Banner Sponsors
For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
She looks like an amazingly kept antique bear. She has that old style charm about her. Love it.
Richard
x
Oh my gosh, he's great!
Fab work. Love that face. How was the leather to work with? I really do love him. Definitely keep on this track.
Richard
x
Wow! Beautiful. Absolutely fantastic. Great use of that really long mohair! It looks luxurious.
Richard
x
I know the feeling! I love the weekends when i can spend a WHOLE day bear making. The amount you get done. Of an evening I race home just finish one leg or paw hehe.
Hhhmmm maybe I'll be good enough to quit one day 
Enjoy an amazing bear making day.
Richard
x
A bear and Jensen Ackles all in one photo... Kynthia you're too good
Richard
x
Oh My Gosh! They are both huge (26" inches... crikey Marilyn!!!) and both sumptuously gorgeous.
I mean incredibly gorgeous! You must be so happy.
Aawwww I love them. The colour of Neville is out of this world! Ok... must stop gushing or I'll be sneaking over to Belgium to attempt kidnap
Have to say as well Peter loved your Barling Collection which you posted on Marilyn's birthday post. What a beautiful set of bears. Marilyn you should be very proud!
Richard
x
I used to have a nightmare with this and the best tips I can give are:
1. Use 'true eyes' or 'position eyes'
2. Use a mirror. A mirror shows up all imperfections that you might not ordinarily see and is a God send. Also take your time with placement. Follow lines and use seams as guides for distances.
Hope this helps a little.
Richard
x
Oh My Gosh. He's wonderful. I'm loving all the Alice Bears around the place at the minue but this is one of the best by miles. Great work as always.
Richard
x
Hi Dawn
This sounds fab. I have to admit, I love reading Artist bios etc.
I know they're the usual but I really like knowing how people got started, where their inspiration comes from, how they've improved, what they're most proud of etc.
I'd also love to know if they have a favourite bear of their own, and/or anyone else.
Can't wait to see some interviews in the magazine soon.
Richard
x
Heading in the right direction? I think she's perfect already. So, so, so, so, so adorable!
Richard
x
Beautiful. I love the shading and colours here. And as was said on another post, beautiful nose.
Richard
x
Oh you've all made me so so happy I can't tell you! Honestly. So happy.
Will let you know if his Mummy likes him.
Glad you can see the improvement Sue as you saw Blizzard 1 in the fur.
Oh maybe I am a bear maker after all hehe.
Now to see if I can design just as well.....
Richard
x
Aawww thanks everyone. You're all fab! (how are you by the way Ruth? How did the fair go? Well done on your prize! 
)
And Peter he's quite big, about 18inches long (although he's wrapped and bagged so that's an estimate). As for charging for the exact hours.... crikey!!! I don't think I have a price tag big enough for that many 0's
Richard
x
Thanks everyone. That's really great to hear. Sometimes, as a newbie, seeing all of your fantastic (in every sense of the word) bears can be a bit disheartening so that's a real boost. Will make sure to let you know how he goes down when I hand him over on Tuesday.
Richard
x
Hey Everyone
So I've completed my second attempt at this Blizzard pattern. It's not my own, it is by Sue Lawson of Born Again Bears, purchased from Bear Basics but it is a great pattern.
Despite me wanting to move into my own designs completely, this was done for a friend who after much begging (on her part) offered to pay materials if I would make her one. Have to say most stressful bear I've ever made knowing someone else’s money is going into it but from a solely technical point it's my best so far.
I'm actually really pleased with him in the end. This is the best nose I've ever done and is stitched twice with wax over the top. He is woodwool stuffed in the nose, woodwool poly mix in the head, poly throughout with steel shot in his bum and legs (he weighs a ton!). He's made from a dense Schulte Polar Mohair is nut and bolt jointed, with a cotter at the head, wool felt paws with stitched detail and glass eyes with whites.
Anyway, let me know what you think. Criticisms welcome. He hasn't got a name yet, thought I'd leave that to his new Mummy.
Richard
x
Thanks Peter. Perspicacious is something I've never been called before but I shall take it and wear it with pride! hehe.
I have to admit I had a brief hug with Dawn's big furry fella and was sad to put him down, he had a real feel to him.
And sorry for stealing Gustav, I raced for that fella hehe. He's very comforably sat on my bed though, and very well treated (better treated than myself hehe). Can't wait to see Part 3.
Though I'm with Clare, how many bears are in your hug now? How do you store/display them all?
Richard
x
Wow we're being spoilt with show pics at the moment. Thanks for sharing. Australia officially has some of the best bear artists ever! There are some really beautiful pieces there. From a purely silly view I love well dressed bears hehe.
Richard
x
Oh I love those Pandas. A hugs unlimited bear is on my shopping list for the next couple of years. They are beautiful. And how lovely that you got to share a coffee with Dawn and gain these as part of that!
Have to admit I saw the Shakespeare bear myself... 20% on that day too wasn't it? I nearly brought one home myself but having just spent quite a bit at the fair I though I'd best rein myself in. Wished I'd bought him now though, he looks wonderful! Maybe next year.
Thanks for the photos Peter. Although I can't possibly believe they get bigger. I can only imagine Paula, Barling or Pawtrait are involved? Oh don't tell me you got a Pawtrait. Could you have got that back to Belgium!?!?
Richard
x
Some awesome bears and displays. It actually really inspired me to want to do a piece with two bears, some sort of theme and dress!
So many gorgeous ones but have to say, good job Robbie on the Polar Ice Caps piece but my fave, for some unknown reason, is the sweet sleeping polar with a penguin holding symbols over his head
Richard
x
Wow! That's brilliant. What fantastic photos. Thank you Alison's husband. I feel like I was there. Looks to have been amazing. Some beautiful bears.
Richard
x
I'm no expert but I would guess your best bet is to take him apart find the best match in mohair and pad materials and recreate him as best as possible from new fabric, perhaps including the old where possible? Maybe keep the old eyes? Have you got a plan for him? Depending what he's worth for you it might be worth a visit to the teddy hospital?
Let us know how you get on.
Richard
x
