Wired

One of the drawbacks with moving is when you need an item to finish a critter; it's 1500 miles away. But, really thinking about it; I'm not going to quit making bears anytime soon and I can use the extra stuff I buy eventually.

Today I'm going to work on Uncle. I've been wanting to wire his arms and legs so he could move more like a monkey.

If time permits, I'll work on the dog which is so close to being finished. All the while, I've got a new creation running around in my head. Just like old times!

It's great to be back to the creating mode even if I have to go out and buy extra stuff.

A First!

I'm doing my first show in Georgia. It's a cool little gallery called Flat Penny Folk Art here in Athens. There'll be about ten exhibitors--some painters; some quilters; potters; and me! I may want to make some more creations for it. Even though I have enough for a show.

Athens is just what I needed to fuel my artist's soul! I believe I've found my niche.

Back to Creating

I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged. A lot has happened with the move to Georgia and trying to get myself established. My computer's been a little cantankerous (probably the user) and I haven't been able to update my website. Now, by some miracle, I've gotten it to work and I plan on re-vamping my site.

Athens is such a vibrant city and the artist community is very inspiring. A friend asked me if I thought my bears would change because I moved. I think that might be a possibility. I'm drawn to more traditional bears because of the gentle culture of the South; but, I'm also being drawn to crazy creatures since Athens has culture that's uniquely it's own.

The future looks bright and I'm warming up my creative thinking cap.

The show in Austin was great. Lots of collectors and I got to see some familar as well as some new faces.

Five of my creations were given new homes. One was carried around the show.

One small disappointment; I'll have to chastise the bears for not doing their job. A somewhat serious collector happened by my table and my guys couldn't even raise even the slightest smile. Even when she picked one of them up. I wasn't looking for her to buy but I did want her to be happy for a second. She was made happy at the table across the way from me so maybe my guys did their job and warmed her up.

Since Scrrrap was such a popular guy at the shows (both Albuquerque and Austin) I think I might make another one. Not the exact same, of course, but small.

I'm still working on that dog I planned to take to the shows. One of these days.

The Next Show

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been basking in the glow of a great Albuquerque show.

Now it's time to get ready for the Austin show. I've got three bears and a dog cut out to work on during the trip to Austin and a couple "truck bears" which are bears I work on while Ken is driving.

Back to bearing!

Inspiration

The time for the Albuquerque show is almost here and I'm down the wire. Most of my critters are done but there is just some tweaking that needs to be accomplished.

I finally got up the courage to "spot" my giraffe. My first attempt led me to want to name him measles. Then I decided his spots weren't really supposed to be spots so I made them bigger. Now I'm totally happy with her and she's ready for the show. My inspiration was my granddaughter Josie who loves giraffes. Josie, thanks for the inspiration!

Less Than A Month

The Albuquerque show is less than a month away. Although I have lots of bears; there are those that have grown tired of traveling to shows time and time again. So, on to new ones. I have three cut out and on their way to finishing. I had patterns drawn out for about six but figured I'd better quit while I'm ahead. I didn't want to turn into a manufacturing plant.

Thanks to Luann and the bear retreat I've gotten to like gollies a little better and may make at least one or two for the show. I have some black wool that my mother had that will work just fine.

The giraffe is progressing too. I procrastinated because I couldn't quite figure out how to make the face but yesterday I just forged ahead. It went from looking like a cow to maybe a dragon to what I think looks pretty close to a giraffe. I may put it in the B4B's auction and I may save it for Albuquerque.

Retreat's Over; Time to Move Forward

We had a wonderful retreat in Fredericksburg, Texas. I think I laughed more in three days than I did all last year!

I tried my hands at airbrushing; made a necklace; and did my first golly (picture attached). Most of the time was spent discussing the bear world. It was great being with other artists to discuss their techniques and learn a few tricks.

Now it's time to switch into high gear for the two shows coming up and the auction I'm participating in.

Remember When?

A few blogs ago I talked about a bear that I didn't like and I re-did. Here he is. I like him better.

