One of the really neat things about living in Central Florida is being near the Space Coast and Kenndy Space Center.  I was reminded of that a few minutes ago while working on my computer on this quiet, Saturday morning.  I had the rear sliding door open a bit for some fresh air into the place, birds were singing outside-  when all of a sudden the whole building shakes, windows and items on shelves rattle, and the big sliding door rattles and vibrates in its tracks, and two distinct loud BOOM BOOM's come through the air.  Oh yeah I remember, the Space Shuttle Discovery is back.

Before moving down here four years ago, I did not know that when returning into the atmosphere, the space shuttle makes two loud sonic booms that can frequently be heard throughout the Central Florida area.  The loudness of the booms in any one area is determined by the shuttle's precise flight path on its way back to the Kennedy Space Center for landing.  I always try to remember and make note of when they are expected back to listen to the booms, because usually you here them 2 to 3 minutes before the actual scheduled landing as they come back into the atmosphere and break the sound barrier on re-entry.  But this morning I became engrossed in working on the computer- and forgot.  I was shockingly reminded when the two BOOM BOOM's shook my chair, along with everything else around me.  To me, it's fun and really cool.  But of course the most important note, is that it is a signal that they are safely back through re-entry and almost home.  Welcome back Discovery!  Job well done.

Just wanted to share.  Go out and have a great summer weekend.  And just for the record and so you know- the shuttle has returned safely.  The next loud BOOM you hear is probably thunder.  Take shelter. -- Jim 

We are reminded once again this month of Abraham Lincoln's quote, that "No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child."  On the 20th of each month Old Glory Toy Works lists a new item at auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit a children's charity.  It's our small way of lending a helping hand to the most vulnerable of our society. 

This month features the Children's Home Society of Florida, located here in Winter Park, Florida, our home.  Established in 1902, Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) is one of Florida's oldest private nonprofit organizations providing services to children and families.  CHS delivers a unique spectrum of social services designed to protect children at risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment; to strengthen and stabilize families; to help young people break the cycle of abuse and neglect; and to find safe, loving homes for children. Last year, CHS helped to improve the lives of more than 139,000 children and family members. I encourage you to check out their website thru the link on the item listing to see in more detail about the wonderful work they do for children and their families. 

This month's listing is a new Handcrafted, Fully Jointed 10" Child Safe Teddy Bear in a very warm and soft Mocha Brown color.  Please check him out.  And remember that 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit the kids.

Be sure to watch for our regular Children's Charity Listings, as we feature different creations and items in the store on the 20th of every month.

Click here to go see him!

Since the beginning of the year, a lot of time has been spent on the future plans and development of Old Glory Toy Works.  Each month this year will feature new and exciting developments as we continue to evolve, grow into new areas, and add new creations.

Abraham Lincoln said that "No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child."  This month's focus is starting our monthly listing to benefit Children's Charities.  On the 15th of each month from now on, we will list a new item at auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit a children's charity.  It's our small way of lending a helping hand. 

This month features the BASE Camp Children's Cancer Foundation, located here in Winter Park, Florida, our home.  BASE Camp provides a year round base of mobile support with fun activities for child patients, well siblings and children whose parents have cancer or other life threatening, rare or orphan blood illness.  They serve families from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment, recovery and beyond the loss of the patient.  Among their services, they provide monthly overnight trips and camps to allow parents some child-free time, special fun nutritious hospital lunches to help kids who have lost their appetites during treatments, food baskets, attraction tickets for family outings and getaways during treatments, holiday parties, in-home camps for those confined at home during treatment, support groups and more.  I encourage you to check out their website thru the link on the item listing to see in more detail about the wonderful work they do for children and their families. 

This month's listing is a new Handcrafted, Fully Jointed Country Style Teddy Bear.  Please check him out.  And remember that 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit the kids.

Be sure to watch now for our regular Children's Charity Listings, as we feature different creations and items in the store on the 15th of every month.

Click here to go see him!

Well, it has been a bit in coming,  and while all the bunny rabbits are a fun little change of pace they are all finished now for another year.  But the Happy Puppy Dog was fun, and I will be making more of him,  with variations of course, maybe one a month together with some new style adult Rabbits just to play with designs and develop them more through the course of the year and to keep things fresh.  The string jointed puppy may have floppy cotter pin joints next time.  Wouldn't that be fun?  Check back next month.  I have some dalmation fabric with brown spots and some with black spots, and some other wild bunny fabrics that should make up some interesting puppies and bunnies through the year.  I have a really long pile grey and black mix fabric that I just haven't found a bear in yet,  so maybe I will see if some puppies or bunnies are hiding in there instead.   Perhaps I should try some kittens along the way, but I am hyper-allergic to cats so that may be a bit of a mental stretch for me.  But kittens are really cute so we'll see.

