Book Reviews

[elize]

"Needlefelting Magic" by Barbara Allen

[Izzy Bear]

This is THE most wonderful needlefelting book there is!
The instructions are so easy to understand, and the photographs are so very clear.
From choosing what wool to use to finished bear, this is a great book.

I used this book to make the NF Bear & Bunny on my website, www.izzyscubs.com (http://www.izzyscubs.com), as my first and second attempt.

If you only buy one needle felting book EVER make this the one.:happy3:

[elize]

"Making & Dressing Miniature Teddy Bears" by Julie K Owen

This book discuss materials, tools and even give stitching instructions. All the patterns are different with easy to follow instructions. There are 10 basic bear patterns & 12 birthday bear patterns. A great book to have if you want to make miniature bears.:happy3:

[elize]

"The Teddy Bear Encyclopedia" by Pauline Cockrill

This book is a "must have " for all teddy bear collectors. This book lists everything form identifying features and materials used to profiles of the bear designers and manufacturers.
This lovely book contains a wealth of detail and historical information which bear lovers will appreciate.

[elize]

If you are new to making bears then this is a book for you. You can start making bears immediately as there is a basic bear pattern in the book, a section on eye placements, different nose & mouth options and a chapter on miniature bear making with patterns.
The book has a lovely promising cover page but the inside pages are dull without any colored pictures. I still remember when I opened the book how disappointed I was that I left the book on my bookshelf for months before I looked at it again. :no:

[elize]

Wow what a great book for any teddy bear artist to have on your book shelf. As soon as I started reading the book I could not put it down. The quality of the paper is very good, lovely pictures and every page that you read is like a "short story" loaded with information. I can definitely recommend this book to artists who are starting to make bears as well as artists who wants to design teddy bears. :happy3::happy3::happy3:

[Bears and Beads]

Hi Elize
Have you recently purchased the Ted Menton book, and if so, was it in South Africa? There seems to be a great shortage of Bear Making Books readily available in our books shops.

[elize]

Exclusive books (South-Africa) were helpful as they wanted to order the book for me. I did not want to wait so I bought the book on Ebay from books_2_door_ltd http://stores.ebay.co.uk/books2door and they were excellent to buy from.
This is a great book that I can recommend you buy.

[elize]

Does any teddy bear collector have the "Steiff Assortment (Sortiment) 1892-1943" & "Shave these books do you think it is a "must have" for a collector?:?:

[Antik-Berlin]

Hi Elize,

1892-1943 is must have for sure :)

Very interesting book but a very expensive price. They are not all Steiff animals in this book !!!

The other book is no different to the others like 1949-1995. There are only more because the years.

regards Chris

[elize]

Hi Elize,

1892-1943 is must have for sure :)

Very interesting book but a very expensive price. They are not all Steiff animals in this book !!!

The other book is no different to the others like 1949-1995. There are only more because the years.

regards Chris

Thanks Chris, so I'll buy the 1892-1943.
I thought it is ONLY STEIFF animals in this book:confused2:
It is VERY expensive but a "Must have":)

[Antik-Berlin]

In this book are bears , animals and many other things from Steiff :)

[Mandicrafts]

Hi
I have both books, and was lucky enough to find the older one at a 25% teddy bear shop that was moving, so it wasn't as expensive as it usually is!!
I use them all the time to ID my finds!! and to look up the button and label info. I wish they'd issue another one to cover from 2004 to present.

I have many other teddy reference books covering all sorts of makers, but I am looking for one that would ID / value real kangaroo fur koalas etc, out of Australia. I have a vintage koala that is kangaroo fur and he is jointed!! I had one nice Australian lady tell me such a book existed but I can find nothing on the internet.