Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Oh Shelli I am so proud and excited for you !!!!! I agree with the others that you have no reason to have mixed feelings.  Just enjoy the moment  and let us all share it with you.  You truly deserve to be awarded for your talent. 

I just realized that we have bears in the same hug at a collectors house !!!!!! I may never meet you in person , but knowing that our bears have met and live in the same house makes me tingle inside.  What an honor for me that is !!!!! 

Thank you for all that you do for for this board with your knowledge and kindness.  You are an inspiration to all of us. 

Sue- Ann, I noticed that you won last year too.  A belated congratulations.  It amazes me that both of you , and all the others who are recongized and accomplished artists, take the time to help the rest of us grow and pursue our dreams. THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!!!!!

:):):):):):)

Ladies,  your creations are all so beautiful and unique !

Lynn ( welcome, if I haven't said that already ?).  I love Deegan and his PJ's.  So sweet !

Rita- Benjamin is a real hearbreaker with those innocent eyes and sweet pants.

Milli- I love the colors on your panda.  Amazing that you created those with your own dye.

Daphne- Moostletoe....that is just tooooooooo cute !!!!

Karen- your golly is precious too.  I've only learned what a golly was since joining this group.  Where have I been all my life :lol:

Sorry if I missed anyone, I'm trying to get caught up.  Everyday I am amazed at the talented people here.  Each person brings something unique to the world of "Bears and Friends".

Dilu your bear is so creative.  I love the eyes and especially the embroidery.  Great job !!

Hi Sabine, and welcome to the group !!!  Your website bears are great.  I see Nancy Tillberg's name by some does "Muster" mean pattern by Nancy ??? 

I do one of 2 things actually.

1) Electrical tape on the end.  It's usually black and kind of stretchy.

OR

2) I pull the copper wire out of the plastic coating a bit before inserting it into the ring terminal.  That leaves the plastic coating on the other end a little past the copper wire so it's not sharp.

I am by no means an expert and am just passing along what I've learned from Nancy.  I suppose you could also trim some of the plastic coating off the end so the wire sticks out, then bend the wire in a loop so it isn't sharp.   The main thing is to make sure the wire isn't sharp. 

I hope this makes sense ??  I'll try to post a picture later today.  My camera software seems doesn't seem to want to work at the moment :mad:

Good luck.

Shantell, that will be such a unique and treasured quilt.  What a nice memory of her dad.   I am learning to quilt, but not sure that I have the patience for it :/

The story of your dad quilting was touching too.  I lost my dad almost 2 years ago. I bet he and your mom really enjoyed that shared hobby.  So your mom lives in NS as in Nova Scotia ??? Just curious.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments about my bears.   Makes a girl feel good inside !!!  :lol::lol:

A big welcome to you Julia.   Your first attempt at bears is fabulous.  WOW, I Love those painted eyes.  You are awesome !

Judi, you certainly have been busy.  WOWZERS !  I love the big eyes on you creations, and they have such sweet faces.   Thanks for sharing pics.

Gee Shelli, I always wanted to be a rock star LOL    Actually I'm just happy when I can actually contribute something useful once in awhile   I learn by seeing things so I thought a visual might be easier for some.

I reposted this under tips.  Should I delete it from here ???

For those that are interested these are the tools I use to make my armatures. I use the method suggested in Nancy Tillberg's book 101 Bears To Make (pg 106).  I buy the electrical wire at the hardware store off the big rolls that comes in different thicknesses.  (This type had 3 plastic coated wires inside the plastic tube).   I then bought Ring Terminals in the electrical section also - They are in the package and also come in different sizes. 

1) Strip the plastic off the ring terminal ( the blue part in this case) so it is then all silver with a round opening for the wire.
2) Insert the coated wire into the ring terminal.
3) Crimp ( squish) the ring terminal to secure the wire.  - That red tool is a crimper. but pliers would work well too.
4) I cover the bottom end of the wire with tape so it doesn't poke thru the paw. 

Sounds complicated but it is soooooo easy and soooooooo cheap !!!!!!

Hi Shari,
These are the tools I use to make my armatures. I use the method suggested in Nancy Tillberg's book.  I buy the electrical wire at the hardware store off the big rolls that comes in different thicknesses.  (This type had 3 plastic coated wires inside the plastic casing).   I then bought Ring Terminals in the electrical sections also - They are in the package and also come in different sizes. 

1) Strip the plastic off the ring terminal ( the blue part in this case) so it is then all silver with a round opening for the wire.
2) Insert the coated wire into the ring terminal.
3) Crimp ( squish) the ring terminal to secure the wire.  - That red tool is a crimper. but pliers would work well too.
4) I cover the bottom end of the wire with tape so it doesn't poke thru the paw. 

Sounds complicated but it is soooooo easy and soooooooo cheap !!!!!!

Oh thanks Shari and Shelli for the nice comments.   

Shelli, these are some of the bears that I will be sending to Daphne for the 3 shows in the USA.  If they sell , great, if not then I guess I'll put them on ebay or my website in the fall.

O.k. Here goes.......these are the 3 fur bears I made this week.  I'm not so sure about Honey, she looks like a cat to me LOL !  Poor Riley looks so forlorn, but I like Nanuq.  He's my favorite.

