Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Brenda and Shantell- Thank you for your quick responses and links.

Shelli- Firsty, wow! I am so excited that you responded to my thread. Your Alice in Wonderland card was the reason that I even started to look at ATC's. Its stunning. Very interesting information on ATC's. I may have to get into it as soon as I finish creating my websites. Thank you! 

Dilu- That is how I figured it to be also. I figured that since there are a few artists that I cannot afford that I could at least keep their ATC's to have a "piece" of their art. Thank you!

What are they used for? What do you do with them? What size are they? I just want to know everything. Are they like sport trading cards but have your art on them? I am totally confused! Sadly I cant draw worth a lick so I wont be making any anyway but they interest me. Also can you collect them even if you dont have some for trade? Ok done with the interrogation for now! 

*** Update*** Ok so I changed the needle and that did solve my problem. Not only that but I needed to make a net for my spool of thread. For some reason it kept curling underneath the spool and causing it to pull. Which also could have been the reason for my broken needle. Anyway, I am currently using the size 18 needle and I didnt have to change the tension much, added the net and I am good to go. I agree with Tim though that my brother really does punch hard into the fabric. Doesnt matter since it sews it but it does bother me to hear it punch through. For now my brother will have to work as I dont have the extra money to buy a new one. Thanks everyone for the suggestions, advice, and help. It was truly appreciated and so far so good with machine sewing! It certainly is a bunch quicker for me! Thanks! :hug:

Wendy- SO good to know! I had some local upholstery velvet here and was using my regular Guttermans thread to hand stitich and that was exactly how I felt. It was insanely annoying. I will make sure to purchase some of the thread too! Thanks!

Thanks Jeremy! I dont know you but wanted to at least say thanks!   Also Happy Mothers Day to all the other mommies out there! 

Oh Fanastic! That would help so much! Thank you!

YUM! :dance: Stephanie you are killing me!

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will just keep trying is small amounts since my budget cannot afford a huge amount right now anyway. THANKS!

I must be weird but I adore all sizes of bears. I have always handstitched my bears and recently started using my machine for the larger ones. I had been snooping around in the archives looking for info to make a mini since I still want to do some totally handstitched bears and found info for Sassy fabrics. I went to the site and not only does Stephanie have a TON of products but everything is beautiful! Well I need to make an order and I have NO idea what to choose!    How did you decide? Should I just close my eyes and press keys and add whatever to my cart?  I mean I am sure I wont be disappointed no matter what I get.

Side note: I WAS going to just email Stephanie herself and ask questions but maybe there are other Sassy newbies like me that could use the advice and help too! I hope I am not the only ninny anyway!  :redface:

I haven't had anything pulled from Ebay before since I usually don't list there but seriously who has the time to sit there and police Ebay. I certainly don't. I can't even imagine looking through tons of listings just to find something wrond and tattle. Some people! 
I wouldn't worry about it Kim. Your bears are outstanding and I bet the same bidders are eagerly awaiting for you to list Fluer again! Hugs!

Fantastic! I am so glad to have this place to come! What a relief! Ok I will be off to try and find a new and thicker needle for it. I havent had the machine but maybe 6 months as I never machine sewed before that time. All of my bears are/were handstitched so I never needed the machine but needed one to make clothing for my son when he was born. I also cloth diaper him and I use the machine to make those too. Anyway, I will be out looking for a new needle, I will be sure to oil it and make sure that I dont have any fabric or anything stuck in it. Thank you SO much for all the information! It's so nice to have people understand what I need to know and be willing to help.  :hug: Now if only I could figure out how to post pictures I would be all set! HEHE!  :redface:

Ok so I have a cheapish Brother sewing machine and I never machine sew my bears. I have thought about it a few times and even threaded the machine with Guterman and then chickened out numerous times. So this time I take the leap of faith and I bend my needle and then snap it within minutes! UGH! I used the needle that came on the machine. Now do I need to change my needle? Is there a bigger needle I need? Do I need to change the tension or something else? Is my Brother just not equipped to handle mohair or synthetic? What should I do?

