Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

well, the one pattern I have, has no darts. I should make him so I can share what happens. But I think it all just depends on how you stuff it. Although, just knowing that I think I like the gusset style better.
Heather

I agree! Us Canadians must take matters into our own hands. I was thinking about teaching some felting classes. I know our community centre is very active so I'm thinking of starting there. I'm a little worried about it, not sure how it would go. Do you think that because I'm 26, people won't want to take a class from me??
Also, when you post all the ads everywhere ( great tip by the way ) do you put a picture of the possible finished product?? I'm not sure if I could sell a felting class without a picture at least.
Also, how do you go about pricing such a thing?? I guess I would need to work out the costs for kits, but what else would you charge for??
Great ideas though.I was also thinking that bec. my mom is now part of the red hat society, I could try and sell them a class as well. That's something we could all try.
Heather

I have one pattern, Roary by Pam Holten. Haven't made him yet, but his head is 2 pieces. They look like regular side head pieces to me and the instructions say to stuff untill you get the shape you want. So I'm assuming, the stuffing and sculpsting the eyes gives the 2 pieces a head shape.
A 4 piece head?? Now that does seem like alot of work!
Heather

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I had about $500 worth of mohair before my 2nd teddy was even done!!! Thank goodness I have been selling art on ebay for a while, so my boyfriend can't complain about the money I spend. Although, I don't really care for clothes, shoes etc. so I have to spend my money on something right??
I have a gross amount of mohair, felting supplies and sculptiing supplies. I could almost teach classes and not have to buy anything for the students.
What makes mohair soo addicting anyway?? For me it's because I want to have a large selection, so depending on my mood, I can always find something I like.
But in the end, it makes me happy, so who can put a price tag on that. Right?
Heather

Daphine, I LOVE the name back road bears.
To me, taking the back road means I'm relaxed, not fighting time. It also brings up images of my family cabin, on the back road. I guess back road bears meant that the bears are soo special, you will take them with you. Even on the back road.
Okay, cheesy I know. But it's 6am and that's how I feel!! LOL
Heather

I guess I should add his picture eh?? LOL




Thanks for looking-Heather

Okay, so he's my mom's favorite, but I called him Oopsie because he just isn't what I expected. I had to fight him the whole way. I have to start making my own patterns because other peoples just aren't what I would do. All in good learning though.
So, I'm asking for a critique on him.
Is his body too small? I think he may be too skinny
Are his eyes too small??
Something about him is funny looking and I don't know what it is, and I was wondering if you see it too? I need to learn these things. I thought he was 'cute' untill I put him all together.
Thanks for your thoughts I can  handle brutal honesty, I promise
Heather

Thanks guys. I feel better. Maybe it isn't me. Maybe it really is the pattern. I don't know why they would sell a pattern that doesn't work perfectly, but a great excuse to get off my butt and create my own patterns.
I envy those of you talented enough to sew the footpads by machine. WOW!!!!
I need some of those Aligator clips Marion was talking about.
But at least now, I know that if the footpad seems to big, it probably is.
Love this place!!!
Heather

You gals are lucky. I'm told that because I'm in Canada and we have different gun control laws I need a licence to buy BB's.
Too bad for me. I've actually just felt my 1st bear with BB"s inside, and boy are they heavy. I want some soo bad.
Heather

Hey guys. I need your help.
As I'm still making patterns from other artists I'm running into a problem. I'm having trouble getting the footpads to fit.
How do you guys sew yours on?? I try to fold the footpad in half and mark that spot. Than I pin the 2 ends of the pad to the foot. Then I start sewing, by hand from the top of the foot, all the way around.. Problem is, with my last 2 bears, the footpad seemed too big. Now on my 3rd bear, I'm thinking it's me. I can't imagine all the patterns being wrong. The only other thing to try that I can think of, is to sew not all the way around, but from side to side.
Any advice would be super!
Thanks
Heather

Danni, what I love about your new bear, is even though he's much different than your others, he still has your 'style'. That I admire!!!
Great job!
Heather

Hayley, I will share I promise. I guess I just didn't think anyone would be interested. Computers can be so boring, but maybe that's because I work with them all day. LOL
We might even want to start a new thread about photoshop. That way we can all help eachother. I'm happy to share anything I've learned.
Speaking of work..............back to it!
Heather

You guys are great!!!!

