Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I have been making bears for a year, and have recently sold my first one.  I'm still not very confident either!

Helen

Hello

I was asked to make this bear as a Christmas present for someone at my hubby's work.  I wouldn't normally have thought of making a green ted, but I think he looks quite smart!

Helen

Hi All

It was me who started the Asperger's thread!  I was diagnosed with it at the tender age of 45!!  And, you're right, it wasn't heard of in the 1960's when I was at school--I was just considered to be an odd child, whereas these days, I would have received a lot of help.

I first heard about Asperger's in 1994, although I didnt realise then that it had anything to do with me.  I discovered I had it a few years later, when reading about it in connection with one of my students at school (I am a special needs teacher).  Once I realised that the description fitted me more than it fitted him, I was diagnosed within a few months!!

I know quite a bit about Asperger's, what with having it, teaching students who have it, and reading numerous books, so you are all welcome to ask me any questions!
Helen

Here goes-----Judith is 21, and Philip is 23.  I have another daughter, Naomi, who is 25, but don't have a photo of her on the computer.  Will try to get one (she hates having her photo taken!) while she is home at Christmas.

Helen

Here goes-----Judith is 21, and Philip is 23.  I have another daughter, Naomi, who is 25, but don't have a photo of her on the computer.  Will try to get one (she hates having her photo taken!) while she is home at Christmas.

Helen

Hi Sue Ann

I wasnt diagnosed with Asperger's until 1999!!!  By then, I had grown out of lots of the difficulties I had when younger, and these days, I pass as "normal but shy" to those who dont know me very well!  But I do take the dreaded Seroxat (Paxil to you!!), as it helps considerably with my crippling anxiety.

How old is your daughter?  I know a couple of females with Asperger's, but there are far more males!

Luv Helen

Hi All

Well, I have Asperger's Syndrome--it is a mild form of high-functioning autism (in plain English, it means difficulties with socialising, among other things.  .)  Not really a secret--but it has been to all of you, up until now!!!

Helen

Hi All

Nancy Tillberg does an online course called "Designing Teddy"-------at www.kranbearys.com

It's good--I've done it.  It will show you proportions, darts, bent arms and legs, how to draw bear parts---the lot!!

Helen

Hello everyone

Being relatively new to bear making (and designing), I too have wondered and wondered about this topic!  I have Nancy Tillberg's book, and also did her on line class in designing.  ( I had to---I knew absolutely nothing about drawing, designing, or even about the proportions of bears!!).

I haven't made a bear from a pattern for some months now, but I buy the magazines, and , naturally, look at the patterns.  To be quite frank, a lot of them dont really look very different from each other--------which makes me wonder what all the fuss about originality is about!!  Every artist who publishes a pattern will say that it is original , but if you compare all these heads, bodies, arms and legs, they often look much the same!

When I first made up my latest design, it looked like a traditional-style ted, much like other traditional teds--but it really was my own design, nevertheless!  Then, I made another, from the same pattern, and, because I used different fur, it looked completely different.  I doubt if anyone would even know for sure that it was from exactly the same pattern.    Ten different bear makers, making a bear from the same pattern, will all end up with something different, because they will use different materials, and finish off the bears differently.  So, isnt "artistry" also something to do with one's own interpretations, one's own touches, even to somebody else's pattern?

Going back to the analogy with musicians, every pianist will play a certain piano concerto a bit differently.  I'm no musician myself, but my hubby knows a lot about music, and so do his friends.  They call pianists "artists".  Same with violinists, cellists, singers, and the rest.  It doesn't matter that they are playing pieces composed by other people, the way they play them determines (apparently) how "musical " and "artistic" they are.

Confusing, isnt it?

Have a good weekend

Helen

  Thanks everyone!   

Helen

Hi everyone

I have just sold my first bear--and on e-bay, too!

I am SOOOOOOO excited!!!

Helenxx

Hi Jenny!

Just to say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Love Helen

Jenny, he's lovely---I love him just as much as I love your bears!!

Helen

Jenny, she's lovely----as always!

Hope all is well
Helen

yes Jenny, you're right---and isnt it lovely fabric to work with?  I love it---where do you get it?

Hope you are well

Helen

Well, if I've managed it, it's Nicholas!!

Helen