2014 Show and Tell - Part 2: Woodend Teddy Bear Show

Woodend Teddy Bear Show

Ever since our first Woodend Teddy Bear Show in 2008, one of the highlights of our 'beary' year is to travel from the Adelaide Hills in South Australia to the Macedon Ranges in Victoria, to participate in this lovely show. We also enjoy the excellent company and hospitality of our friends Claire and John Evans, catching up with other bear artists,  and the beauty of the region. 

Claire, John, Martin and I stay at the Kyneton Bushland Resort in a well-appointed villa there, and receive regular visitors of the animal kind.

It is only a 15 minute drive from Kyneton to Woodend, where the show is held, and Sunday morning finds us in the hall, and after checking that the critters are ready, 

 there is still time to have quick look around and take a few happy snaps of other tables 

and traders. Some are camera shy, others pose happily for the camera (or ignore me!)  as we all wait for the show to open.

Last minute preparations by camera shy trader-friends

Waiting for the show to open

 

Bear-related traders were also there

Closer encounters of the beary kind!

Once the show opens there is little time to spare, as the eager bear-seeking crowd pours into the hall and the fun begins! 

 I am happy to report that three of my critters found new homes, and end this post with their portraits, taken for the family album (as mentioned in the post Stick it in the Family Album).

2014 Show and Tell - Part 1

Hello again! If you are visiting Kayzy's Critters for the first time, or revisiting after my long absence from the blogisphere - thanks for popping in. I'm slowly easing back into blogging, this time by 'showing' you a few photographs taken at three bear shows I attended this year. I'll do it in two parts, the first being for the shows held in Adelaide this year:

1. Adelaide Hills Doll Guild's Doll and Bear Show at Hahndorf - April 2014

 My dear friend Kay Schulz and I thoroughly enjoy sharing a show table whenever possible, and this show was no exception.

Kay makes beautiful critters of all kinds (see pics), and I especially love her creations in mink.

 

 

 

 

2. SA Reborn Doll Guild Show at Fullarton - October 2014

 

Again Kay and I shared a table, and this time Kay designed and made some matching signs for us both. Being a perfectionist, Kay wasn't happy with them, but I think they look great, don't you?

Special friends Valma and Geoff Bolton (Teddys Bits) travel all the way from Sydney to Adelaide twice yearly, to provide us locals with all things needful for bear-making. It's always a joyful time when we see them, and here we see Valma and Kay chatting happily together.

Sadly for this post, I was enjoying myself so much at these two shows that I took a very few photos. However, Kay was much better at it, and her photographic record of the shows may be found on Kay's blog by clicking on these links:  

Adelaide Hills Doll and Bear show 
or 
South Australian Reborn Doll Guild Show.

Next time: 2014 Show and Tell - Part 2 (Woodend Teddy Bear Show).

Stick It in the Family Album!

Nana Kayzy was often in a bit of a spin when preparing for a teddy bear show. And as fur flew in all directions (Nana Kayzy was not called ‘Kay-os’ in her younger days for nothing!), her critters would watch, fascinated, enjoying the chaotic process because it often produced something interesting. 

They would then wait expectantly for what usually came next: Nana gathering her critters together and announcing "It's time to get the camera into action!" To the hug this was always significant - a sort of graduation ceremony - for newly born critters must have their photographs taken for the family album before going to a show. One never knew what could happen at a show!

Then critters and creator would troop out to the corner of the shed that Papa Martin had set aside for Nana, the corner where she kept all things 'beary' - show equipment, camera lights, backdrops for photography, and many other interesting things.

On this occasion, as the critters gathered around, awaiting the cry 'Lights, camera, action!', a different sort of action took place. In Nana's enthusiasm to get into the photography session straight away she failed to move a few obstacles out of the way first, and disaster struck. Taking a step backward she tripped over the show display stands, which fell onto the backdrop, which fell off the table and right on top of Nana Kayzy! 

The critters restrained their laughter and tried to look sympathetic. 

Nana picked herself up, looked around at what she had done, and declared, "This is all too hard!", and for a moment the critters thought she was going to give in to despair. But no! - thankfully Nana was made of sterner stuff. She quickly recovered her ‘get up and go’, and with Papa Martin's help things were soon put to rights and the camera shutter began clicking away, adding to the family album.

Most critters quite enjoy having their photograph taken.

