The 12 days before Christmas is Back!

Kran-Beary's and the EbearZ U are celebrating the holidays with a special promotion every day up to and including December 23rd. Special discounts on workshops, gift certificates, freebees and fun surprises.

To find out what the daily promotion is, visit our Facebook page. We'll list the promo there every morning, around 7:30 am-ish Eastern Standard Time. Times may vary a bit if our web elf sleeps a bit too long.

Visit early and often. Some promotions will only be offered for a limited time.

Beginning at noon on December 12th, get 10% off our new workshop in an ebook, 'Elf.' It's available on the Kran-Beary's site at www.kranbearys.com beginning at noon December 12th.

Join us for our Virtual Easter Egg Hunt

Join us on Facebook and here at the EbearZ U for an Easter Egg Hunt. Chances are, you already visit Facebook on a regular basis, so why not become a fan of our page and join the search along with other students? Best of all, you can win a Free Workshop!

Official Rules

• Beginning April 19th, we'll hide a few eggs somewhere on the EbearZ site. This could include our information pages or public Agora pages.
• Each Egg is marked with a number.
• Search the site each day to find as many the eggs as you can.
• Visit our FACEBOOK page and write the number of the eggs you found in the comments each day. For instance. If you found eggs marked 12, 3, 2 and 4, you would write these numbers in your comment.
• Each day the egg numbers and locations change, so you'll have to really hunt for them!
• On Easter Sunday, at 6 pm we'll add up the numbers from the weeks comments. The player with the most eggs will win a Free workshop.
• No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited.
• In the event of a tie, the winner will be chosen by random draw.

Eggs are posted daily beginning April 19th,

up to and including Easter Sunday.

Here's what you're looking for. Actual eggs have a number in the center.

We're happy to announce that we're bringing back our popular EbearZ Facebook BINGO!

Chances are, you already visit Facebook on a regular basis, so why not become a fan of our page and play BINGO along with other students? Best of all, you can win Free Workshops!

Official Rules

• Click HERE to pick up your card.
• PRINT Your Card!
• Register Your Card: Here. Enter your email address, name and card number in the game registration form below. The card number is located on the bottom left corner. Only one entry per player is allowed. (Your info is used only for winning BINGO's and is not shared.)
• Now, visit our Facebook Page and become a Fan by clicking on the Become A Fan link.
• Check back each day to the Facebook page to pick up the day's BINGO number, which will be posted on our wall. If you have any questions, you can post them in the discussion area of the Facebook page.
• Bingo numbers will visible only for one day. and will be removed from the Facebook Wall, when the next day's number is posted.
• Only Fans of the Facebook page will be able to Win a Bingo.

We'll post our first number on February 3rd, 2011

I love the 12 days before Christmas! Kran-Beary's and the EbearZ U are celebrating the holidays with a special promotion every day up to and including December 23rd. Special discounts on workshops, gift certificates, freebees and fun surprises. To find out what the daily promotion is, visit our Facebook page. We'll list the promo there every morning, around 7 am-ish Eastern Standard Time. Times may vary a bit if our web elf sleeps a bit too long.

Visit early and often. Some promotions will only be offered for a limited time.

Fabulous New Class at EbearZ!

Join master artist, expert instructor, author and all around fun person, Ted Menten as he leads you through the steps of creating 19 inch tall, "Toots ... A Bear with Attitude."

You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industries pioneering greats!

Class begins on September 26th! Register Early at www.ebearz.com !

Petunia Becomes a Cover-Girl!

I'm very happy to announce that Petunia Panda, an EbearZ sweetie has made the cover of the current issue of Soft Dolls and Animals. Inside the September 2010 issue you'll find the pattern and full instructions for making her. I'd like to thank the magazine editor at Scott Publications for giving her such a wonderful prominent spot!

EbearZ Goes to South Africa

For the next 10 days, Nancy will be in Johannesburg South Africa. She'll be teaching several teddy bear workshops as well as a photography workshop at the South African Creative Teddy Bear Awards and Show.

Photos will be posted here, and on the Kran-Beary's News Blog located at www.ebearz.com/News.

Follow the journey with us!

Basic Bear Making Boot Camp


Summer's here and it's time for gardening, camping hiking, and sitting around the pool.  But what about teddy bear making?  This is a GREAT time to hone and sharpen your skills. A well crafted basic bear is the best foundation for your more advanced teddy bear art.


