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
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, 20 July 2011
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Ed Ted's therapy - Construction process Part 3
Hello again - Cy Bear here: did you think we'd disappeared? I have been beginning to wonder just when we'd get round to telling you where we are at!
Progress in rejuvenating Ed Ted has been going on apace, but alas, today we've been halted because Isobel finds herself needing a vital joint bit which will join his head to his body. So, early tomorrow she will be on the telephone to Susan at Bear Basics in Wincanton (down the road from home) in the hope that she can once again come to our rescue. It's only a small piece missing, but it is vital. Without it, Ed Ted's head may be wobbly (like mine was) and if Isobel had, had it in stock, maybe I'd have had a head that moved instead of being firmly stitched in one position.
In the interim, it is pleasing to be able to report that Ed Ted now has arms fixed to his body and Isobel is in the process of stuffing his legs before attaching them to his body too. They proved a bit of a problem in that when making us Coldham Cuddlies bears, Isobel has usually stuffed our legs from the hip downwards. But, because Ed Ted's original legs were the furriest bit of him - as demonstrated by the pictures we've already posted - the pieces did not lie evenly on his new covering, so instead of having the furry side face down on the new mohair, she had to place the calico side face down on each piece. It's worked out fine, but it also means she is having to stuff the legs from the foot upwards. Because we've got the delay in getting Ed Ted's head on, she's not rushing that bit. It may be stating the obvious, but the body is not stuffed until all the limbs and head are attached.
However, we do have a couple more pictures to show you - and here they are:
Here is Ed Ted's head resting against the pile of all the other bits of him which are waiting to be sewn together. Isobel has not embroidered his nose nor mouth yet - that is best done once the head is attached to the body and it has been stuffed. Otherwise, the final expression could be affected. The brown bits are suedette which Isobel is going to use for his paw and leg pads.
In the background, you can see the envelope in which the cardboard templates Isobel used to cut out Ed Ted's new fur coat are going to be kept. Despite the delays, Isobel has enjoyed making him, so might well do another using some of the fabric she already has in stock - but it will not be mohair - this is the first time she has used this fabric, and it's been a great experience she tells me.
This picture was taken this morning - and shows all Ed Ted's pieces turned the right side out and ready to be stuffed. The paw pads still remain to be attached and will be done when the limbs are attached to the body, which can be seen in the background. The picture is not as clear as it might be, but it's been raining "cats and dogs" all day, and what daylight there has been, has not been that bright. However, think the picture is clear enough to show how Ed Ted is looking at this moment in time, although not quite clear enough to show the thread-marks indicating where the limbs will be attached once they are stuffed.
The next post about Ed Ted should be the last one (about him!) - and will have to wait until the missing joint piece arrives. Hopefully, if Royal Mail co-operates and Susan has it in stock, that should be another couple of days' time. In the meantime, I'll say good-night. Cy Bear
Progress in rejuvenating Ed Ted has been going on apace, but alas, today we've been halted because Isobel finds herself needing a vital joint bit which will join his head to his body. So, early tomorrow she will be on the telephone to Susan at Bear Basics in Wincanton (down the road from home) in the hope that she can once again come to our rescue. It's only a small piece missing, but it is vital. Without it, Ed Ted's head may be wobbly (like mine was) and if Isobel had, had it in stock, maybe I'd have had a head that moved instead of being firmly stitched in one position.
In the interim, it is pleasing to be able to report that Ed Ted now has arms fixed to his body and Isobel is in the process of stuffing his legs before attaching them to his body too. They proved a bit of a problem in that when making us Coldham Cuddlies bears, Isobel has usually stuffed our legs from the hip downwards. But, because Ed Ted's original legs were the furriest bit of him - as demonstrated by the pictures we've already posted - the pieces did not lie evenly on his new covering, so instead of having the furry side face down on the new mohair, she had to place the calico side face down on each piece. It's worked out fine, but it also means she is having to stuff the legs from the foot upwards. Because we've got the delay in getting Ed Ted's head on, she's not rushing that bit. It may be stating the obvious, but the body is not stuffed until all the limbs and head are attached.
However, we do have a couple more pictures to show you - and here they are:
Here is Ed Ted's head resting against the pile of all the other bits of him which are waiting to be sewn together. Isobel has not embroidered his nose nor mouth yet - that is best done once the head is attached to the body and it has been stuffed. Otherwise, the final expression could be affected. The brown bits are suedette which Isobel is going to use for his paw and leg pads.
