Just popped this little one on Bearpile.... 

After the Show..

I hope you had time to stop by the Christmas Treasures online show over the weekend. As always, Daphne gathered a wonderful range of artists from all around the world, with a really diverse range of styles and interpretations of the theme. I specially love to see the work of the Russian artists, it's always so different and imaginative. 

The show was a wonderful success for me, with only a couple of pieces going without a new home. One of them, my Little Cinderella is now up on Bearpile. I fell in love with this little pink pumpkin carriage when I saw it over a year ago, and knew right then and there, a little bear would be made to sit inside it one day. Actually, only a year between buying it and making the bear is a pretty short timeframe for me! lol... Usually it takes much longer for an idea to gel in my mind and come to life!

Don't forget..

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There's still time to check out the Teddies Worldwide Christmas Treasures online show, running for about another 24 hours. Soooo many wonderful creative ideas from the artists from all around the world.
Do be sure to stop by and take a look.. Here's a few of my pieces...

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The Preview Begins!

Well the big day has arrived again- the Teddies Worldwide "Christmas Treasures" show preview has begun! Ah the imagination of fellow Bear Artists never ceases to amaze me.... Be sure to stop by and vote for your favourite piece- each one is themed for a Christmas song or carol. Just go to www.teddiesworldwide.com and click the preview link at the top of the page.
I can't wait to see what everyone is going to have at the show, the preview pieces are to die for!

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Shows and Shows!

Last weekend was my last 'In Person' show for the year, out the other side of town at the lovely little town of Woodend. What beautiful weather and what a wonderful day! Bears ( and bunnies and hedgehogs and perhaps an elephant lol) found new homes, old friends were caught up with and new friends made... A tiring but wonderful day. I had to wake at 5 am to drive across and be there in time- I am so not a morning person haha.
Now onto finishing off my preview bear for the Teddies Worldwide Christmas Treasures online show ( you'll find the banner right up there^^) Keep your eyes peeled for the preview that starts very soon! As usual you will be able to vote for your favourite pieces..... After racking my brain for ideas for the show, it never ceases to amaze me all the fabulous things the artists create- so many variations on a theme, and so many ''now why didn't I think of that"s
Well I better get to it, and leave you with the finished 'Paris Sweets' set.. No they're fully dressed in their lacy silver collars and little hairbows, they aren't so shy:) bye for now!
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Peek-a-Boo!

I was working on these little guys and noticed them keeping an eye on me.....

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Under Construction.....

   Thought I'd share a 'Work in Progress' for my next planned class at Bear Essence..... Pretty 'Springy' pastel colours, even though Winter seems to have returned to my corner of the world this weekend!:)

Spring has Sprung

... The grass has riz, I wonder where the blogger is... Oh my, I didn't realise I'd been away so long! A wonderful trip to Sydney and working on assignments, a few orders, a class at Bear Essence... I have been busy I promise!

   
Now it's my favourite time of the year- Spring! I just love the warm breezes, the beautiful flowers! I've been waiting patiently for the blossom trees to flower so I can grab some photos of them, and this year     my Peony is gracing me with more than two flowers for the first time ever!

And yes, in case you are wondering, there are bears on the workbench! I am working on a sample for another class... Just in the stitching stage yet, I'll be sure to fill you in when they're done. Not to mention some ideas brewing for Woodend which is only a month away, and the Teddies Worldwide Christmas show at the end of November. Eeeeeeek I better get a wriggle on hadn't I?

Now, can anyone fill me in- where DID this year go?

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The show goes on!

Have you had a chance to check out the Teddies Worldwide online show yet? You'll love the wonderful variety of creations the clever artists have come up with.. Hurry though, it ends tomorrow morning my time- or 4pm Sunday New York time...
Here's a couple of my little ones who are waiting patiently to see you:)

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Friends of Teddy online show

Well, the preview is well underway, and I'm working madly to get the finishing touches on my 'friends of Teddy' for the show this weekend!
If you haven't headed over to Teddies Worldwide to check out the critters and vote for your favourite, then I suggest you do, straight away! There's all sorts of wonderful, imaginative, creative pieces in the preview alone- I can't wait to check out all the offerings from the artists taking part.
I've used the opportunity to make one sort of critter I've had 'on the drawing board' for a while now..ok, quite a while!:) as well as some other old favorites. My little lion above is my preview piece, which was loads of fun to make, with his fuzzy mohair mane and his plush Japanese silk fur.
I hope you'll join us over the weekend for the show, as always, it promises to be a wonderful showcase of some very talented artists with fabulous interpretations of Daphne's theme. From 4pm New York time (early Saturday morning where I am!) Daphne even has a helpful timezone calculator so you don't miss out on first choice.
Just click the banner here on my blog page, be there or be square!:)

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Newly Listed on Bearpile..

