|
Calvina Walsh
~Handmade Miniature Teddy Bears, Dolls, and other Critters~ |
 Hi! My name is Calvina Walsh. My first name is pronounced as "Calvanna". My husband and I live in a small town in North Central Washington State. I grew up here, and after traveling around the world and living in many different places, I have returned to my hometown. Learning New Skills.... I have always loved working with my hands and have done a large variety of crafts over the years. I love the challenge of learning a new skill. Most skills I have learned have come through the wonderful world of books. My greatest teachers have been those creative souls who have mastered a particular skill then have patiently described their efforts so that others too, might enjoy the creative thrill that comes through using one's own mind, heart, and hands to make something new. Entering the Teddy Bear World.... My initiation into the Teddy Bear World came about in 1996 when I decided to create a miniature room box. I wanted to make a miniature Teddy Bear to put into the scene. I checked some books out of the library, reduced a pattern, and made a 2 inch pitiful looking bear. I knew I could do better, so off I went for more books. One of the books I discovered was Teddy Bear Artists...Romance of Making & Collecting Bears by Carol-Lynn Rossel Waugh. A whole new world of creativity opened up as I read this book and saw people who were making Teddy Bears and attending Teddy Bear Shows. Attending My First Teddy Bear Show.... A few weeks later I attended a Teddy Bear Show and Sale. I was amazed at the display of craftsmanship. I was especially drawn to the miniature Teddy Bears and knew that I wanted to be able to find my creative niche in that size. Still being a novice bear maker I worked with fabrics that I had on hand. I made dozens of little bears, but I wasn't satisfied with the results. My First Felt Character Bear is born.... About that time I discovered another great book called The Ultimate Teddy Bear Book . This book gives a wonderful historical look at bear beginnings in the 1900's and demonstrates how the Teddy Bear has evolved over the years. One particular bear grabbed my attention. This bear was dressed as a Hotel Bell-Hop, sewn with wool felt, and made in 1923 by a company named Schuco. I had some acrylic felt in my sewing supplies so I sat down and enthusiastically cut out the pattern and sewed it together. Several hours later I held my first felt character bear in my hands and I liked him!! "Barnabas" Bell-Hop was the first of over 160 felt bears I was to make in my first year of serious bear making. In commemoration of that first bear, each year on the anniversary of my initial bear making, I create a new Bell-Hop bear in a new size with a different twist. Specializing in Handmade Miniature Felt Bears.... I specialize in Miniature Teddy Bears that are designed and hand sewn by me. I primarily use Kunin acrylic felt to create my soft sculpture treasures. I've used a variety of fabrics to make miniature bears including upholstery fabric, mohair, and wool felt, but I always come back to the acrylic felt. I’ve made this choice for several reasons. I love the wide color selection, the simplicity of taking a plain piece of felt and embellishing it to make a 3 dimensional figure, and most of all the pleasure that comes with a needle and thread weaving in and out of a soft, warm, and pliable fabric. Giving to Others through Teddy Bears.... Part of the proceeds from the sale of my Teddy Bears go directly to help children in the developing world. I've seen first hand the poor living conditions and suffering that a large percentage of these children face. Currently I support a small girl in Africa through the international organization called "World Vision". God has blessed me with creativity and skill and I want to give something to others to make their life a little better. I can do that one Teddy Bear at a time! |
| Home
* Meet
Calvina *
Available Bears
*
Gallery of
Bears *
Order *
Links * eBay
Auctions *
Dolls * Special
Auct . * Animals
All contents of this site are copyright© Calvina Walsh 2001-2007 |