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Continuing Patti & Graham's adventures on the "U.S.A. TRAILS" from Nov. Dec. 2007
At the border, we crossed into Canada for a flying visit to old friends in British Columbia. Then back into the States at the "Aldergrove crossing", for the drive south to Seattle. The Doll and teddy show that we were attending, was held at the Washington State Fair Grounds, at the town of Puyallup and an hour south-east of Seattle. We had attended this show in 2006 and found it well worthwhile. The show itself is similar in size to our "Gold Coast Teddy Fair" and well supported by the public.
We met up with Geri Williams and Carol Hart at the Friday afternoon set-up and then followed Geri home to her place near the Village of "Rainier". The two-day show was again very kind to us, with both traders and customers as welcoming and hospitable as only the Americans can be. We were treated as old friends with that camaraderie between Teddy bear people world-wide ever present.
During the week after the "Puyallup show", we used Geri's place as a base and scouted out the antique and craft shops in the surrounding area.
We had heard rumours of an alleged fabulous "bead shop" located somewhere in the “Tacoma”, “Lacey”, “Olympia” area. Reports described the place as something of an “Aladdin’s Cave”, or a “King Solomon’s Mines” so this was no pokey back-street glitter emporium and needed to be checked out. Supposedly, “the biggest bead shop in the world”, could this be America)?
Geri had heard of the place and had some idea of the general location, so after considerable driving in search, a few false leads and several dead ends, we narrowed things down to an Industrial complex on the outskirts of “Lacey”. A small sign on the building proclaimed “Shipwrecked Beads”. The place was double storied and larger than your average K Mart “back in Oz”. When we hauled into the car park and stepped from the vehicle I knew that we had found the right place. The concrete car park and footpaths were constructed using beads in the cement rather than gravel. Beads of every colour and shape glittered underfoot. As an advertising gimmick this was seriously “off the wall” stuff. So we entered via double-wide glass doors and were greeted by a uniformed Concierge. As we stood mesmerized by a vast expanse of colour and reflected light, the fellow attempted to explain the layout of the place which included a café, restrooms, crèche and a bank of a dozen or so check-outs.
In my opinion the fellow would be better employed handing out Guide-Dogs or Satellite navigation systems. The place is simply huge and I suspect that the sign offering 8.3 billion beads is a gross under-estimation. Anyway, with the delicious aroma of fresh brewed coffee to guide me, I safely made it to the Café, where a couple of donuts and a flat white offered a return to relative sanity.
The display shelving stood about five feet high so only the heads of busy shoppers were visible across the vast interior. I think that I actually glimpsed Patti once on the far horizon! A fellow coffee addict at the next table noted my concern and assured me that starvation generally drove ‘em to the café before closing time. I relaxing in the face of his obvious experience and ordered another coffee then perused a rack of well read magazines.
I do wait well with coffee and donuts!!!
Back at Geri’s that night, the ladies agreed that just a few hours at the “Bead Shop” was utterly ridiculous, in fact a whole day might be barely sufficient.
I think that Patti is still suffering some sort of sensory overload, hopefully this will abate somewhat before we visit that part of the world again. I mean, just how much coffee and donuts can a man handle????
We stayed with Geri and her husband Wayne for the last week of our stay in America, and this sojourn was truly the highlight of our trip. Geri’s home is buried in the woods a couple of miles from the tiny village of “Rainier” and for Patti and I the location is a sheer delight. Those surrounding woods were ablaze with autumn colours, the fields were still green and the stream chuckling over rocks, flowed from the snow-clad “Mt Rainier” right past her home. This was picture post-card stuff and added natural beauty to the unstinting hospitality of our hosts. In all, the very essence of great memories!!!!
When we packed our cases at Geri’s for the flight home, I was just a bit apprehensive about the bulk and weight of the resulting baggage train. I think that both Patti and Geri work on the theory that if the stuff can be carried by six camels it should be about right for International flight limits!
Unfortunately, “United Airlines” were not using flying carpets that week, just those little old “747’s”. So, when I trundled my six camel load of exotic freight up to the check-in, I was mildly surprised to learn that I was 480.00 U.S. dollars overweight. Had we been flying with the big Kangaroo, I would probably be still running a garage sale in the airport car park, trying to get that weight down.
