Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hiya, Dilu.  I make around 50 - 70 bears/friends in a year and am a one-person business.  I'm like Shelli in that I really don't want anyone else working on my bears.  For whatever reason, I don't think it's totally mine anymore if I'm not responsible for every step.  Of course, I certainly wouldn't mind if there were somebody else to take care of all the paperwork, packaging and shipping, housecleaning, meal cooking, laundry . . . . . . .

Hi, Danni.  Have you ever tried shaving the muzzles with a razor?  Also another way to get out the remaining hairs is to slide your awl or a large needle underneath the hair and lift it out.  I've worked with Helmbold furs a lot and find them to perform quite well.  Hope this helps.

Yea . . . can't wait to see them!  Why don't you get something in the "Bears For Sale" forum???!!!

Good grief, Dale!!  I needed to have taken woodworking in shop when I was in high school!    Seriously, you are full of great bear making tips!  When do we get to look at something you've made - a bear, a wedding dress, a western outfit - whatever.  Inquiring minds want to SEE!!!

Just in case Dale doesn't see your post for awhile, Laura, it is the one and the same person.  He represents Intercal at most of the shows.

Dilu, the place I get my taxidermist eyes is  www.vandykestaxidermy.com  They have an awesome variety of eyes . . . think you'll find something you like AND they do have some that have wires!! 

A huge, special welcome to all of you UK bear people!!   So happy to have your input on this board!  As a matter of fact, a huge and special welcome to all of the international posters . . . we in the USA value your knowledge and experience and hope your time here will be well spent.  I know we'll all be learning from each other and what could be better?!!  Thanks to all of you for stopping by.

Wow, Dale . . . do you make bears, too?  You're a really talented guy!!   Will you be at the Albuquerque show?  If so, I'll see you there.

Jane, add my welcome to this board!!  I have used taxidermist's eyes before on my bears.  What I did was sink the eyeholes in the head (needlesculpt), then use a STRONG glue and attach the eyes in the sunken places.  You may position (and reposition) them until the glue is set.  My glue of choice is Elmer's Craft Bond - a polyurethane adhesive that REALLY does the trick!!  It's also what I use to glue the bolt in the head disc . . . so it won't move when it's attached to the neck disc with the nut.  Thanks again for joining our forum! :D

Dilu - hope your eye is okay!  I had to wear an eyepatch for awhile when I had a scratch on my cornea.  Not fun and I can sympathize with you. 

Great, Dilu . . . Amelia can just have pride in the fact that she has contributed to the Great Teddy Bear What Works For Standing Feet Project!!

Hi, Paula, and welcome to the board.  What a super avatar!

Hello and a big welcome, Christine . . . it is really great to have you aboard!!  Will the subject of your greeting cards be bears?  I'd love to see samples from your line, if you have time to post some.

Echo that for me, too, Wanda . . . great avatar - is that Shelli's talent at work?

You people are killin' me here!! I hear that laughing is good for you . . . well, I ought to be the healthiest person alive!!

Weeeeelllll, I think you two (Winney and Shelli) now qualify as stand-up comics!!   Being the witty "bearsons" that you are!!

Hey, Dilu . . . your testing out all the options is GREAT!  Thanks much for the report.  I noted that you play the piano . . . too bad we can't hear you on the message board.   I played for a long time, but since I started bearing, it's REALLY hard to find time to practice.

Dilu, LOVED the story about your dad . . . how neat!!   I used to paint on t-shirts back in the '70s/'80s and used acrylics.  I heat set them because they would be washed frequently, but it surely took a LOOOOONNNGGG time for the paint to fade or crack . . . which it did eventually.  But now, the paint is better and even designated for fabrics, so I don't think you can go wrong with acrylics.  I find that on a small area like a bear face or pads, I have so much more control with the marker or pencil.  Anyway, I'm an advocate of whatever works best for YOU!! 

You're very welcome.  You can do it any way that feels "right" and "comfortable" for you.  Hugs,  Sue Ann

Laura, I lurked by the Edinburgh board before I came on here and saw your post about the Schaumburg show . . . thanks much again for liking my hugs and my rooster . . . you're a Sweetie!!   Also, your avatar is VERY attractive - you did a great job!  This is PhotoShop that you and Shelli work with?  I've got an OLD version of Corel Photo something or other that I use, but it certainly doesn't have all the bells and whistles that PhotoShop apparently does.  Maybe I need and update . . . . hmmmmmm. 

Thanks for the safety tip, Laura.  I have an electric stove, so think that's a bit safer than a gas one.  I also never turn the heat on the burner any higher than the lowest point on the "warm" setting.  As yet, I haven't had any accidents, but you can't be too cautious.  Thanks again!!

Hmmmm . . . that is interesting.  Through the years of making bears, I've put bows on either right or left ears, both ears at once, a bow between the ears, or a headband bow.  Guess maybe that points to trying to be balanced at all times!!    And not getting it right, so trying it again another way.  lol

Hiya, Dilu.  This is how I do my melting.  I melt a large chunk of beeswax in an aluminum pie pan on top of a  stove burner (set the heat at the LOWEST temperature).  When it's all melted, I just use a small paintbrush to brush on the wax.  When I'm through, I leave the paintbrush in the remaining wax (in the pan) and it will harden.  I just put the pan away until I'm ready for the next nose to wax . . . then start the process all over again.  Depending on how much wax you melt will determine how many noses you can do . . . eventually you'll have to add more beeswax, but this has worked well for me and none of it is wasted. 

Thanks a bunch, Winney.  Shelli fixed up my avatar . . . isn't she GREAT with graphic design?!!!    No, basically, I'm right handed, but I do a lot of things with my left hand that most right handed people do with their right hands.  So, guess I might lean a wee bit toward ambidexterity.  Pshew - is that a word?  What prompted you to ask . . . or should I know??!! 

Thanks much for the tip, Cindy . . . it's wonderful that artists are so willing to share what works for them.

HEE HEE . . . you're a hoot, Eileen!