Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Helena

Bluebell is gorgeous and I think a truely horrible, rotten thing has happend to you today.  I agree with everyone else -  you'll have no problem finding her a new home.  Your compromise is a good idea and I hope your customer appreciates your kind offer.

Something I'm beginning to accept recently is that everyone has different taste and although Bluebell is not necessarily what your customer was looking for, someone else will be absolutely besides themsleves to have her.  It's a nasty knock for you though - but remember it was only the colour not Bluebell herself.  She's a lovely bear.

I was wondering did you send your customer a sample of the actual fabric - something I do with commissions is send a little swatch card with lots of samples stuck on it.  I keep all the samples from the suppliers and lots of little off cuts and even if the quality isn't the same, the customer gets a better idea of the true colour.  Hopefully this goes some way to eliminating chance that the bear is not what the customer is expecting.  I always feel aprehensive about taking commissions (I don't particualrly enjoy them either) and I have to say your experience today is making me think twice about making commissioned bears.

Anyway on a cheery note, I just wanted to say that I saw Fido on ebay last week - he's absolutely fantastic, my daughter fell in love with him  instantly, but the bidding went way beyond her pocket I'm afraid!

Hopefully you'll have resolved the problem and be feeling better by the time you get my message.

Best wishes

Vicky Allum

Thanks Hayley

I was just going to ask if you can use coloured candle wax - but I have just noticed you have an array of lovely colours at the Bearcupboard!  I wonder how they would look used over a darker colour?

many thanks

Vicky

Hi Eileen

The microwave is great for wax - I'm not much of a cook so I may as well use it for something!:)

Hi Ellen

Not silly at all - I've never thought of sealing it - now that is silly.  After it is waxed I just leave it, and as far as I can tell (from looking at those poor little not-quite-right guys who never get to leave my house) the wax doesn't deteriorate.:)

Hi Heather

Oooh .......  I'm not sure on that one - Ive never tried a coloured wax or a coloured nose (other than the occaisional brown or gold one).  I know that beeswax darkens the shade slightly when used on dark or mid brown perle.  I'd be interested to know how to use coloured wax too.

Vicky

Hi Catherine

Finally, here I am - sorry for the delay - I had to collect the girls from school.

Anyway here is my method for waxing noses (pretty similar to most of those above).  I'll do it Blue Peter style:

You will need:

A pure beeswax candle or piece of beeswax (I purchased mine from a honey maker at craft fair)
An old mug that you don't mind spoiling
A stiff paint brush
A desk lamp (switched on to warm up) or hair dryer
Grease Proof paper

1.  Cut a piece off the candle/wax and place it in the mug, then microwave until the wax is completely liquid.  Mind the handle though as it gets really hot.

2.  Paint a small amount of wax onto the nose (don't take it right to the top and bottom edges though as you'll run the risk of getting it on the mohair and it seems to get to the edges by it own accord when you remelt it), if it is hot enough it will just sink in.  It should harden quite quickly.  If all of the wax has been absorbed by the thread just apply some more so the finished effect is a bear with a heavy cold!  Very nice.

3.  Hold the nose under the lamp or hairdryer to remelt the wax.

4.  Once it has disappeared again, using a piece of grease proof paper polish the nose in the direction of the thread.  As you polish it it will dry and harden to a smooth finish.  The more layers you put on and the more you polish, the shinier it will be.

That's it!  You may want to repeat the process a few times until you have the desired amount of wax.  From my experience you can melt the wax in the mug time and time again without any problems - I've been using the same pot for ages.

I hope this helps.

Vicky

Hi Clare

I use a selection of hamper baskets and chairs to display my bears - not that I get to many shows.  As for the sign though, I bought an A4 perspex(??) stand up frame (the type you often see at check outs in shops) from a company called Morplan. They do shop all sorts of shop supplies including some nice paper craft bags and acid free tissue paper. I have printed my logo and name on a sheet of A4, popped it in the frame and then I just stand it at the front of my table.  It doesn't take up any space in the car either.

Good luck.

Vicky