Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

:clap: Congratulations Richy on your new venture! :clap:
Don't panic! Everyone on TT has had a 'first bear' and yours actually looks a lot better than my first attempt!

I have a couple of questions:
What is he made of ? It looks like a synthetic and if it has a stretchy back, it may have gotten a little bigger than the pattern intended if you stuffed firmly and the eyes then look too small.
Does he have ears on yet? I try very hard to not jump to conclusions about what is 'right' until I get a little farther along. A nice big nose and ears might balance him out nicely!
I personally can't deal with all the hair so most of my bears are made from leather! I'm sure that someone can give you some specific tips on working with the hair jungle...I just wanted to give you some encouragement and say 'keep going'! :hug:

Cheryl

Oh Lulu...I agree with Heather...you don't want Birdie out walking around unattended...you need to send her to me! Seriously, I think she's darling - just the right touch of anime and tradition Best of luck with your new ventures!

Cheryl

Hi
Wow I love some of those eyes...and the pink elephant!
I'm not sure if it helps because it is a literal translation and some parts of it don't make sense in English (at least for me but who knows...it could be me !)
but You can go here: http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr and enter the webpage addy that you want to translate.

Cheryl

Yes that's been the problem but I can't believe I never thought of a heat gun :doh:  :doh:
The only instructions I had to use it were to use an iron and I hadn't tried anything else. Off for more research!
Thanks Kim,
Cheryl

Hi Shelli
I think it was at "Staples" or "Office Depot" office supply store (sorry, I can never remember what are Canada only stores and what are American stores). They were in the bulk envelope section, made by Dupont and it just calls them "Tyvek Envelopes". A box of 50 - 10" x 13"  envelopes was about $10. I find Tyvek so unpredictable to work with and so I'm glad its pretty cheap so lots of experiments can get done!
Good Luck!
Cheryl

Does anyone have any tips on getting more consistent results?

Thanks for bringing this topic to the forefront again Wendy -I missed it the first go around and it has some great info in it! Mind you my "5 minute check in" at TT has now lasted 55 minutes and counting :doh:  :crackup:

I don't think I saw it mentioned later in the posts (if it was, I apologize) but the TYVEK used to make wings and costumes is not the same as the housewrapping construction TYVEK. It is the same material but the construction stuff has chemical treatments on it that make it toxic if heated.  A book on dolllmaking I have mentions this and I didn't want anyone to have an experimenting accident! Use only the envelope kind of Tyvek.

Have a great and creative day!
Cheryl

I'm so sorry for your family's loss Tracey. It's so hard to watch your children in pain and know that its a part of life that you can't shield them from. My son who is almost 11 has a really hard time showing how he really feels in front of others. He is really artistic though and he finds doing something creative helps him 'process' all the conflicting emotions. Maybe your kids could try a memory book or even a scrapbook page where they could put pics and keepsakes and write down their stories.
I wish you peace today,
Cheryl

I think Claus is really sweet!
I'm sure he will enjoy his 'roadtrips'.

Danelle is just lovely, makes me want to reach through the monitor and give her a pat! :clap:

Thanks Claire.....
I won't be needing any more coffee to wake me up this morning!

:clap:  :clap:

Congratulatoriations dear friend!!!

:clap:  :clap:
Isn't it wonderful when good things happen to great people?

Hi Dorothy!
I have a red bike too! I'm glad you came to play!

Cheryl

Hi Richy
Fair warning...making bears is so addictive, I always have at least 3 or 4 creatures happening at once!
Take your time and you'll soon see a 'pattern' (pun completely intended ) in the designs you're naturally drawn to. Then you can start trying your own and figuring out what gets you 'that look'.
If there was a magic pill....I would of taken it years ago :crackup: Unfortunately only experience and lots of trial and error will teach you!
Oh by the way, I still hate footpads!
The books recommended previously are all really good.
Welcome to TT!

