Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi George, I can understand how special our childhood teds are - My brother had a special panda when he was little, but it does not sound the same as yours.  I have looked through my Teddy Bear Encyclopedia for pictures of pandas that sound like your description without any luck.  I had a search on Ebay and came up with lots of old antique pandas - including this one that has a plastic nose and mouth all as one - not sure if the eyes are the same as you are looking for -

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Old-Panda-T … dZViewItem

It may be a start for your hunt...

All the best with the search, let us know if you find another panda :)

Catherine

Paula, 'your' noses look fantastic, just what I was looking for    Where did you find your bees wax?  I've got to work out where to find it over here and what it is called in Flemish   It sounds a lot easier being able to melt it with a hairdryer than having to melt in saucepans etc.... I was imagining liquid wax going everywhere!  Does the wax make the colour go darker, I do not always use black thread so was wandering if it will change?

I really appreciate your help - your bears are just so amazing.
Catherine

Louise, it is SO lovely to hear you are starting to feel better, it is lovely to have you back here.  Take good care,

Bear Hugs,
Catherine

hi, I'd like to try giving my bears a waxed old fashioned looking nose.  I've got some wax pellets I use to melt up and use for silk painting, just white wax that goes clear when melted.  Does anyone know if I can use this kind of wax and how I go about applying it without it going all over my bear?   I have often heard of people using beeswax, is this the only kind you can use or can you apply any kind of wax from candles?  I don't want to get an extra shiney effect, just an old buffed finish.  I tried searching the other site for this but couldn't quite get the answer I was looking for.  Thanks a lot,

Bear Hugs,
Catherine

Yes Daphne is very kindly being foster mum at the minute for bears from Danni (Delartful Bears), then Tammy, my Bumpkin Bears and then Elizbet Bears from the UK.  It is a wonderful idea of Daphne's, so please keep all your fingers and toes crossed, the first show is this coming weekend ... gulp, I'll be waiting to hear how they go.  I'm sure they have all had a wonderful time all together and now being able to see the new puppy too... what worldly little bears they have all become :)

Hugs,
Catherine

Hi Shelli, this was the first time that I had written for the magazine just as freelance, so was rather nervous how they would turn out, especially for Danni.  But of course with her lovely bears peeping out of the pages it looks smashing  

(ps how our your new little kitties settling in?)
Hugs,
Catherine

Deb, thanks - can you explain this technique, it's not something I've come across before?

Catherine

FAB, thanks a lot Jenny :)

Catherine

Lovely to see the article, I havn't yet managed to get a copy here in Belgium.  I'm so pleased it came out nicely for you Danni, it was a pleasure to write   Can anyone tell me if there is another article in the magazine about my trip to Canada seeing black bears in the wild?

Big Hugs,
Catherine

Hi Daphne, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh your puppy is sooooo cute, I was hoping to see photos.  Really glad to hear your hand is getting better.  I was thinking of Paddy or Finn for your sweet puppy, taking him back to his irish roots (I am part Irish and have lots of family in Ireland).  Have fun playing and give Tucker a big hug from me too so he doesn't feel left out :)

Big puppy hugs,
Catherine

My heartfelt thoughts go to you Louise to get better soon and also for Garnet who I am sure is a wonderful support.

Big Hugs,
Catherine

Jenny - he is just GOEGEOUS, I love what you did with the scissor sculpting - amazing :)

Catherine

Hi Jane, all the best to you my deary and we'll all look forward to 'chatting' when you get back home.

Hugs,
Catheirne

Hi Chrissie, lovely to have you join us here.  It's fun to look back on how we started.

1. I went to a bear fair at Christmas here in Belgium a few years ago (I am English and this was my first Christmas in Belgium) and got given a bear making kit as a present. Once I started I couldn't put him down until I was finished and just loved the feeling of creating this little character.  I started to look around the internet and found out about Bear Artists and being creative myself I loved the idea of creating my very own bears.  I also found out that there was a bear supplies place very close to where my family live in the UK so was able to go there and get a few things to start.   With bears all lined up along the shelves and rolls of lovely soft mohair to choose from I felt like I was in Bear Heaven ;)

2. My first bear from my own pattern took about a month and I gave him to a very special friend as a present.  I have always been into crafts, silk painting, rubber stamping, felt making... you name it I like to try it :)

3. I get inspiration from all sorts of things, I love the outdoors so often get inspiration in my garden or on walks in the countryside.  I look at all the colours of nature and remember childhood memories of being out of doors and all sorts of beary characters come to mind.  I'm really a Country Bumpkin (hence the name of my bears - Bumpkin Bears).

4.  I have always loved teddy bears, so I would not say I am a collector but I certainly have a lot of special teddy friends in my craft room.  There is just something very special about teddies, the comfort they can bring is great - I know others here understand what I mean (my fiancee thinks I'm mad probably!!).

I have rambled on quite enough now ;)
Look forward to chatting with you here again,
Bear Hugs,
Catherine

I also use oil paints for shading and they work a treat, the tubes of black, brown and white were not at all expensive and will last forever considering how very little you use.  As Shelli said just make sure you have wiped nearly all of it off before applying, it is better to apply it gradually until you get the effect you want.
Thanks for this tip Shelli that I picked up a long time back and have used it ever since :)

Big Hugs,
Catherine

Hi Marion,

I'd love to link with your site and I've added your details to my links page.  I like your site design, especially the 'shadow' bear in the right corner.  Can you take my avatar from here for your site or do I need to send you one?

Thanks heaps,
Bear Hugs,
Catherine

Thanks everyone, the bleach and vinegar sounds ummmm dangerous   I think I prefer the idea of painting onto them.  What product do you use Danni, do you mean a sort of wood stain varnish?  I've got some of that left over from the window frames for our house.

Hugs,
Catherine

I'd like to create a more antique look to some metal that I have as an accessory - can any of you suggest how you can do this.  I expect there are specialist paints out there but thought some of you may have other ideas too.
Thanks :)
Catherine

Hi Daphne, I'm glad you're back home and I just wanted to send you a big healing hug and tell those bears of mine to give you lots of comfort - you can moan away to them all you like - that's what teddies are for :)

Hugs,
Catherine

Thanks a lot for all your help, amazing bear Judi.  Linda I have just been to your website and WOW your sculpting is AMAZING.  I would most certainly love any advice you could give me on creating claws (and noses!) for bears.  My latest bear has my first attempt at a sculpted nose and I soon learnt about my fingerprints on the clay!  Your bear is incredible and I just love your chimps too.

Catherine

Hi Nanc, you are certainly not alone, a lot of us have noticed this lately.  I'm hoping that it will pick up more in the Fall and towards Christmas.  Keep paddling, like I do - all serene and calm above water and paddling madly under the water  :P

Hugs,
Catherine

Hi Daphne, I'll be thinking of you and I'm sure it will all be fine and you'll be back to your bears in no time at all.

BIG bear hugs,
Catherine
x

thanks everyone :)

Hugs
Catherine

Hi everyone, I'm thinking of trying out bear claws for a new bear but don't know where to start for buying them or attaching them?  Has anyone got any tips on how you fix them?  I would worry that glue alone would not hold forever..

Thanks a lot,
Catherine

Hi Danni, you have been a busy bee - little Violet is totally charming, I can understand why she is your favourite, the colour is so pretty and has that old antique faded look - she will fly off the shelves!  If I were you and you still have some fabric I would make a Violet 2 for yourself :)

Big Hugs,
Catherine