As promised, I have uploaded the little washtub pair to Bearpile, and also this little guy- yes, guy!:) If you know my work, you'll know its a rare occasion that I make a boy bear, but recently people have been asking for little boys. So I put my thinking cap on and voila!

This little guy is about 4" tall, and his little pants are a pretty shade of blue silk. I made his little hobby horse from beige Sassy long pile, and thought a little straw Boater hat would just add the finishing touch. He has quite the little English boy from the Kate Greenaway/Austen era look I think. I hope you like him!

Friends of Teddy..

I'm thrilled to say I'll be a part of the lovely Daphne from Teddies Worldwide's next show, Friends of Teddy! This show is a little different in that each artist taking part has to do at least 5 pieces that are NOT Teddies.... I do enjoy doing little pieces that aren't teddies, so I think this is going to be fun. Probably the hard part will be deciding which animals to choose?

I'll have the banner up shortly.. OH! and importantly, the show dates- July 13 to 15. Boy that seems so far off doesn't it? I am sure it will be here before we know it!

I've been working on some new pieces lately... this little pair which I'm planning on uploading to Bearpile soon is sitting in a little 'rusty tin' washtub I found at the Wiesbaden show. I am already wishing I bought more of them than I did! Isn't it cute? I was lucky enough to find them in several sizes (this was the biggest at only 6cm wide) so there's lots of possible uses.

Autumn seems to have decided it's time to show up here- Friday was warm and sunny and almost 30 deg c- then Saturday it was lucky to hit 15 deg c.... crazy!

Knuckling Down..

Well almost recovered from my cold and jetlag now! I swear it's so much harder to do the time change thing when you get home than the outbound trip.... I am sure it must be because you don't want to miss a minute of the new exciting place you're visiting:)

Summer seems to be giving us one last reminder before she disappears as the weather has been lovely the last few days, so warm and sunny. I ventured into the city to visit the Flower and Garden show on Thursday, perfect weather for it! I bought some Freesia and Ranunculus bulbs, as well as some teeny tiny Orchid plants... wish me luck getting them to grow and flower!:)

I've uploaded a couple of pieces to Bearpile this morning, and have some ideas brewing for new pieces... a new pattern on my workbench stitched, turned and stuffed, waiting to be jointed. I am sure other bearmakers know that exciting feeling! I wonder if I am alone in propping the pieces up against one another once they're stuffed to see how it is going to turn out lol.... the suspense!

Well, I'll be off for now... this new design is calling my name.....:-D

Counting Down!

Well, the hours are counting down til the virtual doors close on the Teddies Worldwide Tea Party show. I'm so fortunate to say most of my pieces are sold, only two left. Yep that would be them above:)
Lots of sales from lots of artists it seems, browsing the pages, but still lots of wonderful pieces left. So it's not too late if you'd still like to take a peek!
As for me well I've still not completely emptied my suitcase, tho my workbench is almost tidy enough to start afresh... No fun to get home to see the leftovers of the work I'd finished off a month ago!:) I keep telling myself one day I won't work til the last minute the night before I go to a show, but why I think after all these years ( 23 or so, since my first show) it will ever change I don't know lol.

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Teddy Bear's Tea Party starts soon!

Feeling a little tired, arrived home from Hugglets and Wiesbaden Teddybear Shows just this morning, but I want to remind everyone that Teddies Worldwide's "Teddy Bears Tea Party" starts tomorrow!
Here in Australia I believe it starts at 6AM Saturday, and 4pm East Coast time in the USA.
This is a sneak preview of one of my bears, please stop by and visit the many creations based on the 'Tea Party' theme!

