Theodore Society Blog

I don’t know how the time slips away, but with each passing year they seem to go faster and faster.  The year has hardly begun and yet it is nearing Valentine’s Day.  The only thing I have done right this year so far is put the correct year on all of my checks!

Unless of course you count purchasing teddy bears as a GOOD thing! I certainly do!  I spent last Saturday in a room full of beautiful bears and dreamy dolls, wishing I had about a half million dollars of that economic recovery money to spend!  By golly, I could have done some economy stimulating all by myself!  I’m telling you, Congress just needs to put that money in the hands of serious shopaholics like me and we would get things moving again in no time!  I know many are pinching pennies these days – but truthfully, if we do nothing but save money, businesses will continue to fall like dominos – we need to spend to get things healthy!  I can’t think of a better reason to buy a teddy bear and save an artist!

My bear budget is slim these days, but when you go to a show, it is just about impossible to walk out empty handed.  I was so happy to see old friends with new bear faces!  Jane Woodard of Heir Bears had the most wonderful koala made from a silver real fur, a gorgeous dark mink bunny with long floppy ears, and a curly lamb bear in a silvery gray.  Outstanding!  Near her was the Steiff North America display with the new floral embroidered bear, Violet – one that I may have to add to my collection!  A very interesting newcomer was Carol Thompson of Thymeless Treasures.  Her needle felted animals and mohair bears were amazing and so detailed.  Jane Monroe of C. Riffenberg bears had the most springlike pastel bears, custom dyed in sparse mohair and airbrushed details.  The pale yellow, ice blue and mint greens were so refreshing! Jared had some new cats on the table that I loved – but I am attracted to the off-beat at times!  They are almost cartoon like in the exaggerated features and silhouette.  I loved them and plan to order one!   I hope to add some pictures soon so you can see some of the bears at the show.

 I was also thrilled to see in person the new Theodore Society Bears by Jane and her talented prodigy, Jared.  They are just as terrific as they look in the newsletter!  I hope you will not wait too long to add one or both of these bears to your collection! 

Janet Wilson’s Fluffwees are always crowd pleasers, and the IDEX Show Specials were flying off her table.  Candy Pandy, a little red and white mohair Fluffwee, was the perfect Valentine bear, with her red and white gingham bows and silver heart pendant.  Sweet as candy!  I am such a sucker for lavendar bears because my bedroom is decorated in lilacs and pale green, and she had a tiny lavendar fluffwee that I knew I was going to have to kidnap.  Giggles fits in perfectly with the Plum Fairy Muffy on my bedside table, resting on top of a polar bear on all fours made of mouton lamb. 

Another highlight of the day was the retail room.  Although out of my budget, one vendor had a number of antique and vintage bears.  It’s a rare treat to see so many in one place and in such great condition! Then there was the Good Bears of the World auction.  Terrie Stong really is one of the best people I know, tireless and unflagging in her devotion to the cause.  Good Bears is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year!  They had a table of donated bears for sale and it was standing room only for the auction.  Spirited bidding brought some great prices for the organization, and many happy bidders came away with new “old” bears.  The Susan Quinlan Museum took home a number of items, and I am happy to say I adopted three myself.  It was only after I got them home that I discovered two of the bears were made by the same artist!  I hadn’t planned on buying three but you know how that goes….I couldn’t let the poor guys get left behind!  One of the bears I bought at the auction was made by an early bear artist, Saki Romerhaus.  I have seen her bears in old magazines but never in person, so I was thrilled to add one to my collection.  Although the early artist bears may not be as sophisticated as the bears made today, I think it is an important part of the history of the artist bear movement to recognize and pay tribute to the artists who made this an industry. 

The artists I spoke with said orders were good and they are encouraged about the year ahead.  In spite of their optimism, you could really see how the economy has impacted the industry – fewer handouts and goody bags, raffles and drawings, and many empty places in the room.  The quality of the product never flags though, and we all hope for nothing but better times ahead!

