Just Bears and Stuff

Over 2,000 items at Just Bears and Stuff eBay Store

2008-04-21T21:30:00.001-07:00

I am so pleased to announce we have added Barton Creek and Signature Bears by Gund to our eBay store.

We have over 2,000 items by various companies such as Boyd’s, Bearington, Fairie Glen, Cottage Collectibles, Quarry Critters by Second Nature and much, much more.

Visit http://stores.ebay.com/bearwatch-aka-Just-Bears-and-Stuff to select what you want to add to your collection or pick as a perfect gift for someone special.

Bear Hugs,

Patricia Twitchell
The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek

Just reached 1,900 listings on eBay

2008-03-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about how many items we now have available on our eBay store. You will find a selection of new Bearington, Boyds and a new line called Kimberly Bears.

Stop in... you will be beary pleased you did. http://stores.ebay.com/bearwatch-aka-Just-Bears-and-Stuff

Bear hugs,
Patricia Twitchell
The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek
http://www.justbearsandstuff.com/

One Man's Perspective of Love and Creating Work Balance

2008-02-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

One Man's Perspective of Love and Creating Work Balance
By Dennis Twitchell aka The Big Bear

Do you ever experience pressure from work and home at the same time?
If you're like most working men you know when things are out of balance at home work tends to be more stressful.

For years I was a partner in a law firm. It never failed, when there were pressures at home, performance on the job suffered. When things were good at home there was more balance between team members at the office.

Over the years I have had numerous conversations with friends and associates regarding work/life balance. There seems to be a common thread of agreement - when our wives and girlfriends feel loved we tend to have more balance not only at home, but at work.

Fact is, men need to feel loved as much as our life partners do. However, love to a man usually means something very different than what it means to a woman. If you are married and have been with your wife for any length of time you know of what I speak.

Having been happily married for many years now, I fully understand that my wife needs, wants and deserves special attention. Yes, that's right…deserves.

Your wife is probably no different. And lest I be misunderstood by any single men and women who are reading this, if you are in a long-term committed relationship, this applies to you as well.

Your loving partner needs, wants, and deserves special attention, maybe more often than you may think to give it to her. You are busy, pre-occupied with work, aggravated with things at work that occupy your time and most likely, stressed out. You're probably tired much of the time.

Who has the time or the energy to even think about romance? Fact is, many marriages are going through tough times because people forget the reasons they fell in love in the first place. Romance has taken a back seat to everything else. Often, a woman can be heard saying, "He just isn't paying enough attention to me."

If your wife or girlfriend has said that to you, it is time to definitely pay attention to the warning signs of a relationship on the edge.

Think about it. When's the last time you showered your wife with attention and a special gift? When did you let the worries of your day slip away in order to let your wife or partner know how much you love her and how special she is to you? What may seem like a little while to you may be an eternity to her.

Well, I have a solution for you. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you can do something really extraordinary for that special someone. Take time to make this year the most memorable ever. I promise you it will be well worth it.

Think about what you can do to show your sweetheart how much you care for her. Think about what she would enjoy receiving from you. And no, in most cases, tickets to a sports event is not the answer here. Sure she may enjoy that on occasion, but truth be told, for this Valentine Day you probably want to make it really special.

Try this. Go shopping for seven romance cards. Starting on February 5th, send the first of the seven cards. Repeat this each day until all seven cards are sent. And yes, do send them. This will keep you focused on her every day.

In each card, write a message about a unique gift she will receive. Maybe it's a foot massage, or you will run her a bubble bath and give her a shoulder massage. What about a walk in the park or an afternoon matinee movie? The gifts don't have to be financially costly, but they should require some time on your part. For most women your time will mean much more than an expensive gift. And yet, the expensive gift can work well too.

You know, and I know, women love to be pampered. Imagine your wife's surprise when you treat her to such a memorable valentine. Of course, you never know what might happen during the course of you showing her with your love, affection and appreciation.

With our daily experiences life can change on a dime. With the pressure of work and personal demands, a huge challenge we have is to make sure those people we love know it, day in and day out. Imagine what it would be like to not have the opportunity to let our loved ones know we care.

Doesn't your wife, partner, lover, friend and confidant deserve to know how much you care. I think so and you do too.

Dennis Twitchell is the husband of Patricia Twitchell. Patricia Twitchell is a PowerSellers on eBay. With well over 1,000 items available for immediate purchase, Patricia Twitchell aka The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek, has one of the largest selections of Boyd’s Bears on eBay. Also available are Bearington, Cottage Collectibles, Deb Canham, Fairie Glens, Pooh, Steiff and much, much more.
To visit the store and view the full selection go to http://stores.ebay.com/bearwatch-aka-Just-Bears-and-Stuff or go to eBay and search with the words “bearwatch aka Just Bears and Stuff”.

