Celebration Time -The ColdhamCuddlies Shop is Three!

This should have been published yesterday - but, although drafted, the final publication button was omitted - because I got involved  in something else!  Am sure everyone has had plenty of such moments!  Isobel


Good afternoon Everyone!  Cy Bear here - on a Big Day for us Cuddlies.

Today, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013, the Coldham Cuddlies shop on Etsy (www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies)   is three years' old!  Actually, it is the day on which the first five items were listed in the Shop, and we have now got 59 items available for sale - from Big Teddy Bears like me,  various other kinds of  Bears,    Rabbits galore, and Foxes, Coyotes, Frogs, Beaver and a Wombat - not to mention a variety of Slippers in various sizes. (Isobel actually joined Etsy in January 2010, but spent six to nine months after doing that making some Cuddlies - which included me).

 Isobel is actually away from Heytesbury at the moment, but thanks to technology (which I don't understand, being merely a Bear, made from Beaver Lamb Fur), it is the Slippers that Isobel wants me to tell you about today.  She's been making them for the last few weeks, and is actually working on the last pair she wants to include in the 2013 Slipper Collection, which are being launched for sale today!  So we felt that you might be interested to hear how she goes about making them.

She's made slippers for Children (in Small, Medium and Large sizes), Ladies (also in Small, Medium and Large Sizes) and when she's finished, there will be the same variety in Mens' sizes too.  The Mens' and Childrens' versions are based on patterns she was given by her friend LauraC who operates two Shops herself on Etsy (one of which is www.Etsy.com/shop/EightBoardsFarm), while the Ladies' ones are wholly Isobel's own invention (based on a custom order from LauraC some months ago).  Most of them are made using the special plush fabrics we are lucky to have sourced locally, but we are more than prepared to make them in any other fabrics folks might like to consider for a pair of warm winter footwear.
Indeed, the Frog Ladies Slippers (Etsy Listing #160760658 ) were made in some moleskin-like fabric, not our usual furry plush materials.--

While making the Ladies Size 6-7 (Large) versions recently, Isobel took some photos as each step was reached, and this is how the process goes - featuring some Panda Head Slippers:

Ladies Panda Head Slippers - Etsy Listing #155281164

First, we use a pair of memory insoles that Isobel can get from a local multi-purpose store in Warminster.  The insoles have a diagram of  every size variation for Ladies and Mens shoes - in UK sizing.  She then cuts out the shape for a Ladies' Size 7 slipper following up by drawing the shape of both left and right feet  on the wrong side of a some faux leather fabric - allowing for about a one inch seam all around each insole.  Then the leather is tacked on to the insole and the finished bits look like this:

The right slipper has its' piece of poodle fur lining ready for fixing later on in the process.

Having cut out the poodle fur lining and outer plush fabric to fit around the outside of both slippers, Isobel then tacks them together, with wrong sides facing, so that they look like this:

In the background of this picture, you can see the unstuffed Panda head on the right, the black plush ears in the middle, and the front foot insert Isobel uses to make sure that the fabric goes round - allowing room for toes. She stitches the ColdhamCuddlies label on before attaching the outer straight edges to the insole.  They have been cut to not quite reach the tip of the toe, because Isobel puts a gusset in around the toe area, to allow for maximum wriggle room - and for really cold-blooded individuals among our friends, there is room for a sock to add extra warmth, if required!

Here, we have the slipper with the outer edge, complete with lining, sewn to the insole, the Panda head  ready for stuffing, complete with its eye patches in place, and the ears ready to be turned inside out prior to being attached to the stuffed head. Once the head is stuffed, and ears fixed, Isobel apparently attaches the bottom of the head to the poodle fur lining and then ladder stitches the outer edge to the head around the neck. She then ladder stitches around the whole outside of the slipper, attaching the outer fabric to the leather-covered insole.

The final piece of construction involves sewing the black and white checked satin ribbon edging around the ankle area of the slipper - so that the finished item looks like this (sideways-on view here).

Then here is what the slippers look like from the rear:

 

The Panda Head Slippers have joined the rest of the collection and are currently packed safely away in the Cuddlies carrying case all ready for the MacMillan Cancer Greatest Coffee Morning in the World sale we've been invited to appear at  on Monday, September 23.  By then, Isobel hopes to have completed the Large Mens' Size slipper, which features an Owl Head (another version to my friend Ben the Barn Owl Etsy Listing #99686556 ) - and another new introduction to the Cuddlies family.  We hope to have them listed shortly and feature them in another post early next week.

Until then, I'll end this story - and look forward to being with you again shortly.  It's nice to think that while I'm sitting on guard on the bed in Isobel's home in Heytesbury, I can still be with you here on the blog too!

Good night!  Cy Bear

A New Associate Cuddly - Meet Teddy Johnson!

Hello Everybody - Cy Bear once more being allowed to post about the latest  Patient in the ColdhamCuddlies Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185).

Teddy Johnson (TJ for short - it's a bit of a mouthful otherwise!) did not stay long with us, because overall he was in a very good condition, as you can see from the picture below.

