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Past Time Bears - Artist bears designed and handcrafted by Sue Ann Holcomb
Shelli Makes - Teddy bears & other cheerful things by Shelli Quinn

dangerbears

Wowie!  bear_wub Lovely bat pictures!

Becky

dangerbears

Oh, he's definitely a Joey, Amber! I noticed how well you did with that nose, too (even before you mentioned it, tee hee).

I can also see that you embraced the scruffy in this mohair. The texture wouldn't have been right for trying to sculpt "cheeks" etc., and with the pile direction on the head going down/forward, he is true to his roots. Sue Ann's Past Time Bears also had that feature.

The tail looks totally cute, and I'm eager to see him all filled up and jointed!  bear_original

Becky

dangerbears

I agree with Sue Ann. With teddy bears, the most traditional look is no toes at all - just oval pads. That leaves realistic-looking bear feet, or the many “cartoony” variations in between realistic and plain ovals. But there is really no standard look for those cartoony variations, so only realistic bear paws would be recognizable, in my opinion.

Cute idea.  bear_original  I especially like the little human feet you made.

Becky

dangerbears

Takeo is delightful.  bear_original  I really enjoy your interpretation of carnival-style bears (or anime? or American stick bear?). It’s a very unique design.

Becky

dangerbears

It’s an interesting thought, Preciousprimates. I’ve always liked to stuff quite firmly, but your idea might allow a softer, squishier feel that still had some substance at the center of it.
I don’t think you would get any bendability or standability, which is what armatures are usually for, but if you do try it, let us know what you do get!

Becky

dangerbears

That’s a terrific teddy  bear_original

Becky

dangerbears

Oh, definitely adorable, and the combination of colors is brilliant!  bear_wub

Becky

dangerbears

I've never used Locline, but it seems like it would be a similar situation.

Lionel. I love it.  bear_original

Becky

dangerbears

I see a polar bear.  bear_grin  Anyway, I have done wired arms, so I’ll weigh in: It sounds as if there’s not enough stuffing in the paw. Use a stuffing tool (or chopstick, etc.) to work enough stuffing into the paw and around the wire to hold it firmly in place.
Of course, you don’t want to stuff the middle of the limb so firmly that it can’t bend, so leave that part a bit looser.

Becky

dangerbears

Great suggestions, BerLynne! Just for fun and for reference, here is the original silly old bear (and friends).

dangerbears

Yes, it takes some doing, and I remember that even after doing my best, maybe 1/2 of the fibers came out, so only 1/2 were adequately secured. I imagine you would get good at this with practice (as Joanne Livingston has done. Her DesertMountainBears are sublime.).

Best wishes for success. I personally think it's worth it - to achieve the exact shape you want but to also have the look of fur. (I'm not a big fan of needle-felted faces if they're just left as-is.)

Becky

dangerbears

I’ve tried this. It takes patience (just like needle felting). One thing that helps a lot is to get “whole” bits of mohair from the fabric (rather than trimming the pile and trying to root those trimmings). The way mohair fabric is made, longer strands are caught in the warp and weft of the backing.
If you work with whole strands, they are bent or kinked in the middle once you remove them from the backing. Use your felting needle to poke that bent middle into your needle felted area until it’s firmly rooted. (You should be able to tug on it and it will stay put.)  Once you’ve done that hundreds of times, you can trim and shade the fur to get the effect you want!
Becky

dangerbears

It’s a lovely scene, Sabine  bear_original

Becky

dangerbears

Wowser! He’s fantastic! I can understand why you’re pleased with him.
As you say, you learn so much by doing and experimenting. I really know nothing about this type of bear, but I’ve learned something from seeing your excellent pictures.

Becky

dangerbears

Hi jkstein,
In my view, the one-piece arms and legs use more fabric when you lay them out and cut them, but I suppose some people appreciate a little less cutting and sewing. They also don’t work for me since the opening for one-piece limbs needs to be on the inside (top side) of the arm or leg or at the very top (e.g. at the shoulder). I prefer to have the opening behind the limb, but the great thing about different designs is that they offer people options.
I’ll go out on a fairly sturdy limb and say that Steiff used two-piece arms and legs, if only for the fact that they’re more fabric-efficient.
Best,
Becky

dangerbears

Another member in agreement! I posted some tips in reply to your message in the New Members section.

Becky

dangerbears

This design is so sweet, Sarah. Reminds me of the old carnival bears.  bear_original

Becky

dangerbears

bear_grin   bear_grin   bear_grin , Sue Ann!

Becky

dangerbears

Beautiful bruin  bear_original

Becky

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