Tuesday, April 07, 2009
April Meeting - Making Faces
No, this does not mean we'll sit around making goofy expressions at each other. At least, no more than we do in a usual meeting.Tonight's meeting, we'll demonstrate and discuss making bear faces: inserting eyes, attaching ears, sewing noses, needlesculpting, and all the other little bits and pieces that give bears and "bear friends" their personality. Bring any in-progress heads or finished bears you'd like to work on, demonstrate with, or (hopefully in the case of someone else's bear) ask "how was this done?" about.
The meeting is at the usual time and place: 7 to 9 pm at the downtown Senior Services building, behind Seneca Park on 200 South Walnut. Whether you make, collect, or just own a vintage bear you're curious about, come visit us.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 4/07/2009 09:12:00 AM 0 comments
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Learn to make teddy bears!
If you've ever wanted to learn how to make teddy bears, now's your chance.The next few monthly meetings of the Oz-some Teddy Bear Artist Guild will be dedicated to demonstrations and work-alongs for basic teddy bear construction. Many of the techniques are applicable to non-jointed plush animals or soft dolls as well, so even if you're not a teddy bear fan, there's something for you. We have some new members as well as longtime members who want a refresher, so there will be something for any skill level.
The February meeting—Tuesday, February 3, 7 pm—will cover pattern selection, marking, layout and cutting. We'll need:
- Patterns. We'll have free patterns available, or you can bring your own (there are many available on the web, such as here or here).
- Fabric. We'll also have a limited supply of fabrics—if you bring your own, it's much better to choose an upholstery suede or other woven fabric than a knit faux fur. If you do choose a knit make sure it's one with minimal stretch, and be prepared for a little extra challenge.
- Scissors. If you don't bring anything else, bring your favorite pair of scissors—ideally, one pair for paper and one for fabric. We'll have extras, but you can never have enough.
- Tailor's chalk, marking pens or marking pencils, for marking patterns. Yes, we'll have extras of these too.
If you're new, an RSVP is nice but not necessary—if fifty people are planning to show up, we'd like to have a little advance notice, but we can always handle a few unexpected visitors. Drop a line in the comments, or call Lorrie Smith at 755-3775. Or just show up—we meet at the Downtown Senior Center in Delano.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 1/18/2009 12:06:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Christmas Party
The annual Christmas party will be this Tuesday, December 2. There is no meeting at the Senior Center this month!Instead, we'll meet at 6:30 for dinner at the west side Home Town Buffet, 6820 W. Central. Cost is $11.19; pay at the front counter as usual and tell them you're with the Oz-some Teddy Bear group, since I believe we'll have a private room again this year.
We'll have a gift exchange—if you've drawn a name and you're not coming, or you're coming and you haven't got a name, call or email
Although it's not a regular meeting, we'll still have a Show'n'Share, so bring any recent purchases/creations. Guests are welcome (if you're bringing a crowd, let
Hope to see you there!
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 11/29/2008 04:33:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, November 03, 2008
November OsTBAG Meeting
Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4th is the next meeting, 7 pm at the Senior Center.Our progam this month includes:
- Janice (Karen's MIL) will be teaching a class on "tea-bag folding"—she'll bring all the supplies, and we'll make greeting cards (or teddy tags, if you prefer).
- Planning next year's calendar and possible workshops.
- Ed will bring one of his bears to this meeting to auction off, with the proceeds to go to the Humane Society for their new building costs.
- Show'n'Share—show off any items you've made or purchased.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 11/03/2008 12:03:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
October Meeting - Halloween Party!
Better late then never?The annual Fall/Halloween Party is tonight, 7-9 pm, at the Senior Center..
All you need to bring beside yourself is:
- Finger Food
- Halloween (or Fall) Decoration (to help decorate the Senior Center)
- Halloween or Fall Decorated Bear if you have one.
- Optional: Dress up if you'd like to!
Lorrie, Joy, and Lori will try to be at the Senior Center at 6:30 to start decorating for the party. Anyone that wants to come and help, please do.
