After 50 years making Toys, describing how they are made and sold on www.Etsy.com/shop/COLDHAMCUDDLIES; plus histories of toys owned, met with or restored: plus odds and ends, as they occur.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
ColdhamCuddliescalling: Just keeping in touch
ColdhamCuddliescalling: Just keeping in touch: "Hello there! Am taking a short break from toy-making - as long as it takes me to do some domestic sewing projects that have been mouldering..."
Just keeping in touch
Hello there! Am taking a short break from toy-making - as long as it takes me to do some domestic sewing projects that have been mouldering on the back-burner while I've been enjoying the toys! Cannot put them off any more, so, while I'll still be blogging, it may not be concerning the toys. May include some pics of what I'm up to in this field: let's see how I go on.
On the other hand, there are some updates on previous posts: the potential sale of a Fox or two to the local primary school in Heytesbury has yet to take place. Although I contacted them in May, only heard from them today. They must have got the vibes I was sending out that I would call in unannounced! With the school year-end in sight, money is not available for such "frivolous" (my description, not theirs) purchases so we have agreed to leave a get together until September - the beginning of a new school year - when hopefully money will be available. Have booked a table for their Christmas bazaar though, and got a toe in the door - which was the general idea in the first place. As a former School Governor, I had an idea that funds would not be readily available at this stage of the school year!
Have been trying to get prices for the replacement business cards I really am beginning to need. So far, none have beaten the internet site who made the mess-up on my previous set. So, may have to return to them, this time being a lot more careful before pressing the final button to set the whole thing up! Will try to do it in daylight this time, rather than at night, when inevitably one is tired and not as accurate in proof-reading.
Am really excited to report that following a contact with Stephi of StephisWhimsys (a fellow Etsian), I was able to purchase a Bear and Doll magazine with several possible bear patterns. As I've said before, I'm not into dolls - although some of the patterns are charming in the magazine. But the Bears templates offer some distinct possibilities for future Cuddlies creations. They will be based on the patterns in the magazine, but not follow the instructions entirely. Don't want to run the risk of infringing any copyright still vested in them by the magazine publishers. Still, it's very exciting to have some new directions to follow.
Have also been given a lead to a newish Art Gallery in Warminster - our local town - which seeks to feature local artists. A kind friend enquired whether the owner would be interested in featuring a Cuddly or two, and she was kind enough to say she'd like to meet me. So, now, it's a question of finding the time to go and meet her, introduce some Cuddlies, and see if we can do business. Such actions are a new direction for me, so will have to be carefully considered.
It's now getting late - I need my beauty sleep: husband is well in the Land of Nod, so had better go and join him!
Until the next time. Isobel
On the other hand, there are some updates on previous posts: the potential sale of a Fox or two to the local primary school in Heytesbury has yet to take place. Although I contacted them in May, only heard from them today. They must have got the vibes I was sending out that I would call in unannounced! With the school year-end in sight, money is not available for such "frivolous" (my description, not theirs) purchases so we have agreed to leave a get together until September - the beginning of a new school year - when hopefully money will be available. Have booked a table for their Christmas bazaar though, and got a toe in the door - which was the general idea in the first place. As a former School Governor, I had an idea that funds would not be readily available at this stage of the school year!
Have been trying to get prices for the replacement business cards I really am beginning to need. So far, none have beaten the internet site who made the mess-up on my previous set. So, may have to return to them, this time being a lot more careful before pressing the final button to set the whole thing up! Will try to do it in daylight this time, rather than at night, when inevitably one is tired and not as accurate in proof-reading.
Am really excited to report that following a contact with Stephi of StephisWhimsys (a fellow Etsian), I was able to purchase a Bear and Doll magazine with several possible bear patterns. As I've said before, I'm not into dolls - although some of the patterns are charming in the magazine. But the Bears templates offer some distinct possibilities for future Cuddlies creations. They will be based on the patterns in the magazine, but not follow the instructions entirely. Don't want to run the risk of infringing any copyright still vested in them by the magazine publishers. Still, it's very exciting to have some new directions to follow.
Have also been given a lead to a newish Art Gallery in Warminster - our local town - which seeks to feature local artists. A kind friend enquired whether the owner would be interested in featuring a Cuddly or two, and she was kind enough to say she'd like to meet me. So, now, it's a question of finding the time to go and meet her, introduce some Cuddlies, and see if we can do business. Such actions are a new direction for me, so will have to be carefully considered.
It's now getting late - I need my beauty sleep: husband is well in the Land of Nod, so had better go and join him!
