Teddy bear artist Chester Freeman joins Carol Duvall to discuss how he came to this unique profession. To illustrate his progression from hobbyist to professional teddy bear maker, Freeman displays several teddy bears and discusses the features that determine a "collectible" bear.
How do you start a teddy bear collection?Read up on the subject. Teddy bears are the fourth largest collectible in the world, so there are a multitude of books and publications available on the market and in libraries. Next, be aware of how much a particular type of bear will cost you. While some are relatively inexpensive and are perfect as get-well gifts or for a child to snuggle and play with, there are those that cost more but are still reasonably priced for very special occasions. Most antique bears, on the other hand, are extremely expensive, or so high-priced that only the serious collector would be interested.
If you collect these elite bears, be sure to insure them and keep good records of their value. Also photograph them to remind you and the insurance company which bears are insured and which are not.
When you go shopping for a teddy bear (whether it be an antique or not), ask yourself questions like, "Do I really like the expression on this bear?" and "Do I really want a mohair bear or something different?" Knowing what you want will help you make a better, more cost-efficient decision and will, in turn, ensure that you'll enjoy your bear for years.
What should you look for when collecting?
- Reputable bear artists.
- Leading teddy bear manufacturers.
- Material and design. Mohair, for example, is very collectible because it is long lasting.
- Appealing facial features. If you place a custom order by mail, be sure to ask the artist to make the face and expression you want.
- High-quality workmanship.
- Limited editions.
- Condition of the stuffing. If a bear is overstuffed, the seams could pop.
- On dressed bears, what's underneath the clothing. Clothes could be concealing a flaw.
- Antique bears with sounds in them. These are very valuable.
- Labels. Antique bears usually have labels between a limb and the body. Also look for a hole in the ear or a faded foot pad where a label might have been placed at one time.
How do you joint a teddy bear?To joint a bear in the old-fashioned style, Freeman uses a T-cotter pin, metal washers, and hard plastic washers. The process of jointing a bear is the same for the head, arms and legs. First insert the cotter pin with both washers on it (the rubber washer is always positioned to be against the fabric to cushion it) into each individual part of the bear. Since the head of the bear has a large opening, you place the joint into the polyester and then sew the fabric shut with the joint inside. To prepare the limbs for jointing, you remove some of the polyester stuffing from the limb, poke a hole in the limb, and insert a cotter pin with attached washers. The metal washer always goes first and the hard plastic washer goes on second. Now, finish stuffing the arm or leg and close it using the ladder stitch.
To attach the head and limbs to the body of the bear, make a hole in the appropriate location. Insert the cotter pin. To make the joint, place a rubber washer, a metal washer, and another rubber washer on the shaft of the cotter pin. Tighten the t-cotter pin by rolling down each prong to the rubber washer, making sure that it is very tight. Repeat this process for all the parts. Stuff the body and close the opening on the body to complete the bear.
How do you close the teddy bear's seams?The best way to achieve a perfect seam on a teddy bear is to use a ladder stitch, which is simply a small running stitch taken on one side of the opening and then on the other side. The rough edges of the fabric are turned and become hidden when you pull on the thread. If your stitches are consistent and small, the seam will close and the thread will not show.
Where should the ears be attached?The placement of the ears on a bear is extremely important, and really defines the bear's personality. Most patterns will include the ears as part of the head pattern, but Freeman enjoys making his own as individual parts. Start by pinning the ear to the bear's head, then use a circular stitch to overcast the base of the ear onto the head. When the ears are sewn toward the center of the head, the bear will appear perky. When they are sewn halfway between the seams of the head, the bear will look whimsical. Sewn further apart, the bear will appear playful. Experiment to produce your bear's unique character and disposition.
Resources Runaway Bear
by Chester Freeman and John McGuire (ISBN: 0882899562)
Click
here to order this title.
Pelican Publishing Co.
Gretna, LA
Phone: 504-368-1175
Toll-free: 800-843-1724 order
Website:
www.pelicanpub.com
The Teddy Bear Sourcebook: for Collectors and Artists
by Argie Manolis (editor) (ISBN: 1558703861)
Click
here to order this title.
Amazon.com
Website:
www.amazon.com
Guests Chester Freeman
Children's book author and teddy bear artist
2916 Johnson Rd.
Geneva, NY 14456-9522
Phone: 315-781-1251
Email:
basketman@lynnet.com
Also in this Episode
)
