So many materials go into the making of a teddy bear. Desertmountainbears are made from the best. This page is for you to see what is put into each bear.
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The bear begins with fabric. I usually create with mohair. Mohair is the traditional teddy bear fabric. It is soft and easy to work with, also very expensive. Mohair comes from the wool of the angora goat. They are not hardy animals and can only be raised in certain areas of the world. I use mohair from the two German mills, Helmbold, and Schulte, The Norton Mill in England is now closed, but I have quite a bit in my stash. I also have mohair from LouBear in South Africa. I have no favorites, I love them all.
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Polyester stuffing as well as other goodies are packed inside a bear. Not all goes into every bear, but some go into each.
Wool, the muzzle and face of every bear is stuffed with wool, It makes felting and rooting easy.
Silicone pellets, Squishier than plastic pellets, they make a body easy to pose.
Bbs, go into a sack in the belly to add weight.
Glass beads ca also be added to the belly or the feet to add weight.
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Arms, legs, and necks are jointed. Hardboard or fiberboard disks are used. Inside the neck joint is usually a cotter-pin and washer. Inside arms and legs are bolts and locknuts with washers. Locknuts have a special insert which prevents the bolt from coming unscrewed.
Arms and legs are wired with 16 gauge aluminum wire. This is a nice fairly heavy gauge of wire that bends easily. Wire adds to cute poses, as well as helping the bear with standing.
Plastic armature is also used in some bears instead of a neck joint or wire. When used in a neck and spine it does not allow the bears head to turn as well horizontally as a joint. But it does allow for up and down and all kinds of diagonal movement making the bear very pose-able. The second picture allows you to see how it is placed in the bear.
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The needle felting of the face and nose is done with sheeps wool. Needle felting of animal friends is done with alpaca. Most of the wool is purchased raw, and I clean, dye, and prepare myself.
Pawpads are leather.
Pure bee's wax is melted and applied over the felted nose. Bee's wax is hard and has a very high melting temperature. I also now use Modge Podge over the felt and sand it down for a realsitic nose.
Claws are made from a two part epoxy compound made for taxidermy applications.
Glass eyes, both traditional teddy bear, and taxidermy grade animal eyes are used.
