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EJ's CraftsI am new to the site and I have been looking at all the bears that everyone makes and I think gee, mine just don't compare to all the beautiful work that I see here. I have been designing and making bears for 30 years but I make mine mainly in a faux fur and with childproof eyes and noses. I did this in the beginning so that they would be for children and I never expanded into the true collector bear. Am I wrong in doing this type of work? I know I don't sell as many bears as I use too but they still do sell. I do love to dress my bears and each outfit I design especially for each of the bears. What do you think??
Eva
Gosh, Eva... I think there's a place for every kind of bear in this world. I'd hate for one of mine to end up with a toddler because they're absolutely not designed for young children. So what would a little one have to hug, teddy-wise, if not for bears like yours???
Just like when choosing fabric to determine the look and feel of a bear, one usually has a purpose in mind for that bear, too. My purpose is to create art objects for the adult collector. If your purpose, though, is to create something lovable and huggable and perfect for affection, for children, then I'd say you're right on track and meeting your goals.
FenBeary FolkHi Eva, if you don't mind advise from a newbie, been making bear for just over a year
Here goes...............
, this site is fantastic for all kinds of info, have you found the library yet, it's absolutely full of everything, if you fancy trying mohair or glass eyes, its all there and the beauty is if you get stuck or aren't sure, just say and you will have about 10 answers before you can blink. If you want to carry on with the little beary guys you are making thats ok too, we love it all here, please post piccies, its nerve wracking but everyone is so kind, it really helps you to become more confident 
JeannieB BearsHi Eva,
I think your bears, bunnies, mice....are all just precious! I bet you've celebrated thirty years of producing joy and happiness for children and adults. 
Not too many people can say that! That's what teddy bears are for!? You should be proud of your creations...they are beautiful. The heart on your avatar says a lot about you!
Teddy Talk is a great site for sharing and caring. There are some wonderful artists and so much creativity....it can be addicting!
Thanks for sharing your creations!
Hugs,
JeannieB 
Past Time BearsHeavens no, Eva . . . you are definitely NOT wrong! You love what you do and your work sells - that can't possibly be wrong. There is a real need for soft, cuddly bears/toys that children can play with. By supplying those child-friendly playmates, how many potential bear collectors are you creating? I'd say a good many. So, thank you for making the kind of toys you love.
Hi Eva, I am so glad you posted your thoughts here so that we can reassure you that there is never a "wrong" bear to make. I think it is wonderful that you are making bears that are suitable for children and it must be such a joy to see a little one with their new bear. A lot of the bears that girls make on TT are not suitable for children, (including mine) and so you are looking after a section of the market that is really needed. Keep on making them and if it feels right and you love it, it is right. There is never a right or wrong bear - we love them all.
Eva,
I have worked with toy companies and I know how to create child-safe soft sculpture animals. I can create any one of my characters as a child-safe piece. Technique does not have to hold back your artistic development
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
Dances With Teddy BearsI'm glad to see this post, too.
I'm a newbie here and I've had a similar thought rolling around in my head, even though I don't sell my bears.
I've been using faux fur from vintage coats. The fur is thick, lush, and gorgeous and I'm having fun using it, but I've been embarrassed to admit it because mohair seems to be the way to go. I know how silly this must sound but I've opted out of putting my bears on the forum because they aren't made of mohair. I'm self-conscious to the extreme and am surprised I'm even writing this.
If I ever did want to sell my bears...do I need to switch to mohair? They're jointed and I use either glass eyes or vintage shoe buttons. (Of course that won't be for quite some time, as I'm still learning.)
Thanks for listening.
Laura
EJ's CraftsI suspect that maybe there are others who don't work in mohair that haven't come to this forum too. I know I put it off for a long time. I have sold a lot of bears over the years so I know that people like what I do. Some of my fancy dressed bears do go to collectors even though they are not in mohair. I have made special order bears out of old coats, in mink and in faux furs over the years. Glad to see there is someone else on this site who works in this type of fabric and furs.
Eva
There are tons of bearmakers who work in synthetics, including here on this forum -- for sure! This site is sponsored by a mohair supplier so it's no accident that many of us here use mohair; browsing the Intercal weekly specials mailer or their online catalog led many people straight to this forum! Keep in mind, too, that teddies were traditionally made from mohair, so there's the sentimental pull of staying true to the original vision that tugs at not-a-few artists as well. Plus, mohair is just really dang easy to work with -- or at least, it is for me. I find it easier to work with than faux furs, myself. So kudos to you who work in faux furs instead!!