But for now it's back to the bears.  A new mohair bear is ready to be listed in the next day or so, together with a wonderful little cream colored soft synthetic fellow.  I have a really nice all blue adult teddy bear finished with big, black glass eyes and a blue nose, but he has been sitting there and hasn't told me how he wants to be finished yet.  He looks like he needs a finishing touch of some sort and I just can't put my finger on it yet.  Maybe a hat?  And I have an all pink, soft furry bear ready to be finished, but I put side mounted ears on her and they look a bit small to me right now, so I am trying to decide whether the facial trimming will bring them out more or if I should go back and redo them before finishing her.  As of today, "Redo" is winning but Florida and Michigan have to re-vote.   I'm planning on putting a music box into her when finished, so if anyone is needing or looking for an adult pink musical bear right away, let me know and I will quit putting it off and get back to work on her.

Today I am working on a couple of soft and fluffy adult beanie bears, one in a cream color and the other in tannish gold.  These won't be ready until next week at the soonest, as I am still fiddling with the final presentation.  I am distressing the fur a bit, and think I may tea stain one or both to give an aged look next week.  I will keep you posted.

Click here to receive my email newsletters to stay in touch and hear about new creations as they become available.   

That's all for today.  It's a beautiful sunny day in the shadow of Mickey Mouse here in Central Florida with the temp going up to around 86-87.   Hopefully spring will catch up to the rest of y'all up north real soon.  Have a great weekend! -- Jim    

The little adult bunny that I have been talking about finally hopped into the store tonight.  He is made from a wonderful synthetic faux fur with a mix of light brown and white, with black accent hairs running throughout.  He looks like a little wild bunny scampering in and out of the bushes.

He features premium rounded black glass eyes, and a cotter pin wobble joint for his head to make him very flexible and posable.  He is wearing an artist polymer clay pendant entitled "Girl and Easter Bunny". 

Because of the small parts, this bunny is for adults and older children only.

Here is his listing!

Finally got around to listing a few String Jointed Teddy Bears in the store today.  These are simple little guys, intended to be someone's newest bestest carry-along buddy.  They are perfectly sized for small hands to carry to Grandma's, to tuck under an arm for a nap or to display in that special little corner nook. 

These little fellows have child safe plastic safety eyes, and are string jointed with reinforced heavy duty upholstery thread.  All their arms and legs move freely about.  They are really quite fun.  At Christmas, we always place a few of these into the Christmas tree in those inevitable bare spots.  We call these holes an "Elf Shelf" and plug them up with these little bears.  Right now, they would be perfect inside an Easter Basket for something different.  Not recommended for under five years old.  They are very light, and several will ship together for the same cost as one, or mix and match with the Baby Bunnies and Basket Bunnies.  I only charge actual shipping and print it right on the shipping label, so go ahead and stock up.

Hope I didn't get too carried away with the multi-color one.  Just wanted to try something different to see how it would turn out.

The pendant that I have been waiting for today arrived for the larger, adults only Basket Bunny I mentioned a few days ago.  I will be taking his photos and listing him tomorrow night.  But I only made one of him, so hope you like him.

Cheers! -- Jim 

A bunch of little Baby Bunnies and Basket Bunnies have hopped into my store over the weekend just in time for Easter!  Nothing fancy, just simple little bunny rabbits designed to fit into baskets or go along to church on Easter morning.  All handcrafted and made in Central Florida, USA.   Buy and pay shipping for one bunny, and any more you purchase to travel together ship for FREE!   

The Baby Bunnies are just simple little bunnies for small hands to hold and carry along and feature child safe plastic safety eyes, but not recommended for under three years old.  The Basket Bunnies are a little bigger, and also feature child safe plastic safety eyes along with a child safe plastic neck joint so the head moves and is posable.  They are recommended for age five and over. 

