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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Hey, Teddy Talkers!! I have been most fortunate to get some sample fur pieces from Intercal that they are considering for their inventory. I made the samples into bears and would like some feedback from all of you as to whether you would be interested in buying this fur if Intercal stocked it. So . . . after viewing the sample fur, if you would be so kind as to post your feelings about whether it should be available at Intercal, they and I would appreciate your input. Also, if you would like to see these furs in more colors, post that, too. Thanks very much in advance.
Avalon (22") is made from 2" long golden tan mohair.
A big welcome to the board, Donna!! Glad you became active . . . the stuffing tool you have looks wonderful. Does it come with a shorter handle? Hope you have fun here . . . we're all a little on the goofy side sometimes! 
Hello to all! I have put most of you who have websites on my home page as text links. If I have missed anyone, please let me know!!
Whoa . . . seems like I missed a response here. I certainly would be very pleased to show my way of doing toes and double joints, but I would be lost in trying to write the procedure . . . it really needs to be a show and tell session. I do recommend Jennifer Laing's book Constructing Teddy and His Friends for clearly illustrating how to do both techniques. If you have any questions after looking at that, I'll be more than happy to try to answer them. 
Whoa . . . Daphne, that must have been exciting and a little frightening at the same time!!! 
And wow, your yard is really terrific!! I'm sooooo jealous . . . my possums, raccoons, squirrels, bunnies, etc. in my yard aren't nearly as exciting as a REAL BEAR!!! 
Some of my neighbors have seen coyotes moseying down the street at night, but I haven't seen one yet. Great photos!!
I use them as I would the harder plastic pellets and they ARE softer.
You certainly and absolutely can say "Edinburgh" on this board. I got that bit of info straight from the horse's mouth . . . ummm . . . Intercal's mouth . . . whatever!
CR's Crafts also has the jelly pellets for $3.95/lb. www.crscrafts.com Look under bear supplies, then stuffing materials, then plastic beads, then silicone pellets (or something like that! :P)! When you get on the site, it will become easy to find, I think. Speaking of stuffing materials and CR's Crafts . . . since I use huge quantities of fiberfill, I buy a 25 pound box of it from this place. It lasts me quite a while (one would hope!!) and I think it's probably the most economical way to buy it. They have several qualities to choose from, but I always get the economy white because it stuffs tightly.
Yes, I do use hot water because I'm usually dyeing the string with RIT dye! 
Mainly, I think the coating that the mills put on the fabric backing is to help keep fraying to a minimum. When it's washed, that backing is removed and it tends to fray more. My experience in dyeing string mohair is that the finish does change somewhat . . . depending on how much "agitation" you put it through. Heat will definitely cause some sort of change. Also, there is less shrinkage if the mohair is allowed to air dry rather than mechanically dried. If I'm going to wet mohair, I always do the processing before I cut out the pattern so I won't get any surprises (like a smaller bear :o) if I just wash the pattern pieces. Hugs,
Clare . . . SO glad your brothers weren't involved in that mayhem created by the terrorists!! All so sad and SO unnecessary!
Has anyone tried the tiny, tiny steel beads?? I LOVE them for adding A LOT of weight to smaller bears! The only place I've ever been able to buy them is from Luann Bowen of LuLu Bears. She is also a show promoter. The steel beads are about the same size as glass beads, but add more weight. I also use them in feet to help a teddy stand alone. Her e-mail is plbowen@earthlink.net and her website (you can order them from here, but shipping charges are pricey!) is www.lulubears.com
Yes, Paula . . . and thanks a bunch!! http://www.pasttimebears.com
Great that you are up and about more, Rita. Super to have you back!!
Danni, you could go over the "dots or fuzz" left on the bear's face with a brown permanent marker and at least camouflage them. Since I don't pluck the fur from the face, that's my only idea! 
Rita, thanks much for the tip! Daphne - your new avatar bears are toooooo cute!!
I've been lurking at Edinburgh's message board, and someone brought up this topic. I am one who does stuff the muzzle firmly with excelsior . . . I like for it to be hard so the embroidering goes more smoothly. I know that some people like to dampen the excelsior before stuffing so that it will be easier to "manipulate" and I did that when I first started bearmaking; however, I learned the hard way that as the excelsior dries it also shrinks leaving the muzzle NOT firmly packed!! So my solution was to cut up the excelsior into small pieces so that it's easy to stuff. I have a pair of sharp scissors dedicated just to cutting the excelsior and it doesn't take long to cut up enough to stuff several noses. This info just in case anybody has had the same experience with wet excelsior!!
Two BEAUTIFUL ladies!! So very glad you have another night with dear little Emme. She looks a lot like a black cat we had for 19 years! If it does come to having to put her down . . . we're all right here for you, giving you a huge virtual hug.
Oh, Shelli . . . I'm so sorry about the news of your kitty. Pets are such a huge part of our families and it's SO painful to have to let one go. We've been through your situation many, many times and the latest death is as painful as the first one. I will be thinking of you, my friend. Big hugs,
WooHoo, Shelli . . . just visited your updated website . . . TO DIE FOR!!! Great new look!
You're a sweetie, Laura, to show how this time-saving technique works . . . thanks a bunch!!
Rita . . . oh thank goodness you are home and on the way to health!! A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!! Guess you won't be doing much physical celebrating, but being home is probably a great start to a happy day!! Our thoughts are with you and we look forward to your posting with us again. Happy Day!!
My deepest sympathy is with the British people . . . I just got online and read about the horrible and devastating news of the explosions in London. We in the USA understand your disbelief and grief and are in shock as the terrorists try to undermine yet another country's spirit and way of life. They will NOT succeed!! Our prayers and support are with you and we are holding your hand in these hours of darkness. An all-encompassing hug to the UK!
Rita . . . we've missed you very much and hope the surgery was very successful. Now on to a speedy recovery!!
Yes, Jane . . . I read the news in the paper and on the internet! Big congratulations . . . that will be a thrilling lifetime experience. I remember when the olympics were in Atlanta, GA - USA, and I wanted to attend, but had too much going on in my life at the time. Yippee for you!!
