For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Has anyone made a bear with a beard or a mustache?
How did it look? How did you do it? and have you got any pictures?
I'm trying to decide whether my new creation could do with a beard or not (I promise there's a logical explanation) but I've no idea how it would look. Maybe there is some way of making a detachable beard?
He's a very traditional looking bear.
P.s. I couldn't cut a mustache into his fur I don't think as the pile is very long and I want his potential beard a different colour to his fur....
I've been thinking about doing mustaches too ~ toying with the idea of using the rooting technique that is used to apply hair to dolls ~ or perhaps needle felting? Lots of things to explore.
Julia, I would think that the long mohair would be a great asset to creating a beard. A bit of scissor sculpting and applying a different color to the 'beard' would be a natural. You could use an airbrush, prismacolor markers, paint, or whatever to make the color change.
I need the beard much longer than the bears fur - I was maybe thinking of trying to root long mohair into his face (i'd need black) or artificial hair which I'm going to need to help make an altered wig for the bear.
Ok, So I guess now maybe I sound like a loony I promise there is method in my madness!
I'd just prefer a more removeable option really incase I don't like the beard.
Julia: You may think about making the beard part of the pattern pieces. Meaning take the side of the head and cut part of the nose to chin off. depending on how much of a beard you want will dictate how much or the side of the face you cut. make sure you add back the seam allowance to the two pieces. So the nose part of the pattern will be your long fur for your beard. It is sewn to the other part of the head which will be your shorter fur. You will keep the guseset the same as the shorter fur. I hope I explained it o.k.
That would be a great idea Michelle thank you! But Bear head is already made. I suppose I could use the pattern to create a beard to go over his face. Hmmm. I'm still not sure whether a beardy bear would look ok or not. I think i'm going to carry on with the project (there's tons of work to do) and decide once he's dressed and his wig is done...
I would still like to see any bears with beards out there....
I made this Santa bear several years ago. I needlefelted the beard first into shape then needlefelted it into his face.
This beard I made with curly kid mohair and stitched onto his face
Thanks Laura Lynn! That looks quite cool Here's Bear...
Minus beard of course...
Thank you Julia! Bear is quite handsome!
This is the way I make a small beard...
Lenora, that was a big ol' bear because I was even able to see a shape pop up on my screen. It was just a blur, but I think that's due more to my bad eyesight than your picture taking. Do you think you can show me how to upload to Photobucket?
I've used long strands of straight or curly raw mohair and needle felted the individual bits into place.
This is my first try at needle felting a beard and eyebrows. I hope to improve as I learn.
Wouldn't sewing a patch of fluffier furry material into the specific area of the mustache also work?
All you need to do is pluck out individual strands of alpaca or mohair ( in the length desired) from scrap fabric, and then individually root them into the area you want the beard or mustache. It takes lots of time but the effect is fantastic.
For my Christmas swap ornament, I made the side muzzle pieces from a different coloured, long pile mohair, the trimmed around the mouth.
http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=43725
He's about half way up the tree, on the right hand side - with a dark red hat and ruffle.
cheers,
G