Business:
- Talk about the KC Bear show & GBW auction from last month.
- Show & Share.
- Talk about the St. Peters Arts & Craft Fair- Schulte, Ks -- October 11 (Saturday).
- We need a program for the November meeting, since Lori can not attend that night and she has already covered that planned program at last months' meeting.
- Discuss the Christmas Dinner for December 2.
- Draw names for the Christmas Gift exchange. If you are not able to come to the October meeting, Lorrie will draw a name for you and call you later with the person's name. If you do not think you will be able to come to the Christmas Dinner, please let Lorrie know so she can take your name out of the drawing or we can make other arrangements for your gift to be at the dinner for the gift exchange.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 10/07/2008 05:52:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, August 04, 2008
August Meeting - Swap Meet
The August meeting will be at the usual time and place - the Senior Center, at 7 pm. Lori's pendant/ornament project has been postponed, so we're improvising this month.- Work-Along - Bring a project (bear or otherwise) to work on, or just plan to come and chat.
- Swap Meet - Doing your fall cleaning? Bring your surplus bear, doll, and craft items for a garage sale/swap meet.
- Show'n'Share - As usual, bring anything you've bought or made to show and tell us. It's been two months since we've met, so there should be plenty. (And that's just from Lorrie...)
- Business - The Cessna show is upon us already, so we'll need to talk about it, the KC show next month, the St. Peter's show in Schulte, and any other shows members plan to attend.
- Future meetings - We need to decide locations for the Halloween and Christmas parties, and while we're at it we'll start discussing meeting themes and workshops for the next year.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 8/04/2008 09:24:00 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Teddy Bear Picnic 2008
The June 3 "meeting" is our annual Teddy Bear Picnic. Once again, the official start time has been moved up to 6:30 (though you can arrive earlier or later).It's at the same place as last year, and very little has changed other than there's a Wal-Mart in addition to the traffic light at 53rd and Meridian now. The fact that 53rd is under construction hasn't changed, except in the location of the construction (it's currently closed just west of Broadway), so if you're getting off I-135 that's something to be aware of - you may be better off taking 235/K-96 west to Meridian or Ridge.
Guests are welcome, and do not need to feel obligated to bring anything. This is a great meeting to get to know us... it's just an informal potluck.
Member business:
Who's bringing what:
- Meat: Karen (fancy hot dogs), Andy (hot wings), Joy (brats), Ed (hot dog buns, catsup, mustard & BBQ sauce)
- Deviled Eggs: Earlene
- Fruits/Veggies: Andy (veg tray), Joy (fruit), Lorrie (7 Layer Salad)
- Complex Carbs: Angi (pasta salad), Lori C. (pot. casserole), Larry (cheese & crackers)
- Simple Carbs: Karen (no-sugar-added strawberry-rhubarb pie), Sherian (?), Joy (?)
- Beverages:
KarenJanice (ice), Cottie (pop) - Misc: Lorrie (plates, napkins, cups & plastic ware)
- Guild's yearly dues are $12 (due last month)
- Good Bear Den dues are $14 ($4 for Bear-O's)
Sunday, May 18, 2008
May meeting recap
Some of the members absent from the May meeting requested some pictures from it. Click through for larger versions (and explanations, such as they are).
The request included the phrase "if there are any that aren't X-rated."
Fortunately, I didn't record any of the verbal commentary, as certain members attempted to embarrass Angi in front of her boss.