Next weekend I will be attending the IDEX show in Orlando Florida.  While the show is primarily a doll venue, there are a number of wonderful and talented Teddy Bear Artists and Manufacturers who will be in attendance.  There are a few extraordinary doll artists and designers who also work with bears – and why not?  It’s a natural marriage.  Little girls love their dolls and the dolls need friends, little girls also love teddy bears and their teddy bears need friends too – so dolls and teddies and little girls are as natural as breathing, and often the little girls grow up to be big collectors!

i am sure that when President Obama suggested in his inaugural speech that it was “time to put away childish things” he was NOT referring to dolls and bears!  And I really want to encourage everyone to do their best to support the industry at a time when many are unable to afford the necessities, let alone the frivolous!  This industry that we love so much will only survive if we do our part to support those who make and sell our beloved dolls and bears.  I think it is important to recognize beautifully made dolls and bears as sculpture, true works of art, that will live on past our time on earth and be cherished by generations to come.  The arts are an important part of our culture and history, and while I don’t expect to see Enesco asking for bail out money, I do believe we should not feel guilty about buying things that make us feel good, make us smile, and support the hard work of those who create them.

With that thought in mind, I will be taking a few hard earned dollars with me next weekend and expect I will find at least one sweet bear that needs a home with me.  Last year I was captivated by a a Bev White bear made to look like a strawberry – or is that strawbeary?  Her gold freckles and green felt leafy hat topped a smile that was only enhanced by the mohair strawberry dangling from the stem. 

 “

She sits near my computer and is an instant reminder of another fun weekend spent charmed by the amazing faces I saw.

You don’t have to be a doll collector to appreciate the work that goes into them, the haute couture fashions they sport, and the timeless appeal of classics like Raggedy Ann, Barbie, and the Madame Alexander dolls.  I wonder how many bear collectors also collect dolls?  I myself have around twenty dolls of various sizes and manufacturer and enjoy working them into my bear displays.  Rag dolls are especially fun paired with bears, is there anything cuter than a gruff teddy bear clutching a soft rag doll to his breast?  So when you attend shows with dolls, don’t be so quick to walk past them without a glance – you may find the perfect friend for a bear.

With that in mind – don’t overlook doll shows in your area!  Many doll shops also carry and sell teddies, and will pick them up at estate sales and auctions along with older dolls.  You may find a real bargain in an unexpected place.  You can look here for a listing of doll shows -

http://www.jonespublishing.com/jphome/jphome_calendar.asp

You never know what you will find tucked in amongst the dolls, and the hunt is a big part of the fun!

I’ll be back next week to report on my experiences at IDEX and will spend the rest of this week tapping my foot, waiting for the big day!

My feet are still recovering, but the rest of me is blissful after a weekend of treasure hunting!  Renningers has a huge flea market/antique market that is open every weekend, but three times a year they open the huge property to hundreds and hundreds of dealers who come in for a 3 day extravaganza of antiquing!  Usually the large old shade trees on the sprawling lot are a welcome relief but Friday rendered the shopping more than a tad in the chilly range for those in attendance!  Several enterprising dealers had boxes of gloves for sale on their tables and they I am sure sold more than a few!  While the rest of the country suffered from truly bone chilling temps, central Florida was colder than usual with a brisk fall like wind that got me out of my usual T-shirt and flip flops and into fleece and blue jeans and even gloves!  Brrrr!  Yes I know you feel sorry for me! 

But it was well worth braving the chill for the fun of seeing booth after booth of unusual and tempting wares.  While you might not think of antique fairs as good sources of bear hunting, think again!  Time and again I saw items that would be wonderful to use in bear displays, from old tin tops and toys, old wooden blocks, lace doilies and old suitcases, trunks and wagons, and many min chairs.  From wicker to wrought iron, in all shapes and sizes and colors, there were chairs, benches, and dining sets that were perfectly sized for bears,  Old china tea sets, wire rimmed eyeglasses, military hats and medals – just use your imagination!  Old pocket watches and costume jewelry, linens and furs – all make accents that will turn your bear displays into extraordinary displays!

