What? No Charmin?

[Eddy-Smiles]

Did that get your attention? I did consider carving a roll between his paws but given my limited talent figured that it would come out looking like a giant marshmallow or something worse.

The bear is carved from a piece of scrap northern basswood that I bought at Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers. Those that frequent Mac's shop know that there is a scrap box in the back of the store with a sundry of various sized pieces of basswood for $0.25 a piece. Whenever I visit I always pick up a half dozen or so pieces for practice work. This piece fit the profile of my carving fairly close so I adopted the carving as required to make it fit.

The bear is a conglomeration of a bear pattern that I found on the internet and the facial configuration of one of the Bishop's bears that they carve and sell. As you can see the Bishops have no worries about me copying their work... but at least it does look something like a bear.

It's finished with a heavy wash of Folk Art acrylic "Teddy Bear Brown" and then highlighted (creases and such) with an extremely light wash of Americana Asphaltum acrylic. Then a coat of Delta Ceramcoat Instant Age Varnish and finally, finished with a coat of Delta Ceramcoat Matt Interior Varnish. I couldn't carve a decent eye on a small carving if my life depended on it so the eyes are painted on and coated with two coats of Deco Art Triple Thick.

Back in the beginning of the summer I carved an up-right bear and had intended to give it to my daughter for Christmas but after seeing how this one came out I think I'll give this one to her instead.

[chpster90bu]

Eddie...that's adorable!! Can I have it? LOL How big is it? Bonnie

[Claude]

Nice looking little bear, Eddy!

Claude

[love2carve2]

Eddy,
Now that is a cute teddy bear. Good job.
Mary

[gene-messer]

Eddy .. you really outdid yourself on this one .. That is one very cute bear ..

The carving , the painting , The everything .. What a great bear ..

Great job ..

Gene

[sorthum]

Eddy,

I like your style...you seem to make everything and everyone smile...including the bear.

Jim

[windsong]

Eddy
Great Great Job.Yes when i saw it i just smiled.I wish i could carve a bear like that.
Vic.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I see you decided to grin and "bear " it Eddie lol

[Joy]

cute,cute,cute. I like his eyes.

[GaryMc]

Great little bear Ed! Very Nice!
GaryMc