Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Sounds like you had a great time, melissa,
We are all looking forward to seeing the photos!
Christinex

Wow, a lot of people seem to be going through some changes at the moment - maybe there is something in the air!
As an artist who always keeps changing her style, I would say go with a new direction, if that is where your heart leads you.  If you end up just making the same thing because it sells, you will never know what else you might have achieved.  Yes, it is safe, but also probably the fastest way to fall out of love with making bears completely!  An artist needs to challenge themself and be always looking to improve and develop their work.

I would agree that sound advice would be to keep your 'bread and butter' bears going while you develop your new direction, and introduce them gradually.  But, honestly, I think you have to explore these new ideas if that is where you are wanting to go.  I get a lot of comments from collectors that they like my bears precisely because I change and evolve my style - in fact, I have several styles, from traditional, through sculpted bears, to miniatures, but people always say they can tell they are Christine Pike bears.  So long as you stay true to your own artistic values, any time spent on experimentation will be worth while.
Enjoy the journey!! :dance:
Chrisx

Lyn - you were right!!! 
My little guys found a new home really fast - and they both went together, which makes me very happy! :dance:

I will post more about the signing tomorrow, when I have downloaded my pictures.
Hugs,
Chrisx

Hi Mingrul,
If the nose looks so 'perfect' it is because I made one of my special sculpted noses - no problems with hairs poking through that way!    I am glad you think it looks like a stitched and waxed nose - that's the impression I wanted to give.

I used the chocolate brown Sassy long pile - I love the darker backing, which gives subtle shading when you trim back the fur. 

As you can see, I have just finished another bear from the same pattern - I created the clown in smoky pink long pile.  Both of these bears will be at the signing tomorrow.
Hugs,
Chris

Awww, thanks guys!! :hug:

I REALLY hope they find new homes at the signing on Saturday - only two days to go and I am getting nervous!!!!
Hugs,
Chrisx

Go for it, guys!!
I am eager to see what you have all come up with! :clap:
Hugs,
Christine

Thanks guys!
I have now completed a clown... and run out of fabric!  What a shame - looks like i shall have to order some more!
Tiny hugs,
Christinex

She is lovely, Sue - and only 6 inches??  I thought she was a bigger bear until I read your post.  You did a great job - minis and smalls clearly suit you! :clap:
Hugs,
Christine

Hi there,
Welcome to Teddy talk - and a great new hobby!  Beware though, it is very addictive!
All the fabrics you have cited would be good to work with - just be careful not to handle the long pile too much or you will flatten it.  Stephanie at Sassy Fabrics is really helpful and always responds quickly to any questions, so you can't go wrong, really. 

Have fun!!
Tiny bear hugs,
Christine

I know what you mean about eyesight!!  I used to have 20/20 vision but I now need glasses all the time when I'm sewing minis (sigh). 
I have just finished another bear in the Sassy smoky pink fur.  I made him into a clown and he does look sweet!  I hope he finds a new home at the signing on Saturday!!
Hugs,
Chrisx

Jane, your beads are gorgous!!! 
You clearly have talent - and please let me know when you have any for sale as I want some!!
I also understand the need to take a sabbatical from the bears, but I hope you won't stay away forever.  I wish you every success with the lamp working - keep an open mind about where your talents might lead you, and I really hope that you will continue to make at least SOME bears from time to time - you're too good to walk away completely!!
Hugs,
Chrisx

I DO hope so!!    Although I very much doubt the editor had anything to do with this.  Kirste, if you read this thread - none of the ire is directed at you, just at the ad/marketing dept!!
Hugs,
Chris

Sorry, but I also found it rather unneccessary and gloating in tone.  When other teddy bear magazines have folded in the past, none of the other publishers have felt the need to dance on their graves, so to speak.  It has really put me off ever wanting to advertise with them - that and their tiny circulation!!  A few more tacky stunts like this and that will be down to zero.
Chrisx

Thanks guys!!
Kelly - maybe I was just really heavy-handed the first time I used this fur, because I managed to mash and flatten the pile until it lost its sheen and just looked like the cat had chewed it!  I think mohair and alpaca are more resiliant and you can brush the pile back up afterwards, which you can't easily do with the long pile.  So long as you handle it with a reasonably light touch it is fine.  And, although it doesn't stretch, it has a bit of give in it, which you might want to allow for.

