Elise Bear

Elise is the the newest bear from Bramblewood Studios.

Elise is a little girl bear created in a wild antique style and is reminiscent of
the age of European royalty.



A time when glorious and lavish hats were worn by
elegant women and were more of an accessory than a
necessity of convenience.

A time of romance and majesty.

A time that still clings to the edge of our hearts and whisper in our dreams once more.


If I only had my own way in this world, I would by some miracle bring back the romance of these lovely European jeweled hats brimmed with feathers and lace of all sorts along with the stunning ruffled and layered dress that accompanied them. Somewhere deep inside each of us, lies in wait our own Queen of old in all her wondrous glory.















I wanted to make a simple yet elegant hat for Elise Bear. I have noticed that what is called 'mini hats' in a Victorian style are really very popular right now. I have come across these flat petite hats now and again, and can not remember the name given to them. So, I will call this hat a
"Victorian Mini Flat"
"A truly elegant taste is generally accompanied with excellency of heart".

~Henry Fielding









Elise was created from soft sandy semi sparse Mohair. Her muzzle and paw pads were needle felted using imported Merino Silk wool and painted in creamy brown tones for depth and bearsonality.

"It is beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart."

These so called 'mini' hats serve no helpful purpose at all like shielding your eyes from the sun or keeping your quaffs dry from falling rain....their only divine and most wonderfully perfect job, is to look pretty.
And this they do very well.


Elise's flat hat was fashioned using sheer organza type fabric with vibrant pink, ruby red and hazelnut tones. The tiny hat has two tiers and Victorian lace strung around each layer and two sheer pink ribbons that tie on each end to attach the hat to her head. I also added purple and lavender poppies and leaves to the center of her hat for added charm.


Elise has deep black German glass eyes. Many hours were spent on her expression including thread sculpting and painting. She has a needle felted nose with added painting and sealing. Her ears and paws have been scissor sculpted and shaded adding to her antique allure.




A drink of tea with jam and bread,
her cup she wears upon her head.
To keep her warm and very well-fed.



The love for hats is not limited to only the human head...oh no!
Animal folk have long past understood the importance of a good defining
crown topper.

Some hats are meant to keep you warm,
although the best kind are those that simply adorn.












Elise is 5 way cotter pin jointed and has wire armature in her arms for gentle posing. She has a steel shot pillow in her belly for a nice huggy feel in your arms.

The original Robin Hood.
A good hat can create a legend.













Little girl bear Elise was created from the imaginations of
Bear Artist
Tomi Delaney
from design to finish making her a very unique
One of a Kind Bear.








As with all Bramblewood Bears, Elise has double stitched seams for strength making her a true heirloom quality bear to last for generations.














Thank you for stopping by and visiting the Bramblewood. My hope is that Elise has brought a smile to your face and joy to your heart.

Elise comes with a darling antique bisque doll. She has a cloth body and bisque bust, hands and shoes. I altered her dress to compliment Elise.

Baby Bear Bonnie

Next to Come from the
Bramblewood

Presenting
Baby Bear
"Bonnie"

Bonnie is my newest creation designed and antiqued to be
reminiscent of an 'old world' bear, yet while showcasing modern
bear making techniques. A cute little combination of old and new.

Bonnie just looked to me like a baby girl bear with her innocent little eyes
and teenie toes. Her muzzle and paws are needle felted with imported sand wool and shaded
for added character.






In my mind, babies and bears just go together like coffee and cream, peanut butter and jelly, Abbot and Costello, childhood and innocence. There is something about a cuddly soft teddy bear and a baby's loving embrace that seals the essence of youth.



Baby Bonnie has 'mending' stitches on her belly and right ear along with
'rub' marks situated in various places on her body arms and legs, giving her
a truly old, loved feel.








There is a garden in every childhood, and the enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.

~Elizabeth Lawrence

Bonnie's sugary sweet fur is made from Hazelnut Spice mohair, that looks perfectly a bit messy and aged adding to her antique feel and allure. I have added shading and painting details to further deepen and enhance her olden youth.



















Baby Bonnie bear is a medium-small size of 12" tall standing.


Dance little baby, dance up high,
Never mind baby, mother is by;
Crow and caper, caper and crow,
There little baby, there you go;
Up to the ceiling, down to the ground,
Backwards and forwards, round and round;
Dance little baby, and mother shall sing,
With the merry coral, ding, ding, ding.

~Ann Taylor

She comes with her own handmade rag quilt baby bear blanket with a periwinkle silk lining.


In my adolescence, I was a tomboy of all tomboys. Climbing trees and crashing my red BMX bike (and I have the scars to show for it), were the highlight of my summers, but one of my earliest childhood memories I can conger is of my ol' pooh bear.
My mind whispers of pale honeycomb yellow fluff and a small silver music box crank on his bear behind that played a simple fairytale melody. His outline form and soft yellowness melody are all I can remember of him, but he was my comfort and my friend.
My childhood love.

Sometimes I wonder what ever became of my ol' pooh. Did my love transform him into a real bear like the boy's affection for his Velvetine rabbit?
Is he lost somewhere in time, collecting dust in an old forgotten attic?
Were his stitches unable to withstand all my love and slobbery affection, and come undone, sentencing him to the bear graveyard?

I may never know, but his memory clings to the edges of my mind, teetering on the cliff of forgetfulness. For now, he lives on in my heart and inspires.


Baby Bonnie Bear is available on Ebay until
August 21, 2009