After 50 years making Toys, describing how they are made and sold on www.Etsy.com/shop/COLDHAMCUDDLIES; plus histories of toys owned, met with or restored: plus odds and ends, as they occur.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
ColdhamCuddliescalling: Just keeping in touch
ColdhamCuddliescalling: Just keeping in touch: "Hello there! Am taking a short break from toy-making - as long as it takes me to do some domestic sewing projects that have been mouldering..."
Just keeping in touch
Hello there! Am taking a short break from toy-making - as long as it takes me to do some domestic sewing projects that have been mouldering on the back-burner while I've been enjoying the toys! Cannot put them off any more, so, while I'll still be blogging, it may not be concerning the toys. May include some pics of what I'm up to in this field: let's see how I go on.
On the other hand, there are some updates on previous posts: the potential sale of a Fox or two to the local primary school in Heytesbury has yet to take place. Although I contacted them in May, only heard from them today. They must have got the vibes I was sending out that I would call in unannounced! With the school year-end in sight, money is not available for such "frivolous" (my description, not theirs) purchases so we have agreed to leave a get together until September - the beginning of a new school year - when hopefully money will be available. Have booked a table for their Christmas bazaar though, and got a toe in the door - which was the general idea in the first place. As a former School Governor, I had an idea that funds would not be readily available at this stage of the school year!
Have been trying to get prices for the replacement business cards I really am beginning to need. So far, none have beaten the internet site who made the mess-up on my previous set. So, may have to return to them, this time being a lot more careful before pressing the final button to set the whole thing up! Will try to do it in daylight this time, rather than at night, when inevitably one is tired and not as accurate in proof-reading.
Am really excited to report that following a contact with Stephi of StephisWhimsys (a fellow Etsian), I was able to purchase a Bear and Doll magazine with several possible bear patterns. As I've said before, I'm not into dolls - although some of the patterns are charming in the magazine. But the Bears templates offer some distinct possibilities for future Cuddlies creations. They will be based on the patterns in the magazine, but not follow the instructions entirely. Don't want to run the risk of infringing any copyright still vested in them by the magazine publishers. Still, it's very exciting to have some new directions to follow.
Have also been given a lead to a newish Art Gallery in Warminster - our local town - which seeks to feature local artists. A kind friend enquired whether the owner would be interested in featuring a Cuddly or two, and she was kind enough to say she'd like to meet me. So, now, it's a question of finding the time to go and meet her, introduce some Cuddlies, and see if we can do business. Such actions are a new direction for me, so will have to be carefully considered.
It's now getting late - I need my beauty sleep: husband is well in the Land of Nod, so had better go and join him!
Until the next time. Isobel
On the other hand, there are some updates on previous posts: the potential sale of a Fox or two to the local primary school in Heytesbury has yet to take place. Although I contacted them in May, only heard from them today. They must have got the vibes I was sending out that I would call in unannounced! With the school year-end in sight, money is not available for such "frivolous" (my description, not theirs) purchases so we have agreed to leave a get together until September - the beginning of a new school year - when hopefully money will be available. Have booked a table for their Christmas bazaar though, and got a toe in the door - which was the general idea in the first place. As a former School Governor, I had an idea that funds would not be readily available at this stage of the school year!
Have been trying to get prices for the replacement business cards I really am beginning to need. So far, none have beaten the internet site who made the mess-up on my previous set. So, may have to return to them, this time being a lot more careful before pressing the final button to set the whole thing up! Will try to do it in daylight this time, rather than at night, when inevitably one is tired and not as accurate in proof-reading.
Am really excited to report that following a contact with Stephi of StephisWhimsys (a fellow Etsian), I was able to purchase a Bear and Doll magazine with several possible bear patterns. As I've said before, I'm not into dolls - although some of the patterns are charming in the magazine. But the Bears templates offer some distinct possibilities for future Cuddlies creations. They will be based on the patterns in the magazine, but not follow the instructions entirely. Don't want to run the risk of infringing any copyright still vested in them by the magazine publishers. Still, it's very exciting to have some new directions to follow.
Have also been given a lead to a newish Art Gallery in Warminster - our local town - which seeks to feature local artists. A kind friend enquired whether the owner would be interested in featuring a Cuddly or two, and she was kind enough to say she'd like to meet me. So, now, it's a question of finding the time to go and meet her, introduce some Cuddlies, and see if we can do business. Such actions are a new direction for me, so will have to be carefully considered.
It's now getting late - I need my beauty sleep: husband is well in the Land of Nod, so had better go and join him!
Until the next time. Isobel
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| Cy Bear and Miss Prim |
Monday, 13 June 2011
Making Mr. Fox - the final instalment
Finally, the weather listened to the forecast - and the sun came out this afternoon, sufficiently for Isobel to get some photos of the latest addition to the Fox family in our shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com. He's just been listed (#75921238 and he's been named Sir Francis Fox!) Isobel feels he looks somewhat aristocratic (whatever that is?) and certainly he seems happy with it! He has a slightly wonky left ear - but no matter what Isobel did to straighten it, the end results were always the same - slightly off kilter: so in the end, that's the way she decided Sir Francis wanted it to be! Makes him look individual, anyway, doesn't it?
Finally - for today, at any rate: in an earlier post about the Foxes, I said that neither would be "officially" members of the Coldham Cuddlies, unless and until, they had been photographed with me! So, Isobel heard - and took action this afternoon. This picture now entitles both Foxes to become Coldham Cuddlies at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com! Welcome to the family Miss Prim and Sir Francis.
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| Sir Francis Fox, completed From this picture you'll see that his total "look" has changed. His jacket is now neatly sewn on to his body, and has a double silver button fastening. Isobel has sewn it on very tightly, and it will take some getting off - but even so, just to be safe, she doesn't recommend that Sir Francis becomes a companion toy for anyone under 5 years' old. Little people apparently have a tendency to try to put things like buttons in their mouths (what ever for, I wonder? They cannot taste that good, surely?) That's why we've got Baby Rabbits, Koala Bears and Pandas for sale at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com - because they are all very suitable friends for little people from 0-5 years of age. The dressed members of the Cuddly family really are better companions for the older folks, although Isobel knows of one - Mr. Toby Rabbit, who left the family before Isobel had heard of Etsy.com - who became the best friend of a little chap on his 1st birthday. The two of them became completely inseperable! Isobel also took some more photographs of Miss Prim Fox (Etsy Listing #75340524) - as promised, and also some of the two new Foxes with me. Here is one of the new Miss Prim Fox portraits: |
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| Miss Prim Fox on a bench in our garden, showing off her pantaloons! |
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Bye for now! Cy Bear
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