Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Oh I feel a special affinity for this bear 
She is simply adorable - but of course I just admire your bears so so much - there faces are incredible - this little darling especially so
:hug: :hug:
Anne

Thank you Jenny, Penny, Denise,
Cocoa Cream is now somewhere mid atlantic I hope winging his way to Peabody.
:hug: :hug:
Anne

Hmm I think that I am in the hoarding league - I have a bear room - not a work room cos I make bears in the livingroom ( maybe you would call it lounge) anyway the bear room has a nine drawer chest with mohair in 8 of the drawers - the last drawer is some mini mohair - Then I have a pine chest full of stuffing and of course the big box I just boought the other week about 12 kgs - Then I have the 3 boxes two linen baskets and a couple of drawers downstairs with assorted faux and mini fabric - then I have m;y work trolley which has tools, thread, perle cotton, ultrasuede etc in it (it is only 2feet high) Then I have another 9 drawer chest which has fabric - velvet through cotton through fleece through oh and I have a merchant chest (12 drawers ) stuffed with ribbon, buttons, hats, dolls house accessories, beads, pendants, and to cap it all there are the other 1,2,3 oh can't count any more anyway boxes on the living room floor with things like joints, eyes, bits of bears I dont like, cut out bears, patterns, pens, postage items ..........................
I think I hoard too much - and I just could not resist that little bargain piece of fabric on ebay yesterday or the box of faux sable scraps from fabulous furs the other day - okay so I figure I should be able to make maybe a lot of bears with this lot and after all ......................
No the truth is I am a hoarder and a bit of a compulsive buyer when it comes to fabric.
Hangs head in shame  :redface: :redface:
Oh well better go and sew another bear or two - lots of stores to use up
Oh dear was this a bit like bearing  my soul
:hug: :hug:
Anne

I use polyester too - a mid quality - or so the man said when I ordered it -
but for little tiny bears - 2" or less I use kapok and use fine nose pointy tweezers to stuff with - then a teeny little pillow of either steel shot or glass beads but I have to say that really tiny ones also take ages to fill that way.   :rolleyes:
I would love to know how people get minis really heavy - like  some I have held at fairs - I can just fit in enough weighting so that little ones balance right but they never seem to have that 'substantial' feel of others I have encountered - if anyone knows the answer I would be ever so grateful 
:hug: :hug:
Anne

Hi Matilda,
I think he is just fantastic - I think you did great photos - I can never figure out just what lighting conditions or whatever for photos (that and my partner does them really  ) But I want them done usually in a rush cos a bear has to be somewhere or I want to put it on ebay that day/night - I do love digital cameras - you can expunge any mistakes - bit like a large eraser
Anyways he is super - well done especially with the dying never mind the aritistic design  :clap: :clap:
:hug: :hug:
Anne

Kim - such a little wonder again  you are just so so clever  :cool:
I am working on a little wedding mini pair for one of the lady superitendants at work(her daughter is getting married at the beginning of november) I will post a picture when complete.
Also just got some faux sable from Fabulous furs it is superb but there is much more than I thought there would be - hmm nto sure what to do with it - one of the girls in work suggested a life size bear - I told her the stuffing might be a problem 
Looking forward to seeing lots more minis here
:hug: :hug:
Anne

Thanks Intercal too    
Great idea, well done too advisors 
:hug:
Anne

Daphne - thanks so much for adding me to your page - I am sooo proud to be in such auspicious company there 
You are wonderful for taking the time to do it :thumbsup:
:hug: :hug: :hug:
Hi To all you other ladies, Karen, Julia(and Anastasia), Clare and anyone else watching  great to see you - I agree with Shantell 'bearutiful'  :thumbsup:
:hug: :hug: :hug:
Anne

What great names - thanks ladies
I am going for Cocoa Cookie - I reckon all pandas should have double barrelled names - so off to do his tag etc and get him posted asap.
Penny I am particularly glad you like him - I wanted to do a good job for such a very great cause
:hug: :hug:
Anne

I totally agree Debbie you are another beautiful bear artist
Glad to meet you
:hug:
Anne

I love you forever Pipa  And you too Kim   
Such compliments from delightful young ladies
I just got to show the others in work your comments tomorro - they will be pig sick
:hug: :hug:
Anne

