Hail and Farewell

Hello again - it's Cy Bear talking to you, as promised during the last post.  There's a lot to tell and photos to share with you all - so here goes.

This morning, Isobel took the two Baby White Rabbits to Heytesbury Post Office and they duly caught the 1125 BST (which I'm told stands for British Summer Time - there's precious little sign of summer here today, by the way) post headed for Mrs. GC's home in Beecroft, New South Wales, Australia.  They were well wrapped up in chemical free tissue paper and bubble wrap and then placed in a polythene air mail bag, so they should be as comfortable as it is possible to be.  I said good-bye to them as is my custom:

 

Sitting on the ground in the garden at home

Then yesterday evening, rather late, Isobel finally managed to list the new member of the Coldham Cuddlies family in our shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  He is known as Bear with a Blue Scarf (a.k.a. Little Ed Ted), and his Etsy Listing number is #79522674.  I'd like to officially welcome him to the Familly by including his picture with me below:

Little Ed Ted standing with me in the garden

Little Ed Ted is a somewhat smaller bear than all the rest of us in the Coldham Cuddlies family of Bears, and he's the first of us to have an adornment in the form of a scarf.  When he was completed, Isobel
felt that his neck was a little longer than expected and felt that a scarf would be the ideal way to make him look casual, smart and elegant.  She used royal blue double knitting wool for the main bit of the scarf, and white and light blue wool for the edges, including all three colours in the tassles.  The fabric Little Ed Ted is made from is the same as that used to rejuvenate Ed Ted, which is 17mm Dense Distressed Spring Gold mohair.  Isobel says that she loved using it and will be using it again whenever requested.

Oh, another thing, we've now got three more patients who have joined the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185).  They arrived in the post this morning - from Ed Ted's best friend RFE incidentally - having been discovered in a corner of RFE's home attic just before he handed his house over, the sale having been completed.  They include two glove puppet Bears and a huge big Koala - which is going to be exciting for the existing Koalas (Etsy Listing #55190188)  in the ColdhamCuddlies shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).

They are going to make an exciting addition to the family and Isobel will give them a real up date once Tommy Teddy and Brr Bear have been rejuvenated.  We're still waiting to hear from Bear Basics - and presume that Susan must be on holiday, as no one was answering the telephone this afternoon.

Isobel is quite busy still completing Panda Bear's replacement, so there's no rush on that score - yet. Panda Bear begins his journey to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, so his departure will be recorded in our next posting.  In the interim, here is another picture of Little Ed Ted, as well as another one of Panda Bear in the garden here at home in Heytesbury.

Little Ed Ted standing on a bench in the garden

Panda Bear on the same spot as Little  Ed Ted

So, with that, I'll end tonight's post.  Have a great day tomorrow, and be with you again soon.  Cy Bear

Getting Ready for their new homes

Good evening, everyone - sorry for the delay in our posting but I've been busy, and so far, Cy Bear has not learned how to input his contributions for himself, let alone me.  As I've said before, do wish there were more hours to each day!

Anyhow, here's what's been happening.  I've managed to complete the order for New South Wales and in the next couple of days (Wednesday is early closing day in Heytesbury - they still follow that schedule in the only shop in the village, which also happens to be the Post Office as well.), the two White Baby Rabbits ordered by Mrs. GC of Beecroft, New South Wales, Australia will be winging their way to their new home.

The earliest I find I can begin to work on Coldham Cuddlies business (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) is usually the afternoons, and tomorrow is no exception!  So, Thursday will likely be when they are posted from the village.

Oh - before I go any further:  Annie from Okalahoma, newish Etsy friend at EmptyontheInside and blogger at http://doughdirtdye.blogspot.com has kindly included me as a Guest Blogger.  She's posted a version of my post about the Soft Toy Clinic, using Little Red Ted's treatment as her post - and has invited me to provide her with the Ed Ted therapy programme as well.  That's another job for me later this week.  Isn't it great to be so busy doing things one enjoys?  

