Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi,
I have had a fair amount of interest in the Ultimate Stuffing Tool so I decided to post a picture of the three different sizes.
Thanks,
Donna

Oops!  The picture is too large.  I will try to downsize so you can see the heads on the other two stuffers.  Hope to be back soon with a better picture.

Hi Laura,
I'm the one that sells the Ultimate Stuffing Tool.  They come in three sizes now.  There is a new size for smaller bears.  The head is not as large as on the original Ultimate Stuffer.  I used chopsticks and my thumbs for stuffing until I found the Ultimate stuffers.  I noticed a difference in my hands after starting to use the Ultimate Stuffer, no more pain!  I still use my thumbs occassionaly but not very often.  The ribbing on the end of the Ultimate stuffer grabs the fiberfil and moves it right where you want it.  Helps get rid of those air pockets.
You can email me or send me a PM if you want more info.
Donna

Wow!  Hearing those prices, I'm looking at mine with a new respect. 
Daphne,
Have you checked to see if you can get one from Nancy?
Bear Hugs,
Donna

As I remember back in the old days make-up was used for shading.  Some times it was moistened to help it set.  I know I was trying to help sell off a collection after the collector passed away.  Many of those bears had color from make-up and they were from the late 70's early 80's.   They still had plenty of color.  Give it a try on some scrap fabric and see what happens.
Donna

I had the same reaction as Shelli when Patty told me at the show on Sat. that the house had sold.  I was happy for her, but not happy that I wouldn't get to see her.  I was very happy for her when she told me that she was staying in the area.  I get to keep seeing her and her great bears at the shows, yes!!!
Get out there and beat the bushes for another house!
Bear Hugs,
Donna

Congratulations!  You deserve the recognition!
Donna

Could the other person be using the long mohair that they weft (I hope that is the correct term).  You buy it by the foot.  All the mohair is sewn onto this long piece.  Then you would just sew the piece of weft where you wanted it.  They use it for doll wigs. 
Donna

Hi Laura,
I was just checking to see if your buyer ever came through with the payment?  I forget how long it is that Ebay lets them go before you can lodge a complaint for nonpayment.  I had a thought, what if you list in your auction that if payment is not received within the five days like you stated that you sell to the second highest bidder?  Would you come across as the bad guy?  How do we make ebay wake up other than leave?
Donna

Hi,
Awhile back we discussed a mouth that would open and close.  But we did not go the extra step to make it automated.  I am wondering if they already have something in the doll world that could be incorporated.  Intriguing project, please let us see what you come up with.
Donna

Here are a few sites to check out for those considering leaving Ebay.  onlineAuction.com, ecrater, iOffer and etsy
They don't have as big a following as ebay but it took ebay years to develop that following. 
Donna

Hi Ming,
I do not do embroidery so I may not be of any help.  Are you using the mini fabric that has the cotton backing?  Could you transfer the design to the back of the fabric and then do your embroidery?
Good Luck
Donna

You can check for shows on the calendar of Teddy Bear Review website.  They list doll and bear shows.  They also give you an idea of how much they have advertised in the magazine.  Teddy Bear and Friends also has a calendar with show dates.
Donna

Hi,
I would recommend as the others that you trace it on.  When I was just starting and had no one to guide me, I pinned mine on and then cut.  You get a much better cut by tracing and then cutting.  Also you can pay better attention to not cut the pile if you aren't working around a paper pattern and pins.
Good Luck and Have Fun,
Donna

Hi Laura,
You should check out Bid4Bears.  It is another auction site run by Nancy Tillburg, a bear artist.  It is not as big as ebay but much safer.  There are other auction sites, I will see if I can find them for you.  You could try BearPile also.  Give the person a little time.  They don't seem to be so worried about responding immediately now that the feedback rules have changed.  Maybe they are out of town for the long weekend.  Think positive!
Bear Hugs,
Donna

Hi,
I do shipping to the UK and Australia on a regular basis.  I just did a six pound box to Australia and did it online and it was $35.15 plus insurance.  It was just first class airmail but it goes really fast.  If you do it online it is a couple dollars less than if you go to the postoffice.  Sometimes it is worth the money to go in to the post office and let them help you with the customs forms.
Check your figures again at www.usps.com
Donna

Hi Aleta,
I am sure Walker will do just fine.  But I also live in a rose colored world!  If your vet is just watching there is nothing to worry about. 
Bear Hugs,
Donna
Nevada City was not the same without you!

