Teddy Bear Workshops

[Xavier]

I'm new to Bristol and I fancy the idea of making cute teddy bears. I'm not exactly sure where I should begin so maybe I should join a Teddy Bear making course (if there are any), but I do not know of any in the area. Distance is not really a problem, as long as it is around the area.

If anyone lives in the South West and knows of any evening classes or similar, can you please me post a reply?

Best wishes,

Xavier

[Bears of Bath]

Hi Xavier,
I've just moved to the Bristol/Bath area about a year ago, but unfortunately don't know of anywhere locally which will do bear making courses. I found the best way is to get a few books out and also there are some great magazines around at the moment.
If anyone does know of anything in this area I would love to become involved as well. I'm still waiting to attend my first bear fair, they always seem so far away! and would really like to meet up with like minded people.

[hairyhugs]

Hi there just browsing through and see that you are looking for help with bear making. I am helping to organise the first Teddy Festival at Exbury Gardens on the 5th August. There will be workshops & demonstrations there all day. Workshops are by Barbara-ann bears and Westie Bears, also demonstrations from Patricia Banks (Dari-laut Bears) and needle felting from Sue of Southway bears.
More details can be found by visiting my website www.hairyhugs.co.uk. Look at the Exbury Teddy Festival page where you will find links & contact details for all exhibitors.

Hope this is useful
Amanda

[Chris Russell]

Carol, I note your comments about a lack of beary activities in the Bristol/Bath area. In the 2005 Hugglets Guide there is a listing for an artists club - Avon Bearmakers - . I have spoken to the organiser Jayne and she was very disappointed that the early enthusiasm faded and so this club no longer exists. She might be able to help you make contact with other bearmakers in your area. Also maybe this forum could fill part of the gap after all it was set up on a regional basis to encourage local contact. Jayne's entry in Hugglets gives the following contact details. Tel: 01454 228167, email: jayne@theoldchinashop.com.

Amanda, you must have been working very hard to put together such an exciting programme at the Exbury Teddy Festival. I wish you every success and hope that the Ice Age will soon pass us by and we will return to Global Warming in time for your Festival. I have updated your entry in the Events section of this site.

Just in case you haven't noticed yet (because so far, I haven't told many people), we have thrown open the door of Teddy Bear Fair to visitors through www.teddybearcollector.com (http://www.teddybearcollector.com) ..............take a look and let me know what you think.

Best wishes, stay dry and warm.

Chris

[Bears of Bath]

Hi Chris,
Many thanks for your helpfull repy.:) I will get in contact with Jayne, perhaps we can get the Avon Bearmakers back again. It would be good to meet up with likeminded beary folk. It can be a lonely business bearmaking, that's why the forums are so important.
Hope Amanda's Exbury Teddy Festival goes well and I'll go and have a look at teddybearcollector.com.
Thanks again Chris

[Chris Russell]

Hi Carol,

If you are interested in starting up a new club in your area, you could go into the Exhibitor section of this site and look in Collectors and Artists Clubs and open up Artists and Makers Clubs - and place a free advert. Might be worth a try?

Chris

[Bears of Bath]

Thanks Chris, I'll bear that in mind. Good idea.

[LissaC]

Hey guys!

Im from a TV production company in the Southwest and we are holding a teddy bear aucion in Exeter this Saturday (8th November) at Queens road auctions. Among all the things we aare auctioning is a pretty extensive teddy collection (including Steiff and limited edition Paddington). If you fancy a good day out with food and drink and a celebrity presenter PLEASE get in touch! The auction sarts at 1pm, but for more details give me a ring on 07877729150

Thanks guys
Lissa Cardell