Banner Sponsors

Jare Hares & Bears Sep 21, 2006

I've just gotta say, again, there are some really fine looking "early/first bears" folks! It is cool to see the changes in style.
Well...MY early bears really look the part.  I like to think that I have come a long way.

Here's Hunnypaws:

And here's Baxter:

I remember that fabric used on Hunnypaws. Used tons of it.
I also remeber that Baxter pattern, my mom made him up. My aunt liked that pattern and used it a ton when she was making bears... Well for about 3 years.

Judi Sep 22, 2006

Oh my..here we go..EARLY...  This bear is made from real fox fur and alpaca fur.  I can't believe I actually have older photos in my computer files.  I huess I need to do some "cleaning" up!

and one more early photo:

My newest designs are not yet photograpghed but these are more of what I make now:

It's really nice to see all the "retro" and "now" bears. :photo:

Tami E Sep 22, 2006

Jared, where are your early bears? I made a ton of Baxters too. I think the pattern was called "Biscuit". It was in a Specialty Better Homes and Gardens Magazine about Teddy Bears. I had made bears before that, but that magazine was the first I heard about artist  bears and mohair. I thought, "Hey, I'm a Teddy Bear artist."

Judi, I love that little cutie! Is he real fur? Do you still have him.

kerrenmorris Sep 22, 2006

these are a few of my early bears, Saul is one of my 2006 bears
Kerren x

MKinsey/TBF Editor of Teddy Bear and FriendsSep 26, 2006

Great topic! It's fun to see not only how some people's designs have changed, but how others' really haven't -- their style was evident from day one.

This reminds me, I'm looking for artists who were working in the early 80s -- 1983 and earlier. If you were, know anyone who was, or remember any names from shows, magazines, etc., please PM me at mkinsey@madavor.com.

Cheers!
Mindy

Love Bud Bears Sep 29, 2006

Baby the pink bear is my very first from my own pattern.
Jocelyn is my most recent

wendi Oct 1, 2006

Oh dear

My very first practice bear made of a very cheap synthetic fabric... 'frankin'  better known as 'frankinstien'...i wonder why :lol:

and then one of my latest...'Scraggles'

Pumpkin & Pickle Bears Oct 1, 2006

Everyone's bears are great!!!

Wendi, I just LOVE Scraggles!! I am lucky enough to own one of your bears - a collector found she had to sell some of her collection....it's Chocolate and I love him SOOOO much!!!

wendi Oct 1, 2006

Thanks Gemma, I love making these little ones

So Chocolate has packed his bags and moved home has he   glad he has a lovely new home with you, give him a hug from me

Marion Oct 1, 2006

I really love this topic ! I'm a little late but I would like to play too .

Here are the first bears of my own design :

And here are some of my latest ones :

BearBottoms Oct 3, 2006

Wow, it's been forever since I've been on here... Hi everyone, I'm baaaaaaaaack!  Well, this looks like tons of fun so I'm going to pop in a pic of a couple of my earlier bears... please all don't run, screaming, from the room... lol  I'm just kidding....  I like to think I have come a long way in one year... I dunno... 

My very first bear I ever made, Cosmo:

My first big bear, Joshua:

A couple of my first minis:

And my most recent bears:

It is so great to see how far everyone has come and how people have changed their style/kept the same styles...etc.  This is a wonderful topic!!! :)

Kimberly W.

Chowlea Bears Oct 3, 2006

I'd like to thank everyone whose posted on this thread - I've really enjoyed it and learned from it.

Its amazing to see that everyone's identifiable characteristics were there right from the start - kinda scary too- you all seem to have hit the ground running.

It seems that you've all refined your techniques whilst staying true to your original idea.

That my humble opinion anyhow  :redface:

Peggy Nov 27, 2006

Hi. I'm still a beginner and have been afraid to post any pictures. I think I'm finally ready to post one now so here it is. This is Avery.

Peggy

1 user likes this: joibear

chris009av Nov 27, 2006

OH Peggy what a charmer for your first bear  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:
I will have to see what I have stashed in the back of the cupboard 

Francesca Feb 24, 2012

One of the first bears that I designed, Drugo:

One more recent bear, Kenzo:

Wow, it seems like ages!   

KJ Lyons Feb 27, 2012

Sadly one of my collectors has passed away and I see three of my 2001 cats up on ebay being sold by an Estate Buyer. I never keep any of my pieces so it was like looking back into the beginning of my cat era  :photo: I never realized how my style has changed. Although I seldom create Red Tigers anymore. Lately it's more character cats and wild cats.
Karen
KJ Lyons Design

edmondnutmeg Jul 4, 2013

Just found this old thread and really loved it - thought some of the other newbees (like myself) would appreciate a look. Thank you to all who
Michelle x

All Bear Jul 4, 2013

Great idea Michelle, this is a lovely thread!  I'd like to add a couple more pics ... how about this time an early traditional teddy bear of mine from the mid 1990's and my most recent ...

This was Orwell, made about fifteen years ago or so.  He was about 24" tall and I made him in an edition of about ten bears, which sold out. I was thrilled with him at the time and even now, still think he had lots of charm.  He was the first traditional bear I made that I felt completely happy with. :)

And this is 'Chester', a 19" traditional teddy bear.  I finished him a couple of days ago and as you can see, his design is a little more 'refined'!

Tatty Bears Jul 4, 2013

First bear on the left, latest bear on the right,
I've only been bear making for 18 months but I think I've come a long way 

clwilmot Jul 4, 2013

how fun!!  Let me see if I can find the pics:)


The brown one is the first bear I ever made!!!

ttilmo Jul 9, 2013

What a fantastic thread. I have really enjoyed seeing how everyone has developed over the years. 

LittleButtonMeadow Jul 9, 2013

What a great post, even though some what embarrassing!
Well here we go...
Before

Now!

I still like the flower and butterfly thing!

threadteds Banner SponsorJul 12, 2013

I loved seeing your pictures in this thread,  and got curious about my own work from the beginning. Some I had not seen for a long time as I saved those to a hard disk, which usually is not connected to my computer.  Maybe I should make a book with all the bears I have made through the years.. that would be a very thick book   

Like the first day, I still love playing with design and shape. I think not only my bears have improved..also the photo-camera I used then and now is a lot difference

Time is flying!!
Berta

2 users like this: Francesca, peterbear

Caroline D Aug 5, 2013

Funny, just the other day I was thinking about some of my old makes and wondering whether it would be appropriate to put pics up here and then someone revives this thread.

I can't even remember exactly what year these were made, except that, I fell in love with borzois when I worked at a vet when I was 16- 17, so that makes this one about 1978. He was actually airbrushed, with acrylic paint, on long white fur.

He never had a name, but he did once give a fright to a guy who was afraid of dogs!

This was Marshmallow. He was 'filled' with lentils, hence his saggy appearance!

I think he was about the same time.

This is Music. He was actually a painted sweat shirt first, but this isn't a sweatshirt forum! He was made from fairly cheap lining fabric and the kind of crappy fur fabric that was around at the time. I think he was made in the early 80's.

And this is my latest bear, whom I feel proud enough of to call an actual artist bear. He has an open mouth, Fimo eyelids and nose, and epoxy resin claws. He's not completely finished yet, needs a bit more  scissor sculpting and I haven't even got a name for him yet, but I think he's my best so far, starting to have character.

2 users like this: peterbear, threadteds

Cosette Lai Jul 31, 2016

Hi ~ I really like this topic. Here is my first and recent bear.

First Bear

Recent Bear