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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
I think if you were to make bears out of the dresses, line the bear parts with good quality muslin. This gives it more stability when sewing and the seams are protected when stuffing. Just like when we sew with real fur. Oh and fray-check it too.
Dear Geralye I hope you heal fast. I know it hurts. The medical term for tennis elbow is tendonitis. I had it in both arms and it was very painful. I was on Ibuprofen which helped. But you need to rest the arm, which means no more housework for you!! I know, horrors or horrors, but you must force yourself to stay away from it or any other kind of lifting for it will prolong the recovery. So you must resort to other family members doing the heavy stuff around the house (or hire a housekeeper for a once a month heavy cleaning). For me it took several months with two arm "air" casts before it healed. . I couldn't even sew bears it was that painful.
Speady recovery! :hug: :hug:
This is my closet where I keep all my bear making supplies. It is in my second bedroom where it shares space with my computer and guest bed. I feel that as time goes on I need more space. I am seriously considering taking over the second living room downstairs and making it into a studio. My Michael may have a different opinion for that is his "man-cave". So for now this will have to do BUT, there may be feathers flying down the road if I have a mind to expand downstairs.
wow!!! That is a brave mouse in deed!
I love Nancy Tillberg's book on making bears with real fur. It is full of good information and tips. You can get it off of Amazon.com:
That is so sweet! 
In 1995 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following my mastectomy a nurse gave me a Sojourn Bear. It was made by a group of volunteers who made bears for adult cancer survivors. I was so touch that when I felt better, I contacted the coordinator of this group to volunteer. I did not know how to sew but felt compelled to something. A kind woman in this group taught me how to sew a mini bear. Thus my love of bears began. I have not stopped learning to this day. Though I sew bears for a hobby, I feel I must challenge myself to make better bears. This year I enrolled in drawing classes at the local community college to increase my drawing and art skills. I hope to use this to be better in my bear making abilities....So that is my story....
Ann-Marie: thanks for the website...I never heard of garnet sand before.....
Linda: what a great idea to keep the pellets in sauce bottles...what a wonderful tip!
Great tips everybody. So the majority of you just put the pellets in free form, meaning sprinkled into the tummy without a pouch. For the feet, just fill until the bear stands. I found copper coated BB’s has a nice weight. I use to buy them at Wal-Mart. they are very heavy but they are too big for real little bears. I never used garnet. What is that and where can you find it?
What great news. Congratulations. :clap: :clap: :clap:
Can some of you share how you weigh down your mini teddy bears? Do you sew a little pouch and put it in the belly with the steel pellets or glass sand, or do you put them loose at the bottom of the belly? Is there strategy in where you put the weights? Can anybody help?
Yuck...yuck, yuck....triple yuck!!! There are strange people out there.....
Wow...that must be a booming business for I'd put my pet there if needed.
What a cutie pie! I hope his arm heals so he can grow into a big healthy boy! :hug:
One tip is that you hand sew the nose area so that you can get the lines streight. It looks like an interesting pattern. Post pictures so we can see what your bear looks like.
Dear Susan: I remember when you wrote about Bobbie. My goodness how time flies. Bobbie sounds like pure joy to have. :hug:
Michelle Lamb wrote a wonderful story involving her pirate bear and copyright issues. I can't find it but in short, she said that other people’s bears are really just bits and pieces of other bears done over the years and centuries. That she is fine with people taking inspiration form her bears for they will never be exactly the same.
If anybody can find that post or write up please post it, I think it will be helpful to others and feel better about their work that may resemble other people’s bears.
Dear Karon: That is good news. Pets are healing for the soul. Enjoy Angel. Don't forget to post pictures. :hug:
Alison: thank you. I would never have thought of that!
Larua Lynn: Thank you for the tip.
Thanks Beth. Good ideas. I always wondered how to put them in without pulling out. So the answer is glue?
Hello Teddy Bear Friends: I have seen so many cute bears and other critters with antennas. I wonder if somebody can give tips on how you attach them so they don't pull out?
Well I'm glad the little fella has a good home with you. You have a kind heart! :hug: :hug:
Oh Sue Ann- animals are so healing. Thank goodness you had your dog.
Cindee- you have been through so much. My heart does go out to you....
Laura - It is hard growing up without love, but look at you now. You have a loving husband!
Kelly: I know you will love the book. It is full of wonderful tips and information. Enjoy!
I remember studying Harlow and I too was heartbroken about those poor monkeys having to chose between food and a warm cuddly surrogate. I know the experiment provided groundbreaking data for us to look at child rearing and emotional development. I am now a license clinician did 13 years of direct patient care before moving into management. So this post is right up my ally.
Cyndee talked about her adopted son. Very sad situation no matter how much love was given. He was eight when he came to live with her family. Personalities are really developed from birth up to age six. So those first six years are critical in providing love, security, shelter and food (Maslow's hierarchy of needs). It breaks my heart when you see emotional and physical abuse happening to small children. It can damage them for life. When I did direct patient care with families with children, I made sure they understand how their (parents) behavior can impact their children. They need to make sure they communicate love to their children even if they have to correct naughty behavior. When parents are screaming and shouting at their children, they are out of control. It's a reactive move that is not a good thing for their kids. Rather, when the parent is angry they need to take a time out for themselves before dealing with their child so abuse does not occur like hitting (this is very bad). They need to deal with naughty children in a calm rational manner (this is hard but is a "must") explaining the rules or correct behavior that needs to be seen. Time-outs should never be lengthy. For a 5 year old, five minutes is an eternity. So time outs should be age appropriate. Give the child a chance to correct themselves and than praise them for it (very important). Oh, I can go on and on....
