Fredibear

July 2009

2009-07-28T07:49:00.000+02:00

With all the new groups forming around the world, I need a secretary to help keep my websites updated !!!!.

This first part of the year saw me travelling to England for a teddy bear event and then in June to Japan for another one. Time and time again, I am amazed at the creations that are on view.

With Karen my colleague from Taiwan at the Japan Teddy bear Festival June 2009

To add interest to my "Bears in the hills" shop, I have added cloth dolls, Dinky Dolls©, Reborn Dolls, and 1:12th scale project supplies. Needle Felting is still popular and still a versatile way of enhancing projects, not only to be used with teddy bears.

With the interest in the shop, shopping hours have been extended and shopping days are now from Tuesday-Friday 10.00am to 3.00pm. Saturdays still remain by appointment. Plans are also underway to extend the shop to allow a larger area for the workshop.

The family has grown and decreased. My daughter has too healthy boys, Tristan aged 3, and Shay 5 months. Aiméemy grand daughter living in Cape Town is the "star" in the family. She has been choosen to be the "Nivea Cream baby face" for their products. This little one has her first tooth and will be turning 1 on the 25th October 2009.

The model

The Chubby one

The Ganster

ALPACA FOR NEEDLE FELTING SOUTH AFRICA

2008-07-24T07:52:00.004+02:00

Often wondered where the roving/sliver comes from that you work with ?
Here is a picture of an alpaca that lives on a farm in Mooi River, South Africa. I stopped over and collected stock and took a picture of one of the adorable alpaca's.

I will also shown around the factory where the alpaca is first washed/scoured, carded and combed.

Alpaca is a fine roving/sliver and it is a good fleece to work with. It is available in shades of brown,cream,black and grey.I have needle felted with it and I have also knitted my grandson a jersey. For knitted wear it is warm, light and washed well.

2008 TAIWAN BEAR OLYMPIC CHALLENGE

2008-07-24T07:41:00.003+02:00

With my partner in Taiwan we got together to create an International on-line teddy bear show. Artists that had been invited to join in a similar competition which was then canceled were invited to submit their entries to our challenge.
We managed to get artists from around the world and the bears are all on the website open to public voting.
It is interesting to see where and how the votes are being made from.
http://www.twtba.org.tw/2008_TBOC/index.asp

YZ and myself have done this and will be looking at other on-line avenues to help promote the teddy bear market. We already have an International Show in November 2008 ,where I am one of the judges.
My bear "Nelson" representing South Africa is the teddy bear bringing the Olympic flame to the games, and Judo Bear from Japan is making sure that all behave.

Both YZ and myself had 10 days to get this show prepared, we did make a few mistakes, one being the language barrier as some artists could not read English. We can only learn from this and improve.

We were also approached by the Singapore Airline on board flight magazine to see if they could mention the competition in their magazine. Here again, the focus is back on teddy bears.

Not only are artists benefiting from this challenge but so is the MOON BEAR in China. Jill Robinson established this and they do magnificent work in saving these big burly creatures who are farmed for their bile. All entry fees /donations will be going to this fund, as without the bears in the wild, what we today know as a teddy bear would not exist.

NEWBORN -REBORN DOLLS

2008-07-24T07:35:00.002+02:00

I just had to try this. It took many hours of work, painting ,baking and removing paint till I learn't what I had to do.
The South Africa company that I purchased supplies from was not exactly helpful so it was very much working on my own. I did join a reborn chat site and here I found many tips and got help there.
I am now stocking kits,Genesis paints,brushes,drying/heat guns and many other items that one needs to prepare the vinyl doll parts.

While the doll parts are baking I am working on my teddy bears.

This is a picture of my first attempt.

DINKYDOLLS/BABIES© in South Africa

2008-07-24T07:30:00.002+02:00

Here is a picture of some finished dolls which I was selling at the Your Family show in the beginning of July.
One can have such fun with them, easy to make and can be dressed.

Don't they look sweet ???

Your Family CRAFT SHOW

2008-07-24T07:21:00.003+02:00

The shop was on the move again this time at the show hosted by a well known South African magazine,Your Family.
It was a 3 day show and meant traveling from one side of Johannesburg to the other side. Ellaine was helping me and once again we had a very busy time and made new contacts.

