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Feather Heart CreationsAnyone have any good books they would like to recommend? I've gotten a few & would like more, expesially on mini bears and maybe clothing for bears (if there are any) Are there any "must have" bear making books out there? Any that got you started or that you just love? I just won one on e-bay called Teddy Bear Magic (love the title)
Posts: 186My "must have" bear making book is "101 bears to make" by Nancy Tillberg 
Its the book that got me started making bears. I bought it a couple of years ago by accident and not that I had any intention to start making bears - I just loved the pictures in the book. It sat on my book shelf for more than a year and one day I started to read it and thought it would be fun to try making a bear...and so I did! 
I still use it all the time to look up things; different techniques, sculpting, dying fabrics etc. and I couldn't do without it, I just love that book! 
Bearz by EllenI agree with Tina, 101 Bears to Make is definitely a great resource!
My other favorite is "How to Make Enchanting Miniature Teddy Bears" by Debbie Kesling. This book is so cute and it has very clear photos and instructions, it even has a section on starting to sell your bears, which I've found very helpful. You can find this book on eBay occasionally, but I believe that is out of print so there are not very many copies circulating...
Hope this helps!
~Ellen
If you would like some more suggestions about bear-making publications, you are very welcome to pop over to my blog and read my latest post 'dusty jackets' ... 
I was going to reccommend the Debbie Kesling book too! I used to know her and she made gorgeous miniature bears, so any words of wisdom she has to impart are well worth having...
Jennifer Laing has written a couple of books too and I believe there is at least one pattern for a miniature. I can't remember the titles - anybody?? You could always just search for her on Amazon.
Happy hunting!
Hugs,
Christine
Pandy Potter BearsGood book choices. I started off with Jennifer Laing, super books. As for the miniatures hmmm....I recently made a large bear and apart from some machine stitching I make both miniatures and big ones the same. That said tips for turning small joints etc, it would all be good advice. I forget all the 'learn the hard way' mistakes I've made. 
Just ask if you want any help on the miniature front.
Past Time BearsJennifer Laing has written a couple of books too and I believe there is at least one pattern for a miniature. I can't remember the titles - anybody?? You could always just search for her on Amazon.
Happy hunting!
Hugs,
Christine
I have three books of Jennifer's:
Teddy Bear Art
The Art of Making Teddy Bears
Constructing Teddy and His Friends
Chaska, MinnesotaI love the Deb Keseling book. My first love is making mini bears. I can recommend a few more:
http://www.amazon.com/Making-Dressing-M … 524&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Making-Teddy-Mini … 524&sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.com/Making-Teddy-Mini … 524&sr=1-2
For larger bears, I too love Nancy Tillberg's "101 bears to make". I also like Ted Menten's book:
http://www.amazon.com/Mentens-Teddy-Stu … im_b_img_3
For whimsical bears I love Neysa Phillippi's books:
http://www.amazon.com/Whimsical-Teddy-B … _b_title_6
http://www.amazon.com/Cats-Rats-Other-C … im_b_img_2
Here is another miniature teddy bear book. It's out-of-print, but you should be able to find it at a library or find a used copy.
Creating Miniature Teddy Bears (International Artists' Designs) by Linda Mullins
http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Miniatur … 623&sr=1-2
Hugs,
Ellen
