TBT206

artistGALLERY TWEEDIES JCW BEARS & FURRY FRIENDSOriginal Shetland and Welsh tweed bears and paperweight mice. Award winning character bears, realistic dogs, cats & other furry friends, exclusively designed and made by Jacqui Wickenden. Patricia Clanzy-Hodge Tel: 07917 264237 11 Cockerell Close, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex. SS13 1QR. www.tweedies.biz Tel: 01268 726558. email: [email protected] web: www.jcwbears.co.uk Aurora by Kelly Louise Barfoot of Keli-B Bears A beautiful 6.5 inch mohair bunny. OOAK and commissions taken [email protected] www.keli-b-bears.com

artistGALLERY Little Piggies Originals by Hayley Walker See us at HUGGLETS ... Hall 4 Stand 144A.www.littlepiggiesnursery.com • [email protected] Tel: 01489 896119Britannia Bears Downtothewoods Bears Where woodland bears can be yours [email protected] Individually designed, hand-crafted. Commissions invited. 01945 475197 Exclusive to Art in the Heart, Peterborough www.britanniabears.co.uk Tel: 07769 174844 • www.downtothewoods.org.uk

artistGALLERY Bobby MillerwwfrwoTm.eblIe:Bsa0aer1laasr4rbgs1eys3B80uy/83e72Sq”uu9beei9na1Qnr. 6.ucion.unk

Vintage bearsAntique bearbargainsNot all antique bears need to cost a small fortune.Auctions and toy sales can be a source of ‘luckyfinds’ - if you know what to look for By Jill Byron A lthough old bears can, and often do, command a high price at a specialist Teddy Bear auction, they need not cost a fortune if you are lucky and happen to be in the right place at the right time. Bargains certainly may be had at local auctions but you do need to know what any given teddy is worth before you start spending your money. The best way to find their true value is to go to as many Teddy Bear Fairs as possible around the country and learn to identify different bears and get an idea of their prices. You will enjoy the experience and learn a lot at the same time. Most old bear dealers are only too happy to share their knowledge and love of old teddies and the prices do vary tremendously, depending on the make of the bears. The old Steiffs are among the more expensive but they may still be bought reasonably if they are from the 1950s and 60s. The first old bear I bought at auc- tion was a 1930s Chiltern, complete with his original scarf. He was being sold as a Chad Valley but as I had fallen for his face, which is sweet but quite serious, his make was quite immaterial. I discovered his true identity when I took him along to the Moat House Bear Fair at Telford in Shropshire, three weeks after I had bought him, where Pam Pudvine, a well-known and respected dealer in old bears in those days, told me he was in fact a Chiltern. The bidding started with a commission ABOVE: Black Jack. Vintage black bear - £80. LEFT: Mervin. Large Merrythought - £90.54 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m

Vintage bearsbid of £80 and climbed steadily to £120, TOP LEFT: Old Chad Valley golly with label. he was and wasn’t buying him becausewhen to my great relief, the hammer fell In box with other golly and elephant. I thought he could be an old Steiff, as Iand he was mine. I knew he was worth TOP: William. 1930s Merrythought - £45 had with the first one.more than that and would have paid more ABOVE: Pink Chad Valley elephant withfor him then but, fortunately, I didn’t need swing tag. There are many fakes out there andto. His value then at a specialist auction as they are so well made, sometimeswas probably £300 plus and I knew this. it takes an expert to tell the differenceI am a collector though, not a dealer, and between a genuine old bear and ahe will never be sold. It must also always modern replica.be remembered that a bear collector willalways pay more than a dealer, as we don’t Another auction has been a sourcehave to make a profit. of some lovely bears at incredibly low prices. The first two I bought from On another occasion at the same auc- there were a sweet-faced woolly bear,tion, I bought a very unusual old black which I have been told could be anbear for £80. Someone had put in a com- early Chiltern, and an old sheepskinmission bid for £75 and just one bear. These cost me the princely sum ofmore bid enabled me to buy him. It £3, plus buyer’s premium!just goes to show that if you really My ‘Bargain of the Century’ though,want something, you should attend was a wonderful large white Farnell teddy.the auction in person if you possibly I had phoned the auctioneer to ask if therecan, or failing that, bid by phone. were any bears for sale that day and wasThis little teddy is probably worth£150-£200 at a specialist toy auction.He has an inoperative squeaker andis made of artificial silk, probablyfrom the 1940s or 50s. He is unusualin that he has an open mouth andlooks as though he is enjoying a joke. Also at this auction, in my earlydays as a collector, I bought two fake‘old bears.’ These are very well madeand my first purchase was a verypretty Steiff-like bear, made from beigeartificial silk. When I asked an expertfriend to identify him, he recognised themaker immediately and told me that hehad been made by a bear artist at Rhyll.At a later date, I bought a second one bythe same artist, but this time I knew what t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m 55

Vintage bearsABOVE: Old Chiltern golly with label. couldn’t believe my luck. He has the most 1930s Merrythought bear and a very oldABOVE RIGHT: Two delightful Chilterns in gorgeous face, which is the most impor- tatty bear named Byron Bear, because -box of four bears - £15 each. tant thing to all bear collectors. He has well just because. (See author’s name.) HeBELOW: Tim. Farnell, probably 1940s - £20. been identified by several people and he also received Dot’s expert treatment and definitely is the Farnell I thought he was. came away from her house looking abso-told that they had an old bear which had In fact he himself has since appeared on lutely gorgeous. Each of these four bearsbeen rescued from the skip!! He had a leg page 167 in Kathy Martin’s book ‘Farnell cost me just £45 to buy.off but it was still with him and I knew Teddy Bears’.that re-attaching it to him would present I once found a small pink and whiteno problems to a gifted bear-maker friend I didn’t think people still threw away Chiltern tingaling from this same auc-of mine, so this didn’t worry me. bears like this but ‘Tim’ was indeed found tion. He was right at the bottom of a large on a skip and thank goodness someone did box of modern bears and when I delved I went along to the auction and saw a rescue him. Now his leg has been sewn underneath them all, I found this littlelovely old teddy who absolutely screamed back on and he has been professionally chap. I was able to buy the whole box for‘Farnell’ at me, sitting forlornly on the cleaned, he looks beautiful. His mohair £1!! I kept the Chiltern and gave the othershelf. These bears are the ‘Rolls-Royces’ is of superb quality and is once again soft bears to a charity shop.of the English antique bear world and I and silky. I was actually offered £500 forwondered how much I would have to give him a week later but I didn’t want to sell Toy sales are another good place to lookfor him. I was prepared to pay quite a bit him. for old bears. Again, sometimes they canbecause I knew what he was worth, if he be bought cheaply, as was the case whenwas what I thought he was. However, in At the same auction that day, I bought a a 1950s pink and white keywind musicalthe end, he cost me just £20! little horse on wheels for £1. I always like Chiltern, which turns its heard from side to have old toys connected with the bears to side as the music plays, went for just It was the Saturday before Christmas, and as he is in very good condition and £40. This bear is rare and would fetch at the rain was com- would normally fetch about £20 plus, that least £300 at a Bear Fair. I couldn’t believe ing down in sheets day was definitely worthwhile. the low estimate on this bear, as I knew its and almost no-one true worth. A local dealer bought it and was at the auction. A beautiful little 1930s Chad Valley when I enquired about it a few days after Unbelievably, the with an early red label on her foot, and a the sale, he wanted £160 for it. We both bidding starting really nice face, cost me £26 at this same knew that another dealer would pay that at £1 and went up auction on different days and would once, and either sell it for £300 at a Bear Fair, or to £20, at which before times got hard, have fetched at least it would go on the Internet for the same point the gavel £200 at a Bear Fair. price or more. I had missed this lovely came down and bear, as the gavel had come down too I was the proud George, a large 1930s Chad Valley quickly for me to get in my bid. Oh well, owner of a bear bear also joined my hug at a cost to me you can’t win them all! I could never of £70 at a local auction a few years ago. have afforded He needed some restoration on his pads, At the same toy sale, I bought a boxful to buy in the which were expertly done by Dot Bird and of 1950s Chad Valley bears, pandas, toys, a ordinary way, he is now as good as new. Chad golly and a Chiltern golly complete even at a gen- with label, all for just £28. eral sale. I just I have bought some really good bar- gains at this auction, which include Little One of the gollies alone is worth that. Chas, a small 1930s Chiltern, Lily, an old There was also a gorgeous white cat Chad Deans mouse-eared bear, William, a small56 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m