I'm getting ready to leave for a bear retreat in Fredricksburg, Texas. Just eight bear artists getting together to share ideas and take a few classes. It will be a lot of fun.

When I get back the Bid4Bear auction will have started and I will start listing the 6-8 bears I've committed to. I'm starting off with a rabbit. I'm also going to list another rabbit on the Teddy Patch.

I also just finished a double jointed bear from the material I got from the Netherlands. No picture yet.

Sticking My Neck Out

It's been a while since I've posted. I guess I've said that a time or two! I've been trying to balance life with my creationing.

Now I'm getting ready for two shows; an auction; and possibly putting some rabbits on the Teddy Patch.

The auction is Bid4Bears Artist Power campaign. Several artists are getting together to provide another outlet for bear collectors to bid on bears that isn't e-bay. I've signed up for the first group which is one bear (or critter) every week or ten days. It's no guarantee of a sale but I hope it will bring some attention to the alternative auction sites and breathe some life into the bear community.

I'm about to finish a double jointed bear that I'm making from my Netherlands mohair and a giraffe. I thought I was a little farther along on the giraffe until I realized I hadn't put in the mane or the tail. I guess I need a little more experience with them so I don't miss any steps.

Two Things

Or, maybe the title should be never (or at least very seldom) satisfied. I made a bear out of material I wasn't entirely thrilled with. Other people liked this bear but I felt I could do something I liked better. Right now I'm not so sure but I took him apart; changed his paw pads so I could highlight him them with paint; and took his head apart so I could needlefelt a face on him. I'm at the point now where I'm vascillating between finishing what I've started and tearing the head apart again to re-do it with a different mohair--I don't have any more of the current head fabric. Only the next few days will tell. If I do a little needlefelting everyday I should be done.

Number two is a bear made from scraps I got from an e-bay auction. There's two similar colors of mohair but different finishes so I was able to cut out about a 13" bear.

I'm also contemplating more critters from this batch of material. Maybe a giraffe? I was thinking about an owl but WHO knows. Sorry couldn't resist.

The Teeth Have It

Here's another rabbit. Boy are they multiplying! It's kind of a quick picture that I took before heading off to the doll show.

His teeth are made from Sculpey. Kind of hard to go back to more normal animals after him IMHO.

This is the reason I create. It's what keeps me fueled to keep going on the next critter.

About Time

Time flies no matter what you're doing. Since February is almost over I thought I might get a word in.

I just did a doll show in New Braunfels, Texas. Six of my critters found new homes. I gave one of my bears away to a woman who'd bought two bears from me and she also bought two bears from me when I did a show in Fredericksburg, Texas.

I'm also looking forward to a bear retreat in Fredricksburg the end of March. Ten bearmakers will be getting together for a weekend of classes and bear talk and general bear bonding. I'm looking forward to being with bear buddies.

Now it's back to what to make again. I've got a boxful of fabric I won from e-bay that's been tempting me and a huge piece of long-piled mohair that could be a dog. I'd like to get a few more new things done since I'm doing a show in Albuquerque on May 20 and another one in Austin on June 24.

The Sun Might Come Out Tomorrow

No sun, but there was enough light to take some rabbit pictures. Something to do while I get inspiration for the next rabbit. Here he is!

Let the Shows Begin!

That rascally rabbit is done. I'd say he turned out very well. I know I've been talking about it for weeks. Today I should have a picture of him and I'll put it on later. The sun isn't out right now so he wouldn't show up. Now the hardest thing to do is come up with a name.

I'm tempted to start working on another creation but the show season is coming near. The first show is February 10; the second is May 20 in Albuquerque; and the third is June 24 in Austin. I need to check out all the critters to make sure they're ready. A few need tags and a couple need names.

There's also another rabbit that I'm working on. This one will have a needlefelted face. He's all put together so I need to get my roving together and the needles ready.

Now I've got a dog rolling around in my head. I'm stuck on how to do the legs. I don't want him to just stand there; I want them to pose. It's been done so I know it's doable.

