Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

AAaawwww, says it all really!
How small are they? They look so tiny for all that detail.

Richard
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He is absolutely wonderful! The perfect rabbit. It's like he's jumped straight from a wonderfully illustrated book.
Great work, honestly. I love the character. The large ears work brilliant too.

Richard
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Oh I absolutely LOVE foxes so I'm in love with this guy. He's GORGEOUS!
Wish I was in America so I could bid. Very clever work in creating this look.

Richard
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Absolutely adorable. The monkey actually really suits your style.

Richard
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Hi Catherine

Looks like you had a wonderful day. What sort of Mohair did you get? I bought bags full and am just tucking into using it!    So many ideas and so much inspiration, it really was a fantastic day.

I love the Barling Bear you bought... beautiful. Is he completely loved now he's home?

Richard
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Jane,

Thank you so so much for posting these.
I completely forgot photos and regretted it afterwards. Some wonderful creations and artists and some I had forgotten. How I left with only fabric is beyond me. Although having said that I did leave with ALOT of fabric. 7 bags is a lot right?
Fantastic show, I met some truly wonderful people and am so honoured and happy to be part of this bear world!
Hope I get to go back again soon.

Richard
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Breathtaking. I saw him on your stall today and literally just stood open mouthed!
Your work is exquisite.

Richard
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For anyone who didn't make it today Elwyn was BEAUTIFUL. I mean absolutely gorgeous.
Paula you're work is more stunning in person than I could have imagined.
We came back later to see if Elwyn and Kipling were still available but you'd completely sold out! I knew we shouldn't have waited... Bring on Stratford I shall be first one there and I shall not be waiting anymore 
Great work... truly inspirational and fantastic to meet you.

Richard
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I'm coming as a visitor with my friend Jean and I'm very very very excited 
Looking forward to seeing everyone. This is my first Hugglets and my first bear fair!
Bring on the mohair and Bruins 

Richard
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Wow, he really is gorgeous. Beautiful detail throughout. Fantastic work. And what a big guy too. Very inspirational.

Richard
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Oh Paula! They are both beautiful.
I am absolutely in love with Kipling. Hope I get chance to see him before he's snatched up!
So excited for the show now 

Richard
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Hi Jane, will definitely make myself now, have you highlighted on my little map 
Am getting on really well thanks. Am hooked... as is the way with bears and am trying all sorts of different things at the minute. You're DVD has been a god send at times so thanks for that 

See you there!

Richard
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Jane, Your bears are wonderful. My first Hugglets this February and can't wait to see your stand.
Plus another bear maker in burton     

Richard
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These are absolutely blooming fantastic! If I'm as good as you in 10 months I'll be over the moon. You can really see the time you've spent in them and the perfect has paid off tremendously. You can really see how much you've learnt in these bears too.
Beautiful!

Richard
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Hi Everyone

So my birthday's in April and I'm looking to get my first sewing machine. The problem is, I don't know what I'm looking for!
Can anyone help? I'm looking at spending around £100-£150 and want a machine for basic bear work and a few basic bear clothes.
Any recommended models would be appreciated but beyond this can anyone help with what I'm looking for in a machine. Stitches, foot pressure, tension etc? Should i be asking any questions about to machine to check if it's suitable for my bear work?
Just to make it clear    I've never used a sewing machine before in my life so the simpler any explanations the better. Also any machine will need to be easy to learn to use.

Thanks a bunch in advance.

Richard
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Lovenshire has just made me put 2+2 together and I think I may have your answer with the angles.
This is a technique Ted Menten uses in his book. You use angles on the nose points to make it easy to line up and sew the gusset. So you can pin the angles BUT then as Lovenshire says don't actually stitch to the angles, curve it round to give you the rounded nose of a more generic pattern.
Hope that makes some sense.

I would do as everyone else seems to say sew the profile pieces as normal (nose to neck), then line up the gusset as above. Stitch gusset in to place and wallah! One heard.

Richard
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Becky stole my words! I was going to say how beautiful he was. The classic design works wonders, great proportions and fantastic expression. He really is fantastic.

Richard
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Wonderful, that fur really does look so soft and I love the scissor sculpt detail.
Your eyes always sparkle from the head too, what do you use to paint them?

Richard
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I think he's completely adorable. Love the fabric, and great pattern.
The shorter legs work really really well, they completely suit the style and don't appear our of proportion at all. Good job.

Richard
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Thanks everyone. Will try the snipping technique tonight and let you know how I get on.
If I can I'll get some before and after pictures. 

Richard
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Hi Everyone

So as a beginner, I'm going to ask a very basic question...

I've sewn a few bears and am finally starting to get the hang of feet pads, pattern placement/alignment, eyes, noses etc but my one peeve at the moment is getting the curve on hand paw pads.

When I sew them there always seems to be a sort of 'flat' part to the sewing, if that make sense? I've tried making the stitches smaller and it helped a little but I still don't have that perfect round look that other people seem to acheive.
It seems round when stitched but then I turn it out and the flat bit appears.
How do I stop this? Has anyone got any tips they can share with me.
I am hand sewing at the moment could this be affecting it?

Thanks.
Richard
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What a clever concept, the prop book works wonderfully too. Great idea!! And great work on the bear too.

Richard
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I'm not a big fan of elephants BUT... I love this one. I agree with the above, the proportions are just right and she stands up so well and I love the colour and little details. Great job.

Richard
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Wow!! He is absolutely fantastic, you would never guess making him was outside of your comfort zone!
He's the sort of bear I love, and the detail to the face especially the muzzle.... impressive! Envious he already has a home but I'm sure he'll be loved.

Richard
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Paula, I say it time and again but I love your bears. He's wonderful. That mohair looks to die for and your hand painted glittering eyes just draw you straight in. I also love your signature needle scuplted faces and    at 22" there's a lot of him to love.
Good luck on your final commission and works towards Hugglets hopefully see you there and be bringing home my own, first, All Bear.

Richard
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