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Jare Hares & Bears Jare Hares & Bears
Polo, IL
Posts: 983
Tami E wrote:

I've just gotta say, again, there are some really fine looking "early/first bears" folks! It is cool to see the changes in style.
Well...MY early bears really look the part.  I like to think that I have come a long way.

Here's Hunnypaws:
IMG_3452.JPG

And here's Baxter:
IMG_3454.JPG

I remember that fabric used on Hunnypaws. Used tons of it.
I also remeber that Baxter pattern, my mom made him up. My aunt liked that pattern and used it a ton when she was making bears... Well for about 3 years.

Judi Luxembears
Luxemburg, Wisconsin
Posts: 7,379

bears-2091.jpgOh my..here we go..EARLY...  This bear is made from real fox fur and alpaca fur.  I can't believe I actually have older photos in my computer files.  I huess I need to do some "cleaning" up!

bears2075open-mouth.jpg


and one more early photo:
bears_2086.jpg


My newest designs are not yet photograpghed but these are more of what I make now:


Sherwood-and-son-02.jpg


It's really nice to see all the "retro" and "now" bears. :photo:

Tami E Tami Eveslage Original Teddy Bears
Milford Ohio
Posts: 2,367

Jared, where are your early bears? I made a ton of Baxters too. I think the pattern was called "Biscuit". It was in a Specialty Better Homes and Gardens Magazine about Teddy Bears. I had made bears before that, but that magazine was the first I heard about artist  bears and mohair. I thought, "Hey, I'm a Teddy Bear artist."

Judi, I love that little cutie! Is he real fur? Do you still have him.

kerrenmorris K M Bears
UK
Posts: 349
Website

saulc.jpgPandoras.jpggeorges.jpgfern.jpgjuliette.jpgthese are a few of my early bears, Saul is one of my 2006 bears
Kerren x

MKinsey/TBF Teddy Bear and Friends
Lancaster PA
Posts: 390

MKinsey/TBF Editor of Teddy Bear and Friends

Great topic! It's fun to see not only how some people's designs have changed, but how others' really haven't -- their style was evident from day one.

This reminds me, I'm looking for artists who were working in the early 80s -- 1983 and earlier. If you were, know anyone who was, or remember any names from shows, magazines, etc., please PM me at mkinsey@madavor.com.

Cheers!
Mindy

Love Bud Bears Love Bud Bears by Sandy
New Jersey
Posts: 224

jozzy.jpgbabylil_21.jpgBaby the pink bear is my very first from my own pattern.
Jocelyn is my most recent

wendi Toggle Teddies
Derbyshire
Posts: 597
Website

Oh dear bear_cry

My very first practice bear made of a very cheap synthetic fabric... 'frankin'  better known as 'frankinstien'...i wonder why :lol:

Frankin.JPG



and then one of my latest...'Scraggles'

scraggles.JPG

Pumpkin & Pickle Bears Pumpkin & Pickle Bears
East Sussex
Posts: 2,047

Everyone's bears are great!!!

Wendi, I just LOVE Scraggles!! I am lucky enough to own one of your bears - a collector found she had to sell some of her collection....it's Chocolate and I love him SOOOO much!!!

wendi Toggle Teddies
Derbyshire
Posts: 597
Website

Thanks Gemma, I love making these little ones bear_wub

So Chocolate has packed his bags and moved home has he bear_grin  glad he has a lovely new home with you, give him a hug from me bear_original

Marion Acid Attic Bears
Versailles
Posts: 2,284

I really love this topic ! I'm a little late but I would like to play too bear_original bear_original.

Here are the first bears of my own design :
jules_presentation.png ulysse_bonne_presentation.png

And here are some of my latest ones :
sandpetit.jpg faune_petit.jpg

BearBottoms 'Bear' Bottoms Originals
Ft. Bragg, NC
Posts: 2,465

Wow, it's been forever since I've been on here... Hi everyone, I'm baaaaaaaaack!  Well, this looks like tons of fun so I'm going to pop in a pic of a couple of my earlier bears... please all don't run, screaming, from the room... lol  bear_laugh I'm just kidding....  I like to think I have come a long way in one year... I dunno...  bear_wacko

My very first bear I ever made, Cosmo:
cosmosmall.JPG
My first big bear, Joshua:
JoshuaBear.JPG
A couple of my first minis:
Emilysmall1.jpg
Benjamin10.JPG

And my most recent bears:
Daniel_5.JPG
Caroline_1.JPG
Austin_4.JPG

It is so great to see how far everyone has come and how people have changed their style/kept the same styles...etc.  This is a wonderful topic!!! :)

Kimberly W.

Chowlea Bears Chowlea Bears
Posts: 602

I'd like to thank everyone whose posted on this thread - I've really enjoyed it and learned from it.

Its amazing to see that everyone's identifiable characteristics were there right from the start - kinda scary too- you all seem to have hit the ground running.

It seems that you've all refined your techniques whilst staying true to your original idea.

That my humble opinion anyhow  :redface:

Peggy Lakeland Teddies
Bonnyville, Alberta
Posts: 221

Avery-001b.jpgHi. I'm still a beginner and have been afraid to post any pictures. I think I'm finally ready to post one now so here it is. This is Avery.