Meanwhile, Panda Bear is ready for his journey to Saudi Arabia, and with any luck, his replacement will be in place shortly after he leaves us.  His preparations for the trip included a photograph taken today in the garden here at the Hospital of St. John.  The weather finally allowed me to get snapping, and we've got a whole lot shots to share with you, including this one of Panda Bear:

 

Sitting among the marigolds

In addition to this activity, have managed to work out how to put Tommy Teddy back again.  That really was a puzzle and it took me a whole morning, getting increasingly frustrated  and losing pins all over the ironing board, surrounding floor and in my fingers before I worked him out.  Then I found that none of the bits of cardboard in my stock was big enough for me to create the template for me to cut out the final covering for the old fellow.  Today, I got the biggest piece of cardboard I could find in Warminster, and am not sure if even that is going to big enough!  Watch this space.

I've also completed a new member of the Coldham Cuddlies family and will be listing him tomorrow - using his appearance for another posting.  He'd been named Little Ed Ted and mentioned in an earlier post when I was renovating Ed Ted, because I'd been able to use the Ed Ted leftovers.  He's got another label, which will be revealed in the next post.

Meanwhile, here is a picture of Cy Bear - who will probably be doing the introduction of the new Cuddly - with the Baby White Rabbits taken in the garden this afternoon.  Must not put his nose out of joint must we?

 
Goodnight for now.  Isobel

Announcing the Opening of ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic

 Having talked about the likelihood of opening the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic, I finally took the step yesterday and listed the Clinic on the ColdhamCuddlies shop site on Etsy (Etsy Listing # 79124185 - www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) and backed it up by announcing it on both Twitter and Facebook.  Decided it would do no harm to copy the description of how the service will work as a separate post - so here goes.

"Description of Service:

Offering a new service to all Buyers on Etsy who have elderly toys in need of some TLC and or a complete makeover.  Prospective Patients may be any stuffed animal toy.   Bears have so far been featured, but I am
prepared to assess Foxes, Rabbits, Coyotes, and any other Etsy toys - EXCEPT Dolls.  Afraid I am not into THEM - and never have been.

HOW WILL IT WORK?  Buyers may send the Patient to the contact address featured at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com site at their expense.  Once the assessment has been completed, Buyers will be notified of what I can do to help restore the Patient to as near it’s former appearance as is currently possible.

You will then be asked to order the work by using the Etsy Purchasing process and including the Consultancy Fee which will always be 40.00 USD plus the current cost in the Coldham Cuddly Shop for Bears, Rabbits, Foxes/Coyotes and other animals that may feature in future. If Buyers need more information about the probable cost, please convo or e mail me - details are contained in my Etsy Profile and I will be happy to clarify the position. 

Price differentials will also be in place if only partial repairs are required:  the cost of these procedures will also be discussed with the Buyer prior to any permanent action being undertaken. 

 If the animal presented for assessment  is a newbie (i.e. does not currently feature in our shop)  or differs markedly in size and shape from our existing models, a special price will be quoted and no action will be taken regarding the purchasing process until all parties are satisfied.  The information will be conveyed to you via Etsy Convo and/or e-mail - Buyers’ choice.

The Patient will be returned to the Buyer  following the procedures already outlined in the Shipping section of the ColdhamCuddlies shop and will be at ColdhamCuddlies’ expense - using the most appropriate first class mail rates in operation to the Patient’s home address.  Shipping details will be conveyed to the Buyer once the journey has commenced.   THIS APPLIES IF IT IS DECIDED NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT  as well as when a project is completed to the satisfaction of all parties.  Progress will explained on our blog at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com.

If Buyers would like a video of the entire treatment process (which may incorporate photos already used on the blog), there will be an additional charge of 10.00USD.

 Customers should bear in mind -  depending on the Patient’s origins and age:

    Dyes can be different, and therefore an exact match may not be possible. You will be consulted before any further action is taken;

    He/She will probably be bigger than remembered - please see note on my modus  operandi .

    It is difficult, if not impossible, to provide an exact replica of the original:  however, you  can rest assured, every effort will be made to render one that gives the best outcome.

