Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Goldie sure gets around!  I have six or more of her incarnation on the top of my chest as my first ever bears.  She's a good starting place and a good "starting over" place as exeplified in a very fine bear.  Your daughter may have started something here  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Why ever did you lay down your bear making...looks to me like it's time to pick them up again.  Thanks so much for sharing.

Pat

Dawn,

These are both center seam bears.  I have been wanting to try this design...but yours is just perfection.  Lovely panda...such a balanced head...he really caught my eye.

Pat

The photos of the two cubs playing together took my breathe away.  You are a consumate artist.  I am in awe.
:clap:  :clap:  :clap:
Pat

Awww, the kids are adorable...and you also resurrected their clothing as well...they are the perfect family of cubs.  I love the idea of having risen from the 'ashes' ...little phoenixes (sp?)  Charming.  I know you enjoyed making them and they certainly show it.

Pat

I get mine at Jo Anne's Fabrics..."Fabric Mate"... the product comes in two size markers and in squeeze bottles...and is specifically for use on fabrics.

Not knowing anything about it in the beginning, I just 'assumed' one would use fabric dyes to color furs and sought out fabric dyes.  It never occurred to me that I could use other things on the fur. 

I use them on synthetics.  You may get a different color initially sometime which will change as the dye sets...to become the correct color.  Also, the dyes seem to 'sink' or be absorbed into the fiber and require reapplication next day until you obtain the intensity you desire. 

Pat

Hi all,

I've returned to fabric dye markers because they are more "forgiving" then the Prisma and don't leave the fur stiff, blend beautifully without a blender, and respond to shading out with a paint brush beautifully.  Just works better for me.

I bought several of the blender pens for the Prisma and after using once, they were permanently discolored and useless so I didn't see the point of them.  I guess I haven't figured out how to use them.  Can you use just alcohol?  Dipped in a paint brush?

I have never worked with paints but was a pastelist so I am more comfortable using the markers to work on the bears I guess.

I do like using the Prisma on the paw pads if I am going for a 'graphic' effect rather than a blended effect.  I think, for me it depends on what you want to do...mixing the mediums on the bears seems fine.  I have liquid fabric dye which I have also used a brush to apply to large areas as well. 

All I know is that something magical happened the first time I put 'makeup' on a bear...it breathed life into it...and for me that was the moment I REALLY became excited about making bears.  It's still my favorite part of the process.

Pat

PS-my poor computer of five faithful years died last month and I am now back among the computer capable on a new laptop with all the latest whizbangs    Much catching up to do (in both fields )

OMG!  I am addicted!  You know what they say about bunnies...there must be more hiding around somewhere...we hope. :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

Just the cutest thing ever...look at those ears!   

Pat

I agree Joanne, Apoxy Sculpt is very similar  to the ALL GAME maybe with a little more work time.  In appearance they look identical.  However, FIMO and ALL GAME do not have the same properties when it comes to the "feel" or workability of the clay.  My beef with ALL GAME was that first it's really gooey and too soft to hold shape and then suddenly the last fiften minutes it gradually becomes too stiff...then hard...I feel like the window of opportunity is very short in there somewhere.  And I also agree, I have to speed up the sculpting before I can go back to a self curing product again. 

My plan is to use it for claws, eventually, since it is so strong and that would be a fragile part of the bear  (after all they use if to make antlers!)

  However, Tami, Apoxy Sculpt sure looks exactly like ALL GAME in the pictures you sent.  But there isn't sufficient time to allow ALL GAME to sit for an hour after mixing before working it...as you do. 

I like the wire insert you make up...that is really cool...two of those per nose should do the trick!  I'm going to start with those in the FIMO blocks right away and discard the eyes. 

Thanks for the sight for the glue...sounds P-E-R-M-A-N-E-N-T 
I really appreciate the time and effort on behalf of the bears...and their maker. 

Off to find some 6000.

Kthanx

Pat

Ladies you have some really interesting suggestions that I want to try.  What is E-6000?  Where do we find it? 

I like the firmness of FIMO because it doesn't loose it's shape and 'flow' when I am working with it as the taxidermy compound did.  And I like a clay that doesn't have a time limit and start's hardening before I am 'done' with it.   

Tami, thanks for the resource for Apoxy-Sculpt...I will certainly check it out...sounds very challenging but I like the sound of your technique adding the loops to the noses and in my case, being able to add additional wires for more points of attachment.

How about the characteristics of these two products to work with?

My insecurity about glues comes from things I've read here on TT and things I've heard about pieces and parts glued on popping off.  I suppose different glues have different aging properties...but a bear does need his nose to stay put!

Pat

Thanks Theresa...could you also thread through the hole you made with the wire?  I'm just wondering if that's a possibility.  Cutting out the middleman, so to speak

Does leather glue have longer lasting properties than superglue?  I'm not familiar with this product.

Pat

I am looking for ways to better secure clay noses to muzzles...  I am using the embedded eye technique to physically sew them but that is not enough to secure them and keep them from wobbling...so glue is necessary in addition to hold them tight.  Also, it seems to me that 'asking' an eye wire to hold a large, heavy nose pulled against the muzzle for any length of time is asking alot.  One has already broken under the stress and I have only broken one other eye wire in all of the time I've worked with bears. 

However, I have read that glue will go bad after a period of say, five years and then I expect the noses would loosen...not a good thing.  So I am uncomfortable about depending so heavily on glue to secure the noses to the bear.

Is there some other way to attach a clay nose...securely.

Pat Klein

PS:  I have read everything in the available library on the subject...and I've seen some pretty substantial and wonderful clay snozzes out there....so there must be a substantial method of which I am unaware.

PPS:  My noses are big--about 1 1/1 inch across...about 1/2 a FIMO block

PPPS:  HELP     

I think it is a wonderful pattern.  I checked out the other photo on your blog just so I could see more of this little guy and I think it is even better.  What a terrific trunk!  Glorious ears.  He must be very proud of them, you think?

I can hardly wait to see more iterations of heferlumps...whole herds of them I hope!  They are soooo adorable!    

People are going to begin to think I have a foot fetish or something because I always seem to mention the paws on bears, but I can't help it when they have tootsies as outstanding as this fellow's

I'm just in awe of your skills.  That is some lucky new bear owner.  What a guy!    

Pat

I adore the proportions of this bear.  You have done beautiful work with her.  Just look at her tiny paws.  Wonderful!

(and I am so happy she has such good taste in teas--milk and lots of sugar I presume?)

Congratulations.

Pat

Oh the FEETS!  The FEETS! Luv the FEETS! These be bunnies with lots of luck with FEETS like that!     

Pat

I have always loved your bears, the placement of the eyes and the unique design of the nose.  Another beautiful creation. Applause, Applause! :clap:  :clap:

Pat

I tried to make an Elle once...it takes a special gift. . . I obviously lack.  You have it...adorable and I too, love the black and white...what shall we call it "elegant cute"   

Pat

Is it the eyes?  Is it the double jointed neck?  I think its synergy...

Congratulations,  too, too, too cute,

Pat

One word:

Wow!   :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Pat

Gorgeous, that fur must have been a 'bear' to work with.

Pat

Joanne,

I don't know where to start gushing...I'm still struggling, as you know with trying to sculpt a nose...and would you look at that doll's face!   

I loved your waxed felted noses, but having been down that road myself, this is probably not only 'safer' but I think, worked out wonderfully.   

And if I confuse Babysitter with Oro, it may because of that fabulous mohair.  What a gorgeous bearsuit.  She exudes gentleness...as do all your bears. 

Another triumph. :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Pat

Thank you all for your generous praise.  Your words of welcome and approval make all that re-stuffing and re-sewing worth it!  It really inspires me.  Yes, when the computer connections are up, I am anxious to 'get connected'....so exciting!  It's a sprint between the bears and the computer stuff now.

All I know is I am never happier than when I am building the boys (and girls)…I guess that is why they are smiling.   

Anecdotally, my husband walked into the room a few days ago and everyone was lined up on the counter, mouths open in characteristic bear laughter.  He turned to me thumbing in their direction, and said rather gruffly, “I don’t know what they are on, but I could sure use some of it.”

When I looked up from my sewing to respond, he was looking at the bears and was smiling.

Smiles:  the final product!   

Pat

Its been 10 months of hard work but I am beginning to get the hang of this bear-making thing. May I introduce a few of the boys…or at least, their prototypes ...

Honestly, have any bears ever been stuffed and un-stuffed as many times as these and lived to tell about it?    Weight management has taken on a whole new meaning!  These fellows have been articulated and disarticulated three times in their short fuzzy lives.  Chompzworth has had three pairs of legs since he first appeared on the Forum unfinished several months ago.  Well, after much argument he and his pals stand and sit without support.  (Grizzles are very disobedient bears!)

These are the progenitors for my adult male grizzly bears who range in size from 19 to 26 inches.  The two boys sharing the spotlight were the first and second built, and the final largest bear, was my last design.  They seem very happy to be finished.  Hopefully in the next month or two with a new website and blog, Fauxpaw Bears will become the reality the bears and I have been working (and struggling these months for). 

Kudos: :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

    Thank you to Judi Paul and her Felted Faces class for techniques in felted eyelids especially.
    And for sculpted polymer noses, thank you to Joanne Livingston who prompted and supported me through all their ‘nasal iterations’. 
    And a special shout out to all of you on Teddy Talk whose suggestions “helped my bears stand.”  I think I used every single tactic you supplied plus a few of my own. 
   And an especial thank you to the wonderful people who had the foresight and ingenuity to develop this forum and preserved this fabulous library as a resource.   

This is a wonderful community of giving and sharing people and I can only hope that my ‘not so little’ bears in some small way reflect the joy I’ve found being among you.

Pat Klein

Paula,

I thought the Wichipoos were adorable, but I have to say, I think Valentina surpases them.  Durn...a new genre for you and you just will make them cuter and cuter.  What's to do!

Pat

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Oh misery does love company...someone else out there has this problem too!  I"m not alone!    

I've been going bonkers for the last year trying to get my gussets in straight because of this issue.  I've practically stood on my head to sew them in every which way possible and every combination of ways possible to overcome this.  I have come to the conclusion that probably for many people it is a non issue but for some of us (me) it really is. 

I've taken to sewing the two sides incrementally and matching along the way and going from the eyepoint forward to the nose center (most critical).  Otherwise I can gain alot more mismatch over a long stretch than 1/2".

My natural tendency towards inaccuracy is probably exacerbated by the fact that I am often working with knit back fabrics which are still stretchy along the edges even after stabilizers.  However, it is still a challenge. 

I agree, LOTS of pins, and sewing in small increments, parallel portions.  Oh and keep the seam ripper handy.

Pat