Hi from Derbyshire

[Wendi Toggle Teddies]

It would be great to chat to others in Derbyshire if there are any, I've not come across any yet in this area.

~wendi~

[Geralye]

Hi Wendi,

I'm not in Derbyshire, but in nearby Notts.

I'm very much an amateur bear maker, keen but the bears I make never seem to come out quite how I intended.

[Lorna Evett]

Hi there

I dont live in derbyshire either, i live in sheffield, and an amateur bear maker. I am having my first ever stall at Derby University in November (were you thinking of attending), very nervous, however, not worried if noone purchases them as i find it hard to part with them anyway. I love making the bears but boy dont they present some problems when making them and there is noone to swap ideas with.

Lorna

[Tina-Maria]

Hello there to Derbyshire, Notts and Sheffield (Yorkshire I believe).

I now reside in a very remote and beautiful part of the Highlands of Scotland. BUT!!! I come from Notts, I used to do a lot of walking around Derbyshire and a lot of drinking in Sheffield and I make teddy bears. So its nice to hear from some old haunts.

Hugs, Tina

[Geralye]

Hi Lorna,

Good luck with your stall at Derby.

Not sure if I will be there, I'm planning to go to the NEC the previous weekend, so won't have any excuse to go bear-fairing again a week later. However, I haven't been to Derby Uni before - so maybe I do have an excuse!

cheers,
G

[Lorna Evett]

Hello Derby and Highlands

I would Love to live in scotland, I live on edge of sheffield just three minutes out of derbyshire, had thought of running a bed and breakfast place in scotland, and then during the day in my 'spare time' I would make the bears.

Finished my last bear for my stall last night. I now have to make my labels (well attach them as my old man printed the labels out).

Nice to chat

Lorna:)

[Tina-Maria]

Hi Lorna

Bed and Breakfast in Scotland sounds good and if you dont mind the hard work and upredictable hours its a wonderful place to be. I dont have a B&B but we have three stone croft holiday cottages and we are right beside the sound of mull overlooking Tobermory, cant beat it!!

Hugs, Tina

[LisaAP]

Hiya! I'm in Derbyshire, Derby itself to be precise. :D I can't chat too much about bearmaking as I haven't actually completed one yet but will have soon hopefully.

Whereabouts in Derbyshire are you Wendi?

Regards

Lisa

[monalisa1987]

Hi, I am from Nottinghamshire too!! Mansfield to be exact, so are there any others out there??

[Ruth]

Hi again Simone ! Just checked this thread too ..... that's so funny 'cos my Hubby's family are from Mansfield , we go regularly to see folks ! Nice to see Mansfield "on the map" so to speak ! :6086:
Ruth

[Andrea]

Hi All

I'm not so far from Belper or Mansfield, I'm in Tibshelf, Derbyshire and hadn't heard of the place until nineteen months ago when I first met my husband! Originally I from Derby and couldn't find anyone near me to chat to about teddies...

Loving the open countryside though!

Andrea

[Geralye]

Well, I live in Arnold, and my sister is planning to move to Belper (from West London). When she's settled, I may also move that way!

Not done much in the way of bear making for some considerable time (it's been a bad year), but I'm off to a Bear Bits course next month, so hopefully will come back re-inspired and raring to go!

cheers,
G

[Andrea]

Wow, good luck with the Bear Bits course, I'm so envious! I'd love to do a course, but have never got around ot it! Really sorry to hear you've been having a bad year though...hope everything improves for you.

Andrea

[LisaAP]

Hey there Andrea/Geralye,

Belper is just up the road from me, about 15 mins or so. :D

And talking about local I just found out that the Derby Bear Fair in Nov has been cancelled, I was so looking forward to checking it out. Bummer! :(

G, How'd the Bear Bits course go?

Regards

Lisa

[Geralye]

The bear bits course was brilliant, I'm very pleased with the three heads I made, and the noses are so much better than my usual attempts.