Amul,
Would the velvet upholstery fabric that has the white square fabric on the back have enough body to it for your nose.  Also imitation leather.  Are you wanting to avoid real leather?
Donna

Hi,
First off, have you tried your hand at needle felting noses?  There are several here on TT that are having success with that form of nose.
I have three different leather noses that I do.  I will try to talk you through them.  You can use either leather,  ultrasuede or wool felt.
This first one you get a good square-ish nose.  I use it for my yorkies.  Cut a piece of leather 1 1/2" x 1".  You can use that scale to make them larger or smaller.  On the two ends that are the 1" length cut a straight line in about 1/4" -1/2" at the center of the 1" side.  So measure up or down 1/2" and make your slit cut into the leather.  You will then fold the top slit down over the bottom slit and either glue or stitch this into place.  Do this on both ends of the leather rectangle.  If you want to do some rounding off of the square points where you have glued the slits together that is fine.  Then stitch this onto the muzzle of your bear.  I usually put some stuffing into the leather nose as I am stitching it to the nose area.  You will have an area that looks like nostrils where you put the slits together.  If you want to highlight this take a few sculpting stitches.

Second nose:  Cut a piece of pie shape, a triangle with a curved edge.  Bring the two straight sides together and stitch together or glue, you now have a cone shape.  Bring the point of the cone down over the seam you have sewn and tack it in place right at the edge of the cone.  This makes a nice realistic nose.  Stuff the nose as you stitch the curved edge onto the muzzle. 

Third nose:  Cut a nice u shaped nose.  Flat across the top with a nice deep curve.  At the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions you will stitch or glue a dart.  Stitch this to the bear with a little stuffing where the darts are.  You can do some sculpting at the dart area if you want to highlight nostrils.

Try these using paper towels first so that you see how they are going to work.  I think you will find them easy to do and look nice.
Let me know if I need to take some pictures for you.
Good Luck,
Donna

I had an old phaff that I loved.  It was a true workhorse.  The only problem that I found with the old ones was that you could not adjust the stitch length.
Donna

Looking forward to spending some fun time with you this weekend.
Bear Hugs,
Donna

I was told by Armella Dana to just put my paper pattern in the sewing machine with out thread and stitch around all the pattern pieces.  You have an instant seam allowance that is the width of your presser foot.  I use the width of my pressure foot for all my seams.  It used to drive me nuts trying to add a perfect 1/4" seam allowance to my pattern parts.
Hope this helps!
Donna

I think I would add an inset muzzle out of different fabric, maybe a solid color to match one of the colors in the fabric.  Or add a patch to cover the hole and then start needlefelting.  If you have some fimo, cernet or sculpty you could sculpt a nose and open mouth for him.  But only try to work on him, if you are over your frustration with him.
Donna

I like to make a felt template for my nose.  I stitch it to the bear from one side around the bottom to the other side.  I then put stuffing under the felt template then finish stitching the template to the bear.  I then do my satin stitch embroidered nose over the felt template.  You end up with a nice little puff of a nose.  I learned that trick in a class from Armella Dana. 
Shane where are you?  Tell her how you build up your noses.
Good Luck with your bigger bear noses.
Donna

Welcome to TT.
I have one pattern that is a one piece front with a two piece back.  I use darts at the neck and at the bottom.  It is a pretty flat tummy because I was using a fabric that I wanted a flat smooth tummy.  I think it would work to just make bigger, deeper darts.  Add in fuller tummy sides.  Play with it on paper towels you should be able to get there.
Good Luck,
Donna

Thanks Christine,
That was what I had decided after doing some research on the internet.  But after trying to plug my way through customs and duties my head is swimming.  I wasn't trusting myself with what I was finding.
Thanks for coming to the rescue.  Now to just make them understand I don't need one.
Donna