Spring is coming down under..

The deadline for the Spring Challenge at TBACA is almost here. That's right Spring is arriving in the southern hemisphere. My entry, Flora, was finished a couple of months back, while it was still Spring here. You can see all the entries here. They are available for purchase.
I listed some fur in my Nancy's Notions etsy shop. There are some great prices on all.
I am thinking of having a 200th post giveaway. Less than 10 posts to get there so I will probably decide next week. I just love to get comments...let me know what you think!

After the Black & White Ball

The week long Black & White Ball at TBACA was a great success. This was the first year for the Creative Design Awards and some wonderful creations competed. The competition was only open to artists from Australasia. Next year it will also be open to international artists and I will definately be competing. Next year will be a Fantasy Ball and the ideas are already churning in my head.
I had some critters in the online show. Felicia the cat has already gone to a new home but Margaret and her dog McGregor are still available. I will list them on my website soon. My other creation Beary Daiquiri is from my series Beary Cocktails and I will post about them soon.

Black & White Ball....Almost here

Just a little more than 2 weeks to the Black & White Ball ate Teddy Bears and Critters Australasia. I'm excited to see just how the online show will play out. It is a masked ball, meaning the artist's name will not be revealed until the bear or critter is adopted. This is so that, hopefully, the purchase is based on attraction to the creation and not a particular artist. The winners of the TACDA awards will also be announced. TACDA= The Australasian Creative Design Awards
This year entries for the awards were limited to Aussie and Kiwi artists. I can't wait to see the entries. Even better, next year, the awards will be open to international entries. I already have ideas for my entry dancing around in my head.
The ball starts June 1 and you can check it out here. Don't miss it!!

I'm still here!

I didn't realize it has been almost 2 weeks since I posted! The days have flown by. I can't even remember all that I have been doing. Last week I was feeling a little off because of a "vibration" in my ear. I don't know how else to describe it...not ringing but like my ear drum was humming. After 2 days and little sleep I went to the doctor. She sees a hair poking my ear drum. The nurse flushed my ear twice with no luck getting the hair out. They made me an appt with an ear, nose & throat specialist for the next week. Bill suggested I try the stuff for ear wax removal because it bubbles up. So I tried it and sure enough a little hair about the size of a small eyelash came out. Weird huh?? The appt with the specialist was canceled(thank goodness...can't afford it anyway).
I did manage to get almost 3 critters finished. I am waiting on some accessories to complete them but I can't "reveal" them because they are going to appear at TBACA's Black & White Ball in June. I can show you Cubby"s Easter Surprise. Cubby appeared in the TBACA's Easter Challenge and is now on the front page of my web site. He is the first bent leg bear I can remember making. His little chick is needle felted, as are the Easter eggs in his basket.
I am working on a Pekingnese and struggling with it's face. They have such cute smushed faces and since this one is a request I want it to be just right.
I am also struggling with the decision about whether or not to get an Artfire shop. There introductory $7 a month forever will soon no longer be available. It will go up to $20 a month but I'm just not sure it is the right venue for me. I have to decide very soon.

Tampa Bear Show on Sunday

Sorry for not posting in so long. Most of last week and this week so far have been taken up getting ready for the show. Today I am packing, making sure all the critters have hang tags, and all supplies(bags, business cards, receipts) are ready. Details available here.
The Be My Valentine online show on TBACA went very well. Three of six bears of mine sold and more than $2700 was raised for Bobo. You can read more about Bobo here. The pair I made for Bobo's booth are still available. The photo is of Mr & Mrs B. More info later on upcoming shows and events at TBACA.
I am really looking forward to the Tampa show as it is the only "in the fur" show I attend. There are several good live show still happening all over but since I don't fly(even on an airplane) I can only attend the ones within driving distance.
I was very sad to receive an email yesterday that Bid 4 Bears is closing down. It was one of the main venues where I actually sold bears. My critters will still be available on etsy and my website. Ebay is still available, but I'm not sure I want to go there to sell. There are a number of Bear Artists that do well there. There are so many bears and other critters for sale that I'm afraid mine would get lost in the crowd.
In the last year and half, my style has really developed so that it is recognizable. I'll just keep plodding along, creating the critters that appear in my head.