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LutonHello All,
Can you help.
I bought the most beautiful bear recently from the second hand market. Its muzzle is made from resin which has then been covered with felt and airbrushed!!!
Does anyone recognise this technique and do they know where I could get some info on it ???
Hugs
Claire
BlondheartIt would probably help to see a pic of it. But if I had to guess........I would say try cernit or sculpy to make the muzzle, then heat the felt to shape and mold it over the muzzle like you would block a hat. Then either use a spray type of fabric glue or stitch it to the rest of the head.
Good luck! Kelly
Edit: I want to comment that as a rule I would NEVER under any circumstance suggest the use of glue on a bear ever because that makes me want to scream in horror, since it breaks down fabric backings over time. But there is an exception to every rule, I do think in this instance a light layer would be required.
Posts: 8,574Nancy Tillberg has a small section on this technique in one of her books. But as for what artists routinely do it I'm at a loss. Sounds like a great find though. Good for you. Give the folks time tomarrow and I'm sure someone will have some ideas.
dilu
Winneybears and FriendsYou can cut and stuff felt the same way you do mohair...except felt will stretch to some degree. The molded face technique is used for dolls a lot and it is " sized " with some sort of glue by the doll maker first...
I havn't done it but you can probably find something on line like at Crafty Cottage or Sisters and Daughters doll sites or go to your local library ...Winney
Bine-TeddiesKelly - that glue comment scared me. 
Is special fabric glue bad too? Nancy recommends a drop of glue behind the eyes. Maybe I should stop doing that. 
Nova Scotia,CanadaIt scared me too.I just bought an adhesive spray glue to use on my faux fur to adhere a layer of lightweight cotton to stop the fur from stetching.I was sure I read about this technique on here somewhere.Please someone tell me if this will eventually harm my bear.Thanks!!
Bine-TeddiesShari, if its quilt spray glue it may not be permanent. At least my quilts come apart if I don't quilt them right away.
Nova Scotia,CanadaNo,I didn't get that one Sabine because I wanted the fabric attatched permantly so I bought a spray adhesive that works on everything (fabric,metal,glass,paper,wood,rubber etc.) Now I'm worried that it will damage my bear someday down the road :redface: .Oh the horror!! Help,someone give us some advice!! :pray: :pray:
Wild Thyme OriginalsClaire, I'd love to see a pic if you get a chance! Your new acquisition to your hug sounds just wonderful!
Lisa... Addie is just gorgeous!!!!! I didn't know that you were using that technique in your bear making... I'm so glad that you showed us! Too cool! I just love it!
Claire.... I bet that what Lisa is taking about is probably more on point as far as how to incorporate a "molding technique" into traditional type bearmaking... but if you are interested, Susanna Oroyan has a book called, Anatomy of a Doll that gives fabulous instructions and diagrams concerning creating pressed felt or cotton cloth faces over hard molded surfaces like resin, styrofoam, paper clay, polymer clay.... Actually, though there is not a furry face in the book, I promise you that you will find heaps of inspiration in the book concerning "new" techniques that you can add into bear making to produce wonderfully unique results... soft sculpture, pattern draping, armatures, jointing.... It's truly a FABULOUS book! Well worth the read if you are seeking to branch out a bit from the more traditional.
Beary truly yours,
Kim Basta
Wild Thyme Originals
http://www.picturetrail.com/bastadolls
Wild Thyme OriginalsJust did a quick search and found these two sights which may be of use to you... Sisters and Daughters has a kit available to make pressed felt doll faces without using the metal heated press molds that many manufactured pressed felt doll makers use...
http://www.sistersanddaughters.com/molding.html
And, jen Lotz has a neat little discussion/description of various molded, and mask type techniques here....
http://www.lotzdollpages.com/lmakclo.html
Wow! This is pretty neat stuff!
Beary truly yours,
Kim Basta
Wild Thyme Originals
http://www.picturetrail.com/bastadolls
Matilda Huggington-beareThankyou Kim, The glue guide is fantastic. I saved it of course. 
Thankyou Lisa. I saved the publication link as well. I always believe that you never know when you may need something. 
Matilda
Flying Fur StudiosOh boy, I'm also scared about the glue. Kelly, come back and explain!!!!
I have a few questions about the felt, maybe I'll just start another topic.
Great links kim! Thanks
Luton
Hello All,
Here is a pic of my bears muzzle.
Thanks for your advice Kim very useful and food for thought !!!!
Wild Thyme OriginalsAh... Claire... what a beautiful bear! A fabulous find!
Beary truly yours,
Kim basta
Wild Thyme Originals
Baird'sBears
What a great face, Claire! 
Eileen
Hi Guys,
Lulu Tatum, from Tucson, makes the most amazing bears using a fiberglass form over which she applies deerskin or leather. I have a few of her bears and she is one talented lady!!
Hugs,
Chris
Here's a piccy:
BlondheartKelly - that glue comment scared me.
I went ahead and made a post in the adhesive thread about this. It makes me want to scream until I pass out when I find out people are using glue in any capacity directly on bear fabrics. Fabric glues are NOT designed for that type of thing, plus there is no reason you guys should ever need to use glue to put together a bear.
