Banner Sponsors
For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Well, I've stalled at revealing how I got into making bears because, besides other reasons, it involves a lifetime of repressed personal demons. And who wants to publicize their psychological traumas?? However, I think it important to emphasize how much therapeutic value a teddy bear can have. We in the bear industry all have our reasons for being here, but surely the reasons must have something to do with the charisma of our beloved teddies. There's just something about them that charms us in some way.
My story begins just a few years ago . . . way after I had retired from my lifetime career of medical technology. All of us have problems, big and small, throughout our lives and manage to wade through them. Starting in 1996, I was hit with several large ones at once . . . and descended into a black hole of depression - not being able to cope very well or extricate myself from the abyss. And the troubles continued to pile up so I became pretty desperate to find a way to deal with life . . . or not. I was very fortunate to be in a department store one day and discovered a stuffed teddy that seemed to actually know what was going on in my head. His look of compassion, empathy, friendship, understanding, and tenderness seemed to be just what I needed at the time, so I bought him . . . and many more after that. When my budget began to be strained, I decided I could make my own therapy bears. That's when I discovered a whole world out there dedicated to the teddy bear . . . collectors, artists, manufacturers, suppliers, show promotors, magazines, etc. - one that I never knew existed. Wow . . . what an enlightenment!! So now (long story short), thanks to therapy, anti-depressants, but mostly to making bears, I am doing well at coping with whatever life has to offer. No doubt in my mind that teddy bears saved my life . . . and I decided I could declare it publicly so that others might know the powerful influence teddies can have. Thanks for indulging me and reading this. Big hugs to you all!! 
HA!! Laure, that's toooo funny . . . the rat story! Seedy, indeed!! 
What a handsome rat, Rita!! Love his slightly mischievous look, too. Great work!!
Unfortunately, I didn't have any soft, stuffed toys as a child, but I was lucky enough to find my first teddy bear during a really awful period of my life (as a VERY MATURE adult). That's when I became hooked on teddies and eventually started my bearmaking career. And yes, I still have the bear that turned my life around.
Judi - I knew about Hayden and Hayden's Cub, but didn't know the circumstances under which your family died. So very tragic . . . and I am so sad for family and friends that are left to wonder why it happened. I understand fully how teddy bears saved your life - they saved mine also, and probably many more than we realize. May you continue to work through your grief and give so much pleasure to others with your wonderful teddies. Big hugs,
I second that, Shelli . . . absolutely stunning eyes!!
Judi . . . I am SOOOO impressed with your talent!! Outstanding work!!!:D
Not goofy . . . quite a reasonable query! I like to shade AFTER sewing them in and stuffing. That way, they are smooth and firm - making the shading a LOT easier to apply.
I also use a "finishing touch" to my bears when I'm done. I use Clairol's Herbal Essence Spray Gel to sort of "set" the fur where I want it to stay. It also has a nice fragrance. I sent a little "pocket bear" to a soldier in Iraq that I had been e-mailing and he said it smelled SO good when he got it . . . it was a really nice change to what he was used to smelling there!! Just be sure whatever you use on the fur doesn't have alcohol in it.
You are very nice and generous, Dilu!!
They are GORGEOUS, Judi!
I don't know the first thing about website design, but I'm with Shelli's first suggestion . . . dig into your comfort food of choice and hug a few teddy bears!!
Oh wow . . . lucky you!! Jennifer Laing is a hero (heroine??) of mine. Her book The Art of Making Teddy Bears was one of the first I bought when I started bearmaking. I met her earlier this year at a Dallas show and she was delightful! Have fun!!
Laure, so glad your story has happy places in it. Hugs, Sue Ann
What a VERY warm group of bear huggers we are . . . and so giving and helpful - as I always suspected and knew bear people would be. A big welcome to our "family", Laure . . . you and your bears are really nice-looking! Also, Judi . . . thanks for sharing your pics with us - a very lovely family!
WOW, Judi . . . what an extraordinary piece! Wonderful!
Very cool, Shelli, and thanks. I have two grown daughters, one son-in-law, five cats, five grandkitties and one granddog. I feel very fortunate!! Of course, I do have a few bears, also . . . . :lol:
And a great Mom's Day backatcha!
Wow, Winney, you're full of these wonderful stories! Must be a real pleasure to make fashion bears that are so special to people! Hugs,
Daphne, sorry to butt in here, but Helmbold is also in Germany. Norton was the English mill and is no longer in business. Helmbold produces "English Style" mohair now . . . using the popular finishes that the Norton mill created. Hugs,
My goodness, Dale . . . how did you just "come up" with the Sugar Bear image? You must have a gargantuan file on your computer! It's very nice to get to know bear people via these message boards and I hope everyone will keep posting.
What a great, great story, Winney . . . can't wait for the next one!
Danni, it's hard for me to really determine how many hours I spend on a bear since it's a "stop and go" process. Huge bears (20" and up) probably take anywhere from 15 to 20 hours. I mostly machine sew. I don't make anything less than 7", but on the smaller bears, I will hand baste the paw pads and gusset, then machine sew them. As Daphne said, the more bears you make, the faster you will become.
Yes, Judi . . . your avatar is superb - great job AGAIN, Shelli!!
You ladies are quite interesting . . . thanks for sharing your stories. When I worked at a real job, I was a medical technologist (the person that tested all the blood, pee, poop, etc. that came into the laboratory). You nurses will know what I did! 
I pretty much think that medical related professions are ALL stressful. Dealing with human health is so critical that it's bound to take its toll. THANK GOODNESS we all found teddy bears . . . I can't imagine life without them now!!
Hi, Judi. There used to be a mill in England called Norton's that produced fur. It closed a few years ago, but from that mill came a lot of the textures, qualities, and finishes that we have today in mohair. Helmbold produces now some of the finishes that Norton created - so they are called "English style" mohairs. Intercal was the only supplier in the USA that carried Norton fur. I don't know if you used the English style or the actual fur from Norton. Intercal had some in their inventory for awhile after the mill closed, but don't know if they are out now, or not. Hope this somewhat answers your question.