MODUS OPERANDI:

    Every project is likely to be different.  However, potential Buyers of the service can refer to the various posts contained in my blog at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com/Rejuvenation of  Little Red Ted/Treatment of Ed Ted.  The posts can be found in the Blog Archives (March/April 2011 for the former:  July 2011 in the case of the latter)

TOYS FEATURED:  Little Red Ted is a Plush Fabric Toy, originally a former Army Bear who travelled everywhere his family had been posted with the British Army.  Middle East, and Germany featured prominently in his former travels and his adventures included run ins with family dogs.  He now lives peacefully with his Best Friend, who admits to being "nearly 80" here in Heytesbury, Wiltshire, England, UK.

Ed Ted Bear arrived in the Clinic at the beginning of July and was the constant companion of a young Boy, going everywhere together.  He had spent the last 20-25 years wrapped in two plastic bags in the attic of the family home.  He only appeared when the attic was being cleared after the death of Ed Ted's Best Friend's Mother in December 2010 and was sent to the Clinic to see if he could be helped back to health.  He faces an exciting future, travelling to live in Italy with his Best Friend in the very near future and meeting a white cat named SNOW, who adopted the Best Friend in 2010."

Hello there Followers, Readers and everyone else:  Cy Bear here just to keep you informed about what is happening in the Clinic (www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies - #79124185) and regarding the Cuddlies who are preparing to be adopted shortly.

Isobel has cut out three new Baby White Rabbits and has sewn one.  It is now ready for stuffing and putting together.  MrsC from Beecroft, New South Wales, Australia has asked that one Bunny has a yellow ribbon and the other a turqoise one.  They are intended as "welcome to the world" gifts for twins who are expected shortly.  Mum apparently knows that one is a boy:  the other is going to be "a surprise" and everyone agrees that these two colours are properly neutral for whatever joins its brother!

Panda is ready to go and  his replacement is cut out and ready to be sewn together once all the Bunnies are complete.  Isobel will get down to stuffing and sewing the other two cut out Bunnies just as soon as she's finished this post.

Meanwhile, the patients in the Clinic are continuing their treatment.  Tommy Teddy survived his wash, having spent the whole night in a cool bath, and apparently the water was quite dark when he was extracted.  He spent yesterday and this morning in the Laundry area of The Hospital of St. John, where we all live, and is now back home waiting to be ironed out so that Isobel can make the cardboard pattern pieces from which he will be cut out - once we've got the fabric sorted.  A request for a prices and suggested materials has been sent.

Brr Bear, meanwhile, is lying down on his back - resting, before his treatment begins.  He looks very comfortable.

I'll bring this post to an end so Goodnight  for now and we both hope that you'll remember the Clinic if you come across a stuffed animal toy who needs help to look better.  Isobel does enjoy doing them:  and I like to see them get better looking as the days go by.

Latest ColdhamCuddlies update

My word - what a day this has been!  Things seem to have happened thick and fast today - not that either Cy Bear nor I are complaining.

So, let me (Isobel) begin with an update on the two new ColdhamCuddlies patients:  Brr Bear is waiting to be deconstructed, but has an ear missing (more information on that matter in a minute).  Tommy Teddy has been completely taken to bits and is now wallowing in a basin full of cool water in which he will be all night.  He's had the first layer of three decade's plus worth of dust, wear and tear removed:  the soaking in cold water will, hopefully, remove another layer.  He will then be dried out naturally and ironed out.  He really is the most odd shape and I shall be having nightmares about getting him back together again - until I actually sit down and do it.  That's my modus operandi, I fear.  He, too, is missing an ear as well as a paw pad.**  His stuffing turned out to be foam rubber which had been cut up from whatever sources it had originated from - and I dread to think what could have happened had he been anywhere near a live flame.  The foam was certainly not fireproof!  It has been deposited at the Warminster Dump!

