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Matilda Huggington-beareWell not exactly scared of the little bear but scared of touching her incase I muck her up.
She is almost finished. I have placed on her little wings, which I must say are looking very very good.
Will show pics as soon as possible.
Now I wish to do some shading......now this is a white Sassy long pile. With tiny teeny eyes which have whites.
I'm not sure how much shading or if any at all.
Also I have thread shaped the mouth but it doesnt seen enough. I just used upholstery thread for this.
Should I use sinew instead.? Would I be able to get a better shape happening that way?
As I said.. I'm quite scared of touching her until I'm absolutely sure I'm doing the next technique correctly.
I am flabergasted that such a tiny 4 inch bear could cause me so much angst. 
Everything has to be perfect or it will show. There is no room for error with the little ones.
I totally admire artists who specialise in the teeny bears and friends.
I just adore the Sassy fabrics and want to make more minis. :dance:
Also, one last question...Has anyone needle felted onto Sassy long pile? and if so. Can you lead me too a pic please.
Ok thats about all today. I'll proberly have more questions tomorrow. 
Wendy
She sounds wonderful. Can't wait to see pictures!
/bearhugs,
Matilda Huggington-beareThere wont be any pictures unless I get help Mary 
Hi Wendy
I totally get where you're coming from - it does take a while to get your head around the mini concept....looking forward to seeing your tiny winged creation : )
Shading....I do shade just the eensiest amount - usually before I put the eyes in - well actuall I put them in on their threads so I have the position right then pull them up a bit and shade underneath and put them back in. I love my pigma pens but they are hard to find here now : ( the best places are scrapbook stores and patchwork or cloth doll places. I think the ones I like the best are made by sakura = they have a beige barrel and come in different widths. I find they tend not to "grab" the fabric as much as some of the fabric pens do and because the tip is ultra fine you can control pressure and amount quite easily. try prisma pencils too - you just need to get a fine sharp point on the end for minis
I've added a picture so you can see my shading - this bear has a white sassy long pile head so it's the same as what your working with...although bear in mind I shaded her eyes quite heavily as she is a panda
I personally don't like using sinew on the sassy long pile - I find it does tend to pull at the backing a bit, and looks a bit messy - though that could be me being heavy handed. try using the beading type thread (stephanie sells it) or you should be able to get something equivelent at a local craft shop (one brand name is nymo and you want the fine weight thread) You might even find you can thread sculpt using the embroidery thread as the long pile is quite pliable. Use your thumbnail to create the indents as you stitch (I know that doesn't probably make sense - one of those easier to show than explain things) I even use my ultra fine invisible thread (doubled) to sculpt eye sockets so that might work if you do it very carefully.
Remember, there's no one right way to do things - just as in big bearmaking. Don't be afraid to experiment - we all have our "interesting" bears - you will soon learn what feels right for you. My friend Alexis and I both make minis but almost all our techniques are different. They both turn out all right in the end though!
Matilda Huggington-beareThankyou Melissa. It sounds so strange asking such advice when I'm suppose to know what I'm doing.
Hearing ideas coming from another voice gives me courage to go forth where I have never been. Well I have made minis before. Not many though. I found the experience rather trying.
I forgot about my prisma pencils :redface: I havent used them for the longest time.
The pic was very helpful. Thankyou. boy your panda is a wee cutie. I have most of the threads you mentioned . I'll give the invisible a whirl first.
Those wee hinged eggs that you have popped your new bears in. I saw some today in a gift shop. My goodness they are small. Immediately my mind went your wee bears. I now fully realise how truely tiny your bears must be to fit into one of those eggs. 
I'm at least a year away from that I think.
Teeny bears are not for the faint hearted.
Thankyou again for your help Melissa. I'll post pics tomorrow.
Wendy
Wild Thyme Originals
Hi Wendy!!!!!! I think that's one of the things that people tend to forget about when making the wee tiny ones.... that the tiniest mistake is HUGE in proportion to the bear! If you think about it, a 2 mm mistake in the the stiching or something on a regular sized bear is probably not even visable. On a little 'un it could be bigger than their eye! I bet you are doing wonderfully Wendy, and I can't wait to see!
As for mouths.... I generally use upholstery thread... even on the tiniest ones. If you are having problems getting that tiny mouth to show up, maybe you might consider doing some fur trimming around the mouth area, and in the "cheek" are where the fur hangs down over the side mouth lines? Mine are trimmed pretty naked around the mouth. :redface: 
Kim Basta
Wild Thyme Originals
MerBear OriginalsNow you know what I went through when I had to make all those wedding bears out of Sassy long pile :doh: It does shade nicely though as the pictures showed and I for one prefer to use the sinew separated into a thin strand for sculpting cause I find it grabs the fabric better. I now have sinew in brown, white and black.
Marion
Terries BearsWendy, I can't wait to see the pictures! I use upholstery thread for the mouth also but sometimes, I use a double strand if it is not showing up well.
