eyes for Teddy

I vaguely remember having Ziggy Stardust in mind when I did this a few years ago.

This is my childhood teddy, it's been around since I can remember. It had many crazy and dangerous adventures. When I grew out of him, my brother and then my sister played with him... he's seen a lot and some more.

His whole arm came off at some point - my mum darned it back on. He sure had to go for a spin in the washing machine, not even once.

He got buried in sawdust in the shed and was left there for a whole winter - we forgot him... Then we remembered, and when we dug him up a black beetle crawled out of his leg. In the wash he went again, then more needle&thread repairs took place.

During all this turmoil he lost an eye first, then both.

My little sister fixed that problem - she stitched some red buttons on with the thread crossing in the middle. Better than being blind, she said.

This fellow must have imprinted on me when I was tiny because I just couldn't bear those red crossed eyes on him. Took those off but couldn't really stand him being blind either. I tried half of my vintage button collection on him pair by pair, but nothing looked right. Eventually I had the idea of making him bright-as-a-button eyed with precious carved mother-of-pearl buttons. In fact, my whole collection of them.

Strangely enough now he looks just right. He seems to be wearing them like medals for his lifetime achievement of being a very special first friend. And for surviving it.