So.. Mark Your Calendar!

From August 1st to the 31st, we're offering a FREE Basic Teddy Bear Making Boot Camp.  Yup...it's free but you must register in order to participate.

• 12 Video Lessons with Sgt She-Bear
•  Step by step Drills
•  Color Photos
•  Agora Forum
•  Full Size Pattern
•  Teddy Parade

More than just a workshop ... you'll refer to these tips over and over again!

1. Pattern Prep
2. Nap, Fabric Choices & Cutting
3. Pinning & Sewing Techniques
4. Types of Joints and Techniques
5. Paws & Gussets that FIT!
6. The Art of Stuffing
7. Ears Made Easy
8. The Eyes Have It
9. Pick Your Nose!
10. Shades of Enhancement
11. Grooming
12. Tying A Beautiful Bow

Sharpen your scissors and we'll see you in the Mess Hall!  Go to www.ebearz.com to register.

New Doll Class at EbearZ

I'm happy to announce that we have a new doll making workshop posted at EbearZ.  This is for the 'Tassel Doll'  with instructor Fran Parrigan-Meehan.

I LOVE this doll. There are some great techniques in the workshop, like:
Making embellishments 
Making air and a tassel out of trims 
Coloring techniques 
Modge podge body construction
Face drawing using colored pencils, colored art pens and chalk pastels 


As Fran says, "By using these simple materials and combing them together with your imagination, trims and dried flowers, you will make your creation a one of a kind wall hanging doll. An accomplishment you'll be proud to hang on any wall."


Registration is now open for this workshop, and the price is only $45.00.   Won't you join us as we launch the Faculty of Dolls with this and other great projects?
The class is priced 

Facebook


Our new Facebook page is in its final stages. Today we purchased a new video camera to help us create better video clips to add to this interactive page. Once launched, we'll be holding a fun game there for everyone to play!

Is there anything you YOU would like to see on our Facebook page? Let me know if you have any ideas by emailing me at bears135@shaw.ca

Our Newsletter Has A Name!

Congratulations to Patti's Paw Prints. She left the name "EbearZ Repeating" in our comments section for the name the newsletter contest. We think this is a great name as it embodies the spirit of the newsletter, while still allowing us to focus on a wide variety of arts and crafts. 

Patti's Paw Prints wins one free workshop of their choice.

It's been a busy week, beginning with a live show. After all the hustle of setup and tear down, unpacking and re-organizing, I'm thankful to be back in the studio, where the Christmas music is already playing.

Here are the answers to the crossword puzzle previously posted:

 Down

1. excelsior

2. joint

3. lead

4. bear

5. alpaca

6. woven

7. sculpted

8. whip

9. synthetic

10. running

11. setscrew

12. pearl

13. back

Across

1. epoxy

3. label

10. ratchet

14. sweet

15. ladder

16. mohair

17. airbrush

18. crayon

19. hump

20. needle

21. nap

22. sub

23. acrlic

24. felt

25. awl

Beginner Bear: Get The Basics!

Wanted to try bear making but just can't seem to get around to it? Our updated Beginner Bear workshop will teach you all the basic skills you'll need to know to create a beautiful 15 inch teddy bear.  Just in time for Christmas!

The class is full of photos, videos, flash and fun surprises.

And for those of you that already 'speak' teddy... try your hand at our EbearZ crossword. Answers will be posted next week.  Just right click on the puzzle and open it in a new tab or window. Then print it.

Down:
1. A type of stuffing commonly used in antique bears.
2. The device used to hold the head, arms and legs onto the body of the bear.
3. A heavy stuffing that is unsafe and should be avoided.
4. Another word for bruin.
5. Llama's wool.
6. A word that refers to the construction of the backing of Schulte mohair.
7. A word that refers to the shape a bear takes when the material is manipulated with a needle and thread.
8. A quick stitch that tacks two layers of fabric together.
9. A man-made fiber.
10. A gathering stitch.
11. A jointing system that requires an Allen key.
12. The type of cotton used for noses and claws.
13. A secure hand-stitch that simulated a machine stitch.