Until the next time. Isobel
 |
| Cy Bear and Miss Prim |
Monday, 13 June 2011
Making Mr. Fox - the final instalment
Finally, the weather listened to the forecast - and the sun came out this afternoon, sufficiently for Isobel to get some photos of the latest addition to the Fox family in our shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com. He's just been listed (#75921238 and he's been named Sir Francis Fox!) Isobel feels he looks somewhat aristocratic (whatever that is?) and certainly he seems happy with it! He has a slightly wonky left ear - but no matter what Isobel did to straighten it, the end results were always the same - slightly off kilter: so in the end, that's the way she decided Sir Francis wanted it to be! Makes him look individual, anyway, doesn't it?
Finally - for today, at any rate: in an earlier post about the Foxes, I said that neither would be "officially" members of the Coldham Cuddlies, unless and until, they had been photographed with me! So, Isobel heard - and took action this afternoon. This picture now entitles both Foxes to become Coldham Cuddlies at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com! Welcome to the family Miss Prim and Sir Francis.
 | ||
| Sir Francis Fox, completed From this picture you'll see that his total "look" has changed. His jacket is now neatly sewn on to his body, and has a double silver button fastening. Isobel has sewn it on very tightly, and it will take some getting off - but even so, just to be safe, she doesn't recommend that Sir Francis becomes a companion toy for anyone under 5 years' old. Little people apparently have a tendency to try to put things like buttons in their mouths (what ever for, I wonder? They cannot taste that good, surely?) That's why we've got Baby Rabbits, Koala Bears and Pandas for sale at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com - because they are all very suitable friends for little people from 0-5 years of age. The dressed members of the Cuddly family really are better companions for the older folks, although Isobel knows of one - Mr. Toby Rabbit, who left the family before Isobel had heard of Etsy.com - who became the best friend of a little chap on his 1st birthday. The two of them became completely inseperable! Isobel also took some more photographs of Miss Prim Fox (Etsy Listing #75340524) - as promised, and also some of the two new Foxes with me. Here is one of the new Miss Prim Fox portraits: |
 |
| Miss Prim Fox on a bench in our garden, showing off her pantaloons! |
 |
Bye for now! Cy Bear
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Making Mr. Fox - the next stage
Cy Bear did such a good job describing what I do when making Foxes for addition to our shop on www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com that I think I'll let him carry on.
That's kind of Isobel - so here goes. Once Mr. Fox's boots were firmly sewn on, the next addition is the furry tail. Mr. Foxes have a white tip to their tails, so when making up the patterns, Isobel has to cut two bits for Mr. Fox's version (the lady foxes have a self-colour version which takes less time to make up). Then once having joined the white and chesnut plush fabrics, the tail is sewn in one piece, stuffed and sewn (firmly - it's ideal for little people to hold on to when playing with them!) through the trousers and onto the body.
 | |
| Mr. Fox's tail viewed from the side |
The picture also shows Mr. Fox with his jacket on. That takes quite a bit of sewing before reaching the stage shown in this photo. The original pattern calls for the jackets to be made in felt alone. However, Isobel likes to use other materials - in this case a nice dark blue tweed material, which has a darker blue circle pattern incorporated into it. Many of these fabrics tend to fray, so the jackets have to be lined, and sometimes the seams have to be over-sewn to prevent them falling apart. Then she added some light blue braid around the lapels (to match those on the cuffs) and fits it on to Mr. Fox's body. The rear has a slit cut into it to accommodate the tail.
 |
| Showing the jacket, with rear slit for tail |
Now, we did intend to finish the Mr. Fox production story today, but plans had to change - because we've still not taken the photographs of the finished Mr. Fox. The weather also took a turn for the worse and the light was not good enough for outside pictures. Isobel does want to have some pictures of a completed Mr. Fox (hopefully, we'll have a name for him soon - it's so formal continuing to refer to him as MR Fox!) taken outside in the garden so photography sessions have been postponed. At the same time, we'll take some more pictures of Miss Prim Fox (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/#75340524) and then she can replace some of those already in the Shop at the same time as Mr. Fox gets listed. Meanwhile, here is a final picture of Mr. Fox still minus his head, but this time leaning on Isobel's sewing machine.
 |
| Mr. Fox's body from the front, with head waiting to be fixed on |
Friday, 10 June 2011
Making Mr. Fox Part 2
Evening All! Cy Bear addressing you again! Isobel has graciously permitted to have a word tonight, so.....here goes.
Main item to announce is that Mr. Fox is actually completed - but has yet to have his final pictures taken, including the official one with me! No one becomes a member of the ColdhamCuddlies family these days unless I give them the once-over! Isobel may list them in the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) but as far as I'm concerned they are not one of us until I'm involved too. After all, what is a mascot all about, eh?
