How many of you love those adorable tear bears you see on cards, labels, scrapbook designs, and other paper craft projects? Tear bears are not as complicated as most people think. It’s as easy as 1 … 2 … 3 …
Instructions:
1. Use a pencil to draw a simple pattern on a sheet of mulberry paper (you can find simple patterns in coloring books and paper piecing books or even online).
2. Use a very fine-tipped brush that is slightly wet (not dripping) and trace the pencil line, then scratch where the thin, wet line is around each piece and set aside to dry. Tearing along the thin wet lines will blur the mulberry paper, but that’s okay because you’ll want your bear to blur (you can make a tear cub, elephant, frog, etc., you can apply the tear bear technique to most other simple paper splicing projects).
3. After each piece is dry, use small amounts of adhesive to attach your tear bear or tear creature.
Tips:
1. Use pop points for the nose, paws and ears to create a special effect.
2. Use chalk on the ears and cheeks.
3. Instead of worrying about the tiny white centers of your eyes, use a quality white gel pen.
4. The thicker the paper, the more diffuse the bear is. Try other variations of handmade paper.
5. For a really cute tear bear, it’s all about the “details.” Add a small bow or flower to the top of the head, maybe make a pair of paper jumpsuits or even a baseball cap or hat. The skies to the limit with your creation!
