This old boy couldn't see where he was going, nor could he ask for help as his growler was broken.
Once I met him he didn't have to worry any more.
I quickly got to work on him, renewed his pads and gave him a relaxing and uplifting clean. His fur shone like it did the day he was born. Then I gave him his lovely new amber glass eyes and a welcome growl with which Ted confirmed he was so happy to see the world around him once again!
Things have changed a little since he last looked around but one thing he was delighted with was his own reflection in the mirror! "What a handsome young bear I am" he said, and I couldn't have agreed more :0)
Big Ted as he's fondly known was in need of more work than first meets the eye. His kapok body stuffing and his wood wool head stuffing had completely broken down to dust, not very pleasant at all and the best option was to renew it all.
As well as his obvious damaged pads he had some fragile, torn and worn areas on his face, ears, paws and feet in need of patching and his joints were also in need of attention.
His head had come off in the past and simply been sewn back on. With his new head joint he can now freely turn his head and see what's going on around him.
All in all Big Ted has had quite a lengthy operation but at the end of the procedure he's a much improved old soul with many more years having been added to his lifespan. His fur especially has come up beautifully, so soft and silky, a sure sign of a quality bear with some of the best mohair used in his original construction.
Happy 'New' Birthday Big Ted! :0)
This adorable old bear was in need of some attention to his damaged paw and foot pads, a sprucing up and a new voice. His stuffing was exposed through his pads so I left the originals in place and recovered them with a replicated rexine fabric to resemble the originals.
His joints were very loose so I tightened those. I then gave him a gentle surface cleaning, repaired a hole in his chest area and gave him a new squeaker to replace the broken one I found inside him.
He's very happy to be feeling (and looking) much better and can't wait to see his owner again.
What could be better than a new bear to join your hug at Christmas . . .
My latest commission bear - Odie, is one such bear.
He is created from shaggy black mohair, he stands at 16" tall, his paw and foot pads are made of wool felt, he is stuffed with heavyweight polyfil and some wood wool in the muzzle area. His eyes are black glass backed with brick-red wool-felt discs to give them definition. His nose is embroidered with black DMC perle thread then glossed for a healthy wet look.
Odie has been specially created as a tribute to a retired black labrador working dog belonging to a disabled lady. He has a red leather collar just like his namesake and a metal disc with his name and the words Dogs for the Disabled on the reverse. He wears his bottle green waistcoat carrying the Dogs for the Disabled logo on the back just as the real Odie would have worn whilst working.
Odie bear is quite a substantial weight, he is nut and bolt jointed and has a growler in his tummy.
He's now ready to meet his new owners and wish them a very Happy Christmas!
Another lovely old bear ready for home. I really enjoyed seeing the transformation in this bears fur. It was so heavily soiled with the dust and dirt he'd gathered over the years I couldn't wait to see how it brightened up and after a few
. . . are over!
He's all spruced up and ready to go!
New pads, a healed leg wound, a lovely spa treatment and new wood wool stuffing have given this lovely Steiff bear a brand new lease of life :0)