Jane , I haven't mixed the 2.  I think rabbit would work best if it was sheared so it wasn't so long.  I'm not sure how it would look otherwise.  Hey, there is no harm in trying if you have lots of fur.  Just try the body piecing and if you don't like it take it apart until a better match comes along .   I have done some odd combinations, some work , some don't.  Just experiment !

Thanks Jane , Sarah, Marie and Danni.  You are sweeties !  Danni , you are so wrong.......I LOVE your bears.  The eyes are so wonderful all close together like that.  I didn't realize that they were so small until Daphne mentioned it.  They are just precious, be proud !!!!

Jane, mink does have pelt lines but they are usually not noticeable on the fur side, just on the back of the pelt.  It shouldn't be a problem for a 12" bear.  I've used mink a lot and it is easy to work with.   Maybe you could find a sheared beaver
(much thicker pelt though)  or  sheared rabbit fur to use ??

Good luck

Danni and Karen your little girl bears are precious.  I too love the colors.  The collar and necklaces are great finishing touches.

I hadn't made any bears all summer then I made 3 fur bears this week ( 1 girl, 2 boys) so I'll post pics tomorrow or friday.

Oh Dilu  and Mr. Understatement  thanks so much for the kind compliment.  It really does mean so much to me.   This picture gives a better idea of the size. 

I love making the 6 and 8" bears the best.  So challenging, but rewarding ( if and when they turn out well )

Dilu, I've been trying to catch up on messages and had to add my $0.02 .  (I've been making bears for 3 days straight).

I was a kid that always followed the rules.  I was the "perfect student" --also known as a "goody-goody"  I guess - all thru school.  My best friend was the same as me so  we kept each other in line. I too was always worried that I'd get caught if I did something bad.  However, when I was 13 I got "wild"- well for me anyway   A friend and I bought cigarettes and hid in the woods.  We smoked about 5 each in a row-----GAK !  I was so excited that I actually went home and ASKED my mom if I could start smoking !!!!  Now is that sad or what :P.  Of course she said NO .  That was about as unruly as I ever got.   I never drank or tried drugs.  I just wanted to be a good kid I guess.

However, I have always been creative and never followed rules in that respect.  Always wanted to try creating things my way.  When I was 8 I decided to take a hatchet and cut a log to make a craft  (in my barefeet) .........well I missed, hit my foot  and almost chopped my toe off    !!!!!  What a moron !  Nothing a few stitches didn't fix.

Unfortunately I am people pleaser , and to this this day I am anal about following rules.  Drives my husband and kids absolutely nuts !!!!  Even drives me nut at times.  They just look at me like I'm out to lunch , which I probably am. 

Thanks Shari.  I'm sure Daphne will be relieved as they are going to be sent to her for the Sept. show.

  I just saw your new avatar and LOVE that bear.  You do amazing open mouths.  I've only done one and may never attempt another.  What a pain with real fur !  Where did you ever get that fur ??? It is so nice.

Hi Jane,
Hey a question that I can actually answer.  I'm so excited   I only use recycled fur....haven't yet ventured into mohair, but I'm getting the itch !
I recently made a 6" panda using a combination of seal and white mink.  However, white mink is hard to come by and can be expensive.  Just watch ebay or look at thrift stores.  Maybe you'll even find a mink collar or hat.   Mink is about the same length as the seal ( assuming your seal is similar to the one in my picture- if it shows up.)   

I spent the past 3 days sewing/creating .  Hubby took the kids  away so I could make bears !!!  He is such a sweetie !  I managed to make 2-8 " and 1-6" bear.  I am on a sewing high.......gotta love it !!!!  :D:D

Welcome Lydia and Debbie.  Glad you joined us !

Sounds great Shari, I'll email you later tonight.

Dilu...........gas here today is $1.10/Litre = $4.12/ gallon.  It has gone up from $.98/litre in the past week. But, what can you do ???

Hi Shari,
I think it was Joan- Bears of the Glen ??  I had just found out about the shop and went to visit , only to find out it had just closed down.   I don't know much about the guild, just what I've heard from another bearlady.

We will have to get together sometime and talk bears in person !!!! :D

Millie, he is beautiful.  The center seem does give the bear an old style look.   The colors are fantastic, very nice.

Heather, I have no problem getting the  BB's ( copper coated)  at Walmart or Canadian Tire.  They are in a locked cabinet, but I just ask for them.  I did feel compelled to tell the clerk what I wanted them for , he looked at me a bit odd but did give them to me :D

Check it out.

Hi Barb and welcome to the group.  Your story was very inspiring !!  I am excited that your private shows are going so well.   I can't wait to see pictures of your creations !

I'm a little late jumping in here.  I was roaming the beautiful Cape Breton, Nova Scotia countryside on vacation with my family for a few days.  Actually , Shari I was in your area yesterday and would have stopped in if I knew where you lived.  I was thinking about you anyway

Yes, I agree we Canadians are a cheap bunch.  I was in business with a friend last year and we did a few shows, consignment, and presentations to women's groups.  Everyone loved the bears, but few were willing to open their wallets.  Locals thought the prices were too high- $50 for 12" Mink Bear !!! I can't give them away- Yikes.
All of the bears that sold at the shops went to American Tourists.   

I agree we need to educate, but that might be easier said than done.   Our local fabric store offered a bearmaking class.  There was also a Bear Supply store owned by a guild member that closed down last year, and our Teddy Bear Artist Guild is apparently in " Sleep Mode" and not taking any new members.   

However, we can't give up trying.