Arrivals' Lounge

[All Bear]

In the absence of a formal forum on the main board for us to pop into on arrival, perhaps we could get together on this thread to welcome new arrivals and to introduce ourselves?

Okay, who's first??? :)

[Jenny]

Good idea Paula!!

I'd like to welcome any new arrivals to Teddy Bear Fair. I think it has the potential to be a great asset to the bear-making community and I hope lots more people sign up.

Anyway..I am fairly new here myself but I have really only been making and designing bears (and other 'friends') since 2002, so I am a relative newby there as well ..compared to some . I am only a part time maker though as I have a hairdressing business which I have had for 10 years but started that craft in 1973. I have two grown up children..a son and a daughter both of whom have presented me with little grand-daughters, the youngest, Rosie is one year old on Tuesday, the other , Elizabeth, is 18 months.

I live in Coventry with my husband Steve who traipses happily to bear fairs with me ( he loves it really!!) and lugs all the stuff and fetches coffees and reads the paper behind the stand all day!!!! I live next door to my sister who is a district nurse and she , in turn lives next door to my mother who does all my cutting out for me.

I already know quite a few TBF members but it would be lovely to get to know others!

[Anji55]

oh Rats! :mad: I just did an intro, but then lost it....I'm not very au fait with the format thing..:o
I'm in Stockport, make bears (small ones) for a hobby at the moment, and try to keep 4 kids happy!

I'll do a better intro later, but just want to say Hi, and I hope to get to grips with the format later!
Hugs
Anji :cool:

[All Bear]

Hello!

Only me!!

What can I tell you? Um ...

Weeelllll, for starters the name is Paula Carter. I'm a full time bear designer and have been for what feels like a very long time! I think I designed my first bear about twelve years ago, so it's quite possible you may have bumped into me either online, or at a show.

Personal stats are that I am 43 and would recommend life on the other side of the hill. ;) I have two kids, not so kid like any more though as one is 23 and the other 21. In a past life I was a personal assistant and a teaching assistant, these days I much prefer being my own boss and would probably be unemployable because I'm not good at doing as I'm told!

Oh, before I forget, I'm also responsible for British Bears on the Net ... it's an online chat group designed to offer support and friendship because let's face it, it's not always possible to connect with people locally to share an interest in teddy bears!

Anyway, that's me in a nutshell. :rolleyes:

[Eric-Claude]

Hello Anji and welcome to the forum :)

If we have to make an introduction so here is mine ... :

I am Claude-Eric or Eric-Claude but friend call me Eric. English friend call me EWIC lol I don't mind.

I am 35, I live in the South of France near a town called Nîmes. I have got 3 "women" in my life .... Wife, Katia, and 2 daughters Laura and Marine (12 and 10 years old). Thank you for understanding lol

I am not a teddybear maker at all, I adore any teddy bear even if those made by manufacturer as Russ, Me to You, Heartfilet, etc.. are not my cup of tea. I am rather into teddy bears that are collectible instead of the ones from massive production.

I run a toy museum and another called 1900's Museum. I love any antique toys with a special side for Teddy Bears particularly the french ones. I could collect English and German teddy bears as well, but I prefer to be into 1 thing very well instead of into all and nothing.

I have got some lovely teddy bears made by artist, European ones. They are not displayed in my museum, they are at home and some are in my shop too.

I can't say there are lot of people around me to share my passion for teddy bear, I am sure some of you know what I mean.

Through the screen of my computer, I have made lot of contact with this world of teddy bear, first, they have been like "a friendly aquaintance" then they become friend and in case they need any help I always will be ready to make something the best I can.

In the teddy bear scene, I like to think there is not any de-anthology code, and things still are made by heart. (we all can dream, can't we lol).

French Hugs :D

ERIC

[Judi Russell]

Hello everyone and welcome to Teddy Bear Fair, it really has got off to a good start and I have enjoyed meeting everyone on-line. So my profile;
Chris and I took over Christie Bears nearly 5 years ago. When we moved back to South Wales we were only going to stay for the summer, then on moving in day, Chris fell out of a tree and broke his back. :eek: (dont ask)! This meant that we had to stay on here and we came upon the business for sale, the rest as they say is history. We are really enjoying building it up and expanding the product range and now designing our own mohair colours and finishes, Teddy Bear Fair is the latest project.
We have three children or adults now, who live in different parts of the country, one in Rugby near you Jenny. One in Horsham near Andy West and our son in Oxford, what bear makers live there. Rob is getting married in September next year so great excitement for us, maybe we will finally get some grandchilden! :rolleyes:
Apart from the business, the bears and the computer (when I can work it) I am occupied with my garden, Phoebe my 8 year old Wiemarana and riding whenever time and weather permits.
A big welcome to all newcomers, dont be shy just add your name to the list. All of the artists and makers have been so generous with their tips and advice I am sure that the forum is going to be a great success. Judi :)

[shelly]

Hi,
thought I would add to this thread, I have mentioned a bit about myself in another thread, any way . My name is Shelly I live in Lancashire with my husband , 2 boys, 2 Persian cats, 2 guinea pigs and a rabbit.
I used to be a fashion designer a long time ago now before I gave it up .
I help out part time on reception in my husbands business, but my main hobbies are DIY, sewing and collecting rabbits and being mum. I love all that painting, joinery etc. We have spent the last 6 years doing up our old house and now I have a bit more spare time I am putting it to use doing what I 've always wanted to do , making rabbits !
I love rabbits, I love teddies too, but I love rabbits more . Unfortunately they don't have sites like this for rabbit makers so I've hijacked this one , hope you don't mind ? I am just starting out but I'm really enjoying it . This site has been so useful and everyone is very generous . Long may it continue !
I like to collect antique flat rabbits by english makers so if you come across any let me know! Shelly;)

[All Bear]

Hi Shelly, nice to meet you! I'm curious, what's a 'flat rabbit?' (I'm trying hard here not to picture the obvious motorway image!) Any chance of a pic?:6086:

[shelly]

D :D :D :D :D :D :D D

LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll see what I can do ! But I promise I don't have a hobby collecting those unfortunate run over bunnies !!

:D Shelly :D

[shelly]

51
Paula,
I think this photo has worked , my goodness!
This is what I mean by a flat rabbit, no joints, with long legs and arms.These are Farnell, Chiltern, Chad valley and Merrythought.
Very sad isn't it, but I love them.
Shelly:6086:

[All Bear]

Thanks for the pic Shelly, now I understand! They remind me of my childhood ... what a lovely collection you have! That's given me an idea .. we need a collection thread!

*Nips down corridor and hammers on 'general discussion' door* :D