Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I also have been trying to get hold of the DVD.  Someone once pm'd me to say that they had a copy I could buy but I lost touch and have regeretted it ever since.  If this rings a bell with anyone I am still interested!

What size are they and what size do you need? I could be interested.

I love Nancy's book and one that I would love to get my hands on is Rortraud Illisch 'A bear of my own'.

Are these just 'ordinary' cards or those fancy 'artist generated' cards - they have a proper name but I forget what it is?

OMG he is just wonderful!!

Thought this could be an interesting topic.  What's the worst injury you have had while making bears?  I was pushing my tapered awl through something one day and managed to put it through the bottom of my finger.
Another one was where I tore a tendon in my shoulder while over enthusiastically getting stuck into stuffing a bear.

Come on let's hear them all!

I am sure there is noone better for the job.  Onwards and upwards from now on.  Good Luck 

I can't even get in mine at the moment - not only  is the table about a foot high in STUFF but the floor is covered and the shelves I know are in there somewhere.

I couldn't sew when I made my first bear.

Missed you Sophie glad you are back and good luck with the job.  :hug:

How many of us are running for our scissors and fur trying to emulate this???

Julia - I have finally posted your bear - he is on his way from a freezing cold desert in Central Australia to England.  Hope he travels well and hope his trip doesn't take too long for either of your sakes.

Good on you Sherroy - we want piccies please  :clap:

I recently completed a bear from one of Ted Manton's patterns.  I don't often use anyone else's patterns but hey I had the book.  What really suprised me was that for the first time ever my finished bear looked like the photo in spite of changes I made to the face.

Love this story.

Just how many bears do you have Peter?

I was really dragging my heels but am pleased to report that Julia's bear is finally ready for posting.  Thought i would finish it really quickly while I was recuperating but ...............
Julia thank you so much for my little pup he is soooo cute.  He actually arrived the day before I went into hospital so the timing was fantastic.

Most bear suppliers sell it so if you have a regular supplier of mohair ask them.

best of luck with the health issues and please stay around you can still chat.

I agree with lots of you - none of my tools are much good on their own but I am definitely with Karon on the awl and Gemma with the Fiskars.  I also have a stubby ratchet handle that my hubby bought me and I absolutely love it when I am jointing with nuts and bolts.  Another favourite when I am making minis would have to be a very cheap pair of magnifying glasses that i stick pretty much on the end of my nose while wearing my ordinary glasses.  Then there are the haemostats which I use for a lot more than turning - I stuff with them, turn cotter pins and have been known to pluck out mohair with them.  Another favourite which may not classify as a tool is a block of wax - helps with thread, waxing etc.  I also have a pair of electric scissors which I use when making larger bears and they are fantastic.  then there's the cordless screwdriver, the measuring thingy with the wheel (great for inserting eyes symmetrically but the name escapes me at the moment).  ohh and my camera, which leads to my computer and my printer and my remote thing for the camera and my tripod and and and my clip on book light and  I could go on all day but I love all my bearmaking tools.  :crackup:

Perhaps needle sculpting the eye socket a little?

I have just put in a friend request so that I can comment and be in the draw.

YELLLLLOW right back at cha!  I could not believe my eyes when after a sleepless night I gave up and got up at 4.30 am and saw your post.  That must be why i got up some subliminal message told me you were back.  It is soooo great that you are here and posting again and a huge welcome to you.

That put my hopes to rest if you can't fold the white latex backed stuff.  With the pinks and purples you are interested in are you after faux fur?  I may put something together for you and then see what you have left.

Hi you are so generous  :clap: i am interested in the white fur with the latex backing just how hard is it to turn?  When you say a large bear how wide do you think that the opening may need to be?  I uld swap some unusual colored synthetic fur but it may be easier to take part in paying for the shipping if you want to give it away.  I can't believe how generous you are but it should come back to you multifold!  I may also be interested in paying for this fur if you could perhaps send me a photo

Hi I am in the process of making up a bear using 'alive eyes' which come with a safety eye plus eye socket and then a white plastic thing which I am guessing is the back of the eye.  Trouble is I can't seem to push the back of the eye on.  Anyone else used this type of eye before and how did you manage to push the back on?  I was so hoping to get this done today so any help is appreciated,