This Month in Our Gallery A Bear Tail, Oops, Tale
by Rita VainiusOnce upon a time, there lived a girl whose favorite pastime was playing with her teddy bear named Toodlums. So begins Sandi Silvestri's Bear Tale, which went from just loving bears to actually making them. Throughout her childhood, many in her family fostered Sandi's inherent handwork abilities. There was Grandma Julia, who loved to crochet and embroider, Grammy Anna, who taught Sandi to crochet and tried to teach her how to tat and Aunt Marce, who lovingly hand-painted eggs.
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--Dulcinea
For many years Sandi's skills and talents lay fallow due to her busy schedule. She finally reached a point in life, when disgruntled by her former job, she yearned for an avenue of self-expression. One day, at the height of her frustration, her best friend Donna Henasey (featured in our July Gallery) suggested that she begin making the bears she had loved so much since she was a child. At first Sandi hesitated; she hadn't touched a sewing machine in years. But the more she pondered it, the more appeal the idea held. Finally, in July of 1998, she gave it a try - an outlet for her creativity was found, a business was born, and a dream began to be fulfilled!
--James Edward Justice
Wanting the name of the business to convey the joy and love that bears can bring to life, Sandi called upon her friends to assist. Her friend Linda came up with "Grin and Bear It", which suited Sandi's sentiments perfectly and so it was thus christened. Sandi decided she wanted the bears she herself crafted to have a unique identifying name. Since she's the proud "mom" of 3 Golden Retrievers, lovingly referred to as "The Boys," her husband's brainstorm, "Boyz'n Bearies," was another perfect fit.
--Briana
With Donna's encouragement and guidance, Sandi learned how to combine various furs with complementing or contrasting colors and textures. Donna employs tapestry fabrics and Sandi found she also reveled in the stunning effects these produced. Another friend, Judy Machemer, urged her to use some of the beautiful fabrics available to quilters, to construct the paw pads. That idea turned out to be a hit as well.
--Chloe
One discovery Sandi made on her own was the threads she now uses almost exclusively for the bear noses. On an impromptu visit to the local stitchery shop, Sandi was enticed by the Caron Watercolours. She imagined the eye-catching effect they would produce on her bears. She tried some out and was absolutely thrilled by the results. The colors in the thread brought out the colors in the fur and the various fabrics used to construct the paw pads. She was so excited, she wanted to share her find immediately with her "partner in crime." Now both Donna and Sandi use the Caron Watercolour threads on almost every bear.
--Puddie and Puddie's Friend
There are times when a particular personality of bear calls out for that extra special touch. Then Sandi calls on another seamstress buddy, Susan LeVine, of SuzSewn to dress her bears. Susan's business is primarily doll clothing, but with a few small adjustments, the outfits work their magic on Sandi's bears.
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GALLERY ARCHIVES
Click below if you missed past month's Gallery Features.There are Bears, and Then There Are Donna Cornelison-Henasy's Bears Revisiting Robert Forman New Watercolours and Wildflower Threads K's Creations Tools of the Trade for Stitcher's Contemporary Crewel Embroidery Sampler Fest Christmas Sock Designs Part II The Mary Jane Collection Nan Halberg of Colorific Thread and Dye Works Studio Inspiration "Flower Power" Gallery of Designs
Exhibition of Original Christmas Sock and Stocking Designs
Judy Ritter
of Whiteworks Heirloom Christening GownsDaniele Bertin
the proud owner of Zip Mercerie in Le Havre, FranceThuve-Stua The mother-daughter design team of
Lillill Thuve and Anne-Stine ThuveCarol Tinson Design Booklets (England) Voirrey, Embroidery Centre, in the UK Christmas Sock Motif Contest Winners Barbara Greenberg, artist, sculptor "Lacemaker Extraordinaire", Marjo Timmers. New Caron Designer Patterns and Thread Colors
International Style Collection by Pam Davenport and new Watercolours and Waterlilies threads."Inch" Winifred Sharp
A true industry pioneer whose example and work are an inspiration to needleworkers everywhere.Nautical Contest Entries and Winner!
See the simple nautical motif transformed by these interpretations.The Breast Cancer Quilt Projects Parts I & II
"Raging Light" USA, Life Quilt for Breast Cancer CANADAContest #3 Winner and Participants
Italian Winner Giulia Manfredini, MDNorthern Virginia Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild "Red Squared" by Stephanie Novatski
(Winner and other entries to Contest No. 2)Yarn Painting by Artist Robert Forman Karen Cohn, of Dragonfly Clothing Embellishment of, Deanna Van Assche Contest #1 Winner Roxanne Barkofsky and other contest entries The Wearable Art of, Kimberly Crum