I am very disappointed that the Derby fair is cancelled. I haven't been to a fair all year, and I need some supplies so was looking forward to it. I was also hoping I might meet up with some of you there.

cheers,
G

[Andrea]

Howdy all

It really does suck that the Derby Fair was cancelled because it was the *local one* and I'd booked a stand...*sigh*...and fairs are always fun! (mainly the supplies aspect of that...I spend more time at their stalls than I do behind my own!) It would have been fun to meet up with other local bear makers.

I really envy you Geralye doing a bear bits course, they make incredible bears, I'd give my left arm to make realistic bears like those...

ttfn
Andrea

[LisaAP]

I'd love to go on a bear bits course too, their bears are just awesome. Incredible jointing. :)

Such a pity about the Derby Bear Fair Andrea, especially for you since you were going to have a stand. Did you go last year? I hadn't discovered the wonderful world of artist creations back then. Do you know if they will try to hold it again next year?

Regards

Lisa

[Geralye]

Doesn't look like the Derby fair is on next year, unfortunately.

http://www.bearfairsandevents.com/

I've now done two courses with Bear Bits, they are brilliant. the first was 'Make a Bear' and although I had made quite a few bears before the course, I learned lots of tips.

The most recent course was 'Head to Head' and I made three heads, which are now waiting for me to complete their bodies. Again I learned lots.

I'd like to tackle one of their design courses next.

I'd recommend their courses, take a look at what they have to offer:

http://www.bearbits.com/files/courses.htm

cheers,
G

[LisaAP]

Rats! It would have been so perfect to have a Bear Fair so close. :(

I would so love to do one of those courses. I still can't get my head around finishing a bear in 2 days though, it takes me a lot longer than that to make one! :6086:

I do hope that you will show us your bears when they are finished. Did you get to choose the material to make the heads?

Regards

Lisa

[Geralye]

You use a sewing maching, so that speeds thing up (scarey I know, I tend to sew my bears by hand). And you concentrate for two days, with no distractions (except the general chat).:D

I'd love to show you the results, but don't have access to a digital camera.:(

cheers,
G

[LisaAP]

How many others attended? It must have been an intensive (but fun) two days.

Shame that you can't show off your work, perhaps one day we could get together and I could take pics of them for you? :)

Regards

Lisa

[Andrea]

Hi Lisa

I was just a visitor last year to the Derby fair and it was imo really enjoyable. The atmosphere was great and I got some lovely mohair, oooooo and the universtiy muffins were to die for, I had a pig out and ate about four of them...mmmm

I sure was looking forward to those muffins!

Incidentally, I had a nose on your site and your little bear Cala is gorgeous! She looks a bit like my chihauau (I hope that's how you spell it or my little Loolabelle isn't going to be impressed!) all big eyes and intelligent impishness. I can't believe you say you hadn't discovered artist creations last year because those bears are amazing!

Andrea :D

[LisaAP]

Aww, I guess I'll just have to wait till the next Hugglets for my next bear fix but it's such a long day having to get to and from Kensington. Are there any other good shows local-ish to us that are worth visiting?

Andrea, thanks for checking out my web-site. :6013: I still have sooo much to learn and so many ideas in my head that are bursting to get out.

Regards

Lisa

[Geralye]

There are fairs at Kelham Hall (Newark), the National Motorcycle Museum (near the NEC), Pudsey, etc.

I'll check my copy of Hugglets and try to post some of the dates, when I get time.

cheers,
G

[LisaAP]

Thanks G, actually I got my copy of the new Hugglets guide in the post yesterday. :D I did have a quick look at the fair dates and made a note of the closest ones. The guide is pretty cool and I particularly love the section with all the bear (and rabbit!) pictures. I spotted a few familiar artists in there! :6034:

Regards

Lisa

[Ruth]

Oooh Hee Hee Lisa , did you see me ! me! (jumps up and down :6086: )
This was the first time I've had an actual ad in - my hubby slaved over the production ; he did soo brilliantly ! I haven't gotten over seeing them in there yet ! It makes you feel "proper" ... :6086: :6086: :6086: must sell something now though , to pay for it (ouch :6086: )
mini hugs , Ruth

