Back From Brighton

I've only just started to feel as though my feet are touching the ground, after our weekend away in Brighton! We left the house before 7.30am on Saturday and arrived in time for early lunch in the Brighton Pavilion Tearooms. As the building is laid out with a "traffic flow" we had to request an escort through the ropes to get to the right staircase and then re-start from the beginning again afterward.

Visiting this building could never cease to delight me; well, it is a celebration of high Regency style in over-drive! The wallpapers, furnishings and ornamentation were still just as breath-taking to me as they were 2 years ago. Difficult to describe the sheer spectacle and opulence when you can't back it with photos (none allowed). The star room for me is the Banqueting hall where a truly massive chandelier is held by the claws of a huge silver dragon, his mouth agape to show a fiery tongue. Above him is a central rotunda trompe l'oeuil of palm leaves which is so fresh and realistic it must have looked out of time and place in the 18th century. The long table is resplendent with beautiful ceramics, glassware, silver and centre pieces, and George III's red brocade chair, set in the middle, is pulled out slightly as though he might arrive, to dine in style in front of us.I was intrigued by an art installation by Claire Twomey - visible throughout the Pavilion - called "Dark Day in Paradise"; consisting of randomly sized black ceramic butterflies (how could I not be interested!) which appeared in various wing poses and scattered, or suspended in flocks. They herald a cautionary note on excess (George III was reviled for his profligate extravagance) maybe a glimpse of darkness on the horizon in the current economic climate and the shadows of history that still chime with us. Very thought provoking! Not to mention sinister behind net curtains!

What about the "main show" though?? Of course I mean The British Bear Fair and Artist Awards - held in a new venue at Brighton Racecourse this year. I enjoyed myself so much wandering round the fair, chatting with such lovely bear people and unhampered by any need to return "behind the table"! A little bear from Susan Gam chose me as his new Mum , and then it was time for the award announcements.

Cat 1 Single Miniature Bear nominees

L to R: Judges Gregory Gyllenship, Dawn James, Wendy Hobday together with Victor (2nd left) who presented the awards)

Me collecting a 1st place for "Georgiana" - feeling stunned and delighted!

Category 1 award.

Category 10 "Tea is for Teddies" wins 1st place too!!

I was feeling a bit shocked after the awards (understatement) and I found it difficult to get my head out of the clouds on Monday too! I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to the judges and organisers, and Hugs to the other nominees who all brought beautiful pieces on the day. There's no better way to spend time than deep in beary conversation with like-minded folk so I had a wonderful time!  :0)

TaTa For Now,
Ruth xx

The GYTBE!

I've just got time to post a pic of two of the bears I'm taking to The Great Yorkshire Teddy Bear Event, on Sunday at the Sheffield Hilton.

They are (L to R) "Figgy" and "Frosty", 2.6" standing, made from Long Pile Upholstery Velvets in a special new design that I have pared back slightly so that I could offer collectors a really affordable bear. I've named the collection Flutter-By Boutique, and there will only be a few of these bears at each fair I attend - priced at £49 each.
As a collector myself I know that the pounds spare for "luxury" collectables are being held on to for longer, and so I came up with the idea of having just a couple of bears on my table which would provide a quality "teddy hit" for eager arctophiles fed up of being "good" all the time! :0) To keep the Boutique bears at such a low price I've trimmed down the processes (no wobble heads, no front paw pads) and I'll be offering a range of optional accessories for them each time, all individually priced; micro-stockings (£3) Gingerbread teddy in Ultrasuede (£5) micro-tiny basket (£1, not shown) Of course the accessories will be suitably sized for all the other Flutter-By Bears too!

I'm so looking forward to the event.We'll be in the car soon ; off to explore Sheffield. My 2 older sons are home with the dogs...... I'll miss them !!

T.T.F.N  Ruth xx