Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Hoping for a Good Engineering Solution--or Anything

My engineer and engineer-to-be (eldest daughter) came home to me sobbing uncontrollably in the living room over my bear nose situation.  They assure me that they will be able to come up with some way to help me to be able to continue making my bears.  I truly hope so.  Just typing this is making me well up again. 

I'm sorry to be such a downer today--every day I try really hard to stay positive and to focus on all the blessings in life.  It's just that I have lost so many, many things over the years to this disease.  I have been frightened for months that my hands were going to give in (my hands have been in a lot of pain for quite some time) and that I was going to have to give up my bear-making. 

I feel heart-broken.  Bear-making is my passion.  It's my primary tool for fighting the blues and to deal with the pain and isolation.

Much to my dismay, I might have to put the bears aside for a while so that I can figure out other ways to make bear noses.  I usually embroider 2-3 layers, but there is no way that I can reasonably continue that.  I have to find a way to use only one layer--that's assuming I'll be able to continue to embroider.  Hand-sculpted clay noses might be one way to go.  Needle-felting may or may not work--the "engineers" are working on that issue, too.  I'll look into leather noses as well.  (Thanks, Deb!)

Thanks for listening to my ranting.  I'm sure I'll pull myself together soon.  I really appreciate all of your thoughts and concerns.  I feel truly blessed.

Heaps of Hugs,
Cheryl
Posted by at 7:24 PM

20 comments:

  1. Cheryl. I am so sorry that this is happening! I hope you can find a solution for the bear noses.
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  2. Cheryl,

    Okay, just breathe....there is always a
    silver lining. Resting your hands can be a time of designing and planning new creations. Try to get a good night's rest and things will look differently tomorrow.

    Hugs,
    Joyce
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  3. Something will work out as it would be a travisty if you could not make your fabulous bears!!!!
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  4. Just a thought, have you ever thought of sculpting a nose? I think this would be easier on the hands, of course, it would change the look. Just an idea! So sorry to hear about your pain!! HUGS!
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  5. Hope your hands get better for you. Sorry for your pain. I've seen noses done in felt or leather and only a few strands of thread to hold it on and you can see the leather or felt through the stitching. Looks really good and might be easier on your hands?
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  6. You love bear making so much, you'll find a way. You're fighting the blues, which isn't easy.
    I've not told many, but I really can't walk. I garden when I can, but I walk with a cane. I fought the blues for years, so I truly understand. But, Cheryl, I'm not letting them win. Don't let them win.♥
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  7. Hi Cheryl
    Sorry to read that you are feeling so down and quite understandable. I am sure you will find a way around the problem, polymer clay noses perhaps. Maybe the time to explore some new techniques. Hang in there you make such beautiful bears. Give yourself time to experiment, can't wait to see the results!
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  8. I hope the engineers can come up with a great gadget like some sort of spring-loaded pliars to really grip the needle or perhaps they could learn to embroider noses for you? (Just a thought!)
    Sending you a big hug, stay positive, Lynda and the bears
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  9. I'm sorry to hear about your hand problem. I suffer from Athritis in my hands, so know what pain can do to you! I hope you come up with a solution, I am sure you will, Just rest for now , I hope all goes well.
    Big Hugs.
    Bev....
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  10. Cheryl I am so sorry you're going through this. But I will let you in on a secret...there is only one problem in this world that cannot be solved, and that is death. For everything else you have to have faith and know that a solution will present itself and it will. I promise you it will. So don't despair hon, it seems bad right now in this moment, but it won't be forever.

    Also don't worry one bit about not being able to do the blog party. There will be others. I hope you feel better soon.

    Hugs, Kelly
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  11. That's right, there are tons of different ways to do noses!! There is definitely a solution that can keep you from being in pain while still letting you make your wonderful bears!!!

    You can bet that right now, out in blogland, there are at least 230 people madly brainstorming ways that might help... you're too wonderful and kind to not want to help!!

    If there's anything I can do that would be helpful, please let me know! (maybe I could send you some clay samples?)
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  12. Cuanto siento que estes pasando por ese mal momento.
    Seguro que con las ganas que le pones para hacer tus preciosos ositos, encuentras la solucion para no tener que trabajar tan duro con tus manos.
    Espero de corazon, que todo vaya a mejor!!!!
    besitos ascension
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  13. big hug Cheryl!
    Remember when one door closes another opens...so stay positive!
    Karin
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  14. I hope things improve for you but if not don't let it beat you. I needlefelt all my noses, then you can put a thin layer of glue on, when it starts setting it can be moulded a bit more for shape? Some people even way the needlefelted noses. Your bears are too gorgeous to let a nose be the end!

    Lots of hugs, Amanda x
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  15. Big (((((HUGS))))) Having said in the last post about losing feeling, this is what I now do with my noses which seems to have helped imeasurably (I can feel all my fingers for a start!):

    1. I magic tape back all the fur from around the nose after I've clipped back the mohair/fur from that area, then none of it can get dragged in with the thread when I'm pulling through, which I found saves quite a lot of tugging and pushing hard.

    2. I use a long doll's needle, 3 1/2" - 5" in length to do the actual sewing - I've then got a much longer piece to pull/push on, which lessens the strain.

    3. If I have a tough bit I use a hankie to cover the end of the needle and use my whole hand to push it through, although that only tends to happen around the point it goes through next to a seam, which isn't often

    I can now do 3 layer noses much more easily. Hope that may be of some use to you.

    (((((HUGS)))))

    Katy
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  16. I am sending hugs to you. I know what you are going through. There are good and bad days but we must stay positive. A good cry does help though doesn't it. Take care!
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  17. Where there's a will, there's a way Cheryl...and I am sure you will find it.
    Warmest Hugs,
    Sandi @ Bearly Sane
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  18. Cheryl, I know that you and your engineers and your 230 blog followers will devise some wonderful way for you to do your bears' noses. :o)

    I do understand your pain and frustration; my mom has fibromyalgia and has had to give up everything. I know that she can be helped, even now, but she has to be willing. Same with you. You may know most of this and be doing all this, but I thought I would share so you can look into it. I truly pray you get better soon!!

    I have heard that fibromyalgia is often linked with thyroid disease, but most doctors don't know what they're looking for. You would need to know your levels of T4 and T3; T3 is crucial because the body may not be making it.

    Also, diet modifications can help a lot; avoiding gluten and sugar and chocolate come to mind (sorry, that means those yummy cookies!). Here's an article I'm going to read straight through; it discusses natural therapies, diet, digestive health, and so on. Please read it and think about it and pray about what steps you can take.

    Big hugs to you! I understand! And your bears are so darling--you'll find a way to continue creating them. <3
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  19. Thinking of you, it is not nice having painful thumbs, Can some one embroider the noses for you, or use pliers to pull the needle through, or can a company make embroidered noses that you can just tack on.
    Hope with rest they come good for you.
    Sandi
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  20. Oh Cheryl, please don't give up hope. There will be a way around it I'm sure. Could you train up your daughters? I'm sure a needlefelted nose with a bit of gloss wouldn't look overly different.

    I've had sad news myself, regarding my health. I know how hard fighting the blues can be. We just need to put our boxing gloves on!

    Big hugs, Sarah x
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