Be My Valentine Show - Sneak Peek!!!

WOW! Can you believe it - there's only 5 sleeps left until the 'Be My Valentine' online show!!! The countdown is well and truly on!

I'm pleased to say I've got 3 bears available at the show - here's a teensy sneak peek to whet your appetite! I can't wait for you all to see them: as those of you who follow my blog will know, I've been working on a brand-new design and am really happy to say that a couple of my bears at the show will be the new design!



I'm getting really excited ... I just love these online shows and Sandi Smith does a fantastic job behind the scenes putting it all together many months ahead. There are going to be so many fabulous bears and critters from many talented artists worldwide: I can't wait to see them all!

Hope you can find time to pop into the show sometime during the next weekend - just click on this link: www.teddybearsandcritters.com

Australia Day Celebration 2011!!!

What a lovely time we've had celebrating our country's national day!

Russ and I went along to see Jimmy Barnes (lead singer in 80's Australian iconic band - Cold Chisel) who played at our local Entertainment Centre last night.



Fantastic concert - very loud, very rock and roll and very Australian!!!! We have seen him perform at A Day on the Green outdoor venue concerts before, and even though the years have passed, he still can crank out a great song (especially our favourites: Khe San, Driving Wheels & Working Class Man)! We thoroughly enjoyed it, and were pleasantly surprised to see that the 'oldies' in the audience like us outnumbered the younger crowd. And boy, can we still ROCK!!!



A very hot and humid Australia Day today: started off for us with a coffee down at the local river boat ramp with Zac (our dog) and then down to the beach where it was a tiny bit cooler and Zac could have a run in the waves.

A lovely end to a lovely day saw us back at the beach this afternoon for a cool swim before a refreshing southerly popped up to cool things off.



Tomorrow, it's back to normal which means back to work for both of us, while I'm also cutting out and trimming mohair for new bears!

Postal Delays to USA

I've just experienced an anxious wait for Oreo to arrive in the US recently.

A normal 1 week transit time for Express Post turned into a v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y slow 2 weeks with absolutely no updates on the Australia Post tracking website, which by the way is normally very good.

Luckily for me, my wonderful collector had the patience of Job, although I think she was also starting to get a bit concerned at the time delay. Apparently the US mail is currently in high-security and all mail is being screened before going through the normal customs and distribution channels. They say this is supposed to only add around 48 hours to the mailing time, but I'm not sure where they got that figure from (probably the promotional department he! he!)

Anyway, all ended well: Oreo arrived safe and sound after his epic adventure and is now enjoying all the attention from his new mum!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Well, where has the time gone? A whole year has passed, and our neighbourhood, friends and family are gathering to ring in 2011 with fireworks, music and laughter - a fantastic combination for a good night!!!

I'm gearing up for a busy 2011 - have some custom orders to fulfil and then the first show for Nikkel Bears will be the 'Be My Valentine' online show organised by the wonderful Sandi Smith at Teddy Bears & Critters Australasia - I'll post the link here closer to the show in February.

After that show, I'm thrilled to announce that Nikkel Bears has been selected to participate in the Teddys Worldwide online 'Blooming Bear Show' in March 2011.

I've just signed up also for the 2011 Australian Creative Design Awards and online show in June 2011 - plenty to keep me busy, don't you think???

I'll put some more detailed information on each of the shows as they approach, but in the meantime - here's to a fantastic 2011 - I hope all of your dreams and wishes come true!!! Thanks so much for your support in 2010 - it means a lot to me!

Last Bear for 2010!!!

What a busy, busy month December has been!!! I've had quite a few commission orders to complete, as well as little Jingle (my TBACA swap bear for Susan Leigh who you met last post).

And so, here is my last bear for the year - the lovely HOPE, a 14" bear made from the most exquisite honey-coloured silky mohair, with matching trapunto style paws which I have airbrushed. Don't you just love her Christmas bauble? I'm really happy with the way this bear turned out - and hope her new mum loves her.



I'd also like to take this opportunity of wishing you, my followers, a joyful, relaxing (!!!) and peaceful festive season - don't eat or drink too much: or if you have to, then have fun doing it!!!

Until we meet again in 2011 .....

Here's Jingle! Just in time for Xmas!!

Here's someone I'd love you all to meet!



Introducing Jingle, a little guy (measures 6" sitting) who I made exclusively for Susan Leigh of Bearleigh Bears in the TBACA Christmas Swap!

Jingle is made from a wonderful, luxurious long pile mohair in the softest honey colour with matching ultrasuede trapunto paws and eyelids. His grey/blue custom hand-painted glass eyes compliment his colouring, and his cheeky grin means he's up to mischief already: and Santa hasn't even arrived!!!

It was a lot of fun making this little one, especially since he's one of my newest designs. The hard part was keeping the surprise until Susan I both received our parcels in the mail. Mine arrived today - a fantastic little bear called Santa's Little Helper and I absolutely adore him! Thanks Susan xoxox

You can find Susan's website here www.bearleighbears.com

Where does the time go???

Hi everyone! Well, my goodness! I didn't realise that I had neglected my blog for sooooo long!

We've just returned from 3 fabulous weeks in Phuket, Thailand - the weather was humid and warm (as always) - every day reaching around 29-32 degrees celsius.

This is taken from the lookout at Cape Promthrep (the most southern tip of Phuket island)



We had a couple of friends tag along with us this time, so found ourselves on the tourist trail again doing a few day trips here and there.

Here's a picture of me with a very, very large Bengal tiger at the Phuket zoo - I can't believe they grow so B-I-G!!!



And how about this for riding an elephant bareback!!!! Was I scared??? You bet I was, especially when the mahoot got it to rear up on it's hind legs (it's a long way down!!!)



No trip to Phuket is complete without a night out at the fabulous Fantasea stage show with all of it's culture, music, costumes, laser lights, acrobats and of course - the animals (including 17 elephants on stage at once!!!)

And a sea-kayaking trip at Phang-nga Bay in the north of the island (James Bond Island in the background - features in the movie Goldfinger).



Alas, like all good holidays it's over too soon, so it's back to the land of reality for us this week ... back to work and back to bears!!!