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Shelli - that is so very true and puts into words exactly what I was trying to say!
...mind you what does that say about me if my bears are always sad looking!!
Delartful BearsDilu -- I just want to know why Dorky daggy bears are bad?? Go with the flow - the world needs more character bears LOL
Danni
Baird'sBears
It rings true, Shelli!
As for style . . . So far I feel absolutely blessed if the fur/thread/stuffing comes out looking anything like a bear!
Eileen
Kim-Bee BearsI agree with all of you... I spoil my daughter so wht can i say yes.....I listen to my bears too...If they want to be some certain way they only know that's fine with me.
Kim, when I cut out your bear i was thinking of something TOTALLY different...you'll get the bear you never seen before...she amazes me too... :dance: maybe i'll keep her....don't you think? http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/frech/a020.gif
You cant keep it, I sent mine to you already and he, if I do say so myself, is one of the best ones I have ever done.. and so is Marie's!
Posts: 3,540I'm another one who believes the style of the bear is a reflection of the artist. BUT if you are trying for cute, and are having troubles incorporating some of the traits you want, perhaps you can purchase a pattern for a bear you admire, one that has all the CUTE traits you are looking for, and make one or two of them. Give them as gifts or whatever, but just make them up so you get a 'feel' for what that type of bear's head or body type should look like. Once you've gotten a feel for it, let 'er rip with your own patterns again, and see what you get.
I also firmly believe that the bear shapes itself. When I cut into my fur, there are times when they take on a totally different look than what I was thinking. And I've had gender changers...where I wanted a little girl, and ended up with a macho boy, or vice versa. I tend to just go with the flow... 
Posts: 8,574Oh Danni.... dorky daggy bears are NOT bad.....they might be naughty, but they aren't bad.....it's not the outcome that has me musing....it is the process. How we process, how we think we process
Also when we just let it be are we happier with the results or just less stressed?
Dorky Daggy Wonky.....I can do that.....
I just wonder about the learning curve, the process that takes place in our little heads, it is just a curiosity to me.
For instance if we harness the process can we lead it one way or another?
My father used to say "I just paint what I see." This isn't exactly true, though, because he was color blind, rather seriously, so he painted the values of the colors he saw, while substituting the right colors for the colors he saw....
I guess I am wondering if we have control over our creative process-I can sit down and say I'm going to needlefelt a wonky trombone playing bear. And I will get that.
but I am not sure I could do the same and say it was going to be a fairy princess bear.....I think it would look like a hippo in a tutu with a silly grin. Which can be amusing and fun, but....
Just ran spell checker....it thinks dorky and daggy and wonky are 'real' words but didn't like needlefelt 
Kim-Bee Bearsbut I am not sure I could do the same and say it was going to be a fairy princess bear.....I think it would look like a hippo in a tutu with a silly grin. Which can be amusing and fun, but....
Funny you should mention this... I intended for my monkey charlie to be a hippo and he turned out as a monkey!
LOL things dont always go as I have them in my head but that is half the fun !
I can't make happy bears.They all look like they have had a hard paper round.I can make cute when I make anime like the wee pic I have added but my traditional bears are all forlorn ,poor lambs.This doesn't reflect my character at all.I am guilty of laughing and smiling at nothing even when on my own.I don't know where the sad bears come from.
bears by beesley TMOh Nettie! What a doll! I just love your baby bears! Gorgeous!
Many Hugs Louise
Patsy Lake BearsWhat a cutie......
Bears-a-Bruin!Dilu, you've got me thinking quite deeply here! And that's no mean feat, considering it's a Friday evening and I'm tired and a little cranky 
I think we have control over our own creative process - but only to an extent. How often do you get to the end of a piece of work, stand back and think 'did I really make that?!!!'. I do! Not all the time, but enough to make me wonder where the creativity comes from....is it from within? Or from some outside influence? I'm not a religious person, but maybe there's a creative energy that we tap into, if we are open to it and allow ourselves to go with it? Is this making sense?!!!!
I have to say this is not an original idea on my part - I've been reading a book called 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron and have so far found it fascinating. It is making sense to me and I'm hoping it opens me up a little bit more, creatively speaking. I can recommend it! As for the bear making or any other art we might be involved in, I think it's best to follow our own instincts and do what feels best, because in my opinion that should produce the best results. They might not be the prettiest/most commercial/most highly praised results, but they would be most personally satisfying/truer to ourselves/have more integrity.
