Cancellation of Hugglets 2021

 It's very sad, though not completely unexpected news, that Hugglets in February 2021 has had to be cancelled due to the covid19 pandemic. I will miss seeing collectors, stallholders, and all the surrounding beary creations as it has been part of my life, and yearly routine for a lot of years. I will still be making bears, and loading them on to my website; and I hope to have completely new and exclusive one-of-a-kinds on there (available, with PayPal buttons for convenience) over the weekend which would have represented the show. Sadly I have not been invited to take part in the online festival, and so I hope that anyone looking for new Flutter-By additions will take a look on the website :0)

With many Thank Yous, and heartfelt appreciation for all the interest and adoptions from past customers and friends,

Ruth Xx

Working on Hugglets pieces...

I'm currently beavering away with lots of brand new bears for Hugglets later this month. I hope you can come and see them!

23rd Feb, 2020 at Kensington Town Hall, UK.

Only a Few Weeks to Go!

Don't forget to visit the Christmas Treasures online show at Teddies Worldwide - 17th to 19th November!

I am currently busy with the finishing touches to my new, exclusive bears and friends who will be available to purchase from the show!  :0)

Fairs!

Please note that I will not be attending the September Hugglets fair this year - instead I will be bringing new bears to the Woburn Abbey fair: "115 Years of Teddy Bears"
More details can be found at the website here

It promises to be a very special day, with many artist and antique bears to see, together with an exhibition of fantastic, and venerable old bears displayed in the setting of The Sculpture Gallery.
My stand can be found in the Long Harness room from which the Sculpture Gallery is accessed.




 

Nearly time for Hugglets ...

.. and this year's Winter Bearfest!

There will be plenty of new Spring bears, including this pair; "Clover" and "Skye" - both 2.5" standing.
I'm really looking forward to being back in the hustle and bustle of such an exciting bear fair!
See you there!  :0)

(The fair is on; Sunday 26th Feb, 10.30 - 4pm, at Kensington Town Hall )

Online Show Previews!

The preview photos from all the artists participating in the festive "Christmas Treasures" online show at Teddies Worldwide, are now available!

If you would like to see the wonderful Preview pieces head over to HERE, where you can also vote for your favourite Miniature, or Full Size creation!
I have designed new pieces exclusively for the show; which will open in full on Nov 18th.
Hope to see you there!  :0)

Many Thanks!

Yesterday I heard that little Joan of Arc received The Peoples' Choice,  Category Winner award in the 2015 EBAAs!  Imagine my utter delight at such lovely news!  :0)

Ever so many Thank yous to everyone who voted for her, and to the judging panel and organisers of these prestigious awards. It's quite put the sunshine back in to this blustery, grey November!

                                 "Thank you!"   :0)

Excellence in Bear Artistry Awards 2015

I was very excited to hear that my entry in the Miniature Dressed Bear under 3.75" category, has received a Judges' Choice Award!

My little 2.6" tall piece; "Joan of Arc" was inspired by my youngest son's involvement with a Medieval Society at Edinburgh University where he's currently in his second year studying. Over the summer he constructed his own chainmail coif (like a hood) and vest - and so I decided to make a tiny tribute to this iconic young lady from that period in history.
I well remember "being" Joan whenever we read the George Bernard Shaw play, for our A levels ... (back a few years ago now!) but she was feisty and vulnerable at the same time; which I tried to portray with small pieces of Long Pile Upholstery Velvet, Ultrasuede and a silver lurex net!

If you would like to see the other Judge's Choice Winners, and vote for your favourites, please click the logo to do so, up until 31st October. Sit back and enjoy!

Vote here

Teddies Worldwide - online show!

The Teddies Worldwide Online Show will start on Friday, 19th June at 9pm UK time (4pm New York) and continue through to Sunday, the 21st.

The theme will be "On Vacation" - and there will be a total of 75 artists taking part!
Here is my preview piece; a tiny 1.1 inch tall micro-dog called "Gigi" - she comes in her felt wedding shoe, and has jointed head and limbs.

I hope you can stop by and see us! :0)

(You can click on the link here to visit the show, from Friday)

Teddy Bear Artist Event

Nearly time for the 2015 Teddy Bear Artist Event, in Stratford upon Avon*!  I love exhibiting at this show; with its friendly, and communal atmosphere. Once again the show will be supporting The British Heart Foundation, and I will be bringing along a tiny Frivol, with her own bag containing a pretty vintage-print notebook, to be one of the Raffle prizes.

Hoping to see plenty of friends there!  :0)

* The fair opens 11.00am at the Stratford Arthouse (previously named Civic Hall) on sunday, 14th June.

Winter Bear Fest at Hugglets!

It's nearly time for the first Hugglets fair of 2015 - at the Kensington Town Hall, on Sunday 22nd Feb.
Here's just a quick preview of a few of the brand new bears I'll be bringing with me:-

I'm hoping to spread the love of bears with this collection (eight in all) various styles; antique lace collars, silk ribbons, and a little heart proclaiming them the "LOVE bears" collection.

The "HaBEARdashery" collection of variously sized bears, all with their own little haberdashery decorations. They bring a pretty vintage style bookmark to complement each.

Excellence in Bear Artistry Awards 2014

I am absolutely delighted that my entry in the Miniature Dressed category of the EBAAs has been honoured with a Judges' Choice Award. This means that little Giselle (just under 3 inches tall!) will go forward for a public online vote. All of the nominated creations in each category can be seen on the Excellence in Bear Artistry Awards website - and you can vote on your favourite pieces by following the link!

I was inspired to create "Giselle" by the opulence and fragility of ballet characters, and their costumery. She is wearing a fully removable tulle and organza dress with a fitted bodice, and vintage lace armholes, with silk ribbons and appliqués.