His coat was in remarkable condition when you consider what some the Bears look like when they arrive for treatment!  But over the years, he'd been cuddled to the point that his stuffing had become withered and he'd lost his voice.  So, his Forever Friend, MrsEJ, when she saw what had happened when Pooh and Brown Bears had been Patients in the Clinic, asked Isobel to see what she could do for TJ (Teddy Johnson is what we decided to call him, because - as in a great number of cases, he'd always been called Teddy by MrsEJ.)

As we already had a Growler in stock (that is what Bear's voices are called when Isobel has to order them), the week after he had arrived in the Clinic - and because we were already treating Bernard Bear - TJ went with Isobel to the weekly Produce Stall in Heytesbury Church (which is where many of the cases seem to originate from!)  The Growler was tipped up to produce the sound that it made, MrsEJ said that was just what she wanted, and back into the plastic bag he was being carried in went TJ, accompanied by his Growler. What Produce (which I understand to mean vegetables, cakes, pies and coffee) and Toy restoration have in common, I just fail to comprehend!  However, in the last few weeks, we've had Pooh Bear, Brown Bear and now TJ arrive after weekly visits paid by Isobel to these events - so there has to be some connection.  I'll never understand humans.

While he had been staying in the Clinic, sitting on the Lloyd Loom Chair which has become the Waiting  Room, Isobel noticed that his paws was not very clean, and that his claws had started to come to pieces.  So, when  trying out the Growler, it was also decided that TJ would also have some brand new paw pads made for him, and that his face would be treated so that his nose and mouth were easier to see.  MrsEJ said she would not mind if his mouth was straightened if Isobel decided he would look better.  

Once Bernard Bear had been finished and sent on his way home, Isobel got to work on TJ.  His head was in very good condition, and the stuffing was still quite firm, so it was left alone. 

Looking at him, Isobel decided that the slightly quirky look of his mouth - with a slanting smile on one side of his face - gave him a bit of character, so she retained it when re-embroidering his mouth.  She drew the shape of his original nose before cutting away the remaining wool yarn used, and then re-placed the nose with some new double knitting yarn.

Then she undid the back seam and removed the stuffing.  It turned out to be a mixture of cotton wool and kapok, that quite literally disintegrated as it was taken out of TJ, creating quite a lot of dust.  No wonder he had become so limp over the years!  Then we had to put the Growler into his tummy.  It was first wrapped in a layer of polyester fibre, and put in the middle of his body.  Growlers come in a tube like structure, with one end having a set of holes.  Depending on whether a Bear talks when he leans forward, or backwards, the Growler is fixed with the holes set facing in a certain direction. ( Isobel never remembers, and has forgotten as she is typing this, but she has a set of instructions to which she refers each time a new Growler is required.) Quickly filling the rest of the space in TJ's body, his body was made much plumper and the seam sewed tightly together again.  Then Isobel turned her attention to the limbs.

By removing the paw pads, which were made of a felt like material, Isobel was able to get hold of the cotton wool/kapok mixture from each limb and then re-stuffed each arm and leg.  Then, discarding the felt pads, each one was replaced with beige glove quality suede leather.  TJ now has a much smarter, longer-lasting set of paw pads.  The claws were embroidered back with the same double knitting yarn Isobel had used for his nose.  He now looks like this.

TJ Bear is now safely back home with his Forever Friend, Mrs EJ and back sitting on the bed on which he had been residing before his treatment.  As a result of his treatment, TJ Bear has been awarded the status of Associate Cuddly in the ColdhamCuddlies Family archives - as are all the ColdhamCuddlies Patients.  He can also now stand up with a little assistance, and Isobel did have some photographs which showed him doing so - however, somehow, in transferring them from camera to the computer and now to here, these have disappeared.  As TJ is now back home again, you'll just have to take my word for it that he does now stand up!

The Slipper manufacture has been carrying on - with a hiccup or two - but Isobel is now down to the last two pairs needing to be sewn before she leaves for her holiday with Clare in Nottinghamshire.  That happens at the end of the week, and I shall then be left on guard sitting on our bed here at The Hospital of St. John - an onerous responsibility which I take very seriously! 

However, I shall not have as many toys to keep an eye on this time, as the plan is that not only will the 2013 Novelty Slipper Collection be travelling with Isobel, but also several of the Cuddlies too.  There are plans for at least two Craft Fairs at which they will be on display, and who knows,  maybe one or two more may appear.   I'm told that the computer on which we post these blogs will be going too, so there will be some posts being published while Isobel is away - if she has time, that is - but I shall obviously not be posting them.  So, this will be the last contribution from me for a few weeks.

Meanwhile, Isobel has just received back some very encouraging comments on her writing attempts which she submitted for Assignment 2 for her Writing for Children Course - and is intending to take Assignment 3 with her - to prepare for the next stage in this exciting and challenging enterprise!   She's going to be busy, is'nt she? We'll keep you posted!

Goodbye:  until the next time!  Your Friend, Cy Bear

This time our slippers feature.....FROGS,

Good evening, everyone:  here we are, Thursday already, and I've not blogged since the week-end.  I just wish there were 48 hours to each day, not the normal 24!

