Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I love the alpaca blends ...the very dense ones ...the colour choice is wonderful and they are fab to work with.

They scissor sculpt very well too..

Jenny

WHAT a sweet little bear!!!!!

Jenny

Congratulations to both of you...fantastic news!!!

Jenny  :clap:

I do like pet names for my bears...and odd sounding names....I like tree and nutty names...Like Hazel...and Hickory...and Filbert...I guess I like nostalgic sounding ones... I go on tree and plant websites for names...as well as baby and pet names websites.

I have noticed that some artists seem to go in alphabetical order....or pick a theme for the last few bears they made ...I don't think I'm that organised!!

Jenny

I've been thinking, lately, about names for my bears. In the beginning I used to just think...'Ooh...he looks like a...'Fred'....or she looks like a 'Betty'' ....But the more bears I make the more difficult it becomes...

A: Because I don't really want to replicate names...(I do have a record of used names..)but what's the form on re-using a name on a different bear?

B: Because neither do I want to end up picking names that someone else has picked because we've both been inadvertantly inspired by the same thing

Do any of you have a method...or a format for naming...or do you just wait for inspiration to hit you?

Jenny

( I didn't spot this thread before I asked this question so I deleted it and tagged it on here)

I think you can get a solvent for Superglue? I use Hi-tack multipurpose glue for all my beary stickings...and it's very strong and you can just pull any blobs off easily afterwards... eg It sticks the felt circles to glass eyes and they won't budge..

I am afraid me and Superglue are enemies since I stuck my finger and thumb together!! He-He!! I only use it to glue my nut and bolt joints now....very carefully!!!!!

Jenny

They are amazing...such detail!!!

Hi Pipa....She's Very sweet....

Jenny

I have an alcohol based hair refresher...which we sell in the salon...it's made by AVEDA ...who make all natural products...I am going to try the cornmeal ...and then the refresher...(I reckon it's a bit like Fabreze for your hair)  it might work.

Does anyone think diluted white vinegar would be a no-no...All the books seem to recommend it for cleaning just about anything...I might try a small section!

I'll keep you posted!!!

Oh, thanks everyone for your ' two penn'orth' as we say round here...I am so grateful...

And I am pleased to know about Musquash too!!!!

Jenny

I totally agree about buying the samples...that way you know EXACTLY what will arrive in the post.

I (this is my experience) very quickly went from one fabric to another...gaining new favourites on the way...so don't do what I did and end up with a bedroom full of fabric that I can't face because I have 'gone off' it. I end up selling  piles of it on eBay!!!! Try as I might to reinvent my inspiration for it...when it's gone ...it's gone!!!

I'd suggest you buy very small pieces ..enough for one bear in of a variety of colours, densities etc..and that way you can find out if you like them fairly cheaply. I surprised myself lots of times with what I found I liked. Mainly I go for straight dense piles, in beary colours...I love scissor sculpting and the straights are great for that...I am addicted to synthetics now too!!!

Oh...the joys of fabric buying....it would be cheaper to have a drugs habit!!!!

Jenny

I had a thing through after a customer contacted me via my eBay contact button..I don't think I even got the email she sent me but I received a warning.....about using the contact button for matters other than the auction...When I asked them about it they said it was a spoof and sent me loads of stuff about the kind of things that are spoofed and how to deal with them.

It's often hard to know what to believe...at least with Paypal for example it's easy to verify it's them you are talking too as they send out code numbers etc...but with eBay....it could be anyone. I can understand why they'd want to protect their business but sometimes I think they are OTT.

Jenny

Hi Kim....it's an inset piece of longer mohair...but I am very long-winded about it though...I make a patchwork first so it goes in different directions ...like human hair does...

Jenny

Gina, Yours is a spoof for sure...I had one of those and I sent it to eBay and they said it was a spoof. But for the life of me I can't understand why they would pull your auction Denise....I'd ask them for an explanation...and if indeed this is from them. These spoofers are getting very clever!!!

Jenny

Oh he's really sweet...and how much work in those eyes!!!!!

Have fun in Turkey.....!!!

Jenny

Thanks  everyone...for commenting on my bear!! No, I don't knit....Can't knit...won't knit...