Right, I'm off to work on George mark II!
Hugs,
Chrisx

Thanks, Peta -
Your ideas sound intriguing!!  Can't wait to see what you come up with! 

And Amanda - yup, it does feel like I have been sucked into something 'almost' against my will.  Does Stephanie put a spell on those fabrics, do you think??

Hugs - and thanks guys, for your support and encouragement!
Chrisx

Wow, thanks Sue - that's the nicest compliment!! :hug:
Chrisx

Hi Kelly,
It's great stuff - but it requires a lighter touch than mohair (as I learned to my cost!!).  My first bear - I mashed the pile so badly the poor thing looked like it had been through a mangle!    Maybe it was just me...!!!
Anyway, I can now see why people rave over it - you can get the most lovely subtle shading effects just with a little careful trimming, and it makes up like a dream.  I will be very interested to see what you make with it!!

Now I'm off to have another drool at her website and order up some more colours!!
Hugs,
Chrisx

ps - Got your photos, article all done and dusted - Thank you SO much!!

Hi guys,
I have just finished another little chap in the Sassy longpile.  This one is only four inches high and has one of my new direct sculpted muzzles - which was very tricky to get right on such a little bear!

Anyway, I hope you like him - he will be going to the Abracadabra signing next Saturday, along with his slightly bigger friend in my last post.
Hugs,
Chrisx

Hi Guys,
I finally worked out what all the fuss is about regarding Sassy long pile!    I have put up more pictures of this bear (so new, he doesn't even have a name!!) in the miniatures section, but I thought I would show him off here as well, since I am so proud of him!! :dance:

He measures five inches and has one of my special sculpted noses and a scissor sculpted muzzle.  I have made him for the Abracadabra shop signing next weekend - there are details about this on my blog.

I do hope you like him - I LOVE this fabric and am working on a brother for him!
Hugs,
Chrisx

Well.... there was I, on the point of dumping my Sassy Fabrics longpiles on Ebay out of sheer frustration, when I got the urge for ONE MORE TRY!    Yes, I KNOW it's great fur, and everyone else seems to be able to make lovely bears out of it - but I have only ever been used to working with mohair or vintage plush, and my first bear in the Sassy fur was just awful - so bad that I thought it just wasn't for me....so it just goes to show what sheer stubborness and a refusal to give in can do, because I finally found a way to make successful bears out of this stuff - and now I'm as hooked as the rest of you !!

I used one of my vintage -style patterns to make a five-inch bear and gave gave him one of my sculpted noses, which really took the face to a new level.  I loose-jointed him and weighted him with copper shot.

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I was so pleased with the way he turned out that then I really 'went for it' and made a four inch bear with one of my new direct sculpted muzzles:

These two little guys will be going to Abracadabra Teddies in Saffron Walden next weekend for a special shop signing.  I hope you like them,
Tiny hugs,
Christine

Great work, Jane - it was so nice to talk to you yesterday!
And it was sooo good to be back at Stratford for a bear show!!!  I had plenty of comments from collectors who thought so too - I think this is going to become THE event of the summer.  If you were hesitating about booking this event, get your skates on as places for next year are filling up fast!!

I have said it elsewhere, but I will say again that Samantha and her family did a fantastic job of producing this show!!!  Roll on next June!
Chrisx

Wow, Kassie, you REALLY have a gift for sculpting!!!! :clap:
Chrisx

Thank you, everybody!!!  I have to confess that I am getting nervous about Stratford - it seems ages since I did a show (oh, wait, was it only February??).  Anyway, this one is going to be VERY special, so I am pulling out all the stops and making an extra special effort to have lots of bears for the collectors to choose from.  Right now, I have about ten bears - for those of you who don't know me, that is a huge achievement!!!  I might even manage a few more before the great day arrives!!
Hugs,
Chrisx

Mwaaahahaaa!!!  Oh Daphne - you're on the slippery slope now!!!  Once that doll-making urge gets hold of you, there's no escaping.  And I'm trying not to hate you - that's your FIRST attempt????  Boy, I'm not sure the world is ready for when you really get into your stride then!!!  

Seriously, she's very sweet - and will look sooo cute nestled in the arms of one of your bears at your next show.  Just be prepared to have to take a gazillion orders off of her!!!
Hugs,
Chrisx

Yeah - go Dorothy!!!!!! :dance:
Hugs,
Chrisx