I launched one of my new products "DINKY BABY DOLLS ©". I am the agent for this company in South Africa. The dolls are available in various size from 2" till 22".One can also dress them and here you have a good selection of clothing patterns to choose from.
They are easy to make and lots of fun.Craft Velour or Dolskin is used as it as a slight one way stretch.
I now have all the necessary available to make your own DinkyDoll©

SMITHFIELD SHOW

2008-07-24T07:16:00.002+02:00

On the 24th May 2008 I was at a craft show in Smithfield, this small town is about an hour drive from Bloemfontein in the Free State,South Africa.

It was typical winter weather with the days being sunny whereas the nights became very cold. We spent the week-end there and it was good to be out in the country.

My grandson enjoyed himself, seeing the farm animals and had fun with Gran sliding down a slide.

NEEDLE FELTED BUNNY

2008-07-24T06:56:00.003+02:00

Cheryl Moss from Mossie Bears invited me to do a workshop on a needle felted bunny. What a good day we all had.

Besides the fun in the class it was also good to eventually visit Cheryl in South Africa as most times we meet when we are both on our teddy bear travels around the world.

Cheryl and Marilyn live on a small holding and have not one but 14 dogs, mostly rescued. If you think this is a lot, then they also have 40 cats again rescued, a sheep,rabbits,meerkats,birds just to name a few. The areas that all these animals live in are spacious, with the animals all being well kept. Well done Cheryl and Marilyn to opening your hearts to these animals needing care !!!

It was a long day with students going home with a 99% finished bunny. I look forward to doing another class with them.

NEEDLE FELTING BEAR MUZZLE CAPE TOWN

2008-05-19T17:50:00.004+02:00

While in Cape Town for the teddy bear show I also gave a workshop. Once again teeth were shown how to be inserted with detailed paw work.

We all had a good day and some lovely bears went home.

BUITENVERWACHTING TEDDY BEAR CAPE TOWN 1st MAY 2008

2008-05-19T17:36:00.009+02:00

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Once again we packed up and traveled to Cape town spending an overnight on the game farm and B&B- Lemoenfontein. The house was originally used by an English gentleman who would visit South Africa in the early part of the 1900 with his friends and go hunting.

On the way to Cape Town we also stopped of at Matjiesfontein where we enjoyed tea listening to some singing and piano playing. Again this hotel and surrounding houses have many stories to tell.

The bear show was held on the well known wine farm Buitenverwachting and having a windy overcast start to the day the sun eventually came out and we had a glorious busy day. I did was kept busy at my own table and did not see much of the rest of the show and got Andrew to go and take some pictures .
I was under the Dalden awning and had my daughter in law helping me. This show is growing each year and is enjoyed by both participants and visitors. Lunchtime sees visitors with picnic baskets, good SA wine enjoying their lunch. Children have a host of things to play on and are of course delighted at seeing all the teddy bears. I look forward to doing this show again next year.

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NEEDLE FELTING BEAR MUZZLE-BLOEMFONTEIN CLASS

2008-05-19T17:24:00.004+02:00

During April I was invited to Bloemfontein in the Free State to do a workshop and judge their local bear show.
Stunning bears were on display and choosing a winner was not an easy task. Anyone entering into a bear competition to my mind is always a winner as it take courage to have someone sit and critizise your work. However it is a good way of improving your bear making skills.

I had 14 students in the class making it a busy class. Seeing the bears taking shape and the interesting creations being made is one of the highlights of my teaching.
The class was on Friday afternoon and finished off on the Saturday.
In this class we also inserted teeth that I had made and I demonstrated some detailed felting to the paw pads.

Here is a picture of some of the students with their bears.

Cold, wet and rainy 17th March 2008

2008-03-17T12:44:00.004+02:00

Climate changes, who knows what goes on with the weather. Right now sunny Johannesburg is having rain and more rain.
All the dogs are freezing and are now wearing their jerseys. it is weather to sit in front of the fireplace with a good glass of red wine. Lets hope that for Easter the sun is out.

