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Cutiepie BearsHi! I'm a little girl...12 to be exact, but that was only in January. I have a knack for arts and crafts, and recently have had a new interest for making teddybears. But, I have a question. This might sound a little silly, but how do u use those safety joints? Plese help...im kinda desperate. thx:) i appreciate it. if i finish my bear, maybe ill post a picture of it for all of u kind peoples to see.
Updated: For all u peoples who are waiting to see my finished bear, it will be up by tomorrow, so hang in there! :thumbsup:
O_o uh oh...the thing is too big. sry..if u go on facebook, it is posted here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 … 1398619359.
Artist Bears by LesleyHi , well done you making bears at 12, thats really brilliant. I can't help with the safety joints as I have never used them, I usually use nut and bolt joints, but I'm sure some of the teddy artists on this site will help. Also there is the library here if you click on the 'joints' link there will be some info there, looking forward to seeing your finished bear 
Cutiepie Bearsthank u off the paw:) i will most likely post the pic when i finish, but i still need to know how to use those safety joints..
YorkshireHi Bearyfun, with plastic joints you have two peices, one like a polo mint (round with a hole in the middle) and the other like a plastic screw. This website may help
Artist Bears by LesleyHello again,
I have looked in one of my bear books, they say the joints are put in place before the bear is stuffed because they are pushed together so both sides must be on a firm base to get a tight fit. joints can be tightened placing a safety joint punch onto the stem, over the metal or plastic washer and tapping the joint firmly with a hammer as far down the stem as possible.
So It looks like there is a special safety joint tool needed. Although the joints you have may be a more modern version? Lock nut and bolt joints are very easy to use but you need a tightening tool for these too. There are good bear making supply sites on-line, I'm not sure I'm allowed to mention them on here but if you type - bear making supplies into google you will see them, they stock all the tools and more.
Good luck and cant wait to see your finished bear x
Hi Bearyfun 
I have a daughter your age, so I think it is awesome that you are making bears !! The safety joints are pretty easy to use but you have to push them together REALLY hard sometimes. Once they are locked together they are almost impossible to pull apart.
I just took these pictures to help explain how they work. I hope they help you understand better, pictures always help me.
1) I assume your joint has 3 pieces like this ( maybe not the same colors though )
2) They go together like this :
3) I used an arm as an example here. The long joint goes through a hole you make on the inner arm (side that touches the body ) . Then through a hole in the side of the body. It will stick out inside the bears body.
Then attach the disk (it's black in my example). Over the disk, attach the smaller circle . That is the part that you have to push really hard with your thumbs as far as you can. It will make a noise as it moves over the joint.
4) Here is what it looks like side on all attached. It will be all squished tightly together when you do it though :)
Does that make sense ??? I can't wait to see your bear when it is done !
Cutiepie Bearsthx uall!!! i think i know how to use it now thx ;)
P.S. be sure to keep checking, though, i will most likely post the finished bear 
thx again 
Matilda Huggington-beareBrilliant tutorial Tammy. they can be fiddly things to explain.
I think it is truely marvelous Bearyfun that you have decided to give bear making ago.
I hope all works out well and we get to see the photos. :dance:
Wendy
Cutiepie Bearsthank u matilda :hug:
awesome tutorial Tammy!
Welcome to TT bearyfun, that is awesome you have started making bears, can't wait to see the finished bear!
Happy bear making!
Hugs
Krista
Cutiepie Bearsu too, krista happy bear making by the way...how to make good bear clothes? just a little extra thing..then i can show u guys the finished product. i didnt safety joint it, though, i used a much cheaper method of jointing it that actually works. and the price? o$ to joint, hehe..
P.S. u can joint it that way by taking those thingymajigs in the supermarkets that are used to tie up bags. it's really just wire, so scratch off the red stuff, and u can put it through buttons. enclose the wire ends, and voila...O$ joint.
bye. by the way, also, how to show pics? sry for being such a annoying question person..hehe... 
just plese help:)
Artist Bears by LesleyHi Bearyfun, well done very creative, hows your bear coming along? what are you going to name him? You could knit him a hat, keep his ears warm 
Cutiepie Bearshi off the paw i think im going to make my bear a girl. i ran out of stuffing, so my mom is getting me more, but by the end of this week, i defeniteley will be finished. i made my bear a cooking bear, with a little baggie to put her cooking supplies, foods, and a paper with her secret ingredient. i made her a pretty, white apron, and i dont know what to name her , yet. if u have a name suggestion, that will be very helpful
P.S. her secret ingredient is a pinch of love and friendship. hehe..
Artist Bears by LesleyHi Bearyfun, She sounds like a wonderful bear. My bears usually tell me their name when they are just about finished, I'm sure your bear will too, looking forward to seeing her photos, well it's bedtime in Scotland now, so goodnight and happy bear making
Cutiepie Bearsok off the paw ill post it as soon as possible.
Cutiepie Bearsenjoy!
