Ten years on

On the 26th March 2007, I wrote my first blog post ...


Are you sitting comfortably?

"Then I'll begin ... although, to be honest, I'm not quite sure where to start! So, how would you feel if I just let my fingers do the walking and we'll see where they take us?

Do you like the teddy bear? That's a relief! She's my latest creation. Yes, I'm a teddy bear designer, does that surprise you? If you recognised the quote by AA Milne, probably not. My guess is there may be an elderly bear sitting quietly on your pillow, or a little more discreetly at the foot of your bed. You've had him for years and years, he's a wee bit threadbare these days, maybe missing an ear, or an eye, but there's something about him, something very special ..."

Back then I had no idea I would still be writing here ten years later. In fact I didn't begin my blog with a plan at all - I had a loose idea I wanted to share my bears through my writing, but beyond that, I simply followed my heart and allowed my fingers to do the talking.  

Besides making teddy bears, so much has happened during my ten years here as a 'blogger' and my quiet corner of the World Wide Web has generously provided unending blank 'pages' for me to share my thoughts. This blog has witnessed happiness and heartbreak, success and occasionally failure. It has flowed along my life's tributaries, gently carrying me through some of the most challenging times in my life and I have both laughed and cried as the words left my fingertips.

My blog has been and always will be, written from the heart about the things that matter to me both as a teddy bear designer, but also just as me.  Ten years on and I still have no clear idea of where my blog is heading, but I've no doubt my fingers will continue to do the walking!

:-)

Half a million!

I have just noticed the number on the counter at the bottom of my blog and it says more than half a million visitors have popped in since I first starting scribbling ... goodness me, that's a very big number!

Thank you so much for taking time to read my posts and 'listen' to my ramblings, I really do appreciate you stopping by to share a little of my world.  Besides taking a look at my latest teddy bears, I hope you have found something to make you smile, or capture your interest, or perhaps a little something that has given you food for thought ...

Whether you are a regular visitor, or have just popped in for the first time, please leave a comment, I always love to hear from you!

:-)

In the Spotlight

As I was updating the Guild of Master Bearcrafters' blog earlier this week (www.masterbearcrafters.blogspot.co.uk) it dawned on me that in my eagerness to showcase Guild members' talents, I hadn't actually added my own 'member profile' since I first started writing the Guild blog!  I found myself scratching my head and frowning as I pondered  my long bear making career, but eventually, did manage to make sense of it all!

So, if you have ever wondered why I have continued to design and make teddy bears for two long decades, I hope this blog post answers your question ...

A word from PAULA CARTER
creator of
'ALL BEAR BY PAULA
Bearcrafter since 1995

UNITED KINGDOM

Paula Carter

My bear making career evolved from a love of vintage English teddy bears since I was a little girl, particularly the wonderful Hugmee bears created by the Chiltern Hygenic Toy Company between 1908 and 1967.  I have a small collection of these dignified teddy bears and even now they never fail to inspire my creativity.

Some of my Chiltern Hugmee teddies:  C1930's to 50's

It hardly seems possible it has been twenty years since I designed my first teddy bear; the time has flown by!  Since then I have become immersed in the world of teddy bear artistry and am passionate about helping to steer our beloved teddy safely into his future.

Benjamin

It is never easy to describe one's own work, but if pushed to do so, I think I would say I tend to create in a fairly traditional vein.  Now and again I veer gently towards contemporary with my laughing bears, but mostly my bears hark back towards those gentle Chiltern Hugmee teddies, with their solid proportions and no nonsense charm.

Felicity

For me, a teddy bear should spark a sense of nostalgia and security in his owner, he must be soulful, comforting and honest in his design. My creations honour the teddy bears of my childhood and are protective of his heritage.

Beau was a 2015 Excellence in Bear Artistry award winner

I have been fortunate enough to achieve a collection of international teddy bear crafting and design awards throughout the past two decades and have had my work published many times in specialist publications around the world.  It is of course, always lovely to receive such accolades, but the very best rewards are the smiles and kind words I receive from collectors when they adopt one of my bears ... those smiles are at the heart of my bear making.