Also as a side note- To those of you that machine sew can you list the name and model of your machine? Many seem to use Janome, Bernina, Singer, etc etc etc except I never know which models to look up that will handle this fur!

Thanks in advance for any help!

Hi Laura,
I just stuff the head VERY tightly and then sculpt as necessary. The stuffing usually doesnt move much but if it does I can always push it back in and just keep going. I like to leave the neck open too and not joint because I tend to stuff the head firmly too and when the head is almost done then I stuff, stuff, stuff then joint! 

Thanks Judi! I appreciate your comments! I think that is just what I am going to do! I am going to make some nice eyelids and get the eyes positioned properly! Thanks so much!

  How awful! People can be SO cruel!

Kerrilyn- I was thinking clear nail polish too! Hmmm! I wonder if it will peel off in time though. Yuck!

Manuela- Yes, I was thinking about applying eyelids and maybe even adding whites under them. I am still so unsure!

Thanks to you both!

I have been trying to make some child-safe bears lately and I honestly haven't used plastic eyes or joints in so long. Here is my problem...After using all those beautiful glass eyes it's hard for me to use plastic eyes. They seem to have no life. Are there any tricks to jazz them up so they look less plastic but would still be safe for kids? Thanks for any help!

Yes, I see what you mean about the time issue. I tend to stash mohair even when I don't need it  and I thought other people might do the same. I understand about inspiration though and needing something asap. Thanks for the answer! I appreciate your taking the time to respond. I was just curious and I am glad that this question didn't get me into trouble! 

:crackup:

Ah, ok, I see what you mean. I just figured since we all buy mohair, eyes, joints, etc etc etc that maybe we could get a group together to buy mohair (for example) in large amounts to get the cheapest and best price. For example, on my own I cannot afford to buy 20 yards to get the lowest possible price but with a group of other bear artists buying together we could reach and surpass the 20 yards to get the best price. Then either the company can ship all of the fur to one place where it would be separated and mailed or the company could send everything to each individual. In the cloth diapering community it allows us to get the cheapest prices which gives us the opportunity to splurge on the better fabrics and components. Anyway, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my post! I appreciate that so much!  :hug:

:clap: CONGRATS! That is awesome! I can't read german either so I am believing Maria! 

I hope that this question isnt out of line but I was wondering if it is every possible to do co-ops? For instance, I cloth diaper my son and I make some of his diapers...well when I need fabric, snaps, whatever, I can usually find a co-op going on somewhere to get what I need for a smidge cheaper. Is it possible to do large co-ops for things like bear hardwear, eyes and even maybe mohair? If this question is totally out of line, I apologize...just please dont delete me! 

Oh my!  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  That is really hilarious!

This is such a great topic!
I am a newbie to TT so I hope you don't mind that I answer this one too. Also although I am a newbie here I am certainly not a newbie to craft shows or bear shows. My mother was a bear maker and we attended LOTS of bear shows together. Similar to many of the previous posters' kids, I would sit under the table and play quietly, I would help to package sold bears, I would eat snacks and wash my hands constantly. I would NEVER touch a bear unless I was told it was ok as per my mother's discipline. I always knew the difference between a toy store teddy and a real artist bear. I grew to LOVE bears and excelled past my mother in her bear making. She made them to make money; I make them because I love them!  Honestly, I still go to bear shows with that same wild-eyed, in awe, and amazed look in my eye. It reminds me of all those times that I went as a kid and all of the beautiful art that I saw.

With that said, I agree with many of you that children should be allowed. I also agree that those parents that really aren't parenting and just letting their children run wild will probably not be a buyer and won't respect your work either. I had seen that many times with my mom's table. I think Debbie's idea of having the small bits of fur to touch is ingenious and I also love the idea of giving the children something (a small teddy, trinket, stickers) to have in their hand from the get go to reduce sticky fingers on the art bears.

Thanks everyone for a great discussion and I hope it was ok that I replied! It's nice to go above and beyond the normal baby talk here with my toddler and actually get a chance to use my brain!    :crackup:

NEAT! I never smoked but my husband was a smoker before we got married. I asked him to quit and he has been cig free for 3 years! :dance:

Awww!