See, I told you I'd been thinking deeply!!!!! I'll stop wittering now...... 
Posts: 8,574Nettie, he is a precious bear even if he isn't 'happy'.
I have that book, Helena, It's in a box upstairs...now i wish I coulget at it.. But I think you are right.....we have all heard music that reduced us to tears...well, I have, and I couldn't tell you why it touched me the it did. Lohengrin, after 40 years still does. And yes there have been times when I played piano or oboe so well, things were so right that I did have that feeling you speak of, the transcending ourselves for the good of art.
OK
nuff.....its time to loosen up and no more thinking
Jellybelly BearsHi guys...I know this subject has kinda run its course, but...I agree..think your own self comes out in your work ...I do it all the time...draw a new pattern, envision it to look one way, and it turns out looking another lol. It is like the creative part takes over and your own individual syyle comes out without you even knowing it.
One thing that I do and I wonder how many others do this is....most of my bears I don't like at first...( probably because they don't turn out the way I wanted them in my head but my other creative self takes over and makes them the way she wants them to look hehe)...but once I finish them, they are perfect to me...does anyone get that...You think your bear is a flop, but somehow something happens in the last few hours of creation that makes it just right and better than what you wanted...it is amazing! and to me this tells me to trust what ever goes on through my brain and creative whatever it is, through to my fingers...just let it be..
Lisa, I work like you do too...I have lots of looks and love trying and learning new techniques..I thrive with moving ahead in the craft etc...but also think they still all have 'me' in them 
They all have the things I like even tho some are long and dangly and some are pretty and sweet...
Helena..I agree about a creative energy we tap into...don't you feel different when you are creating...like a buzz or something different to normal living...and it seems to come from somewhere...when I'm not in my creative mood, I can't get anything to process...
Another thought....(sorry, know this is long) when I think back to my beginnings...when I first started making bears...I had my collection of favourite artists whose patterns I would love to work from...Now that I am out on my own, none of my bears look at all like those first patterns! I wonder if that is a usual thing...has anyone else had this happen?...Its like it isn't just a learning and copying something we like..something else takes over and leads the way...does that make sense at all or am I speaking crazy talk lol
Anyway..that's it lol....Great topic sorry I missed it earlier 
hugs Sarah
Flying Fur StudiosSarah, you are NOT crazy at all.I agreed with EVERYTHING you said. I wish I could've put it all so nicely.
I always hate my bears before they are done. I'm positive THIS one is super ugly, not perfect enough etc. etc. Then as you say, in those last few moments it all comes together. When the bear is done I always say "there you are!" And I'm truely shocked at how they look. Then, there's still the fact that my least favorite bears always go 1st. Go figure.
I also agree that when I 1st started, I had an idea of what the 'cutest' teddy looked like and i also bought patterns accordingly. Now I look at them and don't find them cute at all. Then I look at the bear that was made from pattern and the bear looks nothing like the picture. I always like my bears better.
I don't think I have a style. I imagine if I did it would be easier and faster to make a bear. Every new bear I do, the face takes forever. I design a completly new nose everytime, decide where and if I should pluck or shave fur. Decide what size eyes, to paint or to use black etc. If I had a style, I would know I"m going to pluck the face, or I would know what size eyes to use. I think it would be much faster, but nowhere near as fun.
Flying Fur StudiosI think we have control over our own creative process - but only to an extent. How often do you get to the end of a piece of work, stand back and think 'did I really make that?!!!'. I do! Not all the time, but enough to make me wonder where the creativity comes from....is it from within? Or from some outside influence? I'm not a religious person, but maybe there's a creative energy that we tap into, if we are open to it and allow ourselves to go with it? Is this making sense?!!!
That is soo true!! I though I was only one. If I'm making bears or sculpting, I'm soo suprised I could do that.
I'm not very religous either, but I never used to be artistic at all. I used to try soo hard, but i could never come up with anything good. That was untill my friend left 3 packs of sculpy at my house. I had seen a kit with a horse on it, and made that horse. I couldn't believe how cute it was. I'm positive that some creative ghost has moved into me. I'm sure of it.
