Special Thanks to Friends who taught and inspired me this year =)

In just few hours, we bid good bye to 2011 and greet Hello to 2012! I would like to take this opportunity to thank these friends who gave me advise and encouragement. There are times of high and low that I really need someone to talk to, these are the friends that pull me through the hard times. I feel very blessed to have many bear friends around to help in time of need.

Special Thanks to:
1) Joanne Livingston (Dessert Mountain Bears) - Thank you for been a great friend and mentor. Your blog tutorial and tips have really bought me to another level in bear making. I am inspired to become a realistic bear artist and you have shown me the path to my success. I am now more courageous to experiment on my designs and I have now no fear to do needle felting. The swap with Yarnell and Caspian was an unforgetable one and I would love to share my success here with you. One more thing...thank you for leaving me a comment on most of my posts, I feel very touched :)

2) Janice Woodard (Booh Bears) - Many thanks for your tips and I really love your mice, they are sitting next to me now =) Thank you for teaching me how to make a ruffle, a moulded felt hat and the mouse tail! You are a very generous friend and thank you for the cute outfit for baby Lavigne and the xmas gift =)

3) Judi Paul (Luxemburg Bears) - Thank you for sharing tips as well! You are always encouraging me and it feels good to be praised by my IDOL! You are an inspiration to me, your creations makes me want to learn needle felting and I am glad I did it! :) I am honored to have 2 of your bears in my hugs as well, I will treasure them in many years to come.

4) Esther Lee (Esther Bears) - I am so glad to find a bear friend like you in Singapore! Thanks for been a good friend and the teddy bear salad dinner! I am sure in years to come we will find more and more teddy bear enthusiast like us in Singapore to join us! Together we will grow STRONG! Hahahaha =)

5) You, you and YOU! ALL OF YOU!
Thank you for reading my blog! I wish everyone SUCCESS and GOOD HEALTH, FORTUNE in 2012!
Have a properous new year!

P.S: Check out a swap proposal soon in January 2012!

Hugs,
Wayne

Trailer of the First Episode for THINK BIG showing this Sunday, 我的小小发明 -预告

Here's the trailer for THINK BIG, 我的小小发明 :)

《我的小小发明》Think BIG ~ We are on National TV

A few posts ago, I mentioned that I am involved in a 3 days filming for a TV programme《我的小小发明》Think BIG. This is a chinese programme on Channel 8 for kids. Each week, one child will be featured with their brilliant and creative ideas for an invention and they are paired up with a mentor to help them bringing their invention to life!

I am one of the mentor and will appear on Episode 5 which will be aired on 29 January 2012. Wayneston Bears will be featured on the introduction part as well.

This is a very interesting and fun programme for family to enjoy with their children, I highly recommend!
You can read more about the programme at this link: http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/zh/tv/channel-8/programmes/think-big.aspx?cp-documentid=5673042

《我的小小发明》Think BIG

Debuts: 1 Jan, Every Sun, 10.30am

P.S I have lots of pictures to share after my episode is aired :)
Thanks for your support! ^.^

Happy Boxing Day! Introducing my last creation of 2011!

Hey everyone! We hope your Christmas is wonderful and fun! Happy Boxing Day!
I am posting this because I have a new creation to show everyone, this is Herbert the Bunny - Last creation for year 2011!

I started off making a bunny for 2011 and now ending with another bunny, this is auspicious I think... bidding good bye to the year of rabbit :) Now you can guess what I am making next :D

Herbert will be flying to her new mum in US next year, he is a swap with a wonderful bear artist. I will share more about our swap next year so stay tuned. This few days I have been slacking... doing nothing but movie marathons LOL...

I am still sanding my BJD doll, very tricky (but I think I can handle this myself!) and at the same time drawing a new design for 2012. More pictures will be ready soon :)

Hugs, Wayne

Xmas Dinner with my Gfs

I had a wonderful time with my friends last night, we chat like the good old days in school. We had gift exchange and I've gotten myself a ear piece!
It's really nice to meet old friends again, ever since we starting working, most of the time we couldn't find time to meet up. I hope we can meet up soon again, thanks ladies for inviting me to the dinner & Merry Christmas! ^.^

P.S They said that they would come to read my blog post about yesterday's dinner :)

Xiao Yun and Jean

Cookie baked by Justy, very yummy :)

Justy and Xiao Yun

Tingle and me

Xmas Xchange at Group Theraphy Cafe

Justy got a Mp3 player!