It’s really important to take your time when searching.  Sometimes the best items are found in unexpected places.  I was looking at a large display of bears on shelves when I noticed a box behind the case.  There were a few bears scattered haphazardly face down in the box.  While looking them over, I thought I recognized a striped ribbon.  I reached into the box and pulled out a ten inch wool bear that I immediately recognized as an early Boyds wool bear named Matthew – quite rare and in wonderful condition, from 1985.  I paid the man at the booth a small fee for my treasure and skipped away doing the happy dance!

I saw but could not afford quite a few wonderful old Steiff bears – look for pictures in the June issue of Teddy Bear Review – in my Contemporary Corner column.  I saw monkeys, camels, Molly dogs, and a number of great bears.  I saw one old Ideal bear from the 1920′s, well loved and missing one eye, that I really coveted, but my budget just couldn’t stretch far enough.  Even when I can’t buy what I covet, it is truly a treat to be able to see so many old old teds. 

I came back a second day to cover more ground and discovered a Merrythought Cheeky bear dressed like a snowman – a roly poly with chime.  I squealed, the dealer offered, I cried, she came down, I hesitated – eventually we came to a meeting of the minds and Cheeky went into my backpack as my find of the day!

Sometimes a bear will turn up where you least expect it.  The last time I found an old rare Boyds wool bear, it was at a small doll show.  There were maybe 15 bears at the entire show – but one large mohair Hermann bear and the Boyds wool bear found new homes with me.  Be sure to check for doll shows in your area, as often you will find some bears tucked in amongst the dollies.  Here you can find a calendar of upcoming events – check out the doll shows in your area, you might be surprised at what you find!  Don’t forget doll shows are another source of items to use in displays and as accessories for your bears!  https://www.jonespublishing.com/jphome/jphome_calendar.asp

 While it is getting more and more difficult, you can still find treasures at thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets.  If you are on a budget but love to find new bears for your collection, don’t overlook the possibilities that exist in unexpected places.  Happy hunting!

Who really makes New Year’s Resolutions with the idea of keeping them?  Personally, instead of resolving to NOT do things, I resolve to DO things and make sure they are resolutions that make sense.

1.  I resolve to buy one or more teddy bears this year as part of my effort to stimulate the economy.

2.  I resolve to eat my weight in chocolate because after all, the chocolate makers of the world need to survive or we truly would all be insane.

3.  I resolve to do a better job of organizing and cataloguing my collection in 2009.

Okay that’s three – that’s enough for a start, don’t you think?  My January is jam packed with events that will help me with at least 2 of those resolutions.  Mid January is the January extravaganza at Renninger’s which is like a treasure hunt for collectors of all things.  I am taking a trip to Sarasota Florida to a store called Village Bears, villagebears.com.  There is nothing like a trip to a bear store for the first time – the anticipation, the decisions, the squeals of delight – I can’t wait! The last weekend in January is the IDEX show in Orlando, where doll and bear makers debut their new products for the first time.  I will have articles about all of these events in upcoming issues of Teddy Bear Review but will give you some sneak peeks!

I packed away the last of my Christmas decorations yesterday.  It’s so sad to put them away where they can’t be seen, I so enjoy my tree and decorations.  Every year I try to find a teddy themed ornament or decoration to add, like the teddy bear music box Hallmark ornament I bought after Christmas 2007.  This year I found a nice smaller teddy bear cookie cutter at the after Christmas sales and look forward to making cookies with it.

