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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Winneybears and FriendsHi Rita ! I just saw your cute koala bear you made that is up for sale .
You said he is made from " long pile cashmere " from Intercal. I keep looking for that fur but do not see it listed.???
...............Winney
Wisdom BearsSorry ,its my mistake, must have been a Senior Moment. It was not Intercal at all. Hugs Rita xx
Wisdom BearsHi Winney, Did you get the link I sent by e-mail. ?? Rita x
Winneybears and FriendsHi Rita...Yes...a neat site for lots of the shorter furand its in the US ! Oh, and she wrote me back .
I am looking for some fur that well..looks kinda ratty....for RATS ! He, he...I have had these guys in my head for a few years..gotta make them. Actually, I have a piece of flattish fur looks like it may be Alpaca , mouse brown color...I got it from a trade. Trades are fun...I
I use to make tiny 5" mice out of cheap felt , I did not know about wool felt at the time.... dressed them to the "nines"...will be doing those little guys again after I revise the pattern.... I thought I may want the fur to look all wacked out for a truly gutterly scruffy look...so I may go with that matted fur only I don't want it curly..anyone got any suggestions ?
Tha mad rat maker...Winney
Fool's Gold BearsHow about clear acrylic paint (I think such a thing is available), brushed on a little at a time and scruffed up as you go. Maybe try it on a sample piece first.
Winneybears and FriendsWhat a riot of an idea...yes, its Clear Jel or Extender ... that's what it us to be called. ? ...wouldn't that make some wacko hairstyles with ?
I bought some thickish fur from an artists at a show a long time ago...it feels wooly to me, it has faint broad stripes in browns...Hmmmm. a mystery fiber, even she didn't know what it was..of course I just had to buy it anyway, can't stand a mystery you know...I knew this was a type of fiber that one day " may" be perfect for that certain critter...Then again I may take the sheers to it or the hot water, he, he..
Ohnooooooo...here come the rats !..... Winney ( Still need to find some horse hair)
Wisdom BearsHi Winney, I dress little mice some are calico and some are fur. I did them long before my mohair days, when I was a crafter. I did some last year for a bear shop and they all sold ,so yes ,there is a market for mice and rats out there. Hope to see your new creations soon!!!!. Hugs Rita
Winneybears and FriendsOh Rita...I do dream a lot of all kinds of neat ideas to make up...more than I have time for in this lifetime but you know, If I'd get well and get on the ball I could make many of them come to life ! Gotta do those rats tho ! Winney
Wisdom BearsHi Winney, Here is a piccie of one of my Calico Rats , all dressed up and now-where to go. He He Hugs Rita xx
Rita, that rat is TOO CUTE! I love his little herringbone attire. Very nice!!
Wisdom BearsThanks Shelli, He wears Dungarees and matching scarf and he also wears a little grey shirt..Hugs Rita x
Winneybears and FriendsRita !...Cute...he has got an endearing expression....I don't have any mice left over to show beside I need to revamp that pattern ...yet another project to work on...Winney
Past Time BearsWhat a handsome rat, Rita!! Love his slightly mischievous look, too. Great work!! 
Wisdom BearsThanks Sue Ann, I actually did a whole little family off them, and they sold so quickly,but were a little bit fiddly to make,if I had not enjoyed doing them,it would not have been a worthwhile project financially. Scottish Hugs Rita x
Baird'sBearsLove the rat, Rita--what an elegant little cutie!! What do you use for the tail and whiskers?
Eileen
Wisdom BearsHi Eileen,
I used fine silk cord for the tail and black fishing gut for his whiskers. Isn't it amazing how even as bear-makers we can all make use of things . Hugs Rita x
Awww! He IS adorable! Love the outfit!!
Baird'sBearsIt certainly is amazing what uses we can find for things, Rita!! I've forbidden ANYONE to toss out bags or shoes until I've checked the condition of the leather. And I've confiscated all mateless earrings from the daughters' jewellry boxes.
You never know . . .
Winney--the best source of horsehair I've found is www.tandyleather.com
You can buy a 4 oz. hank for about $US and the selection includes white, which is usually much more expensive than black or brown. In my spare time 
I'm making a rocking horse!
Eileen
Baird'sBearsSorry, make that $15 US 
Winneybears and FriendsOuch ! That's sort of expensive for the ole horse hair...I have a son that is a pro. horse trainer ..you think he would send me some ??? I have asked several times.My neice just sold all her horses... Winney
Fool's Gold BearsCute rat, Rita!
I can see how it could be 'fiddly', but when I make 'fiddly' pieces, the collectors seem to like them a lot. I have been thinking about rats for a few years now. Some day I will get down to actually making some. In my interpretation, they will be somewhat seedy characters, as my memories of rats include my son's pet ones pulling the curtains into their cage and chewing them up!!
Hugs,
Past Time BearsHA!! Laure, that's toooo funny . . . the rat story! Seedy, indeed!!
Winneybears and FriendsThat's funny Laura, I just love animals ....Winney
