Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I suppose you never really know until you try... What I can tell you is that my two pet mice love their shredded paper bedding  then again I have never tried to see if they like fluff or excelsior just as much. So it might be inviting to rodents or other "pests".... 

Hes great and I love the color!!  It's good to see your back making bears 

Very cute!!  :lol:
I like his little props and chef hat!

They are so sweet! Those little toes are perfection 

This is your first bear!?!? I don't believe it!!! Incredible!!!!  I absolutely love him; he has so much character! You did a really nice job with the paw pads and his eyes are just adorable  :love:. Congratulations on your first bear!

Thanks everyone!! Wow Joanne your tree looks so real and magical!!! I can't believe that it was once a cardboard box  :o

And I love Becky's bear necklace too, it is so simple yet very eloquent! It fits her beautifully.  :love:

SueAnn your paintings are just breath taking!! Where did you learn all of that!? I also want to know how you were able to sneak up on those butterflies!  :lol:

Everything looks incredible! It is so fun to see all the different things everyone comes up with!

Really incredible, I am in awe.

Wow what a pretty flower she has found! She has such a lovely expression and you did a really great job on the paws and claws 

SO sweet!!! I love the way you put the beads on the doughnut too to look like sprinkles! 

I'd have to agree with Jenny ... as much as you might like how this bear looks wouldn't it be more satisfying if you could say that you created your own one of a kind original? I think some of the best bears are the ones with the little quirks and flaws.. it just makes them that much cuter  !

Hey there Teddy-Talkers! I think it really takes a certain person and a lot of skill to be able to make a bear; I mean all those tiny stitches, hours spent perfecting that nose, sewing those ears at just the right angle, and creating that charming smile! So what I was wondering is have any of you put your fine-tuned attention to detail and tried to create something using a different medium? I’ve noticed that many people pose their bears with handmade props like trees or delicious looking desserts! Today I put the sewing aside for a bit and tried wood burning! The two arts are totally opposite but it definitely was fun for a change, I also found that I love to use clay! What things have you made recently? Let’s see your masterpieces!

Hugs! - Heidi

I think the biggest problem is that us newbies don't really know what it was like in the "old days"! Perhaps the best thing to do would be lead by example and others will surely follow!   I think all the new advances in technology have their advantages but at the same time major draw backs like many of you have already stated. Even though the newer generations love their phones and ipods I don't believe that teddy bear making is dying out anytime soon. Coming from someone who just graduated highschool I'd have to say I know many people my age who once they see the bears are instantly fascinated and want to try making their own. Maybe things won't ever be exactly like they once were but that doesn't mean we can't strive for something new and possibly even better  :).

Very sweet!!! 

WOW I agree! Are you sure you didn't take a picture of a real cat!?!?  Jaden looks purrfect! 

Too funny!!! 

Personally I would stay away from the fabrics that aren't tightly woven.. especially with a mini bear, I just find it more difficult to work with.. I always do a double row of stitches in areas that need to be stronger (please any mini bear experts out there correct me if im wrong!) and I wouldn't back the fabric with anything.. just because it would make it much harder to turn (if not impossible for me anyways) with a mini.. When stuffing a technique you might want to try if you arent already is to roll the stuffing between your fingers into a little ball and then stuff it.. this lets you fit more into a smaller space. Making such a small bear is definitely not an easy task, mistakes do happen, just keep trying and don't give up  !

WOW!! The colors are stunning!!!!! It must have taken so much time.. I cannot imagine. Beautiful bear 

Very cute!! I love it 

So sweet!!!

Hi Sheree,
  How exciting that you are getting started on your next mini bear! I've only made a couple of them myself but here are a couple tips I know of. For turning its a good idea to use something like tweezers, I think this is the most difficult part of making a little bear but just be patient with it  . If you have to maybe leave a little bit larger hole for turning, and make sure that your stitches are very secure. Usually I use a no fray fabric from sassys bears and fabrics , the fray check sometimes makes the fabric hard and difficult to turn. I can't wait to see your bear when you are done! I wish you the best of luck  :thumbsup:
    - Heidibears

Very cool, thank you for sharing that tip with us Joanne!  :hug:

Yep I use Prisma markers to shade my bears too  , although I find that they aren't really good for shading huge areas because then the fur feels kind of sticky. I've never tried acrylic paints on my bears... wouldn't that make the fur hard?

Thank you too Christina!  :hug:  I sent you an email this morning 

Thank you Bearlady and Becky!!  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Thank you Francesca!!!  :hug:  Yes the claws were made with fimo and the paws were needle sculpted.