**This is because I've sent them to Susan at Bear Basics to see if she can match them up with her impressive stock of bear-making fabrics.  She not only has the Steiff Shulte fabrics, but a whole lot more as well, and I am confident that she will not let Coldham Cuddlies (www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies) down.  Put it this way:  if she cannot help, am not quite sure where I'll be able to find anything remotely like Tommy Teddy now, given that dyes and materials have changed so much since he arrived to live with the Morrells in the early 1970's.

Cy Bear interrupting here:  Isobel has learned that we have received orders for three Cuddlies, so she's going to be busy on these while she waits to hear from her fabric supplier.  Two Baby White Rabbits like the one shown below are off to New South Wales, Australia (which I understand is the other side of the world away from here).

Baby White Rabbit - Etsy Listing # 55036116

And then we've received another order from Mrs B-P from Saudi Arabia for one of our Panda Bears. (She was the person who ordered Hairy Bear some weeks' ago - and we hear that he's had an accident with one of his legs.  So, we're expecting him to become a patient in the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic soon, too.) Panda Bear will be going to Saudi Arabia, which I'm told is about half the world away from England, UK, so all three of them have got  long air journeys ahead of them.   Panda's photo is coming up now.

Panda Bear - Etsy Listing #55047110

Now it's Isobel back again to take up the final bit of the latest ColdhamCuddlies update story.  We've got back in touch with Annie  from EmptyontheInside, and I'll be copying and sending off all the items related to the Ed Ted treatment history for her to use in her blog at www.doughdirtdye.blogspot.com.  Poor lass - they're suffering a heatwave in her part of the USA (think it's Okalahoma)  where temperatures are forecast to reach 116 degrees Fahrenheit, for Heaven's sake! Apparently, they've not seen temperatures like it since the 1980's.   Now we've been groaning at 90 degrees, although we've been promised more reasonable temperatures after a day of rain tomorrow, so we've got few reasons to complain, methinks.

Thus, one way or another, I'm going to be busy, busy, busy.... and neither Cy Bear or I would have it any other way.  Until we meet again......Cy Bear  and  Isobel

Ed Ted - Treatment complete

Cy Bear and Isobel are both pleased (and not a little relieved, respectively) to announce that Ed Ted's rejuvenating treatment is satisfactorily completed.  Here he is  - NOW!

Taken in a neighbour's garden

And just to remind you all, because it is nearly a month since the therapy began, here he was when he arrived early in July:

Ed Ted - first glimpse

The final stage was not without some excitement.  Once the head was attached, Isobel stuffed Ed Ted really firmly, only to find that the left arm did not lie right.  So, she unstuffed him, and after a bit of difficulty managed to fit the arm in the correct position.  Now, he's a very proud Associate Member of the Coldham Cuddlies family, and whilst not able - yet - to feature in the shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com, he soon will be, as Isobel intends to officially announce the opening of the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic sometime this coming week.  She intends to use similar pictures of both Ed Ted and Little Red Ted to illustrate how the Soft Toy Clinic will operate.

The Clinic's impending opening has been bought forward, as we now have two more patients awaiting treatment.  We'll introduce them here in this post and talk about them at greater length in forthcoming posts.  Their names are Brr Bear, whose best friends are Mrs. DK and Mrs. HR (the latter being the daughter of the former). 

Brr Bear in front of Tommy Teddy

Tommy Teddy is one of the Morrell Family Bears - currently in elder daughter, Philippa's, collection and has been with us since the early 1970's.  He was originally pink and blue in colour:  he's faded somewhat, so Isobel is going to give him a new coat - hopefully in similar colours, and re-stuff him with safe polyester fibre as he's currently stuffed with rubber foam,  that could be dangerously inflammable.  Foam rubber in the 1970's here in the UK was not treated and was often used to stuff cushions (and toys) before it was found to be so dangerous when involved in fires.

With that, we'll both end our updates from the Coldham Cuddlies fold for today.  Good night all - Cy Bear and Isobel

Ed Ted latest - nearly there!