Fortunately, “United Airlines” employed a more civilized approach to the peculiarities of wayward Aussie tourists. They produced a cardboard box, tape and a box-cutter then helped me repack some of the weight into the box supplied. They then charged me a mere $80.00 for an extra piece of luggage. No hassle, you’re welcome, and have a nice day Mr. Cavenett”. (I think that three of the staff at the adjacent “big Kangaroo” check in counter went down with instant cardiac arrest! Just witnessing such customer service). My sincere advice to other Aussies visiting “The home of the brave” and “The land of the free” is definitely to “Fly United”.
After flying out of Seattle, we were off across the Pacific heading for home, once again inspired by our adventure in the U.S.A.
The trip was far from over for Patti, she was to rendezvous with daughter Kryst and to join with our great, “Kiwi” friend, Annetta Flaunty in Auckland New Zealand and to attend the “Calico Christmas” fair in that city.
I had been relegated to a direct flight home, to both hold the fort and to become “Master of the Hounds” by taking care of all four pups.
Remember to visit our on line shop for wonderful gift ideas and bear making accessories.
Our very best wishes to you all ...
Graham C.
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Thoughts On Which To Ponder
It is great that exercise kills germs, but how do you get the germs to exercise in the first place???
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WORKSHOP PROGRAM -G.C. INT. TEDDY, DOLL, & BEAD FAIR 2008 - JUNE
ARTIST GERI WILLIAMS – U.S.A. Geri is one of our Overseas Visiting Artists for 2007. She lives in Rainier, Washington State in the North-Western Continental U.S.A. Geri is an accomplished Teddy Artist and a leader in innovative design...This is her second trip to Australia and represents a rare opportunity for Australian students to enjoy a World Class American Workshop. If innovation and Exquisite Design work is your thing, WE ARE VERY PROUD TO BE HOSTING THIS WORKSHOP - DON'T MISS GERI'S WORKSHOP! Geri lives in the small town of "Rainier" about an hours drive from Seattle in Washington State. She regularly exhibits and Teaches at major shows in the U.S.A., England and Japan. Geri is a contract Teddy Designer for "Disney in Japan" and is a winner of "The Linda Mullins Crystal Award".Geri will be visiting the show for the third year; Folk who met her in 2006 and 2007 will be delighted to welcome back this fantastic Artist. Those folk who participated in Geri’s workshops last year were thoroughly impressed with the skill, warmth and empathy that distinguish her classes. For 2008 Geri’ will introduce two new workshops from her world wide teaching circuit. These include a Giraffe, a dear little needle felted Victorian mouse and the design and creation of three Victorian Bear or Dolls hats, all will offer an innovative approach to our craft.
Her workshops here in 2006 and 2007 were so much fun and an absolute eye opener to our local Teddy makers and we predict that her classes will be again booked out early. So save yourself an airfare to the “States” and learn with this acclaimed artist. Geri will be selling at the show again in 2008.
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ARTIST: LINDA BENSON - TASMANIA - "FISHER" Linda is one of Australia’s leading Teddy Artists and has been creating and exhibiting her distinctive bears for more than twenty years. Her Teddies are particularly notable for their exquisite attention to detail and an example of such is a must in any serious collection.
For her workshop on the Good Coast, Linda has chosen a super cute “FISHER” – A GRIZZLY of 11” STANDING ON HIS BACK LEGS. 𠇏ISHER” comes with his own handcrafted slip cast ceramic Salmon.
Linda and her family live in “Tassie” (she is an overseas visitor) and she has recently conducted workshops in Auckland and Perth and of course she was one of our guest Artists at the 2007 Fair with great results and acclaim for her teaching skill. It is by popular demand that we have asked Linda to conduct
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ARTIST: SILVIA DURRER - WESTERN AUST.
