Banner Sponsors

nettie Jul 12, 2006

Sorry if that didn't go down well.I always do stuff for animals asia  at that time of year. and had seen other fund raising stuff on TT.I will bow out gracefully.I was going to do all the work Paula,I know you are busy.
hugs Diane xx

All Bear Jul 12, 2006

Thanks Diane ... it was a really good idea and so kind of you to offer to do the work, but I know you're as busy as a busy thing too.    

Maybe we could put it on the back burner and organise a specific fund raiser at a later date? 

edie Jul 12, 2006

Sounds like a fun challenge, Paula - count me in! End of Sept sounds great.
Also I did like your idea of raising money for animals asia, Diane but perhaps it would be better to keep it separate from the challenge and do something specific later on as Paula suggested.
Bear hugs, Edie

All Bear Jul 12, 2006

I'm delighted to announce that our gallery is now open!  You can find it on the toolbar at the top of the page ... 'challenge gallery'.   

So, please feel free to post photographs of your completely classic bears as soon as they are ready to share!! 

I can't wait to see them all!!  :clap:  :clap:

Okay, READY, TEDDY, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO .................. 

shantell Jul 12, 2006

If anyone is interested to see further pics, I can highly recommend Pauline Cockrill's 'The Ultimate Teddy Bear', or her 'The Teddy Bear Encyclopedia'.  Both are beautiful books!

Thanks Paula!!!

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJul 12, 2006

Well, I'm not showcasing any "personal development" here in terms of forward momentum, but because the challenge area looked so empty on this one, and because I probably can't do the golly challenge AND the classic challenge, I went ahead and posted a very EARLY piece.  Actually, the first piece I ever sold on eBay!  He went to England, and his name is GEORGE.  I was still "finding my voice" at the time I made him, sometime around spring 2004... and using polymer clay for noses (oops, that's not "classic" and breaks Paula's rules... but it's the best I can do since I'm otherwise committed between now and the end date of this challenge.  Please forgive!) 

I actually quite liked this little guy but my hands just wanted to do more detailing in the face, which moved me away from classic styling over time. 

Anyway, you've got ONE picture posted, at least!

Daphne Jul 12, 2006

Shel-
The name fits him to a T and I love his face! So full of expression! What fun to see one of your early pieces! Thanks for sharing him!

chrissibrinkley Jul 12, 2006

I'm in! I'm so use to creating my mini's that I'll take any opportunity to work the larger bear proportions.  I just promised my youngest sister (I have 2) a larger bear of her own, just so I could get the practice in!  She'll love a traditional guy. Practice, Practice, Practice....it's like scales (piano) all over 

Paula, the first bear pictured in the examples (your guy) is that mohair??  It looks incredibly soft and fluffy.

~Chrissi

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJul 13, 2006

Shelli - love that George Bear!  Whoa, girl . . . that early piece is great!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

thumperantiques Jul 13, 2006

Shelli just told me about this and I'm in luck - traditional bears are what I do - I think I'll post a picture of my new bear naked!  LOL  Sorry I had to use one of my ebay pictures with writing on it - it's the only ones I could accesss right now as my computer is not working properly,

                                        hugs,

                                        Brenda

All Bear Jul 13, 2006

Thanks for getting us started Shelli and Brenda!  I haven't taken a peek yet, but I'm on my way ...

Chrissi, well spotted!  The first bear is my 'Padstow', from a traditional collection of bears I put together a couple of years ago. He is made from 1" dense German Schulte mohair and it's beautiful to use!!

Renae, the centre seam and hump backs were particularly favoured by the German company Steiff.  Centre seam bears were used as a means of utilising the fabric effectively, so that none went to waste and consequently, every 7th bear (I think that's right ... please someone correct me if I'm remembering wrongly!) had a centre seam head gusset.  These bears had humps too, to offer a little something of the shape of real bears.  Here's a pic of my interpretation of a centre seam bear.  I still give all my bears gentle humps too!

