What are you working on right now?

[All Bear]

So, what are you working on right now? Doesn't have to be a bear, whatever it is, please tell us how it is coming along!

This week I'm working on two bears, one is an order for a customer who wants to treat herself before Christmas and the other is a Christmas bear for my website. The order bear is a lovely white 20" alpaca laughing bear - I hope to have him finished today, or tomorrow. I have the head stuffed and today will be spent doing my favourite bit of bear-making, which is completing the head.

My Christmas bear has a red curly mohair body and the rest of him including paws, is made from white alpaca (except his ears ... they are red too). I think he will also have a nice red nose and sparkly eyes and maybe I'll play with some more eyelids ... I'm looking forward to getting this one finished. I love it when I can just make whatever I fancy! I seem to be spending all my time trying to think of a suitably festive name for him (or her?!!) So far, this bear is all sewn up, has had the head stuffed, scissor sculpted and needlsculpted and is now ready for one of the many pairs of pretty eyes I hand painted yesterday.

So, looks like I have a busy day ahead! :D How about you?

[Jenny]

I am making two bears that, if they turn out as I hope, I am going to enter in the TOBY awards. I will post a pic or two when the entry is in..I am superstitious about posting before..not that it matters.
Que sera sera!!!

[Melanie Jayne]

So far today I am here :6045: :6045: :6045: …………..but seriously I am going to start drawing out some bears and cutting out the fabrics, I have found that I thoroughly enjoy working on a few bears at a time and I can jump from one bear to the next, working on what ever details I fancy which also works well with the mood I am in at that time. So for now I am going to continue working this way and as I no longer accept commissions I can do as I please…………so cutting out it is for me today

[Ruth]

Ooohh yes I do that too -even though it takes me a disproportionate amount of time to make my minis (perhaps because I like most stitches less than 1mm)I prefer doing 2 bears at once , with 2 or 3 ready to fiddle with :6042: I am still finishing a bear for swapping with my sister at Christmas plus another little bear who may or may not want to be Xmassy ;bears have to "approve" your plans for them don't they ? :6086:
Ruth

[shelly]

I am in the process of stocking up for Christmas on fabrics, and fillings etc. I have a few designs to develop and I'm looking forward to spending the Christmas hols making them.

Shelly.:6086:

[Chowlea Bears]

It looks like its a cutting out day for all us - I'm doing that too. Unlike all you experts though I can only work on one bear at a time.

God loves a trier :cool:

[Geralye]

Well, I've several bears on the go, most of which have been waiting ages and ages!

Just don't seem to have the incentive at the moment, both parents ill, and they live 200 miles away, so spending my weekends on the motorway - completely knackered!

Lets see...

There's a bedspring pattern for a bear with attitude - awaiting face...

The twins, Jack and Jill, mucked up one of them by putting limbs on backwards! Have to undo joints and tops of limbs to replace cotter pins...

Bumble B Bear - awaiting face

JP - wants stuffing

Hope - wants stuffing

Golly - cut out with the intention of making for my sister for Christmas, but unless I can get my mojo back it ain't gonna happen!

None of these are my own designs - haven't got the courage for that yet. JP and Hope were kits.

I want to cut out some more -simply because sewing the seams is easy and relaxing in front of the tv, everything else requires a bit more concentration.

cheers,
G

[Steffi]

I have a bear to finish for Saturday. He will be dressed in a Christmassy outfit, but can leave his Santa outfit off when the weather gets warmer. I started sewing him a few days ago and then put my back out so sitting at the sewing machine really hurts. This is when you know that bears are a labour of love.

I can't remember who it was said that they no longer take commissions. I no longer advertise that I will as I find them tedious, I am much happier doing my own thing. However I lack the courage to say no to people. What really put me off was a lady saw a photo of a bear I had made and sold. He was a 17" chap, she then wanted two made in a similar way, except that she asked for the second one to be made with a really long mohair. She loved him whereas I thought he looked like a Yeti. So all I need to do know is learn to say no. Think I need to practise that one.

Steffi

[yvonne]

I've been trying all day to get some decent photos done...and it just takes me forever, with lots of cursing along the way!!! I've got the lights and backgrounds etc......but still struggle....given up now, so they will have to do!

Wish I had a sister who's a photograper - like Paula....(sigh)!

Yvonne.:)

[Judi Russell]

You have been a busy lot today, wish I had the time to cut out a few bears. Though I slightly overdid it last Christmas and made one for everyone, (we make our presents, not buy them, a good idea but does cause a headache by mid December if no Eureka moments occur) the children hinted that they all have plenty of bears for the moment. However, I am going to play with my new toy tonight. After all the talk about light tents etc. I bought one today, it is fantastic. All done up in a small round bag and it springs out to a 32" cube, and four different colour backgrounds to choose from, I will let you know how I get on. If I can just find the tungsten function on my camera, now let me see :confused: :confused:

[Vicky Allum]

I've spent today, dyeing some mohair:mad: (more of that on the Dyeing to know post in a minute), packing up a shop order, which always takes me forever due to my compulsion to unpack the boxes once they are ready - just to chek everybody over again and then finishing a commission bear. She's been in the pipeline for a couple of weeks, but today I finally finished and photographed her. Here's a photo of Louisa .......