Next month's meeting, June 2, is the Teddy Bear Picnic, at the same place as last year. More details will be forthcoming, though pretty much everything else is the same too, and guests are still welcome, though probably after this post we've scared them all off.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 5/18/2008 07:42:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, March 31, 2008
April Meeting - Ed's Teds I
(a/k/a Ed's Heads)As promised, here are more details on tomorrow's meeting, straight from the horse's mouth:
The pattern and fur are the ones of your choice. Here are some things to consider about doing this project. First, what do you want to learn from this project? Example; applied mouth, nose technique (embroidered or leather applied), eyes, with or without lids. Bring whatever you'll need to work on these details. Finish the head to point of placing ears, eyes and nose. Stuff the head firmly with polyfil but bring some extra with you. Leave the neck opening open but bring the hardward (hardboard disk and metal hardware), long needle and dental floss, to close after checking the stuffing. You can close the head at the meeting. I will bring some black Fimo and black leather skiver to make a leather covered nose for those who want to try one, you'll also need to bring some dental floss for this. I'll also bring the convection oven for baking. For applied open mouths, be sure to bring some pink ultrasuede or real leather for the tongue. This is just a fun/learning project and I hope everyone will bring along their knowledge and tips for others. Ed
If you have any questions, email Ed at espencer @ cox.net.
And if you need a pattern, there's a bear head pattern here, with an optional appliqued mouth. I'll post a link to the complete pattern before next month.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 3/31/2008 11:27:00 AM 0 comments
Sunday, March 02, 2008
March meeting: Crochet lessons!
This time for sure, Rocky!Next Tuesday, March 4th, will be our rescheduled crochet-lesson meeting - aside from the date, not much has changed from the previous instructions, other than that Andy has almost finished her first try at the pattern in time for last month's meeting, so this time we should have something finished to look at!
Ed will give us a outline of the next few months' meetings, too - he'll be taking us through his bear-making process, step by step.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 3/02/2008 08:06:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
February meeting: Cancelled!
Since most members have to travel considerably more than my seven-tenths of a mile, and a cold front is bringing snow and freezing the wet roads, tonight's meeting is cancelled. The crochet lesson is tentatively rescheduled for the March meeting, though we haven't made a final decision.Stay warm!
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 2/05/2008 03:57:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, January 28, 2008
February meeting: Crochet lessons!
At the
The pattern as written produces a bear under three inches tall, in DMC Cebelia 10 crochet cotton with a .75mm (slightly larger than a US #14 steel) crochet hook. Bring your own if you have it, but extra will be available.
I plan to bring some worsted-weight yarn and appropriate hooks - the usual guideline for thread animals (or "amigurumi" in Japanese) is to use a smaller hook than usual for the yarn weight, so that your stitches are very tight and the stuffing doesn't show through. Gauge doesn't need to be exact. I also plan to bring some simpler patterns for those of us who haven't crocheted in, um, decades.
The meeting will be
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 1/28/2008 09:31:00 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
January Planning Meeting
We're set up at the Senior Center for Tuesday, January 8, but we'll be in room 4 on the second floor. They have an elevator if needed.Aside from the usual Show'N'Share, all you need to bring are ideas for the meetings throughout this year.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 1/02/2008 07:59:00 PM 0 comments
Thursday, September 27, 2007
October Meeting - Halloween Party!
The October meeting is next Tuesday, October 2 at the Senior Center. The party is at 7, and setup is at 6:30.- Lori C.: CD player, Halloween music and chopped nuts (for caramel apples)
- Cottie: the caramel in a crockpot/slowcooker with serving spoon
- Lorrie S.: the apples and the core/slice cutters, cups, plates, napkin, plasticware
- Ed: the drinks
- Angi: the ice.
- Everyone else: something to eat.
Everyone is also to bring a Halloween decoration (or if you don't have one, a fall decoration will be fine), to help decorate the Senior Center.
Bring your Show'n'Share, and we will have show and tell from the KC bear show.
Hope to see you there - visitors are always welcome, and as always contact us if you have any questions.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 9/27/2007 03:35:00 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
September Meeting Recap
Most of the meeting was business, though some did some more felting. This time we covered resist felting, and I've nominated Angi to teach us how it's done... because on her first try she did better than I've managed. Maybe we'll have to get together during a non-meeting time and play with wool some more.We discussed the Good Bears Kansas City show, and Joy turned over Magic, her donation to the Good Bears auction - soon as someone reminds me the artist's name, I'll put that here. My picture came out surprisingly well for an impromptu ambient-light snapshot of a black bear.
Thank you, Joy!
