Banner Sponsors
For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
I am becoming increasingly concerned about airborne dust particles caused by teddy bear making. Whenever I get into a run-up to a fair (lots more snipping and therefore dust) I notice a kind of tightness in my chest. I do worry about it. I had a chest xray a while ago ..and I try to wear a face mask..but I am very bad at it. I work outside as much as possible and then I don't get affected but with this wet weather we have had ,indoors working has been the norm.
Do any of you use an air filtration system..they aren't cheap so before I splash out I am seeking all your expert opinions!!!
Hi Ellen..thanks for that input...I think I am getting a bit sensitised to the fabric. It's ok when I do one bear...but lots of bears on the go all at once is bad. I always have lots on the go but I mean working on stuffing 1o heads followed by 10 lots of eyes..then 10 noses...you know the score for show preparation..and I can't do any other way. I have anothe job so i can't staret to prepare earlier.
So I think I am becoming sensitive to the dust created by this and need a solution. The air cleaners I am looking at seem good...and powerful ...but at £250 I need to find out if anyone thinks it may be the answer...before i hand over my cash!!!!
Hi Jenny....I worry quite a lot about the particles I breathe in, like you I also get this tightness in my chest from time to time. I try and force myself to wear a mask when doing a lot of clipping, but can't stand to keep it on for long. Like Ellen I have a small hand held vacuum that I use all the time, and mostly work with my workroom door to the garden open. I often think I am putting myself at risk for the future, but there again like yourself I thought that when I did the hairdressing (with all the chemicals hair etc.) The air cleaner sounds a good idea... but would it be powerful enough?...perhaps someone else has tryed this...I would be really interested to hear other artists thoughts on this too....
I suppose what we need to find out, presumably from the suppliers who have a duty of care to pass this sort of information on...is whether the materials we use are considered to be hazardous, with long term exposure. It maybe worth checking the HSE (health and safety executive) website for any publications or studies on the materials we use......anyway just a thought....and I'm waffling now...good topic though!!!!
Hugs Yvonne 
Yes Yvonne..I agree. hairdressing stuff is part of the problem...but i try to avoid sprays ..and have used Aveda for some time now which is free of chemicals...even the colours. It's airborne things that bother me..I can't stand the mask for long it gets sweaty and uncomfortable. I might call the one of the asthma groups and ask advice. Industrial air cleaners are noisy and bulky..I need something quiet that will shift airborne bits quickly.
Bears by JodiI would like to know also. Years ago when I traveled and made tons bears a year I used to weare a mask , I just suffered through it . But now a days Some times I do some times I don't .
Laurie Lou BearsI can't really help you with the air filtration systems Jenny but I have found that when I cut out mohair some of the furs seem worse than others and they really make my nose itch and make me sneeze.I should really get around to wearing a mask 
Maybe you should see whether some fabrics are worse than others and at least try to put the mask on when you are cutting out the worst offenders.I never used to have allergys and food intolerances but that comes with age I expect 
I hope that you can find something suitable
Laurie :hug:
I have now bought an air cleaning machine..I hope I have done the right thing!!!!LOL It was £119 and seems to do all the things I asked it to..I got advice from a company that deals with air filtration for all kinds of companies and this one was recommended by a very knowledgeable person. I do hope it works .
I'll let you know how it goes...I hope it works. Yes I agree the synthetics are by far the worst...I think the fibres get airborne more easily..and are more of an irritant
Do let us know how you get on with it Jenny......I also would be very interested to know how you get on,
Good luck with it!
Hugs Yvonne