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[All Bear]

Ooh, she's a beauty Vicki!

[Laurie]

I love your new bear Vicki-in fact I love all your bears.One day I will have one as you are top of my list!
Today I am on head number two as number one ended up in the bin-yes cruel I know.I thought I would try a smaller bear on one of my patterns and I seem to get down to a certain size and I just don't like the faces as they lose their character and charm.Does anyone else have this problem?
Also I find that some bears I make I like them straight away and I have one at the minute that I didn't take to our local bear shop as I can't bear to part with him yet.Then there are others that I have to get to like but these are the ones that are harder to work on as it takes more thought on what I can do with them so that I like them more.Anyway back to the bear as he is waiting for eyes,nose and ears and hopefully by the time I have finished with him he will pass his dustbin test :D

[Ruth]

WOW Vicky , Louisa is absolutely precious !!:6088: I could go on,(and on), but you might think I was crazed ! ...........
Ruth

[yvonne]

I love, love, love, Louisa..... Vicky......your bears always have a profound effect on me...everything about her is so endearing....... she's a real heart melter!!!!

It's my mission...to one day own one of your beautiful bears..in fact I am totally smitten with your Dare to Care auction bears, I desperately want little Bebbin.......so I just may have to bid!!!! :6034:


Yvonne. :)

[shelly]

Now there's a bear I would make room for next to my rabbits !

:6086:

[Vicky Allum]

Gosh - Thank you Paula, Yvonne, Shelly, Ruth and Laurie - you're all very kind:o

Laurie, isn't it frustrating when you have to make a second head! :mad: It usually only happens to me when I haven't got enough fabric to make another one and I end up having to bin the lot. I now always order more than I need - just in case. I also know what you mean about going smaller - it's taken me ages to get a smaller design that I'm happy with. I don't know what it is, like you say the faces just don't seem right - I have huge admiration for those bearmakers than can make anything smaller than 12 inches - let alone minis!. I think there must be a slight difference in the proportions for it to work - I've found that sparser mohair and more fur removal from the muzzle helps a bit:6020:

[All Bear]

I love, love, love, Louisa..... Vicky......your bears always have a profound effect on me...everything about her is so endearing....... she's a real heart melter!!!!

It's my mission...to one day own one of your beautiful bears..in fact I am totally smitten with your Dare to Care auction bears, I desperately want little Bebbin.......so I just may have to bid!!!! :6034:


Yvonne. :)

They are gorgeous aren't they Yvonne?! Please do bid if you can ... it's such a good cause!

[Jenny]

Well I finally finished the bears I am entering for this years awards...and my goodness I am glad. I won't share the pictures yet as i am superstitious about these things..

Not that superstition has anything to do with the outcome...but you can never be too careful!!

[shelly]

Hi Jenny , is that for a 2006 or 2007 competition?
:6086:

[Jenny]

Shelly...they are for 2006/07...it's the TOBYS and the Golden Teddy Awards

I don't hold out much hope.. but you never know!!!!

[Chris Russell]

Hi Jenny,

There seem to be quite a few awards competitions out there. Is there a list somewhere? Who are the organisers?

Oh! I've just realised it's Monday again - any feedback on Hove?

Chris

[shebob bears]

Hi Jenny,

There seem to be quite a few awards competitions out there. Is there a list somewhere? Who are the organisers?

Oh! I've just realised it's Monday again - any feedback on Hove?

Chris

I went to the Hove Show yesterday as a visitor, the last time I went was when it was hosted by TBT. What a difference! No queues, in fact very few people and only a fraction of exhibitors. Having said that, the quality and standard of work was higher than ever. I was just amazed at the artistry that went into every one of the fantastic creations.
:6013:
I came away feeling quite elated and then thought 'can I ever achieve that standard'. Well, I'm sure going to try!!

Sheila.

[Jenny]

Sheila I am glad to hear that the standard was high...becuase lately I have attended one or two where....well ...the less said the better.

Maybe things are looking up!!!!!

Chris...There are umpteen competitions..and if I had the time I'd offer to compile a list...but as someone who ain't done her Christmas shopping yet I daren't offer or my family will not only be going without any pressies..they might have to forego their Christmas pud too!!!

Maybe after Christmas!!!

If anyone fancies a go at these awards you can download the info and the entry forms by visiting:

www.teddybearreview.com

www.teddybearandfriends.com

Just click on the icon for each competition and all the details are there!!! Be quick though...the closing date for entries is very soon...but you can enter bears you've already sold if you have the required photos.