The women on my mom's side of the family have been sewing for ages. As far back as we can go, the women have made their living thru sewing. Including my dear sweet great grandma, who has now passed on. I'm sure that when I am at the sewing maching ( which is a pretty new activity for me ) I swear my great-grandma is there. Eveything I feel her pride that I am sewing, as my sisters have no interest.
I think there are alot of forces involved in the creative process. Most I don't understand at all, but I am happy they are there!
Jellybelly BearsThat was untill my friend left 3 packs of sculpy at my house. I had seen a kit with a horse on it, and made that horse. I couldn't believe how cute it was. I'm positive that some creative ghost has moved into me. I'm sure of it.
The women on my mom's side of the family have been sewing for ages. As far back as we can go, the women have made their living thru sewing. Including my dear sweet great grandma, who has now passed on. I'm sure that when I am at the sewing maching ( which is a pretty new activity for me ) I swear my great-grandma is there. Eveything I feel her pride that I am sewing, as my sisters have no interest.
Lovely story Heather. I'm glad your friend left the sculpy
My mum and sisters are all involved in creativity in one way or another...we all work for ourselves using our craft...but the rest of the family does nothing, aunties, grandma...it is so weird..like the 'creative ghost' as you put it, only touched us..and all from a young age too...my mum was making my granny ball gowns at 8 lol. seriously! it's lovely to think of it as some special gift, coz it doesn't seem to be inherited. 
xox sarah
Jellybelly BearsSarah, you are NOT crazy at all.I agreed with EVERYTHING you said. I wish I could've put it all so nicely..
lol, nice to know I'm not crazy Heather thanks and glad you could understand my ramblings...sometimes I wonder lol
If I had a style, I would know I"m going to pluck the face, or I would know what size eyes to use. I think it would be much faster, but nowhere near as fun.
Yes..I agree and you sound very similar to me..no insult intended lol...when i make a bear from a series, it comes together much faster and easier...but i agree that it isn't as much fun! I don't feel so much of a buzz from my 4th bear in a series to a totally new, what am i going to do with you and pray that you look nice, design.
I've enjoyed this topic
xox sarah
Flying Fur StudiosSarah, you are too funny!
I'm glad you and I think the same when it comes to making bears. It's always nice to know you're not crazy, or not any crazier than the next guy LOL 
Interesting post, especially for someone who's not an artist.
What's the process for making bears? Do you first draw a picture of what you want to make?
I've seen patterns in teddy bear magazines, but since I'm not an artist, I just flip past it. Does that just tell you the shape of the bear?
What body parts do you do first?
How long does the process normally take?
Posts: 8,574CHRISSIE
I'm not an artist either.....can't draw to save my soul....but was anded thread and a needle when I was six and told if I didn't want my doll to be naked I should figure something out.....I have been having a love affair with fabric my whole life.
So I can see something made up in fabric in my mind.....studied couture sewing and did a lot, studied costume design did quilts sew sew sew......and then I was introduced to teddies and gollies.
I don't draw it out because I simply can not.
but I know pattern pieces, and making a teddie is simply a condition of putting pattern pieces together
so I see it in my mind and draw the pattern pieces to fit my mind.
Only sometimes the pea brain doesn't click on all 4 cylinders and what I get is PIGMONKEYBEAR, whome I have most solemnly promised a new face soon.....
but for the most part alot does come out the way I see it, except there is always a surprise or two as well.....and that makes it interesting.
have you ever wanted to make one? Teddy I mean?
Nancy over at North County has a begining bear class.....
BEAR ME SHOOTKAChrissie
I love to draw patterns, I think I have now so much patterns I will never make all that bears cause I'm not that rich to buy kilometers of mohair..
i imagine a bear and draw a pattern, then I cut it out. I don't have major priority what to sew first but I like to do the head first. Then stuff, make ears, paint eyes. I don't insert eyes until the whole pattern pieces done. That means when I insert eyes onto the head I try to joint my bear right away. (SO I WOH'T SEE GILIOTINED HEAD ON MY DESK)
Yes, I can tell (mostly all the time) what kind of bear would be just from the pattern. Right now I'm drawing (again!) new pattern very unusual for my bears. I really can't wait to get started.
