Have you seen the 2008 Golden Teddy Award Nominees?  Wow, they are just awesome!  If you haven't seen them, pick up a copy of the August Teddy Bear Review and check them out.  A dedicated panel selected 72 nominees from over 231 submissions.  The winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Banquet on August 9th at the Doll & Teddy Bear EXPO in Washington, D.C.  The winners will be showcased in the December 2008 issue of Teddy Bear Review. 

Do vote for your favorites if you can.  You can vote for your favorite by using the official ballot postcard in the magazine.  There are 15 categories this year and I had a hard time choosing which ones to vote for.  My favorites are:

Individual Artist, undress, 5 inches and under:  Whitford by Laraine White (very unusual but awesome!)
Individual Artist, dressed, 5 inches and under:  Rachael by Samantha Potter (so cute!)
Individual Artist, undressed, over 5 & under 14 inches:  Kade by Tammy Wamboldt (mink and precious)
Individual Artist, dressed, over 5 & under 14 inches:  I've Got Mail by Laraine White (what a face!)
Individual Artist, undressed, 14 inches & over:  Sterling by Tami Eveslage (open-mouth beauty)
Individual Artist, dressed/14 inches & over:  Adela by Eun-Sook Ma (so elegantly accessorized!)
Individual Artist, soft-sculpture/plush animals:  Ava by Krista Griffiths (can't believe he isn't real!)
Individual Artist, needle-felted/sculpted animals:  Ginger by Patricia Knight (is she for sale?)
Manufacturer Bears, undressed or dressed, 5 inches & under:  Jimmy & Gibblet by Bearington Collection
Manufacturer Bears, undressed over 5 & under 14 inches:  William & Henry, Brothers in a Tin by Steiff
Manufacturer Bears, dressed over 5 & under 14 inches:  Silver Bells by Steiff
Manufacturer Bears, undressed 14 inches & over:  Sebastian by Steiff
Manufacturer Bears, dressed 14 inches & over:  Duncan the Trademark Button Bear by Steiff
Manufacturer Soft-Sculpture/Plush Animals:  Mr Hopkins by Steiff (OK, so I'm partial to Steiff!)
Tableaux:  The Sorcerer's New Apprentice by Beverly White

Which one's are your favorites??