vintage bearsValley nightdress case in the same box. ABOVE: Pink and white Chiltern Tingaling - Another lovely bear bought from a toyAll the toys were in pristine condition and £1. sale was a little German teddy with a sweeta little Chad pink elephant even had his BELOW: Uncle Jasper. My first fake Steiff face. I paid £78 for him and he has beenoriginal swing tag still attached, with the with lovely face. valued at between £350 and £400. I onlywords ‘By appointment to Her Majesty bought him because I liked his face but hethe Queen Mother’ on it, dating it after ested came after this lot, I didn’t bid for it was definitely another very good buy.1953 but before 1967, when Chad Valley and the whole box went for just £38. Themerged with Chiltern and all labels then Steiff alone was worth several hundred Nowadays of course, one can findread ‘Chad Valley/Chiltern.’ pounds in those days, quite apart from the fantastic bargains on ebay and I must other old bears in it. I still can’t believe I admit to spending far too much time, (and On the same day I bought a delight- let this lot get away! money), on bears I have found in this way.ful old blue Deans bear together with twoothers for £30. The old coloured bears are I always try to attend the Birminghammuch sought after by collectors and Deans Bear Fair and a more recent bargain wasare especially wanted by people who collect a little blue bear who was very reasonablytheir bears, so this was another bargain. priced. Needless to say, he also came home with me! At another toy sale slightly fartherafield, £55 bought me a very early A much more recent acquisition wasAmerican bear whose original pads had Mervin, a very large Merrythought bear,been covered with snakeskin. ‘Motch’ is which I bought for £90 last year. I havea delightful and unusual little teddy, very seen exactly the same type of bear at a bearbald but full of character. He was obvi- fair for £250, so he also was a good buy.ously much loved, as he has had his miss-ing glass eyes painstakingly replaced with I was quite lucky at our local auctionthe most beautiful darned ones. He is very recently when a box of four old bears camefragile though and a friend of mine knit- up for sale, in which were two delight-ted him a little sailor suit which helps keep ful old Chilterns and an old Chad Valley,him together. plus one other bruin of unknown origin. I acquired the whole box for £60, making A missed bargain from this sale, (I’m each bear only £15 each!getting too good at missing these!) was aboxful of bears which contained a 1950s I love going to auctions and the thrill ofartificial silk Steiff, complete with but- possibly finding a bargain is the greatestton in ear. The box contained some lovely incentive of all to attend one but I do havebruins and although I knew the Steiff was to be careful that I don’t get carried away.there, I didn’t have enough money to buy Each time I miss something, I tell myselfeverything I wanted that day and as the that there will always be another day andtwo bears in which I was particularly inter- another auction. I love to go and see what is on offer anyway and always enjoy my time there. What more can one ask for? TBT t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m 57

BEAR PATTERNcWloEwLnLinLgOaVrEoDunBdEwAitRh thisWe know you won’t be able to resist makingEben, a 14” cuddly character with agreat sense of fun By Kim Endlich of Friends “Fur” Life Bears•I made my Eben using a 5/8” pile head gusset at the very tip of the nose to EARS: Pin RST and sew from dot to dot, the front chin seam. Pin the rest of the leaving open where indicated. Clip cornersdense synthetic fur, but you can use gusset in place, making sure it is even and turn RSO. Tuck the raw edges inside.any fabric you would like. on both sides down to the neck open- Cut a piece of upholstery thread approxi- ing and that the bottom of your gusset mately 12”-14” long and whip stitch theYOU’LLneed matches with the bottom of the side opening closed, then run your threaded pieces. You may wish to hand baste needle to the closest lower edge and ■ 28” x 16” of synthetic, mohair the gusset in place first, then sew on come out at the corner....DO NOT CLIP or alpaca the machine. Remember to leave bot- THE EXCESS THREAD! You will use this to tom edge open for your neck joint. attach the ear to the head later. ■ 5” x 7” of wool felt Clip curves and corners. Turn right ■ 1 3/4” joints for the arms and side out (RSO) Jointing legs (8 discs) BODY: Mark your arm and leg joint There are many methods for jointing but ■ 2” joints for the head (2 discs) placements with a piece of thread so they I prefer to use tap bolts, locknuts, washers ■ 10 1” washers with 1/4” opening are easy to find later. and hardboard discs. Always joint from limb ■ 5 tap bolts 1/4” x 1” to body. ■ 5 locknuts 1/4” Pin the front pieces RST and sew the ■ 12 mm glass eyes outer edge. Pin the back pieces RST and With an awl, poke a hole in the arm and ■ pearl cotton for nose, mouth sew outer edge, leaving an opening for turn- the body where indicated on the pattern ing and stuffing. Now you are ready to pin piece. Try to separate the fibers instead of and claws the front and back pieces together RST at breaking them. Insert the bolt through a ■ stuffing of your choice the notches and sew. Remember to leave a washer, then a disc, and gently work it into small opening at the top for the neck joint. the limb through the opening you left to Trace pattern pieces onto the wrong side Your body is now ready to turn RSO. stuff your bear. Slide it up into place in theof the fabric of your choice. Be sure to tracewith the arrows facing the same way as the ARMS: For your arms, pin the wool feltnap. paw pad to the lower edge of the inner arm RST and sew. Now pin the front and backTIP: When cutting out your pieces, be sure of the arm together RST, remembering toto cut only the backing and not the mohair leave an opening for turning, jointing andpile. stuffing. Sew together and clip your corners so your arms look nice when turned RSO.Sewing: LEGS: Fold your leg in half RST and pin.HEAD: Once your bear is cut out, you are Sew starting at the back edge and workingready to start pinning the pieces. First pin your way towards the toe. Remember tothe dart at the top of the head, right sides leave an opening for turning, jointing andtogether (RST) and sew. Once the darts stuffing.on both head pieces have been sewn, pinfrom the tip of the nose to the bottom ofthe neck and sew. RST, carefully pin the58 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m

