Tampa Bear Show 2011

The Tampa Bear Show put on by Bright Star Productions was promoter, Valerie Rodgers 600th show!


This cake was shared by artists and collectors alike at the end of the show.


This cute monkey by Heidi Steiner was presented by Wendy Collins Gifts.


These were two of my Le Cirque Elephants.
The show was well attended. The collectors had a good time and purchased some wonderful pieces. Some came with several shopping bags at the ready!

Hope you get to attend next year. You're sure to see several old friends, former Bearly Spring Show attendees and club sponsors.
See you there!

New in the Workroom

New bear and elephant on all fours not even dressed yet! But they still look happy.
Well, back to work.

Happy Valentines Day

From the bears and me a wish for a wonderful Valentines Day. You are loved!

IDEX 2011

The three day show started kind of slow but by the end several artist had sold out!


This is one of my pieces, Pokey Elephant that sold and I took orders on.


Wild Bear was a big seller. He's wild cause he doesn't even wear a ribbon round his neck.


As promised this Cindy McGuire of China Cupboard Bears with one of her cute pigs. She also had a wonderful donkey everyone was admiring.


This is one of Nancy Latham's new Wabbits. Known more for her dolls, she is back making bears and wabbits too.


This is Leo by Irene Heckel who also did a needle felting class.


This sloth was by Annette Rauch. The ties on it are just great! It can even hang from a branch.
Other bear artists at the show were Janet Wilson, Bev White and Sue McKay. Felicia Hymer of Bear Scouts, Good bear of the World and World of Miniature Bears were also showing great bears. Hope you enjoyed seeing some of the pieces shown.

Set-Up for IDEX

Well got down to the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel to set up for the show. Felicia Hymer of bear scout was setting up. Cindy McGuire had already set up and left. Her pieces look great! Nancy Latham of Wistful Children did some bear pieces and wabbits this year. Annette Rauch had her table ready but won't put the pieces out till tomorrow, first wholesale day. Collectors can attend Saturday and Sunday.
So no pictures today but you'll get those later. If you are in Orlando stop by the show and see what's new this year from your favorite bear or doll artists.

I better go work on hang tags!



From the bears and me:0)

San Diego

So part of doing the Crossroads show was getting to hang out with friends. Friday before the show we went on a ten mile bike ride at Mission Bay on down to the ocean and back.


That's me as we stopped to look at the water.
After the show we went to Santa Barbara and visited Solvang.


Of course that meant checking out the antique shops and the food, Danish pastries, oh my!
We spent time at the Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum. They'll be having a new artist & collector convention May12-14 this year in Philadelphia. More info coming.



My artist pals and me overlooking the ocean. Donna, Cindy, me and Sharon.
The weather was wonderful, the company great and the show fun. And tomorrow just a week later I'll be setting up for IDEX. Ah more on that tomorrow. I've got to get back to work!

Crossroads Show 2011

Two floors of artists and vendors had collectors running back and forth for two days with lots to see. There were antiques from doll and bear artists. Dotty Ayers and John Paul Port had bear related antiques to drool over.
Gordana Littles Doll Studio (760-749-3257) sold a theatre by artist Connie Tognoli.


Wonderful piece to see.
The TOBY Industry Choice Award Winners were announced. Laura Sanchez who did a piece with Steve Schutt was there to receive her award.


Some other winners, and this is not a complete list as I don't write that fast, are Paula Carter, Cheryl Hutchinson, Denise Purrington , Michelle Lamb, Charlene Drager, Kim Russell, Ron & Kristy Northman, Karin DeLorenzo, Krista Griffiths, Cindy Cherry, Shelly Allison, Jutta Michels, Karen Lyons, and Jane Monroe.
Missing from this list are the miniature and small artist bear winners and I do apologize. Also artists Kelly Graham, Cinda Peterson, Gloria Chan and Patricia Bierer were winners.


John Paul Port accepted the Inspiration Award 2011 on behalf of his mother, this years winner, Beverly Port. Congratulations to all the winners.