Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. It's very much appreciated!

Nothing seems to tick the box yet....I might try Ken Yenke ...maybe it's worth the $20 investment to ask him!

Thanks so much!!!!

Got to say I agree 100% with Paula....no need to offer explanations. It's actually not anyone's business why...I am very nice when say no...but I don't feel I owe anyone a reason why I can't do it.
Sometimes...in the nicest possible way...people looking for charity donations are pushy and really they don't care what they get..as long as they get something for free. I don't like donating when it's that way...

Thanks Becky 

Possibly...I have tried to check out chad valley but can't find a similar one....doesn't appear that tag was ever on his foot...

This is a new dressed bear... He found a home quickly so I am thrilled...

I am looking for ideas on the make of this old bear. At first I thought he looked like a Merrythought or a Chad Valley.
He has a squeaker in his tummy. It doesn't work. He is stuffed with wood wool and I think he's quite old ... Maybe 1950/60s. He's in great condition apart from the easily repaired front seam where I assume a tag once was?
He has glass eyes and is a lovely bear I bought at a table top sale.
Have searched high and low for a likely maker... Would be grateful for any help here!!

Well it was a great course....well worth the money.

I use Landscape dyes...they are brilliant...and you just experiment with scraps....coffee works....tea is great...I love camomile and berry teas too...even food dyes..or hair dyes...just try ...like I say...just try scraps first.
You don't need to fix tea dyes...they are very colour fast and just rinsing well is enough.

I still use a ladder stitch to stitch on the ears. It is true it's hard to see where you are going on long piles...I place pins in where the ears will go and stitch around them removing as I sew.

Thanks Renee....I always favour natural shades....I love to hand dye..it keeps the bears unique.

I learned when I went on my original bear making course at BearBits in Lincoln that economical placing of patterns pieces on the fabric makes perfect sense.

Oh my..that's a sweet little bear....

Thanks guys...I really love making these little ones....

Just over 1/3 of a meter. I buy a meter usually so I have enough for a few out if it. But I bought a half and need to buy more.

Thanks so much....tea staining is easy peasy. You just pick a tea and dunk the fabric in it...leave it soaking till it turns the colour you want then wash it .
Simples!

I am on a roll this week.....despite the hot weather I am still trying to be productive. This is my bear for this week...a little 7 inch boy called Pekoe. I hand dyed the mohair then over dyed it with a tea stain....I love the colour...it made it very pretty.

Thanks so much guys...

Thanks so much 

Very nice work

Well I am always pleased if they find a home fast.....
I was delighted when he was snapped up. It makes the effort worthwhile.

Got say I am very careful about it. I had a request early this year that I was highly suspicious of. When I asked for verification of the event I got nothing back so I suspect it was someone simply after a free bear. I can only do so much and I would have to not earn a wage the week I made the charity bear essentially. I can't afford that.
All that said I do sometimes make charity bears for causes I feel I can relate to.
Then I choose which ones. For me the joy of giving has to be part if it. Not just someone making me feel guilty enough to hand over a bear.
I reckon I can afford to do something each year but once I have done that I have to stop.
You just say that you personally  choose which cause you support and that's how you do it. That usually stops masses of pleas for free bears. Also ask them to verify the charity if they are fake you won't hear any more.

Peter thank you so much.  I love to do big bears but each one takes a week and it doesn't do my achy joints much good. Nevertheless they are always worth the effort!!

Thank you so much...