A 23 cm handmade teddy bear in German alpaca: questions and answers

• How big is she?
• What is she made of?
• What is inside her?
• Why does the filling matter?
• Is every bear like this the same?
• Is she a toy for small children?
• Where can I see more photos?

In short: This is a handmade teddy bear, 23 cm (about 9 inches) tall, made by the artist Ekaterina Usenko. She is sewn from natural German alpaca and filled with a traditional mix of wood sawdust, wood wool, and metal and glass granules. She is listed on Like Art, a marketplace for real handmade dolls, teddies and art animals by 700+ artists.

§How big is she?

The artist gives her height as 23 cm. That is a comfortable mid-size for an artist teddy: large enough to hold and to see the stitching and the shape of the muzzle, still small enough for a shelf or a desk.

§What is she made of?

According to the listing, she is sewn from natural German alpaca. Alpaca plush is one of the classic fabrics for collectible teddy bears: the pile is soft, a little shaggy and has a gentle sheen, so every bear made from it looks slightly different.

§What is inside her?

The artist lists four fillings: wood sawdust, wood wool (also called excelsior), metal granules and glass granules. Sawdust and wood wool are the old-school teddy fillings that keep the head and body firm and well shaped. The metal and glass granules add weight, so the bear sits steadily and feels pleasantly heavy in the hand.

§Why does the filling matter?

A bear stuffed only with synthetic fibre feels light and squashy. A mix like this one makes a teddy hold her pose and her sculpted shape for years, which is why many collectors look for it.

§Is every bear like this the same?

No. She is sewn, filled and finished by hand, and the listing shows one bear in stock. Even when an artist works in the same style, the fabric, the trimming of the muzzle and the placement of the eyes make each bear’s expression its own.

§Is she a toy for small children?

Better not. With small granules inside and handmade finishing, she is a collectible for adults or a gift for someone who loves teddy bears, not a toy for little kids.

§Where can I see more photos?

The listing has nine photos from the artist, plus the current price and shipping details.

See all photos and details of this alpaca teddy bear on Like Art

First published on the Like Art doll world blog: https://likeartdollworld.mataroa.blog/blog/a-23-cm-handmade-teddy-bear-in-german-alpaca-questions-and-answers/