BEAR PATTERNhole you have created with the awl. Now row it so it will fit in the hole easily. Fold Ears:insert your jointed limb into the hole you in half about three feet of strong nyloncreated in the body. Working from the inside heavy duty thread. Add wool felt backing Using long pins, place the ears in theof the bear, add another disc onto the end to eyes for added expression if desired. most pleasing position. This can take someof the bolt, followed by a washer and then Thread the nylon through the eye loop time to get them to match perfectly but it’sthe locknut. Using a socket wrench on the and knot in the middle over the wire worth it! Looking at your bear’s head in ainside of the body and a small vice grip to loop. Thread all ends onto a needle and mirror is often helpful. Thread your needlehold the bolt head steady inside the limb, insert the needle into the eye hole and with the excess thread and take small neattighten the nut and bolt together, making out the back of the neck, as low down stitches to sew your bear’s ears in place. Tiesure not to get it too tight so your arm won’t as you can go (this is where it comes a small knot and bury in the head.move. Repeat the same steps for the legs. in handy to work on the head before it is attached to the body). Remove two You’re almost done! Now is the funJointing the head threads from the needle and re-insert part - distressing your bear! There are many the needle through the exit hole and methods for doing this, like dabbing tea on After stuffing the head firmly, I fold the take a small stitch about 1/4” away. his paw pads with a cotton ball, or you canneck edge under 1/4” and run a gather This gives a small fabric base to tie a “skip stitch” his nose to make it appear itstitch around it with strong thread. I now knot over. Tie the four threads tightly has been worn off and add some tattereduse another tap bolt and super glue a in a double knot. Re-thread all four claws. Let your imagination run wild...therewasher to it and then a disc onto the wash- threads onto the needle and bury is no wrong way to distress a bear. Haveer and let it dry. You don’t need to do this them in the head. Trim any excess fun with it.step, but I find it easier to tighten the joint thread.when it is all one piece. Now slip your discs I hope you have enjoyed making yourinto place at the bottom of the head and Nose: bear and will make many more! TBTtighten the threads; tie off tightly. Decide what type of nose you wish your You are now ready to attach the head bear to have. I prefer a vertical stitchedto the body. Work the end of the bolt into nose, but you may prefer a horizontal nosethe opening you left at the top of the body. or maybe even a sculpted nose. Clip theFrom the inside of the body, add a disc, fur down to the backing in the area tothen a washer and finally a tap bolt. Using be embroidered. Using Pearl Cotton andyour socket wrench and a small pair of nee- needle, embroider the nose. I like to outlinedle-nose pliers slipped in-between the neck the shape of my nose horizontally with theand body to hold your bolt from twisting, Pearl Cotton before I start, so my stitchestighten your bolt. Your bear is now jointed are even across the top and bottom and Iand ready to stuff. am happy with the shape before I start. You can also skip a few stitches to make his I like to create my face after I joint the nose look worn. For the mouth, come outhead, but before I attach it to the body. directly under the middle of the nose andI find it is easier to hold just the head in take a small stitch towards the chin, thenmy hand while I am doing all the detail make an upside down Y for the mouth, knotwork without the body getting in the way. and bury it in the head.However, you may prefer to complete yourbear before working on the finishing details.Stuffing Stuff the arms first. Then, using a ladderstitch and strong thread, sew up the armopenings. Repeat for the legs. Now I stuffthe lower half of the body and add someplastic pellets or glass beads for weight anda saggy belly. You may choose to add thepellets to your bear’s bottom. Finish stuffingwith poly fiber or excelsior and close theopening.Eyes If you are using glass eyes with loops,hold them up to the bear’s head to deter-mine the most appealing position and markwith a pin. With the tip of an awl, poke ahole in the desired position. If the wire loopis large, gently squeeze it together to nar- t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m 59

BEAR PATTERN60 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m

BEAR PATTERNENLARGE PATTERN BY 33.33% t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m 61

bearMAKING By Julie ShepherdPlDeaesareJhueliel,p me to...When it comes to stuffing, easydoes it, to avoid puckered padsand lumpy limbsW elcome to another I seem to be having with polyfibre/fibrefill. But there are the ‘lumps and bumps’ prob- problem solving stuffing. I don’t know if it is many different types available lem you are experiencing at the session which the stuffing or me, but I am and they vary hugely in quality moment. should help to becoming quite disheart- so you will probably need to tryprovide some answers for those ened as I just don’t seem to a few to find one that you like Always add a little stuffing atirritating little issues that can be able to get a good fin- and feel happy working with. a time - it can be very temptingreally spoil the bear-making ish. Why does my bear have to push as much as possibleexperience. lumps and bumps? I am so Some polyfibres are slippery through the opening but this fed up with having to keep to the touch which can make is a recipe for disaster as it will In this issue I’m going to unstuffing and starting again! them tricky to use, others can inevitably form clumps which inaddress a couple of problems be very springy and difficult to turn leads to lumps and gaps.with the same subject at their As you don’t give any details pack down, making it difficult tocentre - stuffing. Although it of the type of stuffing mate- get a firm finish. As you work, make sure thatwould seem to be a rather bor- rial you are using, I think it will the stuffing is pushed into alling and unimportant part of a probably be best if I start from Some have a composition those difficult to reach placesbear, nothing could be further scratch. which makes them heavier - - the nose, the paws, the shoul-from the truth. Using the right this is good for adding weight ders, the neck and the basestuffing in the right way can There are a variety of stuffing to your bear. Some are much of the body. Remember, if youmake all the difference to the materials for you to choose from coarser to the touch, others are don’t stuff the extremities prop-appearance of your finished and making the right choice will much softer. The variations go erly at the beginning, you won’tbear. help ensure you create a bear on and on. be able to reach them to rectify that is evenly filled and has a any errors later on. So with that in mind... professional finish. I have used the same filling since I started making bears so Once these areas are firmly•I’ve just started making The most popular choice is it is worth taking the time to find packed, you can begin to build the right one for you. up the stuffing to fill the rest ofbears and am really enjoying the limb/body/head.it apart from the problems So, once you have chosen your filling, it’s time to start the As you work, use your fin- stuffing process and there are a gers to check that there are no few tips that should help avoid lumps or gaps forming - if there are, stop and work the stuffing ABOVE: A stuffing tool is a very until they are fixed. useful addition to your workbox. LEFT: A stuffing tool makes it so If you are still having prob- much easier to get to those hard lems it might be worth invest- to reach places. ing in a stuffing tool. These ABOVE LEFT INSET: A good are available from bear making quality fibrefill is perfect for suppliers and will help you to bears. work the stuffing into all those awkward places, so the money62 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m

