Sunday, November 13, 2011

Photos from the Hunt Valley Christmas Teddy Bear Show and Sale – Grab a cup of coffee.

So, if you are not interested in seeing snippets of various things from the show, including artists’ tables, this post will be very, very bor-r-r-r-ing to you. On the other hand, if you are interested, then you are in luck.

I must confess that I have often photographed the same artists’ displays from show to show so I made a concerted effort to mix it up with some different ones this time. Of course, I still love the work of many including Darlene Allen, Penny French, Cindy Malchoff and so on, but if you have read here for any length of time, you have seen their work on this blog frequently.

Now that the disclaimers are out of the way, on to the show . . .

First we had to set up. Something festive, something seasonal, something that went along with the theme – the holidays!

This is my table before the bears came out. It was actually pretty easy to set up but that is because I had a playbook with architectural renditions of what it should look like and where everything should be placed. Okay, not really. I’m just joking but I had given it a dry run at home so that helped on the day.

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We then went off to have a bite of breakfast and left Sebastian as our sentinel. He promised he would make sure all the boxes stayed in place. It gave me a great feeling of peace to know he was watching over things. To be honest, I think he saw a pretty little girl bear across the way and he wanted to impress her.

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I took this photo of him from behind. I didn’t want him to know we had sneaked a peek to see if he was doing his job.

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I’ll get back to my table in a moment. Very nearly right after the show opened, Karen and Elysa came by for a visit. I thought perhaps they were there to say hello to me, but alas, I realized it was Sebastian they wanted to see. Truly, who could blame them? He was offering chocolate kisses to all the pretty girls!

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I took two quick snapshots of the show as it opened. One looking to the east of the room

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and one looking to the west. I think you can see some of the decorations in these photos.

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Later in the afternoon, I had an opportunity to take a tour of the showroom and take a few photos. The first one here is my neighbor, Diana Lee Palomba – Timeless Expressions. She has a very recognizable style and her bears are sweet and demure.

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Not far from me you could also find Sandy Czaja’s table – Notchlok Bears. Sandy traveled to the show in Maryland all the way from Arizona.

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A bit further down the aisle I discovered an artist at work – Allen Hsu (left) and his assistant of Teddy Bear Barn. He was busy working on a request when I walked by and if you look really closely you can see his current project in his hands.

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Now as I said before, I was taking photos near the end of the day and you will see that some of the tables had noticeable bear spots – I mean empty spots. Like for instance, here on Jackie Melerski’s table. Gilmur Rudley Bears.

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Let’s keep going. Here’s a peek at Gail Griffiths bears – Bear Bottom Bears.

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As Sebastian mentioned, we were encouraged to come festively dressed for the occasion. As I was walking, I came across several very interestingly costumed artists. I think my personal favorite in originality, as well as its rustling sound, was Donna Nielsen’s self styled Christmas package.

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Here’s a photo of her table too – also cheerfully adorned!

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At the Teddies of Mt. Holly table you could find work of artists from many places such as these Forget Me Not bears

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and this cutie from Nadja Bears I would have loved to bring home with me.

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Barbara Burke seldom has any bears left to be admired by this time but I was lucky to catch a photo of this little one. She was probably around five inches tall. I was surprised anyone could look into those eyes and be able to leave her sitting there.

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This is Marjan Jorittsma’s display. These Tonnibears come from the Netherlands.

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Here’s close up of one of the pups. Aw-w-w.

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We’re approaching the end of our tour. Here’s Judith Eppolito’s table with an assortment of critters from lions to bunnies to monkeys to camels.

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Turning the corner we find my other neighbor’s table: Martha Bumala – Waverly Crossing Bears. She always has an entertaining tale to tell.

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Now we are at the end of our tour – at my table. I took this photo right before the show opened so almost all the bears are on display here. I think Sebastian had to coax one or two that there was nothing to be afraid of – that everyone would be friendly.

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The day passed rather quickly I thought but that could be because hugs make the day go faster.

Soon it was time to hit the road. We had blue skies almost all the way home.

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Now I’ve got to put on my thinking cap and figure out what is next on my teddy bear agenda.

12 comments:

  1. oh Ginger, i like seeing snippets, seems you are really relaxed to do a show. Thanks for keeping us updated.

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  2. I just found your blog through facebook, Ginger! It's lovely. The pictures from the show are great! Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Janice

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  3. I love looking at show pictures - thanks for posting them, Ginger!

    hugs,

    Brenda

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  4. Thank you so much Ginger, I love seeing how other people decorate their stalls and look at their bears. That little bear from Wuvandcuddles
    was wonderful.
    Sebastian, I'm glad you gave everyone a hug. I bet you were squeezed to bits by the time you got home.
    I hope some of mum's bears found lovely new homes.
    Hugs
    Kay

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  5. Hi Miss Ginger,

    Oh, what lovely photos of everyone's display.

    Hi Sebastian,

    I bet you were THE HIT of the show. After all, two ladies came just to visit you. Now that says exactly how much you are loved.

    Heaps of Hugs,
    Prudence

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  6. Thanks for sharing with us ginger, looks like it was a fun show! xx

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  7. Thanks for the visit Ginger. Lovely bears!

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  8. Looks like it was an awesome show!!!

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  9. Oh we know ALL about flirty bears from that family, Jack's always at it too!

    The show looks like lots of fun though, we hope it went well.

    Hugs

    The Clan & Jack

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  10. I am one who always likes show pictures. Thanks so much for posting these.

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  11. Gorgeous photos Ginger, so much furry deliciousness to see, but Sebastian is still my favourite!

    Hugs, Nicki

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