In the background, you can see the envelope in which the cardboard templates Isobel used to cut out Ed Ted's new fur coat are going to be kept. Despite the delays, Isobel has enjoyed making him, so might well do another using some of the fabric she already has in stock - but it will not be mohair - this is the first time she has used this fabric, and it's been a great experience she tells me.
This picture was taken this morning - and shows all Ed Ted's pieces turned the right side out and ready to be stuffed. The paw pads still remain to be attached and will be done when the limbs are attached to the body, which can be seen in the background. The picture is not as clear as it might be, but it's been raining "cats and dogs" all day, and what daylight there has been, has not been that bright. However, think the picture is clear enough to show how Ed Ted is looking at this moment in time, although not quite clear enough to show the thread-marks indicating where the limbs will be attached once they are stuffed.
The next post about Ed Ted should be the last one (about him!) - and will have to wait until the missing joint piece arrives. Hopefully, if Royal Mail co-operates and Susan has it in stock, that should be another couple of days' time. In the meantime, I'll say good-night. Cy Bear
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Ed Ted's Therapy - Construction process Part 2
Good evening, everyone: Cy Bear back again - with the latest news on Ed Ted's progress.
Here are some pictures of the tacking process, ready for the proper "building of Ed Ted" to begin:
Isobel used red cotton yarn to tack the pieces together, so it would be easy to remove once the bits were assembled together.
All pieces having been cut out and tacked onto their corresponding original bits of Ed Ted, Isobel decided to begin work on his head. This she hand-sewed, as it's such a business getting out the machine, and she can make sure that everything gets sewn in better that way. Some of Ed Ted's original body that we could save was smaller than it's corresponding side, especially in the case of his head, so it was better for hand-sewing to be carried out. To make sure that all the bits stayed tight, Isobel hand tacked the loose bits before stuffing began.
Isobel then spent quite a long time before getting on with the next bit - putting in his eyes. Now, these are Ed Ted's original ones, and we felt it was important to try and get them as near as possible to the same location on the new head, as they were on the original one (which is, of course, under the new fur). Its terribly easy, I imagine to get the eyes wrong, and then the whole facial features won't look right. However, after tidying up boxes of toys joints - a job Isobel has been putting off ever since she was given them by an elderly lady next door who used to make Bears until her fingers gave out - she took a deep breath, switched on her digital camera so that she could look at Ed Ted's original photograph (the one with all the bandages on) and made the necessary holes in either side of his face. (To see what I mean, please refer to our earlier post at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com/07/25/2011/First Bulletin on Ed Ted's treatment)
After a bit of a struggle - we're sewing through three layers of material on each piece now - a small hole was made and Isobel managed to "persuade" the wire loops on which the glass eyes are fixed, through. She then made sure they were firmly fixed on the wrong side of the head. She threaded strong cotton (strong enough for sewing jeans) through each wire loop, then once they penetrated the material layers, she individually wrapped threads round each loop and tied the two pieces of yarn together, very firmly. Hopefully, Ed Ted will not undergo quite the same treatment in future as he has undergone heretofore! Then the head was stuffed and it now resides on the ironing board (which is where most of the recent photography sessions have been based) ready for the ears to be sewn on and the facial features to be embroidered on. We've used one of the bigger joints for the head, which hopefully will mean that it won't wobble when fixed to the body.
(When Isobel made me, she had not sorted the joints out - so she used some she had in for the smaller toys and bears. So, my head initially was very wobbly - which is why she sewed it onto my body - rather than having a swivelling one! Now I'm used to it, I think prefer it!)
However - the facial features are better left until the head is fixed onto the body - and that only happens once all the limbs are sewn up and stuffed. That's the next stage, and as we are off to the seaside tomorrow for the day, it may be a couple of days before we're in a position to show you how things are progressing.
Meanwhile, listing on the Groove Press site is almost finished and then Isobel will be activating all the Cuddlies family. It will be interesting to see what, if any, reaction there is to their appearance on the new shop site.
I'll end now .... hope everyone reading this blog is enjoying the suspense of Ed Ted's emergence as much as I am watching it! Cy Bear
Here are some pictures of the tacking process, ready for the proper "building of Ed Ted" to begin:
Isobel used red cotton yarn to tack the pieces together, so it would be easy to remove once the bits were assembled together.
