Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

If you decided to make your own pattern, you could try using this method http://www.deviantart.com/art/Plushie-P … -179305255 its very similar to the method i use for my art dolls and plushies that i can't make a 2d pattern for. the more detailed you make the 3d mock up, the more detail you cna put in your pattern.

for wire armatures have a look at the way art doll armatures are done, such as in this tutorial http://eviecats.deviantart.com/art/Posa … -372765585 . you could also decide to use a plastic ball socket armature, but that is much more expensive.

I make both art dolls as well as fully plush animals, so feel free to ask anything. Im actually in the middle of an ooak chihuahua art doll at the moment.

hope this has helped in some way.

So I wanted to share with you guys my first creation using a teddy bear joint. I like to think of it as a transaction between the art dolls which I make and the teddies that I will be making.
This guy is named Bookkeeper and he is also the prototype of a series I am working on called "bookkeepers". They are basically weighted art dolls with a cotter pin joint in the middle with sculpted paws and face. The forepaws are wired so that they can bend up and down. they are designed to act as bookends but could also be used as a door stop too. The necklace is completely detachable and features a handmade usable miniature notebook.

This one is based on a spectacled bear but i will be making all sorts of creatures.

Hope you guys like him

I will be on the look out!! I love your lynxes too, if there was a lynx kitten, i wouldn't be able to resist. 

oh my, she is so adorable!!! its so hard to resist her. maybe she will still be available when my next paycheck comes in

thank you guys so much for the replies! i never new there would be so many ways to address this!

I think i have a fairly good idea of how i want to do it now, so thanks again!

Hi guys,

I'm now designing my pattern for my first bear but i've run into a problem! how to do the ruff at the neck.

the way i see it, i have two main options, add it in as a separate pattern piece which is longer and so would be gathered in as it is sewn. this would take longer but i may have more control over it.

Or i make the body pattern wider at the top and then gather, or needle sculpt the ruff in. I'm leaning towards this option more as it would be quicker, and i could more easily adjust the ruff if i dont like how its going.

Which way do you guys think is better? or is there a better way to tackle it? In my sketch its a bit exaggerated in size, but i do want it to be a noticable ruff

Also, i just wanted to share the fur i've chosen for my first bear with you. It is a very plush, dense faux fur, with little to no stetch in the backing. Its awesomely soft (its come from leftover bits from the cloak i made my partner) and i cant wait to use it for my bear.

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. My books arrived yesterday and they were exactly what I needed, a practical guide to techniques and handy hints and tips about designing a teddy pattern.

I've got a couple of other art projects to finish up, a chihuahua art doll, another art doll and two cloaks, but then I will be able to get to work on the teddy bears. I cant wait.

I've got both books on order now, to arrrive on monday. I got so excited I paid for the one day delivery option so it should come on monday.
I can't wait to get started and I will definitely keep you guys posted on my progress.

Thanks Heather and Becky.

I will definitely be investing in some long doll needles and possibly some surgical scissors. Is there a particular brand or size you would recommend?

And thanks for the link to the book. I will definitely look into getting it. Does anyone have any experiences of this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Teddy-Bear-Stud … gy_b_img_z

and Becky, thank you for the cdrawig compliment, i drew it quite quickly, just to give people an idea of what sort of shape i will be aiming at

Hi there

In the near future I will be embarking on my first (of many I hope) artist bear and after some research on my own I've come across some questions I can't find answers to.

I've come to artist bears with a background in animal Art Dolls and experience in plush toys and clothing and so I'm confident enough to draft my own pattern. The finished bear will look something like this in its shape.

I was basically wondering what type of joints would work best for a bear of this size? I was hoping to use cotterpin joints but was unsure of the size/sizes I would need and also if they would be suitable for a bear this size.

I'm also a little confused as to how to use the cotterpins, do I need any specific tools? I have some tools from jewellery making and I am an artist so I have lots of various implements lying around. The sort of tightness I'm looking for is similar to those on Charlie Bears, sort of floppy but able to sit. I would also like the head to be somewhat floppy, which I think I would need to use a wobble joint for?

Should I invest in some doll needles for the eyes and needle sculpting?

When weighting the bear, how heavy should I be looking at? I definitely want the bear to have a better "feel" to it but was unsure how much of the weighting pellets to buy.

And finally, is there any books you could recommend? I;m looking for a general sort of book with techniques and tips rather that one with prescribed patterns.

Thanks in advance and sorry if I've repeated anything thats been asked several times over.