Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I do this on all my bears..otherwise the joints may slacken over time as the pile flattens.  Just trim back to the exact size of the disc. I stuff the limbs before I assemble the bear...this way it's easy to see where to trim.

I can totally see why you would enter him for the competitions. When you are good at something it you make it look easy to others...but of course it isn't. Years of practice enable you to do that. I have a copic set...which is rubbish...splatters everywhere...but it wouldn't matter what I used ...I am no good at airbrushing...period.

He's superb

How about Paypal...if they take it..some do...you can debit straight from your bank account.

Jenny

My idea of a good friend is one who tells you the truth when you ask 'Does my bum look big in this?'...instead of one who says 'no' and lets you go out looking like a blob....

Fae is 6 months old...and Mimi is 6 years old...Mimi hates Fae with a vengeance..Though, that said, Mimi let's Fae get in the airing cupboard alongside her now...Till Fae gets boisterous then she kicks her out.

It's upset her peaceful world..

This is our little Fae....butter wouldn't melt in her mouth...but she's a scamp...and runs rings around the dogs...here she is just about to sew a bear up for me...that's after typing a few emails on the computer..

And our other cat..Mimi. on one of her rare ventures out of the airing cupboard

I'd test the thinners on a bit of spare fabric first...is it oil paint? You might be able to shift small bits of paint with some detergent diluted with warm water, and sponge it off...carefully

Best off luck....

Jenny

Hi Danni...my scanner has died and gone to  heaven....congratulations though...I had a pic in Teddy Bear and Friends...I was very pleased about that!!

I don't get Teddy Bear Scene...

Does anyone else have a naughty cat that keeps springing on to the keyboard...and typing gobbledygook?.....I've typed this 3 times and still she won't stop...She drives me mad..but I love her!!

Jenny

or 'Here, There and Everywhere Bears'

I did a Google search and nothing came up for either...

That's four penn'orth now...

Jenny

Thinking about 'Beckoning Bears'...I went on to the next stage..like what's another word for beckon...and thought of 'Here and There Bears'

It's got a nice ring to it..it rhymes anyway!!

Oh well..that's my two penn'orth

It might be being used already though

Jenny

Well...my experience is..probably different from everyone else.. that sales can dwindle. I do think most people buy bears  for themselves and when they are spending on gifts for Christmas that can curtail bear buying habits.

However, I have had men buy them for wives....but like perfume...paintings and clothes they are personal choice items and usually the collector likes to see for themselves.

I find it picks up at the end of January when people start looking again.

I can't speak for eBay...on that enigma I know very little!!

Hi Amanda...thanks for that!! I have found a taxidermy website which explains clearly how to install a small jaw set into a head....I think the idea is the same...so I have clue now...and I have sent for a book too.The teddy books are ok but I want to know other stuff. But the way you do it is how I thought I'd do it...its' good to see pictures.

Watch this space...but don't hold your breath...it  might be next October before I've cracked it!!!!

Hi Judi...I have a lot of work to do...I realise that.....I have to try though.

Your work is very impressive...I am awestruck!!

I think you can safely assume I won't be reaching your level of skill for a good while yet!!!

Jenny

I agree with that Paula..I always say I am unemployable now..I have work for myself for so long!! Mind you, I always think I am the worst boss I could  ever have....my conscience won't let me get away with anything.

I don't think we call them granny panties here...I think they're called
' big knickers'. Whatever unromantic description they give 'em...I'd sooner put up with the humiliation of admitting to wearing them..than put up with the  discomfort of the 'thong'.

As my mother says, they are as much use as a chocolate coffee pot.

Anyway..I don't go in for really big knickers...just the sensible ones!!!!

He-he!!!

Thanks SueAnn...I have got one of her books but not that one!!

I scrolled through the topics and probably missed a whole lot of posts on this very subject...but as much as I have never ben interested I am now keen to learn how to do a proper open mouth...with teeth...

