Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I sew with a 1953 elna and a 1950 featherweight.  I also occassionally use a 60's singer(not sure of the model)  I love them all. 

Years ago I worked in a seamstress shop and the pfaffs were highly regarded for their reliability but when they broke down ,  were more expensive to repair (parts not as readily available). I don't remember if they were "sensitive" machines or not.

And that's about the extent of my sewing machine expertise.

I would suggest trying out the machine before even considering a trade.  Then, if your keen on the machine, make sure  service, needles etc. are easy to get.

Hope this helps.
Laurie

I have to agree with the earlier posts. - I've done both ways and was much happier with cpoic marker & dye method than with the patch.
Laurie

A word of caution on using coffe /tea dye.

A few years ago (10?) I tried dying white mohair a taupy brown. I bought a perfect, steiff bear head at a flea market for $20.00.  The poor fella lost his body and all 4 limbs in a flood.  I had a piece of white mohair that the quality matched quite well, so I made him a body (it couldn't do any more harm than he had already suffered). I do have a bit of dyeing experience, but I couldn't tell you exactly what I did for that recipe.  I played around with tea and coffee combinations, until I matched the colour perfectly.  He was displayed in my daughter's room, not in direct sun light, but not protected in a special way.  Unfortunately the dye has faded considerably, turning a much lighter, reddish brown.  I have an  wonderful bear by a well known artist, that has a clown collar that is fadding considerably too.  I've often wondered if anyone has kept their dyed creations around for lengthy periods to see how the dyes are holding out.  If records were kept, it would make for very interesting info. 

Laurie

Well, I orderd from Schoepfer's today - They were very helpful and I now wait anxiously for my order to arrive. I have flat backs and wired eyes coming in, so I'll be doing a lot of experimenting.
I'll let you know how it all turns out.
Thanks again for your input.
Laurie

Thanks all  -I can't wait to get started.  I'll be calling today for my eyes.
Laurie

I'm in.  my address has been submitted. 
I had so much fun with my last one, I can't wait to get started on this one!

Laurie

He looks great Robert.  Very woodsy!
Peachy's right beside me - she's checking him out - says he's handsome!
Good work once again.
Laurie

Thanks Ladies,
Mini world has a good selection of small sizes and colours, but their web catalogue looked out dated.  I'll call them after the long weekend and  let you know what happens.  I figure I'll get a good range of sizes, sample the colours and go from there.
Laurie

I've been working on a bear that is "outside my comfort zone" since last November.  I am quite excited about how it's coming along, but,  boy oh boy, is  it out side my comfort zone!! 
I'm at a point now, where I'm searching for eye alternatives.  I am looking for a more human looking eye and want to add whites. 

One option I'ed like to try is to use a taxidermi type glass eye, (without whites), and play around with felt, leather, paint etc.  there is plenty of previous discussion on this topic, so alls I need only to get cracking on this matter!!

Now, my other option is to use realistic (or doll) flat, oval, glass eyes.  My questions are;

1. If I go for a flat, glass, oval eye (with whites) how do you attatch them?  Is  grazy glue with an eye lid going to do it?????   
Secondly, If I understand the sizing correctly, an 8mm oval glass eye has about 4mm of iris.  Would this size work for a bear that would normally use a 6mm traditional teddy bear eye?
And lastly, does any one have a favorite supplier?  I've searched the internet, and there is quite a range of prices with only a few suppliers offering the smaller sizes(equivilent to a traditional TB eye size of 6mm - 8mm).  I've narrowed  my choices down to a place called "Minni World" & another called "Schoepfer Inc"  Any one heard of them?

Appreciate any help.
Thanks
Laurie

Oh, my!!  I recieved Peachy today, from Robert Forman of  Bear Hearts.  I can't wipe the smile off my face.  My husband came home from work and he took one look at me and smiled - he knew something had made my day!
Peachy is fabulas - and what workmanship!.

A big thank you to Robert - Ican only hope he enjoys his new bear as much.

