Handmade Raggedies Spotlight Artisan: Pat of All is Bright

Presenting Pat of All is Bright.

Do you have a favorite style of raggedies?
Love all raggedies. I do like some prim, but not too much. I don't like them to look scary.

Do you have a favorite medium/texture that you consistently like to work with when creating your raggedies? Is there anything you eventually want to get in to and master - whether regarding raggedies or any other artistic endeavor?
If I use medium/texture on my dolls I like to use wool on the dresses/tags and bells and buttons. I just started working on some mixed medium art on canvas. Did my first for my granddaughter - when time permitting I would love to take some classes on that.

What kinds of other artistic projects do you like to work on?
Love working on wool projects, stitchery and some quilting. Quilting is restricted to wall hangings - don't have enough time for large quilts.

What do you like to do in your spare time when you're not creating art?
Read and jog.

How long have you been crafting?
About 25 years.

When did you first start selling your handmade raggedies?
10 years, but about one year that I've started painting the faces on my dolls.

What inspired you to do so?
My love for dolls and creating each face to look a little different from the others that I've done. Picking out fabrics for the doll is also very enjoyable.

What style do you decorate your home in?
I love my home to feel warm and inviting - love many colors. I have some hanging quilts and pillows that I've made myself.

Were you artistic as a child?
Yes, I loved drawing and painting.

Did you like Raggedy Ann when you were a child?
Yes - loved all kinds of dolls.

Did anyone inspire you as a child or when you were starting to become artistic?
My high school art teacher.

Was there a point when you realized "Wow, I'm an artist/artisan!"
No, not really.

Confession time: What does your craft room/studio really look like?
I have pictures on my blog if you'd like to see it.

Is it organized?
Most of the time it is, but when I have a craft show, which is one a year - watch out - it looks bad!

Please list the urls to your blog(s) and shop(s).
All is Bright Crafts blog
Etsy shop

Handmade Teddy Bears Spotlight Artisan: Michelle of Michelle's Bear

Today's featured teddy bear artist is Michelle of Michelle's Bears!

Do you have a favorite style of teddy bear?
I do...my favorite style is and always has been a more traditional/old fashioned/primitive style bear!

Do you have a favorite medium/texture/plush you like working with? Is there anything you eventually want to get in to and master - whether dealing with teddy bears or any other artistic endeavor?
My favorite medium is vintage velveteen! I love the textures, the great retro colors and what happens to it when I "age" it so that my teddies take on a wonderful old fashioned look! I get a huge thrill out of finding old golden velveteen drapes from the 1970's...I get some wonderful looks from people when they see stuff like that in my hands...I'm sure they're wondering what I'd possibly want with something so darn tacky!!! My secret of course!

I think I am where I want to be in regards to my teddy bears. I prefer to stay on track with a more traditional style for now.

As for other artistic endeavors, I've often thought that I'd like to attempt working with polymer clay whether to incorporate different aspects into my bearmaking or to work on completely different projects such as fairies, dolls, etc.

What kinds of other artistic projects do you like to work on?
I love photography. My own handmade bears, vintage/antique bears and dolls as well as other vintage collectibles usually become the subjects of my very amateur picture taking skills! I love to use those photos to make greeting cards and even thank you cards for my customers!

I also like to make whimsical cushions from well worn and sometimes damaged linens and fabrics that I come across on my treasure hunts through vintage shops, antique malls, yard sales, etc.

What do you like to do in your spare time when you're not creating art?
My husband and I love to collect just about anything under the sun including vintage/antique teddy bears and dolls, vintage Fisher Price toys, vintage ladies' hats and gloves, vintage sewing baskets and supplies...well, anything vintage! I guess that means that when I managed to get a spare moment, I absolutely love to frequent antique shops, thrift stores, yard sales, anywhere there might be some hidden little treasure just waiting for me to snap it up!

I also love to organize my home...seems there's always something to organize! Organization brings on lots of inspiration!

How long have you been making bears?
I've been making teddy bears now for a little over 20 years!

When did you first start selling your handmade bears? What inspired you to do so?
I first started selling my bears after I sent off a photo of one of my miniature teddies to Teddy Bear Review Magazine back in 1999! I'd never actually sold before and once that issue came out, I received several handwritten letters (that was long before I ever had a computer...everything was done in handwriting!) from excited ladies who wished to purchase that lucky little bear! That was really my first stepping stone to selling because it made me realize at that moment that I had something worth selling!