Any help gratefully received along with pointers to books, on-line classes etc. I already have Nancy Tillbergs book...but I am looking for other ideas on the subject..

It's not till you try something like thsi that you realise how much you don't know!!

Jenny

Hey , and just what's wrong with grannie panties? I love 'em...but then I'm a grannie...and I also hate those disappearing ones..you know where I'm coming from!!

Jenny

It's beautiful Tissavel faux fur, bought a big piece a while ago...My little bear Minnie on eBay is also made from it!! You're right it's fabulous to work with!!

Jenny

I recognise that fabric!!! He's gorgeous...what a sweetheart!!!

jenny

I know exactly how you feel, Shantell. I stood at that fair on Saturday with what I believe are the best bears I've ever made...opposite the Boyds stand...Ha!! That made me so miserable because people were oohing and aahing over these things and here am I selling bears that are the result of tears, sore fingers, an aching heart...filled with sometimes pride, sometimes feelings of rejection...hours upon hours of discussion and argument..financial investment...loss of sleep...you name it. And people just walk past.

I doesn't help when the person on the next table says that 'It was c**p here last year' as soon as you walk in!! Thanks a bunch!!

My little eBay bear's outfit was inspired by a Mabel Lucie Attwell drawing...well the outfit was anyway...and I am finding lots of ideas in those areas.  Being inspired is one thing...staying inspired is hard. Snapping out of the doldrums is hard too...but I force myself now..otherwise I'd be grumpy.

Jenny

Eileen...I think you should change the 't' in the middle of the word 'artist' in your title for an 's'...

I think these are photographs printed on to fabric maybe?

I'm going to get one anyway...do they do them in a size 16? Imagine that...it would be a pretty horrible sight!!!!!!

Jenny

There are one or two here in the UK that have a good living from bear-making.

For me personally...I won't JUST do it as a hobby...ie there has to be a profit in it or I would not do it. I don't love it THAT much to give away my time my exertions and my creativity for nothing. 

I make a decent living from the salon...so wouldn't ever become a full time bear artist...because I need the stimulation of another environment..and because......well you never know what the future holds and I won't put all my eggs in one basket.

You'd have to sell a lot of bears for a lot of money to become rich on selling them..they take such a long time to make too. It's a good source of additional money...I do look upon it as part of my income that's become necessary...I do take it seriously...and I do run it as a business. But let's say my head won't let me make anything and sell it for little or no profit...I'd give up if I got to that stage.

For example the fair I did yesterday was a waste...in some peoples eyes my takings would have been great...and to all intents and purposes they were...4 bears sold for good prices, a prestigious shop placed an order....but I'd taken a Saturday off work (unheard of) and when I weigh it up I'm about even on what I would have earned in one day in the salon, when you take off the travel costs, the rent for the stand, the incidentals....so I decided...no more Saturday fairs.

I think it would be hard graft to make a good living at bear-making...I agree that most have a substantial other means upon which they live...and bear-making supplements it.

It's 4.50 am and we are getting sorted for the Leeds show...so I have be quick!!

I started by chopping the gusset into 2 pieces but hated the way it parted on the 'crown' that's when I decided to make a direction in the pile, like human hair has. Hence the patched gusset...then I started on the sides...again to give movement in the nap...it just changes the shape. Then I started insetting extra pieces, patching them into the head. I now got to the point where anymore pieces would be ridiculous...but you never know.  At least one UK maker uses more then me. I don't do this on every bear as it would be stupid...and because I like variation.

One thing though...you do need to firmly double stitch each piece in...and more imporatnt than that trim the seams properly..otherwise you'll be aware of the seams...which would look dreadful.

I know I am teaching my Grannie to suck eggs here but also it works best on straight piles...but do it on curly/wavy piles too...I use my GHDs on the bits I want straight!!!!

This picture is not very good...very old...but it's a nice little fringe.

It's sort of a ribbon that's cut on the bias...it's used for finishing seams and other things.....