Bears-Direct - Teddy Bear Artist Spotlight - Laure Weltsch of Fool's Gold Bears

Artist Spotlight
Laure Weltsch
Fool's Gold Bears

Mom and Dad always favored my artsy nature. From the time I was a toddler they were pleased to kindle my creative flame, simply by handing me a paper sack, which amused me for hours as I picked imaginary posies from the wallpaper. They made sure I always had plenty of pencils, crayons and paper, and gave loving critiques of my masterpieces.

By the time I was eight or so, because I was the eldest of five small children, necessity had me repairing my own ripped skirt hems and replacing my own missing buttons, to the tune of my boisterous resentment. In those days I was hard-pressed to believe Mom's prophecy that one day I would be glad to know how, and much less that a needle and thread would ever hold any joy for me.

I owe a lot to Mom for teaching me the basics. An artist at heart and a fine needlewoman, she sewed most of the clothing worn by the five of us kids, and she was fast. I would stare in awe as crochet and knitting would virtually pour from her fingers. Alas, it's not that way with me. When I get wrapped up in details, it can sometimes take weeks to finish a project. I would say I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, not implying that I'm any kind of neat freak. Sometimes my inner vision requires a piece to be perfectly messy, but in just the right way.

Around 1992, busily engaged in becoming a cloth doll artist, selling my designs in craft publications and enjoying a modest following, I was invited to a cloth doll convention which, though I was eager, I was not able to attend.

Suddenly ready for a change, circumstances compelled me to try something different. A teddy bear pattern just happened to be lying around, and how was I to know what would follow. No sooner had I finished sewing that pattern, than Teddy Bear Cupid whispered his teddy love song in my ear, and shot his teensy little arrow into my heart... it was "love at fur's sight".

My bears come in all sizes and shapes, They are always my original designs,and most always one of a kind. A variety of needle sculpting, internal wiring and coloring techniques are employed. I'm always learning new ways of doing things in order to keep my newest creations increasingly expressive. Some times the new ways are my own inventions, as is the case with internal eyes.   I love using sumptuous mohair and other quality materials. The feel of the bear is as important to me as the look, so along with the texture of the fur, careful attention is given to just the right weight, normally using tiny glass beads.

As each new bear comes to life, I make an effort to get acquainted with it. I try to discover what it may be thinking or saying. Sometimes this leads to discovery of the bear's name. Other times a bear will be named for a quality they posess, or a principle or purpose that I feel they represent. They may have a resemblance to someone or something that calls forth a name.

When I have plenty of time I like working on bears with internal eyes and armatures. They require careful planning and precision handling of the fabric and other materials. The work is demanding but the results are rewarding. To gaze on a bear that looks back at you with a truly lifelike spark in its eyes, and to feel the sweet grasp of an internally wired paw, both are experiences that will reach out and touch the soul.

My bears and their friends are a diverse lot! They are distinct individuals, each with their own unique qualities, yet they are linked to one another with enduring ties. Collectors find that when a Fool's Gold bear or friend joins their hug, it soon begins to call out for its kinsfolk.

Investing the characters with the ultimate in charm and appeal is an important goal of mine, but my highest goal is to make each soul a reflection of genuine love. I endeavor to invest each creation with a gentle gaze that silently conveys my own feelings about true love.

'Love is patient and kind. It isn't jealous or conceited or full of pride. Love is not rude or selfish or prone to anger; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in hurting others, but rejoices with the blossoming of truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always looks for the best.   It never looks back, but keeps going to the end. Love never dies.' [from The Bible, paraphrased]

Someone once asked if I make bears "full time". I was not sure how to answer their question. The time I spend making bears is truly a 'full time' job. There is no other occupation I can imagine that could offer greater fulfillment.

My husband has a business called 'The Fence Doctor', and at times I'm called upon to fill the role of 'Fence Nurse', whether that is delivering job estimates to customers or lunch to the worksite. Life often intervenes and I don't get the chance to be in my studio, doing the actual process of making bears as much as I want to, but when I can, I do!