What inspired me to do so? I think that I was inspired by the other beautiful bears I saw in the magazines and I wanted desperately to be a part of that wonderful world of handmade teddy bears because, really, before I laid eyes on my first bear magazine, I didn't realize handmade teddy bears extended beyond making a cute little plush bear from a store bought pattern for my children. I found out from those magazines that it was a real art and a way to express my imagination and to really indulge in my own love of teddy bears!

What style do you decorate your home in?
Our 104 year old home is a mixture of vintage and retro styles. My kitchen is in the style of the 1950's and always a work in progress while the rest of our home is in a very vintage style with cabinets in every single corner of all the rooms filled with vintage bears, dolls, cameras, toys, sewing supplies, photos, barware, books, etc. It's really a hodge podge of styles I suppose and we love it that way!

Were you artistic as a child?
YES! I was told that by everyone who knew me so I guess it must be true! I loved to draw and paint and I think I made every single project a little girl could from macaroni and popsicle sticks imagineable!

Did you like teddy bears as a child? If not, when did your love for teddy bears begin?
I can't be 100% sure I liked bears specifically but I did hang onto my first bear who has a very prominent spot in my collection now! I loved my dolls and playing house!

My love for teddy bears started around 22 years ago when I bought my first bear magazine! Shortly after that, I fell in love with bears made by some of my favorite artists such as "Ted Menton", "Brianna Long" and "Barbara Buehl"! Barbara was one of the first artists I wrote to asking for advice on bearmaking! She was a well established bearmaker and very accommodating to me and at one point, even flew with her husband in their tiny plane to where I lived on Vancouver Island to visit with me and to happily pass on two large boxes of British bear magazines, patterns, etc. so that I could learn more about the amazing bear making world! What a great day that was for an aspiring bearmaker such as myself!

Did anyone inspire you as a child or when you were starting to become artistic?
I think I can safely say that my Aunt was my first inspiration because she was very artistic and sewed a lot of fun things including clothing and accessories for my Barbie dolls. She even made my Barbie furniture! I also think that becoming artistic was my way of "hiding" away from the world as I was extremely shy as a child. It was a "comfort zone" for me growing up.

Was there a point when you realized "Wow, I'm an artist/artisan!"
You bet! That was when I was asked to be a part of a book commemorating bear making in Canada! The book was "Bears Across Canada" and I will be forever grateful to the gals who started that book, took an interest in my work and put it out there for bear lovers everywhere to enjoy! I was thrilled to be a part of it and to be included with some of the most well known bearmakers in Canada who were some of my "idols" before I even got started!

Confession time: What does your craft room/studio really look like? Is it organized?
At the moment, my craft room is shared with the spare room in our tiny little two bedroom house! Today, it is very organized as this past weekend was set aside for just that reason; however, at the best of times, it's a cluttered, messy and yet a wonderfully inspirational place for me to work! I have one of my retro kitchen tables and a comfy chair positioned in front of a large sunny window where I can enjoy a tree full of birdfeeders and little visitors while I work on my projects! I have an antique vanity in there as well that holds most of my supplies and books and a collection of vintage canning jars assembled in front of the window holding my favorite supplies such as buttons, vintage ribbons and bells! It's a calming place to be when I need to shut out the world for a few simple hours of bearmaking!

Please list the urls to your blog(s) and shop(s).
Michelle's Bears Blog
Etsy shop
Facebook Fan Page

Handmade Teddy Bears Spotlight Artisan: Vicki of Custom Teddies

I want to welcome Vicki of Custom Teddies to our Handmade Teddy Bears Artisan Spotlight.

Do you have a favorite style of teddy bear?
My favorite teddy bears are old, I mean really old, antique style teddy bears. My favorite teddy bear was an old Steiff Clown Bear that was worn out and raggedy. I restored this bear for a friend of mine, and absolutely fell in love with him. I think the real old bears have a character and personality that cannot be duplicated. Maybe it's about age, or maybe it is about the love and care that it took to create such an item.

Do you have a favorite medium/texture/plush you like working with?

I love going to the Salvation Army and other second hand stores to find jackets and other items that look like they would make good bears. I absolutely love working with mohair, but sometimes the bears made from mohair turn out rather predictable. Working with materials that aren't necessarily made for teddy bear construction can result in a finished product that is unusual and has a certain character that I can't seem to duplicate with mohair. Maybe it's that "old" thing. I also love making bears out of items that people have loved... like my granddaughter's little nubby jacket that she wore until she grew out of it... I made her a teddy for her birthday, and it was very special.

