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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Fingers crossed for you, it must be frustrating! 
I'm not nf Facebook much either, hardly ever actually- I was added to their Facebook group, when I don't know- the facebook messages come to my email, that's the only way I see them. Maybe if you find Helen's blog or website and contact her through there, Bare Cub Designs, that might be easier for you?
Try their Facebook page Tatyana, I keep getting updates from there somehow.
Thank you ladies, I think I understand now. I just wonder, does it work with any fabric? I as this because my mohair is not that stretchy, not stretchy like some faux furs at least.
Yes it works with mohair- I've done them in mohair, the woven back viscose, alpacas, sassy and vintage long pile. Works with all the fabrics I've tried.
I pretty much always start from scratch when I do a new pattern. New patterns are always so much more exciting to work from 
. Though I remember one time I designed a new pattern, wasn't keen on the head after I'd sewn it up, so designed what I thought was a different head side piece- only to compare the two once cut out and find they were practically identical, as in I might as well have traced the original
I'm in your camp Jenny with making the new patterns up in fabric I can carry on and use the prototype in a finished piece. Rarely are new patterns so disastrous I can't at least finish the first bear and tweak the second. The 4 piece head adventure is the exception lol, my first 4 piece head was interesting shall we say
Probably helps too that most of my bears are smaller and I'm not risking a lot of long pile mohair. I figure the time I'd lose not using the prototype head is worth more than the fabric.
Hey Jenny, you know nothing is wrong if it gives the desired result! ( and doesn't affect the workmanship of course )
Nan, just wanted to chime in with everyone else, yes it does work on bigger bears. The most important thing I discovered when designing a 4-piece (or 2) head, the head pattern needs to be *much* bigger in proportion to the body than with a 'traditional' 3 piece head. Yes I found this out the hard way lol.
Awwww "berry" cute You must be thrilled.. Inspires me to dig out that mouse I started and never finished lol.. Fingers crossed someone falls in love with her soon! I'm sure it won't be long..
I hadn't heard people boiled it, but i liked the distressed look, so I just gave wetting it down in hot water and scrunching the fabric as it dried a try, and it distressed it nicely. Experiment on a small piece and see what happens, the viscose isn't expensive.
Here is the company that makes the armature just for jointing. If you are using a lot of this you may want to buy a roll right from them and have it shipped. I have emailed with them and have gotten prices, although I have not purchased. Their prices are 1/2 of what it costs to buy in the US. Someone else that was talking to them told me they need bank transfer as payment.
It may be worth it to you to look into this especially if it is hard to get in the UK, they have the size down to 1/8" which is what I use for arms and legs.
We used to import the armature from these people, they are great to deal with- or they were, it was more than a few years ago lol. Just wanted to give them a thumbs up in case anyone was a bit wary
Also, I'm not sure if you anyone knows already, but this stuff was originally used for piping lubricants on machinery in factories, so it is available from other suppliers, not just doll and bear suppliers. Was funny, when we first bought some in from the US back in the early 90s, it was so pricey ( as it was new at the time) My brother saw it and asked what we were doing with it, because they used it at his work... Thats how we found out what was actually used for, and how we ended up finding Jeton
I can't stuff a bear without my hemostats/forceps. You can grab the stuffing with them and direct it to exactly the right spot.
Congratulations Sue! I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time. I hope there's not too many late nights ahead of you between now and then!
You don't need a business name. I don't use one for my bears.... Artists in other fields don't feel the need to have a business name, so don't let that stop you 
Bearpile is an economical way to give selling a try, just put up some pieces you feel proud of and good luck with it!
I agree with everything everyone else has said, specially Francesca- that if you give it a try, and your bears sell, they are sellable
I think one of the advantages we have here in Australia as far as knowing if your work is up to scratch workmanship wise, is being able to enter hands on competitions, which are judged for things like joints, stuffing, eye setting etc, not just overall appearance, so knowing how your workmanship stacks up is a lot easier. Eye appeal is however really personal, and you'll never know if your bears have that if you don't give it a go.
I'd also like to say, you *don't* need to start a business to sell your bears. Just give it a try, there are inexpensive venues (Bearpile isn't very expensive). It might be a bit tricky to get attention from collectors at first, so be prepared for that and don't be discouraged if you don't sell everything first go, selling bears can be a little bit tough at the moment.
I can't imagine not having a stash! I'd never have time to go out in search of ribbon or flowers to finish a bear like some people do. I too collect ribbons, flowers, jewellery,lace, then theres the vintage beaded evening purses, doll shoes, interesting little thing to put my minis in like tea cups, sugar bowls or vintage baby shoes.... Not forgetting the Bear fabric itself
But when you're feeling a lack of inspiration, it's wonderful to go to the stash and play for a while- something inevitably jumps out at you saying make me make me!
Oh yes Sarah! You're in the right place to vent lol.... There's a couple of 'looks' I've been trying to get for years now, but they're still escaping me 
but I've got some cuties along the way
Intercal has lots of great fabrics for bear making, plenty of colours to choose from too, if you don't want to dye just yet. Another thing I love about buying thru Intercal is that you can get small pieces at good prices, you don't have to buy metres at a time, and you can buy lots of types of fur to experiment with. This is important as the fur you make a bear in can drastically change the finished look of the bear.
They also carry pretty much every supply you'll need ( eyes, joints etc) and Johnna is always so helpful and efficient!
The viscose dyes really well, you'll have lots of fun experimenting with it!
Ah Pink, your elephant looks adorable with the button joints! 
IMHO, I don't think it's lack of content- Susan Leigh Is doing a wonderful job chasing up projects and articles, and there certainly isn't a lack of wonderful artists to cover. Projects might not be as easy to get for various reasons, but I think problems are more on the management side, not the content. Since its a public forum I'd rather say no more lol.
The last issue was fab, with wonderful stories, Like the good old days.
Hi Sheree, I think Gerry's has a really cute one, hopefully it's realistic enough for you.
Aww that's so kind of you.. I don't have the talent to think so far outside the box for the jowls tho lol... I can understand your asking, because it's something I've often wondered.
Good luck with it, please share pics of your finished bulldog when you get it done (sending you positive vibes there, when, not if!)
I suspect you're just going to have to give it a go, and lots of trial and error..
It's so disappointing, after the lat issue which really sparked up, it was like the 'old days'. Not a good way to treat your subscribers or advertisers... I'd be so annoyed if I still had a subscription.
And the advertisers- I wonder how many ads are in there that will be irrelevant once it finally appears? Ads for Shows people won't know about that will have been and gone by the time people get their issues- tho mind you, they often managed to get those ads wrong too.
I'd agree with Thondra, Hugglets. Even though it is one day, that doesn't mean there is less collectors- they just come in a shorter period of time.
I've only been to two shows in Germany, Essen and Wiesbaden, I found Essen to be better for me but others say Wiesbaden is best. BearReport runs them. Then there's Teddybear Total...
Personally, I'd pick a show going by which place you'd like to visit, as they are all a big adventure!
I'll second Heidi- make sure you leave a decent sized opening to turn through, a few more ladder stitches are worth it in the long run
Also on the tools, make sure you have good tools to do the job. For me it's hemostats/forceps for turning ( as well as stuffing) Make sure you lock them onto the *backing* of the fabric not just the pile"
You're also on the right track by fray stopping, I'm guessing you're using the Leather Glue to fray stop with? Because that's what I'd recommend as well... So you're on the right track there
And also try and be as accurate in cutting and tracing as you can, a few mm out can make a difference when you go small. Good luck, I'm sure you'll do fab!
