Thirty years, in print!

 

Thirty years, in print!

I have some exciting news to share this week... I was sworn to secrecy until the 'Teddy Bear Times and Friends' latest publication date, which is this week... so, at last, I am able to share my secret with you!

Earlier this year, the UK 'Teddy Bear Times' magazine asked if they could publish a feature about my thirty year career as a teddy bear artist ... of course I agreed instantly as it is such an honour to have my work published! This month, the team has kindly included a beautiful multi-page article written about my life as a teddy bear maker. I am so thrilled!

Issue 276 will be available for single copy purchase from the TBT website in a few days' and if you are fortunate enough to hold a subscription, you should be receiving your copy through the letterbox this week.

I am not able to share a photo of the new magazine here today, as I haven't yet received my own copy, so for the sake of nostalgia, the photograph I am sharing with you today is a flashback to 1997, when a wonderfully large bear called 'Gently', a bear I designed and created, was featured on the front cover of the prestigious Teddy Bear Times magazine! (Incidentally, the cover price has risen somewhat over the years... a printed copy is now priced at £7.99 and a year's subscription £65.00... the days of £2.95 for a specialist collector's magazine are now long gone!)

If you would like to order a printed copy of issue 276, featuring my article, or a copy of the magazine in digital format, please head over to: 

https://www.teddybeartimes.com/

I am reliably informed that the most recent magazine, issue number 276, will be available to order directly from the Teddy Bear Times website very soon.

Magic Moment

 

Magic Moment

While I was hunting through the old photographs I mentioned in my last post, I started to sort through the many teddy bear magazines I have collected over the past thirty years and I came across this copy of the 'Teddy Bear Times' magazine...

I couldn't help but smile to myself... seeing the cover again took me right back to 1997 and the early days of my bear-making career. Having one of my teddy bears published as cover star on a national teddy bear magazine for the very first time was thrilling!

'Gently', a very large teddy bear with a beautiful, gentle face, was featured on the front cover of Issue 45. I had taken the photograph myself, then sent it to the magazine, together with several others... and they chose to use Gently on the cover! It was a wonderful compliment to my bears and in those pre-internet days, very exciting to rush hotfoot into town to see the copies displayed for sale in our local High Street shops!

A little goosebump!

I am thrilled to have my little 'Goosebump' teddy bear featured in this month's 'Teddy Bear Times & Friends' magazine!

TBT's 2019 Halloween Spooktacular, 

features Goosebump (bottom left)

It has been ages since I thought to send any photographs to the specialist teddy bear magazines as time just seems to run away with me these days, but the thrill of seeing my bears in print never diminishes, even after so many years of bearmaking. I have a real soft spot for this particular magazine, as it played a big part in helping to launch my career as a bearmaker, so a huge thank you to TBT! 

If you haven't yet purchased a copy, this issue is available either individually, or as part of an annual subscription, from the TBT website:

https://www.teddybeartimes.com/issues

With the fun of Halloween on the horizon, I am inspired to finish a new spooky little bear ready for the trick and treatery. I'm cutting it fine as usual, but hope to have my Halloween teddy to share with you in the next few days ... maybe I should cast a magic spell to help speed up his progress a bit?!

A Refreshing Read!

A very dishevelled, undeniably sweaty bearmaker stepped through my front door after dog training this morning, only to find a copy of the latest 'Teddy Bear Times' magazine waiting on the mat.  Published in its hallowed pages, was not only my new advertisement and one of my recent clown bears in the forthcoming Hugglets show preview, but also a rather lovely 'My Workroom' article, featuring an entire page of chat about little ol' me 'n my bears!!!

I may have been making bears for the past twenty years, but believe me, seeing them in print is a privilege I never take for granted - it is every bit as much of a buzz today, as it was way back in the mid 90's.  Seeing my bears published today refreshed up my hot, sticky self instantly!

If you would like to buy a copy of this month's 'Teddy Bear Times' magazine, please check out your local WH Smith store (UK readers) or alternatively, if you are unable to visit your High Street, or you live overseas, simply pop over to www.teddybeartimes.com where it can be ordered online and delivered straight to your door ...

Happy reading everyone!

On the Scrap Heap?

