Some of the Teds

I almost put the teds on first ... as they were my first real expression of my artist soul. Lofty isn't it ... but true. I began going over this in my mind yesterday as to the why adn the how. It's all still pretty clear, even though it's almost 25 years old and 1500!! bears later.
A special friend and I had taken to yardsaling and antiquing [auctions etc] together and she mentioned that she LOVED teds. "Nah", I said, "not me ... I like bunnies better." She talked about the teds and I thought ... "she really wants an old style teddy ... I've got a pattern ... how hard can it be?" That first little bear ... made for my friend, has led to half a lifetime being about teds!
Discovery of who you are brings a big relief to some. I'm one of those. It really sucks to walk around feeling different but not knowing why. What follows is a little peek into the whimsy I prefer over the world I find myself in.

Gently holding Honey ... a 7 inch, full jointed mohair ted is Rouge ... a 20 inch, fully jointed vintage faux fur bear with grey suede pads and paws. Watching over them is Celista ... also a mohair ted, 12 inches, fully jointed [which means BTW that all joints are moveable and in most cases somewhat poseable]. All "found" materials!

Now ... for one of my pet projects. This is one of only one ... perhaps forever as it was extremely time consuming. Did I mention that I work from original patterns? Yes indeed. So before I can actually begin to create my bear the inspiration and time must come for the drafting phase. Here is Bun-Bun

Yes, there really is a bear in there; a red wool bear named Maggie with black leather pads and paws. In her special suit she travels under the assumed name of Bun-Bun. Her Bunny suit is made from yardage that just didn't sell ... except to me lol! The lady at the closeout was so interested that I took Bun-Bun back to meet her. Now I wish I had pictures of that! She is 22 inches tall.
My last ted for today is Nicko ... a caramel faux fur with suede paws and pads. Twenty inch Nicko won 1st place in the Interior Provincial Exhibition of BC for toys over 12 inches .. ribbon picture to follow [when found] Why the name Nicko? Well, he's got the cutest Santa suit ... also missing ... will find and post picture. Probably hiding out with the ribbons and the writeups lol!

A close-up of my sweet face follows.

Hope you've enjoyed this ... be good to one another. Life is short and we only survive by the memories we leave behind. I want mine to be soft and warm!