The Thingamebob is Revealed

I couldn't leave him until tomorrow, I just had to get him finished to see what he looked like.

                                                   Here he is, my very first Alley Cat

 As soon as I started making the head I couldn't put him down, and just had to get him finished.




 

I really hope he is popular as I want to make some more in different colours.  I am already planning a blue and lime green one and have thought about a girly pink one with little embroidered flowers on the tummy.  The combinations are endless.

I am hoping that they will go down well at the local craft fairs along with the Diddy Dogs.  I have until Spring to get enough of both made up to fill a table, along with the artist bears.

Diddy Dogs



The Alley Cats have googly eyes and fluffed up wool that makes them unsuitable for young children.

They are really made as display items/ shelf sitters, not as toys.

 



Is he a Bear? Is he a Mouse? No - he's a She

Dreaming of getting his arms and legs

Last time I showed you the mohair miniature that I was making.  At the time I was wondering if he was a bear or a mouse.
Definately a bear I decided, but something was just not right.  I tried a ribbon around his neck - no that didn't work.  I went to my little jar of decorations - bows, flowers, buttons etc.  

Ready for the Queen's Garden Party

That's it! 
No wonder he didn't look right,
he is a young lady bear, not a boy bear.

 
 I found a little yellow flower made of ribbon and fastened it to her head in the style of a fascinator, the type of modern hat  that everyone who is everyone is wearing.
It transformed her into a pretty young lady bear, and she is now ready for Ascot or Buckingham Palace. :)

She is just 3.75"/9.5cm tall and although my efforts to get her to stand unaided have sort of worked, it still needs more work as she is still not quite balanced enough for my liking. Probably I need steel shot instead of glass beads for the weight.
You can find her in my Etsy shop priced at £25 + postage.
I have one more of these miniature bears to make
up before the Minstead fair on Sunday. This next one is a pale fawn colour in a thicker long pile mohair, so should be quite a fluffy bear.

After that is completed it will be back to the Diddy Dogs as they will give the colour to my table at the fair.



Christmas Gifts From my Shops - 74 days to go

I have been thinking about what I have in my shops that is suitable for Christmas gifts or decorations.
Although in truth, all of the bears, dogs etc could be given for Christmas.  A vintage bear can be a personal thing and unless you actually tell your loved one "I like that bear" they may not choose correctly.
With this in mind I have tried to put a few items into the shops that could be used as stocking fillers.
There are bag/zipper charms, small Pud Bears, door hangers and of course the new Diddy Dogs.

Here is the first collection of gift ideas, aimed mainly at pet lovers or anyone that loves cute and cuddly.



Beautiful Steiff 'Whiskas' Grey Tabby Persian

Merrythought Lamb









What about a nightdress/pyjama case?
These would make great gifts.


Yellow Bunny Nightdress Case

*These are vintage items with glass eyes and the rabbit has wire in his ears so not suitable for young children.

Pekingese Pyjama Case (others are available in my shops)

This cute musical dog nods her head when wound up.





Stripey Diddy Dog
Only £12.50 including postage to UK

Then of course, there are the Diddy Dogs, cute little knitted pups in many different colour combinations.
If you would like one making up in your own colour choices, please message me.







Hand knitted Diddy Dogs

Diddy Dog in blue and white



I hope you enjoyed this first collection of Christmas gift ideas.  Over the next few weeks I will be showing more items from my shops www.etsy.com/shop/pollysvintagebears and www.pollysvintagebears.weebly.com

If you have any questions about any of these items please feel free to contact me.  There is a contact form on my Weebly website for messages.