Needle Felting classes and more needle felting

2008-03-17T12:36:00.004+02:00

Classes are still on going at my new shop and it looks like we are all enjoying them , students and teachers.

I brought back from the UK a wide range of other fibres to experiment with. Some are baby camel hair, milk protein tops, goat hair tops,flax seed fibre, soya bean fibre. I was amazed at what types were available and how some felt up.

While in the midlands I also collected rovings from the Alpaca farm. My grandson had great fun seeing the alpaca's and I was taken on the tour of the factory where I was shown the progress of the alpaca, when it is shaved from the animal till its final stage.

Students showing off their work in the shop

Hobby X Show Johannesburg South Africa March 2008

2008-03-17T12:18:00.007+02:00

Once again this year the shop was on the move. Packing up and setting up is always tiring as is being at a show for 4 days.
However, it is also a fun time and many new contacts are made this way. I was kept busy as I was the "cook" then the "bear maker"
We were sharing the stand with DALDEN and were introducing their new induction cookers to the South African market.

All 4 days were busy days and awe are still recovering. The next "pack up and go" is when I go to Bloemfontein next month to teach and judge, then it will be back to Cape town for the bear show.
In between all this I am still trying to keep up with bear orders and play with new designs.

Some pictures taken while we were at HobbyX

I had many doll making ladies fall in love with the antique christening robes I have collected and the ones that Ellaine has added embroidery too. I am also stocking "antique' lace which comes from Nottinghamshire/UK . This was a lace I used to purchase many years ago. The original owner sold the factory to the new owners that I am now buying from.

Wedding 13th October 2007

2007-12-06T01:14:00.000+02:00

My son got married to Sandy on the 13th of December 2007 in Cape Town. The day went off well, with us all having a good time.

A stunning beautiful bride!!!

Lauren and Bella two pretty flower girls

A group picture

My son Dale the bridegroom and of course Minki

Sandy at the stables with her horse.

Sandy and Dale.

TAIWAN CREATIVE SHOW- November 2007

2007-12-06T00:55:00.000+02:00

My display

November saw me once again packing up and flying off to Taiwan for the 4th International teddy bear exhibition.
Its a long haul to Taiwan stopping in Hong Kong and then reconnecting to Taipei. As I wanted to earn air miles I had a long wait both arriving and leaving Hong Kong.

YZ( organizer of the show) collected me at the airport and the hotel I was staying in was the same venue as the show. The show was well attended and judging the bear competition was not easy as some many stunning bears had been entered.

meeting up with friends

Ritsuko from Japan

Karen and myself at dinner

New South Africa- rainbow nation

2007-10-04T04:43:00.000+02:00

The new face of the SA nation

NEW SHOP Teddy Bear Supplies and Needlefelting

2007-08-21T07:45:00.000+02:00

After playing shop owner for many years then taking a break to concentrate on making my own collector teddy bears, I have once again taken the plunge to open a new shop.

Get frustrated when you need a certain item to complete your special bear- well at Fredi's Workbasket you will find it, if we do not have it in stock we will make sure that it is ordered for you.

Our special "Wacky Wednesday" must not be missed- here you get the chance to learn and improve your bear making techniques or help with the "cant get my bear ears on correctly"

Super Shopper Card is also available and this will provide loyal clients with special offers.

A few helpers getting the stock unpacked.

Slowly things are finding a place- since this picture many more items have been added and things have been re-arranged.

What will make Fredi's Workbasket different to other bear supply shops,

We will offer the following:

SUPPLIES

Schulte, Lou Bear, Hembold and Japanese mohairs,silks, alpaca,rayon and cottons
SA Bear, TeddyTech, Fred-i-Bear, Mossie Bears- kits
Nuts, bolts, cotter pins and disks, paw pad fabric,sewing threads
Sassy mini bear fabric, Vintage rayon and short pile mini mohair
DMC embroidery thread, Appleton thread
X-Stitch teddy bear scene kits
Notions- pins, glue, needles, fray-check, cutting mats, sewing machine needles, sewing machine oil
Cutters, notions,
Quilting fabric, mats and cuttters
Books
Needle felting- Foster & Wizpick needles and roving( Corriedale, Romney,Karakul, Mohair, Alpaca, Merino)-
Silk ribbons
Antique flowers
Angelina
Magazines (local and international) Books
Mini bear knitting patterns * knitting needles, Alpaca wool