As you know, I'm  presently deeply involved in making slippers for both sale (and display) shortly, and these are the latest in the series.  We're offering two pairs of Mens slippers (Small and Medium sizes - the Large has yet to be produced, but are in the pipeline):   and Childrens' varieties in Small - Fox Heads, Medium - Leopard Heads using Leopard Print fabric, and Large - Tigers' Heads, again using an Animal Print Plush Fabric.  Now I've embarked on the Ladies, and these are the newest - destined for Sizes 2-3 (UK) Ladies feet.

These Green Moleskin type Frog Head Ladies Slippers  are part of the 2013 ColdhamCuddlies Specialities Product Offer available with effect from September 2013.   They are listed as examples in our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop.coldhamcuddlies - in case someone requires them as a gift for overseas family members.

They are made from a pattern that has developed since the first, experimental Rabbit Slippers emerged earlier this year - following extensive conversations between a particular Etsy contact and myself -  please visit  https://www.etsy.com/listing/152976020/yellow-rabbit-slippers-novelty-gift-men?  During the ensuing  production process, Size 5-6 and 7-8 slippers have been produced, but these were the result of local neighbours' commissions.  They are about to be reproduced for sale here on Etsy - although their listings do already feature in our Shop.  These can be seen here  https://www.etsy.com/listing/153816646/ladies-novelty-slippers-brown-plush? and also  https://www.etsy.com/listing/155281164/ladies-panda-slippers-novelty-gift-black?

These Green Frog Head Slippers have a Memory Foam insole base covered by faux leather - which has a matt finished, but CANNOT be GUARANTEED slip proof.

The outer layer is made with green moleskin type fabric, with a white lining, and is sewn on to the insole together with a cream Poodle fur fabric lining.  They are attached in such a way that no seams are visible - thus preventing unnecessary seam contact with an individual's skin.  The sole of the slipper is separately sewn with a cream Poodle fur lining and the entire slipper is then encased at the ankle with a Green Satin Ribbon edging, through which 1 cm (1/2") wide elastic has been threaded.

To ensure a satisfactory, personal fit, sufficient leeway has been created for the elastic to be pulled to meet individuals' requirements.   An opening under the ribbon bow allows access for any adjustments to be undertaken.  While there are no feet "in residence", the toes are currently stuffed with tissue paper in order to hold the slippers shape!

These slippers usually take me between 3-4 days per pair to produce from cutting out the fabric pieces to completion.  They do not have to be Frog Heads - the choice is down to the Buyer, who can visit our Shop site to review the other Toys' Heads - and arrangements will be made to accommodate any choice of Animal or colour specified.  The pattern is based on slippers I made one Christmas (way back in the 1970's) for all the male members of my significantly large family - but those were made with felt, and didn't last as long as I believe these will.

To ensure the finished product is "Made to Fit"  when ordering  ALL the following information will be most helpful, but are  not absolutely vital.  The items highlighted with a ** ARE needed however.

Frog Slipper for the Left Foot

(1) Your normal shoe size. **
(2) Colour combination(s) - if different from those shown**
(3) If possible, a drawing of each foot - to accommodate individual shapes!
(4) Measurement of each foot from Toe to Ankle OVER the instep arch.
(5) Width of foot from side to side, OVER instep arch.
(6) Ankle circumference at top edge of slipper - to accommodate any possible swelling involved.

This is for the Right Foot - despite the apparent twist  at the toes!

Armed with this information, it should be possible for me to meet your specific needs!  Otherwise, they fit or they don't!  I am always prepared to re-work, provided any returns have not been damaged in the process of being sent back!  So far, it has not been necessary.

Etsy Listing #160760658

Slippers can be made for Children, Ladies and Men - once all the above information is provided for each person.  However, please be aware, that no matter the fact that they are made in the same way, just as I can never produce a completely identical toy, the same holds true for a pair of Slippers.  I have noticed, however, that even with the mass-produced variety, although they may look identical on first sight, they can vary in fit when a foot is actually inserted!  But, isn't that the joy of HAND MADE?

A pair of Ladies Size 4-6 (UK) are in the process of production. Number One slipper is almost complete - all it needs is elastic being threaded through:  however, Slipper Number Two has not worked as well - the seamstress trying to do things too quickly, I fear! (I had only taken 2 days to do them so far!) So, the work will have to be undone - and re-started:  oh, that's another "joy" of HAND MADE!  It's not too difficult to undo something that has gone more than slightly skewed!  And it also shows that I must allow at least 3-4 days for each pair to be sure of an acceptable result!

Back again soon - meanwhile, it's both hands to the slipper - with the trusty "Quic Unpic" to the fore! (Makes a change from applying them to unsuspecting Bears!)  Good night  lsobel 

PS:  These Slippers have already found a home!  The lady comes to visit me every six weeks or so to treat my feet - and she is frog mad.  When she saw them yesterday during her latest visit, she agreed to purchase them at our next meeting - in mid-October.  Meanwhile, I have permission to display them on my stall as "Reserved - Already Sold"!  Let us hope that is an omen of things to come!