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Saturday's Tour of the Chelsea Teddy Bear and Toy Museum - See all the activities |
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Sunday November 16, 2008 - Weber's Inn in Ann Arbor, MI |
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 Diana Watts received the Winners Certificate presented to her by Valerie Rogers, the show's promoter for her bear photo used on the collector's invitation postcards. |
 Use the Opt-in feature and we'll put your name on our list then before the show you'll receive a colorful postcard invitation. |
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The smiles said it all - we had a very good time! |
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The 21st Annual Holiday Ann Arbor Teddy Bear show felt quite festive what with snow flakes falling and a crisp winter air that brought collectors into the warm 'den' at Weber's Inn. "I love seeing happy collectors and enjoying friendly visits with the artists," said Donna Hinkelman (Bainbridge Bears) "The camaraderie makes traveling over 9,000 miles a year to the shows, worthwhile." |
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 Babcock Bears Pat Berkowitch babcockbears@tds.net |
 Mike, an avid collector, carried big bags of bears to add to his collection! Way to go Mike! |
 Bainbridge Bears Donna Hinkelman donna@bainbridgebears.com |
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| Isabella Hoffmann (Bearly Collectibles) says "Trust in God and knowing that all things will be well at the end and with the support of my husband and family, I am able to do the shows and being able to express all this with my artwork. I enjoing the people and my dreams manifested." Isabella attends about 6 shows a year, teaches bear making classes, is authoring a new book and after moving will open her home for a vacation get-a-way with classes ane more! |
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"Traveling to the shows sometimes requires us to get up in the very early morning hours," begins Chris Herron (Chris Creations) and we are always on the look-out for deer." Chris travels to fifteen shows a year and enjoys meeting other artists who often exchange ideas and meeting repeat customers "we are very satisfied knowing they appreciate my work," she said. |
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Generation Bears |
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Hug A Bear |
 Mare's Bears 'n more Mary M Ortwine maryortwine@wowway.com |
Hager Bears |
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"The four "P's" have brought me success," began Vicky Lougher (Elegant Creations). They are Patience, Practice Perseverance and a Positive Attitude. The friendships I have made over the years with the other artists and most importantly the collectors will provide me with a life time of wonderful memories." Vicky attends six shows a year and travels about 5,000 miles a year. " I enjoyed attending the Ann Arbor show very much! It is a joy to meet and talk with the collectors whether or not they adopt one of my bears. I really get a kick out of seeing the smiles and giggles when the collectors stop to look at the bears." she said. "I am so fortunate to have met so many wonderful people at the bear shows, both collectors and artists." began Karen Wallace (A Walk In the Woods). I love seeing people's faces light up over something I have created. It is the greatest feeling! she exclaimed. Karen enjoys creating new things to introduce at a show. "I do a lot of custom work too while trying to keep my Sheltie dog out of my swing supplies." The three 'C's' is what Shelly Lampshire (Shelley Lampshire Originals) loves: Collectors, Camaraderie, and Connections. |
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| "Every show, there is someone who we help by either find a new bear," began Ken Yenke (Appraiser, Author, Museum Curator), "and even more unique for me, when an old treasure arrives at the show and I can identified and valued the bear for the owner. It is a successful show when just one person is helped and the real 'joy' and 'happiness' comes from the other person's discovery." Ken and Brenda plan on attending as many shows as possible. "We traveled extra miles this year in the name of Valerie's efforts, participating in the Louisville, Indianapolis, Detroit, Chicago, Ann Arbor, Erlanger, Columbus shows and the beat goes on" he said. Joke from Ken: "Do you know how you find a really "unique" teddy bear? Answer: U-neek up on it before anyone else sees it!" |
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Judy's Raggedy Country |
Newbearys |
Shelly Lampshire Originals |
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Tyler Crain (Teds n' Such) says "Meeting with the collectors and fellow artists is my favorite thing about the teddy bear shows." Tyler finds time to attend many shows and "I especially like attending new shows" where he meets and introduces collectors to teddy bear collecting. |
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Teddy Kingdom |
Teds 'n Such |
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| "Shows keep a positive, upbeat attitude,"begins Jacquie Pollitt (Threadbears), and collectors seem to gravitate to where people are having the most fun! I appreciate the collector's continued support and that gives me the encouragement I need to design and make bears." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Beth Savino operates a store in Toledo where she sells a variety of bears and specializes in carrying Steiff Bears and animals. The Toy Store |
Bear Street |
 Jane S, from Saline, MI brought a 1906 10" doll sized Steiff bear for Ken Yenke to appraise. She bought it at a garage sale. Jane was very happy when the little bear's value was near $500.00. With professional cleaning the bear will once again become nearly white. |
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 Don and Delores could have used a few more hands. They carried armloads of new bears home and commented on how wonderful the artists work is. "See you again next year!" |
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"We had a young grandma thank us for having affordable things that her three grandchildren could buy and the kids were so happy with their GBW teddy bear 'treasures', it was a special highlight for me!" said Terrie Stong |
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Collector's Choice Awards Collectors voted for their favorite bears on display and artist won ribbons and gifts. |
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 And the top winners are (L to R): Jacquie Pollit, Donna Hager, Vicky Lougher. Valerie Rogers is about to make the announcement and present the ribbons. |
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 Jacquie Pollitt (Threadbears) won a Second Place ribbon for her bear in a sleigh. |
 " I was very happy and thrilled to win the 'Best in Show' ribbon for my 'Oh Christmas Tree' bear." said Vicky Lougher (Elegant Creations) "It is such an honor to have my bear chosen by the collectors during the show with so many exceptional bears to choose from. It must have been a difficult decision." |
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| Saturday. Tour of Chelsea Teddy Bear and Toy Museum; Ken Yenke curator | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"He is a fantastic speaker and he gave GBW several great plugs," said Terrie Stong smiling. The collectors asked questions and Ken demonstrated a couple of the 100 year old toys. "It's wonderful to see old toys in such a great shape," said one attending collector. |
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The Chelsea bears proudly support the "Made in the USA" tag. Ken says a recent medical study proved that "your sleep will impove when cuddling a teddy bear; you'll produce more endrophines needed for a good night's sleep," he stated. |
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"The trip to The Chelsea Teddy Bear Museum and gifting to Faith in Action was super." began Terrie Stong, "It was difficult to find a recipient for our gifting, apparently Chelsea T.B. already supplies teddies to local police, fire department and EMS, etc. Faith In Action also received bears but says they can"always use more bears around the holidays," the directors said. |
 Chelsea Museum employee, Faith in Action recipient and Terrie Stong. GBW bought Chelsea bears to gift to their charitable organization."Bears work magic!, she said. |
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Thank you Betty! |
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Enjoy the season and we will see you next year when our show returns to Ann Arbor!
Check our web site for dates and join us at other shows too! |
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"Valerie's show was A+! Lots of show guests arrived and who were all in a great mood and buying! Our sales were good and we had lots of wonderful things donated! Valerie is such a classy lady and so much fun. Thank you Valerie, you are truly a star!" said Terrie Stong of Good Bears of the World. |
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See you next year in Ann Arbor on Nov. 15, 2009 |
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www.bright-star-promotions.com |
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