Miniature Bears: Many Mini Methods

You will find inexpensive mini bears at general craft stores like Michael's, especially around the holidays. Most are two inches or larger. These bears are stitched and have a good deal more realism than the little flocked bears that some people use in mini displays. However -- and this is a big, however -- they won't quite fool the eye. There are a few simple things you can do to make them look more like artist bears. You've probably noticed that artist quality bears have broader, pug noses -- it's part of what gives them their character. Commercially produced miniature bears have noses that are smaller (and sometimes lopsided in a way that just isn't in proportion to the scale). It's easy to enter from the neckline and dress up that nose. Use embroidery floss?

What else can give your mini a bit of boutique style? Seed beads don'y make the most realistic eyes. After all, full-scale teddy bears generally have round eyes. You may well want to do a switch out on the eyes. You can also replace the bow. No, you don't have to tie your own -- you can buy fancy bows in very dainty sizes.

The 'big buy ' there in the picture has had some nose and mouth sculpting, but no switch out on the eyes. (I believe I also trimmed the'fur' a bit shorter on the muzzle.

Trying your hand at making a bear from scratch? There are fabrics sold just for this purpose. There's also a widely, available cheaper alternative: upholstery fabric. Surprised? Even professionals use it. You want to use the kind that is velvety on one side and looks like cross-stitch fabric on the other. It's easy to cut and easy to cut to the right size because it doesn't stretch. It's fray-resistance so you don't need much in the way of seam allowance. You can buy it cheaply at fabric stores like Joanne's. You will need to buy significantly more than you need to make one bear. One good thing to keep in mind: Depending on the texture and color, it may also work for dollhouse/ room box carpeting.

You'll want tiny round beads (like Onyx) instead of seed beads. The other required materials are basic: thread and needles, fluff or batting. You'll have an easier time, though, if you invest in tools like tweezers.

A majority dollhouse are in 1:12 scale -- one inch equals one foot. A two inch mini teddy bear would represent a two foot teddy bear in the 'real world'. Thus, most miniature teddy bears tend to represent rather large teddy bears. It is possible to find mini bear patterns in sizes of one inch or less -- they're pretty hard to make, though!

If you're buying a mini bear at a general craft store, look for the smallest ones that are available.