Across:
1. A type of glue used in lock-nut joints.
3. A tag often sewn onto the footpad of the bear.
10. A tool used for attaching an arm.
14. The taste of the cookies in segment four.
15. A stitch used for sewing up the openings in the appendages.
16. The wool of the angora goat.
17. A popular tool used to paint a finished bear using an air compressor.
18. An inexpensive alternative for creating a faux airbrushed finish is a pencil ________.
19. A design characteristic in the body of early 20th century bears.
20. A tool for pulling thread.
21. The name given to the direction in which the fur is woven or grown.
22. The waste material commonly used in stuffing teddy bears.
23. A fiber often used in the manufacture of synthetic fur and stuffing.
24. The combination of sizing and fiber that makes up the paw pads of your bear.
25. A tool used for poking holes.

Veterans Day/Remembrance Day

 

A remarkable video for the day.

 
Terry Kelly - A Pittance of Time



On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a drug store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the stores PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Faculty of Dolls Now Open

I'm happy to report that the Faculty of Dolls is now open and that we've posted our very first 'doll' workshop there.  Kinda Sorta...

Our first doll class begins life as a doll but is then Reborn into an adorable Puppy. Many of the doll makers among you may have heard of Reborn Baby Dolls, as this is quite a hot trend in doll making right now.

Our workshop takes the reborn process to a whole new level.  Award winning, master artist, Krista Griffiths has developed this remarkable technique and will take you through the steps of creating your very own lifelike puppy!

Please click HERE to learn more about this fascinating new workshop!

  

A Needle Felted Gnome

Makes me feel like singing something from 'The Sound of Music' ... G.. a needle felted gnome ...

Yes well, I digress.  Coming up this weekend is a brand new workshop with Maurine Adrezin.  She'll guide you through the steps of free form needle felting to create your very own little fantasy gnome.

This is a great project for the holidays!

The workshop is absolutely jamb packed with photos and videos, so it should really appeal to those of you who are visual learners!

To learn more about the workshop, click HERE.

Registration is taking place right now on our main site at www.ebearz.com  Just click 'Register' at the top or side of the page.  You can also register via our Artfire shop and we'll do all the account set up for you. Click here to visit the Artfire Studio.

Blog Promotion Winner

Thank you to everyone who signed up to follow us during our Halloween Blog Promotion.

The winner of a free EbearZ workshop is dotdinnigan. 

dotdinnigan can contact the EbearZ admin via the contact page on our main site at www.ebearz.com and we'll get them all set up in the class!

Congratulations!

The EbearZ Newsletter

Hello everyone!  Last night we prepared and sent out the first newsletter with EbearZ Updates since NCTB closed back in February.  I'm happy to report that EbearZ was the primary reason for many of the people signing up to receive the newsletter in the first places, so the response has been warm and appreciative.

Thank you to everyone who has read our newsletter!

Future newsletters will be archived and available on our site to read.

Each newsletter will include a discount coupon, which can be used for a discount on our classes. These will be very limited time offers and will only be accepted if you, take the discount when you pay and mention the coupon in your message (if using Paypal) or if you mention the coupon if paying by Credit Card on the phone.

Of course you'll have to open the newsletter to see the coupon!  LOL.

Finally,  The EbearZ Newsletter is such a boring name.  So, for the month of November, we'll be running a challenge to see who can think of a great name for our little publication.  The winner will be treated to a free workshop of their choice, so put on your thinking caps and comment on this post with your ideas!   Our comments are held in a moderation que, so they won't be immediately available for public viewing.

I can't wait to read your ideas!

Seeking Social Ambassador

Social Ambassador. Do you love to be on Facebook? Are you a top tweeter on Twitter? Love to visit all the Forums? We are currently seeking a Social Ambassador. This individual will promote the EbearZ U on the various social networking sites. This should amount to about 1-3 hours per month in total. Drop Nancy a line if you'd like to have more information via the Contact Page on our main site. This is a paid opportunity.

Halloween Blog Promotion

Our Hallowe'en Blog Promotion gets underway today as we continue to upgrade and improve the New EbearZ U. 

Win:  A workshop of your choice.

How:  Simply add yourself to our list of followers. Click Follow Me on the right side of this page. Add your information.

When: We will  make a random draw for one free workshop of your choice on October 31st 2009 from all of our followers.

What then?  We'll post the winner here on November 1st.

SPOOKTACULAR!