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bearbottombears Sep 16, 2008

I love making diorama's!    This is only number 2 but I think I'm hooked! It takes me back to art scool when we got to work with all kinds of materials. Pip is 7" made from semi sparse mohair.  He has open and close eyelids. Now that I've finally fingured out how to do them I want to put them on all my bears. He has an open mouth with a dusty rose ultrasuede tongue. He has bendy arms and wobble legs and is weighted.  His feet are sculpted and shaded.  Squeek is 2 1/2"-  a little felted mouse with ultrasuede wired tail and ears. I made his tiny fingers from wire with epoxy and paint. The mushroom...oh I love making mushrooms, is made from styrofoam, sculpy and paint... and so on and so on... can't wait to start my next project...after my back and neck recover  :crackup:  So, what do you think?
Gail G

Lhearn Sep 16, 2008

Gail what a sweet pair!!!!!    

Melisa Nichols Sep 17, 2008

Adorable!  Looks like you had a lot of fun with this art piece!!      

bearbottombears Sep 17, 2008

Thanks Melisa and Lynn...I was at a point where I was ready to give up bearmaking. I was in a serious rut..so I decided to try to think outside the box. The challenges that I've set for myself are really motivating me. Don't know where it'll take me...but the trip is fun. And your kind comments will keep me going.
Gail G

doodlebears Celebration AmbassadorSep 17, 2008

WowGail, this diorama is wonderful. You are very clever and just throw away the thought of giving up, your work is fantastic. Clever you working out how to make your bears eyes open and close, I've tried many times but I'm not as clever as you. Well done...I love the mouse he looks real. 

Hugs, Jane.       

bearbottombears Sep 18, 2008

Thanks Jane. I appreciate your confidence in me!  I have found this site  inspiring.  I figure if so and so can do it, so can I.  And with that thought in mind I keep plowing ahed. Keep trying Jane, you may just wake up at 4:AM as I did with a new idea that works!! :crackup: I've had to hide the mouse from my two cats.  They also think its real
  Hugs
Gail G

BootButtonBears Sep 18, 2008

I think you have done a wonderful job with all the gorgeous little piece that make up this lovely group.  Miss Mousey is great.

bearbottombears Sep 18, 2008

Thanks Christine, "Miss Mousey" was my first mouse.. felted or otherwise.  It was fun, but working with such small bits sure is dangerous to the fingers! I poked myself way too many times.  Must get some metal gloves for the next one :crackup:
Gail G

matilda Sep 19, 2008

Brilliant!!! I luv it luv it luv it       especially the mushroom, bear and the rat. hahahah YEP luv 'em all!! :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

bearbottombears Sep 19, 2008

Thanks Matilda,  Squeek is just a simple field mouse who has taken on the task of watching over Pip while he sleeps in the woods under his favorite mushroom 
cheers
Gail G

matilda Sep 19, 2008

You might think that Gail but I reckon Squeek's up to no good.    Don't let him fool you possum.  

DebbieD Sep 20, 2008

:clap:  Lovely!!! I adore diorama's and this one is so sweet     I'm so glad you rose to the challenge...its turned out beautifully  :clap:

Carolynn Sep 20, 2008

That is absolutey beautiful, well done. I can imagine you had loads of fun. Cant wait for the next one.

sanibear Sep 20, 2008

i think you did a beautiful job!!!! very nice the cute little mouse is fine,too..
how did you do the eyes?? any tips for the rest of us????
great bear + mouse i really like it
sandra

bearbottombears Sep 20, 2008

Oh Matilda, I think maybe Squeek is hoping for some seeds in payment for being such a good little watch mouse.  But you're right, mice can be devious little critters, just cleaned out a whole nest of the little varmits in my garden shed! 
Debbie and Carolyn, thanks for your comments...I did have loads of fun.  Got into all kinds of messes before I was through with it.. clay, and plaster and paint and glue...Nice change from just sewing.
Sandra. The eyes on the mouse were simple .. small plastic eyes with a shank that you poke in with some glue. The bears eyes are something I've been working on for a couple of years with several BAD ideas that didn't work...I only just recently figured out how to do it. So just keep thinking about it and trying things.  I don't think there are any shortcuts.  I'm not sure that anyone is "teaching" it yet. It's too new. I also think that no two artists approach it the same way. I've been making bears since 1994, and I am just now figuring out a lot of the advanced techniques..   Take the time to read the various threads on eyes and cheeks and muzzles etc on TT. And subscribe to some of the teddy bear magazines. I stopped my subscriptions a few years ago, thinking (wrongly) that I didn't want to be influenced by other artists work. Needless to say, I fell behind.  There is a lot of really good information available especially for a new artist. It's clear that you are eager to learn Sandy and that's half the battle. Good luck.
Hugs
Gail G