BEAR MAKINGABOVE: A ball awl will part the the filling does not fully extend Once you are happy that the your tool kit, you probably havethreads of the backing without to the seam line properly. Add pad is evenly filled, add more to a solution to hand.damage. just a little stuffing at a time and build up the filling in the limb. AsABOVE RIGHT: A puckered use your fingers to check for an you work keep checking, both Using your awl, gently partpaw pad will spoil your bear. even finish as you work and you visually and with your fingers, the backing threads of yourRIGHT INSET: The rounded should find that the problem for any little pockets forming. mohair fabric and try to easeend of a ball awl prevents resolves itself. the stuffing into the problemtearing or spliting of threads. Using a stuffing tool can area. With care you should beBELOW RIGHT: Take your really help to work the filling into able to fill out the pucker andtime for a perfect pad! the pad evenly, ensuring it has achieve a perfect paw pad. reached every area as you go.spent will be a wise investment. Even a small pucker will be dif- It really is worth all the effort And take your time - stuffing ficult to remedy once you have as nothing looks worse than stuffed beyond it, so make sure wrinkly pads!a bear well always takes longer that none form.than you would expect, so be Well, that’s all for now, but aspatient and don’t rush. It will be But if, despite all your efforts, always please keep your ques-quicker in the long run! once you have finished you find tions coming. I look forward to a pesky little pucker, all is not finding more solutions for you in•Why is it, that no matter lost. If you have a ball awl in the next issue.how careful I am, my paw Until then, happy sewing! TBTpads always seem to bepuckered around the edges?I am so frustrated by it.What am I doing wrong? This is a common and easilyremedied problem. But this isanother of those ‘you will needplenty of patience’ solutions! As you fill the paw pads,take your time and correct anyproblems that you see arisingas they happen. It is very tempt-ing to keep pushing more andmore stuffing into the pad inthe belief that the puckering willmagically disappear, but it won’tand if you keep going, you’llfind that eventually the fillingcompacts, becomes very hardand as a result, is much moredifficult to extract. Puckering around the edgesof the pads is caused when t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m 63

artist profile TRAaNhQaUvIeLnLIToYf On a visit to Troon I discovered what ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Dinky Toys and Little Ted all have in common? By Sylvia Young PHOTOGRAPHS KENNY AND SYLVIA YOUNGIt was during the Scottish Bear Fair in Travelling all over the country to Troon, on Scotland’s beautiful West various fairs was nothing new for Steve coast last November, that we met and Alison. After Steve had been made Alison and Steve Beal of Haven Bears redundant a couple of times, he turnedand discovered a bears’ haven. his engineering skills into picture fram- ing and cabinet making for the famousThreads Dinky Toys. Through their appearance at Once upon a time there was an electri- these fairs, a bear stall caught their eye. So Alison decided to use her needlecraft skillscal engineer and a tax advisor whose paths to create a few bears to accompany Steve’smomentarily crossed and nothing seem- beautiful cabinets. Well, as every bear art-ingly transpired. Until, some years later, ist knows, what happened next was thesethe tale began to thread its way again and wonderful pieces of beary fabric magictheir paths began to weave together. They took over and became their focus.eventually discovered their complimentarytalents and decided to create a haven for Dream cottage lecting can be addictive. Amused by thisbears. Well, that was not quite how it hap- Steve and Alison’s cottage, ‘Newhaven’ fact, Alison shared that “There’s never apened but it sounds good and together time when collectors think ‘well I’ve gottheir talent has developed into a full-time situated in Norley, Cheshire, became their enough now’ and stop collecting.”job for both of them. home base for their newly created bears. Ten years into their business, they are still Both Steve and Alison enjoyed tell- providing delightful bears of all sizes for ing me about the many lovely people that avid collectors around the country. For they encounter at fairs around the country. Steve, one of his much admired bear art- Alison said, “We know of a person who ists is Do Do Bears who create bearded has six thousand bears. The lady rotates bears. This inspired the duo to make Billy her collection by using a storage unit, the Beard, a 21 inch bear, aptly inspired which her husband has for his business.” by ZZ Top’s own Billy Gibbons. Alison Another amazing bear collector, that likes Maja’s Bears by Maja Hansen from Alison’s sister discovered, was a couple Belgium, who creates a collection of flat, who had a two storey extension built espe- rustic looking bears. cially for their bear collection. I expect that there would have to be a specially built Old bears and a Golly storage cupboard for all the honey pots for Alison still treasures Big Ted, a pyjama the bears to enjoy too. case bear and Little Ted; though both a Practice makes perfect little care-worn, they still have pride of Steve has realistic advice for bud- place in their home. Steve recalled, how- ever, that his first toy was a 1950’s Golly complete with stripy trousers and a blue jacket. Alison is amazed how bear col-64 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m

artist profileding artists: “…get to know your collec- lenge for me.” their main aim.tors personally and market the bears for For Steve, however, it’s “…making the New techniques and new designs arethem. Some collectors like clowns, somelike pandas and others like miniatures,” larger bears that is enjoyable because they always on their mind. “Ideas take time toAlison said. “The more you practice the are the one’s where the machine is put to process,” added Steve. Using differentart, the better you become at the craft.” good use.” Steve and Alison create that fabrics is something that is on the agendaBoth reiterate that it takes a lot of time and special kind of magic in each of their crea- but both are keeping their future planscommitment. One piece of advice from tions. It is that special something which under their hats. “It takes time to developSteve is that: “It doesn’t happen overnight. appeals to people. new bears.” However, we can be sureIt’s not just a case of attending a fair and that Haven Bears will continue to enjoydisplaying your bears hoping that they The future designing new projects in the future. TBTbecome an instant success.” Steve and Alison have plans to explore Steve and Alison enjoy what they do fairs abroad. Alison stated that, “We haveand are very approachable people with a a busy website but we do want to travel togenuine interest in making new friends European fairs and meet new people, asand prospective collectors. They travel all well as make new friends who will become,over the country to fairs. Alison added hopefully, new customers too.” They knowthat, “People need to get to know who how privileged they are to be able to makeyou are and what you do.” Both are real- a positive living. Although they are bothistic about business and their craft. They intensely busy with Haven Bears, Steveencourage artists not to give up or become still finds some time for his hobby. He isdisheartened. “Find your own style and interested in classic and customised cars.become known. Be prepared for set “We have a VW campervan and I ambacks. Persevere. Keep going,” was much restoring a 1966 VW Beetle” he added.valued advice from them both. Indeedas Steve and Alison know that develop- “If something matters to you enough,”ing a business takes time, Alison realises said Alison, “…you make time for it.that...“People only have a certain amount It’s our livelihood.” Alison described theof money to spend and there is such a lot fact that creating bears is demanding andof choice out in the market”. labour intensive. “Everything else just has to fit in around bear making.”Challenges, men and machines Alison has her own favourite joys when Competing For Steve and Alison, competitionscreating that special bear for her collectors.“Creating the faces just brings the bear to can be too time consuming. But they didlife. That’s when the bears develop their decide to enter the Belvoir Bear fair com-own personality.” She went on to honestly petition last year and won! However, Stevereveal that “…the bears ears, I have issues commented that competitions are mostlywith them. They are somewhat of a chal- themed and these dioramas have other characters added to a scene in addition to the bears. For them, though, business is t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m 65