You may remember way back in March, when I told you about the 'Scrap Heap Challenge' I dreamed up for our Master Bearcrafters members - well, here we are six months later and I am delighted to be able to share some very exciting news with you ...

Our 'Scrap Heap' challenge bears have been published in 'The Teddy Bear' magazine this month!  

And as the magazine says, 

"It only goes to show what can be achieved with a large dollop of ingenuity and a generous helping of talent."

My personal thanks to Kathy Martin, Editor of 'The Teddy Bear', for all her support and long-standing commitment to the magical world of teddy bear artistry.

If you would like to read my earlier 'Scrap Heap Challenge' posts, please click the links below:

http://allbear.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/scrap-heap-challenge.html

http://allbear.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/recycle-reuse.html

The Guild and Charles Dickens ...

A little plug for my favourite teddy bear magazine!  

'The Teddy Bear' magazine

'The Teddy Bear' magazine is only published bi-annually so as you can imagine, each issue is eagerly awaited by bear artists and collectors alike.  I particularly enjoy this mag because it is always interesting and never patronises the reader.  So when the editor contacted me to ask if the Guild of Master Bearcrafters might be interested in creating Dickensian character bears for a forthcoming feature to commemorate the bi-centenary of the birth of Charles Dickens, I was delighted and quickly threw down the challenge to our members!

Eleven talented Guild members from around the world, set to work on submissions and between them achieved a very handsome Charles Dickens, two adorable Oliver Twists, an ethereal Miss Haversham, three dainty Amy Dorrits, a contemporary interpretation of Pip & Estella, a miniature Marley's Ghost and two rather dashing Mr Pickwicks!  I collated all the information on their behalf, formatted it, then sent it to the editor and I am thrilled to announce the outcome is the Guild of Master Bearcrafters has four splendid pages of  members' Dickensian creations published in this issue!

If you would like to purchase a copy of 'The Teddy Bear' to enjoy all that it has to offer, please visit the publisher's website below:

'The Teddy Bear'

Happy Bear Reading!

Spreading the word

The Spring/Summer issue of 'The Teddy Bear' magazine will be published on the 25th May, so this morning, I have been busy creating my new advertisement for inclusion ...

I am really looking forward to seeing my ad in print!

If you would like to purchase a copy of 'The Teddy Bear' when it is published, please bookmark:  Collect It

It really is a lovely teddy bear magazine with back issues currently available too, so why not spoil yourself to an extra issue or two when you order the Spring/Summer 2012 publication!

Better late than never!

It rained here over Easter, which wasn't so bad as we're facing water restrictions and rain is very much needed - my roses were certainly grateful for the downpour!  Whilst it would have been lovely to toast in a little sunshine, I didn't mind the alternative of curling up on the couch with Stuart on Easter Sunday afternoon, with a chocolate bunny to hand (thanks Fay!) and a film to watch.  I also found time to hunt out my knitting needles to start a cute little knitted teddy bear and flick through the latest issue of the 'Teddy Bear Times' magazine, so all in all, my Easter weekend proved pretty relaxing!

I was delighted to find my work featured in the magazine at long last; the article is a little out of date because I answered interview questions months ago, but better late than never I guess!

If you would like to buy a copy of the latest issue of 'Teddy Bear Times', please visit: www.teddybeartimes.com

'The Teddy Bear' - a bear magazine for adults

Today I'm singing the praises of 'The Teddy Bear' ... but not the furry kind, no, this time we're talking about our excellent new UK magazine!  

'The Teddy Bear' is published by Warners Group Publications

The Autumn/Winter issue of 'The Teddy Bear' has just been published and like the two previous issues, it's an absolute gem bursting with well-written, informative features and delightful photographs.  All credit for this excellent publication must go to Kathy Martin, for her commitment to the subject and also for her complete professionalism.  Kathy is internationally respected for her exceptional understanding of the teddy bear, both historical and contemporary; together with her talented editorial team, she approaches the subject from many fascinating perspectives.

And if I may be permitted the tiniest trumpet of my own, I can't tell you how  thrilled I am to have my name included in the list of contributors for this issue!  Kathy kindly invited me to write a piece introducing 'The Guild of Master Bearcrafters' to the magazine's readership and having my article in print is a huge privilege!