Hello there everyone - this is Cy Bear back to bring you the last two posts about the rejuvenation of Ed Ted Bear.  Isobel and I are sorry that it's taking so long, but the problem caused by the "missing link" (a.k.a the missing washer to join his head to his body) took longer to solve than we both expected.  However, finally, we got it and Isobel managed to fix his body on. That was a bit more difficult than expected  as he's got such a lot of fur - not to mention his original body layers - that Isobel's arthritic fingers found it quite difficult to manipulate the joint pieces in place.

This is how Ed Ted has been looking since the beginning of the week with all his legs fitted on to his body, and the head waiting for the missing washer.

On Tuesday, after Isobel had been to RNAS (Royal Naval Air Service) Museum at Yeovilton, in Somerset (about 40 miles from here) she visited Susan at Bear Basics at her shop and home in a village near Wincanton, Somerset, which was en route homewards.  Ed Ted had accompanied the family party wrapped in a plastic bag inside a shopping bag, so the ladies were able to make sure the right washer could be applied.

When everyone came home again, as Isobel's children (2 girls and husband of one of them) wanted to talk to both her and Peter,  no sewing was done on Ed Ted that night (although Litte Ed Ted - whom Isobel had sewed together while waiting to be able to finish Ed Ted himself - was stuffed and his head added.)  He's looking as though he's going to be quite a cheeky chap when completed!

Yesterday evening, Ed Ted's head was finally fixed to his body, but Isobel felt that his legs were not quite in the right place.  So it meant they had to be taken off and put on again - hence our not being able to finish him tonight.  All that is now needed is for Ed Ted's body to be stuffed, his paw pads sewn on and then his claws and facial features embroidered on in the appropriate positions.  That should be done in a couple of evenings, but meanwhile, here is a picture of Ed Ted - head in place - waiting to be stuffed! 

You can see what I meant - a few posts ago - when I said Ed Ted is going to be a BIG BEAR!  When complete, he will become an Associate Member of the Coldham Cuddlies family - because, of course, having a home with RFE - his Best Friend - already, he cannot be displayed in the ColdhamCuddlies shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  I shall be pleased to make his acquaintance - and be photographed beside him!  Meanwhile, goodnight .... Cy Bear

 Before closing this post, this is Isobel back for a quick write-up - as promised - about the visit the Yeovilton.

The whole day was simply great and the "birthday boy" thoroughly enjoyed every moment.  When a lot of walking is involved, we have to use a wheelchair, but our son-in-law took over that duty and was not only an able pilot, but an accomplished guide as we all went round the exhibits.  Peter's main wish was to see and learn more about the Buccaneer aircraft:  that was satisfactorily accomplished.  The rest of us - all 'plane enthusiasts, with not too much expert knowledge - just enjoyed walking round.  Main impression was the very small amount of "elbow-room" that pilots are expected to operate in!  Best bit?  The tour round the "mock-up" of an aircraft-carrier:  from the launch of a Phantom jet off the flight deck to the landing of a Buccaneer (so realistic!) as well as the explanation of the various important components of daily life in an aircraft carrier.  Interactive displays and lots of opportunity for young people to press buttons and see what happens!  Even a spot to sit and draw one's impressions of the aircraft on display in the various exhibition halls, with selected artistic efforts placed on a wall for the benefit of other visitors!  If any readers of this blog visit the UK - RNAS Yeovilton (an operational air station as well as home to the Museum) is well worth including in your itinerary.

The day was completed with a really nice lunch at a village gastro pub en route to Susan of Bear Basics, and after a satisfactory business transaction (including the missing washer), we came home and had a lovely family chinwag over a cup of tea!  Very British, don't you think?

Hope to be posting the final installment of Ed Ted's transformation next time (probably in a couple of days).  Meanwhile, thanks for your patience!  Isobel

Starting a new project or two

Still no joy on the missing washer for Ed Ted - so he is languishing in the work-room waiting for his head to be joined to his body.  However, as Susan from Bear Basics and I are due to meet for the first time next Tuesday (July 26) she's probably decided not to risk posting such a small bit of plastic via the "tender mercies" of Royal Mail, and I've thus decided that I'll take Ed's head with me when we have a family outing that day - about which I will post tomorrow evening.  Then we can make sure that the joint will fit and not result in a wobbly head for Ed Ted - even if it means getting a packet of 10 of the same size!  I'll not waste them!

