Teo, the Sunbear

Hi everybody, I have finally finished the sunbear sample for my UK workshops. This is Teo, named with the help of my dear friend Ruth.



Teo has a wired jaw and a long tongue. Sunbears are also known for their claws, so I have made quite a feature of these using a natural leather which contrasts nicely with his black mohair. He also has a locline spine and jointed wrists which make him very poseable. Of course he has my trademark leather nose and appliqued, sculpted leather feet. Now all I need to do is email his photo to Susan at Bear Basics and send her the list of ingredients, the pre-sewing instructions and the pattern.



I can't believe how quickly this trip has come around, I'll be off in a few short weeks! I'm not sure if I'll reach my 100th post before I go, I've been quite slack with my Blogging lately. I promise I will let you all know when the time comes, so keep an eye open for a giveaway in the not too distant future :)

A Beautiful Gift

I recently donated some mini T pins and discs to a doll maker friend, who was making a bear companion for one of her dolls, and this beautiful watercolour painting was a surprise gift to me in return. I was so overwhelmed when I saw it, she has captured Ralph so perfectly. Linda's other work can be found here

I have almost completed making a sunbear which is the sample for my workshops in the UK in September. I ended up making two heads for this bear, I was wanting to put more and more into it but had to restrain myself, remembering what is achievable in the two days of a workshop. Still, there will be plenty to learn and I have to say the bear is looking pretty cute :) I just need to think of a name for him, suggestions?

Signing Off

Tomorrow morning I'm off to the Gold Coast in Queensland, so I'm signing off for a week. I'll update when I get back next week, with hopefully some photos. I'm hoping the house will still be in one piece when I get back, with my ramapaging two year old grandson here without me to keep an extra eye on him :)

Another Award

You may have seen it elsewhere, but I though I would blog about it too. Aurora won the vote in the "People's Photographic Choice" in the ACDAs, which surprised me somewhat as I found it very hard to photograph her and show her at her best. She's flying off to her new home in America, not under her own steam, but in a box with plenty of bubble wrap to keep her comfortable.

I'm inching my way towards my 100th post so it's coming up to time for a new giveaway, I think :) So watch this space, as very soon I'll be announcing it.

The Three Bears

As I've said before, I had real difficulties coming up with "Fantasy" themed pieces for the Fantasy Ball. I like bears, and I really like making them, so here are the three bears from Goldilocks! Pappa is 15cm tall, Mamma is 14cm and Baby is 7cm, the larger bears have wired arms, so that they can cuddle their baby. There is more information about them on the Fantasy Ball page on the TBACA website.

The Fantasy Ball Is Now On!

The Fantasy Ball is open and there are some wonderful creations available for adoption. I hope you all find time to take a look at what we have all been doing. While you are there, don't forget to cast your vote for your favourite critter in the Australasian Creative Design Awards.


Right now I'm busy making bears to take with me to Queensland next week, it should be a good week of catching up with friends and, hopefully meeting new ones. I hope you're all having a great day, the sun is out here in Tasmania, so the day should be pleasant enough.......curled up in my chair in the sunshine with my sewing......

Here's a photo of Petula pig, she's one of the creations I have available in the TBACA Fantasy Ball.........go on I know you're curious, get on over there!

I Thought You Might Like To See

In a couple of weeks I'm flying off to the Queensland for the International Bear and Doll Show at Jupiter's, on the Gold Coast. This is a two day event, held over the Queen's Birthday weekend, and it will give me a welcome break from our wintery weather here in Tasmania. After the show, I am giving two workshops, each one runs for one day, and deals only with the head of the bear. This is a bear I've been teaching for some years now, but I have added some new techniques to it , so the workshops should have plenty of interest for those who are participating.

Included in this workshop are an open mouth with trapunto tongue, leather nose, leather eyelids, shading and detailing and also leather claws for those who wish to add them. It will be a very full on workshop. The kits have been sent out in advance so that the bodies can be prepared, and hopefully by the end of each day we will have all the bears completed.

Meantime, I've got bears to make for the show; so it's a good thing this cold weather we've been having lately, makes me want to huddle up inside by the heater with my sewing!

I know this photo looks weird, I took it when I'd finished the head so that Patti and Graham could use it for promotional purposes, and it does show what the workshops will entail. I have since finished the bear and sent him off to play with the other bears at the Kympatti Studio, I'm sure he's having fun in the Queenland sun :)

For Your Entertainment

I have put together a little preview, sneak peek of what I'll have available at the Fantasy Ball starting on Monday 31st May, at 8am Australian Eastern Standard Time. (If you click on this link it will take you to the website and you'll find a time converter in the sidebar, so you'll be able to find out what time it starts in your neck of the woods)
I hope you like what you see and that you'll find time to pop into the show, it's open 24/7 for a whole week.

This collage customized with Smilebox

TACDA Nominee

This is Aurora, she's an Arctic Angel and she's been nominated in The Australasian Creative Design Awards. I used a gorgeous piece of Japanese alpaca fur fabric for this bear, it's incredibly soft. Her wings are fashioned from Japanese silk velvet. A very "tame" interpretation of the fantasy theme, but I think a beautiful bear none the less :) If you visit the TBACA website you can see a slide show of all the entries.
On Monday 31st, the ball begins and you will be able to view and vote for your favourite critter in the TACDA's. I'm keen to see how the other ball participants have interpreted the fantasy theme of this show, I had a real struggle but in the end I was pretty pleased with my efforts. I hope you will all find the time to drop into the ball, it will be open for a whole week.

A Bingle Bear Up For Grabs

Take a look at this gorgeous little bear. This is Sammy and he's Cheryl Hutchinson's Anniversary Giveaway. If you click on his button in the sidebar you'll be taken over to Cheryl's blog where you can enter the draw, but don't bother he's MINE!!!!!( (only kidding) He's such a sweet little fellow don't you think?