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Posts: 2,203What is your rcmmendations for mini eyes? Where can I get them? Jenn
BEAR ME SHOOTKAJenn, I think Intercal have them. I use 6-8 mm on 3-4 inch bears. my little ones nave BIG eyes. :cool:
but I bought in Japan 4.5 mm and 7.5 mm plastic eyes to try them too.
HUGGS, Julia
Bears-a-Bruin!Hi Jenn, my little ones have eyes that are 3 - 5mm in size. They are flat-backed with a 'squashed' loop, which makes them less likely to break when crimping the wires as well as easier to use.
I use suppliers here in the UK, but Intercal have them as well as a few other suppliers: http://www.intercaltg.com/catalog/eyes.html (scroll down to #500-Black Glass Eyes).
Pandy Potter BearsI have used 3mm onyx beads and have just had some 3mm glass eyes from a company in the UK. The beads I had with my fabric from Sassys.
Posts: 1,277Right now all I have are 2mm onyx beads which I got from ebay. Those are relatively easy to find on ebay or a bear supply company. I also have some glass eyes on wire. I got these on ebay as well although don't recommend them. They are the ones that mention "decoy" in the title. I've bought 2 sizes, 2mm & 4mm. I personally haven't had any trouble with them breaking but they are really hard to match up. I got 12 pair in a lot and I'll be lucky to use 2 pair! So while they're cheaper as a lot, they are actually costing about $4.00/pair since I can't use the others. ARGHHHH!
Posts: 1,277Check out www.edinburghimports.com
There's a pretty good assortment of smaller eyes on their site.
Posts: 8,574Hi Jenn
I tried the beads but didn't like the thread showing
Intercal has wonderful german glass eyes- I get the U shaped backing and then just pinch the very tip of the U. They come as small as 2mm.
I have 39 pair of those left, but I think they are too small. I tend to gravitate to the 3,4,5mm.
The O backing requires more crimping to get it through the fabric and the smaller the eye and more crimping you do the more likely the eye is to break which is why I stick with the U.
I like that the glass eyes don't have a thread showing problem.
Also, don't laugh, since I have dozens of almost every size I got a spice rack with empty bottles.....that way all the eyes are in the same type container, sorted and organized, and I can see through the glass exactly what size I want. And it can hang on the wall, out of the way!
I love being organized.
But only with my toys. :lol:
I still use beads on my experimental patterns
Posts: 1,277Dilu, what a clever idea! I have a spice rack the revolves...hmmm. 
Maybe when I have a larger assortment.
I wish I was organized! I'd lose my head if it weren't stuck on so tight.
Bumpkin BearsHelena and Amanda - which UK company do you use for your mini eyes?
Thanks
Catherine
Pandy Potter BearsI used V and N bear supplies. They are on ebay but it was easier to order online. You can use paypal.
http://www.vandnbearsupplies.co.uk/
I forgot to say they were very quick and the postage was slightly less than they charged, I hate paying over the odds for postage.
Ruby Mountain BearsHey does anybody have trouble getting the wires to go thru your head??? sometimes I can't get the wires to go thru the head I get so Frustrated with it :mad:.
does anybody have a good solution. Sometimes I resort to poking a thick needle thru the head to get the wire thru!!
What about you guys???
Kathy 
Kathy, are you poking and fray-checking an awl hole into which the eye wires will insert, first?
Matilda Huggington-beareI got 12 pair in a lot and I'll be lucky to use 2 pair! So while they're cheaper as a lot, they are actually costing about $4.00/pair since I can't use the others. ARGHHHH!
I can see you making a lot of pirate bears
You get to save on mohair as well, since they only have 1 1/2 legs
Silly idea I know, but aye! its 1am here . Gotta go!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 1,277Matilda, maybe that'll be my specialty! And I'll have you to thank.
Posts: 8,574Ayyyy Matie, it actually sounds like a cute idea, with a little bitty parrot on his shoulder? SAndi and Matilda have teemed up into a new design company! :clap: :clap:
:P
Shelli, whne i use intercal I just shift the threads, rather than actually breaking iany threads,would you still fraycheck?
With Sassy and the rayons yes, but now I wonder about the intercal fabrics-I didn't think of it since I wasnt actually breaking threads.....hmmmmmmm
What do you think?
Di-oops
Starlite BearsHi Jenn,
Sassy Bears and Fabrics has lots of sizes for mini bears including a variety of bead sizes - I use invisible thread and I don't think it can be seen (of course that may be my eyesight )
Also from time to time on ebay.com I have seen eyes under bear making supplies - I bought 2mm Onyx bead eyes from someone there - they are supposed to be better as they are completely round - some other beads have a kindof tube like shape
Hope that helps a little 
:hug: :hug:
Anne
Ruby Mountain BearsKathy, are you poking and fray-checking an awl hole into which the eye wires will insert, first?
I am using the eyes with straight wires, not the looped ones. Yes I have to poke a hole and use fray check too. but the trouble is with getting the wire to shove thru the head stuffing.
lately I have just given up on the wire eyes and using onyx round bead and czech glass round matte beads for eyes. It was just easier.
Kathy
Posts: 1,277Kathy, I have some eyes with straight wires. I use round nose pliers to form a loop out of the straight wire. I roll it around a couple times. Crimp the loop, thread, stick the needle in the head.
Ruby Mountain BearsI tried crimping the wire into a loop once but , the eye just popped off the wire.Have you had that problem?? I will give it another try. Since I have about 20 pairs of eyes on wires and can't seem to use them.
Bears-a-Bruin!Catherine, I have used V and N bears to buy both eyes and fabric and love their service.
But I generally buy my U-shaped-loop eyes, sometimes called English glass eyes, from Christie Bears (http://www.christiebears.co.uk/acatalog … _Eyes.html) and Admiral Bears (http://www.admiral-bears.com/acatalog/O … k__11.html). Both are very reliable suppliers
Posts: 1,277I haven't had any eyes pop off yet. I guess if you have 20 pairs, it wouldn't hurt to give it another go!
Posts: 1,277Jenn, I hope you've found something useful here!
Kim-Bee BearsI just had one pop off *knock on wood* and it ticked me off too! I had the whole bear done except for shading and I inserted the eye and superglued it a bit and the darn thing popped off! luckily it was a needlefelted bear so i cut off the head and just did another head HA HA HA 
Posts: 8,574Ahhh Yikes!!! Kimmy you need to meet with Shantell. We will be starting a therapy group right away for beary girls who decapitate their bearikins! You two are both too funny...and we ribbed her for several weeks, as I recall. :angel:
Kathy,
if you don't want to actually make a loop, perhaps if you cut the wire considerably shorter, pre-made a hole in the eye socket area using a large needle , dipped your eye wire in magna tac or some other sort of heavy duty type glue and then inserted it you would be more satisfied.
Especially as you have so many wire eyes, you don't want to just get rid of stock or anything.....so perhaps this method would help you...
just a thought. :rolleyes:
Dilu
Cleathero Creationswww.bearycheap.com has very small eyes and so does
www.gerrys.com.au
