Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I have to agree with Dilu, I have been amazed by the generosity of artists!!!  The bear world certainly is a great place to be!

LOL I just think it's a shame when people customize vintage dolls like barbies.. Keep em how they are!!

Danni

Oooh Kim I am so jealous. Are you on the same list as me then?  Probably, I'm pretty daft LOL

I was thinking of going, but I decided my health just wouldn't have been up to it..... I want to hear about it, and see photos!!

Thanks for your answers!!  I'm guessing I'm not too slow, because on average a 6" bear that I've hand sewn takes me about 14 hours of fun :D

I just found it interesting .. My sister made a comment the other day that I'm a fast bear maker, because they don't take too much time.  But then she's compairing how long it takes her to reborn a doll.  Just to root the hair it takes way longer than a whole bear takes me!

Danni

Hrm, Gripey Girl... no sure if I like that.. but wacko is alright, cus I guess I'm a little nuts LOL
I've only ever used alpaca mohair mix, and I love it because it's sooo soft, just noticed the backing is a lot lighter and not as tough...

I might try Helmbold again and see what happens... just to know either way   Oh and We do say good on you a lot, that can be a good thing, or a sarcastic thing to say LOL

Anyhow, thanks for the help!
Danni

Has anyone also noticed the different backing with the Alpaca?  It seems to fray a bit more easy than the mohairs..

No Shelli, I'm not complaining, and I'm still going to use the Alpaca, just an observation

Shelli, Okay I can see where you're coming from, of course!  You make complete sense...  of course .. and I know what you mean.. of course!!!!....

I am on a very tight budget (not being well enough to work) so I don't want to have to try other fabrics just to find out that they aren't suitable for my style of bears...  I am just not into the faces dotted with little bits of mohair that's left in the fabric.  It looks like blemishes.... :D
I guess I was just wondering if it had to do with the kid mohair, or if they are all like that....

You know that I adore you too, and I appreciate your help.... I just wanted to find out before spending money on something that I wasn't going to be totally happy with!

HI Everyone,

It's been interesting to read  how many bears  people can produce in a year.  Personally, I would have no idea how many I could make in a year, simply because I haven't been making them long enough to work that out.

I'm just wondering how many hours it takes you to make a bear, and what size bear you make?  Also, do you hand sew, or machine sew? 

The bear (15") in my avatar suprised me, because he really only took another 5 hours to make when compared to how long it takes me to make a 6" bear.

When I first started making bears, a 15" bear took me a whole month - and that was working about 4 hours a day on him.  But then I had no needle work or  hand sewing (or machine) sewing experience....  I would be so proud when I finished about a 5" stretch on an arm LOL  I am much quicker than that now though, of course.

So, I guess I'm just wondering am I a slow worker or a quick worker?

Looking forward to reading your responses!
Danni

You guys are making me jealous, I might have to open up PSP and try having a go at one.... can anyone tell me what size you girls are making them?

So, should I take it from the answers I've received that Helmbold, never plucks completly away from the backing?  I'll try the needle or awl trick with the bear I've made...but if it doesn't completly pluck away, I think I will just stick with the Schulte mohairs...

Thanks for the offer Shelli - but at the moment, I don't really feel the need to HAVE to get into the Helmbold mohairs when I really love Schulte, and that plucks away competly and with no fuss anyhow.

Danni

Hi Everyone,

I recently purchased some Helmbold Kid Mohair.  I loved it, and it made a beautiful teddy and I was really suprised at how nice the Helmbold Mohair is.  I've only ever used Schulte, so in future, I'd love to try more Helmbolds.

However, I was a little disappointed because the Mohair didn't pluck away from the face completly, and it has left little mohair squares on the backing....

My question is, Is this a normal thing to happen with all Helmbold mohairs, or is it just something to do with the way the Kid Mohair is produced??

Looking foward to hearing from you!
Thanks,
Danni

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to thank everyone for their tips on shading on Wool Felt.  The new avatar has now got shaded paws.  It really does make a difference, although since the wool felt is so dark, it's hard to see.

I'll insert an image of a bear that was born yesterday  with Trapunto paws (new for me!) with shading using Primas.  Thanks everyone - I appreciate your help!

Danni

Oooh Laura,

You are full of great ideas!!!!  I have been having trouble finding a pen to show up on dark backings and I find that gold gel pens sorta works, but not too well, I'm going to try a pastel colour!

Thanks!

Hi Shelli,

I just wanted to let you know that I use Prisma Colour pencils on my bears - so the shading I do is all done by pencils.  Primas are great because they will show up on dark coloured material.

Danni

Oooh how come when I tried shading my wool felt pads with my Prismas it would actually grab??? Couldn't see any result, I must give it another go and perhaps tried it before I've sewed the pads to the legs and jointed and stuffed the bear.. Hrmm... !!

Ahh thanks guys!! I appreciate it !!  I have markers, I've used them a few times, but now I get a much better result with pencils, but of course they won't work on wool felt (much to my disappointment )  I shall give them a go on the wool felt...

Thanks Judi for the reply...  yes yes, it's on in exactly 1.5 hours.. shall talk tomorrow LOL  Hopefully it won't be a  " " for me LOL

Oh thankyou Shelli for the comments on my bear styling.. I've been a little down with that one not selling on eBay.  The bear in my avatar was actually the first bear I have sold (one of my favs too so was hard to part with)  I think I just have to keep pluggin' away and have confidence in my work...

I was actualy hoping I'd hear from you regarding the shaded paw pads, I saw your bear that you posted in the sale adds - Love his paws.  Thanks for sharing your technique.

Thanks Suanne for the welcome - I've admired your bear kits from Beary Cheap! Nice to talk to you also (I get a little star struck sometimes LOL)

You know, I think it's a wonderful world where everyone (most) is so giving and helpful! Thanks again!

HI Everyone

Firstly I want to say fantastic that we have another place to discuss bears - there's never enough bear talk in my opinion!

I just wanted to ask how everyone shades on Wool Felt?  I am a large lover of wool felt, and I just wanted to know how you all do it.  I don't have an air brush, so I can't air brush 'em.

Thanks,
Danni