Once I packed away my Christmas bears, it was time to bring out my “winter” themed bears.  In Florida it is so hot that it just seems cruel to put out bears dressed in velvet and fur for long, so once February rolls around the winter bears go back into hibernation.  Rotating displays is fun, keeps your bears fresh, and makes you feel like you have shopped in your own home, when you see a group of bears that haven’t been displayed in months.  I keep my seasonal and holiday bears in rubber tubs with tight fitting lids lined with acid free tissue paper, and store them in a closet in my guest room.  My winter bears are dressed in navy blue velvet, blue and gray chunky knit sweaters and some white fur trim.  The centerpiece of my winter display is a gorgeous very big white plush bear that was on the cover of Teddy Bear Review in early 2008.  Sherry Shepardson, one of my favorite bear artists, made the bear that was featured on the cover, and gave the bear to me as a gift.  I was thrilled to pieces.  Snow King is surrounded by a variety of Boyds Bears and even a couple of Boyds penguins.  They will give me the feeling of a cold winter day until it is time to pack them away and get out the Valentine display!

A friend of mine sent me a picture today that made me laugh.  She didn’t want to put away her Christmas tree, so she decorated it with white lights and Valentine themed bears to make a Valentine’s tree.  I have seen heart garlands at stores like Joann Fabric, and you could easily carry out a theme of a tree decorated with hearts and bears for a unique treat.

If you would like to give a hint to your significant other for a special Valentine treat that doesn’t break the budget, get thee over to the Danbury Mint web site – www.DanburyMint.com.  They have some wonderful Valentine bears, including a Steiff plush bear and two extraordinary Boyds exclusives.

Hershey’s also has an exclusive Boyds bear that can be paired with a heart shaped basket or a personalized giant Hershey’s Kiss – see it here – http://www.hersheygifts.com/PersonalizedGifts/AllPersonalizedGifts/3289976.aspx 

The new Boyds Valentine collection can be seen here  – http://www.boydsstuff.com/browse_category.cfm?CC=B%5FPICKVAL  They have some wonderful new items in both plush and resin, to fit any budget.  There is nothing wrong with a little hint to help you get what you really want – your heart’s desire so to speak!

Speaking of hearts – some time back I posted a link to an eBay auction for a “Bearack Obama” bear by Mary Lou Foley.  Over the weeks of the election campaign, it became clear to all who watched that the relationship between President Elect Obama and his wife is heart felt and sincere.  Mary Lou has again crafted an amazing likeness of this couple, who will set an example for the entire nation of how a loving family looks and acts.  Check it out and let Mary Lou know how much you appreciate her artistry!  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290287618825&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019

Thank you for those who take the time to leave comments – I do see them even if you do not – and appreciate your time.  Hope 2009 holds much in store for you!

I just wanted to pop in and say I am taking a little time off to enjoy friends and family during the holidays – will be back soon with fresh thoughts and ideas!

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

While it may seem strange to have toads hopping around my feet while I am putting up Christmas decorations, I have to say I would rather climb the ladder in 60 degree temperatures than in the 30′s with ice and snow on the ground!  Draping lights on flowering bushes is a good example of “cognitive dissonance”.

This is the season of feel good stories on TV, that renew our spirit in our fellow man and make us all want to hug and pat each other.  I thought this might be a good time to share a story with you that renewed my faith in mankind in general, and endeared me to a number of bear collectors for all eternity.

About 6 years ago, someone shot one of our cats with a shotgun.  We never learned who did it or why.  It happened in February in Ohio, when there was snow on the ground and a yellow cat could not be confused for a squirrel or raccoon.  We found him huddled under our front porch decking and had to cut through the boards to reach down and rescue him.  We could tell he was hurt and in shock but had no idea what the examination would reveal.

I put Scotchy – short for Butterscotch – in the car and headed for the Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital, known for their emergency services and quality of care.  They took him right in and said they would need to X-ray him and I waited anxiously.  I was stunned when the tech came out to tell me he had been shot in the behind with a shotgun.  He had multiple pellet wounds, and one pellet had hit him in the thighbone, shattering it high on the hip.  The leg could not be saved and would have to be amputated.