Peggy

chris009av Real Deal Bears
Posts: 2,234

OH Peggy what a charmer for your first bear  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:
I will have to see what I have stashed in the back of the cupboard  bear_grin

Francesca KALEideaSCOPE
Rheinfelden
Posts: 1,306
Website

One of the first bears that I designed, Drugo:
1373387829_drugo_tt.jpg
One more recent bear, Kenzo:
1373388008_kenzo_tt1.jpg

Wow, it seems like ages!  bear_original  bear_original

KJ Lyons KJ Lyons Design
Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,413
Website

redtiger2001-10.jpgSadly one of my collectors has passed away and I see three of my 2001 cats up on ebay being sold by an Estate Buyer. I never keep any of my pieces so it was like looking back into the beginning of my cat era  :photo: I never realized how my style has changed. Although I seldom create Red Tigers anymore. Lately it's more character cats and wild cats.
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

edmondnutmeg Padfield bears
Derbyshire
Posts: 1,343
Website

Just found this old thread and really loved it - thought some of the other newbees (like myself) would appreciate a look. Thank you to all who
Michelle x

All Bear All Bear by Paula
Kent
Posts: 5,162
Website

Great idea Michelle, this is a lovely thread!  I'd like to add a couple more pics ... how about this time an early traditional teddy bear of mine from the mid 1990's and my most recent ...

1372927876_orwell.jpg

This was Orwell, made about fifteen years ago or so.  He was about 24" tall and I made him in an edition of about ten bears, which sold out. I was thrilled with him at the time and even now, still think he had lots of charm.  He was the first traditional bear I made that I felt completely happy with. :)

1372928042_chester600.jpg

And this is 'Chester', a 19" traditional teddy bear.  I finished him a couple of days ago and as you can see, his design is a little more 'refined'!

Tatty Bears South Australia
Posts: 305

1372930508_image.jpg

First bear on the left, latest bear on the right,
I've only been bear making for 18 months but I think I've come a long way  bear_grin

clwilmot HandmadebyCarrie
Tallmadge, Ohio
Posts: 890
Website

how fun!!  Let me see if I can find the pics:)
1372944315_002.jpg
1372944379_009.jpg
The brown one is the first bear I ever made!!!

ttilmo Totally Teddy Bears
Posts: 4
Website

What a fantastic thread. I have really enjoyed seeing how everyone has developed over the years.  bear_wub

LittleButtonMeadow Button Meadow Bears
Devon
Posts: 610
Website

What a great post, even though some what embarrassing!
Well here we go...
Before
1373386655_img_0447.jpg
1373386694_dsc01863.jpg

Now!
1373386734_3j.jpg
1373386755_9d.jpg

I still like the flower and butterfly thing!

threadteds ThReAdTeDs®
Posts: 350
Website

threadteds Banner Sponsor

1373648504_thread-bear-2000.jpg 1373648534_thread-bear-2001.jpg 1373648551_thread-bear-2002.jpg 1373648571_thread-bear-2003.jpg 1373648601_thread-bears-2004.jpg 1373648624_thread-bear-2005.jpg 1373648643_thread-bear-2006.jpg 1373648661_thread-bear-2007.jpg 1373648689_thread-bears-2008.jpg 1373648709_thread-bear-2009.jpg 1373648727_thread-bear-2010.jpg 1373648753_thread-bears-2011.jpg 1373648771_thread-bear-2012.jpg 1373648791_thread-bears-2013.jpg

I loved seeing your pictures in this thread,  and got curious about my own work from the beginning. Some I had not seen for a long time as I saved those to a hard disk, which usually is not connected to my computer.  Maybe I should make a book with all the bears I have made through the years.. that would be a very thick book  bear_rolleyes 

Like the first day, I still love playing with design and shape. I think not only my bears have improved..also the photo-camera I used then and now is a lot difference bear_grin

Time is flying!!
Berta

Caroline D Posts: 150
Website

Funny, just the other day I was thinking about some of my old makes and wondering whether it would be appropriate to put pics up here and then someone revives this thread.

I can't even remember exactly what year these were made, except that, I fell in love with borzois when I worked at a vet when I was 16- 17, so that makes this one about 1978. He was actually airbrushed, with acrylic paint, on long white fur.
1375735198_borzoi.jpg

He never had a name, but he did once give a fright to a guy who was afraid of dogs!

This was Marshmallow. He was 'filled' with lentils, hence his saggy appearance!
1375735283_marshmallow.jpg

I think he was about the same time.

This is Music. He was actually a painted sweat shirt first, but this isn't a sweatshirt forum! He was made from fairly cheap lining fabric and the kind of crappy fur fabric that was around at the time. I think he was made in the early 80's.
1375735388_music_1.jpg
1375735417_music_2.jpg

And this is my latest bear, whom I feel proud enough of to call an actual artist bear. He has an open mouth, Fimo eyelids and nose, and epoxy resin claws. He's not completely finished yet, needs a bit more  scissor sculpting and I haven't even got a name for him yet, but I think he's my best so far, starting to have character.
1375736458_red_2.jpg

1375736326_red_3.jpg

Cosette Lai Posts: 19

Hi ~ I really like this topic. Here is my first and recent bear.

First Bear

Recent Bear

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