Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Even ugly bunnies deserve a good home, and beauty is always in the eyes of the beholder right?  I always thought he was cute
Joanne

Couldn't be any cuter.  What an adorable dog
Joanne

Thanks for that,  It was wonderful
Joanne

Dear Sophie, I work at a school,  I have seen the junior high kid's sewing projects, kids with no disabilities.  I don't think would have done a teddy bear as nice as your little ones have done.  I hope they are very proud of themselves, they should be.  All the bears are wonderful
Joanne

I have a  small collection of antique and vintage bears.  I just love the well loved look. I just today purchased my very first artist bear from Christine the Lonely Artist.  I can't wait to see her in person, it may be the beginning of a whole new collection.
Joanne

I take my iinspiration for my bears from where I live.  I live in the desert southwest,  They place of cowboys and Indians, and all the fun wild west history.  The stories and characters are endless.  I bet where you live in Minnesota there is a very unique history, that might help give you inspiration
Joanne

Dear Sheryl,  I rarely chime in on things that are posted in the general section here ( although here I am posting)  but I do try to get on everyday and look at the bears and post comments.  As someone who makes bears, posts them and then sells them,  I know what it means to me when people like you post a kind word,  just makes my day,   don't let one person ruin it for you.
Joanne

Judi,  Both children and lamb are gorgeous,  I have just purchased raw wool for the first time,  I usually buy it washed.  I have been washing it for two days now, and it is not that hard.  Wash it first to get all the grease out and then card.  It is a real treat to see this smelly dirty wool come out so white and fluffy.  When it is time to shear her I'm sure you'll get lots of help on how to clean it
Joanne

I'll say thanks Debbie,  I knew nothing about the pile of fur I have hiding in my closet, now I will go through it and give it a once over
Joanne

I was just on ebay today looking at their doll and baby clothes,  They have wonderful vintage clothing
Joanne

Jacky,  I do the same, I always card the wool first, this is my own preference,  I like it loose and fluffy.  I also cut it into smaller pieces, about two - three inches in length.  I pull it in different directions,  keeping it fluffy.  Then I lay it on the muzzle small amounts at a time, and needle it till it's hard, then I just keep adding more until it gets to the right shape  Hope this helps
Joanne

This beautiful story helps me to remember that God is a part of all of us, just like we are all a part of him.   Thank you for posting it,  it is so nice to hear of the good things in life, instead of only the bad
Joanne

Dear Tami,  You have done a wonderful job on you websight,  I reminds me of looking through a beautifully illustrated children's book, very nice
Joanne

Dear Melisa,  When I first began making bears 20 years ago I used a machine,  It is very quick,  I sold bears at shows and it is great to be able to make up bears quickly.  I don't use it any more,  It takes me much longer now, but I hand sew all the bears, large and small. For myself I fell like I have much more control over where the stitching goes, and I can use smaller seam allowances, which I like.  My cheap brother machine has sewed probably hundreds of bears and it still works great, I would buy another one
Joanne

I liive in a desert that is surrounded by mountains.  I was driving one day and saw a road sign desertmountain road.  I knew it was the right name
Joanne

I use upholstery thread or mastix for hand stitching my bears.  I use nymo which is a nylon beading thread which comes in different weights and many many different colors for stitching on paw pads, that way I can match the thread to the color of leather I am using.  I keep a block of bees wax and wax all the thread I use.  For soft sculpting I use fishing line (monofiliment) in a 12 lb test.  It is thin and very strong.  I have broken upholstery thread when pulling toes, but I rarely break fishing line.  You do need to work this back and forth a few times so it wont loose tension, it is slippery
Joanne

I will laugh all day long.  If she wouldn't have taken care of him so well,  I would have liked to have had that pleasure myself.

This bear looks real.  I would love to see more pictures.  Do you have them posted somewhere?  What beautiful artistry
Joanne

He just adores her.  She is lucky, and very beautiful
Joanne

Dear Alexis,  I have had the same  Brother machine for the past 20 years.  I hand stitch bears now, but I have stitched every kind of fabric, and even leather on that thing.  I use a size #16 needle on heavy fabrics.  I think you just have the wrong size needle.  My machine is just a plain (cheap) one, and it is a work horse
Joanne

Wow! you are a much better person than I.  I am still just learning how to use mine.  Your first page is beautiful

Deat Tami,  I bought photoshop elements 6 too a couple of weeks ago.  I was pulling out my hair, then I went online and purchased a book called photoshop elements 6 the missing manual.  It is in the process of answering all my questions
Joanne

How lucky are you,  I love to have the birds come visit

Marion,  What a wonderful article. Your bears are just simply beautiful
Joanne

I always attach the head first, then the legs and then the arms.  Then I stuff, and a lot of the time I have to unstuff and reposition arms or legs again to make them just right.
Joanne