BEAR DOCTOR Doctors on call With in-patients capably looked after, the Bear Doctors recently took their bear hospital into the field, so to speakCan you believe that By Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell we have been writing for TBT for a whole bears from Bethnal Green over year? Where does the summer. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the ‘big city’. The Museum of Childhoodthe time go? We are no longer is delightful. Open, light andable to call ourselves the ‘new’ airy with plenty of space andcontributors and we really do encouraging trails to explore.feel a part of the TBT team now. We, of course, followed theWe hope you will continue to teddy trail which meant an excit-enjoy reading our articles as ing journey around the entiremuch as we enjoy writing them museum, ensuring we didn’tfor you. miss everything else there wasAs we are sitting here writ- to see. Well worth a visit!ing, a quick glance around the for next year and we, The Bear admitted to the studio for his Our case studies for thisstudio shows the evidence of Doctors, will be there! It was a treatment. issue include the second instal-our first ‘pop up’ clinic which wonderful opportunity for us to Jason entrusted us with ment on the progress of Edwardwe ran at the Alton Teddy Bear meet our patients in their home- his childhood bear and we will 1 and Edward 2 and also aFestival last weekend. We have town. Visitors to the clinic dem- be featuring his progress in a 1950’s German carnival bear. TBTsome unpacking to do but we onstrated a range of problems future edition. Nothing too majorwill tackle it with a smile as we including a 1980’s bear who required but he is sporting aremember the lovely day we had lost his voice and whom we rather dubious pair of drawn onspent there. Well done to Jason were able to treat as an outpa- eyebrows applied by a youngPassingham and Jane Griffin for tient and an early centre-seam Jason some years ago. We planorganising such a friendly and Steiff called Sanders with lots of to add further ‘clinic’ dates fol-well attended event. facial surgery requirements due lowing the day’s success.Plans are already in place to over kissing! Sanders will be Since we last wrote, wet have also been up to London to visit the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. For those of you- who follow our adventures, you will remember we are working alongside the Portsmouth City Museum who have been hosting a wonderful exhibition of vintage ‘Jason entrusted us with his child- hood bear and we will be featuring his progress in a future edition. Nothing too major required but he is sporting a rather dubious pair of ’drawn on eyebrows applied by a young Jason some years ago.

BEAR DOCTORWe can rebuild him... CASE STUDYIn part two of our Edwards tale, Edward 1 is lovinglyrestored and a German teddy bear gets a bit of stickYou will remember that in 2 (Edward the younger) was a Amazingly, most of his a good method which pro- our previous article we relatively easy case and simply original disc joints had been duces pleasing results and left you with a picture required rebuilding and jointing. preserved inside Edward 2 and this German bear went home of the two Edwards Stuffing him and retaining his so we were pleased to be able proudly displaying his lovelyin pieces. All the pieces from original shape was the biggest to reuse them. He was given a blue fur.both bears were carefully challenge. Once achieved, he pair of new glass eyes and wecleaned before we could start was able to sit comfortably re-embroidered his nose. His Next time we will sharethe task of restoration. Edward and watch his brother coming original punch-growler (although with you our BIGGEST and together. not working) was placed back furthest travelled patient to inside his body. As you can see date! TBT Edward 1 presented much from the photograph, they both more of a challenge. Each body look extremely happy, as is their part required some mending owner! including darns, lining and facial reconstruction. His muzzle had Our German 1950’s carnival been covered with soft leather bear is an example of a rod where the original material had jointed bear. During this era, worn away. Matching vintage rod jointing would have been fabric needed to be sourced to used on less expensive bears fill in the gaps the leather had and this one may have been a covered. Once completed, we fairground prize for example. were able to begin Edward’s The rods were passed through reconstruction. Using woodwool the body at the shoulder and and kapok, we carefully stuffed at the hip before attaching the his head, arms and legs. limbs. This meant the arms (and legs) moved together rather than independently, as with cotter pin jointing. Manufacture would have been quicker and easier. With our case, the arms had come detached from the body with a broken rod which we needed to replace. Herr Bear required some facial repair including reat- taching his ear and replacing his nose stitching. We gave him new paw pads as his woodwool stuffing was burst- ing out from his feet and hands. As with all art silk bears, cleaning can be a problem. Fortunately we have developed t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m 67

featureCurtis and theDambustersOn the recent 70th anniversary of the World War IIRAF raid, a couple of bears went along toshake paws with the last remaining pilot By Lorraine Hitchings of Ginos BearsIt was in 1997 that I decided I needed I called Dewey (named after the famous of Lancaster Bombers left RAF Scampton a Pilot Bear to add to my collection. “Dewey” Dumont, North American in England to undertake one of the great- My brother was doing a lot of flying P51 Mustang Pilot). They became great est and probably one of the most well and meeting many interesting pilots. I friends and are now almost inseparable. known missions in the history of Worldthought it was a waste not to have a teddy They always fly together. War II. Of course, we have all heard ofwho could share some of the adventures the famous Squadron Leader of that mis-and so, the hunt began, to find a teddy Dewey met, was cuddled and signed on sion, Guy Gibson, but there were manybear that suited this new and exciting role. his paw by the famous World War II pilot, other pilots and crew involved in that mis-Eventually, after quite a search I found Eric “Winkle” Brown CBE, DSC, AFC, sion, sadly many not returning home.him, a teddy made by Steiff. Hon FRAeS, who flew just about every kind of Second World War Aircraft you Curtis (and Dewey) had read about the I named him Curtis Bear (Curtis, after can think of (including German aircraft). raid and it was always an ambition of themthe famous Curtis Pitts (1915 – 2005) of Curtis was busy flying in an aerobatic both to meet the last remaining pilot ofStillmore, Georgia, an American designer team at the time but he did meet Winkle that raid but as he lived in New Zealand,of a series of popular aerobatic biplanes, Brown later. they both thought it just a dream. Well, inknown as the Pitts Special. I immediately May of this year, Squadron Leader Leshad some dog tags made for him which Curtis enjoyed the excitement and Munro DSO, DFC, RNZAF visited thisread Pilot Officer Curtis Bear (just so he thrills of attending many Air Shows and country and both Curtis and Dewey hadknew his rank) and he soon became a hit last year he met some great friends at the pleasure of meeting him. Munro waswith pilots and aircrew everywhere. Goodwood. He had the opportunity of the Captain and Pilot of Lancaster AJ-W sitting in the pilot seat of many of the which was assigned to attack the Sorpe Along the way, Curtis met up with his aeroplanes there, in exchange for a cud- Dam. However, whilst en-route to the tar-co-pilot (another Steiff Teddy Bear) who dle from many of the pilots. Curtis loved get, he was forced to abort the mission and turn back after sustaining such heavy flak- being around all types of aircraft and damage over Holland that his aircraft was many of his dreams came true; dreams unable to carry on with the operation. that most bears would never in a mil- lion years realise. But he still had one On that very same occasion both dream and that was to meet Vera Lynn bears also met Squadron Leader George (the forces sweetheart from World War “Johnny” Johnson DFM – who also flew II). She reminded Curtis Bear of his the Dambusters Mission, only his job was ‘special’ love, the aircraft of World War II and, in particular, the famous Spitfire. His dream became a real- ity when they met and she gave him loads of cuddles and signed his paw. He has never stopped showing off his famous paw. Then this year was to be a very special year as it celebrated the 70th anniversary of the famous Dambusters Raid, when a squadron68 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m

