Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Jane,
Great pictures - thanks for sharing them!!!
(Hugs),
~Patricia

Hi Roxanne,

I found the photo, now lets see if I can get it to post to the board.  What I did was sew the eyelashes on with thread so I knew they were really secure.  Then use straight pins to seperate the eyelashes nicely and place an itty bitty drop of clear glue in each seperation.  This is tricky though because you have to be careful not to glue the straight pins into the eyes, lol.  Not a good look - they look kinda scarey with straight pins stuck in their eyes, lol. 

Good luck on your project, your duck is going to be beautiful I'm sure!

(Hugs),
~Patricia

Roxanne,

I use wool for my eyelashes.  However, several years ago I use to use false eyelashes - the ones you can buy in the make up section of the store.  This might go nicely with your glass eyes.  I have a photo somewhere I took a long time ago to show how to make them look nice I'll see if I can find it in my computer.

(Hugs),
~Patricia

I use wire in a lot of my creations because I like to have a little bit of poseability (I don't think that's a word, but it should be,lol).  I want my little bears to be able to look UP at you.  With string jointing they can only look side to side, so I wire the head and torso so the neck can be moved up and down, or side to side.  I string joint the legs and arms, but I wire the arms.  I like them to be able to reach out and move their hands.  So I use wire for posing choice NOT for strength.  I get the impression a lot of folks think wiring is simply for strength - this is not what I use it for as I felt very firmly and wire is not needed for strength. (Can you tell this is a little peeve of mine,  :redface: ) I do understand there are times when wire IS needed for strength for instance the flower with the bear on it in my avatar.  I used wire for strenth there in the stem as it needed to support the weight of the bear climbing on it.

Needling over wire does have some issues and is actually harder.  For me not because of breaking needles.  I have actually never broke a needle while needling over wire.  This is hard to explain it would be easier to draw.  If you picture the wire going from the head to the torso, you have to make sure that your needling EVENLY for where you want the neck to be.  I have to be careful when needling the head so that the neck does not end up coming out of the back of the head, lol.  The direction you are poking is where the fibers will be directed to and where bulk will be added.  So keep that in mind so you don't end up shifting the wire placement.  It just takes practice working with wires.

Shelli~ I love your creativity and look forward to seeing your needle felted creations!

(Hugs),
~Patricia

Oh Millie,

What a super sweet Panda!!     You've done a great job, thanks for sharing her!

(Hugs),
~Patricia

:dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  Another HAPPY DANCER  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

OH MY,  I just recieved a message from Andrea that my Ginger was nominated for a Golden Teddy!!!!  I couldn't beleive it I had to play the message over and over - I just might wear out my answering machine!!!!

~A VERY HAPPY PATRICIA

GINGER

:clap:  :dance:  :clap:  CONGRATULATIONS Tammy, Christine, Tami, and Bobbie!!!!!!  You've all done a super job!!!!!!   :clap:  :dance:  :clap:

~Patricia

:clap:  :dance:  :clap:  CONGRATULATIONS Judi  :clap:  :dance:  :clap:   Great job, you deserve it!!!!!!

~Patricia

WOW Kassie, Awesome job!!!   :clap:  :dance:  :clap:  CONGRATULATIONS :clap:  :dance:  :clap:

No Millie, you are not crazy, lol.  Alpaca does take longer to felt up.  Years ago I needle felted a 6" inch Alpaca sculpture out of solid Alpaca fiber, not a fun experience as it took forever and a year of needling to get it really firm, lol!

Not all fibers have the same structure and qualities.  Alpaca is a "fine" fiber.  For most applications of felting uses, "coarse" fibers (such as Romney, Cotswold...) are better for needle felting as they have more crimp and felt tightly faster.  Crimp are like overlapping scales on the fiber and it's the amount of crimp that gives fiber the grab to felt. 

That being said there are times when I needle felt that I purposely choose to use a "fine" fiber.  For instance Merino (which is a fine fiber) I  choose to use for long silky hair - such as on a long haired dog or a dolls head.  And I use Alpaca quite often as a soft fluffy outer layer of fur on a lot of my animals.

Your right, Alpaca is a beautiful, soft, silky fiber .....  and used in certain applications can be wonderful!

(Hugs),
~Patricia

Maria & Tami -  Thanks for your nice comments!!!  I am  :redface: blushing  :redface:  but it feels really  good  !!

Thanks,
~Patricia

Such lovely, sweet bears!  I took at peek at your website and your Max Bunny and also the little snails are way too adorable too!  Thanks for sharing!
(Hugs),
~Patricia

Thank you Tinesteddys!!  Several years ago when I first started I used to use actual false eyelashes. My work for the last several years all the eyelashes are wool. 

(Hugs),
Patricia

Oh My Goodness....  WAY too CUTE!!!!!!!!!

Your daughters first bear is adorable!!  Her colors and syle are wonderful     You should both be very proud!   :clap:  :clap:   Thanks for sharing.

~Patricia

Daphne-
Congratulations on being featured.  I enjoyed reading your interview and seeing your bears.  Great job!
~Patricia

Judi,
The wesite looks great!  It's well laid out, easy to navigate, and has a professional appearance.  Wonderful!

~Patricia

Welcome back Mary Lou!
 
I saw your Flocke baby on Ebay she is stunning!
And 125 watchers, Wow. I often make the Ebay Pulse however not with that many watchers.
Looking forward to more of your fabulous creations!

~Patricia

Here is a link to a good collection of articles and instructions on how to dye wool: http://www.peak.org/~spark/dyeingfelt.html 

There are many methods and dyes that are covered there.  I have used Jacquard dyes, rit dyes, even kool aid!  It is really a matter of experimenting to see what you like best.  The first time I experimented with dyeing wool was for a collector who requested a lilac colored bear.  I tried so many methods and dyes before I was satisfied. That was a few years ago and to this day I now have every shade of purple I will ever need, lol!  I learned a lot and it was fun to experiment.  Good luck and have fun with your projects!

~Patricia

Chloe ~ 
Your website looks great!!  Good job!!  :dance:
~Patricia

A Super-Big CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners!!!!!   :clap:  :clap: :clap:   :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

~Patricia

EEEWWWWwwww!!  Too Funny!!!

Krista~

Such a sad story and unfortunately there are many others out there who have been abused.   I worked for several years at an Animal Hospital and witnessed the end results of some horrific abuse.  I am very happy there are those like yourself who will step up and help.
(Hugs),
~Patricia

Marion,

What cute little bears - and a great scene shot, sure looks like they are having fun!!

~Patricia

Jennie,

Welcome to the world of needle felting!  I LOVE your polar bears chubby cheeks     I look forward to seeing what you create next!

~Patricia