A not so little Tinker

There's just enough time for me to share my latest design with you, before I don my chef's hat to prepare the evening meal! Introducing 'Tinker', a 20" scruffy bear with a waxed nose ... I hope you like him!

20" Tinker is now up for adoption at www.allbear.co.uk

31.07.09 Update: Tinker has been invited to Singapore to live!

Everything comes to she who waits!

Teddy Bear Times millenium issue, January 2000 - featuring my Chiltern Hugmees

You may remember me telling you I have been hunting for some bear magazines from several years ago ... I'd lost my copies in my recent house move and sadly, they contained articles about my bear work over the years. One of the mags I was particularly sad about was the January 2000 millenium issue of the Teddy Bear Times, which featured an article about my collection of Chiltern Hugmee bears. Well, I'm delighted to say everything comes to he (she!) who waits! Unbeknownst to me, those precious magazines were closer to home than I realised - my sister Fiona had a large stash of back issues stored in her cellar and lo and behold, a couple of weeks ago we found most of what I was looking for - including that illusive Chiltern article!

If you'd like to see the other articles, why not find me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/allbearbypaula) where I have stored them all in a photo album, ready to share with you!

Ahead of her time ...

As a teddy bear artist myself, I can't help but admire the talent of other makers. Miniaturists for example, I mean how on earth do they manage to capture character in such precise detail? As a maker of big bears, I don't mind telling you, those tiddlers intrigue me! Then there are the realistic grizzly bear makers, a rare breed of bearmakers with the patience to study real bears, capturing animal characteristics, as they transfer nature's lumbering form into soft sculpture. Amazing!

24" 'Bon-Bon', runner up in the 1997 British Bear Artist Awards

Sandra Wickenden, a talented UK bear artist, paved the way for our current representational grizzly bears and in 1997 I had the honour of being placed second to her inspired 'on all fours' grizzly bear 'Yona,' in the British Bear Artist Awards. First and second places couldn't have contrasted more that year - my entry 'Bon-Bon' was a crazy, bent legged, flamboyantly pink girl bear with a striped nose and Sandra's fabulous Yona was ... well, judge for yourself ...

'Yona' by Sandra Wickenden. First place in 1997 British Bear Artist Awards.

Yona featured a sculpted leather nose, mouth and claws and was multi-jointed, making her extremely poseable and way ahead of time in terms of teddy bear design ... besides having an additional neck piece to lend added expression to her poseability, this magnificent bear also had a rotating mid tummy section.

So what happened to Yona and Bon-Bon? Well, the original Bon-Bon was invited to the Hong Kong Toy Museum to live after the competition and four sister bears were created exclusively for 'Theodore's Bear Emporium' in Richmond (no longer trading). As for Yona, I have a confession to make ... I was in awe of that wonderful bear and after a quiet whisper to lovely Sandra, I was allowed to bring the original bear home to live with me!

Apple Strudel!

A certain someone has been bursting for me to finish her special bear this month and after sewing on his buttons this afternoon and sending a photograph for her approval, I can now unveil him! So, please meet 'Apple Strudel', a dear little 14" bear created especially for a lovely lady in Wales - keep 'em peeled, he'll be with you on Tuesday Joni!

14" Apple Strudel

Photoshop foibles

I've had to tackle Photoshop again today because apparently I've expired on Teddy Talk ... well, that is to say my advertising campaign has! Yep, it's time for a new banner to let the bear community know I'm still alive and kicking! Photoshop and I are not exactly in tune with one another's little foibles, but with perseverance, a wrinkled brow (or two!) and time to ponder, we get there in the end! Anyway, this is what I came up with ... hopefully it should show up on www.teddytalk.com shortly.

Summer 2009 advertising banner for Teddy Talk

Postcard from Polperro

Polperro Harbour, Cornwall

There's nothing quite like hiking over rugged Cornish cliffs to clear away cobwebs and that's exactly what I've been doing of late; in case you were wondering why bear production and blog updates have ceased recently, I've been away on my hols!

View from our Daisy Cottage: Polperro Harbour, early evening

Looking out to sea from the beach at Polperro

The weather in Cornwall was what the Met Office politely described as 'changeable', which really meant 'be prepared with flip flops, cagoules and umbrellas, because the weather will do almost anything from blazing sunshine at you, to hammering down torrential rain and hail on you, in any one day!'

Prepared for all weathers! Flipflops, shorts, shades and cagoule - a very soggy Paula at the Talland War Memorial in torrential rain!

The perfect setting for Talland Memorial - I returned to take this photo on a sunny day!

Despite the unpredictable weather, we had a wonderful time and only suffered one washout day, spent in Port Isaac wandering up the cliff path clasping my umbrella against the tug of the wind, in search of Doc Martin's house ... (for anyone unfamiliar with the Doc, he's a character played by lovely Martin Clunes in one of my favourite tv shows 'Doc Martin', filmed in Port Isaac - aka 'Port Wen').