Eileen Jul 13, 2006

I'm definitely in--I've been wanting to make something close to the 1905 Steiff Baerle for some time! So far I've only drooled over the pictures in Christie's Century of Teddy Bears.

On the fundraising issue, perhaps anyone who can afford to can auction/sell the bear to benefit Animals Asia?

All Bear Jul 13, 2006

Glad to have you on board Eileen!  I think for anyone who makes traditional bears, this is a great opportunity to take a stretch into another traditional style ... good luck with the 1905 Steiff Baerle style! 

I'm going to scratch my head for a while and indulge myself in pondering over fabric swatches, before I decide how I want my traditional challenge bear to look.  There are so many directions available to take!  It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking the traditional style is very 'samey' ... but of course, that is far from the truth!

Renae, thank you for your kind comment about Padstow.   

There is a great deal of interesting history with regard to how the first bears developed and the social factors affecting their production.  What amazes me the most about the bears from the early 1900's, is the sheer quality!  They were so beautifully made and the mohair was of such wonderful quality, it still survives almost a hundred years later! 

If anyone is interested to find out more, this link will show you some of the outstanding antique bears sold through the Christie's of South Kensington auction house:

http://www.christies.com/departments/co … rketUpdate

Some lovely bear museum links:

http://www.theteddybearmuseum.com/index.htm

http://www.bearmuseum.co.uk/

Old bear dealers:

http://www.blueribbonbears.com/bearindex.htm

http://www.oldbear.co.uk/

http://www.sue-pearson.co.uk/prodlist.php?cate=1

http://www.pebblebeachbears.co.uk/vintage_1.asp

And these guys have a terrific catalogue of vintage bears and some really interesting articles too!

http://www.bourtonbears.com

Finally, if anyone would like to own a copy of Pauline Cockrill's books on vintage bears, there are a handful on Ebay right now!

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl … +bear+book

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl … cyclopedia

I hope you enjoy the links!  (And I hope they work okay!!  :pray: )

jenny Jul 13, 2006

Following in Shellis footsteps my input on this one would be more if I had some to play...so I added a picture of Filbert to the gallery...my first sojourn into old style teddies from a couple of years ago. He was a centre seam bear and at the time I was mad about him..I still love him..but I can't stop doing what I do...

I will be keen to see everyones creations..it's an interesting challenge

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJul 13, 2006

Adorable bear, Jenny!!     

thumperantiques Jul 14, 2006

Jenny, I love the bear you posted! 

                                    hugs,

                                    Brenda

All Bear Jul 14, 2006

Lovely bears, Jenny, Brenda and Shelli! 

I'm really looking forward to working on a traditional bear for this challenge and I can't wait to see everyone's new challenge bears as they are completed! 

We've got quite a long deadline, so hopefully during that time we'll all be able to experiment and stretch ourselves into new areas! 

Eileen Jul 14, 2006

Beautiful bears, everyone! 

Thanks for the links, Paula--I love the PebbleBeachBears site

Terrie Jul 14, 2006

This is a great idea, Paula! The bears that have been posted already are all gorgeous.

Kat Jul 14, 2006

I think I might have a go too. 

millie Jul 14, 2006

I think I'm in for this, although most of the bears I make already fit the bill (except for shading and aging).  I've posted a picture of the teddy bear that belonged to my dad.  It is a 1920's German Petz bear.  Since this picture he has aquired a new eye.  Maybe it will inspire someone.

gotobedbears Jul 14, 2006

I've added mine 

Penny  :hug:

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJul 14, 2006

TERRIFIC, Penny!

thumperantiques Jul 14, 2006

Your teddy is super, Penny -  I do love classic bears!!

                                         hugs,

                                         Brenda

Bumpkin Bears Jul 15, 2006

I just added a photo of my recent old style ted Archie

Hugs
Catherine