While I waited, the news got worse.  There was urine leaking into his wounds and they had to catheterize him through his abdomen because of the extensive soft tissue injuries to his hiney.  They then did a contrast dye test to find out where the leak was – one place would mean no repair and euthanization, another could be fixed.  I was so grateful to learn it was in a place where it could be repaired – but at a cost.  They would have to remove his – well, his manly organ – and reconstruct a way for him to urinate.  They would have to wait to do this until some of the injuries from the blast healed.  They didn’t want to take the leg until they had that repair done successfully. 

At each step the cost was discussed and I spoke with my husband a number of times.  As the expenses grew I consulted with my regular vet – I didn’t want to put him through procedures if his chances of survival were slim.  The vet confirmed what the hospital told me – while grave injuries, they were all repairable, and while sad to lose a limb, most animals do just fine with 3 legs.  So we said go ahead and fix him and we will figure it out.

It would end up a $4,300. vet bill.  Scotchy was in intensive care for several weeks.  I visited him every day because he would only eat for me.  The hospital was great, and loved him – he never stopped purring, no matter what.  The local TV stations did stories on him.  I confided in my bear friends that I had no idea how we would pay the bill.

My bear collector buddies sprang into action.  They put their heads together and decided to hold a raffle.  They donated many wonderful bears and sold raffle tickets.  A Boyds retailer in Gahanna helped sell the tickets and distribute prizes.  The TV station mentioned the costs and strangers donated money for his medical bills, to us and directly to the hospital.  People heard about Scotchy and contacted me via the internet from all over the world – England, Africa, Australia.  It was astounding, the outpouring of rage over his injuries and the desire to help.  I thought most would think we were insane to spend that much money on a cat.  He was not a fancy show pet, and in fact, had been rescued from a dumpster where he had been tossed as a kitten – so he came to us already starting out life the hard way.

The raffle and donations came to about $2,000.  It blew me away.  My husband and I were simply floored by the generosity of friends and strangers alike.  I cried so many tears of joy, gratitude, and sorrow.  Finally he was able to come home.  He was missing a leg and about 2/3rds of his fur.  He had one of those clown collars around his neck.  The first thing he did was hop on a table and look out the window to the backyard.  He was home again, and wanted to get right back out there.

Years later, after much whining and crying, he was allowed to go outside again.  Now in Florida, he chases the lizards and frogs, and even climbs partway up the trees in our yard.  He is a happy, healthy, cat who moves faster than many of our other cats.  He has never looked back, never hesitated to try anything, and has taught me a lot about dealing with adversity.  I still have a big box full of the cards and letters that came to use after his ordeal.  They remind me of the power of prayer, the generosity of humanity, the amazing strength and comfort of dear friends, and the desire to do good in the face of evil.  While this could have been – and in some ways was – the most painful thing we have ever faced concerning a pet, it also became an experience I will always remember for the good it brought.

Ghandi said, “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”  I will always be grateful to those who treated our cat so well.  

The Saturday after Thanksgiving I went to Universal Studios in Orlando with family.  I am as bad as the little ones because I have to check out all of the souvenir stores – and they are everywhere!  I love to see the plush characters and interpretations of cartoon figures, along with the endless T-shirts, mugs, and hats.  My favorite selection of plush was at a store featuring endangered species; Aurora has created an large number of rare and unusual species in plush, including a lemur, skunk, hedgehog, and ferret.  There were quite a few plush snakes, and a huge colorful plush tree frog.  I really enjoyed looking at all of the different animals and imagine children’s eyes lighting up at the sight!

Later we had a meal at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Factory.  Being the plush junkie that I am, I had to buy one – yes, I have a plush shrimp.  A large pink plush jumbo shrimp – that is smiling and wearing a hoody.  What can I say?  I love plush!  You can see him here:  http://www.bubbagump.com/StoreBox/souvenirs/005189060050.htm

 Do you have plans for the weekend?  There are a few things going on from the west coast to the east – out west, is the Walk Through A Winter Wonderland Teddy Bear Show in Pleasanton California, Saturday December 6th from 10am to 3pm at the Pleasanton Hotel, 455 Main Street.