A trio of my careworn style teds

As part of my commitment to the future of the teddy bear, I established 'The Guild of Master Bearcrafters' back in 2009.  At the time I had a vague concept of providing a forum which could unite teddy bear makers from around the world, but had no idea it would quickly grow to almost eight hundred international bear crafting members.  I am immensely proud of our members' dedication to creating bears of outstanding creativity and am certain that in their safe hands, the beloved teddy bear will be ensured of a long and happy future.

With hugs and smiles,

Paula xxx

To discover more about Paula's work, please visit her website and blog:

www.allbearbypaula.com

www.allbear.blogspot.com

I'd love you to spare a few moments to visit The Guild of Master Bearcrafters' Blog.  I began writing it back in 2013 to showcase incredible bear crafting talent from Guild members.  As you will see, outstanding artist bears are being created all around the world!

www.masterbearcrafters.blogspot.co.uk

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Creative Clutter Clean Up

After seven years of waffling in the form of 857 posts relating to my life, the universe and almost everything in between, not mention over 331,000 'visitor hits', I think this blog earned the right to a smart new makeover for 2014, don't you agree?!

Since I wrote that first post all those years ago, my blog has accumulated so many links, photographs and heaven only knows what else, I grudgingly confess it has become rather overly cluttered, so earlier today I decided to make a determined attempt at sweeping clean with as much minimalist style as I am ever likely to achieve.  

The trouble is, when every photograph is a precious memory and every widget a link to creative impulse, it's really not easy to clear my blogging deck absolutely, so rather than a completely clean slate before bedtime, I have instead achieved what I hope will be a tidier, fresher, slightly smarter corner of the World Wide Web, in which to host my waffle.

I hope those of you who regularly pop in will find this somewhat more contemporary blogging outpost every bit as comfortable as the old one - but hopefully a little better organised.

Before I sign off and head up the wooden hill to bed, I want to say a very special thank you to those of you who have been reading my blog since that fateful day in 2007 ... you know who you are and I hope by now you also know how important your support continues to be to my inner writer.

With warmest hugs and eternal gratitude from,

Your De-Cluttered Blogger xxx

My first ever blog post (March 2007) can be read by clicking the link below: 

http://allbear.blogspot.co.uk/2007/03/are-you-sitting-comfortably.html

Polly's Progress

As blogging is one of my favourite things to do and as Polly's updates on my 'Bearing All' blog have started to dominate the content, I have decided to write a brand new blog, especially for Polly!  This way, not only do I get to share more of her photos and exploits, I can also chart our achievements and frustrations, which as time goes by should hopefully help me with Polly's training.  

So, if you have enjoyed my Polly posts and would like to follow her progress, please bookmark our new blog 'Polly's Progress' ... we hope you enjoy the read!

http://www.pollyandpaula.blogspot.co.uk/

How many?!!!!

Wow, I have just noticed my blog has recently racked

 up over quarter of a million hits!!!!

Writing my blog helps keep me sane, so huge thanks

to you all for visiting regularly to read my 

ramblings ... 

I can't tell you how delighted I am!!!

76,293

76,293

To be honest 76,293 visitors seems a staggering number of visitors to my quiet corner of Blog Land.  I had  absolutely no idea my new counter gizmo would reveal so many 'Bearing All' readers!

So, to those of you who have visited and discovered a snippet or two of interest, I thank you  for sharing your time and hope you will return again very soon.  To those of you who visit but leave empty handed and perhaps a little disappointed, I thank you for calling in and wish you better luck as you flutter past to blogs anew!

Desertmountain Bear Blog Giveaway!

By the way, before I sign off for the weekend, did you know Joanne Livingston, a member of the Guild of Master Bearcrafters, is hosting a blog giveaway?  Her beautiful bear 'Ruth' simply oozes nostalgia and is such a generous prize! 

If you would like to join in the fun, please visit Joanne's blog to find out all the details:

http://desertmountainbear.blogspot.com/2010/04/bear-give-away.html

Welcome to the weekend everyone!