I have gotten a ear piece

Xiao Yun got a beautiful water bottle and voucher

Jean is happy to receive a pen and note book

 

Tingle got a cosmetic box from Muji



Merry Christmas to Everyone! ^.^

Dear Beary Friends,

May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright new year.

Here's wishing you all a very

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Year End Sale on Etsy Store!

Hello friends =)

It's Christmas in 3 days! To celebrate this happy year end festive season, I am having a Year End Sale!
CHECK OUT MY ETSY SHOP "XMAS SALE" PAGE!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/waynestonbears?section_id=10796003

If you would like to adopted any bears/animals you may also send me an email and I will send you an invoice.

Happy Shopping! =)

P.S Promotion ends on 31st December 2011

Make a Bear Workshop January 2012

Below is the date to next Make a Bear Workshop!

Seats are limited so register now!

2 more seats available!

- Workshop for beginners, make your own 8” Mohair Bear
- All materials provided
- No sewing skills required
- Small interactive class (Max. 5 pax)
- Suitable for ages 13 and above

Course Fee: $200 / pax
Closing date: 1 January 2012

Class Sessions (2 Lessions, 4 hours each)
Part 1 - 8 January 2012 (12 - 4pm, Sunday)
Part 2 - 15 January 2012 (12 - 4pm, Sunday)

Venue: Wayne’s House in Sengkang
Address will be sent via email upon confirmation

Email me with the following format:
1. Name 2. Mobile Number 3. Number of Pax
4. Bank Transaction No. & Amount
(Transfer to POSB savings 130-37823-4)

Professionalism

This video has been circulated in facebook and youtube for the pass few days. I wanted to share this video clip here because I really admired the professionalism of the man/lady behind the Carebear Mascot.

If you watch this video, the yellow Carebear fell off the stage at 0.16 sec. Initally I did giggle and laugh while watching, but after I saw the yellow Carebear stood up to continue the performance, I start to admire him/her attitude and professionalism. There are lots of children laughing but I believed that they enjoyed the performance too, this will be an unforgetable day for them.

I hope the management would not penalise the yellow Carebear.

New doll arrives! ~ Another xmas gift for myself :p

Before I become a bear artist, I actually wanted to be a doll artist, to be specific - a Ball Jointed Doll Artist. However I got hold back because I did not know how to start to become one. In fact, I borrowed doll books from Library, bought some sculpey clay and even resin compound which cost me a hundred bucks (They are still hanging in the air!). Even though I have done something to make "it" happen, but I failed, I think I gave it up too easily. (I am kinda regreting now)

However, I didn't stop there. I continued to search for someone who can tell or teach me more about toy design and lucky enough I found my mentor, Emen Chen who taught me bear making and eventually I picked up this art and enjoy making them till now. I am glad that I am still doing what I like and fulfilled my dream =) But lately, my doll making urge is calling for me again... I am not sure if I should give it a try again.

To start, I have to understand how the BJD mechanism and joints work, hence I purchased a naked Hujoo Doll, a pair of glass eyes and eye putty from Ebay. It's really affordable, costing me less than 50USD in total. As a product designer, I am specialise in designing furniture, electronic and life style products, a dollie figure seems to be much more easier for an art student to handle. (I gotta find a way to figure this out!) Anyway, I plan to explore and learn to remake dolls. (One of the project for year 2012) If I never try, I'm going to regret and never know if this is meant for me.

I CAN DO IT!!! GOGOGO!!!

They arrived yesterday!

Glass doll eyes and eyes putty

Very posable, she can sit!

She can stand without support too!

My hunting rewards from Malaysia!

This Wednesday, I took a day off from work and went to Malaysia with 3 of my friends. Malaysia is very near Singapore, you can reach with a bus in less than an hour. The last time I went Malaysia shopping was 2 years ago and I don't find any excitement to shop there because the price is quite comparable to Singapore.

One of my friend in the group told me that Malaysia has a new shopping paradise which is offically opened last week and is known for it's great discounts all year round, so since I am looking for some new clothes, I  decided to go with them.

