The fun of finishing bears

Welcome blog tourists and welcome back to all my regular readers. I hope you have enjoyed the blog tour - I know I have explored some fascinating blogs that were new to me.

Let me tell you a little more about the Silent Companions blog and me. I set up this blog in July 2011 to share my creations but also to do a little more than that: to share my ideas, inspirations, struggles and successes. So this blog houses the stories of my one-of-a-kind bears as well as other stories from my creative journey. 

And me? Well I make stuff. All sorts of stuff! Crafts have always been a part of my life since a very early age - something I owe to my mum who is always sewing, cross-stitching or knitting. I started making teddy bears in my teens, when I was bought a kit for a simple button jointed bear. As my enthusiasm for bear-making grew, the actual bears shrank and I now love making miniature bears. In order to clothe and decorate my miniature bears, I have explored a variety of other crafts including knitting, crochet, embroidery, wire work - all of which had to be scaled down of course!

And that brings us neatly to the subject of my blog post today.

I'd like to share the process of finishing bears. By this, I don't mean attaching limbs, eyes and ears.

I mean creating the character of the bear. Adding the embellishments that will give the bear a story, a personality and, ultimately, a name. This can be a bit of a challenge when the bear is only 5cms tall.

Most bears spend a little while in this pre-character state while they try out a few styles. They usually try out a bow first to see how they get on. Some are happy to just wear a smart bow and the embellishment stops there.

Smudge

Other bears seem to be asking for more than just a bow and so the journey begins. Bears also like to wear hats and scarves (like Harry), glasses...

...and flowers...

...in fact, any trimming that is small enough is appropriated by the bears!

Some like more complicated costumes that include wings...

...blankets (like Christopher)...

 

...and even googly headbands (Henry loves his headband)! 

Some bears can be VERY demanding! My regular readers will remember the story of Benny and how difficult it was to find the identity of this tiny bear.

 The possibilities are really endless and only limited by my imagination (and my dexterity). Each new bear gives me new challenges as it struggles to assert its character.

Arthur

Nicholas

Jack

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to the Silent Companions blog and this glimpse into my bear making world. To celebrate the blog tour stopping by, I am offering a 10% discount in my Folksy and WowThankYou shops. Just quote "blogtour" when you order and I will send you an amended invoice.

Giocolino