feature FUN, FREE AND FABULOUS home. The bears were delighted to meet It’s fun…it’s fabulous… it’s Mary Stopes-Roe (daughter of the famous irresistible. That’s Knitsy, a new Barnes Wallis, who designed the ‘bounc- kind of magazine, from the ing bomb’ for the raid); she fell in love publishers of Bead. This is a with Curtis immediately and wouldn’t let magazine like you’ve never seen him go. before. It’s been designed especially for the tablet… and the The meeting of these amazing people phone. was quite an occasion and there was some great live music which Curtis and Dewey If you love knitting you’ll love were drawn to, probably because of the Knitsy’s stunning interactive lady called Fiona, who was singing there features. Swipe through designs, at the time. Not only did Curtis fall imme- flip funky galleries and tap on diately in love with Fiona but she seemed stunning photos. Knitsy will be to like him too and even gave him loads of available free, as an app, to kisses. millions of knitters and crocheters around the world. They both left very happy and very proud bears... TBT Sign up today and we’ll send you details as soon as Knitsy isthat of Bomb Aimer on Joe McCarthy’s About me available on the iPad and otherLancaster AJ-T which was assigned to tablets.attach the Sorpe Dam. This aircraft had I run an online shop supplying Oldnot been fitted with the twin spotlights and Antique Teddy Bears to collectors all www.Knitsy.tvneeded for the mission, as they were around the world. As you can tell, I alsoforced at the last minute to use a reserve collect teddy bears and have done since @knitsy1aircraft and it was necessary for them to a very small child. My first teddy bearmake ten attempts before the bomb was was called Sooty, a white Pedigree Bear t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m 69eventually released. that was given to me on the day I was born and who I still have, although he is Both Les Munro and “Johnny” a little worn - not surprising really as heJohnson gave Curtis and Dewey a cuddle has been buried in sand and soil (beingbut only signed Curtis’ paw pads because a compulsive burier as a child).little Dewey has used up all his paws(his other paw pad signed by another ace Amongst my collection I have manypilot). bears such as Curtis and Dewey who have special interests, the main one They also met Corporal Maureen being Gino Bear, who is my boss andStevens WAAF who was serving as duty who the site is named after. He has aofficer in the main control tower through- VERY special interest in racing fast cars,out the raid, relaying information from eating Italian food and his ambition is tothe aircrews to the senior Commander. meet Sophia Loren.She was the lady who talked the aircraftback to Scampton and who also had the www.ginosbears.co.ukvery sad task of listening out until the verylast, for those who didn’t make it back

artist’sdiary withAndyWest‘The Queen and I...!’ The Westie BearsDiarist appears to be moving in quiteexclusive circles these days. In his dreams!S o I was at the “baskets only” sermon on the joys of Teddy Bears at two has a pole in the palace, like firemen?). If I checkout in Hugglets - don’t worry, minutes notice. dream I’m buying fabric from Bear Basics at all will become clear in a moment a bear fair, there she is behind the counter, - when the assistant told me that Years ago I read that everybody dreams holding up mohairs and stuffing. (And yes, Ithe chocolate éclairs were being offered at about the Queen, and I remember being know, dreaming about bear fairs is probably50 for the price of one. Well, offers like that very put out. evidence that my life is not as exciting as itdon’t come along very often do they? Next should be!)thing I knew, I was back at the checkout “I’ve never dreamt of the queen”, Iwith 50 éclairs. said to HID “Have you ever dreamt of the If I’m on the train, she flops down next Queen?” She said she had not but had to me, takes up too much room and drops “Have you got a Club card?” asked the once dreamt of Tom Cruise dressed as the crisp crumbs on my seat. On another occa-Queen. Oh, did I forget to mention that the Queen (just to clarify it was Tom dressed as sion, I looked out of the workroom windowcheckout girl was Her Majesty? “One simply the Queen and not HID!) and noticed that the back garden had beencan’t get enough of these éclairs,” she said, replaced by a runway and there was theas she swiped the boxes through. “Our None of the children had dreamt about Queen flying past and waving. “You again!”Anne’s keen too but the Duke of Edinburgh the Queen. Neither had any of my custom- she called, as she noticed me through thefinds the cream a bit rich. He’s more of a ers at the local craft shop, although a deliv- window.Mars Bar man. Are you all right with the ery driver once dreamt he had a packagepacking?” for Princess Margaret and she would not And once, when I was planning to visit a sign for it. bear fair, she summoned me for an urgent It was without doubt the most peculiar audience at Buckingham Palace. She par-dream I have had in months, certainly a lot Yet now, the Queen is everywhere. I ticularly wanted me to come, she said, asodder than the one where I dust the church have only to doze off in front of the televi- she wanted my advice on the correct wayand suddenly find myself having to give a sion for the alarms to sound in Buckingham to stuff a bear! Palace and for Her Majesty to pay an official visit to my subconscious (do you think she I suspect that the Queen is making more guest appearances in my dreams because we’re seeing a lot of her on television and in the news these days. Things could be worse, I suppose: I’m lucky that it is Her Majesty and not Simon Cowell. It makes you wonder what the Queen dreams about; (“One was flying One’s plane through rural Sussex, when One glanced to the left and saw a man in a wheelchair with spiky hair gazing out of his workshop window with his mouth hanging wide open in a very com- mon way.”) She probably has the same anxiety70 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m

■ Andy West of Westie Bears is an award winning artist based in Horsham, West Sussex.He started making bears as therapy to cope with a disability. He is well known for hisminiature bears and is a British Bear Artist Award winner. He has also been a semi finalistin the Barclay Trading Places Awards and was winner of the West Sussex County TimesBusiness Award. In 2008 he was awarded Bronze in the Barclay Trading Places Awards.dreams as the rest of us, but on a rather TOP WESTIE BEAR TIP: When turninglarger scale. You know the sort of thing: “One a mini bear, always go for the part withis horrified to see that One is wearing a the biggest seam and do not pull theWinnie the Pooh Onesie. And what’s more, fabric but gently ease it.One has forgotten to take One’s curlers out!” for an order of biker bears taken at the that the person interviewing me speaks When I write for you, I don’t just type Stratford fair; success - and I send off HID to broken English and I keep going offthe first thing that comes into my head, you pick up my order from a local toy store. speaking French, Spanish and English. Iknow. I carry out extensive research. Which Tuesday: Recently (see my last article) I wonder what the end article will look like!means, in this case I have just been out to have been making little mice. Well, this has Friday: Time to get organised for thethe garden and asked HID what she dreams now lead to me design a range of 1” micro weekend and the up and coming fairs.about. “I don’t do very much dreaming” she bears. The smaller I go, the more joy I get The summer months are usually full ofsaid; “I sleep too well after spending a day from making them; I just hope my customers big craft fairs, normally situated in mar-with you!!” I tend to blame my dreams of the love them too. The only issue is that Lily the quees. One year it rained so much myQueen on too much red wine and late night cat thinks that the micro bears are prey to wheel chair just sank into the groundventures to the chocolate tin! stalk and run off with! It’s a good job I love and my kids thought it was very funny, that cat or she would have been down to commenting: “Well dad, in 100 years “I did once dream that I was in strictly that cat shelter sooner rather than later! time someone will be ploughing this fieldcome dancing” HID continued. “What hap- Wednesday: Making elephants for an order and they will come across a skeleton in apened?” I said. “Well whilst Anton and I were today, complete with little mice on their limbs wheelchair!!”doing the Tango he went to lift me and gave or trunks. Elephants always make me feel The Weekend: usually starts off withhimself a hernia!” good as they are so spiritual, cool, calm and stress and me worrying about bears I stress free. should have made and did not; have I After choking on my bar of chocolate Thursday: Today I am being interviewed by packed everything I need for the fair?and trying not to laugh, I said: “Is that a German bear magazine. The only issue is etc and HID usually lets me get on withit?” “Pretty much.” it as she knows now that she may get her head bitten off! But once I am at the “You’ve never dreamt about the venue the stress, like a wave, just wash-Queen?” “Not that I can remember.” es over me and I enjoy the day full of laughter, chatting bears and selling bears. “How disloyal”. “Maybe so, but she’snever complained to me about it.” Andy xxUntil next time: Mini bear hugs Why do I mention all this? Does thefact that her imaginary Majesty and Iexchange pleasantries in the wee hoursof the night have any meaning in the greatscheme of things? Undoubtedly not. Isuppose I just wanted you to know that Imove in quite the grandest of circles. In mydreams. The night after I met the Queen inHugglet’s, HID switched off the bedside lampand wished me pleasant dreams. “Give HerMajesty my regards” she said with a chuckle.“We shan’t be meeting tonight” I said. “Ohreally? And why’s that?” “If I do any dreamingtonight, I’ll be staying in. I’ve got 50 choco-late éclairs to eat!” Recently the Westie Bears schedule hasbeen as busy as ever. I wish I did not haveto sleep, then I would be able to get moredone.Monday: is the usual day trying to getmyself organised after the weekend’s bearfairs. Recently I attended both the Stratfordupon Avon and Alton (Hampshire) Bearfestivals. This normally involves planning toreplace bears sold and listing any orderstaken. Today I am sourcing mini motor bikes t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m 71