A few years ago, I took an on line class to  made a ball jointed doll.  The technique involved a # of steps, but was really well thought out and worked! If I made only one doll, but I'm sure  - like with bear making, one could get quite efficient at it.   I have often thought of using the idea with mohair.  It would require some adaptations, but I'm confident that I could get it to work.
The class was taught by Judy Ward (an amazing on line instructor) and is for the "Bleuette" doll.  The class appears to be currently offered.  Here's the link; 

http://dollnetmarket.com/home.php

Reading the comments on thread, has me wondering now -

Are most people using a regular weight thread to sew bears? 

I have been using gutterman upholstery weight for machine and hand sewing the bears (which has so far worked well on my Featherweight and 1953 Elna).  The gutterman is 100% polyester.  I don't think I've seen an upholstery thread with any cotton in it.
Laurie

OOOO,   A wheeled toy challange.  What a great idea!!! :clap:  :clap:  :clap:     I look forward to details!!

Laurie

I seem to remember dealing with them via phone - I bought the wheels, axels and a few other parts and recieved their cataloge (magazine size and thickness).  The 4 spoke wheels are on page 38 of my cataloge. 
I ordered #14,but  they come in 8 sizes.  They are titled "thick rims for plateform animals".
I was satisfied with the order I placed, back in Jan. /06 (both the service and product).
Hope this helps
Laurie

I started a project back in 2005 that required just those wheels!  I found a wondrful site that sells reproduction parts for old toys.  They have EVERYTHING!  It was called   Thomas Toys, P.O. box 405, Fenton Mich. 48430    ph. 1-810-629-8707I found them on the internet placed an order and recieved their catalogue, but I can't seem to see their web address on the catalogue anywhere.
Hope this helps. I look forwarf to seeing your creation - my wheeled horse is made, I just never got around to putting on the wheels  :crackup:
Laurie

Thanks Peta, I'll be watching out for it!

Laurie

Oooo, such wonderful creations!
I'm so sorry that I too missed out on the swap.  When did the notice come out and when will the next swap be held?  I'ed love to take part in the next one.

Hi all,
I tried to check out the link, but the photo(?) in the box wasn't comming up -I'll try again later. 
I love learning about specific animal fibres - Every thing about their stucture is by design and there are so many interesting surprises (as with the polar bear hair)!

Thanks for sharing
-Laurie

I am a hand spinner and love fibers, especially the exotics.  I raised angora goats, (mohair fibre) and angora rabbits(angora fibre).  I also keep combings from my cats and dogs - the stuff is wonderful and make gorgeous mini thread bears and friends.

Most animals have 2 coat types - a longer, course guard hairs and a softer, denser,short undercoat that insuslates.  The undercoat may only be present in the cold months. 

The softer fibres I mentioned in my first post referred to the undercoat.  Musk ox (found in the arctic) provides one of the finest fibres available - even finer than cashmere.  I knew of a lady who followed the heard around, picking up clumps of undercoat during the spring shed. The problem with collecting bear fur is that bears are solitary animals - and not so easy to follow around. Having said that, I do have a small sample of arctic wolf and reindeer fibre that I collected at a live presentation!

Laurie

I suppose the undercoat might be long enough to spin and would be soft and warm, but I'm just guessing.  A better question is - How do they collect the fiber??

-Laurie

Wow!  Just what I need.
I'm certainly going to check this one out.

Thanks
-Laurie

I have to agree with Shane.  I too have greatly reduced my shopping on e-bay.  Just thinking about this makes my chest burn as my blood preasure hits the roof! 

I don't sell a huge number of bears, but e-bay is more that 50% of my sales. So far, I'm less than thrilled with Etsy and shows in this neck of the woods are few and far between (especially compared with US).  I've had success with my website (new as of Nov.), but the sales came from collectors I had previous contact with.

So, what's a person to do??

Erked, frustrated and ready to cut my nose off  in spite of my face.

-Laurie

My mother gave me her Elna, bought in the 50's.  It was an amazing machine, until the flood that is .  My heart was broken.  But, my mother-in-law had the same exact machine and  I now use it,  :dance: along with an old singer from the 50 - 60's.

I love, love, love my machines and can appreciate the anxiety you must have felt when you found yours in that conditon.  Glad everything has worked out.

-Laurie

I'm curious too.  I've come across a few people who will absolutely NOT use paypal - what are they to do???

She's a cutie - and such a soft colour.

-Laurie