Introducing Taffy

Isn't he just the sweetest bear? I am so happy with him.

NAME: Taffy

EDITION: OOAK

SIZE: 10 inches (25.4 cm)

FABRIC: Schulte alpaca

COLOUR: Mushroom

PAW PADS: Ultrasuede - coffee

EYES: German hand blown glass - black

NOSE: Embroidered with perle cotton - dark chocolate brown

JOINTS: 5 way wooden disk - locknut and bolt

FILLING: 'A' grade polyfibre and glass beads

ACCESSORIES: Matt finished golden bell on gold twine

DETAILS: Needle sculpted eye sockets, stitched claws on paw pads

ADOPTION FEE: USD $275 including signed for postage worldwide

Taffy comes with tush tag and Certificate of Authenticity, should you wish to purchase him please email me. PayPal or Credit Card accepted via PayPal, shipping is 1st business day after cleared payment, via Australia Post Registered Airmail(signed for).

TAFFY HAS FOUND A NEW HOME!

WIP - Prototype - ADOPTED!

I've been experimenting with a new design. I took a little pinch of traditional, a touch of contemporary and a dash of whimsy, then put them all together and came up with this little fella!


I have called him Flux . . . because just like the flowing in of the tide, he is just one stage in continuous passage of development.


He is a mere eight inches (20 cm) tall, is made from crew mohair, with a wobble jointed head and bolt/locknut limbs. Flux is very firmly stuffed with 'A' grade poly fibre with glass beads in his tummy. He has German hand blown glass eyes, embroidered nose and pull stitched toes.


Flux has been designed to sit, although he will stand by himself when asked to do so. Now the big question is . . . what do you think of this new design? Be honest . . . I am really interested in some unbiased opinions from people other than teddy bear artists.


Hope you are all having a good week!

The Three Bears

Same basic traditional pattern, three different colours and types of mohair.


The first is medium density kid which is very soft and curly, the other two are medium density mohair and while still having a nice handle, they are a little coarser than the kid, the last being a little straighter than the second.


I wonder how their personalities will develop? Are they boys or girls? I guess we will have to wait and see. Have a great weekend my friends!

Reaching for the Stars

I thought you might like to see the Star Trophies I selected to present to the Nominees for The Australasian Creative Design Awards this year and my reason for choosing them.

Star Trophies recognise an improvement in skill and workmanship, and receiving a Star Trophy means the Nominee has reached a pinnacle.

Down through the ages stars have been important to civilisations throughout the world. They have provided an element of mystery and wonder. A star shines brightly and is often a guiding light, and so to me, a star appropriately represents the achievement of the nominated artists.

This competition called for artists to experiment and to try something completely different from the pieces they normally create. It's easy to submit an entry into a competition that is in a similar style to what we have mastered over time. It takes real courage to to step out of our comfort zone and submit a prototype for judging.

There were some who took baby steps in design and others that plunged right in, but to me, all these girls showed initiative. They are leaders in the field of soft sculpture and teddy bear artistry, and they should be proud of their accomplishments.

P.S. I noticed on this post some of you thought I was entering the competition. This is not so, I am just the event planner. I will have bears available for adoption at the Fantasy Ball though.

Introducing Tani

I have been busily working away in my studio this week and finally I have something to show for it!


This is Tani (Japanese: from the valley) my newest little Chibi. I am so pleased with this new design and can't wait to provide him with a few brothers and sisters. I try not to become so excited about or attached to my own creations as I know they will soon be departing for lands unknown. But this one really has captured my attention!

HE HAS FOUND A NEW HOME!

Meet the Cushion Cubbies

This sweet little Plum Blossom sitting on her cushion, is still looking for a home. She is my own contribution to Bobo's Booth and she dearly wants to help Free the Bears Fund Inc. care for Bobo and his friends at the sanctuary in Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, Cambodia.


Last year (2009) the TBACA artists who so generously made and donated the wonderful bears to Bobo's Booth raised enough money to care for ten bears for a whole year. We have already managed to raise enough funds to care for a further seven bears this year.

However, in the hope we can once again raise enough to care for ten bears, Bobo's Booth will remain open until the end of the month. If you would like to help and receive a lovely artist bear of your very own, please stop by Bobo's Booth.

---oooOOOooo---

Iolanthe Fae was lucky enough to find a home of her own just north of the Black Forest, at Woodend . . . a very appropriate place for a fairy I thought!


Forget Me Not is hoping she doesn't get completely forgotten and end up like a wallflower on the shelf.


And my dear little English Rose is still waiting patiently for the right mummy to come along and care for her. Not waiting any longer . . . SHE HAS BEEN ADOPTED AND IS MOVING TO NORTH CAROLINA!

If you would like to adopt a Cushion Cubby to keep you company, listen to all of your problems and bring you comfort, please pop along to my website by clicking the button at the top of my side bar.

Cheers!

Hapoy Valentine's Day

Now this little critter has found a home, I am legal to show you!


His name is Wuv-U and he is just five and a half inches tall. Perfect way to say I love you!

Whew! These twenty four hour vigil's really take it out of me now. This ol' girl ain't what she used to be!!

Wishing you roses, Champagne and chocolates!

Beautiful Noses

I have been changing a few things on my bears lately and you can see the changes here . . . right on the tip of her nose!


Then Australian Bear Creations asked me to write a tutorial on how I embroider my noses for the magazine, which I did. The tutorial gives step by step details, including  photos of how to achieve a beautifully embroidered teddy bear nose just like the one shown here on Ginger Gorgeous.

I hope readers will find it useful.
Happy sewing!

Blast From the Past

I thought I would reserve the last Sunday each month to introduce creations I designed and made many, many years ago . . meet the first couple . . . Gilbert and Sulli.


Gilbert is very much a traditional style bear to which I added Ultrasuede eyelids and Sulli a bunny with oversized ears, to whom I gave a more realistic nose.

Hope they bring you a smile or two.

Tempting Your Teddy Buds

I thought over the next few weeks I would have a little fun with you and post some "artistic renderings" of a few artist teddy bears that will be available at the BMV show. As all the participating artists know . . . we are not permitted to exhibit the bears in their real form until the show, however, this may just spark your interest a little and give you a giggle too. Let me know what you think.





The four artists are Laraine White (Rainebears), Tina Jensen (Tiny Bear), Christine Child (Boot Button Bears) and Kim Russell (Russell Bears) . . . do you know who's is which?

Have a lovely day!