The process is long enough for me cause I usually do 2-4 bears at one time. It helps me to sew faster. But finishing takes time, especially the head.
I like to try new techics myself and every bear I make has some new feature I learned or "invented".
You should try to make your own bear, Chrissie
.........then you will understand the whole process and the talant of the bearmaker. I do think (we are not talking about collectors now) people don't understand what it takes until they haven't tried.
I admire all teddy artists. Some I Like some not and not because their bears bad, just a matter of taste. but as an artist piece i love all bears. :hug:
Julia
I've tried to make bears (part of them) at the Disney Teddy Bear convention. Mari and Akemi from Koto Bears have had 2 different classes in the past few years. I did both of them. We bear was cut out and sewn together. We did the eyes, nose, mouth, attached the ears, stuffed the bodies and head, put in some joints, and attached the head to the body. I kept Band-aids in business that day! I stabbed myself with the needle a lot! I also had to get a lot of help. DH did better than I did (and I've been collecting all my life - not too happy about that ). It was fun, but it's not something I'd want to do a lot, I don't think. I'd rather be on the collector side. When I say I'm not an artist and not crafty, I'm not kidding. I can't even sew a button on (I learned a long time ago but forgot). My mom can sew buttons and do a hemline but that's it. No one is crafty in this part of the family (I have some cousins who are but it missed me). I learned a lot just by doing those classes and developed a real appreciation for artists. It's hard to do! And we didn't even do it from start to finish. I think that's something that a lot of people don't know. If people don't take a class, there should be more artist demonstrations so people can see how they're made. But I digress. I am trying to learn more about how they're made though.
What's the process for making bears? Do you first draw a picture of what you want to make?
I usually start with an idea of a pose or "look" and then I draw the pattern as a silhouette, on large pieces of art paper, from a tablet.
I've seen patterns in teddy bear magazines, but since I'm not an artist, I just flip past it. Does that just tell you the shape of the bear?
The patterns in magazines that I've seen give you the exact pieces in the exact proportions you need (or tell you how to enlarge or reduce to get those proportions), plus very good directions about how to stuff, joint, and finish your bear.
What body parts do you do first?
I always, always, always, always start with the head. I sew it up and usually stuff it, and finish it almost entirely!, before moving on to the rest of the body. It's my favorite part of bearmaking; the rest is then just gravy.
How long does the process normally take?
If I work from a pattern I've used before, from tracing the pattern onto mohair, to absolute completion, it takes me about 2-3 entire, full time (8-10 hour) days.
If I'm creating a new pattern, and/or if I'm doing something really special and new and time-consuming in terms fo finishing and costuming (like the ballerina bear that was giving me such headaches the other day), it takes much longer. I worked on that bear, most of every Monday-Friday day, for almost two weeks. It was not just a costuming challenge, but also, the first time I had used alpaca... and also, a bear I had in mind to use as a contest entry this year. So it was a big job!
Hope this fills in some "blanks" for you, Chrissie!
Posts: 8,574Well Chrissie,
I dearly wanted to be a prima ballerina....my dreams, my hopes......but I had a serious problem....clumsy, knockneed ( to the point where now at 53 I need surgery because the carteledge is totally gone on the outer aspect.)
At some point in my life I realized I was never going to be this great, graceful ballerina. but I had studied ballet and dance and music and opera so much that I can sit in an audience with the best of 'em and truly appreciate what the orchestra, dancers, conducter, costume designers etc.....go through to put on such a great performance. And I also understand they would have done it even if there were no one in the audience.
Even though I trained for a classical piano career i realized there was only one Arthur Rubenstein, and I decided, that by having practised so much and studied so hard I can really appreciate and relish and revel in the beauty that he creates out of black dots on paper.
In college, the first time,. I struggeled through the FUX counterpoint, (no it's a German guys name not a swear word) and i learned, through an awful lot of struggel how hard it is to create just a few bars or 4,5,6 part counterpoint harmony following al the rules.
Can I do it now? No way. But i surely can enjoy listening to it.
So i think collectors are just as important to Teddy ( and golly) art, as are the artists. If artists don't have the feedback and the income from selling their art they wouldn't be able to continue..... 
Amen, Dilu!