Makes My Heart Smile Award for 'Bearing All!'

What a lovely compliment! Thank you Elanor of Shantock Bears and Lyn of Brimbin Forest Bears for awarding the 'Makes my heart smile' blog award to 'Bearing All' - I am touched by your kindness and delighted you enjoy sharing my blog!

'Makes my Heart Smile' blog award

And now it's my turn to pass on this lovely award to ten of my favourite blogs; gosh, it's hard to choose! The following blogs always make me smile, so I hope you enjoy them too!

http://www.insidemystudio.blogspot.com/
http://www.flutter-by-bearsandfriends.blogspot.com/
http://www.louisepeers.blogspot.com/
http://www.whendisbears.blogspot.com/
http://bensonbears.blogspot.com/
http://wildthymeoriginals.wordpress.com/
http://www.bumpkinbears.blogspot.com/
http://the-white-bench.blogspot.com/
http://jarehares.blogspot.com/
http://bearbits.blogspot.com/

Don't forget to visit Elanor's lovely chatty blog pop too!
http://shantockbears.blogspot.com

And to catch up with Lyn in wonderful Brimbin Forest, please fly over to: http://www.brimbinforestbears.blogspot.com/

You say the nicest things!

Ruth, Amanda, Ellen, Lyn and Sue, shame on you, you've made me blush! Thank you for your kindness in awarding the 'Proximidade' blog award to me; it is lovely to be thought of by my fellow bear artists with such generous spirit.

The 'Proximidade' Award

 

The creators of this award say the following:

"The blogs who receive this award are exceedingly charming. This blog invests in proximity in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandisement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these awards are cut, even more friendships will be propagated. Please give your kind attention to these writers!"
High praise indeed! As I understand it, my duty as recipient of this award is to ensure it's safe delivery to eight further bloggers who should then choose eight recipients of their own. We must all include the text "I'm feeling very honoured to have been chosen," which of course, we are! So, without further ado, these are the eight blog writers I would like to pass on the award to, in the spirit in which it was intended. Please pay them all a friendly visit!

Firstly, right back at ya Amanda! I know you've already received this award, but I'd very much like to endorse it for the kindness you have shown me recently and also for the help you have offered to 100 Best Bear Blog Artists:
http://pandypotter.blogspot.com/

Oh dear, my next choice has already been honoured too! Ah well, I'll name her anyway ... Ellen, this is for the work you did for the bear artist community with your special 'Christmas Parade': http://ellen-borggreve-design.typepad.com/

This lovely lady doesn't update her blog often, but behind the scenes, she works tirelessly to help bear artists both in the UK and overseas. Jane, we all thank you for your friendship and commitment: http://doodlebears-and-friends.blogspot.com/

Laura Lyn should also be presented with this award for the friendship, charm and assistance she so generously extends: http://teddiesbylauralynn.blogspot.com/

Am I allowed to share this with my sister too? Tina's blog gives a wealth of information helpful to anyone interested in photography and when combined with the endless help and advice she regularly sends my way, I think she should receive her first blog award: http://tinas-viewfinder.blogspot.com/

And this one for an incredibly talented lady who offers wonderful advice for doll artists on her blog, with great foresight and generosity of spirit: http://sherrygoshon.blogspot.com/

Ruth, this one's for you! I know you've already received it, but your consistent friendship, support and enthusiasm is always valued, your blog is always interesting and beautifully written and I can't possibly leave you off my list! http://www.flutter-by-bearsandfriends.blogspot.com/

Last but by no means least, I would like to share this award with Sue, a lady who has been a staunch supporter of British Bears on the Net, working above and beyond the call of duty in offering her friendship and advice. Thanks Sue! http://www.fenbearyfolk.blogspot.com/

Bear artist blogs - Top 100!

You know how it is, you sit on your swivel chair and before you know it, you've surfed a zillion craft sites and discovered an exciting new facility which you just can't resist playing with! Or is that just me?! Anyhow, I've been fiddling around with a 'Top 100' ranking service this morning because I think it could be a great tool to encourage bear artist blogging and of course, the promotion of our blogs!

