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Astrup Bears
I would like to know what you think is the best teddy bear book.
I'm interested in learning more about design
and other tips, I can make some patterns, but would like to learm more complicated types as well 
The Littlest ThistleHave you seen E-Bearz U? They do designing classes. Nancy Tillberg, who runs it, has some books, one of which I used a lot when I started - 101 bears to make. Also the Teddy Bear Studio book by Ted Menten is another favourite
Those are the two that I continually refer to also! I think they are the best...
My Favourite Teddy Book which I have worn out is The Encyclopeadia of Teddy Bear making techniques by Ann Stephens. I have found this invaluable especially when I was starting out. 
My favorite for design is Jennifer Laing's Teddy Bear Art. Unfortunately it is out of print and so very expensive on Amazon.com.
Chaska, MinnesotaI love Ted Menten book. It helps with design techniques. It's called: Ted Menten Teddy Bear Studio: A Step-by -step Guide To Creating Your Own One-of-a-kind Artist Teddy Bears. You can find it on Amazon.com:
desertmountainbearMy favorite for design is Jennifer Laing's Teddy Bear Art. Unfortunately it is out of print and so very expensive on Amazon.com.
I have had so many over the years, and I agree for design it is this book. Worth whatever it costs.
Joanne
Sarchie101 bears to make - Nancy Tillberg
I was given this book off Linda Benson, Benson Bears and I love it. It is the best book I have found so far.
Unfortunately it is quite expensive because it is out of print.
Little Bear GuyI have to agree Jennifer Laing's Teddy Bear Art is a fantastic book to start out with.
Fulrfun BearsI love Nancy's book and one that I would love to get my hands on is Rortraud Illisch 'A bear of my own'.
QueenslandI have all the above books and I found them all on ebay.......my last one was the one book that I was after and was so happy to get "Rortraud Illisch" on ebay. Most of my books have come of ebay and love reading about design all the different ways of doing things.......
Cheers
Debbie
desertmountainbearOh yes, Rostraud Illisch's book is so good. I also purchased a DVD from her, it goes into more advanced designing. I love it. I have learned a lot from it.
Joanne
Little Bear GuyI took a class in the UK with Rostraud Illisch on bear design. We kind of butted heads a little bit, she is very much a traditionalist when it comes to bear making. On a couple of occasions she walked by me and would look at my bear head and would remove the ears on my bears head ( they were just pinned on at the time) she would move them up to the traditional spot and say to me "Just think about that" as soon as she would walk away I would lower the ears back to where I had them 
. It was a wonderful class and I did learn lots but be forewarned that she wants it done a certain way 
. But still had a lot of fun in the class and she was very nice.
big hugs
Shane
Woodbury Park BearsI'd say Nancy Tilberys 101 bears to make or any of Jennifer Laings books I have them all and she was kind enough to autograph them at a workshop last time she was home or Ted Mentens books I keep going back to these all the time. I have been trying to get my hands on Rostraud Illisch book and DVD for ever I'll keep trying. Thats pretty much what everyone else has said now I've read the posts
Good luck
Raewyn
Fulrfun BearsI also have been trying to get hold of the DVD. Someone once pm'd me to say that they had a copy I could buy but I lost touch and have regeretted it ever since. If this rings a bell with anyone I am still interested!
Astrup BearsThanks for all the answers. I still don't have a teddy bear making book even if I have made many, many ted's :crackup:
I like to experiment sometimes and then it could be nice to have a book for reference, I'll go looking at the books now. 
desertmountainbearI also have been trying to get hold of the DVD. Someone once pm'd me to say that they had a copy I could buy but I lost touch and have regeretted it ever since. If this rings a bell with anyone I am still interested!
I purchased mine right from her. If you go to her website you can email her. She is very nice and makes them to order.
I guess I went down a different path 
I started out doing a couple of bears from a Simplicity pattern and right away I knew I wanted to create different animals and I knew I would have to invent my own style of patterns. The first book I found was Nursery Toys, Mary Vellan, 1956. It had the basics for pattern design and helped me get started. My other favorite was How to Make and Design Stuffed Toys, Rudi De Sarigny, 1971. This is a great book to use for developing new patterns from photographs.
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
C.W. Huggley BearsHere is the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi … K:MEWAX:IT
desertmountainbearI guess I went down a different path
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
When I saw this post I ordered this book. The skills taught in this book I wanted to learn. Especially making a unjointed animal, all the darts and body pieces is hard for me. this book is exactly what I wanted. It is wonderful. Thanks for this info Karen.
Joanne
Joanne,
Glad you like it Is it the Rudi book? I, also, thought that was an excellent book for anyone wanting to learn to design other animals. It's helped with some of my realistic bears, too.
Karen
desertmountainbearJoanne,
Glad you like it
Karen
Yes it is the Rudi book. All those little pattern pieces, it is very foreign. Just what I wanted.
Joanne
Chaska, MinnesotaKaren wrote: Is it the Rudi book? I, also, thought that was an excellent book for anyone wanting to learn to design other animals. It's helped with some of my realistic bears, too.
I went on e-bay and found the Rudi book. I got it for a little over $7. I can't wait to get it. I could not find the nursery toys book though....I'll keep looking.
C.W. Huggley BearsMichelle,
I found Nursery Toys by Mary Vellan at Abe's Books...they sell out of print books. There are a two copies for $9.00 each and a couple others that are more expensive.
Here is the link: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchR … llan&sts=t
Karen wrote: Is it the Rudi book? I, also, thought that was an excellent book for anyone wanting to learn to design other animals. It's helped with some of my realistic bears, too.
I went on e-bay and found the Rudi book. I got it for a little over $7. I can't wait to get it. I could not find the nursery toys book though....I'll keep looking.
THe Mary Vellan book is just a tiny 64 page book. At the time I found it it was the only book out there that talked about how to create your own patterns. It is quaint, but I wouldn't go out of your way to buy it. The Rudi book has much more to offer. The Mary Vellan is really nice if you collect teddy bear books.
