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adamsgirl Cheektowaga, New York
Posts: 22

Hello Fellow Arctophiles!
I want to share some great uses for linen thread!   I have been using this type of thread for sewing in my bear's eyes and also for thread jointing smaller bears.  I used to use dental floss, but I noticed the floss would "slip" as I made the first knot.  No slipping of any kind with linen thread!  If you ever want to try it go to: http://www.twiceasnice.com/dollhair.htm.  Nice, super strong thread!
Lotsa Bear Huggies!
Darleen

gotobedbears Posts: 3,177

Hi Darleen.

Welcome to the nicest beary group you'll ever find!

I adore your avatar bear - what a lovely chubby bear.

Linen thread is great is'nt it? I use the upholsterers strength for all sorts of work, it makes sooper sticky-up Gollie hair too!

Penny bear_tongue

Dilu Posts: 8,574

Hi Darlene

how strong is the linen thread-hmmmm

Let's say (for comparrison) that Mastex upholstery thread is a 10- won't break
on a scale of 1-10 where would you put the linen thread?

Di

I am still jazzed about your suggestion using calipers----my honeybunny just left and I am on a seek and seizure mission to find the perfect set to add to my instrument box.

Youre a gem.  bear_laugh

adamsgirl Cheektowaga, New York
Posts: 22

Hi Dilu!
Nice to meet ya!
On a scale of one to ten (in comparison to Mastex) I would put the linen thread (single strand) at a 9 (Ouch..LOL!!).  Double strand...definately a 10!!   I always sew with a double strand no matter what I use...but nothing beats the linen thread!!  A guaranteed no slip!!
Nice tight sewn eyes!!
(Caliper pics will be here in a minute or two...(or three)!

Dilu Posts: 8,574

Wow- ok Darlene
you've sold me-I will have to order some

Thanks

Di

adamsgirl Cheektowaga, New York
Posts: 22

Thank you Penny for the compliment on my "Christopher" bear!  He is my favorite!  He was adopted and is living on Ohio now (sniff...sniff :().  But I honor him by having him as my model on the homepage of my website.  Do you ever get sad when you ship out your bears?  I must be a weirdo :P...LOL!!
Well, gotta get back to work...I could sit here all day...I LOVE this forum!!! 
It was great meeting you guys!! 
Until next time...Bear Huggies!!!  :cool:
Darleen

ellen ontario, canada
Posts: 324

Darleen, hello!
i see you are in new york. do you know of any bear supply stores/shops in your area??
*all excited like*
i'm not far from you (toronto area) and would love to be able to get some "goodies".
thanx
bear_laugh

adamsgirl Cheektowaga, New York
Posts: 22

Hi Ellen!!
Nope, no bear shops around here in the Western New York area that I know of...might be some in NYC.  What kinda "goodies" are ya lookin' for?!  Let me know!!
Darleen

ellen ontario, canada
Posts: 324

ratttss!
i was just hoping to find some mohair and eyes on my way to pennsylvania.  we're also only an hour from you so it's no big deal to make the trip.....so i was hopin!  oh well.
thanx anyways.
bear_ermm

millie PottersHouse Bears
Ohio
Posts: 2,173

Darleen,

You are not weird for feeling sad over your bears leaving.  Well, if you are, you're not alone.  Each time I finish a bear I say that I want to keep this one.  My family said that the house was filling up so that is how I started selling.  I shipped a bear to England a few months ago.  The lady emailed me and told me that she lives near the sea.  It sounded wonderful.  I guess a part of me is now in England.

gotobedbears Posts: 3,177

Hi Darleen and Millie

I have actually sobbed when packing up bears.

It's the little look they give you, as if to say - 'why are you sending me away?' :(

There was one bear i made that i absolutely adored, her name was Harper and when i came to pack her off to her new home i could swear she was crying! OH GOD I FELT SOOOOO MEAN! I still wonder how she is.

I now no longer sell the bears that i really have a thing for - this spares me all the heartache and i know that they are OK.