I really can't recommend 'The Teddy Bear' too highly.  It is full of interesting features and written for adults, by experts.  We need to protect the future of this great publication, so please visit Collect It to purchase your copy.  

Incidentally, the first two back issues are also available to order (my bear Morris was the front cover star on the first issue!) so why not indulge yourself with all three mags - you'll thoroughly enjoy the read!

One thing leads to another ... and another ... and ...

One thing always leads to another doesn't it?!  First the 'phone call from a shop, then fabrics are ordered, bears designed and several weeks later a collection is finally created.  That's only the beginning though, because when the last ear is stitched in place, I need to set up studio and take photographs - which is what I've been doing today.  Peculiarly, my legs ache like billyo now, must be all that clambering around on my knees to find the perfect camera position!

Autumn/Winter advertisement for

The Teddy Bear Annual

Just as I'd finished taking photographs of my Autumn collection this afternoon, the telephone rang; 'would I like to advertise in the forthcoming issue of 'Teddy Bear Annual?'  Hardly a question in need of an answer - of course I would, it's a great mag!  So, as I was saying at the start of my post, one thing led to another and after fiddling around in Photoshop, my 'Teddy Bear Annual' advertisement is now good to go ... which led me to remember another ad needing my attention! 

2012 UK Teddy Bear Guide Advertisement

The 2012 UK Teddy Bear Guide will be published by Hugglets in October and as the copy deadline is only two weeks away, it's time to get my advertising act together!  Unfortunately my limited budget doesn't stretch to two full colour ads, but no matter, I think this ad works well in black and white.

By the way, do you recognise the little wooden chair I've used in these ads?  Yes, it's the one I bought from Christopher's Chairs back in June, at the Stratford show!

Well, that's the photographing and advertising taken care of, now I just need to pack up these bears and send them on their merry way before starting work on my 'Teddies 2011' show bears - there only three weeks to go, so I think I may need a miracle!

Besten Dank!

I have exciting news to share today!  I have just received an advance copy of the latest issue of the German teddy bear magazine 'Teddy & Co', and my bears have been given a magnificent five pages to show off in!

Teddy Bear & Co - July 2011 issue

I have Richard Backschas, teddy bear artist, writer and collector, to thank for writing this fabulous feature, so Vielen Dank  to Richard, for taking the time to showcase my work so generously.  It really is a huge compliment to have my bears (and my photographs) published in Germany!

Now I need to dust off my very ropey schoolgirl German and work out what has been said ... I should have paid attention in class instead of daydreaming in my lessons eh?!

If you would like to find out more about the Teddy Bear & Co magazine, please visit their website at: http://www.teddymagazin.de/

False modesty? Not me!

Okay, I won't hide behind false modesty ... I confess it is impossible not to feel a little thrill of pride upon opening a teddy publication, flicking through and finding my work included in a featured entitled 'Leaders of the pack'! 

'The Teddy Bear Annual' is a classy magazine, lovingly edited by Kathy Martin, authoress, editor and our leading UK expert on all things teddy bear.

The Teddy Bear Annual 2011 Spring/Summer edition

If you haven't purchased your copy yet, you really are missing a treat!  This mag is bursting with 74 pages of beautiful bears and fascinating, well-written articles covering all aspects of teddy bear collecting.

 

To see a preview of this lovely publication, please visit: http://www.collectors-club-of-great-britain.co.uk/magazines/default.asp?magazine=5

The Teddy Bear Annual' is priced at only £5.95 with free delivery in the UK. Go on, treat yourself, you know you want to!

By the way, if it makes it easier for you, the magazine is also available to order through Amazon.

Stuffing.

I've been mulling over advertising this week. I haven't done anything about it yet though, but think I probably ought to as I am aware mine has been woefully inadequate during 2010.  In the current economic climate it's tricky to judge where best to allocate precious bear business funds and I'm sure I'm not the only bear maker with a tendency to allow advertising to slide down the 'to-do' list in favour of purchasing lovely fabrics!  I think there comes a point when a well placed advertisement is definitely useful to remind collectors a bear artist is still alive, kicking and creating beautiful bears .. maybe I should turn this mull into a New Year's resolution?