On Sunday, December 7th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the Orphans in the Attic show, from 10am to 3pm at Serb Hall located at 5101 W. Oklahoma Avenue.

On December 5th and 6th check out the Greater Washington, DC Black Memorabilia, Art & Doll Show & Sale, located at the Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington DC.

Going to shows is a great way to look for unique Christmas gifts – for yourself or someone else if you must share – take your spouse or significant other along and point out the ones you like best – who doesn’t need a good strong hint now and then?

Gift certificates to good bear stores is a great way to surprise your collector friends for Christmas - help them make the first payment on a special bear, or get one out of layaway!

By the way, If you haven’t heard, Boyds Bears are back on QVC.  The first show back was a reminder of the good old days of Boyds, with Mary Beth Rowe as host and Dave Miller of Boyds doing the honors. A number of items sold out very quickly. There are some terrific exclusives available on the QVC website, including an awesome polar bear on all fours, and a seated panda.  Jim Shore’s new plush Boyds bears are also available on QVC.com  Do a search for Boyds Bears and you can see the bears currently available.

The new issue of Teddy Bear Review is coming out very soon – I have a couple of articles in this issue and hope you enjoy them.  I interviewed a number of needle felting artists who work in miniature – wow, I still marvel at the detail they are able to create in teeny tiny animals by poking a needle into wool!  A Needle felting kit makes a wonderful gift for the crafty person; they can be found on eBay and on web sites, containing all you need to try your hand at this process.  Why not give it a whirl?

I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving, with plenty of food, conversation, football, family, and friends.  I know I will be saying thanks for the blessings in my life, and my readers are a big part of that.

There are times when I look around my house and think about how much money I have spent on my bears over the years and think -YIKES!  But then I consider the friends I have made, the memories created and shared, and the joy the bears have brought to my life, and I am thankful for that.

Soon I will be packing away my fall display of bears and unpacking the Christmas bears.  I love decorating for Christmas and always enjoy getting out my Christmas bears.  One thing about rotating seasonal displays is the joy of seeing old friends again.  It’s like shopping in my own closet!  I have a couple of smaller Christmas trees I use for displays, and a wooden Santa chair I love.  There are some lovely decorative boxes that make great bear props, as do decorated baskets and sleds or sleighs.  Holiday themed place mats and napkins are cute under bears sitting on table tops or shelves.  Wrap some very small boxes and decorate them with tiny bows to put in the paws of bears around the tree.  it’s not hard to find small red stockings and ornaments to use on a small tree, with the bears helping to decorate – create a sense of action and movement with your bear displays!

I have a few larger bears – 40 inches and up – and put Santa hats on them and sometimes Christmas pins or garlands as necklaces.  Reindeer antlers on wired headbands can change a bear into a Rudolph wannabe!  Buy some small inexpensive Christmas trees at a craft store and create a “Christmas Trees for Sale” lot with shoppers coming to find the perfect tree.  Do a “Night Before Christmas” display with a bear in a rocking chair reading to smaller bears, with a plate of cookies and glass of milk nearby.  WalMart, Big Lots, and other stores often carry “fake” food that is fairly realistic and sometimes brand themed, so you can look for things like that to add to your settings – I have bears at a picnic table filled with food from “McDonald’s” – fries, milkshakes, burgers, etc.  Tap the child inside when thinking of a Christmas display.

Many collectors do a tree with all teddy bear ornaments.  Boyds has done a spectacular assortment of plush and resin bear themed ornaments over the years and it would not be difficult to do an all Boyds tree.  Put larger bears on the floor around the base of the tree, or on the mantle – but be careful if you have a real working fireplace, do not expose your collectibles to smoke and soot from the fire – or get them close enough to melt the fibers!  I have seen some beautiful displays of bears around the fireplace, but remember to move them before using it or you will have a disaster on your hands!

