New Teddy Bears!

Hello Everyone!
I've been a busy guy lately.  I am a teacher and I was moved into a 3rd grade classroom in January to help the students in math, so there has been a lot of extra work going into planning and preparation for that.  I also teach Zumba several days per week, and then I work on the teddy bears!  All of this has left me with no time to blog... until now!  I wanted to share a few things with you.

I went to the Philadelphia Doll & Teddy Bear show last weekend and had a wonderful time.  This was my 3rd year going and it is like a huge family reunion with teddy bears.  There's so much that goes on and I get to see people that I don't get to see too often.  I had a wonderful show and many of my pieces found new homes!

This weekend, I'm participating in the Spring Stars online teddy bear show.  The show is currently open and will remain open until Monday night at 7pm EDT.  You can click here to get to the main show page.  Pictured below are some of my pieces that are available.

Look for more updates coming soon!

Kenai

 Xiang

Will

Hugs,
TCD

Two Chances to See Teds 'n Such!

This weekend I'm doing double-duty and will be participating in both an online show and an in-person show.  

First, I will be participating in the Bright Star Promotions Holiday Stars online teddy bear show, which opens Friday morning at 11am EST.  The preview for the show is now live and you can see my bear Kris (below) along with all of the other artists' wonderful preview pieces now before the show opens on Friday.  I'm very excited because I have 5 brand new, never-before-seen pieces available on this show.  Click here:  http://www.bright-star-promotions.com/OnlineShow/BrightStarPromotionsHolidayTeddyBearShowOnline.htm to get to the show page.

Second, I will be off to Hunt Valley for the Christmas Holiday Teddy Bear Show and Sale.  This will be taking place on Sunday, November 10 from 10am - 3:30pm at the Embassy Suites Baltimore North, 213 International Circle in Hunt Valley, MD.  I will have some of the bears there that are available in the online show, along with other new pieces that I'm reserving just for Hunt Valley, including some brand new Christmas ornaments.  You can click on the link below for more information and see who else is going to be there!  http://www.teddybearsonvacation.com/huntvalley2013-1.html

Hugs,

TCD

Updates!

Hello everyone!
I've been absent for quite a while, so I have so much to tell you.  First, I attended the Kansas City Jubilee at the end of September.  I had a wonderful time, a great show, and two of my pieces received second place ribbons in the artist competition.  One of them is my piece: Nerissa trainer of sea dragons (pictured below).

I am also happy to announce that I have been featured in the latest issue of Teddy Bear & Friends, my first major solo feature in an American print magazine!  I'm so excited!  The issue was released on Wednesday in digital form and I received my print copy in the mail yesterday.  Please check it out!  There is also a wonderful article about Martha Burch and her amazing bears in the same issue.

Finally, I have updated my website with some of my newest pieces, including Nerissa (above) and Eloise (below).  Check out all of the new pieces at: http://www.tedsnsuch.com.

Hugs,
TCD

Online Show Opens July 12th!

I am participating in an online show with Bear Hugs 4 U!  The theme of this show is Christmas in July.  The show opens at 10:00am EDT on Friday, July 12 and runs through 8:00pm on Sunday, July 14th.

You can currently see all of the preview bears from all 50 participating artists at http://www.bearhugs4u.com and you can return to that page when the show opens to see all of the fabulous pieces!

I have 8 of my newest pieces on my individual page that are ready to find homes.  I hope you can take some time to check them out!

Christmas in July Show: Tinker!

I would like to introduce to you my preview bear for the Christmas in July Bear Hugs 4 U online teddy bear show!  This is Tinker and he will be available along with several other new bears that I've been working on from July 12 - 14.  Click here to see all of the preview bears and be ready for the show on the 12th!

Christmas in July Show

Hello Everyone!
I will be participating in the Bear Hugs 4 U online teddy bear show running from July 12th - 14th.  Click on the banner below to see some of the preview bears that are going to be available at the show and later this week I'll post one of the bears that I've made exclusively for this show!