OOps how did you picture me Pipa, short and furry?? :hug: :hug:
Anne

I have just read through this string and what a beautiful bunch every single one of you
And I think that talent shines out of your eyes - or do I mean bear eyes  - hmm
It is wonderful to see pictures of people even if some of them make me jealous - okay joking
Well I am raging towards my ......... year - hmm no I cannot bear to say it - but I decided to look for a picture of me to post to share.
I had a choice of me when Julianne (who is my daughter's daughter was a baby - she is now five OR me last year I think at a bear fair - or if I wait to go back to work I could find one of me at my students graduation)
So I decided to post the two I have and you can tell me if I look short and furry like my bears
Please honesty now   ;)
:hug: :hug:
Anne

Hi all, just thought you might like to see this little guy for Progeria Research - I am a little late to finish and now he urgently needs a name - anyone want to help ??
He will be packed tonite and sent tomorrow
:hug:
Anne

Oh my I have went away for a short break - came back with a raging cold and have hardly done any computer related things - have not had time to talk on TT or even see all the bears emerging. 
Daphne and Winney - so sorry you have medical issues - I do hope that things improve in the very very near future for you - I am hoping a virtual hug  :hug: :hug: :hug: might make you smile for a moment  :thumbsup:
With the swapping
Please, please can I play too??
I would love to swap with anyone!! if anyone would consider me - I will try my hand making any size - but mostly do small/miniature nowadays (take sooo long to stuff bigger bears  )
I think I have read all seven pages now and I figure that the swap would be after Christmas is that right??
I would just love to swap with anyone at all on TT - I think all the avatars and all the bears in showcase and all the other pictures are FABULOUS!! :clap: :clap: :clap:
I would be most proud to have any ones creation as a swap
I was lucky recently and now have a kimbee bear - Whae hae she is absolutely adorable  :cool:
But back to the swap - may I play too ??(after christmas is my only preference )
I will be happy with any other parts of arrangements made
Now I really must go and catch up with all the new bears on show
:hug: :hug: :hug: and good wishes to all especially those who have not been very well
Anne

Hi Fran
I think myself lucky that I found bear making  :)-
I only manage to make bears at night as I work full time lecturing in a college but ooohh I would so miss it infact we are going away tomorro for a couple of days hols and I will be taking bear parts with me to sew - I would go absolutely loopy with nothing for my hands to do at night - and for selling bears - well I have only now managed to sell regularly through ebay( ocassional bear order through my web site  :D)  - this way I can now fund more wonderful fabrics!! - or maybe pay for those that I have bought when I could not resist them !!!   
:hug:  :hug:
Anne

On table : A display of business cards encourage browsers to take one
               Some picture postcards of my different bears  - make sure each person who adopts a bear gets one or if some one admires a bear too
A bowl of sweets - encourage people to help themselves they may stay and chat while they chew  :)
at the back of the table - pen - so they can write you a cheque
A folder with previous bears pictures - they might see one they would like to commission

Under table : Bags or boxes for bears to go to new homes
                    Tissue to go in bags/boxes for bears to be comfee
                     little scented sachets - to go in bag/box with bears
                     Spare name tags - some people look for bears who have special names for loved ones
                     Notepad - incase someone wants to be added to your mailing list
                     Cash container - I have a little petty cash metal locking box   -
                         take some appropriate change with you too
For you - some teddy bits to sew or some teddy garment knitting - helps you if it is a bit of a lull and is a conversation piece with some collectors
Sandwiches, snacks, chocolate, drinks

Oh does it look like I take a truck - sorry but I have found all of these things useful at fairs - maybe some of the others would disagree or even add to the items
Hope this helps a little
:hug:
Anne

Rita,
I know that your confidence has taken a knock - I divorced my ex husband for cruelty in 1980 - phew such a long time ago - and I was a wreck for a while till I looked in the mirror and decided I wanted to be me again.

Your are not to blame for what someone else does to you - they are!!

I believe that everyone will get their just reward for their deeds in the end so your rat of a husband will too !! :twisted:

Like the others have said - please go as quickly as possible to a legal advisor - they can be soo supportive and they will organise things for you - so you cannot lose out!!

