This is becoming a regular theme. This time I decided it was time that the six-joint standing bear should be treated to a smaller cousin. And, as has been the case before, the shrinking process didn't go quite as far as I intended but I managed just over 9 inches; I will also try very hard to make sure that it doesn't grow with pattern revisions.
I thought that such a small bear deserved a very big name so the first one was called Hercules.
The small size has meant that I have had to revise a lot of the joint components and in particular a smaller nut and bolt set for jointing. I know that doesn't sound like much but after 23 years of the same it is a big change in my little world. It was especially fiddly fitting it inside the neck section and I am still refining that.
I have had to use glass eyes over my preferred vintage boot buttons too, there simply aren't any that small.
Purely to give an idea of scale....
A bear has to eat, the dogs won't miss one biscuit
Hercules soon acquired a "brother" but in a rusty shade. It seemed quite an appropriate shade for Autumn so he decided to be photographed with some of the pretty leaves from the Acer in my front garden, I know, everybody else has pumpkins and I just wanted to be different.
This one is Wotan, another large name for a small bear, and I am pleased to report that, despite a few minor pattern adjustments he didn't come out any taller.
More information about my bears, including any available, can be found on my website at
If you would like earliest information about new bears as they become available please e.mail me at
and ask to be added to my mailing list.
So much character in these little 'uns Gregory, I really really like them :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Paula, having fun making them and much easier when it's time to mail them :-)
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