*Tips For Using Acrylic Eyes*

I got tired of using only black eyes and wanted some nice colors. Glass eyes are pretty limited in colors and sizes and you have to buy several pair to make sure you get a good size match. So, I decided to have some acrylic eyes made. Why shouldn't mini artists be able to get all those pretty eyes like big bear artists?!

Unless you have made bigger bears, you probably don't have much experience with the acrylic eyes that use safety washers.

Here are some tips I have found along the way while playing with them. I hope it helps you and maybe gives you some courage to try them. It's good to try new things every once in a while! The wide range of colors should give you some inspiration!

These small acrylic eyes came with washers that were much too large. I couldn't even turn the head after putting them in. And there was no way to do any thread sculpting around them. So, I had some very tiny washers made just for these eyes. Unfortunately, the don't just snap-on, like the big ones do. However, if you slip on the washer, then crimp LIGHTLY with pliers and then snip off the extra stem, they work wonderfully.

The only thing that may take getting used to is putting in the eyes BEFORE you stuff the head. This is easiest if you are using a pattern that you have used before and know where you will want the eyes. If you mark the pattern and pieces with a small dot, then it will be easy to make them even.

You may also want to do a little thread sculpting around the eyes to help them 'seat' better (look pulled in). One small stitch under each eye and pulled to the back of the head will accomplish this.

If this sounds like too much work for you, then I found another way to put them in WITH NO WASHERS!

Clip off the stem, so there is only about 1/4" left. Heat a straight pin to red-hot (silk pins are very thin). Gently poke the pin through the stem of the eye, sideways. This makes a nice small hole so you can sew them in. Trim off any rough or sharp edges with a razor blade so they won't chew on your thread. Then you can put them in like glass eyes.

I prefer this method since I like to place the eyes after the head is done.

Have some fun, and give your bears pretty, colorful eyes!

And if you come up with new ways to put these in, be sure to let me know!

Stephanie:)