my hugThe well-travelledVIBs of Hong KongPeople who own cats often believe the catchooses them, rather than the opposite. Thesame seems to be true of these teddy bears By Marion BrennanMay I introduce five bears - Ted, up there, one hundred feet above ground South America, USA and Canada, Rocky Rocky, Curly, Alf and Reg - level, we will never know. He accepted a recently went to the End of the World and very important members of ride down to earth in my rucksack and bravely dipped his paws in the icy waters of our household. Each bear came home with us. the Beagle Channel.joined us under unusual circumstances. Alf we found abandoned by the side of a Rocky is such a boaster and although Ted joined me in Northern England road in Hong Kong in 1990. We took him the rest of the VIBs are pleased to wavein 1943 when I was being born under a home and he settled in with no problems. him off on his travels so they can have atable during an air raid. He was a present rest from his constant story-telling, theyfrom my aunt who became an emergency We rescued Curly from a flooded home know he will soon be back with more talesmidwife when I decided to make an early basement in the States in 2002. He had a of adventure and near-death experiences.appearance into that very noisy world. Ted dramatic escape and is still traumatised. In Chile last year he narrowly missed beingwas my constant companion. In 1955 he He now lives with us, close to the sea, but bear napped when my backpack, where helost his sight when he was mauled by a dog is terribly afraid of water. usually travels, was stolen. He reckons hein a street fight. His sight was successfully is psychic and knew he had to change hisrestored in 1960. I successfully bid for a box of bric-brac travel arrangements that day. Rocky terri- at an auction in Colorado USA in 2005 fies Curly. In 1978 I was rock climbing in and was surprised to find Reg restingNorthumberland and found Rocky strand- between some old sheets. He still likes to All the VIBs live here happily anded on a narrow ledge. What he was doing rest on the sofa among friends. comfortably. Ted is seventy years of age and consented to have a wash for the For many years my husband and I have photograph; the younger waifs and strays travelled the world and Rocky, the self- declined. appointed leader of the VIBs, has travelled with us. He never goes anywhere without I trust you have enjoyed meeting some his compass and has helped us out of trou- of your more unusual readers - the VIBs of ble on numerous occasions. The darling Hong Kong. TBT of customs officers in South East Asia,72 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m

bearMARKETteddytibmees ar SUFFOLK 18 Elm Hill. Norwich, Norfolk NR3 1HNTo advertise in these BBaMeeecat tthreosn columns please at Jeffries Telephone: 01603 766866 call Maria on Station Garage, Bacton 01903 884988 Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 4HP See the largest range of Telephone: 01449 781087 Charlie Bears in the UKOr email her for details: [email protected] Club Store Order online – see our website for detailsTeddyBearTimes.com Stockists of Steiff, Deans, Merrythought, www.bearshops.co.uk Leebert, Shoebutton Bears, Hermann and Jellycat. Visit www.beadmagazine.co.uk Visit our website: UK’s first ever beading & jewellery magazine www.bactonbears.co.uk dollshouse.tv Follow us on @knitsy1DO YOU HAVE A TEDDY WEB BUSINESS AND ARE YOU www.Knitsy.tv LOOKING FOR WAYS TO PROMOTE IT? BigBeadShowFINDWAONUTT THOOW? We have a sure fire way of increasing The BIGGEST all-beading events in the UK disocCunaslilnsl eMoouarpriteaioxtcnoisti.ng traffic to your site and of course increasing your business. AT SANDOWN PARKTel: 01903 884988 • email: [email protected] ESHER, SURREYADVERTISERS’ INDEX SATURDAY 19th OCTOBERABRACADABRA TEDDY BEARS .............21 JULIE SHEPHERD .................................21 To book your pre show tickets andBARNEY’S BEAR HOUSE LIMITED .........21 KELI-B BEARS ......................................51 workshops at discounted prices visitBEAR ATTACK USA ...............................13 LITTLE PIGGIES ORIGINALS...................52BEAR BITS ...........................................21 LYNETTE WEAVER/GOLD TEDDIES.........52 www.thebigbeadshow.c .uBEARLEIGH BEARS...............................13 MARY DOWD BEARS............................46BEARLY SANE BEARS ...........................19 MASAKO KITAO/EVERYN ROSE .............46 or call the ticket hotline on 01903 884988BEARS BY SUE QUINN..........................53 MOHAIR BEAR MAKING SUPPLIES ........11BEARS TO COLLECT.............................46 NIKKEL BEARS .....................................21BEDLAM BEARS...................................50 NOBLE FABRICS...................................19BOWERBIRD BEARS .............................51 NOTTINGHAM BEAR FAIR .....................19BRITANNIA BEARS................................52 ONE MORE BEAR ...................................7COBBLESTONE CREATIONS LLC...........50 PHYLL’S BEARS CHAIRS .......................21CR’S CRAFTS.......................................19 PIPEDREAM BEARS..............................46DOWNTOTHEWOODS BEARS................52 SILLY BEARS ........................................76F J HANNAY BEARS..............................46 SILVER TAG BEARS.................................7FLUTTER-BY-BEARS .............................46 SOFTLY BEAR PAW...............................46FOREVER FLOWERS .............................19 TEDDY STATION ...................................19GYLLS BEARS ......................................46 TEENY BEARS ......................................50HIDDEN COVE COLLECTIBLE BEARS.....46 THREADTEDS ....................................... 50HIGGYS BEARS.....................................46 TILLINGTON BEARS..............................49HUGGLETS ........................................... 11 TOY WORLDS MUSEUM BASLE ............13JAN’S TIDDY BEARS.............................46 TWEEDIES ............................................ 51JCW BEARS .........................................51 VECTIS AUCTIONS LTD .........................11JU-BEARY BEARS.................................46 WESTIE BEARS.....................................21 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m 73

