New for 2009.....

I am happy to announce....the La De Da' Bears, my rose garden and camera are getting together to produce a children's book.....it is in the works. Details forthcoming.

Sneak peeks along the way......

Rose Art

by bren pollock-smith

New Bears - Etsy Shop

'Gossamer Willowglitter' and 'Nixie Starshimmer' Etsy shop.

New Bear - Etsy

New La De Da' Bear, 'Fidget Elfwand' is in my Etsy shop.

San Diego Teddy Bear Show

I am happy to report that my first Teddy Bear Show held January 10 - 11, 2009 in San Diego was GREAT FUN. I met some wonderful new artist friends and collectors. Even with the slow economy, it was a good show. I plan to exhibit in Santa Barbara in March and again in San Diego in August. The La De Da' Bears are excited to do some traveling on the west coast to meet new collectors. Photo: My helper, daughter Chelsea Landers, future bear artist at our table.

'Joyful'

'Joyful' is on her way to Texas just in time for Christmas!

Winter Citrus Light

A huge thank you to Sharon of KnotChaCha who included my 'Joshua's Light' giclee' in an Etsy Treasury Feature.

"Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!"

I am a rose, teddy bear, art and wine geek. Today is a special day for us. National Geographic has a nice article about this day, about what is new, fresh and hopeful: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive! Tonight far away from a destination I have never experienced, I raise my glass to what is new and hopeful! Cheers as we officially enter the holiday season!

Going to Ireland!

I am thrilled that my new design 'Bramble Elfingiggle' is on his way to a new mom in Ireland! Thank you Ann!

Special Delivery!

On my way to deliver 'Dragonfly Buddy' to Dr. Sally Mellgren, October 24, 2008 - my largest giclee canvas to date.

I built her website:
Dr. Sally Mellgren.
My art site is:
Bren Landers-Smith Studio

'Fidget Tickledancer' a New La De Da' Pixie Bear

'Fidget Tickledancer' is a sweet 5" sparse, hand tinted, sparse mohair garden pixie bear. She is a moonbeam messenger and lives in the garden wonderlands and flower grottos. She is only seen when the bees swarm and the crickets chirrup. She wears a tiny silk hydrangea petal crown. She was been weighted with copper shot and her neck is very loosely jointed for a very wobbly feel and her limbs are thread jointed. As with my other bears of late, she sports a center seamed head design. She is quite distressed for an old, worn, well loved feel but she is very "La De Da' with her floral crown and floral button around her neck. She is a bit shy and is looking for a lovely home to celebrate this wonderful season of Autumn. Thanks for looking at Fidget Tickledancer and one of a kind collector bear!! Click here to see more photos in my Etsy shop: La De Da' Arts

Autumn Greetings!

For me the change of seasons brings with it a wonderful new creative eye. Fall and Spring are my favorite seasons for many reasons...mostly because the roses in our garden go through a renewal. Many people may not know that some roses perform better in the Fall than they do in the Spring. I am always inspired artistically by the miniature rose, 'Nancy Jean' in the Fall. I have photographed and painted her on the new header on my blog, web and Etsy site as well in the greeting above. She is a very special rose and shines in Autumn time!

Happy Autumn to you!!

'Bramble Elfingiggle' a New La De Da' Bear

'Bramble Elfingiggle' is an 11" sparse, hand tinted, sparse Intercal mohair fairy bear. She is a fortune bringer, lives with the fireflies and flies in the enchanted moment between sleep and waking. She dresses in glowing fiery colors with woodland wings like a butterfly. Her hands have magnets to hold her mini pumpkin or other autumn objects. She was been weighted with copper shot and her neck is very loosely jointed for a very wobbly feel. Her eyewhites are needlefelted. As with my other bears of late, she sports a center seamed head design. She is quite distressed (physically) but she is very "La De Da'" with her floral collar and leaf design wings! She is a bit shy and is looking for a lovely home to celebrate this wonderful season of Autumn.