This new place is Johor Premium Outlets aka JPO is located at Kulaijaya in the Iskandar Malaysia zone. We took a cab from City Square and reached the place in half an hour. You may view a link here to get more information on getting there. http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2011/12/johor-premium-outlets-jpo.html

Lots of parking space!

The place is spacious, we saw lots of Singaporean queing outside Coach Outlet waiting to enter the boutique. Sales everywhere is ranging from 30% - 60%, wow the discounts are very attractive, who could resist them? LOL

I bought myself a Coach Bag, Pedro Shoes, Nike Polo Tee, Nike Backpack and some small items for Xmas gift exchange. The food was good and cheap, you can't get to eat the same food at the same price in Singapore.

We ate at a restaurant named Taang ShiFu. The ambience is good and they specialises in Herbal delicacy, some of the items they have are Herbal Chicken, Sharp Fin, Bird Nest, Scallops and Abalone mixed rice etc. The food is good and cheaper than Singapore.

Taang Shifu Restaurant

Dried Scallop and Petite Abalone Mixed Rice

Here are the ratings given by us:
1) Ambience: 4/5
2) Food: 4/5
3) Price: 4.5/5
4) Service: 1/5 (Slow service, we have to remind the staff many times to serve us drinks. There is no napkin served too)

This trip is fun! We spend the whole day shopping and eating, that night I am so tired and slept so well! We are planning to visit this place again next year when all the shops are open =)

P.S I think there is a shuttle bus that brings you from City Square to JPO to and fro, please check before you go ^.^

New pictures of my Niece

Thanks for the concern on issues that I am facing on my blog and NOW this morning it's back to NORMAL! Yeah!!!

I thought of sharing some pictures of my niece which I took last week when she visit my house and grandma's house 2 weeks ago. Lavigne is getting more clever, she can stands on her own with some support! What's more, she has also gotten her first tooth!

Getting more and more picky with food as well, wherever we are having lunch or dinner, she will follows us to the dinning table with her baby walker. Looking at us with her innocent eyes begging us to feed her the food we ate. My dad ate ice-cream and she started crying for some as well, so my dad touches her lips to the tip of the ice-cream and she started to smille and licking her lips, just too cute! I am hoping to get some pictures of that scene next time =)

She is coming to 1 years old soon but her hair is still so short! I think maybe she needs a doll wig :p

Oh dear something bad happening to my blog!

Just 10 mins ago, when i m trying to type on my blog, this thing appear on my Dashboard!
What should I do now :( Someone please help me!

I tried clearing my internet cookies and cache and this doesn't help at all. I am praying that the bug will go off soon :(

I went to the blogger help page and found this, but doesn't help at all!

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=103d6c045c5f1370&hl=en&fid=103d6c045c5f13700004b3fa078bb21a&hltp=2

So... I am using this instead for the meantime:

http://draft.blogger.com/home

Please let me know if you are facing the same problem and how you solve this. Thanks!

What's your Favourite Christmas Song?

Yeah!  It's just 12 days to Xmas, I am excited... not because of the gifts I am receiving (I only receive less than 3 every year) but happy because I will have a few days to rest at home and celebrate with my family.

I have been listening to Xmas songs all day long, they makes me feel good. Here are some of the favourite songs ranked by me. How about you? Do you have any favourite songs that you would like to recommend? =)

Xmas Songs Ranked by Me ^.^
1) All I want for Christmas is You (Mariah Carey)
2) Last Christmas
3) I saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus (Jackson 5)
4) Ruldolph the Red Nose Reindeer
5) Mary did you know (Clay Aiken)
6)Santa Claus is Coming to Town
7) Jingle Bells Rock
8) Frosty the Snowman

MaryAnn the Pink Santa's Helper

Introducing my latest Squirrel ~ MaryAnn, the Pink Santa's Helper

She is created using the same pattern as my Award Winning Design (Herbie the Squirrel) and I am very pleased with her. In the past, I have been very conservative with my squirrel designs - Earthy colours are what I been making, but now you see a pink squirrel! I am so in love with her! ^.^

Pastels have always been my favourite colours, to be flank pink is one of them! I am looking forward to create more brightly coloured squirrels and animals in the next projects next year =)

Back to MaryAnn, she is 6.5" tall standing, has a wired tail and a pair of memorising eyes with needle felted eyelids too! She is now available on a 7 days Ebay Auction, do visit her and say Hi to her =)
http://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/250952781029?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Thanks for viewing and Merry Christmas! ~ Hugs, Wayne & MaryAnn

I have added a new Tab on my blog!