[LisaAP]

Of course Ruth, I homed in and picked out my fav artists right away!! :6026: It is a neat guide, nicely produced with some lovely pictures. I know what you mean about feeling 'proper' after seeing your ad there, when I flicked through it I wished that I had a pic in too. I sooo want to have that feeling. :6086:

Regards

Lisa

[twinkle]

Hi everyone! I live in Derby. There seems to be a few members quite near. Andrea who is the gorgous little bear in your Avatar? He is Soooo sweet!

[Andrea]

Hi Jean

The little bear is Cocoa and he stood at two inches high, and was a devil to make, but thankyou for the lovely comment about him. I'm very shy about putting anything up that I've made, but I made both of those in the avatar and Cocoa was a present for the lady and gent that took that photo for me and designed my website. (I'm useless at such things lol) :) Safari I wanted to keep for myself, but he sold when my back was turned at a fair:( ...having been revived/consoled with large slabs of chocolate flapjack and enough tea to sink a boat in, I was told he'd gone to a good home...:confused:

It does seem a lot of members are lurking here in Derbyshire it's nice, sometimes bear making can make you feel rather isolated I think.

Andrea (In long winded mode :o )

www.ambears.co.uk

[lavendersqueak]

Hi
I am newbie here!! I am from City of Derby
I have just start making teddies, after years of collecting them from other artists.. thought it about time I start make my own!!

I notice we dont have any Bear Fairs in Derbyshire now :( used have one in Derby University.. whats happen? why not there anymore??

be great to talk others close to me!! :6034:

[LisaAP]

Hellooooo,

Great to hear from another Derby bear fan. :6034:

I know, it's such a shame about the Derby bear fair, I don't know why it stopped. I guess there wasn't enough interest or something. It's such a pity as it was sooo convenient for me. :6022:

Welcome to TBF, I'm looking forward to seeing some of your new teddybears and chatting some more too. :6038:

Regards

Lisa

[lavendersqueak]

Yes will do!!
I am just started so at the moment struggle to make a good bear.. ears and nose look a bit funny!! I doing miniature bear at the moment, not yet doing bigger one because of my hands get tired from holding big things (got carpal tunnel)

we have to team up and start up a bear fair in Derby!! ;)

would be delight to have some help with making bears as book is way ourt of my head!! I am using video to learn from at the moment. I now looking at fabric to make another minature bear.. too many to choose from!! which one ideal??!! thought about cashmere fabric?? :rolleyes:

[LisaAP]

There's nothing like trial and error. :6086: I find ears and noses hard too, not so much noses now but ears, I dread doing those.

I know what you mean about spoilt for choice with fabrics. I'm starting to build up a bit of a horde of stuff now. Sassy's long pile is lovely for minis, and so easy to work with too. I'm using some cashmere at the moment for a mini animal so I'll let you know how it works out.

Do you visit many bear fairs? I never got the chance to go to the Derby one, when I found out about it, it got cancelled. Boo hoo! :6022:

Regards

Lisa

[lavendersqueak]

Not yet this year to any teddy fair, next one I plan go is London, Kensington teddies 2008

Its hard to find any fair nearby, Derby, Nottingham and surroundings.

[LisaAP]

Hugglets is definitely the fair to attend. It's teddybear heaven!

The only local-ish fair I've attended is the one at Patchings Art centre, Nottingham. It was small but fun afternoon out. It's on twice a year, the next being 25th August I think, though the website hasn't been updated so I can't be sure. :confused:

http://www.nottinghambearfair.co.uk/

Regards

Lisa

[lavendersqueak]

[QUOTE=LisaAP;4099]

I know what you mean about spoilt for choice with fabrics. I'm starting to build up a bit of a horde of stuff now. Sassy's long pile is lovely for minis, and so easy to work with too. I'm using some cashmere at the moment for a mini animal so I'll let you know how it works out.

