Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Joanne, she has the sweetest face, her fur is just gorgeous...as always a fantastic bear! Thank you for sharing her pictures here!  

Jenny,
this is a very interesting thread!
I work on my bears when I find the time, so there is no fixed schedule. I kept track of the hours a couple of time and I can make a 9-11 inches bear in about 25-30 hours. This means that it takes me about a week to ten days to complete one, as I always do one at a time. I thought I was really slow, but now that I read all these posts I feel comforted that I'm average!
I could probably be faster if I used a machine, but I also hand sew, and the needle felting, the shading and the fimo claws eat up so many hours! Well, I'm not complaining as I enjoy it immensely!!

Jenny, I love this new design. And even if new, it still has the same beautiful expressiveness of your other creations!

I'm a 'one bear at a time' person. This is probably because I don't sell bears for a living, it is just a hobby that is meant to repay for its expenses. I'm not sure I could enjoy making more than one at a time!

I love to see all the new creations, I love the tips&techniques section and the library that gave me so much help and inspiration. And I love the very 'friendly' feeling that even if we are of such different ages, from so many countries, here we are just 'teddy bear lovers'!

Heidi,
what a wonderful thread! I think it is true, most of us must have tired other mediums. I for instance have always loved crafting things, and tried plenty of things over the years. I have worked with papier mache', painted T-shirts, done decoupage, worked with clay and mosaic, and cross stitched like crazy....and many other things along the way. Most things are not in my possession anymore, because they almost always became a present for somebody. Some things are still with me, unfortunately I have no way of making pictures because I'm away from home at present...

I'd love to see other people's creations!

And your creations are just incredible Heidi, you really have great talent!    

Correct me if I'm wrong, but knowing that there are 'good conduct' rules should encourage to take part in debates. Those rules should only stop people that don't wish, or are not able, to express their point of view without being rude or slipping into fights. It is only logical that those rules exist, and even the shy ones that fear of  being caught in the middle can feel 'safe' and express their point of view. On the other side, people that are very forthcoming, and sometimes too forceful, can have their say if they keep in mind that not everything is permitted.

What attracted me to this site was primarily the feeling that it was full of very friendly people, wishing to share their own experience about the teddy bear world, wishing to connect to people that shared the same passion. I wouldn't have felt the same, had I seen such brawls as you are describing. I surely wouldn't have joined in any conversation. What makes this site a wonderful place to come back day after day is that you feel you are visiting a community of friends that share the same passion. I'm not such an ingenuous as to think that everybody must always agree on every issue, it is real life and people differ sometimes. But there also is a way to differ without hurting and insulting. And personally, I like it this way.

Oh, a very interesting topic!
I'm relatively new to TT. I'm a member since October 2011. I can't say I know how it was in the old times. What I can say is that I visit at least once a day. Even now that I'm on holidays, I still visit .
It has been great, and I spent the first couple of months browsing the library, and from that blessed library I got soooo much inspiration. And still from the library you have a sense of what went on on this site. Now that I don't spend so much time anymore consulting old posts, I also miss having new topics to read about. I love posting my new creations here, and seeing other people's creations.
I wonder, and this is a question to the 'old' members. When did it start to get slow? Can't it be just that it is summer, and people are on holiday? ....dumb question maybe!
I also had the feeling that there was not much said lately, but thought it was due to the season...

Even if a bit slower, I must say I still value TT above every other site, and I'm so happy to have found it, and all the great members that make it unique and wonderful.

WONDERFUL! they are so cute! A great job!    

A great bear! 
And the accessories are just perfect!

Donatel and Eva Mari, thank you!  

Pink, Thelma, thank you!  

My last creation before the summer break.
Here is my first (but not last!) skunk....I had so much fun making him!
I hope you like him.

Joanne, you outdid yourself on this one! He is really a wonderful fellow, with such a sweet expression. I also love his open-close eyes, and what to say of the fairy-tree? I had seen it on your blog, but it was still work in progress. It came out beautiful.
A fantastic job!      

You did a nice job, and the name is really perfect!!!  
A very cute fellow!

Anika, another of your truly wonderful creations! They are both fantastic!    

You really did a great job on this one. He is super-cute and oh so sweet!  

Peter, Pink and Thelma, thank you so much for your kind words!    

Hello!
I'm happy to present you my latest creation, sweet Lillo!

Now on a five days auction on e-bay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180906859791?ss … 1555.l2649

For more info and pictures:
http://www.bearpile.com/item/56911

Thanks for looking!

I know how to do it, but it is too difficult to explain through e-mails!
The real catch is that you want a single piece for the belly part. If you do it with a four piece pattern, using two pieces for the belly, than it is very easy to do:
- Take your basic two pieces pattern:

-Mark where you want your belly piece of different colour to be (the green area in the picture)

-Cut out the belly part, and add the seam allowance for the new pieces you have obtained:

I did it very fast, it is not so accurate, but it should give you an idea....

An advice: try it on a cheap piece of fabric before committing to your fur....

Thank you Leanne!  

What I do when I want that kind of body is making a 3 pieces body. The two pieces are the behind-side pieces in one kind of fur, and the one in front is the belly part. You would need darts to keep the belly rounded, and also I use darts on the side pieces to get a rounder shape.

Another way could be using a 4 piece design for your body, and doing the two back pieces in one colour, and the two front pieces in another. There are some threads in the library about adapting a two pieces pattern into a 4 pieces and so on. In that way you have the belly in two pieces though....
I hope I was helpful!
Here is Oliver. With him I used a 4 piece pattern that I designed some time ago, and also darts on his belly.

This is Holly, made with a three pieces pattern.

Welcome!
A very lovely bear!

Joanne, I'm also curious to see your entries...and I would wish you also good luck...but you don't need it, your bears are fantastic!    
I really can't wait to see all the other bears&friends!

I'm also trying my luck for the first time...I'm really in awe because there are always so many talented artists...but I thought it would be fun to try it!