In the meantime, I have cut out my next toy:  looking at the left-over mohair I've been using to re-cover Ed Ted,  I suspected that there might just be enough to make an Old Gold version of Little Red Ted - whose pattern template I filed away after completing that project.  Just to remind folks what he looked like, here is a picture:

Sitting in the garden with Cy Bear

It was great to be proved right, so I immediately drew out Little Red on the remaining mohair material, also cut out the same brown suedette paw pads, and after completing this post tonight, will be starting sew the pieces together.  For the purposes of labelling, I think I'll call this one Little Ed Ted, as hopefully he will turn out a smaller version of our current friend.  Not  a terribly original name I admit, but then that's not necessarily my forte.

The other thing I'm working on - which has been mentioned in convos on Etsy (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) in recent weeks as well as here - is an idea for expanding the renovation/rejuvenation service that I really have enjoyed doing.  I have loved sharing it with all you lovely folks who have been kind enough to visit - and in some cases, comment on as well.  It's been great (and very encouraging) to hear from you.

The idea is to begin the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic. "Hospitals" conjure up images of large buildings and are usually such large, impersonal things, so I think a "Clinic" offers the possibility of a more personal service.  I know one should not get too involved with one's patients in real life - but where toys are concerned, I think personal involvement is vital.

                    (IT WOULD BE VERY INTERESTING TO KNOW EVERYONE'S VIEWS....?.)

How would it work you ask?   Well here is my current thinking.  I'd initially charge a "Consultation Fee" of say 25.00 GBP (which at today's conversion rate equates to 40.75 USD).  That would cover my time assessing what was needed, costing the materials required and convoing with the Toy's Best Friend, ending with a provisional quotation of the total cost and, once the OK had been given, ordering the required material.  Think that the quote would be based on the size of each projected toy and would be similar in cost(s) to the finished plush toys in the ColdhamCuddlies shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  Based on Ed Ted, who is about the same size as the big Bears (who are the biggest plushies), that would be a further 55.00 USD on top of the consultation fee.

Then, after August 31, 2011, when the postal charges will once again be operating (or not, depending on the number of orders I get while the special offer is in place) there will be a postal rate to be added to the total.  Let me explain my postal charges at the moment.

Here in the UK we have two main rates for parcels - the First Class Postal rate which is always higher than the Standard Small Packet rate.  Now, most Cuddlies (with the big Bears being an exception) qualify to travel at the lower rate.  Thus, everyone who orders a Cuddly are likely to get a refund, which kicks in immediately the consignment is shipped.  If there is  more than one item in any one package, and there is a higher charge involved, then no further action will be taken until the Buyer has been consulted - either via e-mail or convo.  The requirement for a figure to be placed on the Etsy order form  for "more than one item" is therefore something of a "guess" because there may be lots of items of differing sizes.   But in order to be able to complete the listing, I had to put in something!  So far, all my orders have attracted a refund - which has been calculated once I have had the parcel weighed and in all cases so far,  posted without referrals to buyers.  And, the refunds have been gratefully received, without exception!   Obviously, if there is an excess charge, the parcel will be kept home until the Buyer has been notified and given me the all clear, and then sent on its way.  Postage details, which can include a tracking number (charges for that extra cost start from around a further 5.00 GBP (or 8.15 USD at today's conversion rate.) form the final convo/email for that transaction from my end:  I then just wait to hear of the safe arrival at its destination (I hope and pray!)

Hope that explains the situation?  Some folks have commented on these rates in the past - but were reassured when  the likely cost was quoted.  I have to keep these figures simple:  as maths and I have never been happy companions!

So, I'll close this post for tonight:  really am interested to hear your reactions, both to the idea of the Clinic and likely charges, which are not written in stone.  I'm open to reasonable suggestions!!  Bye for now.  Isobel