Well
now that I have explained the claw making process I have been asked how
to get them in the bear. I am doing this backwards, I was going to
wait until I showed how to make the paws, but I have to wait until I
make my next set of paws, I have no pictures.
Let
me begin by saying I am a self taught bear maker. My techniques, well
they may not be shall we say the"right way" Please know this, some
people may cringe at some of the ways I do things, but to me I am
happily ignorant, and the end justifies the means.
I
begin with a bear, the toes are pulled, meaning I have thread sculpted
them in place. There is a tight space in between each toe that the
claw fits into nicely.
Superglue
gel. I use Locktite, the container is great. Gel will not drip and it
stays exactly where it is needed. I would NOT use regular superglue.
An awl, to make a hole.
Claws, I search through the pile and try to match them up.
I begin by making a hole in the toe where I want the claw to be. The hole is deep. About 1/2 of the claw will be in the hole.
A
drop of superglue is added to the hole. It will lay on the top. I take
the awl and push it back into the hole. This puts the glue into the
hole. This step seems to be important. If the hole is not opened with
the glue, it tends to close up again, and it is too hard to get the
claw in. The next step is to dry set the claw. After a couple of
seconds the glue is not sticky any longer. I fit the claw in to make
sure it goes in the right direction, or it is bent right, sometimes I
try a couple different claws. If needed the hole is adjusted and
re-glued.
When
you know you have the right claw for the hole, and have it fitted
properly, remove it. Add another drop of glue, and push the claw back
down into the hole. It will grab the glue on the way down. Press the
fabric down around the claw. In a few minutes after the glue is set up,
it should feel very secure.
Once
in a while I will break a claw trying to adjust it in the hole. If
that happens, use the awl and dig it out, and start again.
I
work with the picture of a bears foot in front of me. The middle claw
is straight and the outer claws bend slightly towards it.
When finished, a manicure, with a emery board. I file the tops the sides and underneath to give the claws an arched look.
Color
is added with a paint and a dry brush, or some markers. For black
claws I add paint to the epoxy compound as it is mixed.
A real bear paw, you can see the angle of the claws.
