In the last post I showed you my inspiration, discussed my concept and gave you a glimpse into my creative process. Some people start their work at the beginning or at the end ( I have heard a number of writers do this), well I start in the middle. It is a good thing that in having to make only 3 items , there is a definite middle. I felt that if I could accomplish what I set out to with the mother / child bears that numbers 1 and 2 would be easier. I wanted the white mother pair to be strong , yet soft to the touch and the child to be green , not yet furry and very vulnerable on its own. I wanted the mother to carry the child . I have always loved the inuit packing dolls and set out to have mine carry her child in a similar way, in the hood of a wool felt hand sewn parka. The mother was knit using my own design with very soft ivory colored suri alpaca wool and stuffed with wool roving. Her parka was hand sewn from 100% wool felt and the trim if hand dyed boucle mohair.
The little green cub was made from wool felt, stuffed with roving and the details were embroidered on with cotton embroidery thread. The cub fits perfectly in the hood of the mother's parka. 
This is what the floor looks like so far just before I break for some nourishment, yummy chicken curry on rice.
Before I move on to making number 1 and 3 I start working on the icebergs. I wanted to wet felt the basic iceberg and then add details with needle felting. I searched the yard and home for iceberg looking objects to felt but couldn't readily find them until I opened the wooden toy bin in the basement. I covered the wood with duct tape so as not to damage it with hot soapy water and then I felted them with natural wool roving.
I am so sorry I forgot to take pictures of the icebergs before adding the details. The last one was felted over a large oval stone and was done in shades of green , blue and natural wool . You will see what I mean later right now I only want to show you the iceberg for number 2 . Here it is with the details added and I needle felted a small depression in one side for the little green cub to rest in when the mother wanted to set him down.
There you have it the finished item titled The Polar Bears are Turning Green #2. If you visit the show in seattle in October that is what you will see displayed and available for purchase with my portion of the funds going to my favorite environmental group in Canada , the David Suzuki Foundation. Tomorrow I will show you number 1 and then hopefully number 3 on wednesday before they get packed up in a box and mailed to Seattle. I would really appreciate your feedback. I have never sold anything I have made let alone participate in a show before. How am I doing so far ???
Your work is wonderful. So pretty, lots of nice details and super original! You will do great (more than great I'm sure)at the show!!! The David Suzuki Foundation is also my favorite :)
Posted by: Claudia | August 25, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I love it! Especially the blues you incorporated into the iceberg!
The green on mama bear's coat looks like she walked through some moss and it clung to her coat. So pretty! (Although not the desired outcome in real life.)
I'm sure you're going to do awesomely at the show!
Posted by: knittinandnoodlin | August 25, 2008 at 09:23 PM
The Polar Bear set is wonderful! So cute, I think it will sell quickly. Good Luck!
Posted by: Judy K | August 25, 2008 at 09:57 PM
I'm blown away!! All of the pieces are perfect!
Posted by: Patricia | August 25, 2008 at 11:40 PM
so lovely...
my daughter saw this post, and exclaimed "oh, mama, greens! polar bear! it's what i want to be!"
Posted by: francesca | August 26, 2008 at 11:07 AM
They are beautiful. I love the baby's expression, the iceberg colors, the mama's coat. I can't wait to see the rest! I've been thinking about making things to sell lately, too. I am constantly making things, but never selling them. I think I fall in love with my projects! I am getting inspired by all of the amazing etsy crafters, and want to sell something, too.
Posted by: Maiz | August 26, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Everything about these polar bears is breathtakingly beautiful...
Your attention to detail shine in the project from the blue swirls in the ice burg to that winter coat with the pointy hood/pouch trimmed in boucle! The ice, I mean mirror, was an ingenious platform for your shoot. What a wonderful way to test your feet in the selling world.
p.s.Of course, I love that baby bear cub and am grieving about his "green-ness"!
Posted by: mayaluna | August 26, 2008 at 03:31 PM
this one turned out really nicely! i can't wait to see the others.
Posted by: rebekah | August 26, 2008 at 03:58 PM
i would buy this book if you wrote and illustrated it with your lovely creatures!!! i love the forlorn look of the little green baby, and momma's coat + pointy hood are just the best. i'm sure that you will be a hit a plush you. :)
and i won't offer any tips on pricing because i am horrible at it myself. i'll be curious as to what other people have to say.
Posted by: cathygaubert | August 27, 2008 at 01:53 AM
ummm, sorry...that should have been "at" plush you! i guess that maybe i should use the preview option next time. ;)
Posted by: cathygaubert | August 27, 2008 at 01:54 AM