "This is the one!"

Well, that hasn't happened yet for this bear. The names I think fit him are ones I've used already and I try real hard not to repeat a name. I'm at a loss.

How important is a bear's name? Does it make a difference to collectors if his name is Egor or Snuggles? Will someone fall in love with that face then look at his name and say "Raddish?" No way!"?

This guy just needs a name! I have until the end of March to figure it out as he'll be going to the Spring Teddies Show in Timonium, MD then in hopes of finding a new home. But the poor guy can't go nameless!!! Do YOU have any suggestions?

**Update: His name is Pippen! Thank you for the suggestions! Tami Eveslage offered the winning name!

6 Random Things about Myself....

My beary dear friend Chrissi of CatherWoods has taggeed me. I'm to list 6 random things about myself. Hmm.... most of you who read my blog already know me pretty good so I've got to come up with some really unique things......hmmm.....ummmm....hmmmm.....

#1 When I was about 8 I wanted glasses so pretended I couldn't see the chalkboard at school.... mom carted me off to the eye doctor who said I wouldn't need glasses until I was 40! Well, I'm almost 39 and although I'm finding my arms could stand to be a few inches longer when reading I'm still glasses-free!!! My opthamologist gave me an RX for glasses last year, I filled it, wore those things for about 3 days, felt like I had tunnel vision and took 'em back!!! It's going to be a major adjustment when I really, really have to wear them or be blind but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

#2 I've worked more than 30 different jobs in the last 24 years. But I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up!! Guess that's why I still play with teddy bears?

#3 I still have my roller skates from middle school when the roller rink was my second home! I can't possibly get my feet into them now nor have I in at least 25 years.... yet they've moved with me from apartment to apartment, house to house, marriage to marriage... and I won't part with them. I need help!

#4 I like my waffles with peanut butter on them... not syrup.... peanut butter.

#5 When in my early 20s I directed the children's choir at my church and assisted with the high school youth group. We also did a lot of mission work in New York City. I celebrated my 21st birthday in Jamaica..... not at a beachside bar as many who finally reached the legal drinking age would do.... but rather in the hills outside of Kingston as a missionary rebuilding a church and teaching vacation bible school to the sweetest and most eager young native children. It was an amazing experience!

#6 I dream of having a 65 Mustang.... robins egg blue.... convertible.... or perhaps an old '50 Chevy pick up... fully restored of course.... also blue....

So now I'm to tag 6 friends, and ask them to share 6 random things about themselves. So I'm tagging Melanie of Melbear's Quality Collectibles, Shantell of Apple Dumpling Designs , Catherine of Bumpkin Bears, Melanie of Bear Treasures, Marlys of Waggle Bears and Tammy of Beckoning Bears.