Right: now to the matter of Mr. Fox's construction: Isobel forgot to mention (even though the pictures in the last post showed them) that once the body is made, she has to attach the arms and paws of Mr. Fox. In this case, the arms are made in a rather smart blue tweed material, with the plush fur at the end for his paws. They are stuffed and sewn in at the appropriate point on Mr. Fox's body. Then the waistcoat can be placed on the body.
After than, come his plus-fours. They are made in a cream linen type material, which feels velvety to the touch. In order to make the trousers stay in the plus-four shape, they have to be stuffed lightly with the same material used to stuff all of us - which meets all international safety standards. There's a picture of Mr. Fox at this stage coming up now!
Then comes the construction of Mr. Fox's boots. Isobel has a good selection of different leathers, obtained from a local glove-making factory which has been in business for over a century, and is based in our nearby town of Warminster, Wiltshire, England, UK. This time she chose a beige suede leather for Mr. Fox's boots which she says were a lot easier to sew than some of the other leather boots she has made for the Rabbits, Foxes and Coyotes in the shop. (How about visiting www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com to see what I mean?) Once sewn, she put some cardboard in the soles to help him stand up (not all of the toys are as good at it, when completed, as others!) and then the boots are tightly stuffed. Before being added to the legs, Isobel cuts out felt for the boot turnovers (this Mr. Fox's are blue, in tune with the overall colour-scheme) and then she attaches the boots to each leg using a ladder-stitch). Isobel makes sure that the join is secure - otherwise they don't stand up at all! Then the turnover is manipulated into place - and hey presto, Mr. Fox has boots. Think he looks rather smart, don't you?
Isobel wants me to stop prattling now, so that we can complete the description in our next post - probably tomorrow. So, goodnight for now. Cy Bear
Main item to announce is that Mr. Fox is actually completed - but has yet to have his final pictures taken, including the official one with me! No one becomes a member of the ColdhamCuddlies family these days unless I give them the once-over! Isobel may list them in the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) but as far as I'm concerned they are not one of us until I'm involved too. After all, what is a mascot all about, eh?
Right: now to the matter of Mr. Fox's construction: Isobel forgot to mention (even though the pictures in the last post showed them) that once the body is made, she has to attach the arms and paws of Mr. Fox. In this case, the arms are made in a rather smart blue tweed material, with the plush fur at the end for his paws. They are stuffed and sewn in at the appropriate point on Mr. Fox's body. Then the waistcoat can be placed on the body.
After than, come his plus-fours. They are made in a cream linen type material, which feels velvety to the touch. In order to make the trousers stay in the plus-four shape, they have to be stuffed lightly with the same material used to stuff all of us - which meets all international safety standards. There's a picture of Mr. Fox at this stage coming up now!
 | ||
| Rear view of plus-fours, arms and paws in place |
Then comes the construction of Mr. Fox's boots. Isobel has a good selection of different leathers, obtained from a local glove-making factory which has been in business for over a century, and is based in our nearby town of Warminster, Wiltshire, England, UK. This time she chose a beige suede leather for Mr. Fox's boots which she says were a lot easier to sew than some of the other leather boots she has made for the Rabbits, Foxes and Coyotes in the shop. (How about visiting www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com to see what I mean?) Once sewn, she put some cardboard in the soles to help him stand up (not all of the toys are as good at it, when completed, as others!) and then the boots are tightly stuffed. Before being added to the legs, Isobel cuts out felt for the boot turnovers (this Mr. Fox's are blue, in tune with the overall colour-scheme) and then she attaches the boots to each leg using a ladder-stitch). Isobel makes sure that the join is secure - otherwise they don't stand up at all! Then the turnover is manipulated into place - and hey presto, Mr. Fox has boots. Think he looks rather smart, don't you?
 | |
| Mr. Fox's boots seen from the front |
Thursday, 9 June 2011
ColdhamCuddliescalling: The start-up of Mr. Fox
ColdhamCuddliescalling: The start-up of Mr. Fox: "Hello there! Yet again, I've been overtaken by the overwhelming urge to link with folks - now that I seem to be getting somewhere. Daytim..."
The start-up of Mr. Fox
Hello there!
Yet again, I've been overtaken by the overwhelming urge to link with folks - now that I seem to be getting somewhere. Daytime and other home life pressures prevent me being able to do too much during the day and it's a question of time allocation - do I blog, sew, or link? Also since the last blog, I've also been getting on with the production of the new Mr. Fox. He will have to remain with this formal title until he's finished - when, hopefully, his name will be come obvious. (As in the case of Miss Prim Fox - www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/75340524). His shirt is made in the same material as Miss Prim's dress: and although blue is the colour theme, he is his own unique self (as are all the Coldham Cuddlies featured at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).