All pieces having been cut out and tacked onto their corresponding original bits of Ed Ted, Isobel decided to begin work on his head. This she hand-sewed, as it's such a business getting out the machine, and she can make sure that everything gets sewn in better that way. Some of Ed Ted's original body that we could save was smaller than it's corresponding side, especially in the case of his head, so it was better for hand-sewing to be carried out. To make sure that all the bits stayed tight, Isobel hand tacked the loose bits before stuffing began.
Isobel then spent quite a long time before getting on with the next bit - putting in his eyes. Now, these are Ed Ted's original ones, and we felt it was important to try and get them as near as possible to the same location on the new head, as they were on the original one (which is, of course, under the new fur). Its terribly easy, I imagine to get the eyes wrong, and then the whole facial features won't look right. However, after tidying up boxes of toys joints - a job Isobel has been putting off ever since she was given them by an elderly lady next door who used to make Bears until her fingers gave out - she took a deep breath, switched on her digital camera so that she could look at Ed Ted's original photograph (the one with all the bandages on) and made the necessary holes in either side of his face. (To see what I mean, please refer to our earlier post at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com/07/25/2011/First Bulletin on Ed Ted's treatment)
After a bit of a struggle - we're sewing through three layers of material on each piece now - a small hole was made and Isobel managed to "persuade" the wire loops on which the glass eyes are fixed, through. She then made sure they were firmly fixed on the wrong side of the head. She threaded strong cotton (strong enough for sewing jeans) through each wire loop, then once they penetrated the material layers, she individually wrapped threads round each loop and tied the two pieces of yarn together, very firmly. Hopefully, Ed Ted will not undergo quite the same treatment in future as he has undergone heretofore! Then the head was stuffed and it now resides on the ironing board (which is where most of the recent photography sessions have been based) ready for the ears to be sewn on and the facial features to be embroidered on. We've used one of the bigger joints for the head, which hopefully will mean that it won't wobble when fixed to the body.
(When Isobel made me, she had not sorted the joints out - so she used some she had in for the smaller toys and bears. So, my head initially was very wobbly - which is why she sewed it onto my body - rather than having a swivelling one! Now I'm used to it, I think prefer it!)
However - the facial features are better left until the head is fixed onto the body - and that only happens once all the limbs are sewn up and stuffed. That's the next stage, and as we are off to the seaside tomorrow for the day, it may be a couple of days before we're in a position to show you how things are progressing.
Meanwhile, listing on the Groove Press site is almost finished and then Isobel will be activating all the Cuddlies family. It will be interesting to see what, if any, reaction there is to their appearance on the new shop site.
I'll end now .... hope everyone reading this blog is enjoying the suspense of Ed Ted's emergence as much as I am watching it! Cy Bear
Monday, 11 July 2011
Ed Ted's Therapy: destruction ended: re-construction begins
Greetings once again Friends: Cy Bear back again, this time with the good news that Ed Ted's destruction has ended, and Isobel is now beginning to get him back together again.
First of all, let's begin from where we left - which was Isobel telling you all about some of her future plans and some trials connected with the Shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com). She's relisted all the entries in the shop, filling in a new bit of the form about which she was not aware. That's because she's been so involved with Ed Ted and blogging about him too! She's also started to list on the new website, the address for which she will reveal when she's got all the Rabbits, Foxes, Coyotes and Bears - except me, included. The process is a little different to the www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies requirements, so it's taking her a bit longer to do than she had bargained for
The business cards may already have resulted in a new restoration project. This time from what Isobel has been told by the Bears Friend, it's a case of replacing blue eyes in a brown bear and probably the replacement of the stuffing. Isobel is also going to look into replacing his growler - which now no longer works. That will be a first for Isobel. Life is exciting, isn't it? We won't know what we're facing until the end of July, when the new Bear's friend is coming to the Summer Fete which is being organised here at The Hospital of St. John on July 30th.
However, we do know that Burr Bear, as he is called, will not be such a total repair job as Ed Ted has proved to be - and in the process Ed Ted has turned out to be bigger bear than we had both thought! I'm going to have mind my p's and q's! He may turn out to be bigger than me!
Here are all the appliqued pieces of Ed Ted ready for the next stage - which means that Isobel spent yesterday drawing round each one onto cardboard. She uses breakfast cereal packets for this purpose - saves the whole packet going to landfill: so preserving her claim that the Coldham Cuddlies are as environmentally friendly as possible. Once they are cut out, then she draws round each piece on the mohair fabric piece.