We also prepared for Ed's November class, and made assignments for the October meeting (the Halloween party), both of which I'll post the details of as we get closer to those dates (and as Lorrie fills me in on those details, because I was busy felting).
As an indirect result of the meeting and learning that Cottie had a bear on Bear Pile (a first for her), I've updated the website including the for sale and news areas and the guild Gallery and set up a preliminary Country Cubs website for Cottie. There are also updates to the guild information area, so if you're a guild member reading this and you don't get my email in the next day or so, drop me a line or give me a call.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 9/05/2007 03:05:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, August 25, 2007
September Meeting
Yes, I missed announcing the August meeting, at which we made a mess. Also some felt, which was quite a bit of fun.So much so, in fact, that the September meeting (the 4th) will involve more felting (and hopefully less mess). This time, I'll have some templates made for dimensional work -- Halloween, Christmas, and (of course) teddy bear brooches or ornaments. If you're not feeling up to that, you can still make more flat felt pieces. I'll also have more equipment, though if you can bring your own towels too it would be froody. You're welcome to bring guests, as well -- it's a good meeting for non-bearmakers too.
Ed will be handing out the packets for the November workshop, and we'll be making some decisions related to that as well.
We'll also be doing the usual Show'n'Share, and the usual attempting to find someplace to host the October meeting.
Hope to see you there!
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 8/25/2007 10:16:00 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
May Meeting and other news
I missed the April meeting thanks to a nasty bout of bronchitis; if someone else has pictures of the "Ed's Heads" workshop I'd love to see/post them.Cottie's garage sale is Thursday and Friday (19th and 20th), at 867 N. Valleyview.
The May 1 meeting, at the usual place/time, will be the exchange of magnet bear parts. I have one set of magnets left (plus my own, which I'd part with at this stage if you're more likely to finish bear bits than I am). Even if you don't have bear parts, come anyway - it's bound to be entertaining watching the results of the mix-and-match. We'll also have the usual business - Show'n'Share, things like that.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 4/18/2007 12:51:00 PM 0 comments
Friday, February 02, 2007
February meeting coming up
The February meeting is this Tuesday, the 6th, at the usual time and place. It's been dubbed a "stitch-n-bitch" session, so aside from the usual show-n-share and club business (like handing out the magnets for the magnet-bear project, and raffling a donated ::tEddie Bear for a fund-raiser), we'll be working on, and showing off, whatever projects we bring. It doesn't have to be a bear - you can bring your checkbook and sit around and pay bills, if you want. There will be at least one sewing machine available, and possibly the button maker(s), and if you're really bored the square dancers will probably welcome visitors...Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 2/02/2007 08:31:00 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
2007 Calendar
I seem to have goofed up the last two months' meetings... December's announcement got saved as a draft and never actually published, and January's meeting snuck upon me so badly that I didn't get an announcement made.So I'll forestall some of that by announcing what we know about the 2007 schedule. All regular meetings will be at the Senior Center from 7 to 9pm, and will include the regular monthly Show'N'Share (bring bears and related items you've made or acquired) and Good Bears auction and other such monthly items. Guests are always welcome, even at "irregular" meetings, though you'll probably want to call or email someone to make sure of the time/place of the latter type.
February 6: Regular meeting. We'll be distributing the magnet-bear magnets (and patterns to those who are still without), having a raffle for the donated tEddie Bear, and then having a project time for working on bears or whatever else you need to finish up.
March 6: Baby shower for Angi (Ferran) Harlan. It's a boy, and the theme is western/farm. She's registered at Babies-R-Us and Target. (I believe the meeting location is still the Senior Center.)
April 3: "Ed's Heads" - Ed Spencer will be giving a whirlwind workshop on his "Attitude Bear" head. Meeting is at the regular time/location, but the workshop will occupy the full time slot.
May 8: Regular meeting. We'll be having our Magnet Bear Exchange - using a standard pattern and set of purse-snap magnets in place of arm/leg joints, we all should have made a bear by now (or at least a collection of bear parts, not necessarily all from the same fabric). We'll trade arms and legs around and everyone will take home a truly one-of-a-kind bear.