Mango Chutney & Morwyn, pictured in Teddy Bear Times magazine!

It is of course, always a bonus to have bears published, so this month I am extremely grateful to Dawn, editor of Teddy Bear Times magazine, for including three of my bears in the Christmas issue of Teddy Bear Times magazine.  If you would like to order a copy, or even sign up for a subscription, please visit www.teddybeartimes.com for further details.

2010 Christmas issue of Teddy Bear Times magazine

With only a couple of weeks until the Christmas festivities take over, I freely confess a need to wind down and take a much needed break.  After my rollercoaster 2010, I feel as though the stuffing has been knocked out of me and I'm craving a little relaxed time with my family; perhaps then I will find strength enough to make a postive start to the New Year ...

But enough of that, first I have three teddy bears in my work basket, waiting for me to stop waffling on and stuff them before Christmas!

A Perfect Ending!

I was so thrilled when my copy of 'The Teddy Bear Annual 2010' dropped through my letterbox this week.  I couldn't wait for it to arrive in WH Smiths on the High Street, so I pre-ordered it from Amazon and luckily for me, they dispatched a few days prior to the offical publication date!  This is a very special magazine for All Bear as not only have I been honoured with a lovely three-page feature and invited to create a special Christmas Bear for a lovely 'Teddy at Christmas' article, my bear 'Morris' is also the magazine cover star!  As you can imagine, I'm over the moon!

'All About Paula' ...

This bumper (one hundred pages!) Annual has been created by Kathy Martin, well respected teddy bear authoress and editor.  Kathy has put her heart and soul into this project and worked hard to produce a fabulous new publication for the bear world and in particular, for teddy bear collectors.  The magazine offers a super balance of bear related features, including vintage bears, artist bears and manufactured bears, together with fascinating, well researched articles.  Believe me, if you love bears, you really do need a copy of 'The Teddy Bear Annual'.

The Teddy Bear Annual 2010 starring 'Morris' on the cover!

To purchase your copy of the Annual (cover price £5.95) please visit:

http://www.amazon.com/Teddy-Bear-Annual-Kathy-Martin/dp/1907292012/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258628884&sr=1-2

Also, if you live in the UK, you can find it in branches of WH Smiths from today!

The best news is that if 'The Teddy Bear Annual 2010' sells well this year, the publishers have said they will support its publication next year too, which would give the bear world such a boost.

On a personal note, I'd like to say a big thank you to Kathy for supporting my work and also to Jo Rothery, for writing such a super article about my life as a bear artist.  These wonderfully dedicated ladies have generously given me the perfect ending to my year's work!

An early Christmas Carole!

When I was asked if I could create a special Christmas bear back in August, I glibly said yes without considering how tricky it might be to transport my creative self into full festive mode - after all, I hadn't even finished work on my autumnal bears, let alone the Halloween show bears at that point.  Nevertheless, a promise is a promise and for weeks I avoided eye contact with the looming October deadline ...

20" 'Christmas Carole' will be featured in 'The Teddy Bear Annual 2010'

Eventually though, I realised I would have to get to grips with this piece of work if it was ever to be published in The Teddy Bear Annual 2010' - with or without a tinsel bedecked workroom to inspire me!  My plan was to create a classic bear with a subtle Christmas twist ... finally inspiration struck just in the nick of time!  I found an unusual cotton fabric printed with the lyrics to 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' and happily it worked perfectly with the beautiful peachy mohair and twinkly eyes I had planned for this special bear!  'Christmas Carole' may be subtle, but she is most definitely festive and full of Christmas sentiment ... I hope you like her!

By the way, in case you are wondering, I will be making 'Christmas Carole' available for purchase when I open 'Santa's Sack' on my website later this month ... ho ho ho!

The Teddy Bear Annual 2010 starring Morris!

I'm squealing with excitement!  I've just discovered 'The Teddy Bear Annual 2010' available for pre-order on Amazon and there, large as life on the cover is my bear 'Morris' busy being a cover star!!!!!  This is a wonderful coup for 'All Bear' and as you can probably imagine, I am grinning from ear to ear today!

 

The Teddy Bear Annual 2010 - on sale November 19th!

