6/5 ~ HEIDI BEARS, on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird
It’s pretty exciting getting to talk to someone from all the way around the world. Heidi Bears called in from South Africa, proving that guests and listeners could be from anywhere in the world!
Heidi’s designs have been favorites on Ravelry and Pinterest, they are cheerful and fun, which puts a smile on the face of all that see them.
Her first crochet lessons were in school as it was required of all school children. She says her first project was an ugly pillow (we’re all so hard on our first projects). After her daughter was born, she left her secular career, and found herself picking up knitting and crochet as a hobby. As with many, that became a career.
Her website came of a desire to create for her godson and a search for stuffed animals on Google, where she found her neighbor across the road had an etsy shop and blog. This inspired her, thinking it might be a fun thing to do. http://heidibearscreative.blogspot.com/ The first design was the Lollo Bear http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lollo-the-african-flower-bear (this link is in Ravelry)
She keeps in mind the visual learners so her patterns, as Marly says, are like a workshop. Clearly, that is a good way to write a pattern Ravelry shows that more of these bears have been created than any of her other patterns, but one, the Happypotamus. Using hexagons and polygons in crochet have given her the ability to make a recognizable shape of an animal. Marly admired that at her website: http://heidibearscreative.blogspot.com/ she features knitting also and not just toys. She is a big fan of socks made with Magic Loop!
We posted a picture of Puff the Magic Stegosaurus last night on the Marly Bird Facebook page and it was a HUGE hit! https://www.facebook.com/MarlyBird At this point there have been 3,500 views in about 18 hours! Marly shared that she has purchased the pattern, admires that Heidi went in to such great detail as the pattern is 39 pages long just to make sure that whoever purchases the pattern will be able to complete the project.
Colors are important, she uses wonderful local indie dyers with wonderful South African Merino wool. She promised to send links will update when we get those.
Got the links today! Thank you, Heidi. www.colourspun.com and www.nurturingfibres.com
Make sure to take time to listen, not only to her beautiful accent but to the inspiration she shares with us! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2014/06/05/heidi-bears
I have been enjoying getting to know Heidi Bears virtually over the past several months and am delighted that you were able to spend some time with her on your podcast. I must say, I’m rather taken with her Happypotomous!
Thank you, Marly, for introducing us to Heidi. What stunning and creative designs! I’m going to take on the challenge of making a Happypotamus, a Bluebird of Happiness, or a Stegosaurus . . . . I’m not sure which one to try first. What great gifts they will make!
Who can be sad with a happypotamus in their life? Must make one ASAP!
Wholly fabulous chrochet!!!! I love, love, love these patterns; Heidi is A-MAZ-ING! I AM going to figure this crochet thing out, and what better inspiration and motivation than the ADORABLE Happypotamus, maybe the Fatty Lumpkin, even the Knitapotamus is so happy and makes my heart smile. I’m pretty sure Thandi, Puff, and at least one bird need to move into my office. 😀 Thank you Marly for an outstanding podcast, introducing me to so many artists, your energy, and generally inspiring me to stretch my creativity and skills.
Heidi’s patterns have dominated Pinterest, especially Happypotamus! I want to make a flock of blue birds. Thanks, it is interviews like this that make you my number one podcast.
I am so very glad you interviewed Heidi yesterday! I have the Happypotamus pattern but it defeated me the first time around. I’m going to try again, though, with better yarn!
I hardly EVER buy a pattern. I am more of a gawker and visual enjoyer of other peoples brilliance. But I will be purchasing the Happypotamus, to cute by half!
Just loved this pod cast, It was fun and felt like you were in the same room. I have purchased but not worked Tomato the Frog Prince, it’s on my to do list! I love to look at all the Happypotamus’ on Ravelry they are all so unique!
HOLY MOLY!!! These are AMAZING! Thanks for putting this show together. I had not heard of Heidi until this show and I am just blown away! I hope I win these patterns so that I can make some for my son!!! I love the Happypotamus and Puff the Stegosaurus!!!
Heidi’s patterns are beautiful and I would love to make one of her animals, especially the happypotamus. What fun it would be and a challenge for me since I have only made one animal/toy. Thanks for the chance to win!
The Happypotamus is already in my queue… he’s just so cute!!!
I so loved listening today : ) & even though I’m a very beginner crocheter I would love to make my own Happypotamus! Congratulations on your beautiful designs!
I just love Happypotomas and so enjoyed listening to Heidi talk about her designs and how she chooes her colors!
Thanks for a great podcast! Happypotomas is the CUTEST!
Such a great podcast! This is the first one I’ve heard! I love the happypotamus!
I have a pony, I need a Happypotamus too.
The Happypotomas is adorable, and I love, love the stegosaurus.
I made a Happypotomas! I am a self taught crocheter of only 4yrs and this was one of my most ambitious projects last year and it was an absolutely fantastic pattern to work as a new crocheter. It was wonderful to listen to the podcast today and hear Heidi talk of how she designs these terrific patterns. Thank you Marly for bringing her on 🙂
I love her voice! Just think how much a better place the world would be if we all had a Happypotmas staring back at us.
Your creations are so beautiful! I love them all, including Happypotomas!
Happypotomas and the rest of the stuffies are so cute!!! And the colours are lovely! 🙂
I’ve never knit a stuffy…a happypotomas would be a great start!!
Thanks for another great interview! I love Happypotamus and the whole menagerie – it’s just amazing the way Heidi Bears designs them using the different African Flowers combined so cleverly!
Great podcast ! Have been looking at the happypotimous and can’t wait to make it. So glad to hear the pattern is detailed. I am a fairly new crocheted and think it would be a challenge but well worth the time.
I loved hearing about the construction of the Happypotamus and how Heidi Bears thinks about creating new animals.
Great show! Looking at her designs, they all seem so bright and cheery like the Happypotamus! So clever!
Happypotamus is adorable!! Can’t wait to get started! Thanks for sharing all your great tips.