Millie - your lady who lives by the sea in the UK, her name is'nt Mary is it? Let me know as i have a lovely lady who has bought loads of bears from me and she lives by the sea - i know we've got a lot of coastline here so maybe i'm being stupid (no change there then).

Penny bear_original

millie PottersHouse Bears
Ohio
Posts: 2,173

Penny,

The lady who bought my bear is Sheila.  When she emailed me, she said it was lambing time and she described England just like I would imagine.  It made me want to go visit my bear.  Maybe someday.

gotobedbears Posts: 3,177

Millie - you can come and visit me anytime you want Hon!
We've got loads of room - bring your bears on a cultural trip, we could nip over to France or Italy too!!!!

Penny bear_laugh

adamsgirl Cheektowaga, New York
Posts: 22

Oh my Gosh, Penny!!  You have to hear this...When I read what  you said about your bear Harper seemed to be crying, my mouth dropped!!!   When I look at my bears (especially when I am packing them up) it looks like their facial expressions change!  And a co-worker of mine (that I made a bear for) told me that her bear does the same thing!  Weird, huh? bear_ermm

gotobedbears Posts: 3,177

I don't think it's weird Darleen - after all the personality we stitch into our bears we should'nt wonder that they have feelings too!

I don't know if i'll ever be able to sell another bear now

Penny ::/

Winney Winneybears and Friends
White City, Oregon
Posts: 1,103

I have been using " linin type thread " for along time...Actually what I have is " artificial sinue " , it's waxed , has 5 strand twisted together  and is great to work with. I split the strands, use 2 for tying the eyes in on 12 ish " size bears.
It is also wonderful to needle sculpt with. It NEVER slips and is easy on the hands when pulling....no frustration , no cut fingers or hand or callouses....
When I finish the eyes at the back bottom of the head just outside the disc, I go one step further , I  go back inside the hole I just came out of and...then take the thread to UNDER that disc and out....Pull the 2 threads there and tie off ...I do 3 knots  which really stick together ,then bury the thread...I leave a long enough threads inside the head...just in case I need to remove the eyes for some unknown reason....
Tying under the disc means there is NO DIMPLE at the back bottom of the head ...Yeah ! That drove me nuts... I bought my white, black, brown  artificial sinue at HUff's Leather Supply , it comes on a roll ,I believe it was only about $2. 98 ...so worth it ! If you do not have a Huff's or a Tandy ( which is now online ) look around in your area  for a leather supplier or a taxidermist supplier.....Winney

gotobedbears Posts: 3,177

oooooooh Winney, i'll have to try and get some of that stuff. I wonder where i'll find it in the UK? I'll have to have a hunt around.

I tie the eyes under the disc too - i hated that dimple. It always drove me nuts especially on the really short sparse mohair - it was so noticable.

Great minds think alike eh?

Penny bear_laugh

millie PottersHouse Bears
Ohio
Posts: 2,173

Penny,

That cultural trip sounds great.   Maybe that day will come (I hope).

SueAnn Past Time Bears
Double Oak, Texas
Posts: 21,932

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner Sponsor

Hi, y'all . . . Darleen, very nice to have you on board!  I also use artificial sinew for setting eyes and just LOVE it.  After trying all sorts of things, I found that the sinew works by far the best.  I get mine at craft stores . . . Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and sometimes JoAnn's.

Delartful Bears Delartful Bears
Australia
Posts: 3,518

Hi Darleen,

Welcome to the group, again I'm sure you'll love it here.

I just checked out your webpage - it's really well done!  what adorable bears your make!  You'll fit in really well here, I can tell!

Laura Lynn Teddy Bear Academy
Nicholasville, KY
Posts: 3,653
Website

Laura Lynn Banner Sponsor

Hi Darleen!

Just trying 2 catch up on posts and wanted to say hello!!

Laure Fool's Gold Bears
San Luis Obispo, CA
Posts: 351

Hi Darleen,

I can't remember if I welcomed you to the board yet--dizzy days, these are!:rolleyes:  but if not, WELCOME'!!  We have a lot of fun here, and even learn a thing or 2.  Your bears are great. bear_original:)

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