Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Both bears are absolutely wonderful.  It always amazes me how different bears made from the same/similar pattern can be...one of the joys of bearmaking! 

Regards

Sue

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories.  They make great reading!

Hugs

Sue

Marlene de Lorenzo produced a pattern for a lovely sitting elephant called Eunice.  The pattern is available from Teddy's Bits.  Hope this helps.  I think Monica Spicer produced one as well.

Regards

Sue

Thanks so much, ladies!  Roll on Christmas...when I hope I'll have time to make another bear!

Regards

Sue

If you use a two piece centre seam gusset, instead of having two straight centre seams, you can widen/shape each side slightly at the top of the head.  It's difficult to explain, but will add a rounded dome to the top of the head.  The centre seams from the end of the nose to the top of the head should be straight and the centre seams of the rear part of the head should also be straight.  The widening is very subtle and should not be overdone.  I used this method with my avatar bear.

Regards

Sue

SO realistic.  I expect him to purr at any moment!  Amazing work!

Thank you Pauline and Sylvia!  For ages all my bears turned out as boy bears.  I didn't think I'd ever be able to make a girly bear!

Wonderful little fellow.  Full of character!

Thanks ladies so much for sharing your experiences.  The passion you feel for what you do comes over so strongly in your writing about your bear making.   I kept thinking 'Wow, that's just how I feel!'  It is great to know there are so many kindred spirits out there!  Lisa is absolutely right about 'obsession' and Maria is spot on about 'I don't think I have ever made a bear that came out exactly as I had envisaged it! Do any of you ever have the bear that just refuses to be made? Or the one which is dying to be finished and really co-operates all the way?
'  I really identify with Lisa and Julia about bear making being a stress reliever...although when I am having a third go at getting a nose right....

Thanks so much for sharing!

Hugs
Sue

I wondered if some of you might share why you started making bears with the rest of us?  When I meet bear artists at shows they are usually very busy so I would be embarrassed to ask. 

In my case, after my partner bought me a new classic Steiff bear for my birthday, I became really interested in Steiff bears.  I loved the look and shape of them, but found that they were stuffed so hard that they were really not very cuddly. Also, I realised my pockets were not deep enough to buy older Steiffs.  When looking for Steiff bears, I came across artist bears by chance.  I was amazed that it was possible to buy the materials and components to make bears.  My initial aim was to try to make my own cuddly classic bear.  I never realised that nearly three years later I would still be experimenting with making 'that bear' that I see in my head.  The next step for me will be to try to age my bears to give them that preloved look.

About 18 months ago, I decided I also wanted to make cuddly bears with a realistic shape but teddy face and personality.  I don't think that designing has been easy for me.  I have to work hard at it and have had many failures along the way.  I cannot think of many occupations that can bring such joy and frustration in equal measure.  So long as I really enjoy it, I shall carry on...trying to improve and in hope that my eyes and hands don't give out!

My influences:  I love early Steiffs, Farnells, Merrythought and Knickerbocker bears.  Classic bears: I love Dany bears, Aerlinn bears, Wee Scones, Tonni Bears, Bisson bears, Humble-Crumble bears
Realistic bears: Karin de Lorenzo, Desert Mountain Bears, Gisella Hofmann...and too many others to mention!

Regards

Sue

Hi Peter

Thank you for your kind comments.  I started out making large traditional teddies.  I haven't made a large bear for quite a while...so may try one sometime soon. 

I love all types of bears, but if I look at my own hug, most are either classic or realistic teddies.  There is something about them that draws me to them! 

Regards

Sue

What a wonderful retirement gift!  I'm awful at thinking up names...how about Forget-Me-Not?

Regards

Sue

Thank you SO much, Gail and Peter.  I really value your opinions.

Regards

Sue

Thanks Becky.  His colour is very difficult to photograph.

Thanks Becky.  They were made from the same design, so it always amazes me how different materials, method of stuffing and finishing can produce very different bears!

Regards

Sue

All your little bears are just so sweet and Elf is just a poppet!

This panda cub is a further development of a panda pattern I have been developing for a few months.  He is made from Schulte alpaca and has soft, black leather sculpted pads.  He has 6 joints including a double-neck joint for additional poses.  His nose is moulded by hand from epoxy clay.  He is weighted with plastic beads and is a fabulous cuddle.  I cannot bear to part with him at present.

regards

Sue

I'm sure he will be loved to bits.  Fab bear!

Hi Paula
They are great! I totally understand your love of Raggedy dolls. I lmake Raggedy Anns occasionally- my mother (now passed away) made me a lovely Raggedy Ann when I was 9 years old and like teddies, I don't think you ever outgrow them.  They bring back so many childhood memories.

Regards

Sue

He is a real cracker!  You must be thrilled with him.  I could almost believe he is alive!

So adorable. She looks like she should be the fairy on top of the tree.

Please say hi to Fleur.  She is a traditional 14 inch teddy.  She has been made from a lovely blonde German mohair.  Her eyes are black glass and her mouth and nose have been sewn with a chestnut perle cotton.  Her wool paw pads are lined for extra strength.  She is wearing a hand made sun dress and complimentary bow in her hair.  She puts me in mind of long, summer days!  (Wistful thinking...here in grey England!)

Please say hi to Cato.  He is a 14 inch traditional ted made from a lovely rust coloured German mohair.  His eyes are black glass and his nose and mouth are black perle cotton.  His paws are lined for extra strength.  They are made from pure wool felt.  He is stuffed with polyfill with the addition of plastic beads to make him a nice weight.  He has a small hump and the long arms of an older-style bear.

I have always loved your Toyland series.  They are just perfect!

Another lovely bear!  Gorgeous mohair and old fashioned charm.