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I had special l glasses made up too, like Jenny. I have bifocals for distance and reading but the reading part of the glasses is not adequate for sewing. It was blurry when sewing tiny stitches. so I can watch tv and still look down to sew, I had my optician write a prescription for hobby glasses where the bottom part are magnifiers and the top part are my regular prescription for distance. that way I can sew and watch tv comfortably at the same time.
I understand Ott lighting is good for crafting. I have not tried it but maybe some of our teddy bear friends could comment on this brand.
Very interesting thread! Question for Jenny and Joanne: what brands of pastel chalks do you recommend? some, I think, are better than others with pigments.
thank you.
Lesley: Copic markers fade in time. Prisma markers and Faber Castell markers are great and perminant. Prisma has a clear blender marker. Be sure to buy that to even out the shading. As Francy suggested, practice on scrape fur. I must try the oil paint that Francy talked about. that is my next project after I get my craft room in order.
Question for you Francy: re the pigment powder. Do you mix it with water first and dry brush it on? Or do yo rub in the powder as is?
Joanne makes excellent points here. I could add that the placement of the arms make a difference too. Placing them to high up leaves no neck and hunched effect. Putting the arms lower on the body will make it look better. when you make your practice bear, put the disc in the neck you will using in first. next place the arms. I say that because the larger the neck disc the more space in the shoulders/neck will be used, throwing off the arm placement in the original design.
You are vey welcome. I you are interested in working with real fur, Nancy Tillberg wrote a wonderful bear making book on the topic. You can find it on Amazon:
There are so many beautiful synthetics out there. Many bear artists use them in there creations.
welcome back Ann. 
A bear can be made from any kind of material. It does not matter. When you list it, just mention the type of material you made it from. You can say something like "this delghtful little bear is made from a vintage chanelle bedspread. the poodle print paw pads are 100% cotton. The soft tufts of fur sprouting from his head is from a recycled mink coat." I think using different materials makes a bear unique and fun.
I agree with Francy. whatever you use, make sure you use quality materials.
you can redesign the side of the face by cutting the part that you want the beard or mustash to be. Add a seam allowance back to the parts cut. Now you have a pattern piece you can cut the lamb fur out of and attach it to the main side of the face. Be sure when you cut the hide/leather of the tibetian lamb for the mustash section, to line it with musline so that when you stuff the bear, the hide does not tear. Also I would hand stitch the lamb hide to you regular fur you are using for the rest of the bear because it is easier to control the sewing with the long tibetian fur. Use a leather needle to do this. you can find them in any fabric store. I'm not sure I answered you question. Perhaps one of our other Tedy bear friends could help.
"If you do what you have always done, then you will always be who you have always been. " I don't know who said this but it always helped me get unstuck and move forward. Answer this: When you are 90 years old, do you want to look back on your life wishing you should have tried to sell your bears but never did? You don't want to look back on your life with regret, do you? So jump in and give it a try. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain. that is my two cents. I hope you give it a go.
Dear Jenny: I don't have personal experience with working from home but I know others that do. They too find it isolating but at the same time, they love not having the drive to work (save gas money) and other time savers for them. I think joining some groups in the community that get you out of the house could help. Examples joining a card or knitting group. maybe take some classes at a local community college or community center. With that said, I love your bears. So the hair industry's loss is a gain for the bears. I hope you can find a balance with this Jenny. Long story short, join some community groups. that is my advice.
Welcome Elena to Teddy Talk. I know you will have a great time here. Your bear is adorable. 
That is too cute for words!
Add one more to the list. I can't help collecting vintage jewelry, flowers, ribbons, buttons, books....I also collect all kinds of fur coats found at yard sales over the years. I have more than I can ever use in a life time to make my bears. One can never have too much space for our beloved treasures can we?
the best thing about Intercal is that you can do one stop shopping. meaning, you can buy your fur, eyes, ultra suede, etc.... I love mohair. As mentioned, the animal does not die for the fur is sheared. You can make bears out of any material. You can use vintage chanelle beadspreads, clothing with intersting trim or print, vintage fabric, Victorian lap robes, denim, etc....All of this you can buy on ebay or thrift stores. If you use these materials, make sure you line each bear piece with a good quality muslin. if your new to bear making there are a few of books you can learn more about the bear making craft and resourses to buy supplies. They are:
http://www.amazon.com/Menten-Teddy-Stud … Ted+Menten
http://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Making-Teddy … ear+making
I too miss the old TT. For me, I have not been around as much due to deaths in the family since Jan. The few times I did logged on, I found there were not a lot of discussions or topics started. I have to say, the bright spots that continue to bring a smile to my face are the cute animal pictures.
I am not much of a Facebook person. I don't know of other venues where bear-minded people like us go. I often wondered where all our TT friends went... So it is sad.
I have never heard of stuffing with paper. Excelsior is more sturdy than paper so I think if you tried paper, over time, the paper would be crushed and the shape of the bear would be lost. That is my thought.
If you sew real fur on your machine, please make sure you change your needed to a leather needle. Also when you line your fur pieces, make sure to hand baste (I use a long over cast stitch) the muslin lining to the leather pieces. Do not glue the muslin, for that will erode the leather and the integrity of your stitches will be at risk for opening over a period of time. You want your real fur teddy to be around for many decades so avoid glue.
Post pictures when you finish your bear.
Hello Teddy Bear Friends: I am just a hobbiest but I do love the art of bear making. I am really behind the times on what is out there re: bear magazines, websites, blogs and out-of-the-way places to find bear supplies. I recently just found out about Bearpile.com. I know, I know, I am really late to the dinner table on that one... . It got me to thinking what is out there and thought I would ask all of you about your favorites.
For designing I love Ted Menten book. You can buy it off of Amazon.com:
Very nice work on your bear Anthony!! As for shading, copic markers fade in time so I would not use those. Faber-Castell artist pens are great for shading and do not fade on the fur. You can buy them at any art supply store.
They come in all kinds of colors which you can buy seperately or in packs. I have the black, various shades of grey, sepia and sanguine. They come in fine, medium and brush points. Here is what they look like:
http://artgraphic.fabercastell.com/prod … D1388&pg=2
Also, can you tell me what the nose of your bear is made of? Is that leather or clay?
sheree: Go with whatever works best for you. That is what makes each bear unique and individual. What is important is to have a firmly stuffed nose. that is the key. some people make polymer clay noses which adds a new and darling look to the bear.
Hi Sheree: you can do wobbly necks with smaller bears too. even 3-4 inches. I works because the size if the disc is proportional to the size of the head and body. You are using the extra cotter pin (again appropriate for the size of the disc).
Joanne and the others have great suggestions. If the bear is already made, I learned to use non alcohol based moose and blow dry the fur in the direction you want it to go. I learned that in a Ted Menton class.