Silvia conducted Teddy making Workshops at “the International” for the first time in 2006. Her Workshops were very well received, and it is by popular demand that we have invited Silvia again in 2008. She has created a new Teddy for the 2008 Workshop program and we feel that all students interested in the finer details of face making and sculpting for character will enjoy this class. Silvia will also teach those gorgeous noses that distinguish her Teddies. Silvia’s workshop will be of one day duration and to ensure that students gain the maximum tuition in those finer points of face making, she will be sending kits to students prior to the workshop dates. The kits will involve the very basic Teddy assembly work and allow you to proceed with the unique techniques that she will teach. Silvia’s bears (Durrer Bears) have collected numerous awards at show world wide. Silvia is originally from Germany, she has exhibited in most major shows in Europe. She now resides in Perth, Western Australia and has been a regular exhibitor at our Fair. She is a skilled workshop artist and has been so popular with the students of the past two years, that in 2008 we have invited her back.
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ARTIST: SANDRA-KAY MURPHY - "INDIANA" bear has a suede snout with open mouth, gum and mouth detailing using sculpting and shading techniques, this is my favorite way of doing an open mouth as the shape holds really well and stuffs easily. He has a clay nose, eyelids and tongue, we can make some teeth too like his big brother has if desired. The new one I'm making will have the flat sculpting toe and paw treatment that the larger one has also. The bear is 11" in height, he is the smaller version of her Mordyke bear who won the Best Professional Bear in the Brisbane show a couple of years back and another one of that design won the "Best Prof" & "Bear of Show" at the Hahndorf Doll and Bear show that year. She has taught bear making in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast, North Island of New Zealand, as well as several places is in the USA on a tour she did there incorporating a show in Kentucky where she received her TOBY Industry Choice award and a show in Chicago. She has also co-authored a book on bear making.
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PayPal is a secure method of internet payment used nationally and internationally. We have added PayPal to our website so now you can pay for your purchase using your PayPal account. Just select the PayPal option during check out and you will be directed to the PayPal website to make your payment. As soon as we receive payment notification your order will be on its way.
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IMPORTANT NEWS FROM KYMPATTI STUDIO
By now many of you will have realized that you have not received a January or February Newsletter from Kympatti Kapers. We hope that you will have missed not getting the monthly newsletter from us.
Many of you may know that our website was established by Cindy and Derek (Bearycheap bear supplies) and Irene Heywood. We are so very grateful for the friendship and support throughout the last few years, but as their lives have undergone exciting changes for 2008, we felt that it was time that we stand taller on our paws and present a new look.
We have been very busy in rebuilding the Kympatti Bear website and in turn preparing for the release of a March newsletter. We hope that you will visit our new and improved site at www.kympattibears.com - (TO REMIND YOU, WE WILL SEND OUT AN EMAIL ANNOUNCING THE WEBSITE WHEN IT GOES LIVE) PLEASE BE SURE AND REGISTER ON THE NEW WEBSITE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTERS. Any one of you who place an order with the new website, during the month of March will receive a FREE GIFT with their order and names will be automatically entered into a FREE DRAW of an exciting new Kympatti Creation. This draw will run throughout March and April, and the winners will be announced in the Kympatti Kapers, MAY edition. (Each item purchased will entitle you to an extra entry in the draw - eg. 3 patterns = 3 entries in the draw).
We welcome your comments and any suggestions you may have. Please feel free to email us at sales@kympattibears.com Of course we hope you will understand that this process is ongoing and that there will be many additions to the site over the next few months.
One of the most important features on the site is the posting of information for Traders and Visitors to the 2008 GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL TEDDY, DOLL, BEAD & CRAFT FAIR at Jupiters Casino ONE DAY ONLY TRADING to be held on Saturday June 8th from 9.30am and the “MEET & GREET COCKTAIL PARTY” held on the Saturday 7th June starting at 5.00pm.
We have developed a wonderful week of WORKSHOP PROGRAMS with visiting Artists – CERTAINLY WORTH A LOOK!!!
Also please take a look at the shows and workshop we will be attending during 2008 – WE MAY BE IN YOUR AREA!!!
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GRANDMOTHER'S ARE SPECIAL
How does if it feel to be a Grandmother?
a little odd?
it seems quite crazy that your baby should be sitting there
with a baby of her own on her lap.
But it is good! -
Sort of a bonus!
No sooner have you stowed away the last teddy bear in the attic,
than it has to be got down again for the next generation
from "TO A VERY SPECIAL GRANDMOTHER" by PAM BROWN
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