June 5: Annual Teddy Bear Picnic. Time and place TBD.
July - No meeting.
August 7: Regular meeting. Karen Cravens (hey, that's me) will be teaching traditional (wet) wool felting, either to make your own flat felt for pawpads, or to make felted hats and other items.
August 25: Not a meeting, but the Cessna Doll & Bear Show, at which we expect to have a booth again.
September 4: Regular meeting. Cottie Black and Lori Casey will demonstrate various techniques for making unique tags for your bears (or for Christmas gifts, or your luggage, or whatever else you might want a tag for).
October 2: Halloween party. Time and place TBD.
November 6: Regular meeting. We'll probably have an ornament-making demonstration, the exact nature of which hasn't been decided, though bear-head ornaments have been suggested.
December 4: Christmas party. Time and place TBD.
We'll also be having at least one workshop sometime in the fall, though the guest and date haven't been decided yet. (If you're a bear artist and you'd like to come give us a workshop, drop us a line with what you teach and what your fees are. And if you're an out-of-town bear artist and you'd like to come to a workshop, drop us a line with what you'd like to see taught.)
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 1/03/2007 12:31:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
November meeting... today!
Yes, I'm a little behind.Tonight is the November meeting, at which Cottie will teach us to make chenille-stem Christmas ornaments, and we'll discuss the Christmas party. Bring (I'm doing this from memory) scissors, pictures on cardstock for the heads (pictures of your bears, your pets, Santas and snowmen, etc.), fine ribbon or cord for hangers, tacky glue, and needlenose pliers if you have them.
The meeting is in the usual location at the Senior Center, at 7 pm.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 11/07/2006 12:37:00 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
October meeting this Tuesday
Remember, the October meeting is this Tuesday, October 3. If you attended the Jennifer Laing workshops, be sure to bring any results you have!Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 9/27/2006 09:26:00 PM 0 comments
Friday, September 08, 2006
October Meeting
The next meeting will be on October 3, 7-9 pm at the Downtown Senior Center (the usual location).Even though it's early in the month, this meeting will be the annual Halloween party. Feel free to bring treats (Joy says they have to be black and/or orange) and/or decorations (Andy will doubtless have Spiderweb Barbie again), along with the usual - bears for Show'n'Share, and money for the GBW auction.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 9/08/2006 11:41:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
September Meeting Recap
Lori Casey brought her 1" button maker and taught us how to make bottle cap pendants for our bears (or for ourselves) - above are front and back view of several Lori has made.
Lori, Cottie Black, and Judy Hager (l to r) are shown making buttons to put in the bottlecaps.
Cottie Black showed us some of her bears, wearing a slightly different sort of bottle cap pendant. Click the image to see a larger version - the bears match their vintage bottle caps. The fronts of the pendants can be seen here.
Andy McEntire brought her magnetic-snap bear - he took not only a blue ribbon, but Best Of Show as well. Congratulations, Andy! The guild members will all be making magnetic-snap bears like this, and exchanging limbs at the February 2007 meeting - no word yet on whether Andy's going to "part out" her prizewinning bear.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 9/05/2006 09:50:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, August 28, 2006
September Meeting
For our September meeting, president Lori Casey will be teaching us how to make pendants with 1" buttons and bottle caps. Bring pictures suitable for a 1" button, 18" of rattail, coordinating beads for embellishment, and beading tools. We'll have some to share (pictures, cord, beads, and tools) just in case.We'll also be discussing the upcoming Jennifer Laing workshops (September 23/24), for which there are still openings - email Lori if you're interested.
As always, bring any new bears you've bought or made for Show'n'Share time, and bring money for the Good Bears of the World basket auction.
This meeting will be at the usual place - the Downtown Senior Center, 200 S. Walnut (just south of Douglas on Seneca, on the east side of the street behind the park). The meeting room is off the gym, which will be full of square dancers who'll happily tell you where we are.
Labels: meeting
posted by Karen in Wichita @ 8/28/2006 04:09:00 PM 0 comments
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