Matilda Huggington-beare
Kim your wee bears mouth is exactly what I had in mind. It's a wee cutie as well. Love the eyes. I'm not brave enough to trim the fabric yet.
You are so right about mistakes showing....SIGH.........
I have just found that minis by the apprentice and macro photography do not mix well.
'Star Bright' is just adorable when viewed with the naked eye. My photos though are a different story.
The workmanship looks pretty shonky. So much so that I am really quite embarrassed. :redface:
I found that the design of the chin is such, that what I want, wont look like the way I want it. Confused?
The pics werent suppose tobe this small!! /but thank the good lord that they are. :pray:
I have had the dickens of a time photographing this wee cherub.
I'll most definitely will have to take more. ....sigh.......
Almost forgot......hahah......I used a prisma pencil to shade around the eyes ,inner ear and after I pulled thread to sculpt the mouth shape. I used the pencil to shade it a little. So I wouldnt have to trim.
I really love the wings but it wasnt until I took pics that I saw that the shoulder bones are'nt the same size. .....SIGH........ I will make another . I will not be defeated. Plus I now know what to look out for.
I'm going to redesign the muzzle area and make the feet just a tad bit bigger.
Wendy
oh my goodness Wendy you have nothing to worry about....my first mini was really rather hideous
I think your wee bear is rather sweet and you are right it's practice that makes them get better....I'm still improving and am a long way from where I wannt my bears to ultimately be.
As long as you're having fun that's the main thing isn't it?
there must be something about white fairies at the moment - I started one in the weekend.
Patsy Lake BearsWendy she looks gorgeous .... I know what you mean about making a mistake on the mini's I have had a few disasters with shading, just too much colour.
Matilda Huggington-beareI tell ya folks. Making a mini sure makes you pick up your act a bit aye? I think it has been good for me.
Its made me focus and to take more care.
There is another craft fair at the end of the month. I plan to buy more prisma pencils. I have a lot more minis to make. I'm not finished with them yet.
Posts: 1,277Wendy, your little cherub is adorable. I think you've done a fantastic job!
Terries BearsWendy, she is absolutely adorable!
I have a lot more minis to make. I'm not finished with them yet.
Yup, that is exactly what happens! They are very addictive :crackup: :crackup:
Flying Fur StudiosSuper cute Wendy. I love this bear. The wings look at if they have held up well.
You've done a fine job.
MerBear OriginalsShe's really sweet Wendy. I'm hankering to start another one!
As for shading...the last wedding bear I made I overshaded somewhat and she ended up looking like a hussy! Fortunately the bride didn't mind (she likes her make-up as well).
Marion
'Bear' Bottoms OriginalsOh my goodness, Wendy, she's just FABULOUS and looooovely!!!! You did such a fantastic job!!
I'm with the others, I use upholstery thread to do my mouths as well....
Kimberly W.
Chaska, MinnesotaWendy: Your little bear is as cute as can be.....You did a great job!
Michelle
I think she's wonderful. Remember our biggest critic is ourselves. You did great with her!
/bearhugs,
Ruby Mountain BearsWOW she is great. So cute!!! I love those wings!!
Sassy Bears & FabricsOh Wendy! Stop being so hard on yourself. This little bear is cute as can be. You did an amazing job!!
What on earth made you think you'd get every single detail perfect on your first try???
I think I see what you mean about the mouth. I agree she needs a little more chin to get the mouth to look like you want. Other than that, she is fabulous!!
MAKE MORE!!!
I've helped a few people start out with minis. This is what I tell them:
You MUST make at least 20 horrid little things and you MUST sew at least 2 of them to your thumb. THEN you can call yourself a mini artist!!!
:hug:
For shading the tiny ones, I like to use the FabricMate markers. It's like dye in a pen. You can use a damp cotton swab to blend the colors or remove some if you get it too dark. Very easy to get it 'just right'.
Matilda Huggington-beareThankyou everyone for your advice.
Thankyou Stephanie, I will remember your advice the next time I bleed on a mini. , that it is a right of passage for the serious mini maker.....
Marion, you are just sooo funny. It was the tarty look I was hoping to avoid. (that's not inplying your daughter in law is a tart) :crackup:
I didnt realise that sinew comes in different colours.........
The wings after Heathers instructions were really easy to put together. TRICKY for someone with all thumbs but still came together with ease.
I forgot Kathy I promised you a manual for these wings. Will get onto that today.
Again thankyou everyone!!!!
I can put all your advise into the next one. Like shade BEFORE I secure the eyes.........
I bought two key rings at the $2 shop on friday. Which I thought would make great wings. They are heart shaped with feathers and crystal pastings. I'm really looking forward to using them. 
Seamore CollectiblesI adore the wings also. And all the tips on eyes and shading.
Thank you
Bears by Jodi
Matilda Huggington-beare
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINI WINGS ON MINIS
I know it looks abit messy but better that than no instructions at all.
When one person asks a question on TT .Many others get to learn.
TT is one place you are never alone!! :hug:
PS: I hope you guys can understand these instructions. ? If not just give me a yell