Is there anything you eventually want to get into and master - whether dealing with teddy bears or any other artistic endeavor?

Hum.... I guess my main focus for this time in my life is to perfect the art of teddy bear making. I keep trying to get better and better and try new things. In the past year I have stopped (at least for the most part) embroidering the noses on my bears and have instead opted for my own nose creations out of polymer clay. I love the new clay noses and they seem to add so much more personality to my bears.

What kinds of other artistic projects do you like to work on?

The world is so full of opportunities and I get so excited about doing new things, I sometimes just simply overwhelm myself with ideas. I love to crochet, embroider, needlepoint, cross stitch, make clothing, sew (any kind of sewing), redecorate, garden like crazy, and funny as it may seem, I love to write; it seems like I need to be doing something creative most of the time. At this time I have dedicated most of my creative abilities and desires to the making of teddy bears. I have a tendency to have too many "irons in the fire" so to speak. I overwhelm myself and then I can't seem to get anything done. Staying focused is one of my biggest challenges.

What do you like to do in your spare time when you're not creating art?

I love gardening, working around my house, and I do cook a little. I spend a lot of time with my aging Mother, and that is a rare gift I have been blessed with. It's like getting to know myself through spending time with my Mom as we are both getting older. It is an amazing experience.

How long have you been making bears?

I made my first bear from a kit in say around 1984. I started making them from patterns a few years later.... and began my own designs in the early 90's. It has been an obsession ever since.

When did you first start selling your handmade bears? What inspired you to do so?

I started a little shop here in Juneau called Custom Teddys in 1988. The inspiration for doing that came from the dread I had of going to work five days a week at a State job I hated. I took a giant leap, quit my job and started my teddy bear career.

What style do you decorate your home in?

Um...... lace, earth tones, rugged (slightly), doilies everywhere, teddy bears (of course). I don't know what to call it. It is definitely not contemporary. Somewhere between old fashioned grandma style and a few modern amenities (to keep my husband happy).

Were you artistic as a child?

I loved to draw when I was a little girl. And I concentrated mostly on drawing horses. I don't remember being encouraged as an artist. I think in those days little girls dreamed about having kids and getting married....

Did you like teddy bears as a child? If not, when did your love for teddy bears begin?

I don't even remember having a teddy bear as a child. I had a stuffed dog that I liked, but no teddy bears. The first time I remember seeing teddy bears and feeling my heart open was when I walked into a new friend's house. She had teddy bears everywhere. Her house seemed so loving and friendly, I fell completely in love. It seems like I had a dream months later (and it was literally a dream), where I saw my sewing machine in a corner on my little apartment. The next day I set up a little sewing corner in my apartment, bought another teddy bear kit... then bought some teddy bear patterns.. and I was on my way to experiencing this roller coaster ride I would call being a teddy bear artist.

Did anyone inspire you as a child or when you were starting to become artistic?

I just don't remember being encouraged in this direction as a child. I think it was more important to "follow" the crowd... although I cringe at that thought now.

Was there a point when you realized "Wow, I'm an artist/artisan!

I don't think so..... I'm not really sure I think of myself as an artist. I call myself an artist.... but I don't really know if I believe that in my heart of hearts. It's like "I'm a teddy bear maker"... but I'm not sure I can say artist, yet. I'll have to ponder that...

What does your craft room/studio really look like? Is it organized?

OK..... when I am working.... my work room looks like a tornado hit it. Fur, tools, thread.. patterns..... they are everywhere. It is just a mess. But when I am done for the day... I almost always clean it up. Because it is my relaxing room, too. I have a little TV in here and I like to watch movies and relax in here. So it is a multi-purpose room. I do have a closet that I stuff things into. The closet is "somewhat" organized. I find that I can't get the creative juices flowing if things are a mess. It's like I need to make sure everything is neat before I begin to mess it up. I am inspired by neatness.... then I make the mess!

Please list the sites that you have:
Custom Teddys
Custom Teddys Blog

Artisan Spotlight of Handmade Raggedies: Wandering Whimsies

Here's another artisan spotlight, this time of handmade raggedies. Let me introduce you to Wandering Whimsies.