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Hugglets Winter Bearfest

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of exhibiting at the Hugglets Winter Bearfest in lovely London, England. Wonderful weather was turned on for us, and the collectors turned out in droves. The show rooms were busy all day- I only got to sneak out at 3.30- and the show finishes at 4! Needless to say no shopping for me:)
I've come over well prepared with hat coat gloves scarf boots... And hardly even need my coat! Touch wood of course! Now, a little free time sightseeing before heading over the channel to the Teddybäer-Welt in Weisbaden, Germany. So exciting!
Sorry my photos aren't the most fabulous quality, but I hope you get the general idea of my table.
Don't forget the Teddies Worldwide Teddybears Tea Party is coming up on the 23rd (US time) March. The preview begins soon- as before, Daphne is having a collectors choice vote, so be sure to stop by and place a vote for your favourite piece. My pieces are already finished, I know, since when have I ever been finished early? Lol... Well since I'm away, I had no choice!:) finished *and* photographed! If you know me at all, I hope you were sitting down when you read that hehe...

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Working Away..

Well the days seem to be flying by, soon Hugglets will be here! I've been working madly on bears to send over for the show, and for the show in Germany, but I've been making time to list on Bearpile- I've decided to make sure I keep myself on there all year- we shall see how that goes! haha....

Here's some of my latest listings, since I don't have much else to show you at the moment:)

First for the Year..

.... First for the year on Bearpile that is! I've listed these two little cuties sitting in a vintage beaded handbag on my Bearpile page. Bearpile listings will be a bit thin on the ground while I work madly for the upcoming shows and start back at 'school', and I've even done some orders! Hopefully I can keep it up all year!:-D

Jumping for Joy!

Well, this year I had decided not to enter the Teddy Bear and Friends magazines TOBY awards... The deadline was looming and I had orders, and Christmas was looming- and for once I knuckled down and did my orders... then came the email from the TBF editor... deadline extended! Hmm... time for a rethink... and I am glad I did, because my little girl who I called "Sweet Dreams" has won a TOBY Industry's Choice award! What a thrill!

I can't wait to see photos of all the other winners, always a treat to see what people have dreamed up.

Now, nose back to the grindstone... :-D

A New Year..

Oh my gosh, where does time go?!? It's already halfway through January, all my ideas of posting Christmas cards and such went out the window, Christmas seems a distant memory, and even New Years is fading.... after having an few easy days, I am back into things.

Having a good end to 2011, working on some orders (which I am first to admit, I am NOT good at! hehe) and going well on Bearpile, I am looking forward to 2012. Just as well huh, because it's going to happen whether I am ready or not!:D

My first show for the year is looming- Hugglets Winter Bearfest in London! I was going to take a year out from Hugglets and apply for February 2012, but circumstances have made it possible for me to go this year. I am so excited, and so lucky! Of course that means more mad bearmaking- or should I say bearmaking at a mad rate- some would say I'm always mad bearmaking hehe... One of the reasons I wanted to try the Winter Hugglets show was to combine it with the Teddybear-Welt show in Wiesbaden, Germany... so yes, that's my second show of the year! Doubly exciting.... just a couple of weeks after Hugglets, it's great to be able to combine two shows for the one plane ticket:D

Then, as you can see, I have been accepted into the Teddies Worldwide March online show, "Teddybears Tea Party". Right up my alley! It's going to be fun thinking up Tea Party themed bears, and again, Daphne, Teddies Worldwide 'head honcho' has a 'under $100" section, which is also a fun challenge to rise to.

On top of this, I have decided to go 'back to school' and learn a new skill- Floristry! I've had an interest in floristry for the longest time ( since a teenager) and took a one day class at a famous Florist's school when I was away for Hugglets last September, which I really enjoyed, so the bug was planted. Late last year, I decided there wasn't going to be a better time, so I signed myself up! It's such a shock to the system going back and getting assignments and being the student.

My last two Saturdays were spent at the wonderful Bear Essence in Tooradin, teaching my ballerina girls sitting in a ballet slipper. Two fun days were had by all, I think it's safe to say. Even though it felt like we were all in holiday mode, the bears were finished on time- early even- *and* we managed to have a lovely time. Another class is scheduled to be running in April at Bear Essence.

So, there's the beginning of the year all lined up! Boy that turned into a long post didn't it lol... I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Years, and that we all have a great New Year ahead of us.. heres to health, friends, family, and lots of wonderful creations- either made or collected- or perhaps even both!