[QUOTE]

Sassy's long pile?? who Sassy (sorry!!)

[LisaAP]

http://www.sassybearsandfabrics.com/

I could spend a fortune on that site, there are so many beautiful fabrics to choose from for the mini bear maker. The service is wonderful too, however they are based in the US so you have to take into account customs duty. Grrr!

Regards

Lisa

[lavendersqueak]

Cheers!!!
you right.. they lovely! and got clear to undertsand info of what fray abd what dont fray..

Have ordered some to go on, after practise on some cheaper fabric :6013:

[Geralye]

You girls are brave tackling minis - my fat fingers are just too big!

I've been to patchngs before - very small but ok if you need some supplies - some nice cakes too.

There's one at the national motorcycle museum around september, and one at Pudsey, I'll have to check on my copy of hugglets and let you know the dates. I hope to get to one or the other - Hugglets is just too far (and to expensive to get to - I'd rather spend the money on bears!)

cheers,
G

[lavendersqueak]

might pop over for the cake then!!! ;)

[Lorna Evett]

I have a miniature bear i started to make a few years ago, sadly his is still unfinished, i started to make him when i had only just learned to make bears and keep looking at him and thinking i must finish him its turning the bits outside in i panic at. In fact i am going to take him out today to take a look. My eyesight is rubbish to have to work with a daylight bulb and a magnifying glass.

Sad about Derby bear fair at the uni, i did that once, it was very poorly attended which was sad because there were some fantastic bears there. However i did sell one bear and that was so strange because i thought he was the least likely to sell.

I have not been to a bear fair in ages, trouble is cannot resist buying a bear if i go plus all the other stuff i "have" to buy to make my bears :6086: .

:) Lorna

[Geralye]

For those interested in local(ish) fairs try these:

http://www.dolly-domain.com/page.php?id=0005

and

http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/conference/news-detail.php?id=66

Now my sister has moved to Belper from West London, I hope to drag her along to these fairs.

cheers,
G

[lavendersqueak]

I going to do a bear fair in Derby..
would anyone like to help me set up?

I think I know a venue where lot people might pop in to nosey around.. Its in town..

All I need is some idea of what involve eg. what the reasonable entrance fee?

I was hoping for some stall from some of you.. what the reasonable price you paid for the stalls??

All the money will be going to Hearing dogs for Deaf to say thank you for let me have Cinders, who died last april age 16yrs.

come on! let get one start up in Derby!! :6086:

[LisaAP]

What an exciting idea Crystal, I wish that I could offer some words of wisdom but I've never done a fair before. I hope that others here can advise you.

Good luck!

Regards

Lisa

[lavendersqueak]

which area (category) should I post to ask for advice in here on the forum??

[LisaAP]

Try general discussions. :)

Regards

Lisa

[ISOBEL20]

Hi I'm new to the forum and live in Derbyshire, Shardlow to be exact. I have been making bears for about a year or so now and have recently joined the Women's Institute and mentioned that I liked to make bears, some of the ladies also got interested and asked if I would set up a workshop which I have at my house on a Thursday evening - I am no expert but we are having such fun and between us we have made some cute bears. Isobel xx:)

[shebob bears]

Now that sounds a brilliant idea. A workshop at your home with lots of enthusiasm, and cups of coffee no doubt. Keep us updated and perhaps some photos of your happy band of bear enthusiasts.

Have fun,:6086:
Sheila

[LisaAP]

Oooh, oooh! You're just down the road from me. :6045: I live in Allestree. It's really great that you've set up a workshop evening, I'm dead jealous. I have to spend my Thurday evenings driving to, sitting by and driving home from the swimming pool, which is pretty much what I do every evening if I'm honest. :rolleyes:

Please do post piccies of all your creations. :cool:

Regards

Lisa

[Geralye]

I'm sooo jealous! A whole evening making bears with friends!

cheers,
G