Cheryl

Hey Jodi,
I wouldn't be too worried about sending to Canada. It costs more to ship 'in country' than it does to have stuff sent from the states. I recently bought a stack of 6 older bear magazines on Ebay for $2 and paid $18 to ship only one province away! (yes, that was the actual postage, no handling) Your customer was just trying to take advantage of you by badgering you so you would discount her.
Some countries have a very poor safe delivery percentage so I would check on delivery insurance before I would just say 'worldwide'.

Cheryl

I have several cardboard rolls from wrapping paper, paper towels, or even carpet rolls from Home Depot(they will happily give them to you free! ). I covered them with quilt batting and a layer of fabric and wrap my easily wrinkled tablecloths and napkins on them. I'm sure this would work for backdrops as well even if they come out not quite perfect it would still be less ironing (and who doesn't love that!)
Cheryl

Wow Paula, Bedazzle is just beautiful!
I love how you shaded and highlighted just enough to call attention to his gorgeous colouring and perfect proportions!
Best Wishes,
Cheryl

Wow, what a kind and thoughtful collector...
they obviously saw the time and care that you took with Applebutter and knew you would appreciate it.

Good for you! :clap:  :clap:

:dance:  :dance:

CONGRATULATIONS GEMMA!

:dance:  :dance:
                   Take time today to do a little happy dance!

This is only cute for me 'cause its someone else's kid!
EEEEEEWWWWW!    

I'm not sure if this is what you're asking but...

Well, I have never made flat ears for dogs or cats, but when I want a very flat fin on one of my leather fish, I sew and turn it (making sure the seam allowance is as small as possible) fill it with a safe glue and insert wire. As it dries I keep pressing it down to make sure it stays really flat. It stays very flexible and poseable.
If you are opposed to using glue, you could use an iron on fusible (like WonderUnder), tuck it in the turned ear and press with a pressing cloth in place until it 'sticks'
Hope this helps
Cheryl

If this isn't what you're after, maybe you could post a  :photo: ?

WOW! Its snowing here today but I don't think we're expecting THAT! 
As long as the power is okay, I kind of like the snow.
Where we are in Northern Alberta we get lots of sunshine (short days though!) with our snow and somehow that makes it better than lots of grey days.

I'm glad you're okay Kathleen,
Hugs from a snow buddy, :hug:
Cheryl

Hi Bobbie, have I told you lately that I love you?    

Best wishes on your surgery tomorrow!

Bobbie - OT.... Cheryl's pieces didn't arrive to Schaumburg????? You are kidding right?????

Hi Daphne

Its true! It was my first trip to Schaumburg and I was a nervous wreck.  I had FEDEXed everything to the hotel and for whatever reason US customs decided to hold on to everything and not allow it in the country. I spent all of Friday on the phone to Fedex in Tennessee and the lady there couldn't understand my Western Canadian accent and I was having trouble with her Tennessee accent.
Long story short, They finally decided to 'let' Amber and Connie import them for me but they had to fill out stacks of papers which Fedex faxed to the hotel. I had 15 minutes from the time the fax came until the customs office closed for the weekend. I just remember running like a crazy person with the hotel manager through the hotel with the finished papers to fax and just made it. The bears made it on Saturday after the preshow and I don't think everything ever did get unpacked properly and I sold out for the first and only time that day. God bless Connie and Amber for everything they did for me, I couldn't have done it without them!!BTW, later in a conversation with Fedex, they admitted there was absolutely no reason to have held up my stuff It was just 'one of those things'
It has never happened again, honest!

Hi Daphne,
I've never listened to BookCDS while making bears, but wouldn't dream of a long car trip without one! My favourite (besides the everpopular Harry Potter ) is the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series by Alexander McCall Smith. It isn't a mystery series, but a really interesting character driven read about life in Botswana. Trust me...sounds weird, is fabulous!
As somebody else here said, the local library is a great resource for these.

Anyone else here read this series?

Holy cow...that is fabulous!

    
Wherever you go to get your inspiration...please take me with you!