Spruce Your Environment, Spruce Your Spirit

2008-02-26T07:41:00.000-08:00

By Patricia Twitchell aka The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek

After a long winter, this is the time of year to spruce up your environment with a good Spring Cleaning. For some of my bear loving friends it could be autumn, but this can still work for you. It’s amazing what a good cleaning and clearing can do for one’s state of mind.

Not only does a good cleaning seem to lift our spirits, it has actually been proven to preserve our home and office environment.

Although the inclination is to want to be outside as soon as the great weather begins, by doing a good spring cleaning you are actually creating the feeling of spring inside your home. It is also a great way to get the entire family involved in doing something together. To do this though, it has to be viewed as a fun experience rather than drudgery.

To make it enjoyable your attitude will set the tone. If you view the experience as fun, those around you are more likely to do the same. Something that is sure to help is to start from a place of gratitude. Yes, gratitude.

Look around your home and realize you have a home to clean. What a gift this is. It doesn’t matter the size of your home. What matters is what your home gives you. It gives you a place to enjoy time with family and friends. It gives you shelter from the elements. It gives you a space to relax in. That is of course if you have created it to offer these things.

Before you begin, find some good music you can enjoy while you clean. It’s amazing what lively music can do for the spirit.

You will be most effective if you have all your cleaning materials available before you begin. Gather what you need ahead of time so that you don’t have to stop midstream to run to the store for a bottle of window cleaner or furniture polish. Also make sure you have plenty of garbage bags, storage boxes and anything else that will make your job easier.

Give yourself a break from the phones, especially if you are making this a family experience.

As you clean each room, organizing what you have, be willing to let go of what you no longer need. There are plenty of people who would find incredible use from something you haven’t touched in years.

You can either give the items to a family you know, a charity or you can have a garage sale. When you release what you no longer need or want you create the space for something new in its place.

You may want to focus on one room at a time cleaning and rearranging from top to bottom. One of the most exciting parts of spring cleaning is the joy you feel as you remember how special items came into your life.

I often hear stories from people who have gotten a teddy bear from my shop and relived the original feeling they had when they first got the item. I have been told what an incredible feeling they get when they spring clean and carefully rearrange their bear collection. They have a renewed feeling of pride over their collection because of the care they are taking in preserving the precious gifts.

In each room it is recommended to begin from the top and work down. This is true for cabinets, dusting, and washing.

When you are done, enjoy what you have just accomplished. Sit back and look around, take in the fresh fragrances and appreciate a job well done. Reward yourself with a good meal and quiet time. Acknowledge the gift of a fresh, inviting home you are blessed to enjoy. You will be glad you did.

Patricia Twitchell aka The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek is the proprietor of Just Bears and Stuff Gift Shop in Myrtle Creek Oregon. She also has an eBay Store with one of the largest selections of specialty teddy bears, gifts, figurines, and more. Visit http://stores.ebay.com/bearwatch-aka-Just-Bears-and-Stuff

Comfort Comes from Unexpected Places

2008-02-22T17:48:00.000-08:00

Autumn of ’89 began like any other. Summer was quickly coming to a close as winter crept in. Like most years, the family was anxiously anticipating sharing the holidays together.

Although each year became a bit more difficult due to the miles that kept us physically apart, in our hearts we remained close. What I have always cherished most about time with my family is the laughter and the enjoyment of simple things.

Amazingly, even that which we appreciate we often take for granted. Without realizing it, I took for granted that my mother and father, in their early sixties in ‘89, would be around for years to come. Years that in a moment seemed to be ripped from my reality.

It was late on a Monday night in September of that year when I got the dreaded call. “If you want to see your father alive, you must come quickly.” Those words rang in my head as I carelessly tossed cloths into a bag. My reasoning was such that a tattered grocery bag would suffice as my luggage.

My reasoning was also such that rather than immediately get on the road, I felt compelled to bake my father his favorite cookies. Although I had been told he was in a coma as a result of a massive cardiac arrest, I was convinced my cookies would be the magic formula to bring him around.

As I drove late into the night, memories of long ago danced in my head. Memories of times shared with my father who, although a pillar in my life, now lay lifeless in a hospital bed. Glancing frequently at the plate of cookies that were placed carefully on the seat behind me, I tearfully wondered if I would ever see my father alive again.

The shock of seeing my father hooked up to countless monitors and machines was almost beyond belief. And yet, what my sisters and I quickly realized was the devastation my mother was experiencing. The three of us wondered if our parents would have the opportunity to celebrate their 40th anniversary together.