Classes on offer will be:( dates will be shown on the fred-i-bear.co.za website)

Traditional Bear
Open mouth Bear- add on mouth
Open Mouth Bear- teeth are made from resin and inserted into mouth
Weighted Bear
Mini Bear
Anime style teddy bear
Needle felted teddy bear
Needle felted rabbit
Needle felted golly
Needle felted bear muzzle
Log Cabin mini quilt for your bear to sit on
Smocked dress for your bear to wear
Silk ribbon embroidery either for the paw pads or inside of the ear
Hat making
Designing your own teddy bear
fimo clay making
Sewing machine repairs and servicing
Loyalty shopping card
credit card facilities

SHOP HOURS: Wednesday -Friday 10.00am-3.00pm
1st Saturday in the month -9.30am-2.30pm
other times by arrangement

Both Ellaine and myself look forward to seeing you soon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ERGONOMIC HAND BRACE

2007-06-24T08:20:00.000+02:00

Wanting to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome- want to extend your bear making years,
then do not wait till it is too late and do something to prevent getting it.

Designed by South Africa's leading ergonomist a brace has been developed. I wear mine, especially with needle felting as it is a repetitive movement and wrists, hands after many hours of felting become painful. I find mine comfortable to wear and I have one both for my left and right hand.

These braces can be ordered from my website www.fred-i-bear.co.za or from www.ergomax.co.za South African leading ergonomists.

Credit card facilities available.

SOUTH AFRiCAN NEEDLE FELTING SUPPLIER

2007-06-24T08:04:00.000+02:00

This is Horace my new bear who has a needle felted muzzle and paw pads. After completing a needle felting course, I had numerous inquiries in teaching this new exciting technique.

To teach, I also then needed supplies and this sent me on a search of suppliers. From new Zealand I import and am the distributor for the "wizpick colour coded needles" and a sub agent for the Foster felting needles.

Sliver/roving I imported from New Zealand, and besides your natural fleece, I keep a range of coloured fleece.

This is an exciting new craft, although wet felting has been around for many years. It is not only for teddy bears, but you can felt jewelery and I am felting designs onto baby woolen blankets.
Try taking a pair of denims and on the back pocket felt a design to add a new look.

Supplies can be ordered via my website www.fred-i-bear.co.za and from 1st September I will be opening a shop.
Credit card payments are available.

Cape Town-Needle Felted bear Muzzle Class

2007-05-26T08:05:00.000+02:00

Through Lou Bear, South Africa’s finest maker of mohair, a needle felted bear muzzle class was arranged, which saw 11 students participating in.

In South Africa, needle felting is proving to be very popular, and I am supplying both the Wizpick and Fosters felting needles and a good selection of wool roving/sliver. I also supply glass eyes, joints and with Lou Bear having the mohair we were a good team.

The class was covered over a day and a half, and the students had the option of making the bear before the class so that we could concentrate on needle felting. For homework that evening, if they wanted to take home a finished bear, the rest of the bear had to be completed.

Needle felting is known as a very unforgiving craft as should the area you be working be too small you can simply add on, likewise if it is too big you can cut off. It also allows for your own creativity and once you have the basic building blocks, you can then design as you felt.

Felting needles are very sharp, and most felters will prick a finger in the process, as they will break a needle, the more experienced you become the less chance you have of this happening.

Eleven new felted muzzle bears all went home at the end of the class with happy "felters"

CAPE TEDDY BEAR SHOW

2007-05-26T07:38:00.001+02:00

As I previously mentioned hubby and myself travelled to Cape Town, to attend the Teddy Bear Show, which took place in the lovely setting on the Wine Farm, Buitenverdachting.

The weather in the Cape had been awful so we were advised by family and friends to dress warmly, although on the day of the bear show, the sun came out, and we had a lovely hot day.
Soon vendors were setting out there displays which ranged from collector teddy bears, bears necessities, and suitable fluffy bears for small children to play with.

Surrounding the set up were the famous Cape Mountains, and of course all the wine farms, no one could have wished for a better setting or enjoyed a nicer day.

