Mar
3
2010
Well I had a wonderful day at the Hugglets Winter BearFest, which was held on Sunday 28th February 2010. It was a very busy day with all the excitement, hustle and bustle we have all come to expect from this prestigious event.
The day started off very busy with some of my fellow artists stocking up on bear making supplies from my ever-increasing stocks. In fact, I’ve more mohair and fabrics than I can easily fit on my stand, so I’ve had to build my display up by investing in stacking acrylic display cubes, which I think worked out pretty well on the day. Then came the trade buyers. I was thrilled to receive repeat orders for my one of a kind miniature bears from Silly Bears of Aberdeen and Hamleys of London, which should keep me busy for a while! Then the doors opened to the public. The day seemed pretty steady with good visitor numbers through the doors and Sambrook Bears is happy to report record sales. I was particularly pleased with how well my new teddy kits were received. I have Amelia, the largest at 19cm, “Coral”, “Charlie” and the smallest is “Felix” at 10.5cm. These kits will be available on the web site soon and as patterns too.
I would like to thank everyone who stopped by to say hello. To all existing and new customers, you are very much appreciated and it was lovely to meet up with friends too. The highlight of my day was when I met up with Vicki of Baggaley Bears and we exchanged our “swap bears”. I had made a bear for Vicki called “Blossom” and Vicki made one for me called “Crissy” and she is adorable and will take pride of place in my collection. Thank you Vicki!
I hope all the visitors to Hugglets Winter BearFest enjoyed the day as much as we did. The next festival is Teddies 2010 on Sunday 12th September. Hope to see you there!
Hugs,
Mandy
Jan
27
2010
I’ve just finished two bears a 19cm bear and a mini bear of 7cm. Although I enjoyed making both bears, I have to say it’s the tiny ones that give me the most pleasure. My other half much prefers larger teddies and he has on a number of occasions encouraged me to make some of the larger size. Well with next month’s fair, Hugglets in Kensington looming, I was persuaded and created Amelia. She is made of ultra dense mohair. Then the urge to make a mini one was just too strong so Alfi soon took shape. I’ve decided that it’s just no use, Teddy bear making is just too personal and close to my heart to be influenced by others. I’ve also decided that we shouldn’t let other factors such as economics or the need to create for the majority of tastes, dictate the type of bears that we make. Creativity and business sense just don’t go hand in hand, so even if no one ever bought a miniature bear again, I would still make them because they make me happy!
Jan
25
2010
Glass Bead Filling For Teddy Bears
I’m pleased to say that I now stock glass bead filling in my shop. Particularly because I love to use this in my miniature bears and I wanted to be able to offer it to others too. It’s approximately 1,25mm in diametre and gives a lovely feel to a finished bear. I use it in the limbs of bears as it gives a lovely weight and movement, especially when the limbs are loosely jointed. Sometimes I like a bear to handle almost like a rag doll and be floppy when picked up. It somehow makes them feel very appealing. It’s suitable both for mohair bears and those made with upholstery velvet. If you’ve not tried this alternative to steel shot, then why not give it a go!
Find my beads here http://www.sambrookbears.co.uk/acatalog/bear-fillings-stuffing.html
Jan
25
2010
My love of bears began from childhood, I still have my very first teddy as part of a fairly large hug I’ve accumulated throughout the years. I’ve been making my own bears since mid 2007 and love experimenting with the designs of my bears in the quest to find the ultimate edenbear. As I strive to find this identity, I hope to create some bears you will love along the way!
Edenbears are all One Of A Kind, completely hand sewn traditional collector bears made from the finest quality materials, components and fillings throughout. They are sewn with the utmost care and attention to detail. I make a very small number of bears a year, this is the way I prefer to work, every edenbear is a labour of love and never rushed.
I also offer a bear repair service which provides TLC to neglected old Teds!
Please visit my website www.edenbears.co.uk to learn more about myself and my bears.
Jan
25
2010
My name is Sue Elgie, and I live in a pretty village called Askham Richard just outside the historic city of York.
I have been designing and making collector bears for nearly thirteen years now. How time flies when you are having fun!! I have had my work featured in Teddy Bear Times and Teddy Bear Club International, and I was also very lucky some years ago to win a E.V.A. award.
If you visit my web site www.elgiebears.com you will see that my bears are very traditional in style, and range in size from about 5.5” up to about 18”, but I am willing to make larger bears on request.
I am very happy to accept commissions, in fact it is probably my favourite part of bear making, I really enjoy the challenge of trying to create that special bear for someone, and I seem to have developed into specialising in Graduation bears, wedding couples and bridesmaids and also anniversary bears, but I will have a go at anything!
Last year I started holding bear making courses in the village where I live, so that I could help encourage new people to take up this wonderful craft.
Please visit my site to obtain further details on how to purchase an Elgie Bear, find out about the bear making courses and where you can meet my bears in the fur!!
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