Wednesday 23 May 2012

WOW: Brushing the Bears

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Before his brush
It's not all about quilts you know...
Sometimes, like this morning, it's all about the bears!

after his brush
I have a family of beautiful bears that need love and attention every few months. So, like today, I take out my bear box and give all my bears a gentle brushing before packing them away again. I find they need a little handling and care to keep them looking their best.

Before I started quilting 11 years ago, I made heirloom bears from my own original patterns. And I have to say, selling them was very hard as I never wanted to part with them!

It takes time  and devotion to make a genuine heirloom bear. There's a lot of work in creating the pattern, making their faces, sewing in their eyes and noses, glossing the nose thread with beeswax and clipping their fur so that you can see their expressions. After the sewing and stuffing and creation of each bear, they develop a character and you do become attached to them!

No teddy misses out on his brushing...
Now I have a studio of bears that I have resigned myself to selling....knowing that they will be better cared for in loving homes and that it's better to have them out there being enjoyed, than kept in boxes.

The biggest problem I have had with selling them, is that they are all unique. Apart from my polar bears, I didn't make any repeats, so they all have something special about them.
not even the littlest one!


5 comments:

  1. That little baby bear is just too cute! You are so talented, Esther.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What precious bears and so much work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh dear, do you have to sell such beautiful bears? Perhaps you could keep them displayed around your studio?

    ReplyDelete
  4. What beautiful bears! Is there no end to your talents? :-)

    Hazle
    suntred02 at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your bears are beautiful!!
    In the late 90's early 2000's I too create bears from scratch and sold them (or did my best to sell them)... :o)
    There is so much personality and love with a hand made bear! I'm sure your beautiful babies will be loved and cherished.
    Have a great day.
    Always, Queenie

    ReplyDelete

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