Silly Isobel: guess what she didn't do before she took Ed Ted to pieces? She didn't measure him, did she? So, when it came to ordering the fabric, she did not order sufficient. Fortunately, Susan from Bear Basics in Wincanton, Somerset (who says she stocks "the largest selection of Stieff Schulte mohair in the UK - and she's only 30 miles down the road from here!) still had enough to meet Isobel's needs. The mohair that has been supplied is described as "17mm Dense Distressed Spring Gold" and I must say matches Ed Ted very well. When he's finished, he really will be quite something! I shall be more than happy to be photographed alongside him.
Once all the pieces had been drawn onto the fabric, Isobel cut them out and then spent most of yesterday evening tacking each piece of Ed Ted's original body and head onto the matching pattern piece using the new fabric. Here are pictures showing where Ed Ted's reconstruction process has currently reached and been photographed.
And here is another picture of Ed Ted's head ready to be drawn onto the mohair fabric. After that, I'll end, so that Isobel can do some more listing on the new shop site, and also to do some more sewing on Ed Ted. We've probably got another two or three posts to do before we will be able to present a new, handsome Ed Ted to the world! Can't wait; hope you're all interested too!
And finally, here are all the pieces together - with the mohair material waiting to be drawn on. Cheers for today. Cy Bear
First of all, let's begin from where we left - which was Isobel telling you all about some of her future plans and some trials connected with the Shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com). She's relisted all the entries in the shop, filling in a new bit of the form about which she was not aware. That's because she's been so involved with Ed Ted and blogging about him too! She's also started to list on the new website, the address for which she will reveal when she's got all the Rabbits, Foxes, Coyotes and Bears - except me, included. The process is a little different to the www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies requirements, so it's taking her a bit longer to do than she had bargained for
The business cards may already have resulted in a new restoration project. This time from what Isobel has been told by the Bears Friend, it's a case of replacing blue eyes in a brown bear and probably the replacement of the stuffing. Isobel is also going to look into replacing his growler - which now no longer works. That will be a first for Isobel. Life is exciting, isn't it? We won't know what we're facing until the end of July, when the new Bear's friend is coming to the Summer Fete which is being organised here at The Hospital of St. John on July 30th.
However, we do know that Burr Bear, as he is called, will not be such a total repair job as Ed Ted has proved to be - and in the process Ed Ted has turned out to be bigger bear than we had both thought! I'm going to have mind my p's and q's! He may turn out to be bigger than me!
Here are all the appliqued pieces of Ed Ted ready for the next stage - which means that Isobel spent yesterday drawing round each one onto cardboard. She uses breakfast cereal packets for this purpose - saves the whole packet going to landfill: so preserving her claim that the Coldham Cuddlies are as environmentally friendly as possible. Once they are cut out, then she draws round each piece on the mohair fabric piece.
Silly Isobel: guess what she didn't do before she took Ed Ted to pieces? She didn't measure him, did she? So, when it came to ordering the fabric, she did not order sufficient. Fortunately, Susan from Bear Basics in Wincanton, Somerset (who says she stocks "the largest selection of Stieff Schulte mohair in the UK - and she's only 30 miles down the road from here!) still had enough to meet Isobel's needs. The mohair that has been supplied is described as "17mm Dense Distressed Spring Gold" and I must say matches Ed Ted very well. When he's finished, he really will be quite something! I shall be more than happy to be photographed alongside him.
Once all the pieces had been drawn onto the fabric, Isobel cut them out and then spent most of yesterday evening tacking each piece of Ed Ted's original body and head onto the matching pattern piece using the new fabric. Here are pictures showing where Ed Ted's reconstruction process has currently reached and been photographed.
 |
| Crown and Leg pieces ready to be drawn on new fabric |
And finally, here are all the pieces together - with the mohair material waiting to be drawn on. Cheers for today. Cy Bear
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Another Ed Ted update
Just a quick update - before Cy Bear and I begin blogging about Ed Ted's continuing treatment.
Glad to say that the material matching problem is solved. My nearby source, just 30 miles down the road from here, has come up trumps - BIG TIME. Ed's ear, which was sent to provide a sample, has been matched SPOT ON and the material has arrived courtesty of Royal Mail. I'm now in the process of sketching the patterns on to cardboard to make a template for the new cover and will then be cutting the pattern out and the stitching can begin to complete the Ed Ted project.
Before ending for the night though, here is a picture of the leg featured in the last post - on the new material. Think you'll all agree that it is a pretty fantastic match.
A final update. Have begun the process of listing on Groove Press and will be doing it in stages. Etsy will still remain the main site for www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com - but am spreading the Cuddlies wings!