If you would like to pre-order a copy for your bookshelf please visit: 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Teddy-Bear-Annual-Kathy-Martin/dp/1907292012/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256462898&sr=1-7

Autumn, all stitched up.

At this time of year, as twilight falls early and flipflops make way for fluffy slippers, the tv planners have a dreadful habit of scheduling football.  In case I haven't mentioned it before, I should tell you, I hate football!  So, while Stuart and my son grunt and groan at the tv, I find myself tuning them out as I reach for my knitting needles.  There's something very reassurring about the gentle 'clack, clack' of a pair of bamboo needles, whilst sat, curtains closed, coccooned in the cosy glow of my living room.  With my 'Magical Mayhem' show (mini show!) planned for All Hallowes Eve, I now have the perfect excuse for indulging in a little knitting and am working on a snuggly orange and black 'bat' sweater for a small bear ... with a little luck it should be cute!  I even have some sweet little pumpkin buttons to detail it with.

Knitting a teddy sweater for Halloween

Rather than make too much of a fuss about the football, I'm planning to use the time to brush up my needle skills from the comfort of my armchair.  This year, I thought I would enjoy some simple embroidery as well as my knitting.  As it's been a long time since I embroidered anything more complicated than a bear's nose, I hunted online and found a great 'doodle' book to get me get started with a little free form stitchery - I've also ordered an embroidery stitches encyclopaedia, which is on its way to me.  I think they may ultimately help give me an added dimension to my raggy dolls.  We'll see! 

'Doodle Stitching' by Aimee Ray

And when my poor old hands begin to complain about all the needle activity, I'll put my feet up and use the time to flick through a few of my favourite crafting magazines with a mug of hot chocolate ...

Soft Dolls & Animals, Teddy Bear & Friends and Australian Bear Creations magazines

Yep, I think I have these chilly Autumn evenings all stitched up!

Teddy Bear Scene Supplement out now!

Full 'Teddy Bear Scene' supplement in this month's Collect It magazine!

Have you heard there's a super 'Teddy Bear Scene' supplement in this month's 'Collect It' magazine?! Yes, Kathy Martin has done us proud by putting together a detailed twenty two page publication all about the imminent 'Teddies 2009' show and it's so good to see the 'Teddy Bear Scene' title back in print again! The 'Collect It' magazine, complete with 'Teddy Bear Scene' supplement, is on sale now in branches of WH Smith and can also be purchased online direct from the Collect It website.

All Bear will be exhibiting on Stand 75 in Hall 2

And of course, I couldn't be more delighted to see my work included in the supplement! As you can see from the pic above, I will be exhibiting in Hall 2 on Stand 75. This really is a magnificent bear show, bursting with talent from all four corners of the globe, so if you would like to share a truly memorable day, please come along to Kensington Town Hall in London on the 13th September!

Full details for the 'Teddies 2009' show can be found at www.hugglets.co.uk

Collect It - in the meantime!

The news of Teddy Bear Scene's revival has been very well received in the past twenty four hours! Let's hope there will be sufficient support in terms of magazine sales and advertising revenue, to ensure the publishers are able to let us to have our mag back next year too!

In the meantime, I've just heard from Kathy Martin that 'Collect It' magazine will be on general sale next week. Kathy has put together a full supplement for our 'Teddies 2009' in Kensington Town Hall, London SW8 on 13th September (please see www.hugglets.co.uk for further show details) so please support her hard work by purchasing a copy of the mag!

The September issue of 'Collect It' magazine will be available in branches of WH Smith on your local High Street and can also be purchased online from http://www.collectors-club-of-great-britain.co.uk/magazines/default.asp?article=27&magazine=5

Happy Dance!

Ta ra ra ra ra!!!!!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

I have just been given permission by Kathy Martin (editor) to tell you there will be a very special, one-off issue of Teddy Bear Scene magazine published in November! HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!

This much loved teddy bear mag will be on sale in WH Smith and also from Warners Publications. The best news is that if this mag sells well, TBS may even return as a quarterly publication next year! Whoooooooweeeeeee!!!!!

Please purchase a copy when it is published and let's help get Teddy Bear Scene back on our bookshelves again!