Just A Hare Short

I'm still working on this pesky rabbit. After all the trials and tribulations he's evolving slowly but surely. I get satisfied with him one way and another pops into my head. I think I'm narrowing down the possibilities. There's a little time before Easter.

I'm going to to the doll show in New Braunfels on February 10. I haven't done a doll show since Yuma. I'll get to see my bearmaking buddies Sandy, Patti, and Luann which will be fun. Doing different venues once in a while is good.

Old Man Winter

I guess we're not far enough south to miss the winter weather. A winter storm has decided to land here in Texas and should be around for a couple of days. I think we're far enough west so that we're not going to get hit as badly as San Antonio.

Because of this I "have" to stay inside and cuddle up while I make some new creations. What a dilemma! LOL!!

Here's one of my newest creations. He's yet unnamed. My DH says he looks like a lion.

Now it's on to rabbits. I've finally weathered through the missing pieces and the Ultrasuede matching and they're all sewn together. Now it's on to the stuffing and bringing them to life.

Out of the Closet

The Ultrasuede arrived in the mail yesterday and the luck was with me. I got a match so I can finish the rabbit. Or, so I thought. I started basting the pieces together and was merrily sewing along when I got to the last pair of arms. What! I only made three? I was SURE I cut out all the necessary parts (except for the inner ear which is Ultrasuede) but I was minus one piece. I didn't panic or use bad words but dilligently looked through my new box of mohair and my supply box; under the bed or under anything I could. No luck. So, I tried to piece an arm out of what was left. It would have been four pieces--not good to write in this blog for any collector that might be reading this. Then an idea came to me. I had stored the pieces in a bag in the closet so I looked on the shelf and no luck. I was about to close the door when I looked down and there it was. Thank you, thank you!

So today it's finishing the rabbit that's been stored in closet. Plus I have another thumperesque one that I might work on too.

But then there's Valentine's day coming up and I should do something for that. What a sweet dilema!

Mohair, Mohair, Everywhere!

The box of mohair finally arrived. It looks like someone sat on it but nothing was harmed. There are so many wonderful pieces in there I'm leaving it in the closet until I finish the projects I'm working on.

My patience is again being tested. I ordered the Ultrasuede last Monday or Tuesday and it's still not here. I guess since the ordering was so fast I expect the shipment to get here as fast.

I'm making good progress on my projects. I have a bagful of unstuffed bears (and a rabbit). When I get tired of stuffing one I go to the next one. Of course, stuffing isn't my favorite thing but bears without it aren't too cuddly.

Stereo Postings

As long as I'm posting on my other blog, I thought I'd jot down a few thoughts while I'm in here.

I'm working on three rabbits and two panda-like creatures. I say panda-like because they're not the black and white versions that one sees in real life. One panda is made from a brown mohair that was a substitute for one I had ordered. Can't say I'm happy with the substitute but it's a soft mohair and I think it will turn out okay. It did, however, have some type of glue on the back. I don't know if that was to hold the mohair in or what. After I finished sewing it I had to get the cleaner out to get the gunk off of my sewing machine. That's the first time I've encountered that. There's a small piece of it left and I may wash it first. The glue was creepy.

The rabbits are on hold. Hopefully I've ordered the right colors of Ultrasuede for the inside of the ears. Otherwise there isn't enough material left from the rabbit itself. It's been a frustration trying to piece the ears to make one whole ear. I'm crossing my fingers that this new shipment will do the trick.

I also bid on some leftover mohair from a wonderful artist in the Netherlands. She shipped it the first week in December and it's still not here yet. She did some checking and it took a small vacation in the Chicago post office so hopefully it's on it's way to Texas as I speak.

And . . . I have a small lion on e-bay that has 4 watchers so maybe I'll garner some more good feedback.

Speaking of pandas I'm making a purple and pink rabbit that I suppose you could classify as panda-like. I think I'll work on that today

Happy New Year!

Another year to create new creatures. Another year to play with mohair and the like. How exciting!!

Today I plan on working on a rabbit and two bears. A great start!