100 Best Bear Artist Blogs

After hunting around for a while, I found some lovely bear graphics on sale for just a couple of dollars, so I snapped 'em up and have been playing around in Photoshop to create a couple of banners and a cute background for our shiny new '100 Best Bear Blogs' ranking service. Now all we need are some members! So, if you're a bear artist reading this and you have a bear artist blog you'd like to promote, please nip over and sign up so we can get this thing moving!

Finding Flickr

I intended to tell you about Flickr a few days ago, but somehow it slipped my memory. I was introduced to this handy photo sharing facility by a friend (thanks Shel!) and now I'd like to share it with you ... please check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/allbear/ to find out more. There's a handy comments facility, so if you'd like to say anything, do feel free! Oh and there's an RSS Feed (whatever that means!) which keeps you up-to-date whenever new pics are introduced to the photostream ... it's all clever stuff!

Peaches, Bedazzled and Hickory - 2006

I am currently using my shiny new Flickr account to showcase my favourite 'All Bear' shots, taken by Tina, my professional photographer sister. When I find some time, I may extend the photographs to include some of my other bears and maybe even a few of my own photographic attempts - we'll see! If you scroll down the left hand column of my blog, you'll find a cute little flash Flickr badge featuring some of the photographs on my photostream ... nifty isn't it?!

By the way, Tina has been writing a blog lately and it's a fun read! If you would you like to find out more about life behind the scenes for a jobbing photographer, please pop over to http://www.tinas-viewfinder.blogspot.com/

After hunting through my dusty old photographs to find a picture of my sister for you, I've reached the conclusion she is extremely elusive, preferring as she does to be on the wrong side of the camera lens! However, this is one of my favourites, snapped twenty-three years ago when Tina came to visit her new nephew, my son Anthony. As you can see, she certainly arrived in style! Never one for convention, the motorbike was the big love of my sister's life back in the mid 80's!

Tina and Anthony, 1985

While I'm chatting, I should perhaps mention (in case you haven't already noticed!) I've been fiddling with my blog colours; the new colourway seems far more appropriate for the November greys of the UK. I have also changed my border photos to freshen things up ... I do hope you like the new ones!

A Grounding

Thank you to everyone who recently took the time to let me know they have enjoyed reading 'Bearing All', by taking part in the little poll I've been running. There was one dissenter considerate enough to click the 'no' button, thus setting my feet firmly back on the ground lest all the positives send my ego soaring ... so thank you 'one', whoever you are!

In view of the fact 'Bearing All' is now receiving many, many, visitors from all around the globe (I have even had visits from such unlikely places as Slovenia and Kazakstan!) I am more than happy to keep tapping away at my keyboard!

Bearing All Blog Award!

How lovely, today 'Bearing All' received a blog award! The 'Arte y Pico' award was created especially for creatively inspirational blogs and I would like to thank Sarah of Sarah's Bruins for awarding it to Bearing All!

Arte y pico Award

The fun part of this award is that is now my turn to consider who I would like to receive the award! I am permitted to select five special bloggers for this privilege and so, after considering the many blogs I enjoy visiting, I would like to list below, the five blogs I currently find most inspiring for my own work as a teddy bear creator ... I do hope you can make time to visit these very special bloggers.

1. Sindie's 'Contents of a fried brain' ... I have known Sindie since we used to meet up on the teddy bear circuit many years ago and let me tell you, she is one very special lady. Humour, grit, warmth and talent, yep, I have a feeling Sindie will soon be plastered with awards! Please visit Sindie at: http://contentsofafriedbrain.blogspot.com/

2. Aleta's 'The Silly Bear' ... this lady has the most amazing eye for subtle feminine colour and can make something beautiful from virtually nothing! I never tire of her beautiful pictures and Pollyanna outlook on life. Aleta is also a gifted bear artist! You can visit Aleta at: http://thesillybear.blogspot.com/

3. Tami's 'Inside my studio' ... Tami creates truly beautiful big bears with such soul. She is also an amazingly talented maker of dolls and a wonderful artist toboot. A super lady with lovely gentle humour. I think you really will enjoy a trip to: http://insidemystudio.blogspot.com/

