Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Deb,
I search artist bear.
Donna

Just thought of one more trick.  Slide the blunt end of the needle under the stitches on the nose.  Run the needle up and down the length of the nose, this will help smooth out the stitches.  Learned that from Kathleen Wallace.
Donna

Can you pop in another thread and just go back to the spots that are a little too far apart and fill in the empty space?  Or if it is around the edge of the nose, outline it is black all the way around the nose then use your pen if needed.  I always put a piece of felt or ultrasuede under the nose the same color of the embroidery floss so that imperfections don't show as much.  You could always do a second layer of nose, uuuuugggggghhhh!
Good luck, isn't it always the way that it works when you want something to be extra special you get all these challenges!
Donna

Kelly,
I'll be there and I'll check on your little bear for you.  You have done an outstanding job! 
Donna

I have a dumb husband, goat story!  We got a goat to help keep our blackberries under control.  She did a fine job of that!  We had a problem with her that she saw the dog and the cats going in the house and she thought that she should have the right also.  Our son was always on my case to potty train her so she could come in.  My problem was that she had no respect for anything.  She thought she could go anywhere and eat anything she wanted including bear parts.  There was always a power struggle with her as to who was in charge.  I was raised on a farm and adopted my dad's method of getting her attention by giving her a whack on her butt.  She and I kind of had an understanding.  My husband and son were always trying methods like squirting her with water or trying to make her submit.  One day she butted my poor husband in the knee.  I know it had to hurt and without even thinking he brought his hand down to hit her on the head.  A goat has a very hard head and this one had horns.  Her horn went through his hand.  She really did not know that anything had happened but my husband took up my method of dealing with her when she was being difficult.  We lost her about three years ago but she is still keeping us laughing, remembering all the antics she was constantly up to.  We tend to not bring up the times when she really did hurt one of us.  She was a Nigerian Dwarf and I would hate to think what she would have done to us if she had been a regular sized goat.
Donna

Can you write an article to have printed in the local paper in hopes that whoever has the bear will read it and return it?  It is the right time of the year to keep our hope alive, so go for it!
Donna

Hi Shantell,
I have the bits that go into the screwdrivers that accept different bits.  I think that is the one Daphne is talking about.  I use a ratcheting screwdriver and it works like a charm.  If you don't have one of those screwdrivers around the house the last one I bought was $5.00 so there is not a big investment for the tools.  I sell the bits for $2.00 each if you are interested.
Donna

I think it was Laura Lynn that I picked up the tip to rub the mohair on the sidewalk.  I was doing a repair of an old bear that had lost his arm.  After I used dye to get the mohair to the correct color and plucked and shaved most of the mohair off of it I took it outside and scrubbed it on the sidewalk.  I finally dampened the mohair and then scrubbed it on the sidewalk.  After it dried it had just the right look. 
Donna

Shari,
I am not a nurse and can't give you advice.  I am sorry for your pain.  It may or may not help but you might try to rub your legs with arnica two or three times a day.  It won't cure what is causing you the pain but it might help you get through the day until it is figured out.  I have also heard that if you take a teaspoon of vinegar a day it can help.  Also massaging with castor oil twice a day.  These won't hurt you but might help while you are getting the info together for the pros.
Donna

In your experience with ebay, do you think there will be more buyers looking for bears around Thanksgiving or will they all be off at the mall for all those great sales?
Thanks,
Donna

Hi Suzanne,
Just use your regular camera and have a cd made at the same time you have the pictures developed.  You won't have instant pictures to know what you have but it is better than nothing.  Good luck with the show!
Donna

Lynn,
You are not alone, several TTers are having trouble with their orders.  Just keep sending her emails or call.  Here is another email addy to try:  angelbeariescloud@hotmail.com  This is the one she has been using with me to buy her business.  Sorry you are having trouble.  I know it is frustrating but it will all work out if you just keep after her.
Donna

I feel I need to appoligize to everyone who are having trouble getting your orders.  Gail can tend to be disorganized but is honest.  This is one of the big reasons I was hesitant to consider buying the business from her.  I fear there are too many unhappy customers out there.  I do know that all of her good staff walked out on her awhile back so if there is anyone there other than Gail it is probably someone who does not know much about the business.  Just keep on top of your orders and keep contacting her, she will eventually get you taken care of.  I'm sorry you are all having trouble!
Donna

I would give Fels-Naptha a try.
Donna

Daphne,
Did you look at the post on here that Deb did awhile back?  A nose answer for Jill or something like that.  She showed a foam piece that she used for her template.  I am in the process of making a bear on all fours out of seal.  I used her idea and cut it out of leather.  Very quick and easy.
Donna
Thanks Deb!

Is there any way to edit after you have a bid?
Donna

I paid 25 cents a pound for my glass beads from the sand blasting supply company.  They will deliver at no cost since I am on the route.  I usually plan a trip to pick it up so that I can see what else they have.  One time I bought a broken bag of coated stainless steel space ship shaped things for inside the bodies. 
Donna

Daphne,
When I am doing a fur bear that I am not sure of I will cut two nose felt templates.  I sew the two felts together leaving the top open and stuff the template then close the top.  I then do a running back stitch or whip stitch to attach the stuffed template to the bear.  Then I do an embroidered nose going between the fur bear and the template.  The only stitches that I may take through the fur may be on the very edges on the sides.  I hope this makes sense.
Donna

I get my glass beads from a sand blasting supply company.  They are much cheaper that way.  I have to buy a forty pound bag but I share it with all my bear making friends.  And a forty pound bag of glass beads is not very big.  I usually tranfer it to an empty cat little container so I don't have any spills from a hole being poked in the paper.  Check you local phone directory and see what you come up with.  Also if you know anyone in the highway department, they put glass beads in the paint for the yellow or white lines on the streets.  They might be able to get you some.  Those glass beads are a little larger than the ones from the sand blasting.
Donna

They are great for newbies!  If you have a class there is so much to absorb that when you get home to do it on your own you don't always remember what was taught in the class.  With the video you can watch it as many times as you want.  I went for a time period where I sat with the video running and hit the pause button, did what Jennifer said then ran it some more, hit the pause button.  And that was after taking a class from her.  I got the video after I had been making bears for several years and still picked up a lot of knowdlege from it.   
Donna

Kim,
I have not bleached mohair but I know of several artists that have.  What is the effect you are going for with the bleach?  If you are wanting to lighten the color in areas that is what you will get.  If you are trying to take all the color out of a piece of mohair you might end up with a mess by the time you get it white.  It really won't be that much different than bleaching your blue jeans.  What about Rit color remover?
Donna

Hi Jill,
I sent you a private message.  You just take care of getting your life back to normal and the stuffing tool will be waiting for you whenever you are ready for it.
Donna

Hi Deb,
I get a 10" bear out of a fat 1/8 (14x18) so you should be able to do it with your 12x25.  If the pattern has bent legs there might be a problem.
Donna

Kim,
A friend needs to paint white socks on a black critter.  Will your paints give a good coating so it is white rather than just turning the black mohair gray?  We played over the weekend with oil and acrylic  and were not happy with the results. 
Thanks,
Donna

Hi Daphne,
Have you ever tried cutting out your bears using a razor blade?  I know it will work on real fur and Edinburgh mohair.  I have not used it on Intercal's.  Back when I was using the razor blade the Intercal fabric I had was too loosely woven.
Donna