Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Coraleen,

Here is a link to a video tutorial for a pipe cleaner bear.   www.youtube.com/watch?v=hASIlHyVeMY

Here is a link to a picture tutorial: 

http://www.localfunforkids.com/crafts/2 … eaner.html

Hope this helps. 

Hugs,

elle

Yippee!!  I am now the lucky owner of little Margaret!!!  Can't wait 'til she arrives here at her new home.     

And thank you for the kinds words re my critters also, Isa!  :hug:

Ellen

I love the tiny Margaret soo much!!!  She's beautiful, whimsical and sweet!!  I love her little face, too!!    

hugs,

Ellen

So glad they were able to diagnose your illness, Shannon!!  Sending beary hugs to you and wishes that you are soon feeling much better!! :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

hugs,

Ellen

Oh, a nice size too!  Thank you also for the kind words, Isabelle! 

Beautiful, sweet bear!!  (Quelle est sa hauteur?)    

hugs,

Ellen

Hi Melissa! 

Saud is absolutely gorgeous!!  The detail is amazing!  Love him so much!!     

hugs,

Ellen

Hi Kelly and Lynne,

Thank you for your help!

Kelly, I have some glass beads I ordered a long time ago, but never used them because they are so fine - like fine sand - and thought they might cause a problem.  Where do you get the larger glass beads?

Lynne, I only use the shot in the tummies, so adding in the legs and arms, too would help with weight. 

Does anyone know a source for larger stainless steel shot?  I can only find the micro stainless beads.

hugs,

Ellen

Hi Michelle, 

Thank you for another good idea!!  They look like they might be bigger than what I have, so may be heavier.

hugs,

Ellen

Hi Kerrilyn, :)

I didn't think about using nuts and bolts for jointing.   I'll look for some weights at a fishing store, too -- thanks for the great ideas!

hugs,

Ellen

Hi, :)

I've been trying to find a way to add more weight to my bears.  They are smallish, 9" and under.  I started using the micro stainless beads, then went to a bigger steel shot.  I get a decent weight, but would like some to be heavier (without using any lead.)  Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!!

Hugs,

Ellen

Oh, it's so good to know you don't have to make the little tummy pouches.  I think the balancing would be easier without them too!! 

hugs,

Ellen

I make a little muslin pouch and put it in the tummy.  My smallest bears are about 2 1/2" though.  The stainless shot is very tiny.  Laura Lynn and Karen, do you have any problems with the shot working its way through the fabric or seams if it's not contained?  Do you put in some stuffing first so the shot's not right up against the fabric?

hugs,

Ellen

Hi Richard,

For bears, you really only need a straight stitch (and the ability to go backwards is very helpful), but you'll have the least frustration with a strong, heavy duty machine.  I found that some machines do tight or small curves easier than others.  For your price range, I would suggest a used machine, if you can find one.  I like the old heavy metal ones from a good manufacturer such as Pfaff, Bernina, and Viking.  Bernina has a feature that lifts the presser foot with your knee which is very helpful for doing curves.  The old Singer Featherweights are great, too, but tend to be kind of pricey.  If you take some of your bear fabric scraps and fabrics you like for clothing, you can try out the various machines and see what you like.  If you buy from a shop (at least in the US) the used machines usually have a 6 month warranty.  You might try the classifieds too, but make sure you can try out the machine before buying.

hugs,

Ellen

Thank you so much for the kind words, ladies!!      I've been experimenting with dyeing and having fun with it.

hugs,

Ellen

Thank you for the kind words, Lenora, Janice, and Melisa!! 

:hug:

Ellen

Wispa is such a cutie pie!!   

hugs,

Ellen

Oh what a sweetheart!! Tofu is adorable!!   

hugs,

Ellen

I just joined BearPile and Winnie is my first bear there.  She is 8 1/2" tall made of German mohair that I hand dyed.  She is wearing a handmade skirt of vintage lace and eyelet, a vintage rayon ribbon bow, and a handmade necklace.  You can visit her here:

http://www.bearpile.com/detail.cgi?id=1352&item=35159

hugs,

Ellen

Ceylon is just beautiful!! -- as are all your bears, Denise!!  What a gorgeous face!!  Love her dress and necklace, also!!   

hugs,

Ellen

Jean-Luc is gorgeous!!  All the detail is exquisite, too!!   

hugs,

Ellen

How adorable!!  Love little Mocca!!  Such a sweet face and I love the eyebrows, too!!   

hugs,

Ellen

Thank you, Janice!! 

hugs,

Ellen

Here is Poof, a 7 1/2" pink hand dyed mohair elephant holding a vintage fabric viola flower with her trunk and wearing a vintage lace collar and skirt.  She'd love it if you could give her a visit  here. 

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?li … d=39631633

hugs,

Ellen

He's adorable!!  I love his cute face and little tongue, too!!   

hugs,

Ellen