With no obvious change over the next few days, my sisters, mother and I found comfort in each others arms. Strangely, we also found comfort by bringing each other cuddly stuffed animals. Within days, my mother’s collection of teddy bears grew and grew.

It was as if each bear held a special meaning to her and brought what little comfort could be experienced as she diligently watched her husband lay in his own world of a coma.

After weeks of praying for the near impossible, my father slowly began to regain consciousness. Knowing a miracle had taken place, for the next few months we were thrilled at each baby step my father took in his recovery.

Having to undergo massive heart surgery to repair some of the damage, my father kept a few close companions near his bedside as he recouped from his wounds. The very teddy bears my mother found comfort in while my father was on his “vacation” were the bears he now found comfort in.

As I prepare for the holiday season this year, I wonder how much of an impact my father’s heart attack and all the experiences that went with it had on my decision to fulfill a lifelong dream.

For years, I had a secret desire to open a teddy bear store so I could share the feelings teddy bears had given me when I went through a very painful divorce. A feeling of comfort that somehow only the “right” bear can bring. The same type of comfort teddy bears brought to my mother, my father, my sisters and me in the autumn of ’89. The same type of comfort I now have the opportunity to share with others on a daily basis.

With my father’s experience now years behind, I am once again anticipating sharing a holiday season with my mother and father who are soon going to be celebrating 57 years of marriage. Often my folks come to visit me during the holidays, as it is a very busy time of year. What with all the gift wrapping for the many people who come from all over the country to experience the unique teddy bear store that was once only a dream.

I have learned life is about having the courage to live our dreams. It is in the willingness to do what we are destined to do we have the opportunity to bring comfort, joy, laughter and love to the lives of others.

If the only lesson I learned during the autumn of ’89 is how precious life is, I will forever be grateful. It is because of that lesson I am gifted with the opportunity to often help select just the right teddy bear for someone who is in need of comfort. Other times, it is to select a bear that is meant to bring joy, or express love, or gratitude, or just because…. because teddy bears make the world a little better one bear at a time.

About the author
Patricia Twitchell is designated eBay PowerSeller with well over 1,000 items available for immediate purchase. She has one of the largest selections of Boyd’s Bears on eBay. Also available are Bearington, Cottage Collectibles, Deb Canham, Fairie Glens, Pooh, Steiff and much, much more. To view the full selection go to http://stores.ebay.com/bearwatch-aka-Just-Bears-and-Stuff or go to eBay and search with the words “bearwatch aka Just Bears and Stuff”.

Teddy Bears of Every Description Now Available at the Just Bears and Stuff eBay Store

2008-02-13T00:29:00.000-08:00

Our most recent media release.

February 12, 2008 – Myrtle Creek, Oregon – Addressing the growing interest of casual and serious teddy bear collectors, Patricia Twitchell announced the opening of the Just Bears and Stuff eBay store.

With well over 1,000 items available for immediate purchase, Patricia Twitchell aka The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek, has one of the largest selections of Boyd’s Bears on eBay. Also available are Bearington, Cottage Collectibles, Deb Canham, Fairie Glens, Pooh, Steiff and much, much more.

To visit the store and view the full selection go to http://stores.ebay.com/bearwatch-aka-Just-Bears-and-Stuff or go to eBay and search with the words “bearwatch aka Just Bears and Stuff”.

“I am not new to selling teddy bears. I opened Just Bears and Stuff Gift Shop, located in Myrtle Creek, Oregon in 1993. As the market needs changed and the Internet became a huge part of our market reach we saw the need to open our eBay store,” says the Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek.

The response to the eBay store has exceeded all expectations. With new items being posted daily, shoppers will find an incredible selection for virtually any taste.
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What happened in 1906?

2007-10-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

Fun facts about 1906:

The "teddy bear craze" was moving into full-blown status by this time.

In October 1906 the term "teddy bear" rather than Teddy's Bear first appears in print in an issue of Playthings magazine. As you may recall Teddy's Bear had to do with President Theodore Roosevelt

In 1906 Gund Manufacturing Corporation makes its first teddy bears.

That's all for now.

Bear hugs

Patricia Twitchell
The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek

www.justbearsandstuff.com

Starting a Teddy Bear Collection

2007-10-12T05:38:00.000-07:00

Bear collecting has become very popular in many cultures. Although a fun hobby, if you don’t know what you are doing, it can soon turn to something that is not what you had hoped for.