myWORKROOMCOLLECTOR’S NEWS ■ We take a peek into the creative dens of bear artists around the worldEleven years ago, I light lamp) to be invaluable. I separate room. I would prob- Just for fun... was already collecting really do prefer to have bright ably be continually popping out bears when I found light in order for me to sew with to where everyone else was (my •Describe the myself being constantly precision and pinpoint accu- husband works mostly fromdrawn to adorable miniature racy. On sunny days I can take home too). Also, I carry on sew- soundtrack that bestbears. Miniatures weren’t as my work in to the conservatory ing well into the evenings, so describes your work-easy to come by then and so, but I do like to be in a commu- I’m usually keeping an eye on spaceinevitably, I started making them nal part of the house. I feel I’ve the tv at that time too. Well, even though it is afor myself. Like so many other got optimum working condi- small space, it doesn’t limitpeople, it was a hobby that tions and there is always room I like to listen to something my imagination at all, so I’llgrew in to a passion and then to share my armchair with my while I work, so if it’s not Radio say ‘Where The Sky Ends’an obsession. chihuahua. I’m even near the 4, then it will be my iPod, by Sylosis fireplace in winter which is more stuffed full of the same music My workspace isn’t a des- useful than I wish it had to be! my three sons listen to. Loud, •Name one thing that isignated room or studio - just heavy music just seems to‘my’ area of the lounge where I Of course this means my open and enhance my left brain banned from your work-have a narrow wall unit next to corner of the lounge is not a creativity for some reason and spaceme and a table with two wicker private space - there are defi- I work with better focus when I Sticky and drippy food isdrawers alongside my chair. I nitely family members and the have it on. definitely banned. Also, anykeep a stack of vintage stor- two dogs around. I actually person who isn’t me sittingage boxes in a gap between prefer it like that. I think I would I keep the space fairly tidy in ‘my’ armchairthe furniture, full of trims, laces feel bored and isolated in a as I like to be able to find every-and ribbons. There is thing easily. I love pretty and •What is the one thingplenty of room for all my unusual boxes and little sets ofessential tools too...and that your workspacea sewing box perma- drawers which I can couldn’t be without?nently balances on the make good use of for Most important of all is aarm of the chair! my stashes of lovely comfortable armchair, as things. I like the place I sit in it for a lot of hours For me, it is abso- I work in to still be part every day!lutely the best place of a room, even if it isto create my bears. stuffed with many and •What would be yourPartly because I have varied important items!nearly everything I dream workspace?need really close It would be fantastic Oooooh that’s difficult.to hand and also to have a whole room I think my sons wouldbecause I find the designed solely for be impressed if I had atwo lights I have storage of my material favourite band set up inover my shoulder boxes, tools and all the the lounge and raise the(one being a day- other craft items I use roof with an excellent bit of but I don’t think I would Thrash metal! change where I create and work. TBT74 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m

subtescdrdipyttimbioeesnaorffer Send to: Teddy Bear Times Magazine, ANNUALLOBOEKAIRN-GMAF£4KO.5I0NR$8GW.5T0 WHAAEROpriRDlR/MKEaTySA2OH0L13OHSPUT£4OG.50RG$Y8L.5M0EBTAEFeSKHb/EMI2NarBc0DhE120AP133UAT£D4I.FD50UI$NL8.5GS0BPTEDEOAECCNR/IJAASNBL:1E3T2AW0RO0£tP4h..55A00BT$I$T86R..959E0TRHOONDCCTTAS/N/NOYOVIV1NE21SD2 IITDIEO£4N.25: UK: Unit 5E, Park Farm, Chichester Road,teddtyedbdeteyadrbdetyeadrbdetSILLY Arundel, West Sussex BN18 0AGBEARStimes times timesyeatdirmbdeesyatimrbees artteeddddyybbeeaarrtaimmeesr.iccoam.com 8 BONUS PAGES US: Ashdown Inc., 68132 250th Avenue, Kasson, MN 55944, USA.●Old bears $6.99 AUG/SEPT 12● Artists  YES I would like to subscribe to Teddy Bear Times ● Shops Magazine teddybeartimes.com teddybeartimes.com ppKuanlniltodvaaertteeddddyybbeeaarratimm■■e■ersBicV.Kcaoe.icmnnoamtitratigpneagtbtpeteteaerdadntddtyrybesbeeraanrratmsimeersic.cao.cmom teddybearamerica.com teddybearamerica.com  Please renew my subscription Klplnaumiltloaaver ●ExpeWBrastshewIoNahwirsTtrfleeEep-ssRotrtotSFpWilIllRyINBSeTFaIrEsVDcEoITmFIApOeBNtitSion Make a bear ●Old clowns  1 year, 6 issues ●Antiques UK £29; US $66; Rest of world £46 ●Sew simple  Tick here to add the iMag Digital Library to your ISSUE 201 subscription for only an extra £38 per year. SAVE £5 off usual iMag price of £43! ● Artists New fromMUSICAL BEARS ● News Charlie Vintage and modern Your subscription will renew annually at the best price. hit the right note Tick here if you do not require this option  Untitled-3 1 YOUR DETAILSMbeeaert aarntieswt 15/02/2012 10:03 Bears PRIZES GALOREISSUE 202 ISSUE 204 ● Experts mjuywstwingeuimegshest! Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss: Forename: Surname: ISSUE 203 Tpwhootnoegwrapinhteicrncaotmionpaeltitions ● Artists Address: Cfaoilroyrtaadleo 06/03/2013 17:35 News Make a wish●Have the01_TBT204.indd 1 01_TBT200_front.indd 1 01_TBT201_front.indd 1 18/01/2013 10:18 15/02/2012 10:03 Untitled-3 1 01_TBT 202.indd 1 08/11/2012 15:49 01_TBT 203.indd 1 15/02/2012 10:03 Untitled-3 1 Untitled-3 1 15/02/2012 10:04 Untitled-3 1 03/09/2012 09:54 15/02/2012 10:04 03/07/2012 11:04 printed edition of Teddy Bear Timesdelivered to your door every month. Subscribe today and ensure you receive your own Postcode: copy of the world’s favourite teddy bear magazine. Tel: Don’t miss out on a year’s worth of teddy inspiration Email: and all the fascinating features that make Teddy Bear Times such a great read every issue. TO GIVE A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION3easy ways to subscribe Please fill out both the recipient's details below and the 'Your Details' Online at www.teddybeartimes.com section on the above. Call 0800 435553 US: 1-866-606-6587 By post using the form on the right Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss: Forename: Surname: Address:One year magazine subscription (6 issues): UK £29; US $66; Rest of world £46 Postcode: TBT ON THE TABLET AND PHONE: THREE EASY WAYS TO PAY Teddy Bear Times magazine is now available to read on your favourite 1. Cheque enclosed payable to Teddy Bear Times Magazine device, including the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Samsung Galaxy Tab. 2. Please debit my:  Visa  Mastercard  Maestro Buy the latest issue anywhere in the world at a fraction of the Card number: cost of the paper edition. Download your FREE App today. Simply search for ‘Teddy Bear Times Expiry date: Issue No: 3 digit security code: Magazine’ in the Apple App store or Android Market.  /www.teddybeartimes.com Signature: Date: 3. Want to pay monthly? No problem. You can when you subscribe online.* Go to www.teddybeartimes.com

76 t e d d y b e a r t i m e s . c o m