Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Absolutely beautiful and the paw pads are amazing 

Thank you so much.  A tutorial with photos would be brilliant if you're sure you don't mind sharing your techniques.

I find embroidering noses really hard and still can't get them as good and neat as your bear so was thinking about trying to do a leather nose.

He's lovely.

His nose is beautifully embroidered.  My first attempts were a little messy 

Absolutely gorgeous.  The attention to detail is amazing.

Hope you don't mind me asking but how do you make the eyes open and close?

Thank you.  I used fabric from Sassybears.

I like making bears with big heads 

As promised here is a bear that I made a while ago that I said I would post images of in order to get some honest opinions.

Sorry for the delay but I've been having trouble re-sizing the images.  I will post some more soon.

He is called Aiko which means little loved one in Japanese and is 2 1/2 inches tall.

Thanks, I was wondering whether or not to try oil paints but if the results can be as beautiful as that then I think I should definitely give it a go   

They are so adorably cute and incredibly detailed.  I hope I can get just as good with a little time.

xxx
Rin

I was wondering this same question myself and usually say that I'm a soft sculpture artist when people ask me what I do.  I love the 'I make designer teddy bears' though as well.  The excerpt from 101 Bears to Make was especially helpful as well.

This has given me many ideas as I sometimes wasn't sure whether I was experienced enough to call myself a teddy bear artist.  I've been making bears for around four years but don't think I'm on a par with anyone on here.  They are so perfectly sculpted that they put mine to shame.

I will post some pictures of bears I have made in order to get some feedback.

Infinite hugs
Rin

I'll look into the Huglets one but I live in West Yorkshire so I'll see if I can get down there.  I keep telling myself I need to go to an artist event just to have a look at all the gorgeous bears and furs for sale.  I've seen a bear event coming up in November that's taking place in Sheffield so I'm definitely considering going to that one.

Just wondered as well.  I've been making bears for around four years now.  Am I able to call myself a bear artist or do I need more experience?  Also I will post some bear pictures as soon as possible.

xxx

Your shading is gorgeous.  What did you use to get such a beautiful effect?

Sorry for the delay in replying but that is really sweet of you Michelle.  Thanks so much.

Don't worry I did realise you meant that they come in packs

Everyone does say I should try selling my bears and I managed to raise just under £40 for one for a charity event at my college (I'm 35) which gave me a wonderful feeling.  I will see about posting some pictures so I can get some honest opinions from bear artists.  Some things I still struggle with though such as noses and I'm in the process of trying to shade as well.  I think I'm going to use water colour pencils the first time.

Thanks everyone.

Infinite hugs
Rin

Thank you for the detailed response Michelle.

I didn't trim away the fur from where the joint is as it didn't occur to me so I know that now for next time.  I'll check out those websites you suggested to get some joints.  I think the biggest bear I've made so far is around 8 inches so I will take your advice and go for the cotter pin joints.

I really appreciate all the help that everyone has given me 

Thanks so much.  I will look through the forums to see if I can see any suppliers and I'll browse the internet too.

Hugs
xxx

Thank you for your help.

Is it possible to make these bigger disc joints or do I have to buy them?  I live in the UK and have noticed that a lot of shops do not cater to teddy bear-making items so any advice would be much appreciated.  I did read about the plastic joints not being as good and I have seen those available to buy but would prefer joints that will last.

I found these forums a short time ago and while the advice has helped me a lot this is the first time I have posted so just wanted to say a big thank you to all the artists out there who have been giving the most amazing advice to people like me who are not as experienced as they are as these forums have helped me a lot xxx

Hi can anyone please help me with this problem?

I usually make miniature bears and have no problems making the disc joints tight.  However, I've started to make around 8 inch bears now and have problems getting their joints tight enough.  I physically cannot tighten them any more than I have and yet they are still loose once stuffed.  I am using Debbie Kesling's method (from her book How to Make Enchanting Miniature Bears) of using margarine tub lids as discs and jewellery pins for the joint which is brilliant and has worked for me before.  I have cut bigger discs for the bigger bears as I usually only use a hole punch to make the small discs for a miniature.

Please help if you can as it's driving me mad

Thanks in advance xxx