Show Review and Memories
Crowne Plaza Westshore - Sunday February 20, 2011
 
Saturday night artists gathered for dinner at the Gallery Eclectic Bistro, to enjoy each others company. "We've spent a long winter in and it's wonderful to come out and be with our bear family. "I'm excited about the first show of the year on Sunday!" said Betty.
Before the Show Opened
 


Carolyn Jacobsen was presented a "Winner's Certificate" by Valerie Rogers the show's promoter, for submitting the bear photograph used on the collector's invitation show postcard. Shown on the right.


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If you did not receive a postcard and would like one for next year's Tampa Teddy Bear Show, just eMail us with your mailing address.

Mr. Write

The Legacy Continues

A Tad of Teddy History

Mr. Write was created in the early nineties.

A bear with a mission!

 


Beth Savino holds Mr. Write with family members present

Encouraged by Terrie, Valerie Rogers signs the bear too


"He's quite an arm load," said Valerie, "and a real treasure holding some many individual autographs."

He was presented to Mindy Kinsey, then editor of Teddy Bear and Friends, who carried this bear to several teddy bear events. The textured fabric Mr. Write was created from made the perfect background for the many autographs that he was destined to collect. Mr. Write sports many autographs of our teddy bear world greats. When Mr. Write's body was almost completely covered with autographs, he was auctioned as a fund raiser for GBW. The lucky wining bidder was George Black, curator of The Teddy Bear Museum of Naples. Mr Write had a prestigious home and was admired by thousands of museum guests over the years. When the museum closed, Mr. Write was auctioned once again and went to his new home with the Clinton/Resslers in Hudson Florida. It was a sad call from Mr. Clinton that told me his wife had passed away, Mr. Clinton donate Mr. Write back to GBW as a continuing legacy. Thank you, Mr Clinton!

Written by: Terrie Stong


christy from Apollo Beach found the biggest hug in the show!

"He captured my heart!"


Collector found a Bev White bear in a quaint shop and realized that she'd be at the show.

He was happy to make her acquaintance and Bev was happy he found her bear orphan who now has a happy home.

Collectors chat with Marion Fraile, Bearkidz about her crochet bears. "It's hard to believe they are not made from mohair!"

Happy winner, Susan N., brought 'Carl' to the show. She won the October Bears&Buds' Sweepstakes Give-Away. Carl was made by Michele Seraphim (L) of Seraphim Bears, Canada. .

Valerie introduces four 2010 URSA Awards Competition winners who were participating in the show too! (L-R) They stand with their entries and awards are: Diana Watts, Bryan Rueby standing in for his wife Kim, Marion Fraile and Michele Seraphim. Congratulations!

Lucky Winners received "star Bucks" to spend at the show!

mm

During the show over $200 dollars in "Star Bucks" were presented to Lucky winners!

Drawing every hour!

Audrey M., from Lakeland was over joyed at winning.

"$20 dollars, oh boy!"

 


Cathrin H. from Valrico, FL would use her win to buy more bears too!


Suzette C. Oak Park, IL was a happy winner too. "I never win anything!" but she did and soon she was off shopping for bears!


Darlene V., from Ocala was very happy to win. "More money for bears!"


Dawn B., from Sanford, FL also won $20 to spend on bears!


Mary Ellen A., from Clearwater, FL beamed when she won too!


Nanci M., from Lakeland won too, "What a wonderful door prize!"


Roberta R., from Seminole, FL

was one of the many winners at the show.

Teddy Bear Artists are always happy to see you!

Deb Canhan was at the show signing her little bears and chatting with the collectors.

If you just hold a bear, suddenly you find this bond. Bears work their magic!

Terrie and Martha Burch share a joke at the show too!

Collector sizes up a dress for her teddy bear!

Beth Phillips, a long time supporter of Good Bears of the World chatted with Terrie Stong, GBW Executive Director..

Collectors gazed on the bears and swooping them up in arm loads!

Collectors discovering new and unique bear items.

Michelle Lamb listens to a collector while surrounded by bears!
Good Bears of the World


Look for Good Bears of the World raffles at the next show or other show's they are participating in. Your dollars buy HUGS!

Adrian, Terrie Stong's grandson drew the winning ticket.


The big basket of collectible bears and related bear accessories was the prize in the GBW Raffle.

Good Bears of The World welcomes your support with donations.  See how you can help - The Club page.

 


Margaret B. from Orange City, FL won the basket of bears. "Entering the raffles is fun!" as she was surrounded by her family!

Good Bears of the World is a non-profit organization who gifts bears to those in need of a hug. The contributions help support the worldwide club in order to buy more GBW brown bears for fire and police departments, nursing homes and schools.

Good Bears of The World


Jesse Kohler (JMK Doll Shows) arrived to congratulate Valerie on her 600th show produced. "Quite an impressive achievement. I'll try to catch up; I only have about 500 shows to my credit." Jesse smiled.

A huge, delicious cake was rolled out to celebrate. "Eat Your Green Stuff" took on a new meaning! Everyone enjoyed a piece as they congratulated Valerie..


Near the close of the show, Valerie drew seven artist's names and they won a special prizes donated by a generous collector.

Winners are L-R: Valerie Rogers on the mike, Valerie Sewell, Betty Franks, Margaret Jackson, Connie Schmidt, Trish Hansford, Jane Woodward and Nancy Dane.

Let's Eat Cake!!

Follow the history of Bright Star's shows!