Realizing that over the years I have sold as many of these Basket Bunnies to adult collectors as for kids, with that in mind I have made up a bit larger Basket Bunny that is only for adults.  He features premium glass eyes, a wobble joint for the neck so the head is even more posable, and plastic pellets in the body for some added weight.  He is made from a synthetic fabric in a much more natural wild bunny color.  I have ordered a special Bunny Rabbit Pendant for him and as soon as it arrives will get him listed, too, hopefully in a day or so. 

I also finished and listed a Happy Puppy Dog over the weekend.  He is string jointed so all four legs move, features plastic safety eyes, and has double twisted heavy duty pipe cleaners in his ears and tail making them bendable and posable, too.  He also has plastic pellets in his body for weight, so should only be given to older children.  He is a good size, about 15" long not including the tail, with a big ol' puppy dog smile!

I also am listing some mini bears later today that are string jointed.  These also feature child safe plastic safety eyes and at about 5" tall are a perfect size for Easter baskets also.  They will be in the store later this afternoon.

Thanks for reading! -- Jim

With all the recent eBay changes and strong emphasis on Detailed Seller Ratings, I thought it might be prudent to emphasize my own dedication for Old Glory Toy Works to provide FIVE STAR CUSTOMER SERVICE.  So before listing several new items this weekend, I took the time this morning to develop new template wording, and go back and revise every open listing to include the following paragraph:

"Old Glory Toy Works is commited to FIVE STAR CUSTOMER SERVICE.  At the end of the day, I want you to be happy you shopped here.  Please tell me how I can improve your shopping experience by sending your comments, suggestions or questions thru the eBay Contact Seller link."

In every AsWas seller workshop, they stress to limit your text, limit your text, limit your text.  Customers want photos and do not want to read.  But now we are told to add a paragraph to our listings on our dedication to Customer Service and Five Star Ratings.  Good grief.  You guys want to go off in a corner and get together?

I toyed with the idea of providing my direct email address, but decided (for now) that I didn't really want that in every listing for everybody to see.  I have developed a seperate note to include with all items sent that stresses the importance of feedback and receiving a 5 Star Rating now, and do include my direct email and phone number for customers to contact me directly without going thru eBay if there are any problems or concerns before dinging my stars. ( I was hesitant on providing the phone number at first, but it is easily available to buyers anyway, and if there is any problem or concern I really do want to hear about it.  And if I am truly dedicated to Five Star Service, then they can have my phone number.  I never sleep all the way thru the night anyway.)  When I get my stars that is.  I have had several sales and great feedback since they first implemented the system last year, but apparently several (all? who knows?) of my customers have not bothered with the star ratings, so I am still working to get the first magic ten to get my rating to show up.  Hopefully that comes with the next purchase.  I think a lot of buyers who don't sell just don't know or care about them.  But eBay has said it is our job now to educate our buyers, hence the following.

I have seen other sellers adding "I Strive for Five" to their listings, and others with cute little star clippings, etc.  But regardless of the specific phrasing, I think it is important now for serious sellers to stress their dedication to customer service and satisfaction from the beginning and hope it follows thru to their ratings at the end.  In the recent workshop on the seller ratings, eBay stressed that you should ask your customer for five stars at the end of the sale.  Something like: "If I have fulfilled all your expectations, please follow thru and give me five star ratings", or "I expect five star ratings" or something like that.  Personally, I will never do that.  To me it is degrading to have to blatantly ask for the highest positive feedback.  It's like your waiter standing with his hand out and demanding a big tip.  If your service and product warrant it, you shouldn't have to boldly ask.  I will send the note stressing the importance of their feedback and that their feedback is appreciated, and do my part to help educate, but will not directly ask for Five Stars.  But for other sellers out there, that is what they are advising.  Despite the uproar by many about the DSR's, they are probably here to stay.

I have always left feedback for my buyers after they left feedback for me.  It was never an intent to hold their feedback hostage as eBay put it in the workshop, but rather following the advice of many sellers on the Stores and Seller Central Discussion Boards, and the "eBay for Dummies" Book (really! it helped!) in that a transaction was not complete until feedback was left by the buyer for the seller.  But now they are saying you stand a much better chance of getting Five Stars if you leave feedback for the buyer immediately after they have paid for the purchase and demonstrate your professionalism.  Since sellers can only leave positive feedback for buyers soon anyway, I suppose I will try that.  (Actually I just did that, left feedback for the buyer first in my last four sales, three and then another to the same buyer, so you would assume they were happy if they came back to purchase another a seperate time.  But hey!  No feedback for me on any.  Hmmm.)  I am confident in my sales and service and really not worried about it.  But I am resolved to it that one cranky buyer is lurking in the woods and someday will get me. 

