INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE MONTH

I am thrilled to have my toys featured in the distinguished German I-Mag "KuscheltierNews".   I am looking forward to seeing the English version in the new year.  A huge "thank you" to the edtor, Andrea Weigel, for this lovely article - I appreciate it.  If you would like a closer look at the pages, click on each individual pictures.  Thanks for dropping by!

HAVE YOU VOTED??

Only a few more days until the voting for the Excellence in Bear Artistry Awards is over - have you voted?  The talent exhibited in the entries is amazing, so click here to go to the site and have a peek. 

OUR FAVOURITE VIEWS OF LANCASTER, PA

I know I have posted pictures many times of Lancaster County, PA, but I have always received such lovely notes to say how much they are enjoyed.  We just got back from another trip and thought I would add these, for those who enjoy them :o)  It really is a very special place.  So, grap a cuppa and enjoy.

My favourte store, The Old Candle Barn.  I never fail to find something special.

 

 

The top glass case is now on my dining table :o)  Can't wait to fill it with Xmas decorations!

The Museum Store and Quilt Museum

Beautiful Game Boards

 Local Pottery - Eldreth Pottery - we have a whole set :o)

Beautiful Crafts and Quilts

Our Favourite Miniature Golf Course - The Village Green

Beautiful flowers

 Gorgeous Butterflies

Local Amish with their horse and buggies

 

 

  Countryside dotted with farms everywhere

 Tons of local craft shops

Beautiful buildings and architecture

A gorgeous sunset for our last evening in Lancaster :o)

A WONDERFUL COMPETITION

My "Judges Choice" awards came in the mail, yesterday, and I am so thrilled with them.  The glass crystal awards are absolutely gorgeous, with all the information from the competition, etched onto them.  Susan, at Bear Basics in Britain has outdone herself.  This competition is 1st class - the judges were excellent, the judging criteria was well set and I love that everyone who entered gets to know how they measured up in the standings. I can't say enough about how fast Susan responded to questions and any difficulties that arose while sending in the entries. She also allowed me to add the Teddy Bear magazine to my parcel, so I would have a copy with all the entries displayed, because it's not available in North America.  So, if any of you bear artists have thought about entering a competition, this is one that you should try.  Oh, and don't forget the finalists have moved on to the People's Choice voting and you can vote online here.  There are lots to choose from so support your favourites - voting is open until October 15th.  :o)

HALLOWE'EN IS GETTING CLOSER

I loooove doing theme oriented bears and had lots of fun with this Hallowe'en piece. His name is Lorcan McDaegle and he is a good witch -he just wants his fair share of candy on Hallowe'en lol.

Lorcan is 3 1/4 i nches tall, made from hand dyed German Shulte mohair, that has been very distressed and aged.  There are some small patches missing mohair and he has a few stains. Lorcan is fully disc-jointed and stuffed with tradional excelsior for a vintage feel.  He is gently waiting with stainless steel shot and granulate.   He has tiny amber glass eyes and a sparse waxed nose.  Lorcan has tiny distressed holes in his paws, where bits of excelsior show through.  His face, ears and paws have been shaded with permanent dye for an antique look.  Lorcan wears a witches hat and and matching collar, hand made from art paper and crepe paper.  They are both removable.

Lorcan comes with his little collector pumpkin tin - he fits nicely inside, without his hat on.  The tin has lovely hallowe'n graphics on it.  He also comes with two decorations - one resin ornament of 3 pumpkins, a ghost and moon, that says BOO!, the second one has two vintage hallowe'en reproduction graphics, soldered between two glass microscope slides, with a black rhinestone and black organza ribbon.

 

 

 

EXCELLENCE IN BEAR ARTISTRY AWARDS 2012

Yippee! Two of my bears have won Judges Choice awards in their respective categories in the new Excellence in Bear Artistry Awards 2012.  I am so excited.  I've known for over a week and couldn't say anything until the official announcement was made on their website and that was so hard LOL!  There was some confusion which has now been clarified - the 3 chosen pieces to move forward in each category are all Judges Choice 'winners' and will receive lovely crystal awards :o). My two pieces are both in the minature categories - one for dressed and one for undressed.  They move on to voting online for the People's Choice part of the competition.  Voting is September 1st - October 15th and you can vote online by clicking here.  It's my pleasure to introduce my two bears :o)

SADIE MAY

RUFUS WILLOUGHBY