Roses Grow Friendships

We were honored to meet Michael Marriott from David Austin Roses from England at a garden dinner party Friday evening at the home of Dick and Sue Streeper. Their garden was spectacular. The company was divine and Michael was a delight to meet and get to know. English roses are so incredibly romantic!

Denim Friendly Chibi Jewelry

Chibi Jewelry

This new La De Da' design is from my Chibi Cutie Collection. 'Teruko' is Japanese for 'Shining Child'. Her arms and legs are beaded with Aurora Borealis Swarovski crystals and sterling silver beads on sterling silver wire. She is a petite 3.5" and comes with matching earrings on a sterling silver, lever back dangle. 'Teruko' has a magnetic piece in her head and can be worn with no damage to clothing or any fabric you would like to display her, pillows, lampshades, drapes, etc. She can also be displayed on any metal surface, refrigerator, etc.

My inspiration for this jewelry line of mohair bears came from a memory from many, many years ago. I recall wearing a little doll to elementary school called a "Lucky Locket Kiddle". This tiny 2" doll was worn in a domed locket you would wear around your neck. My friends would wear theirs to school in 2nd grade and we would take them out at recess and make houses for them out of the dirt embankment on the playground. I can remember the anticipation, waiting for the bell to ring and recall all of us racing to our sacred place to play with our portable dolls.

Well, many moons later.....here I am thinking about those wearable dolls and as a bear artist, it became a natural idea to make a bear to wear - bejeweled bear jewelry. I might be grown up but not too old to know how to play! In the La De Da' fashion, these little bears are "haute shabby" with a bit of bling, a bit primitive. I hope they make you smile.

On eBay tonight and new ones coming to Etsy this week.

A Lonely Blessing

The business of working alone in my little studio most of the time brings a welcomed solitude and at times a loneliness that spins my head. Thankfully, I listen to talk radio all day long on my PC to keep me company. I was an only child for 5 years before my sister was born. It was just me and Mom all day long. I remember long days of intense sweetness, domestic chores, lots of daydreaming and creating things out of nothing. My Mom has never driven a car so trips out were only when Dad was off work which was seldom because he has always worked many, many hours.

I suppose that explains my attachment to my home. I love just "being" here. I had so many years in the rat race of the corporate world and know what the "other side" is like. I suppose that is yet another reason why I appreciate my home business.

My favorite childhood book was (and is) 'The Lonely Doll' by Dare Wright. The story was based on a long haired blond doll named 'Edith' and her adventures with Mr. Bear and Little Bear. My Mom read that book to me a million times. I would look at the wonderful photographs for hours on end. I related to Edith and her loneliness and was fascinated with the "come alive" adventures with her bear companions. I have concluded that my early roots and that book are my life now, kind of a lonely artist, making mohair bears, taking oodles of photographs...still with blond hair, daydreaming.

Etsy Treasury Kindness

Special thanks to Chloe' Livingstone of Little Green Shoot who included Lacey in an all pink Etsy Treasury!

Special thanks to Lisa of Arcas Designs for putting together this Etsy Treasury which includes Lacey again. The collection of wonderfully designed bears looks so cute together!

'Akiko' a New Chibi Cutie, La De Da' Bear

Akiko is Japanese for 'Autumn Child'. She is my first (released) clay face bear in celebration of Autumn. She is from my new 'Chibi Cutie' Collection. In the Chibi/Anime/Japanese style, 'Akiko' is 6" made from Old Gold Intercal mohair. These little bears have a strong magnetic piece in the body and can be worn on clothing without tearing fabric or adhere to any metal surface. For those collectors who have run out of space, these little cuties offer more options for display. I have some metal art scenes coming soon to display the 'Chibi Cuties'. She is now on eBay for 5 days. Big Bear Hugs,

Aller à Paris

Lily is sold and on her way to Paris.......