RED HOTS!

Some like it sizzling!

Shaba

A perfect sculpture, birthed from luminescent ruby,

long pile, Schulte German mohair, 12" tall, disc/cotter

pin jointed, deep black soulful German glass eyes,

embroidered dark brown cotton thread waxed nose,

ochre cashmere paw pads.

"My fiery mood drives me to passionate highs.

Madly in love with you, I breathe out my warm heart.
You hug me tightly, gently pledging never to leave me. 

Reflections of radiant eyes dance on my luxurious fur.

You are Painter coaxing me, the ready canvas, to life ."

Nadine Murat Thevenot

Mabawa Teddies

By Nikki Tobin

RED…this most emotionally

intense color is perceived as

a “power color", symbolizing

secure self-confidence. 

No shrinking violet, RED does

not just attract attention, Red

demands it!

RED…the color of danger

stops us in our tracks.  People

who love red are often linked

with other strong descriptions:

exciting, extroverted, leaders, energetic, optimistic, impulsive,

non-conformists, competitive, cheerful, daring, and brave.

Traditionally Speaking

Traditionally, red has been

the color of magic and sorcery.

In many cultures, the most

important ceremonies, such

as entrance into manhood

and marriage, are performed

in red clothes for good luck.

Ancient Greek physicians

urged men to eat red food

and drink red wine to gain

wisdom and confidence.

Associated with the color

of blood, red conveys birth,

vitality, activity and strength, signifying passion and love.

In China, red represents

a slightly different meaning, representing joy, happiness

and good fortune.

It is still the favored color

choice selected most often

for Chinese bridal gowns.   

On Chinese New Year, coins

in rich, red envelopes, are

given as tokens of good luck

wishes.

The ancient art of feng shui

views red as an energy

enhancer, recommended

for front door color to invite prosperity and happiness

into the house.         

Fire’s molten flames encompass

not just red but also shades

of orange, gold and blue.

Orange and yellow are close neighbors to red on the color

wheel and can be used to

create bronzed, autumn

shades of russet, copper,

and cinnamon for use not

just in bear-making but

in all forms of decorating.

Clear reds like cherry, poppy, lollipop, and create a sense

of youth, a zest for life, and

daring energy while more

elegant tones of blue-red

like wine, claret and ruby,

suggest opulence, power

and tradition.

Warm reds like tomato and vermillion are perceived

as outgoing and convey

warmth.

Taming the Red Beast

While its boldness of tone

seems to alienate and

intimidate the less spirited,

a variety of harmonic color companions such as soft

greens and diffused whites

can soften red’s dramatic

impact, weaving a calm,

restful foil into the overall

artistic effect. 

Collectors and artists, who

would like to quiet the red

hot tones of their favorite

collectible, can accent their

with accessories or clothing

in these calming greens and

off whites.   

Texture plays a significant

role when exploring the

impact of hot shades. 

Artists employ “texturizing”

techniques to tame or

heighten the flames of red.  

For instance, irregular fur

height can sharply disperse

red's intensity into subdued, impressionistic and hazy

effects. 

Type and style of fabrics

employed in the creation

process are another

determining factor in the

final intensity of the finished

piece.

Embrace the provocative,

bold colors of fire! Infuse

your life with red's dynamic vibrancy.

Enjoy our pictorial

gallery of RED HOT

bears reflecting not

only traditional bears

and the Red Hat

Society® Bears,

but also the warm

2005 hues freshly

predicted by the

Color Marketing

Board.

Click here to see

more on page 2

Cherry Baby Crocheted Ted

This precious, 4-1/2” high girl,

wears custom made white crochet

dress, white Mary Jane-style

shoes with tiny crocheted buttons

that open and close, crocheted

head band with flower accent; 

Fur crocheted from red "eyelash"

yarn, face and paw pads from fine

red cotton yarn, nose and mouth

are hand embroidered with black

DMC floss, black German glass

eyes, 5-way jointed.

Marion Fraile

BearKidz

Derby
14" of red sparse curly mohair,

center head seam, aged wool felt

pads, and airbrushed features,

stitched claws, Antique key on

leather cord around his neck

Sunnie Bears
Sonya Shaw

Flame

Completely and firmly needle felted

with a little heart full of extra wool!

ThreadTeds
Berta Hesen-Minten

Spice It Up!

According to the Color Marketing

Board, leading indicators for 2005,

forecast a dramatic increase in the

range of reds from warm to cool

and from light to dark.

The newest reds will be influenced

by golden yellow, hearkening back

to the vibrant, spicy reds of ancient

cultures, both dynamic and historic. 

Warm reds with rich gold color

combinations will gain importance

as hues become darker and more

saturated.

These indicators reveal that the

public desires comfort, stability,

and security, while optimistically

yearning for signs of a brighter,

better world. 

Color palettes signifying these

new trends include:

Fire Copper

Raw and earthy, reminiscent

of handcrafted metals, Fire

Copper exudes a warm glow,

touching the soul.

Latin Rose

Baked by the equatorial sun,

this softened and neutralized

red embraces us all.

Clay Pot

International spice blends with

global ethnic influences inspired

by old tapestries, rug, and textiles.

Good Earth

Rugged, rustic explorer adventures

to red rock country.

-----------------------------------

Color Marketing Group®,

founded in 1962 and based

in Alexandria, VA, is an

International, not-for-profit

Association of 1,300 Color

Designers, who enhances

product function, salability

and/or quality through their

knowledge and appropriate application of color.