Rolling Bear

[Claude]

I put this in General, if one of the moderators thinks it's better elsewhere, feel free to move; probably could go equally well in Animals or Caricatures...

Back in issue #37 of WCI, Desiree Hajny mentioned she has seen a rolling bear, and she designed a rolling pony, bison, and elephant. I never did see a rolling bear anywhere, so I used Ms. Hajny's patterns as the guide to create a bear pattern so I could carve one for my grandson (age 3).

Here's the result. Because he's only 3, I intentionally left the coarse sanding marks on the bear and didn't use the v tool to make more definitive hair, primarily because he might get cut on a sharp edge, and I wanted him to have something with which he could play and make enough noise to annoy his parents... For this same reason, I just painted on the claws instead of carving them. I think my daughter-in-law has forgiven me for sending the musical frog down...

Anyway, here are the photos. Bear measures 3 inches tall, 3 1/2 inches long, about 2 1/2 inches across, carved from basswood, finished with burnt umber acrylic and water-based varnish.

Claude

[feb]

Claude, I like it. I wanted to do that pony for the longest time but never got started. Nice job, I'm sure he'll love it.

Feb

[toycarver]

How big is it? Looks neat.

[Mottles]

Hi Claude, nice carving on the 'Rolling Bear.'
Kathy

[Claude]

Thanks, all, for the nice comments...

Reading another thread, I just noticed someone carved a rolling bear and put it on the forum almost a year ago... Influenced Carvings

...could have saved myself some time coming up with a pattern if I'd seen this one earlier. Nice carving, Joggernot - wish I'd seen it earlier!

Claude

[Lightningbolt]

Claude: I knew that I badly wanted to carve one of these little buggers when the design was posted a few days ago but now your fine work has me wanting it in the worst way imaginable. Great job!

[Iowa Carver]

That's a neat little bear Claude, nice going!

Corey

[Larry Marshall]

Great bear, Claude. I've seen a rolling elephant recently, but never the bear. It's a really great toy idea an I love the finish on yours.

[Joy]

Bet you get a big hug from your grandson! Cute bear....well done.

[Lonewolfcarver]

Neat little bear!