Doc Martin's house is the stone house in the middle with the black door!

The harbour at pretty Port Isaac

Cliff walk to Talland Bay

1911 lighthouse at Polperro

We stayed in my favourite historical Cornish fishing village 'Polperro', on 'The Warren', which is a terrace of ancient fishermens' cottages built on a winding cliff path overlooking the harbour. The view from 'Daisy Cottage' was picture postcard perfect and the cottage hadn't changed at all since our last visit five years ago. That's what I've always loved best about Cornwall since first holidaying there twenty four years ago, it retains all the charm and mystery of its rich heritage and makes absolutely no excuses for not moving with the times.

Talland Bay

Cove at Talland Bay

We visited Restormel Castle at Lostwithiel, the County Town of Cornwall

On the ramparts at Restormel Castle

Another day out, this time walking through spectacular Lydford Gorge, in search of the mystical Gubbins!

Stuart at Lydford Gorge

And finally, the two of us snapping happy holiday memories, on the bridge at Polperro

We've had yet another wonderful holiday in Cornwall and for now, it's time to return to reality, but I'm certain we'll be wending our way back to the West Country again someday soon!

A little July Rhubarb!

My nose has been firmly pressed to the grindstone this week because I wanted to keep my promise of making a new Half Pint this month - I'm happy to announce the arrival of my new bear cub 'Rhubarb' on the All Bear website, before July slips from my grasp!

14" Rhubarb

At just 14" I think 'Rhubarb' may be my smallest clown bear so far and I think he's as cute as ninepence! I've used lovely yellowy gold and antique red mohair for this little cub and am really pleased with how the colours complement each other ... just like rhubard with custard ... I hope you like him too!
08/07/09 Update: Rhubarb has now been invited to live in Finland!

Whittering on ....

Ah well, if you can't beat' em, I guess it's wise to join 'em ... so, if you are an All Bear collector, or friend of All Bear, with a Facebook account, you can now find me whittering on Facebook too!

A new Old Timer!

16" Silas

It's been a while since I worked with vintage mohair, so this week I decided to put my last few pieces to good use to create a bear in 'Old Timer' style. 'Silas' is slumpy, a little care worn and a delight to hold! Do you remember Cornelius? Well, little brother Silas is created from that same wonderful burnt orange and rich burgundy vintage mohair, full to bursting with authentic character and sense of history. I do hope you like him, he's a striking fellow!

06/07/09 update: Silas has now found his new owner and will be living in the US very soon!

A rose by any other name ...

Roses, roses, roses! As you can see, they've been the inspiration for my two latest shop exclusive bears, both destined for www.edwinasfriends.co.uk early next week. Rosa and her little friend Rosita are lovely summery bears, I hope you enjoy their preview today!

20" Rosa

14" Rosita

Just an ol' fashioned gal ...

Do you remember me reminiscing about crocheted granny squares in an earlier blog post? Knitting Bernard's waistcoat tweaked my memory, transporting me back through the mists of time to schooldays, when me and my girlfriends would plonk our bums in a chatty circle, happily crocheting granny squares as we gossipped and giggled in a far flung corner of the school field. Well, as these things are apt to do, that dusty thought process set me off on a hunt for a new craft book ... thirty plus years was way too long for my poor ol' lady head to remember the finer details of how to crochet!

After many years of knitting, I have more oddments of wool than I know what to do with, so thought it would be nice to twiddle some of them into squares for a throw (or perhaps cushion covers - undoubtedly far from trendy, but I guess that's acceptable now that I'm in my forties!) This book by Jan Eaton seems perfect for the job - it shares plenty of suggestions for creating a multitude of colourful crochet squares and as you can see, I've already mastered three of the simple ones!

For those of us who like to knit too, Jan Eaton has also published a similar book for knitted squares and needless to say, I was compelled to order that book too! So now there's no excuse for couch potato-ing in an armchair with nothing creative to do ... unless that is, I happen to have a lovely glass of chilled white wine in my hand at the time!

Time to smell the roses ...

As every long standing bear maker knows, it's vitally important to take time out from the rigours of sewing and stuffing now and again, to appreciate the perfect scent of rose perfume ...

I hope my roses inspire your creativity on this beautiful summer's day!

Postcards from across the pond!

Teddy Bear Review magazine - August 09 issue

Hip hip hooray for the USA indeed! Even after all these years, I never fail to be excited when I see my bears in print and this week, I couldn't have been more delighted to have the US 'Teddy Bear Review' magazine drop through my letterbox, because they have kindly included me in their 'Postcards across the Pond' feature, including a lovely photograph of Victor! It may sound daft, but I was just as thrilled when I noticed they've used the photograph I took of the River Medway on my walk with Stuart last July, as the backdrop for the entire double page spread! If you would like to purchase a copy of the mag, please visit http://www.jonespublishing.com/ for further information.

