Papercrafting for my Bruins...

I have been toying with the idea of making official looking miniature birth certificates for some time. Well, finally I have a version to share with the bear/doll making world. I hope you like these 100% handmade tags I have created. Lots more variations to follow.

Birth Certificate Tags for Vintage/Primitive Bears and Dolls.

Hand-cut from 280gsm manila card and subtly stained around the edges for an effective "aged" look. Ready strung with fine hemp string.

£5.00 for 10 - just .50p each
(UK postage from .60p, Europe from .88p, Rest of the World from £1.28p)
Please message me quantities needed and I'll quote you first class postal rates by return.

Tags also available in hammered cream or white (un-distressed) for shabby-chic creations. Strung with cream and white strings.

I can be contacted at: www.facebook.com/caterhambears or email: thebears@caterhambears.com

Hugs
Clare xx
 

A little bit of fun

I recently offered up my sewing skills to my daughters new school. With that in mind, I wanted to have a bear sewing project ready to go, that was suitable for youngsters to make. A pin badge (easily adaptable into a bag/pencil case charm) seemed like an obvious solution.

I have volumes of silky Sassy Fabric & upholstery velvet in my studio - so who knows, maybe this lil fella will also be transformed into my second Caterham Bears' Kit.

He's so happy and cheerful looking, I can't possibly part with him. But I WILL be making some more very soon. So do message me if he tickles your fancy too. I think they will be priced at around £12.00 each + P&P.

Outside my comfort zone and Happy to be there....

About a year ago, I joined a local weekly card making group in my home town of Caterham. I joined with a view to learning some new paper crafting techniques so's I could create my own party invitations.

Well, thanks to the group tutor - Jo Harper, I have learnt many wonderful techniques - using a vast array of inks, pens & distressing mediums. These I soon discovered were applicable to mohair too & some new designs emerged from my studio this summer.

Jo turned 50 this month & instead of the usual making group, she invited all of us girls back to her house for a "bit of a do".

So, I thought as a birthday gift, I should thank her for inspiring me to move forward in my bear-making. I did this of course - the only way I know how and made her a bear WAY out of my comfort zone. I was fearless with the inks, pens, sponges and brushes.

Any way, this is the end result. An old style ted I called Harper...

 

I remember sitting at my work bench looking down at this nice clean, crisp, white, mohair bear I'd just "finished" and thinking..... "You're for Jo - if things go a bit squiffy now, it doesn't matter. She won't mind."

Do you know, I think I actually said it out loud rather than thought it - Mad,crazy bear lady now talks to her bears too!!!!! He He

friendly facebook community of bear artists

I have been a member of Facebook for many years but only really ever use it for my business name and profile for all things beary. There is a huge community of friendly global bear-makers here and I am a member of many related "groups" such as these:

Here's one for buying patterns and materials
There are many like this for sharing your recent work
Another group for sharing what you've created
One for buying bear accessories
Up and coming Bear fairs (UK posts mainly)

Up until I had my second child, I used to teach bear making from my home. These Facebook groups are great for promoting your work and finding resale things you need. However I felt our beary community didn't seem to offer a place where newbie and experienced bear makers alike could ask "How do I do This?" or "Where can I get those?" So, I decided to set up a new group myself and called it:
How to... and tips for friends of the fur (Teddy Bear Makers).

I am pleased to say it has 440+ members after just a few weeks of running. It fills me with pride to see questions posted and answered by so many willing and helpful artists.

I would like to thank all members who participate in Questions and Answers for being so generous in their advice and so friendly to all.

Jubilee Bear Give-Away

To mark the occasion of our Queen's Diamond Jubilee, I have made a special OOAK Blue Mohair bear to Give-away to one lucky Surrey Mirror Reader or Facebook friend or Clares Bears fan. 

All you have to do is dream up a befitting name for the patriotic bear and email me your suggestion. The winner will be drawn at random this month (June 2012) and duly notified.

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The Winner, was Kay Cooper from Perth, Western Australia. She runs a bear shop there called Cotton Wool Creations. Though she assures me the bear will be a shop mascot rather than have a price on his head ;o)

Congratulations Kay
xx

This months newest creations

Been having great fun making these cute little guys. Really quite different in design to my previous makes. They are already proving to be very popular, priced at around £55 (+ postage) Pip and his friends are 16cm tall. Special Orders are welcomed - please email me at: thebears@caterhambears.com

Looking forward to the future

We're are moving home next month, to a sweet little bungalow in Caterham, Surrey. The property itself is very modest looking. Compared to the homes we've had before though, the kitchen is huge, the bathroom is huge and the garden - well that's huge too!

To be honest, the garden sold it to us in the end. When we first started looking for a new home this time last year, finding enough bedrooms, workspace, a garage and garden big enough for all our needs proved to be a challenge. However, we did it in the end and I'm really excited that after so many years of pugging bits here and spreading fluff there - I will be having a long awaited studio all of my own.

Once my nearest and dearest has built our 20' insulated log cabin in that voluminous garden! lol

Update: Thought I would share some pictures of the end result too....

How it all began for me...

My dear mum taught me basic bear-making in 1996 after I'd had a minor op & wanted something challenging to occupy my recovery time. So I have her to thank for putting me where I am now - surrounded by mohair fluff, joints, stuffing, shot, glass eyes & pattern pieces!!!

But the end result is an ever-changing display cabinet full of cheeky companions ready for adoption :o)