Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi there!

Thought I would share the beginnings of my Pumpkin Man. He will eventually be an art doll (I hope). The first picture straight on is closer to his actual coloring than the second side picture.

Hi Elle,

I'm not an expert, but if the size of your project is rather small such as the arms you mentioned, you may have over felted. Again, I'm not an expert, hopefully someone will weigh in soon.

I'm wondering if it is possible to stiffen wool? If I wanted a wispy airy look to an item where there is just a bit of loose wool only attached to the base but I want the wispyness to maintain it's shape, I wonder if fabric stiffener would work? Or perhaps a diluted glue?

Any thoughts?

Wow! Great idea about the beads! I was using masking tape and a sharpie. Sharpies are NOT as permanet as they claim.

Bobbie, I'll have to try your holding method. So far I use the index/middle finger grip. No trouble yet, I'm wondering if I will have the same control with your method. Sort of a chop stick hold. I'll have to try! Looks like your hold may result in less broken needles.

By the way, really great photos.

Stacey

Thanks Bobbie, yep will be going lighter. Wish me luck!

By the way, did you get your PM?

Yep! Just about ruined my first little NF mini-bear...thus no pics yet! I'll keep the little guy to remind me of hopeful improvements in the future. Anyhow... because colored pencil does not work well with NFing, I'm wondering what to use as highlights for my current NF bear which is a very dark blue, almost black. Not sure if there are any markers out there that will work.

Suggestions anyone?

Ah... just rethought that I may need to use lightly applied acrylics. (???)

...

Thank you for the sample Bobbie, it really helped me understand what you mean by "firm" and also tells me I'm on the right track.

Another question...

Charlotte said:

I have read and read trying to figure this out, it's probably just the forest for the trees syndrome, but I can't understand why fluffing wool before felting would make it compact better. To me, it seems the more compact to start with, the closer you are to the final result. I have seen tuts where they suggest rolling something into a tight ball and then start the felting.

For my third felt, I have used a wire armature and built up with layers. I don't have carders, but I have been taking pieces and lying them vertical and horizontal and then start to felt.

Well, I'll be following your lead when it comes to choosing fibers Bobbie. My first two felts were of Alpaca and Angora.... yikes!

Now using your suggestions and I'm much happier! You did say you have contacts for Polyworth and I think it's Polyplay?

I have found that the wire eyes that I recently purchased on Ebay besides not all matching, also have a few noticeable air bubbles in them. Rather annoying!

Stacey

Hi Bobbie,

Here is the link to the website.

http://www.mielkesfarm.com/types_of_wool.htm

I do look forward to your book!

Just reading up on the various wools and came across Debouillet "softer smaller micron" wools. Wondering if any of you have used it?

Thanks Bobbie,

I checked EVERYWHERE for your sample  . Thought maybe I had dropped it in my excitement to open the envelope.

I recently got some from Bobbie Ripperger from Beyond Basic Bears. She carries 42 and is a great person to deal with.

Ah... I see. LOVE your pumpkins. Fall/October/Halloween is my favorite time of year!

I was just reading Bobbie's tut in TB&F. Thanks Bobbie!

It is mentioned to use a fiberglass screen to cover the foam to prevent bearding. I'm running across that problem and wondering if sara wrap would work? I'm not at home right now or I would try!

I'm not exactly sure what the fiberglass screen looks like or where to get it.

Wondering what everyone else uses?

Must say, wish you taught here in the Los Angeles CA area Bobbie!

NICE!! You are so lucky.

Good ol' Calif!

Thanks Sonya. I read through the other posts and it seems this is how it is done, was just concerned about sealing the bag properly. Guess I will give it a go!

Stacey

Thanks Michelle!

She/he is a sweetie. Not sure what sex it is. The landlord won't allow any other pets so I have my birds. Funny, birds can be more destructive than cats or dogs!

Jodi, Luca the Red Belly is quite the character! She is now 2 years old and talks a bit. I have to be careful what I watch on TV. Too much cussing and she picks it up right away!  :redface: You might notice in my avatar she has lost some of the red in her belly area, thus I'm sure she is a girl. The males keep all of the red on their bellies and face area. The larger pic is when she was only 6 months and had not gone through many molts to lose the red.

Hi Matilda,

I'm pretty new to this forum, but I am a HUGE fan of your Puddles. I have a few birdish ideas I hope to accomplish someday once I hone my skills. Anyhow, I hope to own a Puddle someday! I'm a big bird fan too!

From the photo, I think she looks great. From the angle of the photo, I don't see any problem with the eyes. The only thing I see is perhaps the neck adornment might be a little "heavy" looking for the wee bird. But still adorable!!

Stacey

Hi all!

Thought I would put a face to my name thus my avatar. Sorry I don't have anything fancy to show yet!

Anyhow, I received the stainless steel grit from Sassy to weight I'm guessing the bottom of my current bear's feet so he will stand. My plan is to cut the following muslin sack into two very small pieces, sewing three sides, adding the grit then sewing up the fourth side. My concern is that the seams long term will not hold the grit, or I may weaken the bag as I needle felt around and over it.

Here is the muslin: 

This bear when finished will probably stand 8 inches. He is wire armatured but I am thinking of string jointing hm as well to insure his legs stay close to his body.

Thanks for any input.

Stacey

I looked up Keps and couldn't find anything either.
Ok... that is GROSS! Glad I had already eaten lunch. 

Stacey

:clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Just spent my lunch hour enjoying all of your pet photos! What fun!

Thought I would share mine as well.

First two pics are of my cocktiel Jeepers and the second two pics are of my Red Belly parrot Luca.

Stacey

I'm afraid to ask, but I'm going to....
How do you know about Keps? Please tell me they don't live in carded fleece! When I first ordered fleece on Ebay, right around the time I received it, I started getting some sort of itchy bites all over my legs! Probably a coincidence I hope!

How interesting! I spent a good time this weekend researching the different types of fibers, wool, alpaca etc. I think I'm just starting to get a grasp of it all!

As far as poking until it feels like balsa wood, I haven't gotten to that point yet, although the piece I'm working on now does seem much harder than the first piece I did. Do you achieve this "sensation" with a coarser needle such as a 38 or not until you start with the 40 or 42?

Thanks again for all your info.

Will be sending you a PM shortly.

Stacey