Excellence in Bear Artistry Awards

Whoooo! The secret is now out which I've hugged to myself for a few days, with a smile as big as the sun (!) - I'm really honoured and delighted to have won a Judges Choice Award, in the brand new EBAs, in the Miniature Dressed category.

This is "Lilibet"; a 3" tall bear created from 2 shades of Vintage Long Pile, wearing a yellow organza dress overlaid with antique lace. I really loved adding the tiny detailing in her costume; lace straps, ric-rac braid and glass beads, with silk appliqued bows, and a tiny AB jewel. She carries a hanky with her initial "E". I had seen some tinted photos at the beginning of the year, of our Queen as a little girl - still just little Lilibet, but destined for higher things, and I wanted to re-create that yellowy tinted image as a bear with a sweet expression. I added the diamante heart in keeping with the Jubilee Celebration, and I was really happy with how she turned out!

I really think that the Excellence in Bear Artistry Awards will go from strength to strength, and Susan (of Bear Basics) deserves so much praise and support for her vision in creating them. So, "Congratulations" to all the other Judges Choice Winners, and many "Thank yous" to the panel of judges. There will be online voting (at the link below) for the category winners who'll be announced at the gala dinner in Sheffield in November.

                             Please click here to cast your vote!


With thrilled Hugs....

Ruth XXX

New Zealand Teds

Hey there everyone, I haven't really disappeared! I've been on holiday throughout the gloriously exciting Olympics, and so I've been dashing here and there (staying in York and Lincoln) whilst managing to never miss anything important! Such are the wonders of technology ... iphones , Radio 5 Live, and lovely, big, hotel flat screen tellys!! Ashley and I have discovered that merely listening to tennis commentary is just as nerve wracking and emotion wringing as watching it! Also that it's actually possible to visualise what is happening in a Taekwondo match just from commentary. Who knew! These last two weeks have been stupendous - and unforgettable :0)

Aside from all that, I received a complimentary copy of "New Zealand Teds" last week, and I wanted to give a shout-out to this plucky little publication run by Hazel O'Brien and Pam Hurly.

Hazel very kindly contacted me and asked me if I'd like to write them an article about my bears. I felt really honoured to be asked, and so I set about trying to sum up how my bears have arrived at their current evolution from out of the past ten years. I've also passed on some little creating tips which I hope the readers might find useful.
It may be small - but it's perfectly formed (!) with plenty of pictures , a tutorial, articles and useful contacts for bear makers in New Zealand and elsewhere.It is clearly a labour of love; which springs from a complete passion for "all things beary" - and that is something we can all relate to! If anyone would like to know how to get copies, or subscriptions do drop me an email and I'll pass on the relevant details.

With many Thanks to Hazel and Pam :0)
I hope to post some pics of my very interesting rovings soon,

Ruth XX