However, before describing the Mr. Fox production process, here's an update. As alluded to in my last blog, Charlie Coyote, Mascot for the Wylye Coyote's After School Club, has presided over an award ceremony. I promised to include the picture which accompanied the report in last week's Warminster Journal - and here it is:
As ever, the quality of the picture suffers from the fact that is taken from a newsprint pic, but one can see Charlie quite clearly being held by the Wylye Coyote on the far right of the pciture. Permission to include this in our post today has been given by Mrs. Kate Brayne, Manager of the Wylye Coyotes After School Club.
Now to the process of producing Mr. Fox: obviously, one starts with cutting out the pattern using my special template for the Fox Family. I have used these since I began making the foxes in the late 1970's while living in Canada (although I have had the pattern book since 1971). Making the male foxes is a more complicated process than the lady foxes, because there are so many more pattern pieces involved. Once they are all cut out and the materials vary - using plain sheeting or calico for the body, plush fur for the paws, tail and head, tweeds or similar weight material for the plus-fours and coat, cotton poplin for the waistcoat and completing the outfit with leather for the boots. Leather finishes the toys off, I feel personally, even though the original pattern calls for the boots to be made with felt. I can do so fairly easily at the moment, because we are located close to a Glove Making factory - in business for over a century - (which also makes quality handbags and other leather goods) and I can buy off-cuts from them.
This time around, I made the body with white sheeting material - of which I am fortunate to have a good supply. The soft furnishing factory which provides me with their off-cuts (plush fur and tweeds mainly) is also where I purchase the polyester fibre which is used to stuff the toys. They provide it to me at trade rates, which is handy, and I can get it by the kilo (approximately 2.2 pounds weight) for roughly the same price as I could in a haberdashery outlet for 200 grammes (or approximately a quarter of a pound!) This meets all international safety standards. The factory usually stuffs the fibre into a pillow made with the sheeting material - and I am able to get several toys out of one pillow's worth of sheeting.
The latest Mr. Fox's body was then stuffed and the waistcoat made and placed on the body shape - as shown in the picture below.
The production process continues - and the description of it will follow in the next post - hopefully, tomorrow. If he's good, I may let Cy Bear do it this time! Bye for tonight. Isobel
Yet again, I've been overtaken by the overwhelming urge to link with folks - now that I seem to be getting somewhere. Daytime and other home life pressures prevent me being able to do too much during the day and it's a question of time allocation - do I blog, sew, or link? Also since the last blog, I've also been getting on with the production of the new Mr. Fox. He will have to remain with this formal title until he's finished - when, hopefully, his name will be come obvious. (As in the case of Miss Prim Fox - www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/75340524). His shirt is made in the same material as Miss Prim's dress: and although blue is the colour theme, he is his own unique self (as are all the Coldham Cuddlies featured at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).
However, before describing the Mr. Fox production process, here's an update. As alluded to in my last blog, Charlie Coyote, Mascot for the Wylye Coyote's After School Club, has presided over an award ceremony. I promised to include the picture which accompanied the report in last week's Warminster Journal - and here it is:
As ever, the quality of the picture suffers from the fact that is taken from a newsprint pic, but one can see Charlie quite clearly being held by the Wylye Coyote on the far right of the pciture. Permission to include this in our post today has been given by Mrs. Kate Brayne, Manager of the Wylye Coyotes After School Club.
Now to the process of producing Mr. Fox: obviously, one starts with cutting out the pattern using my special template for the Fox Family. I have used these since I began making the foxes in the late 1970's while living in Canada (although I have had the pattern book since 1971). Making the male foxes is a more complicated process than the lady foxes, because there are so many more pattern pieces involved. Once they are all cut out and the materials vary - using plain sheeting or calico for the body, plush fur for the paws, tail and head, tweeds or similar weight material for the plus-fours and coat, cotton poplin for the waistcoat and completing the outfit with leather for the boots. Leather finishes the toys off, I feel personally, even though the original pattern calls for the boots to be made with felt. I can do so fairly easily at the moment, because we are located close to a Glove Making factory - in business for over a century - (which also makes quality handbags and other leather goods) and I can buy off-cuts from them.
This time around, I made the body with white sheeting material - of which I am fortunate to have a good supply. The soft furnishing factory which provides me with their off-cuts (plush fur and tweeds mainly) is also where I purchase the polyester fibre which is used to stuff the toys. They provide it to me at trade rates, which is handy, and I can get it by the kilo (approximately 2.2 pounds weight) for roughly the same price as I could in a haberdashery outlet for 200 grammes (or approximately a quarter of a pound!) This meets all international safety standards. The factory usually stuffs the fibre into a pillow made with the sheeting material - and I am able to get several toys out of one pillow's worth of sheeting.
The latest Mr. Fox's body was then stuffed and the waistcoat made and placed on the body shape - as shown in the picture below.
 | |
| Mr. Fox from the rear |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)