Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

yes beautiful indeed! 
michelle

sweet!
michelle

Found this old thread from the last decade and thought it was an interesting read..... The bear world is a constantly evolving business and I wondered if opinions had changed over the years? Do you think it is an 'in' term that is more widely understood these days or like me still struggle to explain to the jo public what it means?
I was married to an artist for a looong time and so I think I have a pretty good insight in regards to what being an artist is all about. It is a vocation/a way of being for starters. The term starving artist is often banded about (and lets face it non of us are in in it it for the money ) but does food come second to your work? This can be the level of commitment an artist feels the need to create.
Personally I have a lot of artist traits and often get so in the zone when hours vanish by, I forget to eat and can't sleep for the ideas going round in my head. But I still don't consider my work pieces of art. I simply don't have that level of creativity. I would much prefer to be known as a bear maker as to me that is what I do - make bears. I use the term artist bear because everybody else does along with OOAK but wonder if it makes any difference what so ever. If a bear speaks to someone (beautifully made or an old thing with one ear or mass produced) if they like it enough to buy it then definitions are null and void. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Is it the online market place that has forced us in to definitions that we have to go along with?
What do you think?
michelle

beautiful colours and a very appealing face!
michelle

Very cute!
michelle

    Beautiful colours and sweet as ever I always love whatever you do!
michelle

    Sweet!
michelle

    He is lovely! Looks so cuddlyand has the sweetest face!
michelle

So gorgeous!
michelle

Very sweet!
michelle

Your bunnies are so gentle somehow you really manage to capture the softness of rabbits so beautifully!
michelle

    Stunning!
michelle

Purrley (great name ) is happy cuddly and bursting with character lovely!
michelle

Ditto what Litwit said beautiful fur and such a soulful expression!
michelle

you know I just love all of your bears such a great style1
michelle

lovely 
michelle

Have a great day at hugglets!
michelle

Wow you the shape of your tiger is so realistic and fantastic sculpting. Amazing work!
michelle

lovely!
michelle

Such a pretty face -beautiful little nose/mouth. The mouse is cute too!
michelle

    Fabulous Panda! Those claws look perfect and I know how difficult they are to get even. Lovely nose too. Super job and a hugger to boot!
michelle

Pearl is really lovely 
michelle

He is gorgeous and his nose looks great to me but that are something I am working hard on too as I still find them a struggle to get perfect. Still waiting for that penny drop moment when I feel I have got my technique just right. We just have to keep at it...
Teddy bears sewn with love for someone in particular will always be a joy. How lovely that you did this for your sister and I am sorry that your family are going through this difficult illness x
michelle

   
michelle

Hummm are you sewing felt? or some fabric with a slight stretch in it? Either way it may have something to do with your feed dogs (that is the 'teethy bits that are on the bottom plate of your machine that moves the fabric along as you sew) These types of fabric can some times grip the fuzzy surface of the material and not flow as smoothly it happens a lot when you turn the direction of sewing ie when going in reverse and turning round shapes. Try altering the pressure of the foot to see if that helps or sewing with a layer of tissue paper underneath (between the bottom plate of the machine and the underneath of piece you are sewing) that you just tear away after you have finished sewing. I am no expert but hope this might help
michelle