Bye for the moment. Isobel
Glad to say that the material matching problem is solved. My nearby source, just 30 miles down the road from here, has come up trumps - BIG TIME. Ed's ear, which was sent to provide a sample, has been matched SPOT ON and the material has arrived courtesty of Royal Mail. I'm now in the process of sketching the patterns on to cardboard to make a template for the new cover and will then be cutting the pattern out and the stitching can begin to complete the Ed Ted project.
Before ending for the night though, here is a picture of the leg featured in the last post - on the new material. Think you'll all agree that it is a pretty fantastic match.
A final update. Have begun the process of listing on Groove Press and will be doing it in stages. Etsy will still remain the main site for www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com - but am spreading the Cuddlies wings!
Bye for the moment. Isobel
Monday, 4 July 2011
Announcement - regarding ColdhamCuddlies' shop and Ed Ted latest
STOP PRESS:
With effect from today (Fourth July), even though I am not an American - by being an Etsian, I believe I have become an adopted one! - I am offering FREE SHIPPING for everyone, anywhere for anything in the shop currently, plus anything that may be listed between July 4, 2011 and August 31, 2011. The shipping costs have also been re-calculated so visitors to www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com can see how much they are saving if they take advantage of this offer!
Having spent a great deal of time in the past few days concentrating on Ed Ted and his treatment, I decided to visit my shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) on Sunday and was somewhat disconcerted to discover that the listing form had changed quite radically since I had last had a proper look. I noticed I had to fill in a lot more information ABOUT the items when Miss Prim Fox (Etsy Listing #75340524) and Sir Francis Fox (Etsy Listing #75921238) joined the family, but had not realised that the new format applied to everything else that was already in the shop! Took quite a while to achieve, but managed to do it before retiring to bed last evening.
As a result of the blogging in recent weeks, we are beginning to attract more followers on Twitter, one of which is Groove Press.com. They have offered to include our shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) for a six month trial at very favourable terms, so I will also be listing all the ColdhamCuddlies on that site when I have received an answer to a registering question I have posed. Being the Fourth of July, assume that the folks at Groove Press are enjoying a well-deserved break. I hope to be beginning the selling process on that site very soon. Naturally this is going to mean yet another site address - which I will publish just as soon as the new shop is operational.
The business cards I spoke about last week arrived on Saturday, and I'm very pleased with how they look. Proves that it is better to proof read and design in daylight, rather than just before retiring to one's bed! Shall be using every opportunity to distribute them from now on (including as a Compliment Slip when using the "snailmail" route for communicating). As a silver surfer, am still more comfortable using this traditional means of communicating, but realise that social media etc. et al is the way to go. Can sometimes be uncomfortable being dragged into the 21st Century.
As for Ed Ted: some of his pieces have been appliqued: (see above for the reason why that stage of the rejuvenation process has not been completed) and I hope to do some more after posting this blog. Then we await swatches from my potential new mohair fabric source for a choice to be made for Ed's final covering. Since he was washed, I would really like to match it as closely as possible. His legs really are a very lush golden yellow and he would look splendid if he could end up with that as his final appearance.
With effect from today (Fourth July), even though I am not an American - by being an Etsian, I believe I have become an adopted one! - I am offering FREE SHIPPING for everyone, anywhere for anything in the shop currently, plus anything that may be listed between July 4, 2011 and August 31, 2011. The shipping costs have also been re-calculated so visitors to www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com can see how much they are saving if they take advantage of this offer!
Having spent a great deal of time in the past few days concentrating on Ed Ted and his treatment, I decided to visit my shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) on Sunday and was somewhat disconcerted to discover that the listing form had changed quite radically since I had last had a proper look. I noticed I had to fill in a lot more information ABOUT the items when Miss Prim Fox (Etsy Listing #75340524) and Sir Francis Fox (Etsy Listing #75921238) joined the family, but had not realised that the new format applied to everything else that was already in the shop! Took quite a while to achieve, but managed to do it before retiring to bed last evening.
As a result of the blogging in recent weeks, we are beginning to attract more followers on Twitter, one of which is Groove Press.com. They have offered to include our shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) for a six month trial at very favourable terms, so I will also be listing all the ColdhamCuddlies on that site when I have received an answer to a registering question I have posed. Being the Fourth of July, assume that the folks at Groove Press are enjoying a well-deserved break. I hope to be beginning the selling process on that site very soon. Naturally this is going to mean yet another site address - which I will publish just as soon as the new shop is operational.