Thank you so much to the Judging panel for their consideration of her! :0)

New: Available at Teddy Bears of Witney

The 2015 catalogue of beary delights has now arrived from Teddy Bears of Witney; a beautiful olde worlde shop situated in the village of Witney, Oxfordshire.
This time I will be creating Limited Editions (4 each) of "Fyne" and Dandi" - both fully jointed 1.1" tall micro dogs, made from Upholstery Velvet, and wearing tiny identity medallions as you can see below.

If you are interested in either of these dogs; exclusive to Teddy Bears of Witney, you can check this link HERE, or contact them for a catalogue.

A Brilliant Weekend in Sheffield

This weekend saw the hosting of the Gala Dinner for the final stage of the Excellence in Bear Artistry Awards, at the Great Yorkshire Teddy Bear Event venue - Hilton hotel in Sheffield. Once again it was a beautifully organised event, where it is always fantastic to meet up with other bear-making friends.

I was really thrilled to hear that Horatia was voted People's Choice winner in her category! Thank you so very much to everyone who voted for her! :0)  I feel very proud to have taken part in these wonderful awards, and it means such a lot to me to have my work recognised with so much positivity.

With heartfelt Thanks,

Ruth XX

Great News!

 

Just time to post the wonderful news that my little 3" bear; "Horatia", has received a Judges' Choice award in the 2013 Excellence in Bear Artistry Awards! I am very honoured to have been considered by the judges, and I'd like to thank them ever so much! :0)

Here she is:-

I was inspired by the story I came across, of Horatio Nelson's daughter (she was named after him), who had to flee her mother's debtors in France dressed as a boy. I've used some integral clothing in the long pile Upholstery Velvet, and she wears antique lace as a ruffle collar, and gathered around the wrists. She has a grey silk sash around the top of her "breeches", and carries a tiny silk reticule.
I shall be bringing her with me to Hugglets next sunday; so I hope she can meet lots of new people there!

Ruth xx

Thanks.

 

I've been on Summer holidays..... I'll see you very soon..

Ruth xx

Teddy Bear and Friends Picnic - online show

Firstly, I had a really great day on Sunday in Stratford-upon-Avon. Despite earlier weather forecasts the weather was bright and sunny, and the atmosphere of the Fair was lovely and friendly. A big "thankyou" to everyone who adopted a new friend on the day :0)

And so to the next Fair - this one is for armchair shopping! I can now reveal my preview piece for the "Teddy Bear and Friends Picnic" which will run from 28th to 30th June (from 4pm New York time , or 9pm UK time)

Here is "Gracie", a 1.2" tall dog made from Upholstery Velvets.

There will be work from all the 75 artists taking part, on the preview show page here until the start of the show. If you would like to visit just click the links - you can also vote for your favourite bears and animals!

I still have a couple of photos to take, and a finishing touch here and there, so TaTa for now :0)

Ruth xx

Just In Time

Running to stand still again!! I've finished all the pieces for the Teddy Bear Artist Event at Stratford-Upon-Avon Civic Hall this Sunday, and I've just got time to put a pic here (and a little preview on the New Available page of the website)

 This is "Nell" who is a shy little Norfolk Terrier.

I hope everyone is crossing their fingers for better weather for the weekend... although even in the rain Stratford has loads of really fascinating things to look at, and I expect my other half will be taking lots of photos!

T.T.F.N  Ruth x

Catching Up

Poor bloggy; I've been away far too long this time. I've had some choc-a-block deadlines lately - and no let up until at least July!
Part of the time I've been making pieces for The Teddy Bear Artist Event (16th June, Stratford Civic Hall)
and also an online show:

click

I'm not sure how I managed commissions and Limited Editions as well! Good job I keep checking my diary :0)


Here's a tiny sneak preview of the new pieces for a certain bear shop in Witney:

Oooooh, how teasing! HeeHee! The 2014 catalogue will be published in October.

X Ruth

Spring Things...

 

I'm just about back in to "work" mode after my short Easter holiday - being taken out for lunch in the sunshine on Monday by Oldest Son didn't really help (!) We've finally been allowed a look at milder more pleasant weather here in the UK (I hope it doesn't prove to be just a glimpse!!) and I actually spent lots of time sewing in the conservatory yesterday. Happy Days!

A short while ago I was approached by Helen Dickson, who has a beautiful website: Bustle and Sew  which is jam-packed with sewing projects, tips, patterns, and where you can also find her lovely blog about sewing, crafting, and life in Devon with a gorgeous Newfoundland dog! Helen very kindly invited me to contribute photos and an interview, all about Flutter-By Bears, for her Bustle and Sew ezine (scroll down and click "expand" on the first mag' preview of contents, for the Springy April issue) I was very impressed with the variety and number of patterns, clear instructions, and other articles, which Helen includes in her ezine for subscribers - so I was delighted to take the opportunity to spread the Beary word, and maybe introduce some new potential arctophiles to our wonderful world!

Zero temperatures or not, the birds have been busy as .... er bees (?) in my garden in the last couple of weeks. We've definitely got a nesting pair of blackbirds and Robins sharing our climbing wall ivy.Good-o! I love watching all the scampering - and taking convoluted alternate routes back to the nest each time they nip "to the stores"! I've re-instated the live webcam link on my sidebar too, to the Nottingham Trent University Peregrines. Last year I was utterly addicted to watching this nesting pair, and it was a total emotional roller coaster; the constant awful rainy weather meant that only one chick survived from four eggs - but he was a real champion. There are eggs in the nest already so I'll be crossing my fingers and tuning in constantly for a first peep of tiny damp chick. You can't get more Spring-y than that!

Ruth XX