The famous Cape Town coon carnival entertained us through out the day and many people were tapping their feet to their lively music.

This year the show was left in the capable hands of “Prof” Brian from the University of Stellenbosch as his teddy bear partner who is also behind in the setting up of this show has taken on a teaching post in Korea.

Many posters lined the streets of Cape Town advertising the show, and the show was well attended. Picnic baskets were out in the gardens under the old oak trees, so the families enjoyed a full day outing. The little ones were not forgotten and numerous prizes could be won by them.

On the Road

2007-04-28T08:18:00.000+02:00

On the 1st of May, in beautiful Cape Town-South Africa I will be attending a Bear Festival on the well known wine farm "Buitenverwachting". It’s a yearly bear event and weather permitting the show takes place outdoors underneath huge old oak trees. The "Cape Coon Carnival" entertains everyone for the day with their colourful dress and foot tapping music. A continual supply of pancakes is available all covered with sugar and cinnamon.
Its a well attended show with the whole family visiting for the day, various bear competitions are held on the hour for different types of bears that the public are encouraged to bring to the show.

Photos will follow after the event,

Lynette

2007-04-27T10:56:00.000+02:00

My Gauteng Family.
This is my daughter Lauren and her husband Matthew with my grandson Tristan. The picture was taken while we were on holiday in Cape Town on the beach outside my sister's B&B in Kommetjie.The beach is lovely and flat and you can walk for a good few miles.It was early morning and the sea was calm, other days the waves can be as high as 3-5 metres. The water this side of Cape Town is very cold as it is the Atlantic ocean while the Indian ocean flanks the other side of Cape Town which is the warmer ocean and more suitable for swimming.Cape Town has many interesting sights, one being the famous Cape Town mountain. Often when the clouds roll over the mountain, the locals refer to the mountain as being covered by a table cloth.I have spent time at Sydney waterfront, San Francisco waterfront, yet Cape Town still offers the best waterfront. Many celebrities are choosing Cape Town as a place to have a holiday home.

My Cape Town Family

2007-04-27T08:59:00.000+02:00

This is my son and future daughter-in law with the loves of their lives. Jacky came from the local SPCA and once let out, climbed into Dale's car and refused to get out. Behind her is Jeanie, she was found in the streets and could not have been older than 5 weeks. Max, the little white dog, was being sold on the side of the road, Minki was the only dog they purchased. As they live in the Cape, the dogs love walking in the forests and enjoy running on the beaches.
The wedding is planned for October and we are all looking forward to the big day, and if Dale has his way the dogs will be at the wedding !!!!!!

Never be Afraid

2007-04-27T05:42:00.000+02:00

Bear-artists-online

2007-04-27T05:36:00.000+02:00

Mark this date in your diary 30th JUNE 2007 and join us on line for our great Summer show of the most stunning bears on the net by bear artist from around the world. !!

TAIWAN TEDDY BEAR ASSOCIATION

2007-04-27T05:26:00.000+02:00

For the past three years I have been teaching bear making classes in Taiwan and I have been helping judge the bear competition. This year I will be the International representative and helping to promote the show. I have seen the show grow as has the bear artists and collectors. Visiting Taiwan is always a good experience and the organisers bend over backwards to make your stay a pleasant one. The show is held on a Sunday and is opened with local school children doing traditional dancing.As a bear artist I would make this a show to attend, take in a tour or two and of course go shopping !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
The weather is mild this time of the year and of course most shops are having a sale.
I can be contacted for show details.

2007-04-27T00:46:00.000+02:00

THE MEN IN MY LIFE
Here you can see Hubby Denis in the final stage of completing his 3rd Silver Iron Man. Next to him helping him on his way is our son Dale.

In March this year(2007) Dale a competitive mountain bike racer, completed his first Iron Man race.

William & Scuffs up for Auction

2007-04-26T09:30:00.002+02:00

William & Scruffs are up for adoption(being auctioned) on Bid4Bears website.
http://www.bid4bears.com/index.php

Both bears are collector bears, are one of a kind and come with their own birth certificates.

Proudly made in South Africa.

All they need is a good home!!!!!!!