However, by the time it was the twins' turn, Bobby and Billy were a little weary of the photo shoot, so they found their own way of protesting. Their pictures tell the tale:

Next time: Some pictures from this year's teddy bear shows.

Woodend Teddy Bear Show - We Love it!

Each year the critters, Martin and I look forward with great anticipation to the Woodend Teddy Bear Show enjoying the lovely opportunity of meeting fellow arctophiles and catching up with friends. The show is held in the lovely town of Woodend in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria on the last Sunday of October.

In preparation for the trip, I took photos of new critters. Here are four recent additions to the hug:

From the left: Duggie, Kenneth, Lah-Fing, Fur-Elise

and four more who wanted me to show them off!

From the left: Digger, Babette, Joh-Moh, Duffy

When do we leave, Mum?

Just before leaving I place my critters into their travelling bag. They do not like it much, but are willing to endure the confined space for a limited time.

Look, Ma - no hands

The 700 kilometre drive to Woodend is most enjoyable. We travel through rural South Australia and Victoria, and there's plenty to see. However, we had a late start this year and travelled through the night, so we didn't see much of the countryside. However, Martin is always fun to travel with, and at one point, whilst having coffee and lamingtons we drove, Martin showed me his own special way of eating lamingtons!

On Saturday afternoon we set up our display, the critters cooperating well with our desire to show them to their best advantage.

This being her first show, Fur-Elise seemed to need a little reassurance.

 The evening saw us heading off to the traditional pre-show dinner get-together and catch-up with fellow bear artists at a local restaurant. The excellence of our friend Claire's dessert and a shark sculpture were images Martin and couldn't resist capturing for posterity!

Sunday morning found us back at St Ambrose Hall, and before we knew it, the doors opened and the  fun began.

We had a great day, and I especially want to thank our dear friends Claire and John Evans for helping to make it so, and of course my kind and patient husband Martin, without whose help and encouragement I would not be able to continue in this lovely craft.

Many talented bear artists were at the show. Below are just a few:

Lena Burghart:  KP Bears - with Pat Morris's bears on right

Karen Alderson: Karen's Bears

Sue Bartlett: Adorable Bears

Merilyn Pursell:  Bearwildered Bears

Gunnies Collectibles (Robyn Gan)

Benson Bears (Linda Benson)

Scruff and Sandi

I am pleased to say that two of my critters, Sandi and Scruff - close friends who till now have been inseparable - were adopted by two human friends who live close to each other, so Sandi and Scruff will be able to keep in touch.

If you would like to know about any of my critters, you will find their details on my For Adoption page, and I'd be pleased to provide any additional information if you email me at kayzyscritters@gmail.com

WELCOME TO MY BLOG:
This post wouldn't be complete without welcoming Lyn, who recently began following this blog. I do hope you will enjoy your visits, Lyn.

Bonjour, Babette!

Well, I've been postponing the production of this post, procrastinating and puddling around, but finally decided to publish today (how many 'p' words can one fit into one sentence?)  My reasons for delay have been many, but foremost was the hope of completing alterations on a dress I'd found in my box (see last post) for Babette.

However, time and Babette waits for no Nana. Babette does not want a dress (pleading eyes); she wants to say "Bonjour!" to the world unhampered by clothing. Babette decided that all she needed was a flower in her hair, and one around her neck.

So, without further ado, may I introduce you to Babette.

Babette is made of apricot pink English mohair. Her footpads are ultrasuede, with pulled toe detail. She is stuffed with polyester, and has beads in her tummy and legs for added weight. Her English glass eyes are backed with white ultrasuede highlights, she has an embroidered nose and mouth, and has needle and scissor sculpting to give extra character to her face, along with her pixie-like ears.

Babette is designed to sit, having bent legs, and her overall length from head to toe is 35cm.

Babette is a contented, sweet-natured little girl, and I know she will make the special someone who adopts her very happy. Her adoption fee is AUD$140.00, plus postal and insurance costs. For further information about Babette, please email me.

Fun at the Adelaide Doll, Bear and Collectables Show

Last Saturday, Kay Schulz and I shared a table at this small show. 

We had a most enjoyable day together, catching up with other bear artist friends, chatting with visitors, and giving our bears a day out. 

We also farewelled Elfyn, who captured the heart of a lady. With a wistful last look and a hug, he departed, and I am happy that he has gone to such a good home.