Instead of Gingerbread cookies, make Teddy Bear cookies for Christmas – there are recipes for cookies that are made to be hung on the tree as ornaments instead of food – that coud be a fun project for the little ones!  Teddy Bears and Christmas just seem to go hand in hand, and if teddies could talk, we would hear some magical stories of happy surprises through the years.  Is there anything better than a little one cradling a new teddy in her arms?  Go low tech this year and help the younger ones rediscover the advantage of a friend that will always be there for them, will always listen to them, will always love them back.  Build a Bear this year has a fairly large selection of plush animals that are only ten dollars each, so are very affordable even on a tight budget.

But mostly this week, be thankful for the Teddy Bears and Teddy Bear Friends you have, and be sure to pass some hugs around.  Don’t eat too much – oh heck, just eat all you want – like a bear with a pot full of honey!  May your turkey be moist, your stuffing plentiful, and the pie pecan!

One of many things I enjoy about living in Florida is the winter weather – or lack of it – and how that creates a mecca of shopping all year round.  I live near a picturesque community called Mt. Dora, a small downtown filled with shops all within walking distance.  Just outside of Mt. Dora is a place called Renningers.  Their sprawling property houses a permanent flea market on one side and an antique mall on the other.  Every month there is an antique fair with more dealers than usual, and three times a year they have an “extravaganza” where over a thousand dealers cover acres and acres of land offering anything from stained glass windows to chainsaw carved bears, Victorian furniture and depression glass, vintage toys and postcards, and even – yes, it’s true – a chastity belt!

Jane Woodard of Heir Bears came up to attend the extravaganza with me, and it was a unique opportunity to watch a bear artist on the hunt.  Jane makes real fur bears, often with vintage accessories, and was eager to see what might turn up for her to use.  It was fun to watch her pore over tables of old jewelry, eyeglasses, military pins and medals, old military uniforms, vintage toys, and even a few fur coats.  I never really know what I am looking for, but I always know when I see it.  Unfortunately it sometimes happens that I see what I want a moment too late!  After spending 4 or 5 hours looking through the offerings on the first day, I finally saw “THE item” – a vintage mohair kitty, probably an old Knickerbocker.  Sadly, she was held in someone else’s arm while the lucky new owner paid for her.  I watched in horror as she disappeared in the crowd, knowing my luck had to improve.  Fortunately, the same seller mentioned she had some older bears, and I redeemed the day with the purchase of a 1950′s Steiff bear for under a hundred dollars! 

Jane had a spectacular couple of days shopping, taking home bags of treasures and oodles of inspiration!  One table yielded a length of vintage black velvet that may become bear clothes, or perhaps a fancy table drape for bear shows.  She found an old Navy beret and a sailor’s turned up hat, and a couple of very old child sized baseball caps that inspired her to hunt for an old ball glove to use with them.  An old child’s tin drum decorated with bears will become a bear stool and an old wooden train a bear’s toy.  Old gate keys make great accessories and were found often in a variety of sizes and styles.  A starched collar and a Civil War era bonnet delighted Jane and her eyes danced as she designed in her head the bears to go with them.

Look for the April issue of Teddy Bear Review for more on Jane’s finds and how they will be used, as I will have a story about her work as a real fur bear artist.

In the past I have come home with child sized wicker benches, wicker rocking chairs, large vintage baskets, and a variety of bears.  My last purchase of the weekend was a vinyl faced pouting bear made by Knickerbocker in the mid 1950′s, so the little cutie is as old as I am – and in much better shape!  Sometimes the shopping is as much fun as the buying – the same seller had a huge variety of vintage plush animals of all types, and a good group of vintage Steiff bears, including a large grizzly type bear on wheels that was in super condition – but way out of my price range!  I also fell in love with a 1920′s era Ideal bear and hope the same dealer brings that bear back in January for the next extravaganza.  That one will haunt me for passing him by!

