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kbonsall Jul 11, 2005

I just discovered a cheap way to get cotter pins and mini washers!  I had to share!!!  I get my cotter pins at Home Depot (I forget what size they are) and I get my mini washers (#2 size) at a shop where they sell remote control cars, apparently they use the mini washers for the engines of the little race cars!  It is a hobby shop.  I just thought I would share this little tidbit

Dilu Jul 12, 2005

Thanks Kim

I've been wanting to change my jointing on the little gollikins and bears-

Dilu

kbonsall Jul 12, 2005

SURE!!! I thought I would share since I had some difficulty finding such teeny little washers!

Eileen Jul 12, 2005

What a great bit of info, Kim :D

Washers in the right size aren't the easiest things to find, and just TRY explaining what they're for to your average local hardware guy. even when you've known him for 20+ years and he knows you're fairly straight . . .

Eileen

Winney Jul 13, 2005

Oh..I have a neat tip I got from somewhere for very tiny bears...use earring posts you can get them at Michaels in the jewlery isle .
You would use the disc with the post inside the arm.... then insert it thru to the inside of the body .
Then slide on the earring back piece..you could curl the end of the post into a U shape to keep it from sliding of the post. ....Winney

kbonsall Jul 13, 2005

WOW - I would never have thought of that!  THANKS!

Bearalive Jul 24, 2006

Well..I can see that we have to get this topic going!! I love the little ones and I will like to see more pictures and chats in here!!
Come on...Lets the wee ones' pictures start coming!!
Tiny bear hugs.
Gladys

Michelle Helen Sep 21, 2006

Well I know this post is older, but I was reading through some of the suggestions about mini cotter pins and washers. For real itty bitty bears I use sequins and wire. Cut a piece of wire, put a bead through it and fold wire in half. thread this through the sequin (I use about three stacked)  like a normal jointing process. on the other side, use more sequins and curl like you would normally.

Just my two cents...

Michelle

Bearalive Sep 21, 2006

WOW! That is a good one!! I just posted a picture of a wee one i made using the system created by Jody Falk (  a small bottom) . Have you see it? If you are making a really wee one and you do not find a small enough bottom to use, it could be done your way!  Here is a picture of a Mom and her baby I made a couple of weeks ago . The baby is a wee one, like you can see and I jointed her using tread but, what you are saying  is much better!  I wish a knew  two weeks ago! Thanks! Lets keep on talking a about the wee ones in here. I love them!
Have a wonderful day!
Bear hugs and Golly smiles.
Gladys

Michelle Helen Sep 21, 2006

Gladys: What  cutie pies they are!!! Oh, I just love mini's...Yes, the wire and sequins are cheap and wonderful. I use this method to joint the head to the body. I use string joints for the arms and legs though. But I suppose the sequins would do for arms and legs too....

And...sequins come in all sizes so you can use them for any size mini too.

I heard that some people use a hole punch with plastic lids from butter tubs. They take the rounds and  poke a hole
in the center with an awl. Use the wire and bead as usual with the you plastic discs...I have not tried it but read it in one of the teddy bear books.

Michelle

bearsbyTracey Sep 22, 2006

What a great idea Kim.  I will have a look at our local hobby shop and see what I can find.  I am going to a miniature convention in October so I will have look for other things.
hugs

pma2003 Oct 3, 2006

Thanks for the tidbits..

Dilu Oct 4, 2006

However it should be noted that our host, Intercal, has discs about as small as anyone could want, and the cotter pins to go with them.

Since Kimmy kindly posted a year ago-oh my!, I have priced the ones at the hardware stores and Intercals and , at least for where I live, Intercal is really a much better deal.....

so  I get all my minis and cotter pins right here-one stop shopping!

gollyhugs

dilu

pma2003 Oct 8, 2006

I purchased some mini cotton pins and discs last year and haven't the slightest idea how to use them in my mini's.

Up until now I have used brass fasteners as they work great!!

Can anyone help or send a diagram, as I have forgotten how to do it.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Bearalive Oct 8, 2006

That is true Dilu. I just found some in my bear making stuff  and they are great! I have not done wee ones for a while and I just forgot!
Thanks !.
Have a great week.
Bear hugs and Golly smiles.
Gladys