Secret Project...

Hey Everyone!
My trip to Tampa was quick, but fun. I did get to relax by the pool near my grandma's on Saturday afternoon and the show was pretty good for me on Sunday. Overall it was a good trip and it was nice to get away from the cold. Unfortunately, I came back to snow, but I just have to keep in mind that Spring is officially just a month away.

Anyway, I am going to be working on a new project. I am going to start on my gallery piece for the 2011 TBAI. This year, we have the opportunity to submit our pieces to be included in a preview article for Teddy Bear and Friends and the deadline is coming up in March, so I want to make sure that I can participate in that. This year's theme for TBAI is going to be Treasures of the World and I can't give you any specific details on what I'm doing yet, but here's an idea...

I'll try to keep you updated on its progress.

Have a happy week!
TCD

Venturing out of the cold...

Hello!
I will be emerging from the cold, windy city next weekend for Teds 'n Such's first show of the year! My mom and I will be flying down to Tampa, FL to participate in Bright Star Promotions' 600th show! From what I hear, the Tampa show is fabulous and there will be 40+ artists (including myself) coming out for the day. This is my first time traveling to Florida for a show and I'm very excited. If you live in the area, hopefully you can make it! The show is taking place on Sunday, February 20th from 10:00am - 3:00pm. Click here to see the list of artists coming and for more information. You can even get tickets for early bird shopping off of the site!

Right now I have 13 1/2 + 1/2 bears for the show... What are the two halves for? Unfinished bears that I am hoping to have completed by next weekend. I am working on a fun new panda with this really interesting green marbled wool felt used on his eyelids, toes, and paws. He should be done this week. I also have another bear that I started back in the fall and I've decided to change him up a little bit. Hopefully I can find the time to finish them and get to 15 bears before the show!

I will be doing a little photo shoot with all of the bears that I currently have available this week. I am trying to get into a feature article in a teddy bear magazine about male teddy bear artists and I need to get some photos to submit. This also means that I have some (hopefully) quality shots to share with you before I head down to Tampa, so look out for a show preview this week!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
TCD

New Bears!

Hello!
I have been quite quiet around here lately. It's not that I'm not working on bears, it's because I just haven't had a chance to take pictures. My first problem was that I had misplaced my camera. I had even started a search for a new camera when I finally found my old one. Then we had the awful blizzard here (see last post) and I just haven't been able to get these pictures going. I did take some snapshots today and they give you an idea of what I've been working on. I purposefully took them at angles and close-ups because I have yet to break out the airbrush and do the finishing details on a couple of them. I love to hear feedback, so please feel free to comment and let me know what you think.

On the left is Riley, named by one of you! (Thanks for the suggestion!) On the top right is a yet-to-be-named fairy bear. Below that one is a new anime bear and on the bottom right is my version of a 'traditional' bear (but he's still in a non-traditional color!)

Warm wishes from a cold, and again snowy, Chicago!
TCD

SNOW! The Chicago blizzard of 2011

Hi Everyone!
I just thought I'd share some fun/crazy pictures of our blizzard here that hit Tuesday night and continued through Wednesday.

I guess the snow was so bad that they couldn't use normal plows...?

I tried to squeeze into my car to start it and ended up covered in snow.

We took our dogs for a walk and the snow was piled higher than our 60 lb. dog!

We had a little time off too. It's the first time Chicago Public Schools has canceled since 1999. I took advantage of the time and worked on some new bears. I got one completed and one is on the way. I'm hoping to take some pictures this weekend and share!

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog!
Tyler