Shoppers come from North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and more to shop these huge antique shows, and the crowds and shoppers with loaded arms helped to dispel the notion of a recession for a couple of days!  It was medicine for the soul.

til next time…

Michele wrote that she inherited a collection of bears that have been stored in the basement for a long time and have an odor.  She wanted some suggestions on cleaning and removing the odor. 

The first step is to examine the bears for mildew, mold, or rot.  Quite often those problems can not be resolved successfully and bears with mold or mildew should be separated from the other bears.

Then, start by airing them out.  If you can put them someplace where the air can circulate around them, especially outside if you have some sunny weather, that will help.
If they have been stored for a long time, they may have pests inside.  You can put them in a zip loc bag if they are small enough and place them in the freezer for 48 hours – that will kill any pests inside them.  If you have a chest freezer, that would work for larger bears – or if you are in cold weather, placing them in an unheated garage or porch in a large trash bag would help – at least 48 hours in very cold temperatures.
The next step would be to use the nozzle on your vacuum and a brush attachment if you have one to gently vacuum the bears to remove dust.
If they still smell, determine the material your bear is made from – synthetic or mohair.  Often manufactured bears will have tags with that information.  You can use a washcloth and gentle detergent to gently surface clean the bear, rinsing each area you wash with clean water on a clean washcloth – I use one washcloth for detergent and one to rinse.  Gently blot the bear and air dry – preferably on a rack or put in a mesh bag and hang so the air can circulate.
Mohair bears can also be surface cleaned by using mild detergent and water and whip up suds – then use only the suds, not water, to clean the bear.  Again use a clean damp washcloth to remove the suds, gently blot dry and air dry.
Very old bears should probably not be cleaned if you are unsure of their condition – sometimes the backing of the material is fragile and can’t stand up to cleaning.
Some more modern manufactured bears stuffed with poly fil can be washed in the washing machine on cold water and gentle cycle – only if the tag indicates the bear is washable.  Air dry – don’t put in dryer as it can damage the eyes – just air dry.
Sometimes you can put bears in a zip loc bag with a dryer sheet for a few days and that will help – or with some baking soda in a zip loc bag.

Febreeze can sometimes help, but sometimes leaves a residue on the plush, so I do not generally recommend it.

Have you started Christmas shopping yet?   I have seen so many cool toys that I wish I was a little child again – or at least had a child or grandchild to buy for – but since I don’t, I will content myself with pointing out some great choices for building future teddy bear collectors!    The most significant trend in plush toys today for children appears to be movement and sound.  Can’t afford a real pony?  The Fur Real Friends S’Mores Pony responds to your touch and voice with”realistic sounds and motion”.   The promotional material further explains “This adorable pony stands over three feet tall and really ‘comes alive’ as she moves and responds to your loving care! Touch or talk to your pony and her head moves! As you continue to interact with her, watch her ears wiggle and her eyes blink! Be sure to take extra-special care of your pony. ‘Feed’ her the carrot and groom her with her brush. Watch her swish her tail back and forth! She even whinnies and snorts and will sniff your hand! Sit on your pony for a pretend ride and she makes walking sounds!” 

There is also a Fur Real Friends dog named Biscuit.  He wags his tail, wiggles his ears, and responds to six different commands – and won’t chew your shoes or want to go outside at 3 AM in the snow!  There is a puppy who tumbles and rolls around like a real puppy would. 

Another interactive friend is the WowWee Alive Interactive Cub – there is a lion, a panda, a white tiger, and a polar bear in the series.  They will play and respond to how they are played with – just amazing technology!  From the company’s press release, “Responding to their owner’s affection via two touch sensors, the WowWee Alive Cub responses include yelps, growls and mews, moving lips and blinking eyes. Scratching or petting the cub’s head or back will trigger him to purr with delight. Tilt sensors also enable the cubs to react when they’re repeatedly turned over – and they may not always like it!”  You can watch a preview of them here:  http://www.wowweealivecubs.com/

Be careful or you will want one for yourself!

Have a great week!