Wednesday, June 23, 2010

"Lucy" A Work in Progress Completed!

Lucy
A Custom Work in Progress
Completed!

After much work and anticipation, Lucy, (the beautiful name chosen by her collector) is finally completed!

Lucy began her journey with a 'boy' in mind, but began to evoke a girlie personality. Her big sparkly green eyes seemed to flutter with feminine bearishness. As work continued, here and there she began to resemble a girl.

I played around with her costuming trying on both boy and girl outfits, and she looked wonderful in both, but decidedly melted my heart in this dress that fit her just perfectly.


Her collector agreed whole-heartedly that she was just perfect as a girl bear and was so delighted with her final outcome. I also adorned her in pink and violet flowers also adding some hints of rich green leaves to accentuate her eyes.


Lucy and I thank you for peeking in on her final pictures. It truly means so much to me to hear the wonderful feedback and meet all the amazingly lovely and talented artists that take the time to comment on my posts ....... thank you!

If you are interested in your own custom Bramblewood Bear, please email me at
delaneyduo@hotmail.com
and you could watch your very own bear come to life right before your eyes!


Bear Hugs and Blessings,

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Work in Progress
Custom Bear


Work is continuing on this sweet bear that has captured my heart completely. I simply can not wait to paint this smiling face! It always makes me laugh to see my bears with all the pins around their eyelids while waiting for the glue to dry....quite a fashion statement wouldn't you say?


Eyelids are dry, pins removed, ears sewn.....


This bear's green eyes are so stunningly bright!


I am really enjoying his/her profile. I have not decided weather I am done working on the muzzle yet. Hmmmm.
I still have a bit on nose work to do, and then this face is ready for painting!

Work still to be done; needle felting inside of ears, painting details, paws, stuffing, weighting and jointing....accessories....whew! Getting closer!

Thank you for stopping by the Bramblewood to watch this unique bear's journey into the world.

If you are interested in your own custom Bramblewood Bear, please email me at
delaneyduo@hotmail.com
and you could watch your very own bear come to life!

Bear Hugs and Blessings,




Thursday, June 10, 2010

Custom Bear
Work in Progress


As you can see, this cute bear is coming right along. I am really enjoying his colors and curly fur and how the needle felted wool compliments his fur color so nicely, not to mention his bright green eyes.



I still have a lot of muzzle sculpting to do both with needle felting and needle and thread. This is where I begin to emerge his bearsonality and charm.
I will be working first on his nose and mouth placement and then once they are in place and satisfactory, I will move on to the shaping techniques.


I am excited to see what kind of character this bear decides to evoke. Keep checking in to see his sly grin and smiling eyes emerge over the next few days!

If you are interested in your very own custom Bramblewood Bear, please email me at
delaneyduo@hotmail.com
and you could watch your very own bear come to life!

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit me and my newest bear here at the Bramblewood!
Bear Hugs and Blessings,

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Work in Progress Green eyed Bear

Work in Progress
Custom Green Eyed Bear



I am beginning work on new custom bear for a very lovely collector.
She originally wanted a Karl bear, who traditionally comes in an almost black fur, but as I was ruffling through my fabrics, I came upon this most wonderful fur! I sent her pictures and we both agreed to use this fur for her Karl Bear.

What I adore about this fur is it's shiny curly and dense feel. The color is very difficult to capture on camera. It is a mixture of golden olive brown tones that almost change with the sunlight.


On day 1 I lay out the fabric, grab my trusty shears and black sharpie and set to work tracing my pattern design onto the backing.


This is one of the most time consuming steps, being very sure to cut only the backing and not the fur!


Oh how I love my sewing machine. I have touted my thrill of having a wonderful Viking machine before that my darling hubby got me for Christmas. Now I can sew to my heart's content without a single worry. This is only after 3 years on a Brother that made me constantly pull my hair out and stomp in frustration. Did I mention that I LOVE my Viking???


Work is fully underway....each piece has been sewn and now begins the stuffing and needle felting. Stay tuned for progress updates in the next couple of days!

If you are interested in your own Bramblewood Bear, please email me at
delaneyduo@hotmail.com
and you could watch your own bear being created right before your eyes!

Thank you for stopping by the Bramblewood.




An award to Inspire from the Inspired

An Award to Inspire
from the Inspired



I have been so graciously gifted with a beautiful blog award called
"Inspirational Artist Award"
from a very talented and wonderful bear artist you probably all know and love,
Joanne, of Desert Mountain Bears.
She has so blessed and encouraged me with this award, her kindness, openness and support of other artists. Her attitude and grace in teaching and speaking to others is something that blesses me and many others as we come together as an artist community.
Thank you Joanne for thinking of me for this award. It truly means so much to me that you would find inspiration from me!

Here are the five inspirational bloggers I would like to award as to where I get some of my inspiration from, or who have had a part in forming and inspiring me in my work and artistry. Not all of them are bear makers, but they have shaped my view and love for art that have become a part of my artistic heart.

1. b.b.flockling I would like to award my mom first, as she has been the most important and strong artistic influence in my life. I grew up watching her many artistic endeavors and was truly amazed at her wide range of abilities. Over those years, she taught me some of those aspects that now help me to evoke the character in my bears today. Thank you mom for your legacy! She now sculpts and paints amazingly life-like babies, fairies, animals and folk-lore that look so real they could almost talk. Please take a moment to visit her corner of the world and meet her darling creations.

2. Patricia Cabrera, at Woolytales has always been a truly personal and artistic inspiration to me since the first day I met her. She has 7 sweet children (just like me ;) and they adore old fashioned times past. Each of them have vast interests and talents in many different artistic areas such as music, sculpting , carving, spinning wool, needle felting, painting, miniatures, marionettes and more! If you have not met this family yet, make of cup of tea and settle in for quite and adventure. Also take a peek at their Magical Marionette Theater creations!

3. Rima Dartmoor, of the United Kingdom from The Hermitage has been such an inspiration to me. If it was not for my discovery of her blog, I would not have my own! I had been playing around with the idea of starting a blog, but struggling with the 'time' it takes to invest into the posts and comments. After finding Rima's most beautiful site (which I read for two days straight through all her adventures), I was totally inspired to do my own. Rima is an exceptional artist, painter and poet. What I really enjoy about Rima is that her home ( I think until recently) consists of a handmade gypsy wagon! The inside houses a stove, sink, bed and is just brimming with artistic activity. She almost reminds me of a beautiful snail, with her home upon her back, she disappears inside for solitude and safely and emerges with her soul shining on paper and paint. I so enjoy following her nomadic wanderings and thoughts and admiring her unusual art. She usually paints her wondrous oddities on wood backgrounds and sells them along the road or in small villages for living money. Please take some time to enjoy a bit of her travels!

4. Sharie, of Sreetzbears. I have never spoken with Sharie, but I just adore her creations. I especially love the kitties she creates. Each of her bears and creatures are so lovely and unique. I have really never seen such unique style with their very large bodies, small limbs and big eyes. I hope you can pop in and visit her blog and say hi ;)

5. Joanne, of Dessert Mountain Bears is a huge inspiration to me. Now, I know she has already received this award, but she is truly an inspiration to me. Her work is so detailed and she is so open to share her brilliant techniques readily and is so quick to offer kind and encouraging words so other artists. I think our community is so blessed by her genuine involvement!

There are so many artist that inspire and encourage me that I could type all day long! Everywhere I look, I see adorable and lovely creations that inspire!

Also, stay tuned for two more work in progress bears. I will be posting pictures very soon of my next green eyed bear in the very beginning of progress!

Bear Hugs and Blessings!