I have roped in my mother and her friend who help me out with this kind of thing now and then ...the thing is they don't work from patterns either...I just say...'could we do a little knitted...whatever...about so big in these colours' and they make it...I am in awe!!!

I do make all the other beary clothes though which I used to detest but it's now becoming interesting...if time consuming..but I am getting better at it!! I am thinking of joining a dressmaking class as often I don't know 'how' and my bears outfits are very basic...and I would like to be more adventurous.

It's never too late to learn something new....

Do you know what Dilu...I have no idea...I will find out and get back to you!!!

Jenny

You know what, Amanda, I was thinking that...about the dry shampoo....or talcum powder which is what we clean wigs and hairpieces with. It's not dirty...just a bit greasy in places...I could probably cut it and avoid those places...but it would be good to give it a nice clean start..

Thanks!!!

Jenny

Can anyone advise me on how to clean real fur.

I have an old fur coat which I am thinking of carving up even as I type...It's in excellent shape ...I think it's musquash ...very reddish brown in colour....I am not an expert on this kind of thing.

It seems a little greasy in places and I have no idea how to deal with this...I did read about sawdust and that sort of thing...I'd like to get in as fluffy and clean as possible before I attempt anything. The backing is good ...and so is the fur.

Any ideas gratefully received.

Jenny

Thanks for looking at her...I was very pleased she came out like she did...at least this one doesn't look like a werewolf. I'm not thinking of doing too many hand painted eyes though...I'm not too keen on the scary look that my bears seem to take on...

The stuff of nightmares...a baby face with scary eyes....eeeeeek!

Here is a bear I've just finished...it's the first time I have actually used the hand-painted eyes I have been doing. I have done lots and each time I put them into a bear  I end up taking them out. The other ones I did I absolutely hated...one looked like Michael Jackson when he turned into the werewolf in Thriller...and the other to quote my daughter 'kept staring at people'....a bit alarming all round really!!!

Her name's Annabella...and she's another bear that's for the fair next week..

My husband pretty much always tags along...he's good for fetching the coffees, carrying stuff  and moving the car after we've unloaded. My sister comes too sometimes...she comes to be nosey!! I always seem to have someone who wants to come...I even had one of the stylists I work with ask to come...

I don't mind who comes really...and I wouldn't mind going it alone either...it's just easier with two..

Jenny

I double stitch everything...even the ears...because I am paranoid I suspect. But I always think that by double stitching I have a safety net of knowing that if I am a bit wobbly on my first circuit I can correct it on my second. I have an industrial machine which goes like the clappers and I never hand stitch anything apart from the openings so it's quick anyway.

Oh My goodness....all this WILD life...all we get round here are grey squirrels...magpies and wood pigeons ( both noisy b*****S) ...I did see a wren the other day...but my cats stop most birds from entering our garden...

We do have bears though...the stuffed variety of course...

I use that card that's used for craftwork....It comes in A1 and A2 sizes and all colours and it's perfect for slotting into my light-tent...and gives a lovely curved light graduation behind the bear. I reckon it's the same thing that Donna talks about....I just get it from an art shop

I think that the problem with doll AND Bear shows is that often...not always...people who collect dolls have little or no interest in bears and vice versa. So...if there are loads of dolls there and people go mainly for the dolls, your potential customers will be fairly few. However, I attended a show with both a couple of weeks ago..(as a visitor) and,  though I spotted lots of bear collectors milling about, there were very few bears there.  The artists had dwindled as the experience of exhibiting along side dolls proved unsuccessful. So it cuts both ways.

There are going to be people who disagree...and many people actually make dolls and bears...but, for me at least, I feel that I prefer the footfall past my stand to consist of folks who are, in the main, genuinely interested in bears and other related 'friends'. Not just folks who are heading straight past me to the 're-born' baby stands....(yuck!! apologies to anyone who likes them)

Also...do check what other artists will be there because often..they will say 'Bear stands'...but they could be vintage, manufacturer made, bear making supplies etc...so I'd need to know how many artists will be there before I booked. The more artists the better the fair ...thats' my take on it anyway.

Having said all of this one of my best fairs is a Doll and Bear but the organiser is careful about the ratio and the positioning....and it does work.

I agree with Daphne ..I'd look at the list of exhibitors and maybe contact one or two who've done it a few years running and ask them about it....

Good luck though!!!

Jenny