Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

So sweet! 

Beautiful!    

Hello!
I don't do fabric noses, but I think you could solve your problem if you attached the nose when the head is already stuffed. And you could also glue it, so that it really adheres to the fabric underneath.
This is how I attach my polymer clay (little) noses to the head.
http://kaleideascope.blogspot.ch/2012/1 … eedle.html
Maybe you could adapt the technique to your big fabric noses?

Pink gave you a great tip! With scissor sculpting, it is always better to cut following the direction of the fur, and not doing it perpendicular to it. That way it looks more natural and even.
You did a great job with this puppy, can't wait to see the next one!

What a sweet bear! I'm sure he'll find a new loving home very soon!   

Oh, I love this handsome white bear!  ....so cute with his 'frozen'tongue sticking out!  

That is a good question!
I think there is no rule about shading, and as you try you understands what works best for you. I was also very careful with shading at the beginning, as it is impossible to go back once you have done it....This is why I like using oil paint, or pastels, because you build your colour very slowly, and can control what you are doing.
Where to shade them? Well, it depends on the effect you want. Shading give depth. If you shade around the eyes, they will have more depth, and also you can give the eyes different expressions depending on where you do your shading. On paw pads shading can really give interesting effects. Again, it is a matter of preference.
In my case, shading has become more like painting, in the sense that it is not simply a way to enhance some details, but a means to give a face to a blank needle felted animal. If you are interested to see some of my WIP, with before and after the shading, please feel free to visit my blog. You might find something that tickles your creativity! I have added some links below that show some critters heads before and after make-up!
http://kaleideascope.blogspot.ch/2013/0 … orial.html
http://kaleideascope.blogspot.ch/2013/0 … d-wip.html
http://kaleideascope.blogspot.ch/search … 20PROGRESS

Thanks Peter! 
I am very proud of the little pink paws....I almost perfected the technique, now I don't glue them to my fingers anymore!!!    

Thanks so much Julia!  

Thank you Pink!  

How sweet!     

I am green with envy....why don't they just move Hugglets to beginning of October, when there are holidays here in Switzerland? 

Another idea might be to bring a medium sized backpack with you, so that you can store there everything you are bringing with you, or buying, and always have your hands free to enjoy better the experience! Have fun!    

They are so cute!     

Thanks everybody for your warm praise!
The 'ginger cat' now has a name, his new mommy decided to name him Tabby. I think it is a lovely name, so Tabby it is!   

I have made this ginger cat as a special order. I really hope his future mummy will like him!   

I think Becky gave you very sound suggestions.
As for the 'experienced' or 'inexperienced' side of things, I think you shouldn't worry too much about it. Just give it a try, and see. There could very well be somebody who likes your little ones and want to buy them, and if they like them, who cares if you are experienced or not? 
Just be careful of one thing. If you are selling a creation that has been made with a pattern that hasn't been designed by yourself, you should tell it in the description of your creation. Most bear makers (or artists, or artisans, or whatever term you see fit) sell creations that have been made from an original pattern designed by themselves. If your creations are from a pattern that is not your own, you should tell, and also I think tell whose pattern it is. And also see if it is allowed. I mean that some bear professionals sell their patterns to be used for personal enjoyment, but not for re-selling the creations that came out of it....just a thought...
Good luck! Your jeans bear is very cute!

Wonderful kitten!   

What a sweet lovely pair!  

They are all extremely cute! My favourite is the second white one with the feathery fur! 

Thanks Lisa....    

If you are using faux fur, then I would suggest you to absolutely avoid total shaving, as the backing in faux fur doesn't normally look good. Becky gave you a good suggestion, to trim it, if you feel like it. Trimming, or scissor sculpting, can really change the shapes. Scissor sculpting faux fur can give great effects, but you have to go slow and trim little after little, especially if you are doing it for the first time. I always compare my creations to my children, saying that I have a better time when I do their scissor sculpting then when I cut my children's hair, because THEY (the creations) stay still and don't complain....
The downside is that if you make a mistake, the hair doesn't grow back!  
Have fun experimenting, maybe try some scissor sculpting on a leftover fur scrap to get the feel of it!

Thank you Caroline!  

I have tried several methods. Oil paint, acrylics, Copic markers and pastels (NOT oil pastels). I think you don't need to worry about oil paint fumes, as you really use such a tiny amount that it is undetectable. You also don't need to seal it.
I think it also depends on the kind of fabric you need to shade. On the fur, both mohair and faux fur, my favourite is oil paint (there are some threads here in the library that teach you how to apply it). EX: http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=611
If I need to colour or shade needle felting, then my favourite is diluted acrylic paint. Prisma or Copic markers are good for small detailing, but I am no expert in this field as I use them seldom.
I think you should consider that shading one of your creations is not like painting on a canvas, you really need tiny tiny tiny amounts of colour, and you need to see the colour but it is better if you don't 'feel' it, it shouldn't make the fur clumpy or sticky.
If you have a look in the library, there are threads aplenty on several of the aforesaid mediums, I have also learned a lot from them!
Good luck with your experimenting!

Thank you Michelle!  

Thank you so much Ivina!