Karen Lyons, who makes spectacular cats and who posted above, works largely in plush if memory serves.
Jenny Johnson, a very popular bear artist -- 3 o'clock Bears -- comes to mind, too, straight away, as someone who does a LOT of her pieces in plush faux furs. Paula Carter also comes immediately to mind as someone who's done wonderful things in plush; check out her ALL BEARS. I know there are a bajillion others. I'm just having a midlife moment and can't think of them right now. Daphne Blau (Back Road Bears) created the Mimsy character -- yes, from the movie! -- with needle felting and out of plush material (I think.. ?)
We also have a big helping of folks on the forum who work extensively -- some exclusively -- in real fur (usually repurposed from old coats) and other imaginative materials.
Sue Ann Holcomb just this week posted an incredibly cool patchwork-y kind of scrapbook bear: http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=24379
And Michelle Lamb, who's a friend of mine and known to many, but not a participant here, works extensively in faux fur and has for the length of her long and wonderful career; she's mentored and inspired many a bear artist, including me. You can check out her faboo work at: www.oneandonlybears.com
Last, I don't think it's an overstatement to say that most mini artists use faux furs, specifically upholstery type furs. I may be overstating that, but I don't think I am. Mini makers, step in and slap me up side the head if I'm misrepresenting your materials.
So yeah, don't be shy to post work that's done in faux fur here. And do feel free to ask questions and explore techniques if you'd like to take your work one step beyond where it is now... whatever your vision of "one step beyond" might be. There's help aplenty and so many ways to slice this bear-y furry loaf. I think you'll find support whichever way you turn. This site has historically had an artist-bear bent vs. a made-for-the-younger-set tone, mostly simply because those are the folks who landed here via the Intercal connection... but certainly, ALL are welcome here.
Welcome, welcome, to you both!
Thanks, Shel
Yes, I work in very high quality Belgium plush fur. I have tried using many different furs, mohair, alpaca, and others. I was looking for a fur that would feel the most like real cat fur and would still be quality fur. This Belgium plush fur is just as expensive as mohair and, lately, very difficult to acquire. I think this is the point Shelli was trying to get across- It's not the materials, any quality material is right if it works with your piece. It's up to the artist to decide what materials will bring out their vision for the piece.
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
I'd also like to add that the entire current issue of TB&F is about bears for kids, getting kids involved with bears, etc, ect, ect (good job, Mindy!!) it a really cute issue (great little article by jack kinsey, whom I first met as a babe-in-arms at my first ever teddy bear show)
Eva, I think you've found a very nice niche. . . affordable hand-crafted teds for children! most of my stuff get stuck on a shelf (though I do have on collector in england who's always undressing his bears and pressing thir clothes :rolleyes:) but one of my clients bought a 15" 'whocaresbear' for her 4-year-old son, and tells me that he sleeps with it every night, and has long conversations with 'Brian' all day, and I have to say it really gives me a big smile whenever I think about it!
you sure can't negate the power of a good hug, eh?
Dances With Teddy BearsEva, Shelli...
Thank you!!!
Waggle BearsShelli beat me to it, but I was also going to mention Sue Ann's "embellished scrapbook" bear. Not too long ago Sue Ann also made a couple of real darling bears out of wash rags, and her avitar bear isn't mohair, if I am remembering correctly. Sue Ann can tell us but I think she sewed pieces of fabric to a base fabric and then made the bear. Sue Ann jump in here and correct me...and maybe post some of pictures of those bears using non-traditional mohair.
And Eva, please post some pictures. We love to see pictures.
Past Time BearsThank you both, Shelli and Marlys, for mentioning Scrappy. Shelli provided a link to his photos. The wash rag creation was Easter Bonny (bunny) and here is a link to it. http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php … 03#p291103 Camo the avatar bear was made from 3 different colors/types of yarn sewn onto each piece of the bear pattern which was cut out of a cotton backing material. After the yarn has been attached, then the pieces are sewn together like normal. I just like experimenting, I guess. Shelli is absolutely correct . . . our bear family welcomes teddies made from sources other than mohair.
PottersHouse BearsEva,
If everybody was alike, what a boring place this would be. That is the same for bears. Continue doing what you do. Just think of all of the children that have loved your bears.
EJ's CraftsYou ladies are all wonderful. So many kind thoughts and encourgement. I do try to make a cute bear with an affordable price and the market for this has been very kind to me over the years. I will try to post pictures on this site as soon as I figure out how to resize what I have. They are too big to post right now.
Thank you, Eva