Philadelphia - In Review

Hello!
I usually post before I head off to a show, but I've been so busy lately that I've barely had time to get on the computer and do anything -- and that's saying something because I'm a technology teacher and I'm surrounded by it on a daily basis!

Anyway, I traveled to Philadelphia, PA this weekend for the 3rd Annual Artist Doll & Teddy Bear Show.  This was my second time attending this convention and it was just fantastic!  It is nice to be able to see old friends and connect with people over the weekend.  There were so many educational opportunities through paid workshops on Thursday and free talks/demonstrations on Friday.  We also had the show & sale on Friday night and all day today (Saturday).

On Friday, I gave a presentation.  This was my first time ever presenting to the teddy bear community.  I gave a 45-minute talk and presentation on dyeing mohair and alpaca fabrics.  I discussed the techniques and tools I use for dyeing the fur that I use in my bears and for the furs that I bring to the shows and sell.  Then I gave a live demonstration on how you can use earth palette dyes and paint the dyes directly on the fur.  Here is a shot of me working on the dyeing taken by Cindy McGuire!

I also wanted to share with you a couple shots of my table.  I am happy that several of my teddy bears and an elephant found new homes while we were here!

I just had a great time.  I'm exhausted, but so happy that I was able to come and I can't wait until next year!

Hugs,
TCD

Online Shows!

The preview period is now active for the Teddies Worldwide show occurring on March 22nd - 24th.  Below is my preview bear Carson!  This is the first time anyone is seeing this little guy.  Please go check out the preview page.  You can vote for your favorite pieces during the preview period.  Go to www.teddiesworldwide.com to see all of the participating artists and their preview bears!

I'm also participating in the online Bear Hugs 4 U online show.  It opened this morning and will remain open until Sunday evening.  Check it out now at www.bearhugs4u.com.  I posted 7 pieces for this show and some have already found new homes, but I still have a few left.

Hugs,
TCD

Bear Hugs 4 U

Show opens tomorrow morning at 10:00AM!  See post below for link!

Bear Hugs 4 U Show

In just one week the Bear Hugs 4 U online show will be going on!  I wanted to share with you my preview piece and let you know what I've been working on!

Here is my preview bear Miles:

He is going to be available along with several other new pieces starting next Friday, March 8th and going through Sunday, March 10th.  Visit www.bearhugs4u.com for more details!

I cannot share with you the pictures of any of my other pieces, but I can let you know that Miles has a smaller sister made out of a pink and purple mohair and I also have a traditional-style teddy that is made out of a purple mohair with black tips.

Hugs!
TCD

Upcoming Shows!

Hello!
I am busy sewing away on new pieces for two online shows that I am participating in during the month of March.  They will be my first shows of 2013 and I'm trying to make some special new things for you all.  The work is coming along slowly, as I'm balancing teddy bears with teaching elementary students and instructing at 5 Zumba classes each week.  I hope to share with you soon my preview bears for these shows!

Happy New Year!

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to a brand new year!  As always, I've been busy with school for the past couple months and busy with the holidays, but now it's time for me to get back to work and make some new creations.  I have finished my first piece of 2013.  His name is Midnight and he is a baby owl that measures at just 5" tall.  Check him out, along with some other special pieces at a special online offering that I have up now through Sunday!

See the show: http://tnsshow.blogspot.com

Hugs,
TCD

Online Show: Bear Hugs 4 U

Hello!
I am excited to announce that I am joining a wonderful group of artists to participate in the Bear Hugs 4 U online teddy bear show starting this Friday at 10:00 AM (eastern time).  Go to http://www.bearhugs4u.com/ to see all of the excellent talent now and join us all on Friday for the opening of the show!

I am going to have several new bears in this show that I'm excited to share with you!  As a preview, here is my new Halloween panda, Ha-Lo, who will be available starting Friday at the online show!

Hugs,
TCD

Exciting News

Hello!

