Hi CuddlyMade Friends,
Auhauh and I, have the pleasure to let you know a Handmade Russian Artist of wonderful cuddly toys:Irina Pokrovskaya and her Iris Bears.

She describes her babies as "All my bears and other animals are made based on the author’s designs, by hand and, which is most important, with love!"

Enjoy Yourself!!! =)

Tell us about you and your “babies”

Hello! My name is Irina Pokrovskaya. For nearly 6 years, I have been making teddy bears known as Iris Bears. I truly enjoy the entire process of creating bears – from the very beginning, when I draw sketches, imagine the future looks of a creature, right through till the last and the most exciting moment – inventing clothes and accessories for a ready bear. While making a bear, I think of the joy he or she will bring, when an adult is able to feel a bit of a child once again. Husbands choose these bears as gifts for their wives, grown-up sons and daughters – to their moms. And I believe it is very pleasant to receive such a romantic present. When a woman is presented with a bear dressed in a gown, in a nice box strapped with a pretty band, she feels as if the time turned back and she were a little girl…

What is your favourite technique? Do you know others?

I make a whole range of bears of various kinds – these can be primitive, naïve, fancy, classic, or vintage ones. Yet, there is no doubt that my favorites are classic teddy bears with 5 cotter pin joints, with all the 4 limbs and the head rotatable. Inside my bears are mostly filled with sawdust plus a little granulate (for an extra weight). The eyes are made of glass, either glossy or mat. The nose is embroidered. A bit of shading and trimming of face would render each bear individual, with a character of its own, even if they are all made based on the same pattern.

Do you have advices that you can share with us beginners?

To aspiring artists, all those who are just learning to make artist bears and other toys, I would advise to listen their heart, to do what they like and to keep learning and honing your skills, especially as today so many artists share their practices and techniques generously.

Do you have websites to recommend?

Among such artists I would particularly like to distinguish Paula Carter and Monica Spicer. They most certainly have much to learn from!

Other links about Irina and Iris Bears..

Iris Bears' Flicker
Iris Bears' Blog.. in Russian and English version

Freewheeling..

Let me wish all the artists – both the beginners and those of great experience – all the best in the New Year! May all your dreams and aspirations come true!