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Chowlea BearsThose of you clever enough to scissor sculpt to perfection (Don't be shy - you know who you are). I'm going to embarrass myself with a stupid question :doh:
What do you use to hold your bears head while you work? assuming you use two hands to sculpt
Do you joint the head to the body before working or sculpt before jointing?
Do you use your knees to hold the head you work on - or have you some amazing heathrobinson device that does the trick?
Thanks in advance
Sandra, you made me chuckle!
I am a single handed scissor sculptor! I hold the bear's head in my right hand and trim with my left (it's okay, don't worry, I'm left handed! 
)
Every so often I secure the head between my knees and do it that way too! I find the knee way works well to make sure everything is level and symmetrical when I'm finishing off. Mainly I use the 'knee vise' system when I'm inserting eyes and stitching noses. 
Wild Thyme OriginalsWell, I have it easy Sandra... I have fairies and elves in my studio that hold the head and brush away the stray bits of fur as I snip! Lucky me, huh? 
the nice thing is that the insist on NOT being given credit for all their help. Just a spoon full of honey and a thimble full of milk from time to time and they are good to go!
Actually, I sit the head (not yet attached to the body) upon a large mason jar when I am working on a big one.... I sometimes use the "knee vice" like Paula too! With the itty bitties it's not nearly so difficult.... the whole head can be managed between my thumb and forefinger.
Kim Basta
Wild Thyme Originals
Terries BearsI wish that I had some fairies to help!
I attach the head to the body before I sculpt the face. I stuff the body loosely, just enough to prop up the head, sculpt the face and then shape and finish the body.
Baird'sBears
I park my scissors in a shirt pocket, and my needles in the leg of my jeans--it's very important not to get them mixed up :crackup:
Chowlea Bears
Knees!!
I park my scissors in a shirt pocket, and my needles in the leg of my jeans--it's very important not to get them mixed up :crackup:
Ooooooogh - potentially nasty :crackup:
Thanks for the tips Ladies. Much appreciated :clap: :clap:
I use my tabletop and left hand to hold tight when I needle sculpt with my right hand... and for finishing touches, I do what Kim Basta does, and set the head onto the open top of a Mason jar. Puts it at just the right height for detailing!
My knees, alas, play no part in my bearmaking. It's too far down, working there, and I like things right in front of me!
Apple Dumpling DesignsAnything that's handy....I've actually used my teeth a time or two to hold a thread tight or whatnot. I have a small Longaberger basket that my heads sit snuggly in for detail work...it's works nice for me.
I have a huge church candle which I cover with a bit of tissue then ram the cotter pin into the wax...this holds it still if I want to use scissors and comb. Ordinarily I just use my hands and I work with a barbers comb, an eyelash comb and a sharp pair of scissors..along with a teazle brush.
I get my husband to push the eyes in sometimes...when I can't press hard enough and tighten ...and sometimes I get him to put his finger on the thread while I tighten the knot...he hates doing this as I always pinch his finger when I tighten...so he runs a mile when he sees me doing eyes.
I'm with Terrie. I put the whole bear together first....stuffing and closing all seams. This way I have the bear face right in front of me and I don't need a third hand. There again, I mostly make larger sized bears. Perhaps that makes a difference. Then again, I do the same thing with my six inch bears and did so when I used to make even smaller bears.
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Chowlea BearsThank you everyone for sharing your 'secrets'.
Your time and generosity are much appreciated. :hug:
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