Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Danni

Like you I've not been around much lately and I only seem to be able to catch a quick 5 mins here and there on the net at the moment. I have just found this thread though and wanted to express my sorrow that you are discontinuing Bearwitched. 

I can only echo what everyone else here has said. You did a tremendous amount of work with fabulous results and I too was really looking forward to the next issue. I can understand your reasons for giving it up - you really don't need all that added pressure and pettiness.

Great to see you back on TT and I guess that means you'll have more time to make those georgeous bears of yours.

HUGE hugs

:hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Really  , Really  HUGE CONGRATS :dance:  :hug: 

I'm thrilled for you

Well done Melissa, I look forward to reading your article :dance:   

Huge congrats on your article Judi, you thoroughly deserve it. I must go and get a copy now

Jane, many thanks for posting this   :hug:

Hi Nancy

Please, Please do try using string mohair. I LOVE it, you can get some really great results with it. Just take care when brushing out the seams as the string can fluff out a bit.

:hug:

Sue Ann

I'm afraid I'm guilty of not checking this section very often

Campbell is truly wonderful and I'm delighted for your win - thoroughly deserved   :clap: Your bears have such amazing faces... I am in awe
:hug:  :hug:

LOL

I was 7 in 1980 - cor, this thread has brought back memories. Ra- Ra Skirts and those funny deely bopper things, which you wore on your head, were definately the things to have.

My room was plastered in Wham posters but I also loved Rick Astley and A Ha. I went to see A Ha and Wet Wet Wet at the Brighton Centre. Cool!

It's funny that here in the UK, Rick Astley and A Ha are making comebacks. I even heard that Bananarama were getting back together.

The 80's were GGGGRRRRREAT

:hug:

Kim, your bear is fantastic - I'm so glad the fusible threads worked out well for you. 

I've still got tons of the stuff in all different colours. One day I'm going to plan a little fairy series and play around with the different colours that I have and co-ordinate it with my mohair stash.

:hug:

Not sure but could they have varnished with a clear gloss, then whilst the varnish is tacky pushed/dented in the nostril shapes with a small rounded tool such as an embossing/parchment tool?

To do this successfully the nose would have needed to have been embroidered over a small layer of foam/felt to allow for the depth of the nostrils.

I'm probably completely well off track with this

:hug:

Truly wonderful Paula, I'm thrilled for you    

I'm looking forward to getting my copy now

:hug:

Shantell

In reply to your question about the strands, Kim has answered with the links she gave . Thanks Kim

I have a cupboard full of the stuff as I used to sell it in my eBay shop, mostly to cardmakers and scrapbookers. Before you iron it, you can sprinkle in bits like sequins, stars etc. They all heat fuse in together and you can achieve some really interesting effects.

Be careful when buying strands though, not all of them fuse together when heated. You can get cheap ones from the pound/discount stores which won't work in this way.

I know most of you have probably all seen skeleton leaves before but for those that haven't I have posted a close up picture above.

:hug:

Snap Melissa :D

When I make my fairy bears (haven't made any for a while now though) I make the wings by heat fusing hundreds of tiny iridescent strands. They bond into firm fabric like piece and because the strands are iridescent they give a beautiful twinkling effect. I then cut it into wing shapes and fix to the bear.

Above is a photo of a bear I made some time ago with the wings. You can just see the wings but it not the best picture to show what I mean. I have the strands in all different colours so I can co-ordinate with each bear.

The wings that Julie Dawn has used in the links you gave are skeleton leaves. Here in the UK these are readily available in craft shops/Ebay in loads of scrummy colours.

They are very delicate though so I wonder if they have been strengthened in any way?

I think they are from the rubber tree???

:hug:

Devious cotton - where can I buy that?

and How did you manage to fix a stock market to his kilt

That's great - thanks for sharing

:hug:

Hi Shelli

I've got a copy here too. I bought it for your article actually

I see that you have some offers already but if you are short you would be very welcome to have mine too

:hug:

Fantastic Shantell    

and so you should feel good about your darling bears

Hi Shelli

I hope my post didn't appear that I assumed it was someone here, sorry if it did . I wouldn't think for one second that it was someone here.

To clarify , I meant that if the persons involved also check the posts on this 'friendly' board at TT I hoped that they might see how upset they have made Jenn feel.

:hug:

Jenn

I've just been catching up with the posts here and was stopped in my tracks with this one. I'm so sorry to read what's happened and I hope the people involved may see this thread and feel VERY ashamed about how they have behaved.

You and your bears are VERY much loved here.

:hug:  :hug:

I've experimented with lots of different pad materials like Ultrasuede, felt, leather and mohair.

I usually use mohair in co-ordinating colours but for the bigger bears I like to use leather. We sell furniture so I often get leather swatches in all shades of browns and blacks. It's not the easiest to sew but I like the finished effect.

I've been making bears for just over a year ago and enjoyed every second of it
It's really interesting to know how long everyone has been making bears - there's a really good mix of experienced and new makers here.

:hug:

Way to go Paula :clap:  :dance:

I'm signing up for the extreme sculpting course which starts on the same day I think?

I thought it was time I tried something else and I can't wait

I am also starting my accountancy course in Brighton on the following day . I think  I know which one I'll prefer

Happy New year by the way :bday:

Mel

He is truly wonderful You are so talented - I really love your creations    Can't wait to see the next ones!

What a dream bear Judi - really, really stunning   :hug:  :clap:

Kerynn

I really think she's wonderful   You must be so proud of her.

Your story reminds me of the one and only attempt at a fur bear I made. My Mother inherited an old suitcase of fur coats from her late Aunt. My great Aunt was quite well off and she used to spend a lot of time in London at the theatres, Opera etc and would always dress up to the nines in furs, stoles capes etc.

Well, after I had made my first 4 mohair bears I thought I'd try and make a fur one from the worst of the coats. I couldn't believe what a mess I was getting in - fur went everywhere and I didn't realise at the time that you should line real fur. The end result was acceptable and Mum likes it ( I gave it to her). I can't stand looking at it now and want to throw it away - It is nothing like your lovely Violet.

I may try another real fur bear one day, we still have all these coats stored away.

Take care

Danni

I have contacted you directly about Bearwitched several times over the last month or so as you kindly offered to write an article about my bears.

I just wanted to say publicly what an amazing job you have done here. I remember when you said that you were thinking about launching the site it seemed that in days you already had the bulk of the site set up and with such a profssional look. I know this has taken up so much of your time and that other bearmakers as well as myself  and collectors will find this of enormous benefit and interest so thank you, thank you for your hard efforts.

I wish you so much success with it. :hug: