Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thanks so much Cheryl, Jenny, and Michelle Helen. It was my pleasure to do this for them. I really have felt like it was something I should do for a long time.

I was sitting trying to be quiet waiting for a play to start with iPad in hand as the auction ended. It took every bit of restraint to not holler from the rooftops. It was a Lily fan that won the auction. They are loyal, and I am thankful.
Never did I dream that I would get that much. I thought it would just be the usual auction and I would quietly donate the proceeds. Ebay changed all that when they put the story on the front page.
I am so thankful to them for bringing artist bears, and the Bear Center to the attention of the public.

Thanks very much. I am happy to say it was a Lily fan. They stand strong behind Dr. Rogers. I am thrilled with the end result. I would be more thrilled it ebay would become the place it used to be to sell bears.

She is gorgeous.

Thank you Denise.

Thank you all for your kind words on Eveleth. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for a very successful end to this auction.

Dear Eveleth is being auctioned now on ebay with the proceeds going to The North American Bear Center. Her auction is going very well, Lily the Black Bear and her friends have many devoted followers.
I hope you will take a few minutes and visit Eveleth, and see why the Bear Center is so important to me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OOAK-Artist-Rea … 0805396395

He is a beauty.

I have used both blow dryer and iron on mohair. I don't know though if you will get all the curl out. If it ever got damp or humid it would probably curl back up again. I can think of nothing permanent.

Oh I love Miki.

He is super cute Francy. I love the set.

Laura Lynn, can you tell me what store you are finding stainless steel bbs.  I have never found them in stainless and I would love some.

Robert, is this your bear pictured on your blog post? He has a fantastic face.  It is so happy.  I love how his eyes sit high on his head.  What a beauty.

Such great news Natascha! I am so very happy for your. Your winners are fabulous.

Oh my goodness, that music is beautiful, and so perfect.

The smallest they make it 1/8" and that would be Jeton, not Lockline.  The smallest Lockline makes is 1/4" which is big.  For an animal that size I would use 1/8" in the limbs and 3/16 in the spine. It sounds like you have a good plan.

Lockline type armature is not really good for very small bears.  It will not bend at a 90 degree angle.  What size bear are you looking to use it on?  Are you going to use it for a spine and in the limbs?

It is worth the price to buy it directly from Jeton.  They do not answer emails well,  I believe there is a language issue. Figure out what exactly you want and ask them for an invoice for the exact items. They will ask you for your address and what you are using it for. It may take a while to get a response, email back. Even with the EMS shipping it is 1/2 the price of retail.
http://www.jeton.com.tw/3-1.html

You can bake glass eyes in the oven.  I would think you would need to add them as you are sculpting.  The only other way I know to add them is if you can access them from the back of the head after the baking is done, like a ball jointed doll.  That would mean the head would have to be hollow.

It is hard to say what size lockline to use.  It has to do not only with the length but the width of the body.  I would say if it is a stocky animal you would want at least 1/4".  For my 12-15" bears I use the 3/16 in the spine, and the 1/8 in the limbs.  If I go larger I move up to 1/4" in the spine, and the 3/16s in the limbs.

I adore her, what a great face.

Gorgeous babies.

I use Flickr mostly, and Photobucket.  I find Flickr easier, and I spend lots of time there looking around.

She's on FB.  I just sent her a message.  Hopefully she will get it, and visit here.  There is also an email address and a contact form at the bottom of her website.  I don't want to list it here, but here is her website. http://myminkbears.com/

Congratulations to all the winners.  All of the entries were incredible, really top notch.  To have made it to the top three is a real achievement.

Wow, I really love this.  The face is so well done, so friendly looking.  What a kind thoughtful gift for a bear lover.