Do you have a favorite style of raggedy
Old fashioned country primitive

Do you have a favorite Medium/texture when making your handmade raggedies? Strong instant coffee - I dye and bake most everything I sew.

Is there anything you eventually want to learn?
I'd love to learn to quilt, but I'm not sure I have the patience :) and to restore furniture.

Are there any other artistic projects you'd like to do?
Woodworking

What do you do in your spare time?
Hmmm...I faintly remember what that is...reading, wandering antique/junk/thrift stores and spending time with my husband and two teenagers (they enjoy wandering the shops too :)

How long have you been crafting?
I did my first craft show about 25 years ago when stationed in New England. I've had my business part-time ever since and it became my fulltime job when we transferred to Kentucky in 2005.

When did you first sell your raggedies?
I've only been creating raggedies for several years. I came across a pattern designer and fell in love with the doll patterns, so I thought why not? And now I make 50 - 60 a year and each is one is different from any other. Most of the raggedies I make are special requests for collectors.

What is your home decor like?
My home is a mix of county primitive antiques, Americana and "comfortable". With all of our travels in the Navy, I've collected quite a few different styles and have managed to make it work together.

Where you artistic as a child? Did anyone influence you?
I grew up learning to sew, draw and paint. I thank my Mom, Aunt and Grandmothers for giving me an interest in sewing and embroidering; and my art teachers for showing me other mediums to create with.

Did you have any Raggedy Ann dolls as a child?
I didn't ever have a Raggedy Anne when I was growing up. I became interested in old-fashioned dolls and toys while living in New England.

Was there a point when you realized "Wow, I'm an artist/artisan!"
I don't think that I've ever had a point where I've thought "wow, I'm an artist", I just like creating :) and I like to think I'm good at what I do. I'm always thrilled with the compliments and comments from customers and people who see my work.

Confession time: What does your craft room/studio really look like? Is it organized?
My sewing room is what I would consider "chaotic" organization. There's a place for everything and I always know where things are, but when I'm working for a show or on a wholesale order, things tend to pile up - like fabric. Then I have to take an afternoon to clean up and organize it all back into bins and shelves.

Please list where people can find your raggedies:
Wandering Whimsies main website
Wandering Whimsies Etsy shop
Facebook page

Handmade Teddy Bears Spotlight Artisan: Lisa of Lisa Bears

Welcome Lisa of Lisa Bears to the spotlight!

1. Do you have a favorite style of teddy bear?

[The above photo is] what I would say is at present my favourite bear style, I think that the face on this bear is very cute and the body is well proportioned. This bear in question has only just been born so if any of the blog readers want to have a go at naming her (I think it is a girl) I think that would be fun.

2. Do you have a favorite medium/texture/plush you like working with?
About 90% of my bears are made out of Mohair because I love the look of the finished bear. We have done a couple out of alpaca which is a lovely thick, soft fabric. And at the present I am experimenting with silk velvet (23% pure silk) for very small bears, tiny bears don't look that great out of long shaggy fur, however the fabric I've got at the moment is being a bit of a pain and showing the seams when turned the right way round. Never used upholstery material to a great extent......not sure if I like it for bears??

3. Is there anything you eventually want to get in to and master - whether dealing with teddy bears or any other artistic endeavor?
I am still very much into developing the bears, creating the perfect bear is very much a process of trial and error - and what I think is perfect may not be so when it is trialed in the marketplace. Will I move away from needle and thread to other artistic media, I guess photography takes my fancy a bit.

4. What kinds of other artistic projects do you like to work on?
In reality the bear business takes up alot of my time together with being a busy mum and working at my local school as a dinner lady/first aider. I do do the odd ocassional sewing job for friends & family.

5. What do you like to do in your spare time when you're not creating art?
Walking our border collie, cinema, cooking/eating out, gardening......mostly being together as a family.

6. How long have you been making bears?
I made my first bear about 10-12 years ago. For a first bear he turned out to be a bit of a mutant - eyes, ears & limbs not right! I want to do major surgery on him but Chris, my husband, won't let me. I gave up a bit after that until about 5 years ago when I had another go at it, the bears were alot better and it all snowballed from there.

7. When did you first start selling your handmade bears? What inspired you to do so?
I sold my first bear about 4 years ago on dare I say eBay, the primary reason was that it was another source of income that fit around the demands of a young family....It'll never be a primary income but it's family pocket money and a craft that I adore doing. There is an ever increasing social aspect to the whole Lisabears thing too.