Your future will be bright - as you are obviously a very talented artist and business lady - and so young too  :)
I send you loving hugs and hope that you soon feel better
Please remember you are not alone !!
:hug:  :hug:
Anne

Really good site design - easy to navigate - easy on the eye (colours of graphic border and centr epastel and soothing to read on ) not too busy with text lovely pictures - I think you have done very well and of course all the links worked too
I really like your site design  :D
Of course the bears are great too  :clap:
Do you make the PJs and dresses too??
they made me smile  :)
:hug:  :hug:
anne

Sahmus is such fun - really fabulous character !!
Have a great time in Turkey   
Envious  :hug:
Anne

He's just absolutely great!!
His photo is superb and his fur looks so cuddly - all over Great Bear  :love:
Well done!!  :clap:  :clap:
Hugs
Anne

Hi Mandy,
Haven't met yet but I have seen your little ones on ebay - very nice  :clap:
Maybe you could try this lady who makes little ones herself and sometimes has long pile available
Cheri's Little Bits and Bears
http://cheribears.virtualave.net/Html/b … pplies.htm
if I didn't post thelink so you can just click - copy the line above this into your browser address bar - Sassys bears and fabrics long pile is great to work with too - just another option for you to try
Hugs
Anne

I got acrylic nails in April of this year - desparate desire to be glamourous for a day or so -  :rolleyes:
of course did not think of how I would manage to hand sew(do all my bears that way! or mould noses or anything
Nails - fabulous
sewing - welll after a couple of nights of withdrawal symptoms (or did I last even that long :redface: )
I managed to sew and finish with little problem I was actually quite proud of myself
So it is possible ladies if you have not tried it - nothing can keep a bear maker off creation!!
Anne

Hi Shelli and everyone,
I thought since I make quite a few mini - miniatures I would contribute  :rolleyes:
Preparation:
Assemble tools/materials:
    Fabric, Paw pad material (options if you are cutting >1 bear at a time)
    Fray Stop
    Needles
    Awl
    Tweezers - Needle nose
    Pliers - Needle nose
    Matching Threads
    Small scissors eg embroidery scissors
    Freezer food bag to keep bear parts in
    Set of joints ( eg 6" bear = 10mm joints, 3" bear 6mm or 7mm joints)
    True Eyes set 2- 5mm
     

a)   Match fabric to size of bear I want to make

b)   Place pattern on fabric considering best use of available fabric

c)   Draw around pattern changing seam allowance according to fabric pile ( ie smaller for short pile maybe 1/8th inch , larger for long pile or plush)

d)   Match paw pad matrial to fabric and outline paw pads

e)   Using very small embroidery scissors cut around pattern in bear fabric and paw pads material

f)    Assemble all pieces to check I have every body part included

g)    Fray check (I use impex fray stop - this is white glutenous sticky and dries clear resin finish) all bear parts

h)    Dependant of fabric eg long pile/plush  - trim all seam allowances back to backing material

i)     Check body parts equal eg match right leg against left leg for correct sizing - trim and fray check again where necessary

j)     Holding in hand Sew parts in the following order using a small size 10 or 12 needle and very tiny backstitch :
        Head first including gusset where required - starting with the seam at the nose - sew left side from front of nose to neck, sew right side from neck to front of nose
        Arms ensuring that a suitable gap is left to insert joint and stuffing
        Legs
        Body
        Ears
k)     Once all bear parts sewn use heomostats to turn (for tiny tiny bears I have used a matchstick before)

l)      Check seams to ensure no pile caught in seams if any caught use needle to free

m)      Use Awl to make appropriate hole for insertion of joint in each limb
         insert joints in all limbs

n)      Stuff with kapok/ polyester using either heomostats or tweezers

0)       Order of stuffing is - head, leg, arm, leg, arm - finish closing seam in each in turn

p)       Attach ears to head using running stitch and pulling close to stuffed head

q)        True eyes to choose eye position

r)        Needle sculpt eyes socket

s)         Use awl to create hole for eye - attach thread to eye and secure ( flatten wire loop if using looped glass eyes)

t)         Using long doll needle or similar insert each eye in newly made hole for each drawing through to chosen position (eg base of head or back of ears).

u)         Secure eyes and sink thread in head

v)        trim nose area

w)        Outline nose shape with pearl  waxed cotton

x)         fill nose and create mouth

y)          Joint head to body using needle nose pliers for turning of cotter pin, joint arms, then legs

z)           Add tush tag, complete stuffing body including little pillow of weighting  eg steel shot/glass beads(prepared earlier), finish nose

Oh boy do I go on - isn't it just as well the alphabet only has 26 letters     
Thats what happens when I decide to contribute - sorry if anyone reading is now yawning and off mini/miniature making now - it is great fun and I sit for hours in front of television doing it!!
Sorry for boring  :redface: but since I typed it now I will post

Hugs Anne

Hi Winney,
Quite amazing tracing family back isn't it Unfortunately my own association with Renfrew is only 3 years but my cousin has lived here for about 20 and a guy I work with - his wife is a minister locally - I wonder if any of them know Renfrew named families that still live in the area? Want me to ask?
Hugs
Anne