Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

So cute, Eliza! 

Lovely, Michele, simply lovely

I look up to SO many bear artists, most of them right here on TT! I owe my start in bear-making to Kim Basta of Wild Thyme Originals. If it hadn't been for Kim's selflessness and willingness to help get me going in the right direction, I probably wouldn't be here today. Kimi Springer of Son Blest bears is my partner-in-crime when it comes to mulling over new techniques and swapping ideas and such!

As for books, my 'bible' is The Encyclopedia Of Teddy-Bear Making Techniques... I love that book so much that I happened upon a single copy at J R wholesale store last week, hiding amongst piles of crafting books, and I felt the NEED to 'save' it from being lost in the shuffle. Yep, I bought it. It's now cozied right up beside my original copy that I've had since the beginning of my bear-making days...

Thank you SO very much for your kind words!  I really appreciate all of your feedback!

Robert, I love them! They have such expression, and the colors are great!

Hey Bobbie, LOL we moved to NC fall of last year. Such is the life of an Army family! Yes, I had to leave behind the mural in the kids' room, and am not so inclined to paint another one here. We live in military housing and anything you do has to be undone upon moving out. No thank you!    Yes, the Star Wars mural was done in IN but not in my home, so the homeowners are still enjoying it along with the 'sky' in their dome and the mouse hole in their library. 

Thank you, Judit and Susiray!!

Very neat piglet! I think you did a good job at 'aging'... It really looks like a child's old, well loved toy!

Oh my gosh, what a darling face on this bun-bun!    I don't think anyone would be disappointed if you made another, Jenny! 

Aww, he is so cute, Kay. Love the color too!

I really appreciate you all taking the time to comment on my bear cub; thank you so much! Aerianna, thank you! That's what I was trying to accomplish, so I'm so glad it's noticed!

Awww, they turned out SOOO cute!!! hee hee, they make me smile

How cool! I like your lamps; you sculpt very well!!

Lovely little bunny, Brenda! Wonderful work, and I also love your paper mache egg find!

Thank you all so much for your wonderful compliments on my artwork. 

Both of your bears on here are absolutely darling, Pauline! Soooo cute!

Thank you, Bobbie, for that suggestion! I use the seam trimming technique! 

I religiously do eyes first, then nose, and the ears are always the very last to be affixed! To me, ear placement in relation to the eyes and face makes all the difference, so they go on last after I've found the perfect spot! I'm with you, the poor bear would sit there with nothing until I got my eyes in the mail! 

LOL Katy, me too! Plus, the fur is so thick I don't know how I COULD do a running backstitch! I didn't even know there WAS such a thing! Some people are truly skilled!  I thought I was doing THE backstitch!  :crackup:  I don't think I'll ever stop learning in the bear-making world.

Wow! I am just over the moon with all of your wonderful compliments for Tarlo! Thank you all so very much!!

I use the 'stabbing' backstitch (which I didn't know had a term until now... lol thanks!) and I have never had a problem with loosening stitches. Hope that helps!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to comment on Tarlo! I really appreciate all of your feedback!

hee hee hee, this little guy makes me SMILE. Great job, Kim! What an expression!

Beautiful, Paula! What a gorgeous, warm color of mohair, too.

Awww, sweet little bear, Carol He is a little cutie!