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Old Country BearsHi,
I posted a while back and everyone was so helpful. Thanks to many of you guys who posted a reply recommending I purchase Ted Menten's Teddy Bear Studio, I am now so close to having my own design down and really excited about it. I now have a new query.... Do bear makers usually buy their supplies wholesale or simply off the shelves of regular stockists? Any advise/info will be gratefully received. Thank you all, happy bear making!
BrisbaneI just buy retail from the bear making suppliers here in Australia. I do not sell my bears, I am making more then 10 per year at the moment.
I guess it depends on how many bears you see yourself making and what size you intend to make. I would suggest not going crazy and buying a tonne of fabric to begin with. Mohair can get very expensive! I would start of with smaller orders and as you begin to make more then you can think about buying larger amounts.
Tuppies TeddiesI started buying from craft shops in my town, but now I buy from wholesale places for as a bear artist you will pay the same as the shops and not the extra buying from the shops with their whatever % markup...plus you can buy as little as 1/8, most retail shops will only sell you a fat 1/4.....
There are many wholesale places on the internet from many different countries..e-bay is a good source too
Donna's Duin BruinsIs there any chance you can make it down to San Diego for the doll and bear show Aug. 1? There will be supplies for you to see and buy, plus there will be many artists for you to meet. It is so good to be able to see the fabrics in person and to get information from the different artists on how they joint or set eyes or what ever you want to know. I have found that unless you go to Intercal or Edinburgh (the US bear supply specialists) to buy your eyes, joints and fabric you may not be getting the best products.
If you can't wait for Aug. 1 to buy your supplies, I will be in Burbank the week of May 17 with all my supplies I sell at the doll and bear shows. We could make a date to meet for you to see everything. Or make a trip down to Intercal or Edinburgh to see what all they have.
Good Luck with your bears!
Donna
Old Country BearsThanks guys, as usual super helpful. Donna - Thank you for your kind offer of help, I am hoping to make it down to San Diego for the show. I have a heap of supplies to last me until then. Are you there as a seller this year of visitor?
desertmountainbearThreads, paints, markers, etc. I purchase off the shelf, but joints, fur, eyes I purchase mail order mostly through Intercal which is right in CA. They have very good prices.
Joanne
I just want to second Joanne's recommendation of Intercal -- our site sponsor. 
If you watch the 'web coupons' page, you can get some especially good deals. (Nice people to call with any questions, too.)
Happy shopping!
Becky
bingle bearsLOVE Intercal! 
Fulrfun BearsI have found that i can buy almost a yard of fabric from Intercal for the same price as a 1/4 would cost me here from a craft supplier. It never takes long to get here either. Hurray for Intercal!
Old Country BearsI do normally buy with intercal and just wanted to check that was the correct way to go for bulk. Thank you for confirming - I am heading in the right direction hoorah!
Posts: 751I buy my bearmaking supplies via suppliers on the net but I always buy fabric at shows, where one can "feel" and see the fabric.
The "bargain buckets" at shows are another good place to be buy. Of course if you want to do a limited edition then you have to buy in bulk, if you want "one offs", which I think is more fun, then look for bargains.
I'm so far away from any bear supply stores that I buy most items off the internet - including fabric. Ebay at times has some good items, depending on what you are looking for - sometimes other artists are reducing their stock and you can find some good supplies. I buy my thread and markers at stores in a relatively nearby town. Sometimes they have some faux fur in stock, but it's usually very limited in quantity and style.
EJ's CraftsI live 100 miles from the nearest fabric store and they never have any good faux furs so everything I buy is on the internet from several different suppliers.
Old Country BearsThanks guys. I actually took a trip down to Intercal, this being the second time I have been there. Everyone I have met there are so helpful. I have gotta say it is a fab place to go feel the fabrics and just stop for a chat, I love it!
