Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

With clay noses, when you make them before you put them in the oven you make a metal loop and push it into the back, and them attach them much like you would a glass eye. I love them!

Laura

Hi Nan,

I haven't used glass noses myself as I make miniatures but I've often wondered what they'd be like to use!  It depends on the size of your bear, but another alternative is making a clay nose.  I make clay noses for all my bears - I make up a batch of all different shapes and sizes and then keep then in my sewing box for when I want to use one!

Laura

Hi Lisa,

Thankyou for your message and I'm familiar with your bears as I recognise the name and style - they are really lovely.  I am a subscriber of Teddy Bear Times, have you appeared in there?

I too am very slow at making my bears, I work on them a little bit at a time and it takes me ages to finish one.

I would give the motorcycle museam a try if I was closer, but I notice there is a Devon bear fair which is more my area so I might look at that.

Enjoying being on the site and looking through the various article!  Think it's going to be a great help to me.

Laura

Well I did wonder about this Jenny - when I show my bears to friends who aren't familiar with hand made bears they love them but don't expect me to charge the price for them as they don't understand what's involved in making them. So I may encounter the same thing at these local craft fairs. Perhaps better off focusing on the specialist bear fairs.

Laura

Thankyou very much for your replies - you've given me some really good advice and information to think about and I've already started having a look at Bearpile and Etsy.
Your tips about shows being slow to begin with is really helpful should I decide to give some a go - I understand what you mean about collectors wanting to get to know your work and see if you're serious before they buy something.  I'm not in any hurry and am not looking at it to make money - bear making is my hobby and if it becomes a hobby which was to pay for itself one day through the bears I sell then that would be enough for me, I'd be happy with that

Veen-Bears:  thanks for your feedback on Simon - I haven't done any face sculpting since I started making minatures - I'd never thought to try it on miniatures but I'll certainly give it a go!

I think what I'll do is carry on perfecting my style, build up a little collection and then start with a website and possibly a show or two.  Someone I know also suggested I try some local craft fairs as we tend to have quite a lot of that sort of thing in Dorset.  Will keep you posted!

Thanks again,

Laura

Hi all,

Happy New Year to you  :lol:

Just wanted to ask other bear artists how they first started promoting their work?  Did you advertise in magazines, did you go to shows?

I have been making bears of all sizes for about 4 years, but am now so excited to be designing and making my own creations from my own patterns.  My bears are mohair miniatures, and I attach a picture of Simon who I finished last week (would love to know what you think!)...

I am thinking of starting by going to a local show, and just getting some feedback and introducing myself as a new artist.  I may also get my website up and running too.

Thanks in advance,

Laura x

Love it!  Very cute and so much detail

I couldn't get my head around how to create this piece but now I think I understand - you can split the head pieces and include a seam allowance.

Can't wait to have a go at my own!

Thanks for your help - will put some pics up of my first attempt.

Laura 

Hi Becky,

Yes that's what I mean, using another fabric to make an inset muzzle piece - thanks for the link to Ivan.

Here is a pic of one of the very first bears I ever made, and it's this pattern I want to try and recreate in my miniatures...

Hi Sue Ann,

Thanks I'll be sure to have a look through the library now...

Laura

Hi all,

I've been making bears for 2-3 years now, and now I've found the size I like making and the fabrics and style I prefer, I can't wait to get going with designing my very own pattern.

I am fairly happy with arms, legs, bodies and ears, but I just don't know where to start with the head.  Is there a general rule of thumb when creating the pattern for the head? I would like to incorporate a muzzle piece but think perhaps I had ought to get to grips with the basics first! I prefer working on miniatures measuring around 6cms.

Thankyou in advance.

Hugs,
Laura

This bear is very sweet - love his expression, and also the slightly curly mohair.
Well done you 

Laura

Very cute indeed!   

I too would love to bear-make full time!  But for me it's just a hobby and I've been bear-making for about 2 years now and still feel very new to it.  Never attempted to sew anything before I started making bears (all clothes alterations and repairs still end up at my Nan's house!).