Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

You can wet the mohair and tie it just like you would the tie dyed t-shirt then dip it in the different colored dye.  Another treatment would be to place the colors of dye on the fabric where you want them.  I would let the fabric and dye dry before I rinse the dye out of the fabric.  Another treatment to try is to lay out the fabric and sprinkle it with the dry powder dye.  You can do it to either dry fabric and then spray the fabric with water or dampen the fabric first.  You will get some interesting fabric this way.  Another way that I liked was to take a sponge with the dye on it and just pat the fabric where you want the dye.   Take a piece of less expensive fabric or some scraps and just play.  You do not need to use white fabric, sometimes you get some interesting colors.  You can also dye a tipped mohair knowing that the tips will dye differently from the base color.  Just play and have fun.  If you will want to try to reproduce what you have done you will need to take notes along the way. 
Donna

Edinburgh Imports has a golden tan with a gold thread through it.  It is KM16G if you look at the fabric on their website.  It is sparse and matted. 
Donna

Wish I were closer to lend a hand.  Wishing you  the best!
Bear Hugs,
Donna

Really sorry, I was there but it went by so fast and nothing to write on.  My memory is shot these days so I can't recall many of the nominations.  The bears and critters were outstanding that were nominated.  You all should be hearing shortly.
Donna

I would like to recommend that you go to the Crossroads doll and bear show in San Diego this weekend.  There will be supplies for making the bears (faux fur) and artists that might be able to help you with your project.

I can't remember which artist did it back in the 80's (maybe Joan Woessner) used to needle sculpt chubby cheeks by stitching from the corner of the eyes down to the points of the mouth.  It did puff up the cheeks without too much trouble.
Donna

Hi Jenny,
I'm afraid my website is so out of date that I should just give it up!  I do have a few pictures of some of my Tissavel on my facebook photos.  I really need to get in gear and get them up somewhere.  Just let me know what you are looking for and I'll either send samples or photos of what I have or put them up on facebook for you to see.
Thanks,
Donna

Hi Aerianna,
I have a good supply of Tissavel fur for sale.  Let me know what you are looking for and I'll see if I have it in stock.
Donna

Another product that is great is Leather Weld.  Here is the states Tandy Leather carries it.  I ordered mine online since there was no store close by.  It stays flexable and is easy to sew.
Donna

In the past Gerry's in Australia has had it.   Ten to fifteen years ago I got it from Edinburgh.  Edinburgh currently has a fat quarter they are calling Taupe with a black tip.  I can think of two artists that might have some.  How much did you need?
Donna

I had a bear that I dyed different colors in patches all over it.  I used pastel colors to match a hat I was going to put on her.  I used spent dye so that it was very weak color.  I just dabbed it on in random areas.  I did not want it to run together so I was light handed with the dye.  I did not rinse it for fear the dye would run.  I set it out in the sun to dry.  I rubbed it repeatedly to see if I could get any color off.  It was set.  A friend bought it so I get to see it regularly.  It has not faded or rubbed off and that was about 12 years ago.
I don't think I would submerge a finished, stuffed bear.  I know one artist who used silk dye and a toothbrush and just did the fiber.  You would need to be very careful around joints.  As long as you don't mind a mottled affect either method would work.
Donna

Yes Sue,
It is Earth Pallete.  They are wonderful.  You can even paint a design with them.  If I were at my house with my computer I could show you a picture of some of my friends bears where she dyed the backing only.
Donna

You can wrap rubber bands around the joint between the body and the limb to help make it a little more tight if you want to put him into a certain pose.  This is just a temporary fix.  Do see if you can press the joint together enough to maybe get one more click to tighten them up.
Just keep loving him the way he is. 
Donna

I had an artist friend that did the process.  She used the Australian dyes.  For the life of me, I can't think of the name of the dye and they are at my other house.  They would work since the dye is thick and doesn't run.  You let them dry before you rinse the fabric.  I'm sure someone will help me out with the name of the dyes.
Donna

Be careful using mod podge!  I know of one artist that used it on her bears noses, when wrapped in tissue paper for shipping the heat caused the tissue paper to stick to the mod podge.  The bear had to be returned for a new nose.
Donna

Would it work to add another wire with epoxy?

Mindy has responded and should be emailing you shortly.  I am having a little more trouble getting you an email addy for Linda.  I don't know what I have done with it.  I will keep trying.
Donna

Mindy is on Facebook.  I'll see if I can send her a message you need to hear from her.  Linda is still around in the San Diego area.  I'll see if I can get my hands on her email addy.
Donna

I'm pretty sure I have some ultrasuede in a leopard print.  I sell it in 9 x 12" pieces.
Donna

I have a fairly wide variety of #8 that I sell.  I won't be home to help you until the end of the month.  I'm heading for Clarion then taking a side trip on the way home to visit family.  If you are still looking when I get home I can send you some.
Johnna (Intercal) was just telling me yesterday that Anchor is discontinuing the black and many of the browns that we use so you might want to stock up when you find them.
Donna

Good for you!  Just don't over do.
Donna

Check Intercal's bargain bin for a white with black spots then dye it yellow.  I think that would be faster and easier than painting black dots on the yellow fabric.  I will have to go back and look for the exact quality number for you.  Depending on how long you need the green hair, I would recommend you check Intercal for their 2" long white and dye it.  If it needs to be 3" long Schulte is the manufacturer of that one. 
Looks like a fun project!
Donna

If you still have the upc label on the box, you can order it from Wal-mart online and have it shipped to your local store for pickup at no shipping charge. 
Good Luck,
Donna

Is there any chance you can make it down to San Diego for the doll and bear show Aug. 1?  There will be supplies for you to see and buy, plus there will be many artists for you to meet.  It is so good to be able to see the fabrics in person and to get information from the different artists on how they joint or set eyes or what ever you want to know.  I have found that unless you go to Intercal or Edinburgh (the US bear supply specialists) to buy your eyes, joints and fabric you may not be getting the best products.
If you can't wait for Aug. 1 to buy your supplies, I will be in Burbank the week of May 17 with all my supplies I sell at the doll and bear shows.  We could make a date to meet for you to see everything.  Or make a trip down to Intercal or Edinburgh to see what all they have.
Good Luck with your bears!
Donna

Brenda,
Do a google search for aidmytenniselbow and see if that will bring the site up for you.
When I had a problem, I got a massage.  That really did help.
Donna