I hope you like the Christmas background that I have designed for my blog =)

Are you aware that I have added a new tab named "The Making" on my blog? This is specially made for you to know more about the making of Wayneston Bears and some basic information to know on bear making.
If you have some comments for me to improve on writing this page please do so, I would be happy to update the page!

I have taken some pictures of my latest squirrel named MaryAnn and she will be on ebay tomorrow morning. Do come back tomorrow to see more pictures of her. Here's is a preview of her :)

Hope your weekend is fun! XOXO

History of Teddy Bear

Have you ever wondered how the name of Teddy Bear comes about?

Teddy Bear is named after United States 26^th President, Theodore Roosevelt. "Teddy" was Roosevelt's nickname. It happened on November 1902 when President Roosevelt was hunting in Mississippi. On that day, he had  failed to make a kill so his hosts caught a bear cub presenting it to him as a target. The President refused and uttered "Spare the bear!, I will not shoot a tethered animal."  A Political Cartoonist, Clifford Berryman drew a cartoon of the scene (Drawing the Line in Mississippi), which was published in the Washington Post had made the cartoon successful and had provoked a huge public response. This had inspired a toy maker named Morris Michtom to produced his own bear toy named "Teddy" which was granted permission from the President.

Drawing the Line in Mississippi by Clifford Berryman

In 1905, bear making factories sprung up. Companies such as Steiff, The Ideal Novelty and Toy Co., Chad Valley, Chiltern and Farnell are the few of the early companies that started manufacturing bears.

Interesting Facts / Myths about Bear Making

Do you know that even an experienced artist can't determine the making of a male or female bear from the start? Interestingly, I have asked many of my bear friends and have discovered this. Some of the artists can only make boys whereas some only make girls. For myself, I can only determine their gender after I complete everything, trust me... the bear will tell you if he is a boy or a girl then you can considering dressing him/her up!

I do believe that the emotions of an artist is portrayed on their bears. All the 5 senses are infused into our creations inadvertently. I have seen and heard some artist's bear look like their creator or even look like their children! Ironically, look around and you might find resemblance between the artist and their bears! =)

The fur for making Bears

Mohair is produced from the Angora Goat and Alpaca fur actually comes from an animal called an "Alpaca" - though they look quite similar to a Llama, but they are not the same! Both types of fur come in a large variety of colours, textures and densities. They have a woven backing and therefore it has minimal stretch upon stuffing. Mohair and alpaca can last for many generations, you can even pass the bear to your great grand children!


Angora Goats


 

Llama

Besides Mohair and Alpaca, some artists uses Sythethic Fur also know as Faux Fur on their creation. Most artists are no longer using real animal fur (eg. mink, fox, rabbit etc) because we care and want to put an end to animal extinction. I also know that some artists get these fur from recycle jackets/coats to create life-like bears.

Most Miniature Artists are using shorter pile fur such as cashmere, rayon, viscose, plush and sassy fabric etc. I have not tried most of them but have a few bears in my collection that are made using these material.
I hope you have a better understanding on the fur we use and I know one day I am going to try miniature fabrics and perhaps recycled mink fur =)

What is an Artist Bear?

Artist Bears are bears created by bear artist like myself, someone who design and make bears from scratch. After years of researching, experimenting and creating teddy bears, each artists will developed their own unique style, personal preference and incorporate various techniques to their bears to make their bears different. In other words, these personally touches given to the bear will develop a "Signature Look",  therefore many times by looking at a specific bear, you will have know that this bear is created by a specific artist.

Unlike manufactured bears, artist bears are soulful and filled with personality. Some even says that they are able to communicate with you. A teddy bear is no longer just a toy - it has now become an art piece, maybe a form of therapy that creates the art of healing.

I miss both of you ~ Caleb & Herbie

New WIP Squirrel ^.^

Just few touches to my new squirrel and she should be ready this week! Tonight I need to sew her ears, wired tail and needle felt her eye lids. I am so excited to see her outcome and still thinking of a name for her, any ideas?

Yesterday night.

This morning I pinned her ears and getting ready to attach to her head tonight!