Winney, thanks for answering my questions. I see what you mean about the gusset now. Just hadn't thought of it that way. I also now understand about the darts. This helps me picture the whole process a little better.
Sandi, thanks for the book advice. I agree that I should have a book. It's so nice whenver those questions pop into your head like Winney says.
Thanks again
Heather

I'm torn about my feeling of ebay. On the one hand, where else could I sell some of my stuff, or where else could i have found all those great deals. I get to look at other bears, research etc. It can be great. The fee's aren't too great, but i guess they can do what they want, and will continue to do so, as long as people still use it.
My only realy problem is about the feedback. I know it goes both ways but I don't like when I seller won't leave you feedback untill you have left it for them. I feel this is playing the system.
I've just had a transaction with a seller. He wasn't too great at all, and I would like to leave neutural feedback for him, but if I do I'm sure he will do the same for me. Even though, I paid him about 2 hrs after the auction ended. Just what a great buyer would do. I feel I have no recourse, and now I wonder if shoall his feedback uld be positive, or if people just don't want to be bothered.
On the other hand, I know some sellers have been burned with neg. Feedback that wasn't deserved, so now they state they will only leave feedback after the buyer does.
At least with all the money ebay is making, and concidering they have the time to monitor auctions for small things, you would think they would have more customer support. I'm going to email ebay and ask about my feedback situation. should be interesting to see what and if they get back to me.
Heather

Thanks everyone for the nice words about my work, and wow. Do we have some crazy talented people here.
This is my favorite part about talking with other bear makers. Seeing what you guys some up with.
Also, can't wait to make a bunny with wire mesh. Such a great idea~
Heather

So, sorry if this is a silly question, but say if you make the 'nose' part on the gusset wider than the rest of the gusset (opposite of what it normally looks like) you won't get puffy cheeks? Obviously this is an extreme example, but that's how I imagined you would do it. But I'm just soo new.
Also, another silly question, but darts. Is it true that the longer the darts are, the more it will puff out once sewed? For example. just made a teddy from someone elses pattern. the body had darts in it, but the "V's" of the darts were very small, and I think I barely notice any change. If I were to cut them larger, would that've bulked out the body??
okay, enough questions.
thanks
Heather

Yes Shelli, I am very lucky. the company I work for values improving yourself. So we get 2 hrs per week to take courses they offer. Anything from programming, business to windows etc. I was happy to find 2 photoshop courses, one beginner and one advanced. I'm just about to take the final test, and still feel I have barely learned anything. Like you say, you could spend your whole life with the thing, and still only use 25%.
I don't think I could send you the course, but if there are things you would like to know. maybe I could copy and paste some info for you. Just email me privatly if you want. I'll see what I can do.
I've learned all about layers now and all kinds of good stuff. Although, judging by what you already do with it,  you may not need any help anyway. But I'll help you in anyway I can. It's nice to return favors.
Thanks for replying soo fast too. How do you get all those sweet bears done?? Amazing!
Heather

Oh Judi, if you still had that tiger, I would be tempted to empty out my bank acct. for him.
Thank you Sue Ann for the nice words. Always nice to hear!
Heather

Shelli, thanks for giving the 'flip' side of using cotter pins. I'll try both.
I do have a question for you though.
How did you learn to use photo shop?? I'm taking a course on it at work, and it's soo very complicated, and I work for and IT help desk!!! Did you buy a book? Take a course, or just play with it tonnes??
Thanks
Heather

Thanks  Donna, that makes sense, there's no point in using the cheap, slippery stuff untill it's done, but this way I can use it all. I do like the feel of it in the body, so thanks for the idea
Heather

You guys are great!! I'm going to try both, the cotter pin and the glass eye. I like the idea of the cotter pin, as they are nice and cheap. Saves me money so I can buy MORE MOHAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!  LOL

Alright, Sue Ann. You're right!! But I think I prefer the term "artist" although, same result in the end.
Aren't we all bear artists??  By looking at all the work, I sure think we are. That's for sure.
Heather

Well, I'm new to teddy making but I'll show you the other stuff I make if you dont laugh!!!!!
Not a website, but it will show the pics.
http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/psichi … .dir=/667e
I guess I should add that to my signature, but I'll figure that out later.

Rita, LOVE your stuff. I want that monkey!!!!

Kerren, what do you use for your whiskers?? They are great.

Mandy, did  you embroider those Koala's noses?? Great work!

Happy bear making,
Heather

I don't scrapbook, no. Just doesn't interest me. BUT.... I do have tonnes of scrapbooking embelishments. I will use them with my teddies, but they are also really great for inspiration and to use with my clay sculptures.
I con't concider myself crafty, although I could spend a whole day (and a whole lot of money) in one the large craft stores.
Glad I'm not the only one!
Heather

Not sure if this is an old idea, but a great one for sure.
My grandparents always had a drapery/quilting business. Granded when they had to draw lines on the fabric, they were mostly long lones, but they used old bars of soap. You know, after you've used them for a bit, the get kinda small. Those work great!! And of course were good for all types of material. Plus, it was cheap, and always in the house.
Just make sure the soap is white, not the fancy stuff, as it leaves no line that you can see.
I have to admit I have yet to try it on a bear. Just thought of it when I was reading this post. I think I'm gonna try it though.
Heather