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For the first time in quite a few years, I will be exhibiting at the 'British Bear Fair' on the 11th December 2005. Just in time for Christmas! I'm looking forward to it and have been scratching my head trying to think of a suitable theme. I've come up with a plan! I shall make lovely traditional bears for this show. They will be quintessentially English and I'm going to call the collection 'The Best of British'! Cheeky eh? ;)
This centre-seam chap is the first. He's called 'Clarence' (I think I shall call each of the bears after royal dwellings!) and he is 20" tall. I've made him from stunning frost tipped German mohair and he has olive glass eyes, with black pupils. As you can see, he has traditional proportions.
Upstate New YorkOh D'Paula ~ He's wonderful! And I like your plan too! I have no doubt it'll be a huge success. How many bruins do you plan to create before the show? Good luck!
Hi Deb,
Thank you - I'm so glad you like him! I'm hoping to have about nine large bears to take with me ... fingers crossed!
Flying Fur StudiosYou are so cleaver Paula. Great bear and really great idea!
Heather
Gorgeous, Paula. I love this guy a lot.
Two questions:
1.) What royal dwelling is called, "Clarence?" Ignorant Amer-i-can here.
2.) How long does it take you to make each bear?
Okay, three questions...
3.) How much mohair do you use on each one of your bigguns? I'm guessing at least 1/3 yard, in our Yankee measurements... ?
aerBearsPaula, Your bears are always so beautiful. They look huggable and kind. Clarence is no exception. He is wonderful. Great job!!!
Aerianna
Gorgeous, Paula. I love this guy a lot.
Two questions:
1.) What royal dwelling is called, "Clarence?" Ignorant Amer-i-can here.
2.) How long does it take you to make each bear?Okay, three questions...
3.) How much mohair do you use on each one of your bigguns? I'm guessing at least 1/3 yard, in our Yankee measurements... ?
Thanks for taking a peek everyone!
To answer Shelli's questions:
1. Clarence House was where our Queen Mother lived. This link should give you more details: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page2262.asp (I hope it works!)
2. If I'm making a straightforward bear, I take between 10/12 hours. A more complicated bear will take an hour or two more ... the laughing bears take the longest.
3. Clarence took half a metre of mohair to make (purchased this fabric in the UK). Generally speaking I have to order 2/3 yards for a 20/21" bear, if I'm buying in from the US. Although my bears might not sound ever so tall, they are pretty chunky! I like them to have nice drumstick thighs and be a real armful to hug!
Thanks for the answers! Your bears do look to be a huge armful. I tend to make biggish heads but relatively smaller bodies, and those drumstick thighs did look like they might take some extra yardage. It's intersting how the yardage/meter requirements change so dramatically, depending on the proportions of the bear. Even a large head takes very little mohair to trace and cut, but a large body requires a really big chunk of available fabric!
Beautiful, beautiful bear.
Paula
He is gorgeous! He looks like he has a centre seam head - I love that cute parting just above his eyes :)
Look forward to meeting the rest of the gang! (Highgrove and Kensington among them??)
bears by beesley TMPaula he is outstanding! The mohair is scuptious!
Many Hugs Louise
Thank you so much ladies!
Melissa, you spotted right, he is a centre seam teddy - I haven't made one of those in AGES, actually it must be years now I come to think about it!!
The mohair is of course, Shulte's 'zotty' style. It has a 1" pile and is beautifully dense - a real pleasure to work with.
Past Time BearsWow, Paula . . . absolutely stunning big guy!! I have some Zotty fur, too, and like the lighter tips. Good luck at the show - you have an excellent theme and you're off to a great start! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the Best of British family!
Kim-Bee BearsWOW! I love your big guys! His face is wonderful! Your bears look so big!
Apple Dumpling DesignsWow...I love Clarence...but then I have soft spot for that name anyway. You're bears are so huggable...I just know it!!
ontario, canadaWOWWWWW! gorgeous again! good luck with the show - that's a wonderful theme!
i wanna see Glamis!
UKhe's gorgeous paula and a great idea too !! he looks very British !
Matilda Huggington-beareAbsolutely wonderful, gorgeous and just beautiful as per usual Paula. :dance: :dance: 
Terries BearsHe is gorgeous, Paula. I just love your big guys, they do look so very huggable. 
Hi Paula
What a gorgeous, chunky boy! :clap: If he suddenly disappears from your stand - you'll know who's got him! ;)
Vicky
You're welcome to a cuddle with him Vicky!
Thank you all for your support. Now all I need to do is find some time to make him some friends!
UKCan't wait to see his friends Paula
Kiprie BearsWow Paula, Clarence is outstanding ! he is sooooo beautiful ! :clap:
I'm 100% sure that your bears will take everyone's breath away at the 'British Bear Fair' . 
:rose:
:hug: Marie
Baird'sBearsThe mohair is of course, Shulte's 'zotty' style
You answered my question before I got to ask it, Paula! On a gorgeous bear that large, this fur works wonders. Wowza, girl. :hug:
But is that earth he's sitting on? Right on his bottom?
Eileen
sweet soulsHi Paula,
Your bears are always nothing less than stunning. You sure have the knack for getting those bears right on the mark!
He's really makes me want to hug him...
LuLu
The mohair is of course, Shulte's 'zotty' style
But is that earth he's sitting on? Right on his
Eileen
Don't worry Eileen, it's actually a stone step he's sitting on! 
