Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thank you Conni!!
I think your bears are very recognizable as being yours. I too love needle felting but have done only a few all needle felted bears.

I don`t think it is copy if using a learned technique in your creations. Most techniques, if not all, are around for many, many decades.
I am thankful to all those wonderful people who wrote/write down all their knowledge so we could learn.
The way we use these techniques varies, which results in many unique creations.

Look forward seeing you at Wiesbaden!!

Berta

Thank you for watching my bears! As I also sell on many shows during the year, for sure you have not seen all my creations.
I posted pictures of my bears made in various techniques in the Showcase. 
I wet felt since many years and know the difference between wet felting (felting/fulling)  and adding detail with needle felting

Some of my crochet bears made and finished using various techniques.  May these inspire others to try their hand on crocheting bears

Flip Flop Bears I made quiet a few. These are fun as they can pose many ways. Above Flip-Flop bear is crocheted and felted.

This Flip-Flop bear is crocheted with Magic thread and Brushed !

Combination of crochet parts and needle felted parts, assembled together to make one solid piece. 

All wired for multi poses.

Mixed Media I use for my fabric bears and crochet bears as wel.  This is one of my N.O.S.T.© Bears. I won many International Awards with this design and is unique for ThReAdTeDs®.
This bear was crocheted from wool and then wet felted. The face/muzzle is needle felted with a wet felted finish (to smooth out the holes left by the needles).  The hat, jacket, bag and slippers are wet felted from merino wool.
The paw pads are leather look.

Enjoy!! 
Berta

Glad you were able to do some research in the threadanimal group. My opiniun is that we can learn a lot from each other, try all different techniques and see what works best dor you. You can crochet other way around, from out side in, and/or in back loops only, which will give again another look.
Happy crocheting!
Berta

I have a long time experience in wet felting and have made felted crochet bears before.  These are not that rare and around for several years. 

You might like to check out the felted crochet bears made by another Teddy Talk member; Diana from Butterfly Bequest

http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=32777

http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=32950

Most of my designs are center seam. I use darts to make shape. I have a few pattern available too. You can find these in my webshop.
Hope this helps,
Berta

I think he is GREAT for your first bear And using the inside on outside gives a great look!! And crocheting this way wil make it easier once you like to try fuzy yarns. Save this first bear and compare him each time with the next you make. You will see that you improve with each next bear you make. If you have time to check out the threadanimals group,you will find tips and "how to" in the files. These might help you to.  Thanks so much for sharing!!
Berta
PS: I don't think the feet are bad, they suit this little bear.

Hi Crystal,

There is nothing "wrong" as long as it works for you.

Take care of your hands and shoulder!! Take enough rest in between (hmm..if that is possible with 6 kids  ) but try to take as much rest as you can. 

Enjoy your beautiful weather!!

Berta

You`r very welcome.

For decrease in single crochet without holes you can try if this works better for you:
Insert the hook in next st, yo and pull through (you have 2 loops on the hook), insert the hook in next stitch,yo and pull through both loops on hook.

I asume you now do it like this:
Insert the hook in next st, yo and pull through the stitch (you have 2 loops on the hook), insert the hook in next st, yo and pull through the stitch (you have 3 loops on the hook),yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Please share your finished pieces when finished. Have fun!
Berta

Hi Crystal,

I had answered your other post in another topic, maybe you didn`t see it?  I copy and past and add some more :

Welcome to Teddy Talk.  I look forward seeing your first bear. For the holes..you have to crochet very firm, take a hook a few sizes less as given on the thread. To prevent seeing the holes, you could stuff with a color matching the bear. If there are holes, they will show up less. For threads/yarns in Sydney I can not help.  Though a good yarn shop is a great start. You can use any yarn/thread, as long as you are able to crochet with it. To finish your bear you need the same supplies as for fabric teddies. Or you can thread joint your bears and embroider the eyes.

I am one of the moderators of the Thread Animals yahoo group. If you like, please pop in..we have members from Australia as well, they might be able to give you more info were they buy their supplies.

This is the address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/threadanimals/

You can also ask questions about "how to" and there mostly is someone who can give an answer.

For the other question, yes, you can use the same techniques with crochet bears as you would use with fabric bears. You have to try on scraps first, if using paints or colors. Each thread takes color different. Jointing depends on the size of your bear, but the small bears are mostly thread jointed..the head I prefer to disk joint. To my feeling it gives a more stable joint for the head. If the bears are bigger then 6 inches, I recommend disk joints, or joints with buttons.

Also for needle sculpting you can use the technique used for bears and dolls, I think you might find free tutorials if you google.. and I think Monica Spicer has one on her website..she is from Australia too.
http://www.monicasattictreasures.com.au/

Hope this helps a little, please ask if you have any question.

Berta

BONBON

BonBon is an traditional old style bear in non traditional color. The pincushion is home printed cotton and hand sewn.

Bleu eyes and friendly face!!

Bonbon is 4 inches small.

Thanks for looking!

Berta

Thanks so much Pauline and Peter !!! I cross my fingers.

Thanks Sue Ann !!

Thank you Joanne, Gail and Francesca!! Sending congratulation and good luck back to you Franceska and all other finalists!!   

Berta

Victoria and Panda Bunny are both winners but don`t know yet if it will be number 1, 2 or 3 !! This will be announced in the October web-zine of Bears & Buds. Thanks to ALL who voted for my entries!!

Panda Bunny

Victoria

From all the finalists there is only one who can win the URSA Major - Best Overall Award. To make a chance I need to campaign again for votes and hope for YOUR vote for Victoria!!  Although I do love Panda Bunny, you can only give one vote and I would make a better chance if voting goes to only one of my finalists. Victoria is my favorite, hope she is your`s too !!

To vote go to:

http://www.cyberdendesigns.com/URSA-201 … gazine.htm

Voting is open until September 7

Thanks so much!!
Berta

Thanks Andrea! Love it!!
Berta

Thanks so much Ece! Hope to get back to creating soon..  I really miss it !

Berta

Thanks so much Sue Ann !!

Berta

Hi Peter, thanks so much for posting the article. I am bad with posting, and so little time to make bears, but read as much as possible when I go online. We rebuilding our livingroom and having a new kitchen placed. The most messy stuff is done, now it is cleaning and painting. Hope to have everything finished next week.. Then I have to start working realy hard for the show in Ladbergen (Germany) and the week after the show in Stradford upon Avon.

I love the article in Kuschle tier news!!
Berta

We enjoyed Hugglets very much. And so many visitors, we were busy from start to finish   
Several of my bears did find new homes. Yes, we were very pleased!

Berta

Congratulations Beth!  :clap:

Berta

http://www.whois.net/whois/mobeardesigns.com

Go to the above link and you can see who has the site, there is also an email address. Hope this does help.

So sorry this happened,

Berta

Taking a SHORT! Survey on Business Trade Names:

If you would be willing to take a VERY short (one minute) survey on business trade name recognition, would you please contact me at
threadteds@xs4all.nl?

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Best Regards,
Berta Hesen-Minten
threadteds@xs4all.nl

Thanks to everyone who voted. They reached the 3th spot, not winners but also not bad, right 

Thank you again!!

Berta

Thanks so much Sue Ann. The group is on #3 now..only a little more then an hour to go.. I cros my fingers!!