'Collect It' magazine - September 09 issue

While we are on the subject of magazines, here's a little peek at the advertisement I've created for the September issue of 'Collect It' magazine. This issue will include a supplement written by kathy Martin especially for the forthcoming 'Teddies 2009' and a little birdy told me my bears may have a mention! For further information about 'Collect It' magazine, please visit their website at: http://www.collectors-club-of-great-britain.co.uk/magazines/default.asp?magazine=1
or if you are in the UK, why not treat yourself to a copy in your local WH Smiths!

Summer Solstice, poppies, a megalith and a trip down memory lane!

Stuart, surveying the view from the top of Bluebell Hill

It was Summer Solstice yesterday and I had a fancy to take my little point 'n shoot camera out for a stroll, so we parked at the top of Bluebell Hill and went in hunt of a local megalith. After snapping a few quick pics of the fabulous view, complete with obligingly dramatic cloud formation, we headed downhill, in the direction of Stuart's childhood stomping ground.

The megalith we were hunting for, sits in a field close to the house Stuart lived in as a child, so we ambled down the hillside until we reached Kits Coty, then pushed our way through overgrown woodland tracks which looked as though they'd been untrodden for the entire three decades, since Stuart was last there!

'Kits Coty House'

It may not be awe inspiringly huge, but this monument to ancient England is intriguing. Known as 'Kits Coty House,' it is actually the remains of an early burial chamber, reportedly older than Stonehenge. There are inscriptions carved into the stone as if visitors over the centuries hoped that by leaving their memorial mark on these steadfast stones, they too might claim the right to be remembered long after departing this mortal coil. Sadly now the stones have been clumsily fenced to 'protect them' ... (although apparently this was no obstacle to at least one young boy intrigued enough to climb over and experience the stones at close quarters many years ago!)

To my delight, behind the megalith was a field of beautiful poppies, posing perfectly for the camera!

The only problem with walking downhill, is that at some point, you have to climb back up! After a lovely time photographing my pretty poppies, we trundled back through thick woodland in search of another remembered childhood track. The idea was that it would provide us with a shortcut back to the top of Bluebell Hill and yes, it certainly did that - however, as we all know, time plays tricks on the memory and Stuart had forgotten just how steep this particlar pathway was ... what this photograph fails to convey is that my heart felt as though it was about to explode from my chest!

Father's Day at the Bluebell Hill Memorial

Not only was it the Summer Solstice yesterday, it was also Father's Day. A poignant tribute of flowers and cards had been placed at the memorial of the three Air Ambulance crew who tragically lost their lives when their helicopter crashed close by, in 1998.

... and this little piggy ...

If I remember back to my childhood in the 60's, I think even then I had the first stirrings of magpie instinct. I recall saving pennies in a little red suede drawstring purse simply because I liked the feel of them, then there was the old wooden box I 'borrowed' from my mother - it had a keyhole but no key and I filled it with tatty postcards and penpal letters; my windowsill was lined with souvenir dolls in national costume and of course, I never could see my way to parting with treasured soft toys, no matter how scruffy and unhygienic they became ... in fact, several of those dear tatty old friends are with me still.

Four decades later and the instinct to surround myself with the things I love, is still very much alive and kicking. I simply can't do 'minimalist', that's not me at all. From bears to books, pottery to piggy banks, I confess my collecting sins! I thought you might like to take a peek at one of my little weaknesses ... I discovered these piggies when I was on a pretty tight collecting budget and since then, have become enchanted by them!

Each piggy bank is made by the Arthur Wood pottery company, (mostly during the 1960's and 1970's) and each has been hand painted with flamboyantly pretty designs. I think they are delightful collectables and of course, are also useful for saving up pennies for my next piggy indulgence!

If you would like to learn a little more about Arthur Wood piggy banks, you can find more lovely examples at: http://www.piggybankpage.co.uk/arthur_wood.htm

By the way, did you notice the vase next to my elephant piggy? Well, therein lies another of my pottery passions ... but I'll share that one with you another day!

A knitting day ...

20" Bernard

Yesterday was a knitting day. I've been looking forward to having a reasonable excuse to spend the day on the couch in the conservatory enjoying the roses through the window, while I clack away on my bamboo needles and yesterday my time came!

Measuring Bernard for his knitted waistcoat

I whizzed up a smart little waistcoat for my new bear 'Bernard' in Rowan's extra fine merino wool, (which, by the way, knits like a dream!) whilst admiring my newly planted rose bed and watching 'Loose Women', '60 minute makeover', 'The News' and David Dickinson's 'The Real Deal' on TV ... and I make absolutely no excuses for calling this a day's work! After all, there have to be some perks to self-employment don't there?!

My wicker chair, food for creative thought ...!

My mind drifted back to my childhood while I was knitting yesterday, reminding me of the crocheted granny square throws we used to love to make as kids during lunch hour at primary school (do youngsters still do these things at school I wonder?) I have more odd balls of wool than I know what to do with and this wicker chair is crying out for a little colour ... hmmmn ...