Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I would love to see the 100 Steiff teddy bears, must be a sight. 

I don't see the reason why grown men can't sleep with their teddies. Most of the paranoid ones on that website they sound like low IQ meat heads. I am a normal, straight man and I don't see anything wrong with having Teddy bears. I actually just started to get into  teddy bears, not because I have any issues  but I just appreciate all nicely hand-made items and teddies are just so cute! When I look at their innocent faces, they just make me smile. My partner she doesn't have any problem with this either. I have a few but I don't sleep with them, not because "I'm a man" but because I'm afraid to accidentally damage them while sleeping. Maybe when I get myself one of the Steiff plush machine washable range, I'll sleep with them. But for mohair ones I dare not.

I was just wondering for those who also collect Steiff bears, how many do you guys have? Or anything special to you that you would like to share with us ? Story/pictures?
I have a few but I live in a small apartment so now I hesitate to acquire more because I don't know where I can put these bears at...

Thanks for further info, that's interesting!

But the hair can't really get tangled anyway right? Does  brushing really make a difference?

Why do we need to brush the Teddy's hair by the way?

I read somewhere that Steiff US is slowly phasing out and on the way out. Is it really true? I hope not. I hate to think iconic company like Steiff is closing down

Back to Mohair, I also notice that different bears may have different mohair blends. For example, 75% mohair 25% cotton, or 50% mohair 50% cotton.  I guess the less mohair content is more economical, but I am curious about the blending with cotton affect the mohair? softer or harder? And is there such thing as 100% mohair Steiff?

I got Steiff Yes/No and also the small 1910 bears. They are both limited editions but come in identical Steiff generic blue/white boxes (with stickers of model numbers of the bear underneath the boxes. They do come with certificates though. One is 2009 edition, the other 2010, and maybe they don't make those special boxes (or cotton bags) anymore for recent releases? It's a shame though because I like those special boxes with the names of the limited edition/replicas printed nicely on them, and the certificates don't look as nice as older ones too. Just a little nit picking but it's good to have something nice for special bears.

Can't quite comment on the quality between older and newer generation Steiff since I am still new, but if I am not mistaken, limited edition from a few years ago were packaged in their own unique boxes with the names on them right? Looks like recent limited editions come in generic blue/white box with Steiff animals picture on it.
I wish all limited editions and replicas come in their own boxes with the name of the edition on it like what they used to be. For limited editions I don't actually mind to pay extra $10/$20 or so if it can be packaged in a nice presentation.

I see. I've had a look at the video of how they made the paper bear, amazing stuff.

http://www.vimeo.com/14557431

Ah I see, thanks for the link.
I don't make bears so to be honest, I probably can't tell the difference between a top quality mohair and a lesser quality one anyway, haha...

I am not an expert in mohair quality, but do all Steiff Teddy bears have the same quality of mohair, or do they use better quality ones only for limited edition/replicas?
Also say if the quality is pretty much equal, quality-wise (mohair in general), how good is the quality of mohair from Steiff? eg. the best grade, or middle of the ground? Thanks!

I know this sounds stupid, but I was just wondering, for those of you who display their bear outside without cover, what's the best way to keep them free from dust and clean?
I don't want to put them in their boxes and also not inside covered cupboard, and I don't have glass display case, so that means if I want to see them I have to just let them hang around somewhere in the room. But then dust will get to them... Any tips?

I see. Thanks for that. Always curious about it.

Hello.

I've been pondering about this for awhile, I'm curious about the inner mechanism of a growler for Teddy bears. What is inside the growler and how can it make the growling noise?
I tried looking this up but couldn't find anything. Anyone knows how it works or has opened one before? Thanks!