Exhibiting Artists
Anduin's Bears
Sally Root
Orlando
FL
anduinsbears@aol.com
B.J.'s Bears
Betty Franks
Sterling
IL
bjsbears.hugs@gmail.com
Babcock Bears
Pat Berkowitch
Babcock
WI
babcockbears@tds.net
Bear Bottom Heirloom Bears
Gail Griffiths

Wellington
Nova Scotia

CAN
gail@bearbottombears.com
Bear Scents
Jeannette Hall
Zephyrhills
FL
jethall@verizon.net
Bearkidz by Marion Fraile
Marion Fraile
Charlotte
NC
bearkidz@aol.com
Bears Against MS
Valerie Sewell
Fern Park
FL
b.a.m.s@earthlink.net
Bears by Two Hearts
Trish Hansford
Pinellas Park
FL
2heartstc@verizon.net
Bears for Pete's Sake
Dian Pete
Mukwonago
WI
bearsforpetessake@wi.rr.com 
Bentley & Buddies
Nancy & Doug Dane
Belton
MO
bentbears@aol.com
Billy Bears by Carolyn
Carolyn Jacobsen
Syracuse
NY
lulabelle5@aol.com
Charbears
Charlene Draeger
Plantation
FL
charbears@comcast.net
Chatham Village Bears
Art Rogers
Maryland Heights
MO
geoart1@swbell.net
Collins Gift Shop
Wendy Collins
Rye
NH
collinsgifts14@aol.com
Connie Bears
Connie Schmidt
Broken Arrow
OK
cjssch@aol.com
Cookie's Critters
Donna Nielsen
Bloomfield
NY
ccritter@frontiernet.net
DiBears
Diana Watts
Naples
FL
dibears@aol.com
Dog Patch Critters
Nancy Dontigney
Cocoa
FL
dogpatchcritters@cfl.rr.com
Good Bears of The World
Terrie Stong, Exec Dir
Toledo
OH
goodbears1@sbcglobal.net
Happy Tymes Collectibles
Bev White
Downingtown
PA
bevwhite@happytymes.net
Heir Bears
Jane Woodard
Palm Beach Gardens
FL
Heirbears@aol.com
Judy's Raggedy Country
Judy Mathis
Moberly
MO
judithmarlene@hotmail.com
K's Kritters
Kimberly Rueby
Smyrna
TN
rbrueby@yahoo.com 
Martha's Bears
Martha Burch
West Bend
WI
mdrbears@aol.com
My Apple Tree
Cindy Malchoff
Plattsburgh
NY
cindy@myappletree.com
One & Only Bears
Michelle Lamb
Littleton
CO
michelle@oneandonlybears.com
Pinney Bears
Margaret Jackson
Youngsville
NC
pinneybears@yahoo.com
PRFect Pals
Pat Fairbanks
Tampa
FL
pdfairbanks@verizon.net
Princess4Paws
Marge Wiese
Apopka
FL
princess4paws@cfl.rr.com
Quilts n Critters
Marilyn Wagner
Middletown
OH
mwaggs2@aol.com
Raspbeary Bears
Darlene Allen
Oviedo
FL
raspbeary_bears@hotmail.com
Seraphim Bears
Michele Seraphim
Belleville, Ontario
CAN
m.seraphim@cogeco.ca
Teds 'n Such
Tyler Crain
Chicago
IL
tyler@tedsnsuch.com
The Hen Nest
Charlotte Doster
Columbia 
AL
hennest@aol.com
The Pink Mushroom
Bea Junker
Wewahitchka
FL
beaj1894@earthlink.net
The Sage Fox
Kelly Maine
Rochester Mills
PA
The Toy Store
Beth Savino
Toledo
OH
beth@toystorenet.com
Threadbears
Jacquie Pollitt
West Harrison
IN
rpollitt@aol.com

We has an absolutely wonderful time at the show. Thank you so much for the organization of the Bear artists dinner. It was really wonderful getting to enjoy some time with other artist and making some new friends!

Blessings, Michele Seraphim


Congratulations on your 600th Show and for over and beyond the wonderful years of service you put into making a show!

Keep Shinning,

Betty and Jerry Franks

What a GREAT SHOW! Just like the good old days!  Very well attended and everyone was adopting bears. I saw several people make multiple trips to their cars!   We sold well and received lots of wonderful donations-including Mr. Write.

It was funtastic to be able to celebrate the 600th show with you and the with the FL arctophiles.   Valerie, thanks for everything! Have I mentioned recently how absolutely amazing I think you are?

Big happy hugs,

Terrie Stong GBW

It was a great show ... can't get over how upbeat, positive and BUSY it was all day!  I certainly left with warm fuzzy feelings! 

Bear Hugs,
Jane Woodard


Wow---600 shows! Congratulations, Valerie. 

You have done a good job.

Connie Schmidt

Back to Wisconsin by 9pm, though my car windshield kept icing up.... as I got closer to home, it was all snow, no rain. So glad to be home safe. Thanks Valerie for a wonderful show! Happy 600th event!!

Hugs, Pat Berkowitch


The show was wonderful and you had many wonderful teddy bear artist too!  My mother and I drove over from Lake Worth for the day and we couldn't wait to get there.  It is always fun to come to Tampa and see all of our teddy bear friends that we have met over he years. 

Thanks for having such a great show!

Bear hugs!

Michele E. l


Photos courtesy of:

Jerry Franks

Beth Phillips

Terrie Stong

Check our show schedule for coming show dates.

Join us then!

Mark your calendar for Sunday February 19, 2012 when we return to Tampa for more teddy bear collecting fun!


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