I have a couple of exciting announcements from the past week!  First, is that I have been featured in the UK magazine Teddy Bear Times with a 3 page article on my teddy bears!  Go to their website at http://www.teddybeartimes.com/ to check it out, see how to get the magazine, and see the 3rd page.  (They have options like getting the traditional print magazine and you can also get the magazine in digital form.)

The second announcement is that I traveled to the Kansas City Teddy Bear Jubilee this weekend and as part of the show they hold a teddy bear competition.  I entered my teacher bear, I have dubbed Mrs. Baker, into the over 6" dressed category and I've been honored with second place in the category!

I'm now going to be working on a couple of new designs which I will share as soon as they're ready!

Hugs,
TCD

Ummm... Hello?

...Hello?  Is anybody out there?  I hope you haven't given up on me since it's been almost a whole month since my last post.  (Literally.  I am only one day away from it being a month since my last blog post.)

So much has happened since my last post!  I started my new teaching position! (YAY!) I'm working at a fabulous new school as a 1st - 8th grade Technology teacher.  I have my own computer lab and each class comes to see me once per week for a 60 min technology class! :)

However... after being in school for one week, the Chicago Teacher's Union went on strike (you probably heard that on the news) and we were picketing and marching for 7 school days.  We did finally get back to work this past Wednesday!

In the midst of all of this back to school excitement, I've been working on several new pieces.  I have two new bears (both incorporating the color orange... I must be in the mood for fall), a new bunny (see previous post), a new koala, and a pair of circus elephants...

Circus elephants!?  You read that correctly.  I have a pair of circus elephants made with two different kinds of unique colored mohair.  They each have a ball that they "balance" on the tips of their trunks and they have a hand-made red tutu that they wear.  Since they deal with the circus, I named them Barnum & Bailey.  Below you can see Barnum.  She is going to be up for auction this weekend (Friday, September 28th) at Good Bears of the World's Kansas City Jubilee.  I am going to be there on Saturday, September 29th with her sister Bailey and 21+ other creations for the show!  Hope to see you there!  I'll make another post a little later in the week with a sneak preview of the other pieces that I'll be taking.

Hugs,
TCD

Website Update

It's been a L-O-N-G time since the pieces on my website have been up to date, but I spent some time today taking photos and updating my site.  It now shows a lot of my new teddy bears and other pieces including this brand new bunny which I finished this morning. 

This is my brand new bunny named Norman.  Norman is an 8.5" bunny made out of a unique black silky viscose with a white tipping pattern.  He has hand-painted silver eyes with green glitter accents.  He has white ultrasuede eyelids, inner ears, and feet.  His nose with hand-stitched out of a black perle cotton and he has perle cotton whiskers.  He is fully jointed and stuffed with a mixture of polyester fiber and steel shot.  Norman is capable of standing on his own.  He is currently available for $120.

Please visit my newly updated website:  http://www.tedsnsuch.com

Thanks!
TCD

Off to TBAI!

Hello!
I have been quiet for a while for a couple reasons:  1) I just went out town for a week to Orlando, FL for the annual Zumba Instructor Convention (which was amazing by the way) and 2) I've been sewing my fingers off (figuratively) and haven't spent much time on the computer!  I wanted to let you all know that I am heading off to TBAI this weekend.  This is a fabulous show and it's my third year attending it.  I'm so excited to see everyone and attend all of the fun events!  The actual show that is open to the public is on Saturday, August 18th.  Please visit www.tbai.org to learn more about the show.

Each year, the artists create one of a kind pieces to be sold exclusively at the show and to benefit the Ross Park Zoo.  This year's theme is 'Any Occasion Will Do!'  My special piece is titled 'Teacher Appreciation Day.'  I have created a female teacher bear with a little boy student bear.  Check it out below and please share what you think!  (Please forgive the quality of the photo.  I took this shot at night in my studio with little light.)

As I said earlier, I have been sewing my fingers off.  I have created many new designs including a new bird, bunny, and several new bears.  I'm excited to present these new pieces and I hope to see you this weekend!

