Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Ooooh......she's so adorable!  I just want to put her in a little feathered nest and put a cloche over her to keep her safe.   

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Reading through all the posts I began to realize all the things I used to do before my all consuming passion for bear design.  I've dabbled in just about everthing here but dance and basket weaving, though I truly admire the artistry and skill of both.  I sculpted for a few years and even managed to land an artist contract with Enesco designing dolls and figurines.  My disenchantment with the reproductions of my work led me, in a round about fashion, into bear design.  At the time I was sculpting a line of teddy bear figurines and looking at books about bear design.  One thing led to another.......

Enesco never did get my teddy bear figurines.....they're packed in a box somewhere.  Perhaps someday I'll pull them out of the box and pick up clay again.  For now I'll stay with huggable mohair bears.   

Another passion of mine, and one that has far surpassed any other dabblings, is interior decorating.  Looking at pictures I've posted, I'm sure a few of you had already clued in on that little detail.   

Thank you for starting this thread Nancy!  It's been really enjoyable learning a little bit more about the members of Teddy Talk.   

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Good for you, Rita!!  Remember a pound a week translates into four pounds a month!!!  When you look at it that way it really does make a difference.  Also, if you think of the pounds as something tangible.....say like large potatoes.....it seems more real than a mark on the scale.  You can say, "I've lost a large potato this week!!"  I know that sounds kind of cornball, but really, a large potato is pretty big.  I think all you girls are doing magnificently!!  :clap:

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Not wanting anybodies feelings hurt here I think it would be lovely to meet and spend a day with everyone.  From those whose work I'm familiar with and wonder, "How do they do that?", I'd have to say Clare and Diane.  I love the way Clare ages paw pads!  And, how does Diane get those little bear heads so round?! 

I think it would be great to spend a day with a beginning bear artist as well.  I taught a mohair bear class when I lived in Seattle and loved it!  It's so much fun to share the art of the bear with others.  It's infectious!!  I'd love to spend a day with beginners again. 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

:hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Julia,
I'm so very sorry to hear of your cities loss.  My heart is heavy with sadness for you.

Sending warmest hugs,  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:
Aleta

Just beautiful!     Stunning, actually.  Great design and VERY nice work.  :rose:

Best wishes for a nomination!

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Look at that sweet face!!!  She's adorable!

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

This bear is absolutely darling!!     Love the longer mohair, the big eyes, the waxed nose, and that itty bitty mouth!  She has Hug Me written all over her dress!  I'm sure I'm not the only one who see it.   

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Jenny,
Your Camille is superb!!  I love, love, love her sweet face and those eyes.      

Best wishes on a nomination!

Warmest bunny hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Mary Mouse wins Most Adorable!!  Those feet are soooo cute!   

Best wishes for a nomination!!

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Jenny, 
He has the sweetest expression!!     You did a wonderful job with his suit.    He's quite the dashing young fella!!   

Best wishes for a nomination!

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Oh darn it all anyway!  Now I wish I hadn't entered this category.     Oh well.  The paperwork and pictures are already in the mail.       

Shelli, your piggie is FABULOUS!!   

Best wishes to you,
Aleta

This is such a wonderfully nostalgic piece!!  I adore your work.   

Best wishes for a nomination and win!

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

I sure am glad I didn't enter the vingnette category!!  WOW!!! 

Best wishes with your entry, Judi.   :rose:

Warmest hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

OMG!!!      What a blast from the past!  I was SOOOO a 70's child.  I'd forgotten how cool it was to grow up during that time.   :dance:   Thank you for the little reminder, Daphne.   

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

P.S.  I'm not diggin on having that Annie song stuck in my head though! 

I'm with Jill on this one!  I think Peony is just lovely and it's easy on my eyes.  Thank you Shelli and Quy.  Your work is so very much appreciated and applauded!     :clap: 

Warmest hugs,   :hug:  :hug:
Aleta

I have 14 bears in the works right now.  I went on a design binge in December!      Normally though, I work on only 3 to 7 bears at a time and finish three in a good week.  If I'm cramming for a show I can do 4 a week but that's working seven days long into the evening.  I do everything myself (control issues!!) and sew by machine.  I've been sewing since I was 12 (I'm now 44) so that part is a breeze for me.  Facial details take me the longest, especially the noses.  It can take me two hours or more to stitch a nose!!      Dressing takes me awhile as well.  My bears are so picky about what they want to wear and will sometimes try on a dozen or so outfits before making a decision.  Oiy!   :o

Another thing too...I don't have the time constraints of small children.  Mine are grown and have their own lives now.  It's just me and my sweetest love and he doesn't seem to mind if I sit and stuff bears or draw patterns on mohair in the evenings while we watch T.V.  He's the best!!   :love:

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

                                                 Bouquets of roses for you, Danni!  You've done a brilliant job.  Thank you for including my little lovies even though they'd already found loving homes. 

Warmest and biggest hugs,   :hug:  :hug:  :hug:
Aleta

People can be so hurtful sometimes.        

Sending warm thoughts and hugs your way,   :hug:  :hug:  :hug:
Aleta

Hands down my choice would have to be wool felt.  I make traditional bears so I primarily choose traditional materials.  That's not to say I won't use anything else.  I would like to try a thin leather......if only I could find it! 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Let's see if I can remember back that far......hmmmm......I guess it hasn't been that long really.   I've been designing mohair bears just over five years.  I've had many artistic ventures along the way though and even designed for the Enesco Corporation for a few years which included sculpting folk art bears.  Some of my earliest bear designs had hand sculpted clay heads and soft bodies which were hand painted.....and, of course, they were dressed.  I still have one of those bears and there's not a thing I would change about her to this day.  My first explorations in mohair....well, that's a different matter all together.  My first bear's name is Poodles....you can guess why.   

Warmest hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

My dear Kim,   
If you're anal retentive then so am I.  I sheer  1/4"  from the seam edge of the fur before I sew, pick from the inside, brush the outside before stuffing and then check for tucked in strays after stuffing.  I use a super tiny stitch when I machine sew my bear parts.   To try pulling the hair out of the seams after sewing for me would be an effort in madness!!   

Hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

Martinis are my favorite!  Appletinis, Peppermintinis, Lemon Drops......not all in one sitting mind you!  One drink and I'm loopy    .....two and I'm sound asleep!      I'm such a lightweight.   

Cheers!
Aleta

       I've so enjoyed looking at all your Christmas decorations!  Just BEAUTIFUL!!  Thought I would share a few of my own.  Merry Christmas!  Welcome to my home.  May I fix you an eggnog or perhaps a peppermint mocha latte?   

Warmest holiday hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

I'd like that spaghetti sauce recipe, Kimberly!!  I'll have my husband make it!!   

Hugs,  :hug:
Aleta