Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi all!!
Here are my new Polar Bears.  I call them"Love Lifts Me Up".  I know, "Cheesy".  They measure 3" x 1 1/4" x 2 1/4" tall, needle felted over wire armature.  I tried something new, I hand painted the paw pads on, not sure how I feel about them yet.  I still embroidered the claws and the noses.
Hope everyone is having a great summer!!
Andrea

Just an update, I purchased some fine thread along with some beading needles  and it went through like a champ.  Now I can finish off a few little ones I have been working on.   Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions.  Have a good one!!

Hi all!!  Happy early 4th of July!!  I was wondering where you guys get your needles.  I have been buying them in variety packs but the more I needlefelt the more I am realizing the ones I prefer.  I seem to mostly use the 38 gauge star blade  and the  40 gauge triangular but I wanted to try a 42.  The place I have been using does not offer a 42.  I was wondering who you guys use?????  Thanks!
Andrea

Absolutely adorable!!

Thank you for the wonderful comments!!
Andrea

Hi all, I just finished or I should say re-worked my Baby Panda.  I did her about 1 1/2 months ago and I have been passing her every day and I felt like she needed something so I touched her up  a bit.  I think I'll call her "Petal"
She is needle felted over a wire armature.  She measures 3 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 2 1/4" tall. 
Have a great day!
Andrea

Hello everyone!!
I just finished my Baby dragon, I call her Rosie.  She is 3 3/4" long x 1 3/8" wide and stands 2 3/8" tall or 3" tall including her wings.  I built her on a wire armature.  Hope you like her.
Andrea

Thanks again  for all the new suggestions.  I will give them a try.  I feel silly that I can't thread the needle or the bead.  I had my daughter try and my sister. The needles I got are the thinnest I've ever used, I never had a needle that I couldn't eventually thread.  As for the beads, they did not come on a string but they must be thread-able.  I know the needles can fit the bead, that was no problem, just no thread in it.  I think the beading wire may work.  I appreciate the help!!
Thanks again!
Andrea

Just an update. I tried the needle threader on the bead and it didn't fit.  I think I need even thinner thread.  I found a needle but the same problem.  Couldn't thread it with even a needle threader.  The search continues for thin thread. Thanks for the help.
Andrea

That's an idea!!  Wish I thought of that before.  I'll give that a try.
Thanks!

Hi all,
I was wondering where you guys buy your needles for attaching the bead eyes.  I just purchased really small  eyes, 1 mm.  When they arrived I realized all my needles were too large to fit through the bead.  I went out and got the smallest ones I could find and they still are too big.  Where do you guys get yours???
Thanks, Andrea

Thank you very much!!!!

Hi all!!  I hope you all are doing well.  I've been busy this week, made some new bears and made an avatar.  Here are my new Polar Bears, Mommy & Baby, I still need to name them.  Wire armature, about 3 1/2" long.  Have a good one!!!
Andrea

Thank you  guys so much!!!   You've really boosted my confidence.  I am already onto my next bear, I love this board!!!  I have learned so much here.  Thanks again!!!!

Thanks everyone for the posts.  It always helps to hear nice things.  I love making these little bears so profit or no profit, I will keep going.  I will definitely start my prices a little higher next time.  As for being copied, I will take it as a compliment.  Thanks again!!!
Andrea

Hi all, greetings from N.J.!!   I posted a few Bears on Ebay the past week.  I think next time I will start the price higher, they didn't seem to take off at all.  I was a little disappointed but I have only just begun and I love it so much I know I won't give up.  Here are my completed auctions...

http://search-completed.ebay.com/search … p=1&fsoo=1

I was hoping you guys could give me some pointers, maybe I listed too soon as I haven't been felting long.  I am also going to set up a separate ebay account for just my bears, I have been a seller for a while but never any of my own creations.  I was thinking of trying another place to sell.  I looked at bearpile but I didn't see any Needle Felted bears on there.   

**Another, unrelated question, Has anyone ever copied your work???   I noticed on Ebay another set of felted Polar Bears,  same pose, composition and size.
Thanks for the help!!
Andrea

your pincushions are fantastic!!!  I don't think I would want to cover any of them with pins!!!
Andrea

Thanks for the responses.  The smell did go away however, I was worried i ruined my bears.  Have a great day!
Andrea

Bobbie, I think we may be soul sisters with the Polar Bears!!!
I just love them.
Andrea

Thanks you all for the wonderful comments.  My bears are about 2 1/2" tall x 3 1/2" x 2 1/4".  I am still using the corriedale wool sliver roving since I have so much. I tried clay claws but the smell of the glue seems to staying with the bears and I don't like that. 
I never introduced myself, my name is Andrea, I am a stay at home Mom with a degree in art.  I chose Katiebear as my screen name because it is the nickname I gave my daughter when she was born some time ago.   
Felting is very new to me, this is my second item but like I said before I am totally hooked.  This bear was inspired by my son.  Just the other night he cuddled up with me laying on my arm, that is where I get most  of my ispiration in all of my art. 
As for selling, I just listed my first bear on ebay, just to see if there is a market for my bears.

http://cgi.ebay.com/OOAK-Needle-Felted- … dZViewItem
   
We'll see.    There is so many talented people out there it amazes me.  Either way, I have a feeling I will be poking and jabbing for years to come.  This is a fabulous board, very friendly, encouraging and helpful.   Thanks again!!
Andrea

P.S. I just gor some black wool so I think I may try a panda, wish me luck!!

Hi all, I made my new bears claws out of clay and glued them on with E6000.   Does the smell of the glue eventually go away or will she have smelly feet forever???  It seems pretty strong to me.  Thanks!

Hi all, I just finished my second bear, another Polar Bear and her cub.   I had started a cat but did not like how it was coming.  Thanks again for all your help in getting me started.