Hugs,
TCD

P.S. If you make teddy bears, I will also be bringing a large selection of my hand-dyed mohair and alpaca to the show.  Each piece is carefully dyed in unique colors and patterns.  I believe I have 17 different pieces to choose from.

A little girl

Hello!
For those of you that know me pretty well, you know that I never, ever make girl bears.  It has nothing to do with me not wanting to make females, it just happens that whenever I try to make a girl bear it looks more like a boy in a dress.  I've played with different designs and made several attempts over the years, but I think I've finally done it.  Today, I am introducing to you all my first little girl bear!  Please meet Anna.  Anna is a 14.5" bear made out of an ivory mohair with a dusty pink backing.  She has black glass eyes with ultrasuede eyelids and eyelashes.  Her nose is hand-stitched using brown perle cotton.  She has a light pink ultrasuede used on her foot pads.  Anna is fully jointed and stuffed with a mixture of polyester fiber and steel shot for weight.  She was made using a bent arm and bent leg design which allows her to cross her legs or to sit on an edge (such as a shelf).  Her little white dress has a pink ribbon and bow with a vintage green button in the front.  She is currently available for $160.  I will be bringing her along with all of my new creations (many of which I'm hiding until the show) to TBAI on August 16th - 18th.  For more on the show visit www.tbai.org.

 

Please let me know what you think of Anna in the comment section!

Hugs,
TCD

New work out of the studio!

Hello everyone!
I have been feverishly working on some new creations in preparation for TBAI.  I still have about 3 1/2 weeks before the show, but I'm going to be off to Florida for one of those weeks, so I'm trying to get as much done now before I head off on my trip.  Today, I want to show you two of my newest creations.

First up is Sho Pan II.  The original Sho Pan was included in a special Christmas Story book many years ago and a collector of mine found the book and decided she had to have one like him.  So, I searched for the materials and pulled his pattern out of retirement for this special piece, with some new updates.  Let me know what you think!

The second piece is a new bear that I made out of a wonderful new mohair that I hand-dyed and fell in love with.  For those of you that don't know, I do a lot of hand-dyeing of mohair and alpaca and like to take them to shows to offer to other artists, but with this piece I just couldn't bear to part with it.  So, I made this guy, Ronan.  Ronan is a 12" teddy bear made out of a hand dyed mohair that is silvery grey and hunter green marbled with a brown backing.  He has black glass eyes, brown ultrasuede pads, and a hand-stitched nose made out of a medium brown perle cotton.  He is fully jointed with disk/cotterpin joings and he is firmly stuffed with a mixture of polyester fiber and steel shot.  Ronan is currently available for $115.

I hope you enjoy these new creations!
TCD

New Dragon! And Show This Weekend!

Hello!
I have been silently working on some new pieces because I have a show this weekend.  I'll give you some more information on that at the end of the post.  First, I would like to share with you my newest dragon.  This piece has been on my to-do list for many months.  I bought this fabulous synthetic a while back and just knew it had to be a dragon, but still I was hesitant to make it happen.  This week I finally got it together and made him!  This guy's name is Falkor. (This is the name of the dragon from The Neverending Story, though they bear no resemblance.)  He is made out of a wonderful yellow synthetic plush with red tips that's been shaved to look like scales.  He has big black glass eyes with orange ultrasuede eyelids, belly, tail, feet, and spikes.  His feet were soft-sculpted to give him toes.  He is stuffed with polyester fiber and a little steel shot in his tummy for weight.  Falkor is fully jointed for pose-ability.  He has hand-made wings using green wire and yellow film.  Please leave me a comment to let me know what you think!

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 This weekend I will be off to Columbus, OH for a show that I've been doing for a very long time! The show has had to change locations due to the old hotel being torn down, but the show continues on and there will be several artists with fabulous pieces there!  The show is this Sunday, July 22nd at the Ramada Plaza Hotel from 10am - 3pm.  I will have Falkor there with me at the show along with several other new pieces yet to be shown on my blog!  I hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE for more information on the show and to see the list of artists attending!

Hugs,
TCD