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

A Post while waiting to complete Ed Ted

I'm just interrupting Cy Bear's commentary on the treatment of Ed Ted to bring you some news on various developments vis-a-vis the ColdhamCuddlies shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  These last few days has seen a terrific explosion in Twitter activity on my behalf (if that is the right description of what happens on Twitter) and I am getting lots of new followers, to which I have responded positively.  Wish I could pin-point the cause of this rush of activity - because I could then continue repeating it!

There have also been some of a more "questionable" variety to whom I have responded negatively - by deleting them without any hesitation. Some seem to share several Followers in common, and it was only after I had gaily followed the initial sites that these unacceptable advances were received.  I've also "Unfollowed" those sites, even though they apparently had lots of followers of their own.   It would seem that a user name  with "Cuddlies" in the title can attract responses of the wrong kind - although, to begin with, I did have a wry smile on my face when I first saw them.  At 70+, I really do not think plush soft toys and suggestively posed profile pics and descriptions really gel - although I suppose, when the approach is made by young men, it could be taken as a compliment?  I choose not to!  As it is, Coldham Cuddlies has been a registered UK  business name in connection with making soft toys since 1971, which is long before the Internet, Facebook and/or Twitter were as widespread as they are now.

It's also very gratifying to tell you lovely readers (followers of this blog, especially) that Coldham Cuddlies in general and ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic are being featured in at least three different blogs in the near future.  The first one to be published has been set for Monday, July 25 and is the result of an interview by Screaming Sardine.  I'm unsure as to how it happened, but I find that her blog is one that I read - chosen in the first place, if I recall correctly, because the user name caught my attention - but I actually answered a Twitter invitation by Screaming Sardine who was offering to feature anyone who wanted some promotion.

She "followed" me, I responded and "followed" her and fell in love with a picture of her two dogs, Tessa (whom she describes as a "Mutt") and Sage, a Belgian Malinois when I suggested she might like to interview me.   Have to say that  my favoured description of "woofers" of  mixed parentage  is a Heinz Hound which  is so much more respectful,  don't you think?  There is also the option of a "Saturday Night Special", too!  Screaming Sardine reserves her Monday posts for outside interviews, so....look out for her take on me,  the Coldham Cuddlies  and our shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) - MONDAY, JULY 25, 2011.

Then last week, when surfing the various Etsy team forums, I saw an invitation to be featured from Stitchsilly,  the user name for Andrea on Etsy, who is in the process of re-starting her blog.  I posted my contact details, and today, she sent me her questions.  These have been completed and sent back for her consideration - and we await details of when her blog will contain the interview.

For a few weeks now - at least since we've been featuring Ed Ted's treatment story - I've also been corresponding via Etsy convos with, and reading blogs by Annie of EmptyontheInside a fairly new member of the Etsy family with a new blog to accompany her arrival on the handmade scene.  Our conversations began when I noticed she was a Coyote fan (in real life) as opposed to the Coldham varieties (Lt. Brown Charlie Coyote - Etsy Listing #67039032 and Chuck the Coyote - Etsy Listing #61408931).  As her blog was so new, we agreed it might be fun if she quoted from the various postings about Ed Ted and his treatment over a period of several weeks.  Thought this was a great idea - serialising works well for both of us.  Ed Ted's treatment (and therefore the proposed ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic) can only benefit for such long-term exposure and Annie and  EmptyontheInside will have subject matter for several weeks' posts on her blog.

Can also announce that the new sales site at Groove Press is now up and running:  the new URL is www.Coldham Cuddlies@groovepress.com and we've linked this up with Facebook and Twitter  as well.  Have not checked to see what if any action has taken place here, but I got confirmation that we are "good to go" from Groove Press this morning.

Finally, think there may be some departures shortly from the Etsy.com shop site - in the form of three of the Baby Bunnies being ordered.  One is definitely the Little White Baby Rabbit:  I'm waiting to hear which of the other varieties are required.  Once the order is confirmed, will provide listing details and the buyer's name.  Until then, we'll keep it under wraps.  All in all though, definitely a few days of PROGRESS!

So, while we wait for the missing washer for Ed Ted's head, he's got all his limbs on his body, he has brown pads on his feet and will have them on his arms once the head is on and he is stuffed.  The position of the pads could be affected once the stuffing is in place, so I've decided to wait before adding those important pieces.  Susan of Bear Basics was unable to provide me with all the washers I needed because they now are not sold separately - but come in sets of three in packets of 10 at a time.  She was prepared to let me have a single one to complete Ed Ted - although, with the proviso that the one she is proposing to send me may not fit!  Different manufacturers (in China, in the main) produce different models.  Fingers crossed, please, that it will.  Otherwise, I'm going to either have to sew his head in place - really the last resort, as he did arrive with a movable head:  or I'll have to see if I can put two smaller ones in the neck seam and hope that they allow the head to swivvle and not compete with each other!  Will keep you informed - tomorrow or the next day!

Until the next post, then......Isobel