Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Congratulations to all! Can't wait to see pics!

This was one of my best "finds" at an antique shop in our travels earlier this winter. He is 13.5 inches tall, shoe button eyes, non-working tilt growler, and still has his FF underscore button which seems to date him between 1908 - 1911. And the best part is - he was priced so that I could afford to buy him!

I'm still here too - after 24 years! (Although l've slowed down a lot in my production so it'll likely take me another 24 years to use up all my fabric stash!)

Congratulations, Beverly! What a milestone! The Teddy Artist community owes you so much! Best wishes for improvement in your health.

I use several baby name books and a book with a list of towns in Alberta (where I live). I have very occasionally used the same name again - in over 20 years of bear making - but if I do I try to give it a slightly different spelling. e.g. Mary, Mari, Marie, Marrie, Merri, Merrie, Merry, Meri, etc.  - could get you a LOT of names without real duplication! 
I didn't even think of online sites for checking baby names!

Russ is a miniature bear, 4" tall, made of a rust colored long pile rayon type fabric, fully jointed, ultrasuede foot pads, black bead eyes, stiched nose, mouth, eyebrows, and claws, face shading, waxed nose. He wears a ruffled rayon ribbon collar with an antiqued jingle bell.

Little Pascal is just 2 1/2" tall, made of upholstery velvet in off white and dark beige. He is fully jointed, has ultrasuede foot pads, black glass bead eyes, face shading, stitched nose, mouth, eyebrows, and claws. He wears a silk ribbon around his neck.

He is listed on Bear Pile

Little Joel is just 2.75" tall made of vintage rayon pile, fully jointed, black bead eyes with white embroidered accents, and a plaid woven ribbon around his neck.

Just posted this little bear on Bear Pile - fully jointed, made of soft long pile hand dyed vintage rayon, with a ruffled ribbon collar and metal heart.

Well, Jan, they do say "practice makes perfect" so I think one just has to keep plugging along and likely each bear you make will become a little more "finished" or "professional" looking. Some people achieve this much more quickly than others depending on their background and previous sewing/crafting experience. I think taking classes to learn some of the techniques can also speed this along.
I think quality of workmanship and attention to detail are the main things that give a bear a "professional" look. Always do the best work you can and it will show in your bears.

Interestingly, the other day I happened to glance at a couple of bears I made recently that were sitting on a shelf by themselves and the thought popped into my head - "wow - these look kind of good!" (as in that "finished", "professional" look) and I think that is the first time that I have actually "thought" that after 20 some years of bear making and almost 5,000 bears! (although I am sure MOST people achieve it much sooner! 

Thank you SO much everyone for the congrats and the lovely comments on my winning entries.

Amber said

Wow! That is high praise, Amber - you've really made my day!

Congratulations, Marg! Your bear was lovely!

I also am the delighted recipient of 2 wins in the TBAAF Awards! After seeing all the entries I didn't think there was much chance I'd win anything - and not having a web site to promote my bears - so was doubly thrilled to get the results.

Congratulations, Melisa! Your entries were wonderful!

Congratulations, Sheryl - your bear is adorable!

Congratulations, Susan! There were a lot of awesome entries in the contest!

Fabulous find! And I agree, he looks like a Knickerbocker.

"Willam" is 2 3/4" tall made of soft light brown mini bear fabric, fully jointed, polyfil stuffed, ultrasuede foot pads, black bead eyes, stitched nose, mouth, claws, and eyebrows, face shading, and a gold ribbon trim collar around his neck.

I have just put this little girl up for sale on Bear Pile. She is 2 3/4" tall, made of a very soft long pile fabric in off white and hand dyed pale mauve. She is fully jointed, black bead eyes, stitched nose, mouth and eyebrows, polyfil stuffed. She has a pink bow on her head and looks like she is wearing her pyjamas with two tiny buttons sewn on the front.

Wow, you did a fabulous job, Vicki! Incredible that he is only your second bear and first design - you'd never guess to look at him!

Oh, he looks much better already with those sloppy big white patches gone!

Marilyn, my bear is about 11 inches tall.

Marilyn, he looks to me like he is a Yes/No Schuco bear - one of the earlier ones with much shorter fur than the "Tricky" Schuco's from the 50's. I am going to add a photo of one that I have that looks somewhat similar although yours appears to have longer legs.

I would tend to leave him close to the way he is now - adding clothing maybe as some have suggested - and only do what is required to stablize him and perhaps redo some of the more unsightly patches so that they look a little better - but don't try to make him look new!!!

Mac is a miniature bear, 2 3/4" tall, made of a very soft vintage plush fabric in off-white and light beige. He is fully jointed, has black bead eyes with white embroidered accents, face shading, stitched nose, mouth, eyebrows, and claws, polyfil stuffing, and a plaid ribbon around his neck.
He is available on Bear Pile

Little Kalea is a miniature anime type bear with a larger head and smaller body and limbs, fully jointed, made of hand dyed rayon plush in a pretty dark coral colour. She has black glass eyes with white ultrasuede backing, face shading, stitched nose, mouth, eyebrows, and claws, ultrasuede foot pads, and polyfil stuffing. She has a silk ribbon and flower trim by her ear.
She is for sale on Bear Pile.