Circus Bear

Perhaps you remember me purchasing the old bear head recently?...(and you probably wondered 'what possessed me to?!!' ;-))

I couldn't help but wonder how he'd come to be in such a sorry state with no body, arms or legs, no ears and no eyes (not to mention no fuzz left anywhere on his head)! Why someone then thought they'd offer him for sale at a fair!...and how someone mad enough had come along and purchased him! ;-)

My reason for buying him was that he's identical (or would have been if he was still a complete bear save for some bald patches that are inevitable for any well-loved toy!) to my Mum's childhood teddy.

He's straw-filled and dates from the 1930's/40's. I wanted to try and give him a second chance...

First I created some ears from old gold velvet, lined inside with antique French Vichy check which had faded from red to a soft pink. 

 Then for some neck ruffles, also created from Vichy check.

One large...

And one smaller. 

I wanted them to have an authentic timeworn look to fit with the old bear, so purposely chose sections with holes and seams. 

Lastly, I gave him some new amber glass eyes. He was then ready to be assembled. 

(I've made hats stands many times in the past - Examples here, here, here and here.)

Here's bear wearing his new ruffles, trimmed with loops of lace and a rusty bell, and secured to the top of a c1930's candlestick.

Beautifully modelling a flamboyant 50's hat, I think he's found his new vocation! 

'How do I look?'

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Next on the to-do list is making some clothes for the 1920's velveteen doll...

Thanks for stopping-by.

Have a lovely week,

Niki x