Many people start collecting based on the love of teddy bears they had as children. Fond memories surround our very first teddy bear. Upon receiving our first bear those who are destined to be collectors seem to evolve into a level of “looking” for the next bear and the next and the next.

It is one thing to be a hobbyist collector and one who is a serious collector. The hobbyist simply collects those bears that are cute and seem like a fun addition to their collection. The serious collectors understand the importance of researching, studying and analyzing their choices.

One thing both the hobbyist and the serious collector seem to have in common is the fact that they often got the “bug” from their first teddy bear. For many, the Teddy Bear is more than a toy; it is a friend and companion for life.It's never too late to start a collection.

If you've been eying a cute teddy thinking you might like to own it... get into the spirit of collecting and take the plunge. It doesn't have to be expensive, just loved.

Bear hugs,

Patricia Twitchell
The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek
http://www.justbearsandstuff.com/

The Three Bears or Goldilocks history

2007-10-10T04:24:00.000-07:00

The following posting comes from Wikepedia.

The Three Bears or Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a notable children's bedtime story. Often considered an anonymous folk story, even one of the stories collected by the Brothers Grimm, it actually first saw print in 1837 as a prose story composed by the poet Rober Southey and collected in his book The Doctor. Possibly based on an even older story, though this is by no means certain, the story became widely known after being published by Southey, and was so often retold, that it has lost connection to its author.

The story was very popular and retold by many others. George Nicol retold Southey's story in verse. Southey's story included the three bears, but the visitor to the bears' home was "an old woman"; later versions of the story replaced the old woman with a girl named Silver-hair. George MacDonald mentions the three bears of Silverhair in his 1867 story The Golden Key.

Joseph Jacobs included a fairy tale Scrapefoot in his More English Fairy Tales, identical in every respect to "The Three Bears" except that milk replaces the porridge, and the visiting character is a lame fox. This saw print later than Southey's version, but it may have predated it in the oral tradition; some have hypothesized that Southey heard a tale about a literal vixen and mistook it for a figurative vixen, a harridan. Charles Dickens' “Our Mutual Friend” contains a reference to a version of the story with three hobgoblins instead of bears.

Goldilocks first appeared in the 1904 printing of Old Nursery Stories and Rhymes. The story continues to grow and change. Recent versions include the story told from the point of view of the three bears. The story was humorously adapted into a popular song in 1946 by songwriter Bobby Troup. This song too is often erroneously credited as "anonymous".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldilocks

Bear hugs
Patricia Twitchell
The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek
Owner - Just Bears and Stuff
www.justbearsandstuff.com

Crossroads Doll and Teddy Bear Show in Salt Lake City

2007-10-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

I found some fun information on the Doll & Teddy Bear Shows. If you are in the great Northwest or in Salt Lake City, check this out. The following information comes from Teddy Bear and Friends website.

Dolls and bears fill the room at a Crossroads show, but promoter Dorothy Drake makes sure there's more for eager collectors to enjoy. At the April 2007 Crossroads Doll & Teddy Bear Show in Salt Lake City, the Olympus Doll Club hosted a Spring Fling Tea Party. The ladies chose a hat theme and sponsored a fun hat-making craft in addition to a hat contest. The hat centerpieces were in keeping with the fun theme, created by Judy, a very talented club member. The tea party was a hit with great food, a fun craft, a hat fashion show, and prizes galore. It was a wonderful way to chase the blues away and a reminder that the collecting hobby involves is so much more than just the dolls and teddy bears.

Crossroads Doll & Teddy Bear Shows was presented in Portland OR on September 15; Roseville CA on September 22. It will be in Puyallup WA on October 13-14; and back in Salt Lake City on October 27. For more information, visit www.dolls4all.com.

Have a beary special day.
Patricia Twitchell
The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek
www.justbearsandstuff.com

Who is Lorraine Chien?

2007-10-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

As one of the most creative teddy bear designers ever, Lorraine Chien is recognized around the world as one of the most talented artists in the world. Her start as an artist began many years ago. As a child, Ms. Chien enjoyed story books and used her imagination to create toys from scraps of material.

She was so imaginative and creative that what would have been a fun past time for other children soon became the beginning of her love for toy making.

Thus began the journey of many years of award winning design work that is recognized by some of the most discrimnating collectors around the world.

To see a full collections of Lorraine Chien's work visit http://www.justbearsandstuff.com/LorraineChien.htm

Patricia Twitchell
The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek
www.justbearsandstuff.com

Teddy Bear Run celebrates 25 years

2007-10-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

I thought this was such a wonderful story I wanted to share it with my readers....

