Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hey Shelli!
I know exactly what you mean about them "telling you" if they are a boy or girl!  Except with me, I end up with more boys!!!

Darleen

Oh yes, I purchased the same fabric before and have no problems with it!  Great quality mohair for the price!  If you have any questions when you receive it, just email me!  Love to Help if I Can!!

Hello!
Nap reversal is generally not a problem!  The nap of a fabric is the direction that the fur was woven in the backing.  Reversal of the nap just means that the nap is going in the opposite direction that it was woven.  To fix, you can just dampen the fur and brush in the right direction or steam the area!
Hope I helped!
Darleen

Hey...just noticed I made a boo boo on my caliper measurements above ...1.3cm = 1/2", not  1 1/2"...another oopppsy!!! 

Oh my Gosh, Penny!!  You have to hear this...When I read what  you said about your bear Harper seemed to be crying, my mouth dropped!!!   When I look at my bears (especially when I am packing them up) it looks like their facial expressions change!  And a co-worker of mine (that I made a bear for) told me that her bear does the same thing!  Weird, huh?

Thank You, Judi!!  I will check that out too!!

Found it!!  What a COOL site!!  http://www.northcountryteddybears.com/
I have one of Nancy Tillberg's books, "101 Bears To Make" which is like the "bible" of bear design along with "A Bear Of My Own" by Rotraud Illisch.  These 2 instructional books will ALWAYS be in my collection!!
Thanks Again, Shelli!!  Your a Dear!!
Until Next Time!  Lotsa Bear Huggies!!!
Darleen

Thank You, Shelli!
Going to check that siteout now!!!

Hello Again!
One question for the designers out there:  I finally came out with my own designs a while ago and now I would love to get a copyright on a couple of them and start selling, but I don't even know where to begin!  Please help!!  Much appreciated!! :D
Bear Huggies!!
Darleen

Hi Ellen!!
Nope, no bear shops around here in the Western New York area that I know of...might be some in NYC.  What kinda "goodies" are ya lookin' for?!  Let me know!!
Darleen

Thank you Penny for the compliment on my "Christopher" bear!  He is my favorite!  He was adopted and is living on Ohio now (sniff...sniff :().  But I honor him by having him as my model on the homepage of my website.  Do you ever get sad when you ship out your bears?  I must be a weirdo :P...LOL!!
Well, gotta get back to work...I could sit here all day...I LOVE this forum!!! 
It was great meeting you guys!! 
Until next time...Bear Huggies!!!  :cool:
Darleen

OOPPS!!!

Hello Again Penny and All!
Well, I have 2 pics to show you!  The first is a full length view of what a caliper looks like.  This one is a 6" vernier caliper.  Basically, the handle contains increments in inches and centimeters.  The large "jaws" is what you use to measure.  Anything between the "jaws" is what is being measured.  In the second pic, (sorry its not too clear) you can kind of see the increments.  I am measuring one of the flowers on the fabric.  So I look at the increments on the handle and it measures 1 1/2" or 1.3cm.  My suggestion:  Get a digital caliper!  It's on my wish list right now.  With a digital caliper (which is battery operated), you will get a clear measurement in LCD (which eliminates the guesswork)!  Digital calipers measure in inches and millimeters  and a resolution of 0.0005" or 0.01mm (which means make REALLY TINY measurements...great for ultra minibears!).  Calipers also come in length up to 24" I think.
If anyone needs a lesson in measuring with calipers, just give me an email...glad to help out!!

[imghttp://www.theoleatticchest.com/fpdb/images/caliper2.jpg][/img]

Bear Huggies Everybody!!
Darleen

Hi Dilu!
Nice to meet ya!
On a scale of one to ten (in comparison to Mastex) I would put the linen thread (single strand) at a 9 (Ouch..LOL!!).  Double strand...definately a 10!!   I always sew with a double strand no matter what I use...but nothing beats the linen thread!!  A guaranteed no slip!!
Nice tight sewn eyes!!
(Caliper pics will be here in a minute or two...(or three)!

Hi Penny!!
I will get back to you with pics!!  Gimme a little, but I will definately be back!!
Darleen

Hello Fellow Arctophiles!
I want to share some great uses for linen thread!   I have been using this type of thread for sewing in my bear's eyes and also for thread jointing smaller bears.  I used to use dental floss, but I noticed the floss would "slip" as I made the first knot.  No slipping of any kind with linen thread!  If you ever want to try it go to: http://www.twiceasnice.com/dollhair.htm.  Nice, super strong thread!
Lotsa Bear Huggies!
Darleen

Hello Everyone!!
I want to share a great tool I just can't live without when making my bears!  Its a wonderful handheld tool called a caliper.  Calipers are used for dimensional measuring and I used it initially when I was employed as a Quality Assurance Technicion at a medical manufacturing company.  This tool is AWESOME for bear designing, setting the eyes on your bears evenly, insuring an accurate seam allowance,  sewing an even nose, ... I could go on and on.  I purchased mine on eBay and they have lots listed there for pretty good prices!  If anyone out uses these, you know how great they are!!
Lotas Bear Huggies!!
Darleen

Here is one of my bears, "Bernie", as an example of my walnut crystal dying technique.  I dyed his snout, tips of ears and other parts of his body.  He originally has Cinnamon colored mohair.

Hi Winney!
Sorry I missed you before you logged off...had to make myself a pot of java!
I get my Walnut Ink Crystals from:
http://www.littlescrapsoftime.wahmart.com/store/
You can get a 1oz. tin at $4.50 which lasts forever! Dilute the crystals in water (no real measuring involved...just mix until you like the color) and store in a plastic container (be sure it is never used again for food of course)!  The color will look darker on the bear at first.  Even if it is too dark when semi dried, just take water and it will come off the bear!  You can blow dry to set color (although I prefer air drying...air drying doesn't "fluff" up the mohair...unless thats the look you like!).
Hope to Talk To You Again Soon!
Darleen

Hello Everyone!
When I want to make my bears look "old" or "time worn", I use Walnut Ink Dye Crystals.  Works perfectly.  I never blow dry the mohair when its wet; just air dry!

Hello Everyone!
I use "rusty" stuff on most of my bears and never had a problem with the rusty stuff coming off.  I wonderful site to go to is: http://www.rustytin.com .  Shop there all the time!!
eBay also has a few sellers listing old keys and such!
Hope I helped!!
Darleen