8. What style do you decorate your home in?
Our house was built in the very early 1900's so the decor reflects the Edwardian/Art Deco era to some extent, but the style inevitably becomes tempered by mordern electronics and the desires of 2 young boys.

9. Were you artistic as a child?
Not in the painting sense, was good then with a needle and thread though.

10. Did you like teddy bears as a child? If not, when did your love for teddy bears begin?
I have always loved Pooh bear!

11. Did anyone inspire you as a child or when you were starting to become artistic?
My mum regularly made clothes/altered clothes, I am part of a family of 4 girls so money was a little restricted, the old phrase about "cutting your cloth according to your means" really had resonance in our childhood home.

12. Was there a point when you realized "Wow, I'm an artist/artisan!"
I guess the penny only dropped last year after selling a few hundred bears on ebay. We had always received fantastic feedback from customers but I never believed that people really liked my teddies. My husband finally gave me the kick up the bottom that I required to have the belief in myself to enter my bears onto artisan sites like Etsy.

13. Confession time: What does your craft room/studio really look like? Is it organized?
The Lisabears empire occupies a total floorspace area of 5 square feet in a tiny corner of our living room. It's all neatly boxed and hidden away not to impact on the house. My husband on the other hand sits in a computer room with a hundred or more little eyes staring at him from every direction LOL.

Please list where people can find your bears:
Lisa Bears website and Lisa Bears on Etsy.

Handmade Teddy Bears Spotlight Artisan: Kelly of Blond Heart

For the first installment of the handmade teddy bears spotlight artisan series, we have Kelly of Blond Heart.

Do you have a favorite style of teddy bear?

There are so many wonderful bears in the world, and I have many styles in my collection. But I am most drawn to traditional bears that have that well loved look. That's why I make what I do, I like to re-create memories of a childhood past or simply wished for.

Do you have a favorite medium/texture/plush you like working with? Is there anything you eventually want to get in to and master - whether dealing with teddy bears or any other artistic endeavor?

For the most part I only work with mohair or occasionally alpaca. I also make a very rare - once in a blue moon rare - miniature from another fabric.

What kinds of other artistic projects do you like to work on?

Making bears and animals is my first love, but I do know how to paint and sculpt, so I will indulge myself once in a while. I also like to make jewelry and whatever other little curiosities strikes my fancy. I think it's important to mix it up once in a while and sometimes incorporate those things into the bears too. I also like making graphics and changing my website design.

What do you like to do in your spare time when you're not creating art?

Spare time? I vaguely remember spare time.

How long have you been making bears?

This is my 30th year!

When did you first start selling your handmade bears? What inspired you to do so?

I sold the third bear I made, it was kind of an accident. Someone saw it and asked if I would make some for their shop, and I have been in business ever since.

What style do you decorate your home in?

Is eclectic eccentric a style? I like antiques with a history and pieces that have a story to tell. I have a lot of artist made pieces as well. I like to support the community as a whole, not just other bear artists.

Were you artistic as a child?

Yes I was, I started painting when I was three. I was lucky to have a Grandmother who encouraged that.

Did you like teddy bears as a child? If not, when did your love for teddy bears begin?

I did like them. I didn't have a lot of toys as a child, but my two favorites were teddy bears handed down from my Father. I was an only child and very careful with my things so I still have them and they are in excellent condition.

Did anyone inspire you as a child or when you were starting to become artistic?

Yes as I said before my Grandmother. It was her fondest wish that I could become a working artist, and here I am! But I probably would have even without encouragement. It's just what I was born to do.

Was there a point when you realized "Wow, I'm an artist/artisan!"

A good friend taught me to embrace myself as an artist about 15 years ago. I am not sure I really knew how to do that until I met her.

Confession time: What does your craft room/studio really look like? Is it organized?

I have a specific work room, but really the entire lower floor of our house to work in. My husband calls it my apartment. It's an odd combination of organized and messy. I love the work room, I fresco painted it a few years ago and it's really warm and inviting in there.

I know where every single thing I own is. But there are definitely some spots that I can never seem to keep tidy, like the big steamer trunk I use as a coffee table/work table and my computer desk.

Please list the urls to your blog(s) and shop(s).
Blond Heart Blog
Blond Heart Website