4. Karen's 'Cider Antiques' ... I can't resist this blog! Karen has a artistic eye for all things vintage and constantly inspires me with her stunning collections. Please pop over for a visit: http://www.ciderantiques.blogspot.com/

5. Deborah's 'Land of Nod' ... what a great name for a blog! Deborah's blog always makes me smile, not only does she have a wonderfully entertaining writing style, her pictures are beautiful and her talent seems to know no bounds! One week there will be a stunning teddy bear to see, another fabulously whimsical altered art and another ... well, why pop over for a visit to find out! You will find Deborah tucked away at: http://www.bearhavenbears.blogspot.com/

Congratulations on your much deserved Arte y pico awards!

If you are an award winner and would like to celebrate your five most inspiring blogs please list them with links, on your blog, remembering to include a link to the Arteypico Award blog.

Belt and braces

It dawned on me recently, just how devasted I would be if my blog disappeared in a puff of blog dissolving ether. I have invested so much time and effort into my regular ramblings, that to lose them would be an unthinkinable calamity and in view of that, I have been feeling a nasty little nip of vulnerability lately!

Time to put the old thinking cap on. With brow furrowed, I popped over to Blogspot's help pages hoping I would be able to create a back-up copy to store on my computer, but not only is my technical knowledge embarrassingly limited, I also have the very female problem (sorry girls!) of having the kind of mind which unhelpfully blanks when presented with written (or drawn!) instruction sheets. I confess I'm more of a 'push buttons and keep your fingers crossed' kinda gal - not the most useful of qualities when faced with a potentially fatal button click for my dear old blog. Blogspot offered a comprehensive, yet seemingly complicated process for back-up, but also put the fear of God into me, by warning of potential button clicking disasters.

At which point I chickened out of the do-it-yourself process and decided to ask the other blog scribing 'Teddy Talk' forum members if they had discovered a really simple solution unbeknownst to me. I waited, and waited some more and then ... silence ensued. Are there really that many bloggers out there with no back-up for their hard work? Shockingly, it would seem so. One helpful TT'er politely pointed me in the direction of Google, so with no idiot proof option available to me, I took her advice and put in a hopeful, if simplistic, search ... 'back up my blog'. Not much to ask you would think eh? But after ploughing through several supposedly helpful Google suggested website pages, I was still too nervous to tweak any of my 'Bearing All' settings for fear of losing the lot. Then this link caught my eye:

https://www.blogbackuponline.com/techrigy/

It was as easy as that. With one little click I was on my way and five minutes later was fully backed-up, so if anything terrible should ever happen in Blogland (war, pestilence ... that kind of thing!) 'Bearing All' can be restored and all will be well with my tiny world. I will definitely sleep a little easier tonight!

I'm it???

Remember 'tag, 'you're it!' from your schooldays? I was a hopeless runner, all gangly legs and arms, so I remember those days all too well! Laura has tagged my blog (and there was me, toddling along in my own sedate way, oblivious to such fun and games in blog land!) so apparently I am now obliged to reveal seven hitherto unknown snippets about myself, before I reach out and tag YOU!

Ready, get set, here I come ...

1. My favourite perfume is Paloma Picasso.

2. I can't bear judgmental people ... it doesn't hurt to be kind, so why not be kind?

3. My Dad bought me this great 'woolly jumper' money box for my birthday this year - isn't it fun?! I love it!

4. 'Sitting on the dock of the bay' by Otis Reading, is my all time favourite song.

5. Confessions of a weeny bopper: In 1976 I saved my pocket money for ages so that I could see the Bay City Rollers in concert.

6. I can't bear mice, they give me the heebie geebies ... something about their tails and the way they scamper ... shudder!!!

7. After only getting two thirds of the way through several books before losing interest in the storylines, I've just picked up Dicken's 'The old curiosity shop' in the hope of a darn good story to keep my attention.

Okay that's my lot, now I'm off to tag seven 'someone else's'!