Richmond.comWednesday, October 03, 2007The 25th anniversary Blue Knights VA III Teddy Bear Run is coming to Chesterfield County Saturday, Nov. 3. The event begins at Chesterfield Towne Center at 1 p.m. and ends at the Children's Hospital at 2 p.m.

more
http://www.richmond.com/output.aspx?Article_ID=4852385&Vertical_ID=127&tier=10&position=1

Patricia Twitchell
The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek
www.justbearsandstuff.com

8 Tips to an Easy Holiday Shopping Experience

2007-10-06T05:28:00.000-07:00

The holidays can be one of the most exciting times of year and at the same time, one of the most stressful. To avoid unnecessary stress you can take a few simple steps to ease through the season with joy, ease and fun.

1. If you are going to shop – pace yourself. You don’t have to get everything done in one trip. Set aside a short period of time over several days rather than trying to accomplish everything in one trip. For some people, this type of shopping is favorable to doing everything in one trip.

2. There are some personality types who find it less stressful to get all their shopping done in one shopping spree. They do better to complete all shopping in one trip. It saves the need to make several trips to the stores. This is a great way to avoid the crowds often associated with the holiday season.

3. Shop in smaller stores. You will avoid crowds by visiting small shops in quaint towns. Often, you will receive more personalized service due to the owner being the one to serve you.

4. Get your gifts wrapped as soon as you purchase them. This one tip can save countless hours of frustration. There are still shops that will take care of the gift wrapping at no additional cost. Even if you have to pay, the convenience alone may be worth it.

5. Write a list of people you plan to shop for. To avoid unnecessary debt put a dollar amount you are able to comfortably afford. Stay within your budget. Although a couple dollars here and there doesn’t seem like much, it can quickly add up.

6. Be aware of misleading sale items. Often what may seem like a great deal really isn’t. If you are buying a large ticket item, do some research before you go shopping. You can save an incredible amount of money by doing so.

7. Enjoy the experience. Often people get so caught up in the pressures of the holiday season they forget to enjoy themselves. Relax in the experience.

8. Remember, the holidays are all about sharing with others. It isn’t about how big a gift you can give, In fact, your expression from the heart is the greatest gift you can give.

Patricia Twitchell is the proprietor of Just Bears and Stuff, a unique shop for gift collectors located in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. Enjoy one of the best selections of Boyd’s, Gund, Cottage Collectibles, Quarry Critters, Ganz and more. Get FREE gift wrapping with every purchase and receive “Beary Special Moments” a free online teddy bear facts and tips e-zine by visiting www.justbearsandstuff.com

Visit our ebay store where you will find a great collection of items for your shopping pleasure.

http://stores.ebay.com/bearwatch-aka-Just-Bears-and-Stuff

Enjoy a stress free holiday season

2007-10-04T21:30:00.000-07:00

The holiday season can be one of the most joyous and yet, oneof the most stressful times of year. To minimize your stressandkeep the season full of joy here are some tips designed tohelp.Plan ahead. Before heading out to the malls, write a list ofthose you plan to get gifts for. This will save time, moneyand effort.Shop during off times.

If you can, shop during the slow times of the day.Utilize online shopping where possible. This is one of the bestways to minimize stress. That is, if you know who you are buyingfrom.

Select reputable shops to do business with.Find stores that wrap your gifts for you. Imagine how mucheasier it will be if you have everything wrapped and ready to go under the tree the minute you leave a store or place an online order.Enjoy the process.

Most of all, think of what the giving seasonis really about. Love of family, friends and those who touch ourlives.Christmas is not about how big a gift you give, it is how bigyour heart is with the spirit of love.Happy Holidays to all my beary special friends all around theglobe.

May your holidays be filled with joy, love, health andabundance.

Patricia Twitchell
The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creek
www.justbearsandstuffl.com manager@justbearsandstuff.com

We always offer FREE gift wrapping with any purchase. We can ship anywhere in the world.

Beary Special Moments eBook

2007-10-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

FREE eBook

Enjoy stories from around the globe. They will make you smile and just plain feel good.

Visit my website for a fun eBook - Beary Special Thoughtshttp://www.justbearsandstuff.com

Welcome to my eBay Store

2007-10-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to let you know we now have an eBay store. You can access our store by visiting http://stores.ebay.com/bearwatch-aka-Just-Bears-and-Stuff We have thousands of items available for immediate purchase.

If you haven't already done so, be sure to download my free eBook called Beary Special Thoughts. It is a heart warming book with stories from authors around the globe. You can download by visiting my website at www.justbearsandstuff.com

Happy days!

Bear Hugs,Patricia Twitchell
The Teddy Bear Lady of Myrtle Creekwww.justbearsandstuff.com