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