Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Chrissie,
If you are still looking there is a good magazine from Australia.  The one I found that has lots of bear clothing patterns in it is--Dressing Bears Australian Dolls, Bears and Collectables.  You can find one on Ebay in Bearcrafters Store.
Good Luck.
Donna

Edinburgh carries Flexlimb.  I use electrical wire and you can attach an eyelet thing to the end or I just bent it over around the setscrew.  You can use a drip irrigation plastic or wrap it with batting.  I think the plant wrap sounds good and will see if I can find it here.
Donna

Heather,
One more thought!  I just went nuts at the show in Intercal's pile of samples.  It is stuff that they don't carry in the catalog.  You could have Johnna send you something from that selection.  Or organize another swap and see what you end up with.  And if all else fails go wild with fabric dye.
Have you seen some of the crazy synthetic that has been on ebay lately?  Give it a go!
Donna

I don't know what goes on with my computer and this site but many of my posts never make it here.  I will try again!
Haida mohair is available there in Canada.  I can't remember the name of the store off the top of my head.
You might want to check with Edinburgh again since they just brought in some Japanese mohair, alpaca and silk.
I like to find vintage mohair.  Check with upholstery shops to save you the old mohair they take off of chairs.  Also check out antique shops for old curtains etc.  You might also want to think about using old lap robes. 
There is another mill that starts with a J that I can't think of right now.
Donna

Hi Laura,
If you are already jointing the leg, you can just drill a hole or melt a hole in the loc-line to put the cotter pin or bolt  through so that it is part of the joint.  That will keep it in the leg.  And you will not stuff it as firmly as normal so that it has room to bend.  You could also have used wire.  If you can't figure out how to get the effect you want give me a holler and I will plan on meeting you.  Did you get the white or blue loc-line?
Donna

You also ask about the spindley legs.  I used electrical wire for a framework to support them.  Also you will want to leave a long opening in the middle of the leg for turning.  The first one I just tried turning the hoof and leg and could not do it.  Ended up taking stitching out to get it turned.  By leaving a nice long opening in the middle of the leg you can bring the foot up and turn it then turn the rest of the leg without much difficulty.  Are you jointing your giraffe?  I did not joint my which may have made it worse to turn.
Have fun!
Donna

The Australian dyes might work for you.  They are thick and you paint them on, let them set and then rinse.  I have thought about using them for a cat or the giraffe.  There might be some bleed.

Before I got my little compressor for the copic set I used just an air tank with a hose with a gage on it.  It worked like a charm!  Those air cans are awful to use.  You have no control and just at the wrong moment you run out of air.  Check into the airtank if you have one in the garage.  The plus to the air tank is that there is no noise!
Donna

I have made about four giraffe.  I used the copic markers but not as an airbrush.  It was time consuming but I liked the looks of it.  I did three different colors on each spot.  You are off to a good start on him.  I can't wait to see the finished product!
Donna

Hi,
The swatches of Schulte can be purchased from Edinburgh Imports.  www.edinburghimports.com
Don't be afraid of the mohair.  Once you try it you will be hooked.  Be sure to check the weave of the backing on the swatches also.  You want a good tight weave.  It won't matter too much if you are making larger bears but if you are doing small bears it can be a problem.  Also it is good it you can go to a show where they are selling mohair so that you can see and feel.  Many times there will be a pattern or swirl that you can't see on a small sample.
Have fun and good luck with the mohair.
Donna

What about those mending tapes that are ironed on and are melted into the fabric?  Would that work?
Good Luck,
Donna

My thought is to build something like a sawhorse out of wood for the frame.
Donna

I was also told to leave at least 1/4 inch of thread at the end of my Mastex thread so that it would not slip off the end.  I find if I get in a hurry and forget to leave the tail behind my knot, I can loose it.
Donna

Make it an add on tail.  And you will want to leave a long opening in the middle for getting it turned.  Years ago I started a cat that had a tail as part of the body.  It is still sitting unfinished because I could not get the tail turned and was just so frustrated with the whole thing that I started over with a new design.
Good luck.
Donna

I'm afraid that Scott, Diana and I did not go to the awards ceremony.  I know we were bad, but it was Diana's birthday.
We ask for a print out of winners but did not get one.  Here is all I know, Karen is the winner in her catagory and our little Miss Silly Bear took her catagory and wait for the drum roll.........Best of Show!
Sorry I don't have more info for you.
It was a great show and Mindy did a fantastic job.  Every one needs to plan to come next year!
It is 5:20 am and I just got home from an all night drive, so I am off to bed.
Bear Hugs,
Donna

I encountered her kits years ago at some of the shows.  It was not a fabric that I would want to use.
Bear Hugs,
Donna

Keep putting one foot in front of the other, you can do this!  Sending you strength.
Donna

I have had one person comment about the noise that the loc-line makes.  I just told the customer that the bear got used to hearing my knees creaking while I was making it and thought it was to make a noise also.  It gave the cutomer a good laugh and a story to tell her friends.
If you are going to put anything in your bear for weight (glass beads, steel shot, pellets) you will want to put stuffing in the open ends of the loc-line.  It will rattle if you get pellets or shot up inside the loc-line.
Donna

Congratulations on the puppies.  Glad to hear that Sunshine and puppies are doing well.  So, who gets to puppysit while you go to Nevada City?
Donna

Check and see if Judi is doing any airbrushing classes on EBears University.  I think several from here at TT have taken that class.  If I remember correctly it is not that expensive either.
Donna

I would say around 1 3/4".  Mine can be anywhere from 1 1/2 - 2 1/2".
Have fun!
Donna

I'll see if I can get a picture, but it will be hard to tell without tags.  MO-8 is extra dense and 1/2 length pile.
Thanks,
Donna

Help!
A series of bears was started out of Edinburgh MO-8 color 1000 (white).  Now it is no longer available from Edinburgh.  Does anyone have any of this mohair in their stash that they would be willing to sell?
Thanks,
Donna

Shelli,
So sorry to hear about your sister.  I wish I could give your mom a hug.  I can't think of anything worse than loosing a child.  You all are in my prayers.
Sonya,
You take care of yourself.  The Outside Inn allows pets and there have always been dogs at the show.  Give Charles a call to make sure that there have not been any complaints that have ruined things for those who bring their pets just to be sure.  You can bring your yorkie up to the cottage for the get together Friday night. 
See you both very soon.
Donna

Krista,
I would recommend the blue loc-line over the white doll armature.  I have used both and it may be me being a brute with the bears and critters but each time I have used the white doll armature I end up breaking it.  And it usually breaks after the critter is completed.  I have had heads go flying across the room.  For an 8" bear you would use the 1/4 inch blue loc-line.  I would recommend that you get the pliers also.  Have fun with this, it adds so much to the bears!
Donna