The business cards I spoke about last week arrived on Saturday, and I'm very pleased with how they look. Proves that it is better to proof read and design in daylight, rather than just before retiring to one's bed! Shall be using every opportunity to distribute them from now on (including as a Compliment Slip when using the "snailmail" route for communicating). As a silver surfer, am still more comfortable using this traditional means of communicating, but realise that social media etc. et al is the way to go. Can sometimes be uncomfortable being dragged into the 21st Century.
Included here is a very rough picture of Ed Ted's legs - it will not be the final shot, because they have only been tacked to the calico sheeting, but it gives one an idea of the difference in colour shades - when compared with one of the original shots of the old fellow.
 |
| Ed Ted's original rear view |
| So, I'll now end this post - and do some sewing! Bye for this post. Isobel |
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Ed Ted's treatment - latest developments
Not too much to report on Ed Ted's treatment today, except to tell everyone that his pattern pieces have survived the washing process, they have all been ironed and I am now in the process of pinning the individual bits onto the calico sheet backing so that I can start the appliqueing process. I tell you - he's a different colour now, so it's just as well we did not progress with the potential purchase via FatPumpkinBear - because despite all the choices Karen offered, none of them now match Ed Ted's current appearance!
I do have a tendency to move headlong at things - bull in a china-shop fashion. One of my many failings. Many mistakes have occurred in the past, not only with crafts, but in other parts of my life. Seemingly, I never learn!
Incidentally, there has been a further development in the supplier field for the Cuddlies. After deciding not to proceed with FatPumpkinBear, I decided to check one or two other UK suppliers I had been recommended to contact. The search may have ended with my finding a definite possibility which is located about twenty-five miles down the road from where Coldham Cuddlies are located here in Heytesbury. Now seems to me that it might make much more sense for us to check out this new connection. Prices are very competitive, and 25 miles down the road is a lot closer than having to deal with the intracies of international mail services, not to mention the distances caused by the Atlantic Ocean and a lot of the USA as well! The new outfit invited me to send them a sample (half of one of Ed Ted's ears is already in the post!) and a search for a "perfect" match will then ensue. Obviously, given Ed Ted's age, a perfect match is unlikely, but it would be nice to get as close a one as possible.
Another thing happened this week - the new business cards I ordered a couple of weeks' ago are on their way. That is really going to help me promote Coldham Cuddlies locally. Have got the contact details of the new gallery in Warminster, and once the cards arrive, the next step is to make an appointment and go meet the proprietor of The Footprint Gallery to see if we have any common ground. Think the time has arrived for me to also spread the word myself, rather than relying solely on word of mouth - however good that is.
Cy Bear and I will be keeping you in touch as things progress, but now I'm going to get on with the pinning and stitching Ed Ted now requires for the next stage of his treatment.
Will be back soon. Isobel
I do have a tendency to move headlong at things - bull in a china-shop fashion. One of my many failings. Many mistakes have occurred in the past, not only with crafts, but in other parts of my life. Seemingly, I never learn!
Incidentally, there has been a further development in the supplier field for the Cuddlies. After deciding not to proceed with FatPumpkinBear, I decided to check one or two other UK suppliers I had been recommended to contact. The search may have ended with my finding a definite possibility which is located about twenty-five miles down the road from where Coldham Cuddlies are located here in Heytesbury. Now seems to me that it might make much more sense for us to check out this new connection. Prices are very competitive, and 25 miles down the road is a lot closer than having to deal with the intracies of international mail services, not to mention the distances caused by the Atlantic Ocean and a lot of the USA as well! The new outfit invited me to send them a sample (half of one of Ed Ted's ears is already in the post!) and a search for a "perfect" match will then ensue. Obviously, given Ed Ted's age, a perfect match is unlikely, but it would be nice to get as close a one as possible.
Another thing happened this week - the new business cards I ordered a couple of weeks' ago are on their way. That is really going to help me promote Coldham Cuddlies locally. Have got the contact details of the new gallery in Warminster, and once the cards arrive, the next step is to make an appointment and go meet the proprietor of The Footprint Gallery to see if we have any common ground. Think the time has arrived for me to also spread the word myself, rather than relying solely on word of mouth - however good that is.
Cy Bear and I will be keeping you in touch as things progress, but now I'm going to get on with the pinning and stitching Ed Ted now requires for the next stage of his treatment.
Will be back soon. Isobel
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