Olliwog Golliwaddle
15" Fully Jointed Golliwog, One of a Kind
My bright eyed friend, Ollie, is eager to meet his new teddy bear friends. Ollie's brown skin is wool felt, and so are his gloves, shoes and spats. His twisty "locks" are wool roving, needle felted and stitched in place. His black glass eyes are surrounded by ultrasuede lids and backing. His rosy cheeks enhance his gleeful ultrasuede smile. Ollie is wearing a rich green wool felt jacket, lined with a colorful cotton print, which clashes magnificently with his equally colorful vest, pants and bow tie. Adoption Fee:$450 (USD)
International Shipping & Handling Included

Ian (Primitive Jester Bear)
19�" Cernit Faced Bear
Ian is a Jester of the people. He is no conscript of the king, but freely chooses to lighten the hearts of his fellow-beast. Ian's face is hand sculpted of Cernit, a polymer clay producing wonderful translucent skin tones. His realistic green glass eyes emanate a playful sparkle from within his antique finish Mohair fur. Ultrasuede paw pads complete his poseable wire-armatured limbs. Ian's joints are metal and wood, and he is filled with polyfiber, substantially weighted with glass beads. Ian's custom crocheted wool tunic and hood are embellished with a wavy, looping design in fine copper wire and semi-precious stones. Suede leather ties and lacings are tipped in patterned, colored feathers and glowing stone beads. Colored glass beads and feathers enliven his hood in the front and at the point in the back. Ian carries a very unique , colorful giant cicada-shaped bag. Insideof this bag is cradled a beautiful treasure. I do not think you will be disappointed.
Adoption Fee: $795 (USD)
International Shipping & Handling Included

Poppy
15" Fully Jointed Bear
One of a Kind
The image of a scruffy little kid, Poppy has those internal eyes and inner-wired paws that I love to do whenever I have the time. The first time you lay eyes on a bear like this in person it looks back with such realism It's rather shocking, but in the nicest way. Put your finger into a cupped little paw and feel the sweet grasp. Honestly, prepare for your heart to melt! Poppy is created from the most wonderful hand dyed mohair in shades of soft beige and pink , dressed in a simple fleecy off-the-shoulder top, and carefully weighted to feel natuarally balanced all over.
Adoption Fee:$595 (USD)
International Shipping & Handling Included

The time it takes me to make a bear I think is possibly longer than some other artists. I am very detail oriented and as I mentioned earier, rather a perfectionist. I have tried not to be, but it seems to be how I'm made. I believe the attention I pay to detail, whether I am stitching with a machine or by hand, results in a very high quality of artistry.

Being a Californian, I have been to shows on the west coast in my home state and in Oregon. My most frequent shows are in San Jose, Nevada City, Portland and Lincoln City, Oregon. I have also done Linda Mullins' show in San Diego and IDEX in San Francisco. Since my daughter and family have recently moved out of California to Missouri, I am thinking of adding a show in that area since I will be visiting there once in a while anyhow.

In addition to shows, my bears can be seen on the internet at Teddy Bears On The Net where I author the column,'Bear With Me', and North Country Teddy Bears. I am in various places on this site, and of course I have my own website as well.

When a bear is approaching completion, its lifelike characteristics begin to emerge. The eyes reveal a presence that silently speaks straight to the heart. The fur is soft and inviting; it warms to the touch. The weight is like a living, breathing soul. The colors harmonize beautifully, almost musically. Listen....The faint hum of teddy's love song is whispering ever so softly. My heart skips a beat...Gently, I smile.

Where do the inspirations for my designs come from? They come from life; in nature, people, animals, situations, dreams, thoughts, laughter, emotions, beauty. Most of all, no matter where they seem to originate, they come from The Creator himself.

My bears have been featured in Teddy Bear Review, and Teddy Today Magazine. They have been seen in The Teddy Bear Club International Magazine and are soon to be seen in Hugglets teddy Bear Guide and Teddy Bear And Friends.

As yet I have won no major awards; perhaps I should enter some competitions?

Artistically, I was running helter-skelter, here and there after every art form that crossed my path, until there came a point when I recognized that in order to be good at anything I would need to focus on one thing at a time. That is when I started learning to make cloth dolls, which in time has brought me to making original bears and other heart-warming companions.

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