Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi all, here's my new little guy.  The little booger doesn't have a name yet; every time I suggest one, he just shakes his wee little head 'No!'  The little guy's going to end up with coal in his stocking!

He's just over 2 1/2 inches standing, and just under 2 inches seated.  He's fully jointed and fully armatured for all that fun posing stuff!

And this little guy was hand stitched from my private pattern using none other than Sassy Bears wonderful smokey stuff!  That's a silk ribbon ruff with Japanese glass beads round his neck.  Merry Christmas!

Beary warm wishes,
Kimberly Whitlock

Hee hee, you guys! 

Well, I'm happy to give what pointers I know...  Of course, I didn't learn any 'conventional' method for sculpting, I just taught myself.

Here goes...  Now puh'leeeeeze don't get mad at me if it doesn't work for you (I'd practice on a practice head if you're unsure! Or just even practice this sculpt on any stuffed scrap appendage, etc.) but what I do for sculpting is start the thread somewhere non or less visible.  Then I go to where I want my sculpting to start ie. the cheek or side of the mouth, bring the needle out and then back in right beside it (I'll call that my first stitch).  Then I poke the needle through to where I want the 'pinch' to be (for lack of a better term!)  I don't pull the thread completely through where I just brought the needle out, I leave a loop on the side where I'd just made that first tiny stitch.  Now, where I just brought the needle out, I take another tiny stitch (I'll call my second stitch) and go back to right by where my loop is.  (Let's just say you are doing the mouth. Right now your bear should have two loops of thread hanging out, one on either side of the mouth)  I pull the thread all the way back (just so there isn't a loop of excess thread on the side of the second stitch) and bring the needle through that loop from the first stitch.  Now don't pull it tight there.  What I do is I gently give a tug on that loop that 'connects' the two little stitches until it's taut.  this starts the sculpt.  then I pull the thread all the way through, closing up that loop.  This is where you want to be careful.  Make sure you don't have the needle end of the thread looped around that loop too much, or else it'll just knot off and then you'll have all this excess thread and no sculpt.  You just need to bring it through the loop.  OK, Am I making sense so far?  Man, I HOPE so.... lol  I hope you guys aren't like, "Whaaaaaaa.....?" lol     OK, now take the slack end of the thread (the end that is connected to the needle) and pull slowly.  That loop should be getting smaller and smaller.  Then, you should see your sculpt taking shape.  I pull just a teeny bit at a time once the loop is gone (ESPECIALLY on the wee little bears), just until I am satisfied with that spot.  Once I am, I reinsert the needle very close to where I've brought it all out, and move on to the next place I want to sculpt.  Just remember when you're doing the face, just like threading the mouth, your sculpt spots have to be reeeeaaally symmetrical, or else you get a lop-sided face.

I hope I did not just totally type a 'duh' tip... ha ha... You guys are sitting there saying, "Well, duh, Kim W. I KNOW how to do THAT!!!! lol 

If you didn't know, I hope that helps and I didn't just totally confuse you guys!!

Kimberly W.

Dilu,

Thank you so much!  But me famous, not hardly!! lol

  There sure are some wonderful Artists on here!  And some of them, well I feel so lucky to be able to mingle with THEM!!  There really so many great mini artists that do delightful little bears, aren't there?  I have been lucky enough to have had a lady that was so selfless to 'show me the ropes' of bear making, or else I wouldn't be in here today.  I didn't know about this forum for the longest, and she was all I had to gain the knowledge (plus going out and buying a book on bear making) to get started!  She also simply inspired me to make the best bears I could!  Kim Basta is truly one of the most wonderful bear artists (and one of the most wonderful people) I know in cyber world! Now I can't wait to know enough to give tips to newbies who want to make little wee ones (or big ones!)

Sue Ann, thank you very much!  Coming from you, that is truly a compliment to be had!    I have seen your bears, and they are just beautiful!  So for you to tell me I've done something really well... that definitely puts a smile on my face!  Yes, the pulling toes was a series of experiments on how to do it best, and trust me, I had quite a few toes that weren't pulled, instead they had a loose loop of thread dangling!!! Argh!  I'm still experimenting and trying new ways so that there isn't a little visible knot anywhere (we have to start the thread somewhere!!)

I am working on another Christmas Bear; I do love this holiday the most!!!  The twinkling lights, the Christmas Tree, the snow (and we have plenty of it right now!)... It just inspires cute little fuzzy festive bears!

Now that I've written a book; better get back to stitching! 

Kimberly W.

Kim-Bee, you never know!! 

Thanks everyone!  I've been wanting to do a little girl that just said 'sweet and gentle' with her expression.  I hope I achieved that!

Hey, I have a statement...  I've noticed I have trouble keeping good control of the ultrasuede footpads, and have a hard time doing them nice and 'straight'....  Anyone else have that problem, or am I just a big dork!!! lol 

I have also discovered that I loooove making minis!!!!!!

Kimberly Whitlock

Hi all, Because I wear blinders, I have just now discovered the Miniatures section of this forum!!!!  I thought I'd pop a little pic of my new little bitty girl in here just in case ya'll just browse the Miniatures...

She's on eBay and is also in the Bears For Sale section....

Beary warm wishes,
Kimberly Whitlock

Stephanie,

This is the first time I've browsed Miniatures (don't even ask why it took me so long!!!) and the moment I saw little Mattie, I let out one of those gasps made when one sees the most adorable little fuzzy puppy ever.  Mattie is just TOOOOO cute!  I didn't even realize you were the one who made him until I looked over at the avatar and saw the big SB&F and for a 'duh' second, I said, "that looks familiar..."  ha ha ha ha

He is truly a cutie pie!  What a darling little face on that wee boy!  And that big ol' head and big ol' feet!!  hee hee....

I'm smitten...

Beary warm wishes,
Kimberly Whitlock
'Bear' Bottoms Originals

Oh yeah, I got my fab fabric in the mail today (FINALLY, I think because of all the snow!) As usual, wonderful!!  I've started a new bitty one already!

Thank you all for your great advice!  I did check out the Reference Library, and along with the tips I got here, am on my way to trying out a cute little polymer clay nose!

Thanks again!

Kim

Hi all,

I have worked with polymer clay for a long time now, and have just started making bears not too long ago.  All of my bears have had embroidered noses (both big and mini) and I was wondering...

I am thinking about trying a polymer clay nose.  If I do decide to go that route, how to I secure it to the bear?  I can make a nose, but do I need to/ should I put a wire loop on the backside and attach it like I would glass eyes, or how do I attach it?

Any suggestions or tips would be great! 

thank you guys in advance!!

Beary warm wishes,
Kimberly Whitlock
'Bear' Bottoms Originals

Hi Ellen,

I usually do a half circle, but lengthen the 'straight' part at the top and bottom of the ear just a little... so it looks like a capitol D rather than just a half circle.  Also, like Daphne said, cut the ear so that the fur lays pointing outward, toward the tip of the ear.  If I want him or her to have big ears, I just draw out the size I think I want, then cut another 1/4 to 1/2 inch larger than that, and I always get the bigger ear I wanted (but that's because I'm a dork and when I draw out a pattern, I usually don't allow enough extra for the seam... call me new!!)  Then (and this is probably 'duh' info for you and everyone else, sowwy!) I make sure the ear has a good cup to it when I pin it on the head, and I make sure I follow that deeper cup when I start sewing. 

I hope this helps; if not then just tell me to go back to my corner!! lol

beary warm wishes,
Kimberly Whitlock
'Bear' Bottoms Originals
www.picturetrail.com/bearbottoms