Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Matilda is right. I use a finer needle (purple one?) so it goes through the mohair easier. Say for a nose start off on your pad, when its halfway to where you want, start felting onto your mohair bear. I go around the edges first then in the middle. You can add more if you need to.
Thread joints are a good way for the small bears and when finished you can just felt a bit over where the knots/indents are to get it smooth. I have just started so thaks for the sud tip Matilda.

Blooming eck! (another one for Shelli, Northern saying) You are all stars. I will try to get the mag this weekend.

Beautiful fabric. And those puppy dog eyes. Screams quality and cuteness. Lovely Jubbly.

Thanks Clare. Its great when we can share places to get things. It makes it so much easier when you can reccommend someone.

I am so jealous. I have ran out of shot and it costs me a lot of money because I have to have it posted. We have Asda here which is owned by Walmart but we would never have anything like the things you have.
Of course we don't have the hunting people here as much, many issues on that one. I worked in a gun shop when I was 17 but it has long since closed down. Anyone in England can you tell me where you get yours?

Nancy, you are a few noodles short of a chow mein!::P

Please tell her to take it easy and I hope things get better soon.

Someone help! Shelli's gone mad! What a great site. What does being 'punchy' mean? Do you mean you want to hit someone or are you punch drunk? Hmm...

Hi Julia. I'm from England. Guess our American, Canadian cousins are still in bed! It reads to me like me shoot-ka? If thats right its pretty easy to say and understand. The shoe bit makes it easy. I like the old fashioned writing and sketch. Good luck.

Its hard to think on a wet Sunday morning her in England there are some of you still in bed ready to wake up later to glorious sunshine!:rolleyes:  It is already dark here now at 8.30 pm. Whats it like where you are Julia?

I am a squishy stuffer. I find if I stuff the head too hard I can't do the needlesculpting very well.

I vote for Smudge as he looks like someone has gone mad airbrushing his muzzle.

Clare, thanks for the post. I have being feeling the same after having 6 weeks break. I have read some of the replys and have started a bear today. Should be finished to put on Ebay soon.

Shana, you could be me! Same thing here. In a past post of mine I asked about Ebay. The best advice was that you need to keep putting your bears on. So collectors can get to know you. A lady from the UK only sells on Ebay, has only been going a year but gets at least $200 for her fantastic tiny creations.

So back into it for me and a listing every week to get me in there!

You really make bears that deserve to be cuddled, not just displayed. What a sad but lovely story.

Heres a saying from Stoke, Staffordshire, England. We are situated between Manchester and Birmingham.

'Cos na kick a bow agen the wool an bost it'.

This will give you the old Stoke accent if you read it as written. Translated it is 'Can you kick a ball against the wall and burst it'.

Good luck Jane. Hope your kids are OK about it. Make sure you rest when you come out. I've heard they have to tie you to the chair to stop you working and bearmaking! All the best, Mandy

Missed that topic as I was away. Here is a picture of my panda and me. It was my first christmas 1968. I still have him but there are no labels. Wendy Boston used to make a lot of bears etc like these. My mum and dad can't remember where they bought it. Thats why my dad used to call me Pandy Potter. Panda, Mandy (me) and we live in the Potteries ( Stoke-on-Trent).

I used to work in a care home. It does take time but dementia can put a different slant on things. I would see residents get stressed when their relatives were there but later would be in their routine and be OK. Its very hard on the relatives there is a lot of emotions and old wounds opened up.
You have to tell yourself what is the best for your mother and thats to be in a safe, caring enviroment. If you or family are in the least bit feeling guilty you must stop it right there. I have seen families fall apart over the care of eldery members. Your own family and their wellbeing is first now, your mother will be OK.  Remember you are only really stressed because you do care enough.
I'm not saying its going to be easy but you can only do your best, hang in there.

I haven't done one for years but I think good display is the key element. I used old leather suitcases which were great for transporting them and then used them to get the different levels on your table.
You will need a nice coloured very large tablecloth I had a black and burgundy one that covered the front and sides. I bought metres of material to make mine.
Lighting if you can Clip on spot lights and maybe an extension lead.
Bags and business cards and perhaps flyers.
FOOD!
And of course bears. I used to have no less than 10 and no more than say 20. I do think getting your stand to 'stand' out is key. Don't get too stressed about not having enough bears. If you have to start 'churning' them out it will drive you crazy and it can show in your bears. Better to do a few good ones than lots of OK ones. I am sure others will have loads more tips and don't get too stressed!

Hope you are OK Jenny. When abuse like that is coming in your home it can be horrible. I thought of ringing you to see if you were OK then thought better of it. I sure you are fed up of the phone! What a bunch of idiots. Years ago I had the same kind of thing over 'they could get me cheaper rates' when I said I already had looked into it myself they acted if I was stupid. Best leave it to BT or who ever deals with that kind of thing. Hang in there.

I'm putting Oliver on this week when I get the photo sorted. Should start picking up over the next month but I can always relist nearer Christmas. I made him weeks ago but have waited until summer was over for a better chance.

I've used Shelli's oil idea. FANTASTIC! I followed the instructions of wiping off the excess and kept thinking theres none on, it won't make a difference. It went on like dream, even on the needlefelted areas. Then use the hard bristle brush to shade out and it looks like part of the fur. Was dry the next day like you said and does not come off WHEN dry. Heres the example, Bruno.

Always on the computer? No not me. Its all lies.:lol:

He's really sweet. Where did you get him from?

Theres help for us all
From those we adore
So to each and everyone of you
A big thank you

Well done. I keep saying I will do one and will probably be saying the same thing next year! Good on you for having the guts to just get on and do it.