Friendship Bears

• Groups are established with five participants in each group. Each person is assigned (or requests) a specific part of the bear to complete.
• The first person makes 5 heads (one for each person in the group) Each should be basically the same design so everyone in the group has a similar bear in the final outcome, although creative license is given for slight creative variations!
• Once completed the heads are then sent to the second person who makes 5 bodies and attaches the heads. (If disc jointing, do not sew body closed,but stuff it so it looks happy! (The leg person can sew him closed after attaching the legs!)
• The third person makes the arms and attaches them then sends them to the next person who makes the legs.
• Then finally the bears are sent to the last person who finishes off the bear with appropriate trimmings & accessories or possibly a display scene.
• When completed, the bears are sent off to each participant in the group for an incredible reunion!
• Everyone uses their own fabrics, and patterns...but it is suggested that a copy of the pattern you use is included with the traveling project so that the next person can appropriately size and balance the rest of the bear.
• Any specific instructions should be included with the traveling package if there are specific needs.
• We suggest thread-jointing only because it is the most convenient for a project such as this. If the
• The postage costs seem to balance out fairly well, with everyone paying to send the batch (or finished teddies) on to their destination. If the finished project gets large because of display pieces and requires extra postage then the group should discuss how to keep the last person from having a staggering postage bill!
• We will assist groups in any way that we can, but we cannot be responsible for the actions of individual participants.
• We encourage participation only by those who are responsible and prompt about their committments and take their obligations seriously. We are aware that unforseeable situations and delays can arise so it is imparative that up-to-date communications are established with others in the group so that there are no disappointed participants or hurt feelings.
• To send the final teddybears (if they are mini's without a large display piece) a great source for small and sturdy mailing boxes is your local baseball card shop. The small boxes are nearly indestructable and quite inexpensive.
• Each person will have two weeks to complete their part of the bears. It may sound like a short amount of time, but when you add up five participants that is 10 weeks...not including procrastinators!
• To sign-up send an email to: bearytail@aol.com and be sure to include your snail mail address! Also indicate whether you are a beginner...intermediate...advanced bearmaker so you can be assigned a group/part appropriately.

You won't want to miss out on this creative collaboration! Let your imagination flow! Sometimes a theme emerges......or a collage of creativity blossoms.....or a colorful character explodes with fun!

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