Mike's Page
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TC thought you might enjoy a closer look at the props and accessories that her husband Mike makes for the bear and doll vignette's. While they are doing their job as supporting cast, they tend to get lost behind the stars of the show, the bears and dolls. So here they are, thrust to the forefront as much as possible, the nominees for best supporting actor.
Handmade table and curveback chairs constructed of cedar, poplar and pine. Table measures 3 3/4" tall, 5" wide by 6" long. Chairs measure 4 1/2 tall, 2 1/4" wide by 2 1/2" deep. Hand painted and stenciled. See Vilula's Tea Party for full vignette.
Rotatable oval Cheval mirror. Wood is Georgia yellow pine with a hand cut oval glass mirror. Oval frame is a single continous piece of wood. Pine is stained in light walnut with a hand rubbed danish oil finish. Mirror measures 18" tall, 10" wide by 4" deep at the feet. See Anna Bear in Mama's Closet for full vignette.
"Rocky" - Barty Bear's trusty steed. The only time one of Mike's creations got a name all its own. Rocking horse is made from white and southern yellow pine. Complete with leather saddle and sealed in light walnut danish oil finish. Sheriff Bart's pearl handled pistol is hand carved from poplar and painted. Rocky measured 15" tall, 21" long by 4" wide. See Sheriff Barty Bear & His Trusty Steed for the full vignette.
"Cub Carrier" wagon is made from poplar and cedar with an aluminum and poplar handle. Hand painted and lettered. Wagon measures 4 1/2" tall (with handle in the up position 11"), 6 1/2" wide by 10" long.
Pumpkin is hand sculpted and carved from Fimo clay and hand painted. With its black painted steel handle, pumpkin measures 6" tall (pumpkin itself is 2 3/4") by 4" in diameter.
See Timmy and Tommy Trick or Treating for the full vignette.
Snow Sled made from poplar and ash. The runners are painted metallic silver and the aluminum crossbar is painted red. The remainining wood was lightly washed in light walnut stain to appear as though it had seen many wet winters. Sled measures 9" long, 7 1/4" wide by 1 3/4" high.
Christmas tree is made of a poplar trunk and artificial pine boughs cut into shorter lengths for pine branches.
Wooden bow saw is made from poplar and birch, finished with paint and stain. For the full vignette see Bert's Christmas Tree.
Wood work bench and stool. Numerous small props including tools, toys in various states of completion, various parts and pieces. Bench and stool are made of cedar and poplar. The wood is hand distressed and finshed in danish oil oak stain to appear old and well used. Spools, paint brush, screwdriver, wooden mallets, paint cans, scissors and wooden toy train are all hand made of various wood, steel and aluminum. Bench is 8 3/4" high, 10" wide and 5 1/4" deep. The stool is 6 3/4" tall and the seat is 3" in diameter. For the full vignette see The Bearmaker.
3 string scale Appalachian Dulcimer made of southern pine with black maple top and back. Dulcimer measures approx. 11" in length by 2 1/2" at its widest and 1" tall, scaled for an 18" tall teddy bear. It has been stained in cherry with a tung oil finish and distressed to give it an aged appearance. Commissioned.
4 string scale Dulcimer replica made with Georgia yellow pine and black maple top and back. Modern contour top rounded to meet body. Finished in medium walnut and tung oil finish. Dulcimer measures approx. 12" in length by 3" at the widest by1 1/4" deep. Commissioned.
Mission Style Rocking Chair with leather padded seat. Made of poplar and southern pine with a custom mixed stain to achieve an antique oak appearance. Finished in satin clear coat. Chair is 11 3/4" tall by 6" wide and 7" deep (at the rockers). For the full vignette see Grandma's Bear Repair.
