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bearlysane Aug 13, 2006

I didn't realise you were also posting bears here, I just thought we were to post in the challenge gallery, sorry!

Hugs,

doodlebears Celebration AmbassadorAug 13, 2006

I must say that I am really enjoying seeing all the wonderful bears in this challenge. I really loved making my traditional bear and I've made two more since. Thanks for starting this off Paula, it's so great to see all the great bears that our clever members have made.

Hugs Jane. 

Christine Aug 13, 2006

Hi guys,
There was clearly a bit of synergy going on, because, just as Paula announced the Classic Bear Challenge, I had asked Carie Ferg at Teddy Bear Review if I could base my next Bear Essentials column on... classic bears!  I decided I had better 'walk the walk' too, so here is my ultra-traditional offering:  His name is Hercules and he measures a whopping 25 inches.  I went madly traditional so he is filled with woodwool and has a pull growler in his back.  His 'friend' is my first attempt at a vintage-style painted cloth doll.  I made the pattern up myself but based her look on the style of Early American cloth dolls - I think she turned out ok and I'm itching to make some more, when I get the time!!

Hugs,
Christinex

Pumpkin & Pickle Bears Aug 13, 2006

Wow, your bears are all fantastic!!     

Christine, I REALLY love Hercules!! 

By the way, you are a legend in my eyes!!!  :redface:   

Christine Aug 13, 2006

Wow, your bears are all fantastic!!     

Christine, I REALLY love Hercules!! 

By the way, you are a legend in my eyes!!!  :redface:    :rose:

Thanks Gemma,
Your tenner's in the post!!  
Seriously - I really appreciate your comments.  Many beary thanks!!
Hugs,
Chris

All Bear Aug 13, 2006

Just popped in to see what's been going on and am thrilled to find more challenge bears!  Everyone has really entered the spirit of this challenge and the results are terrific!  It has been so interesting to watch these bears evolve ... I know how hard it must have been for some of you to resist the temptation to reach for the airbrush/shading pens etc., but I think the results prove categorically that even without contemporary frills and twists, teddy bear design can (and should!) achieve unique character.  Baxter, Timothy James, Oopa, Wilheim, all of them are so individual and yet so classic in their design style! 

Chris, thanks so much for taking the time to 'walk the walk' with us ... Hercules is such a magnificent contribution to the challenge and your doll is a super companion for him!  Tell us, did you enjoy your foray away from fine detailing, or do you now feel the need to leap straight back into it?!! 

I must admit, I really enjoyed restricting myself to working purely with traditional techniques and can't wait to have another go!

Christine Aug 14, 2006

Chris, thanks so much for taking the time to 'walk the walk' with us ... Tell us, did you enjoy your foray away from fine detailing, or do you now feel the need to leap straight back into it?!!

Hi Paula,
Well, I REALLY had to sit on my hands for this one!!    I did give him a waxed nose as I just couldn't leave him completely 'unadorned'.  But it was a good exercise in discipline.  Now, where did I leave my airbrush....!!!

Hugs,
Chris

Jodi Falk Aug 16, 2006

Here is my old style classic bear . Her name is old rose.

                                                   Jodi Falk

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorAug 16, 2006

Chris, just saw your bear and doll and wowza! comes to mind as a comment.  The doll is incredible.  Your first?  Really???  Fantastic.

All the other old-style bears here are terrific too.  I hope everyone is remembering to post them into the Challenge area for this directly so we can see them there, too.

Yay!

All Bear Aug 16, 2006

Jodi, what a beauty!  She looks so wistful!  A lovely addition to the challenge!

I have created another bear and I couldn't resist it, I've simply called him 'Teddy'!

He isn't a replica, but as a starting point for my design, I've adopted the general proportions of 50's/60's English teddies and then 'done my own thang'!  So he has quite a large head, chunky body, shortish drumstick legs, straight arms ... although I have chosen to make slightly longer arms than the bears of my childhood, but still, quite a bit shorter than I would usually make.  I've stuck with traditional black/amber glass eyes in a fairly large size and a hand embroidered nose.  As a little twist, I've borrowed the centre seam idea from Steiff to incorporate in my bear, because it suits his mohair so well.  I've given him cupped ears, which are bigger than I would usually use.  He's about 19" and has a cardboard growler in his tummy - I loved my bear with a growler in his tummy when I was a kid!  This one has a tilt mechanism growler, but my childhood bear had a bellows growler, so when squeezed he would grumble!

Jodi Falk Aug 16, 2006

Paula,

AHHHHHHHHHH  Wonderful bear !! I love his face. :clap: And thanks !! You have a blessed day .

                                                                Jodi Falk

Dian Aug 17, 2006

Hi,
I would love to join in with the traditional bear challenge, they are my most favorite style of bears.
When is the dead line? has it been decided yet??
Dian

matilda Aug 18, 2006

Just go for it Dian. I have a feeling this challenge is going to be 'ongoing. '
Everyone is enjoying the challenge. And it is a challenge. To be so disciplined.
I have another one I want to do. Finding the time is the hard part.
You may have noticed , bearmakers have made more than one Clssic bear for this challenge.
Wendy

shantell Aug 18, 2006

Yes it is a challenged...I managed to create my bear...then two days later added highlights to his eyes because I just couldn't stand it.

I just can't seem to follow ALL the rules!!!

All Bear Aug 18, 2006

Do join us Dian ... we will look forward to your bear!

fredbear Aug 19, 2006

Had no time to compete, but must say that all who have  well done on the lovely bears !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:photo:  :photo:  :photo:  :photo:  :photo:  :photo:
ok ( I think this icon is just too cute)

Lynette

joyceweaver Aug 20, 2006

Here's my classic Teddy - his name is Oatmeal (kinda simple & neutral) and little friend is Blue!
Joyce Weaver

Jodi Falk Aug 20, 2006

Tee Hee!! , They look like bestest friends.... GOOD JOB dearie !!!!  Thanks for sharing. Have a Blessed day .

                                   Jodi Falk

joyceweaver Aug 21, 2006

Thanks Jodi!  I appreciate good words!  I didn't realize how much I like making the minis until I did a few - they are really great fun & I can whip them up in front of the TV!

Jodi Falk Aug 21, 2006

Yes , the in front of the TV is the best part. You can still be in with the family. :dance:

                                                             Jodi Falk

All Bear Aug 22, 2006

Lovely to see your bear Oatmeal (great name!) and his friend in the gallery Joyce!  Glad you had fun with this project!

Chowlea Bears Aug 22, 2006

Paula - Can I play................. :redface:

This is Algenon - He's quite well-read so he now needs glasses - and he has a growler which he uses when he gets irritated.

Jodi Falk Aug 22, 2006

WOW !!! NICE BEAR !!!!!!! You can surely play !!!!!

                                             :dance:    Jodi Falk :dance:

Stellajella Aug 23, 2006

Hiya,
long time no seen 
Amazing! All these beautiful teddies!   May I say which one I love best?  :doh:
I thought, the criterias of this challenge are easy for me- my teddies are all basic so I joined with 2 I just recently finished:
Cappuccino Gentile made from brown batik Schulte mohair ( oh, I love this fabric, I´m gonna get me some more!)
and Rudolpho made from greenish south african mohair.

I hope you like them 

Have a great evening,

Gaby

All Bear Aug 23, 2006

Sandra, so glad you came out to play!  Algernon is such a handsome chap!

Gaby, what a lovely surprise to find your two bears here this morning ... they both have great personalities!  It was interesting to see the South African mohair too as I haven't worked with that before.