Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I too, have been nominated in Category 6 for a small, alpaca mouse.  Many congratulations to all the other nominees!

Regards

Sue

Wow, wow, wow!  Work of art!

Cheeky cutie!

Another beauty! She looks so sophisticated - like she's ready for a night on the town.

Just too cute.  That sweet, innocent face and darling chubby tummy!

Aw.  What a cutie.  Courses with reknowned bear artists are such a buzz.  I went on a weekend course taught by Gregory Gyllenship back in July.  It was inspirational...so I really understand your excitement.

Regards

Sue

What a cracker!  He is just fabulous.

Adorable.  Such a lovely colour and sweet expression.  It's good to hear that you're settled in your new home!
Regards

Sue

Wonderful little bear.  It is hard to believe he is so small.  Just love him!

Another real little sweetie!

They are adorable and so lovely as a group.

She is lovely..very feminine.  I love the way you have placed her ears!

What a great character. I love his subtle colouring.  He has a great expression.

Very feminine, sweet little girl.  I love her colour.

Just wonderful!  A triumph!

I love them!

Fabulous polar bear!  There can never be enough of the big white critters!

He's a real cracker!  Adorable

Hi Joanne

It's really good of you to share your techniques with us.  Your bear claws are superb. 

I have used two different methods to attach claws.

I started off by creating individual claws using epoxy clay that were left thick at the back.   I left the back half of each foot unsewn.  I used an awl to make the holes for the claws to pass through.  The claws were pushed partly through the hole(from the inside of the foot), superglued and stitched to ensure they couldn't move.   I finished the foot by stitching the back of the foot using the same stitch I use for closing seams.  I found this method very fiddly and occasionally a claw would break.

More recently, I have created the claws and then before clay has hardened, strung the claws onto a length of florist wire.  For larger bears, I push a small bead of clay between each claw (threaded as before).  When the clay has hardened, the ends of the wires are joined.  The claws are then inserted into the front of the foot.  (This has been left open and the cut edges hemmed). Strong thread is then used to anchor the feet firmly by sewing between each toe.  The upside of this method is that the claws are very stable and there is no need for glue; downside of this is that the complete foot assembly can be bulky. 

Sue

Lovely polar bear.  He is full of personality

Regards

Sue

He's fabulous.  A real Regency dandy!  I am sure that getting him to balance so beautifully was no easy feat!  Great design and impeccably executed.

Regards

Sue

Gorgeous, sumptuous teddy.  It is really difficult to get definition in the faces of black bears.  He is fab.  Personality plus.

Sue

He has the sweetest expression.  I love the way he stands so beautifully.  Very hard to resist!

Just too cute for words.  The fur is fabuous.  I just love his chubbiness, his cute arms and big ears. Totally irresistible!

Regards

Sue

Wow, Joanne

What an amazing pair.  I can't even imagine how much work you have put into them.  I don't know how you keep managing to come up with such fabulous critters and creatures...but each one with your unique trademark style.  If I ever manage to become half as good as you, I will be ecstatic!

Hope they find a great home

Regards

Sue