Now I have to work out what to do about shipping costs.  I already pay for insurance on every shipment.  Insurance is for the seller, not the buyer.  All a buyer has to do is file a not received claim with PayPal or their credit card and it is refunded.  Insurance covers me as the seller, so I pay for it and do not require or ask the buyer to do so.  But that's just me.  With the new Best Match search, shipping is figured in, and it seems like eBay is suggesting in the recent workshop on How To Improve Your DSR's that sellers either provide FREE shipping or flat rate, and abandon calculated shipping, which is what I have always used.  As a customer, I think FREE shipping is an insult to my intelligence.  I know it's not going to travel here on the trade winds for free.  Nothing is free.  There is a cost, and it's buried in the purchase price.  And if you do that, then you have inflated the price and will ultimately pay even more in Final Value Fees, which coincidentally have just raised significantly, causing you to adjust the price even more for the additional fees, which results in more fees, and on and on.  The customer paying the extra freight in the purchase price is the ultimate one who is penalized in this.  So for "Free" shipping, your purchase prices go up and up to cover it, and you pay eBay more.  Raising prices while the economy is tanking and more and more people are out of jobs.  Just doesn't work for me.

And I am in Central Florida, and have sent many items to the west coast and southwest, far removed postal-wise.  If I adopt flat rate shipping, at a low amount to show up in Best Match search results now, then either I will lose on far away sales or have to penalize those who are closer with higher flat rate shipping.  That is another lose-lose.  So, for now I am going to stick with Calculated Shipping as being the most fair to my customers and see where it goes from there.  I do not include a seperate packaging, packing or handling fee in my shipping rates.  They are the actual shipping cost, in total honesty I print the actual shipping on the label for the customer to see, and it is what it is.  As I said, I pay for the insurance, so the actual shipping is always higher than what they paid anyway.  A huge amount of eBay sellers are individuals and small businesses, but it seems we are more and more being made to compete head to head on unequal footing with the big boys who have more tricks and the beneifts of scale to benefit them.

Oh well, back to work.  That's what I am doing for now.  Hope any of this may help out another seller.  And if anyone reads this and sees that I am obviously going 180 degrees in the wrong direction on anything- - would appreciate it if you let me know.  Just trying to find my way making a map as I go.  Best of luck! -- Jim      

Putting various plastic pellets, glass beads and so forth into teddy bears to give them some weight and heft is not difficult, but sometimes messy when they spill out and roll all over the place.  It is hard to find and recapture them all, and later I invariably come around in bare feet to step on them in the rug.  So to corral the little rollers I have been searching for a cafeteria tray with the edges to hold them in when they overflow during stuffing or closing.  Nothing expensive or fancy, just a plain old used cafeteria type tray.  But it is hard to find just one.  The smallest quantity I could find was two dozen, and I just don't need 23 extra cafeteria trays adding to the clutter.  But, while at a local Burger King the other day, it popped into my head to see if I could purchase a couple of their trays.  Unfortunately, the manager had no way to ring them up and initially said no, but when I explained to her they were to be used in making teddy bears she up and gave me two older style black trays no charge.  You could say she gave me a "Whopper" of a deal.  (Sorry- that's pretty bad isn't it?)  I definitely hit on that one.  Right idea, right place, right manager, right time.  Sometimes it works.  Thank you Burger King!

On the other hand, my search for shiny new 2008 pennies continues.  I have always put a new penny into the tummy of each mohair bear that I make as an extra special little keepsake from the year it was made.  But there's the rub.  At the beginning of each new year, it takes a while for the new pennies to get into circulation.  I have checked with the bank, thinking they would get them first, only to be told to go to Wal-Mart because they would get them before the banks.  No luck there yet either.  Ditto for the grocery stores.  So my search for 2008 pennies continues.  I have thought about putting the penny inside all of my adult bears and creations, mohair and synthetics, but it sure does slow down the process at the beginning of each year until I can get hold of some.  So the search continues for new 2008 pennies.  I haven't thought about what to do if they ever take the penny out of circulation entirely.  Maybe I'll just make big bears and switch to silver dollars!  That would be special.  But for now, I'm still searching for a supply of shiny new 2008 pennies.