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I’ll start this thread. I’m looking forward to learning about everyone!
My name is Laura Lynn, I’m in my 50’s. I’m from the Chicago area but moved to central Kentucky in 2010. I have a beautiful 31 year old daughter (who got married this year!), I’m divorced, but now have a wonderful partner in my boyfriend.
I started as a teddy bear collector. My best friend collected “artist teddy bears”. I had never heard of them before. I loved going to her house to see the new displays she created. I had her take me to a bear show and fell in love!
After I collected for a few years, I found a class where I could make my own fully jointed teddy bear. I was hooked! I I’ve been making teddy bears for over 20 years. I’ve been selling them full time for almost 19 years. I love making bears for loved ones. I still have the special bears I made for my mother and grandmother (as they have since passed away).
I’ve made many wonderful friends through teddy bears!
Hi friends,
My name is Lisa Kennedy. I am 53 years old. I am a high school counselor and have been in public school teaching/counseling for 32 years. I am married to my wonderful husband-Chuck. We are both native Texans and live in Waller with our horses and dog.
I have been collecting handmade Mohair Teddy bears since high school. My collection is dear to me. About 2 years ago, I desired to start making bears and found Laura Lynn’s Teddy Bear Academy- which I just find so very helpful!! I am hoping to start my second bear very soon! I was sidetracked in 2018 with a cancer diagnosis. The cancer returned in 2019– but I have just finished chemo so I am hoping to be on to my bear making very soon.
Thankful for the Teddy Bear Academy videos!!
Lisa
Hello ladies
My name is Mindi. I’m happy to see this forum re-started…thank you Laura. Your teddies are so adorable, and they all just make me smile. Thank you for sharing your talent, skills and creativity with us.
I’ve been making stuffed critters for many years, but never jointed ones. Teddy Bear Academy showed me how. It is full of wonderful info, videos and tips. 🙂
Lisa, my heart goes out to you. I’m so happy that you are finished with chemo, and I pray for your good health and lots more teddies from you.
I’m looking forward to meeting many new people here, and enjoying many fun and informative conversations and ideas.
I’m posting this for Kathe 🙂
I LOVE teddy bears. They’re basically all over the house.
Mastering the art of bear making is on my bucket list.
I purchased a few books on Amazon, but…haven’t really used them.
I’ve enjoyed your free videos and decided it would be so much easier to learn to do this working with someone.
I’ve made teddy bears before for myself from patterns. Usually Simplicity or McCall’s patterns. But, there’s a big difference between their patterns and the end result and the creation of a professional teddy bear artist.
A bit about me…
I retired early. I’m a registered dietitian. After I retired I started studying copywriting and marketing.
I’m still in the process of finishing coursework. I’ve wondered about possibly sometime in the future doing B2B copywriting for the teddy bear industry. But…have no idea what the market is.
I like the idea of selling my bears. That would be a fun website to build. (I picked up the basics during my copywriting travels. Although, I would need to learn how to add a store with a shopping cart.) So your offer of teaching me the business side of things is very intriguing.
Before I dive in and actually start making a bear…I want to finish one that’s currently in process. I’ll do that over this long holiday weekend.
Looking forward to getting to know everyone.
Hi Lisa,
I love that you have been collecting mohair teddy bears since high school. I didn’t discover them until I was 30. I’m glad to hear that my videos have been so helpful for you. I’m sorry to hear that your cancer has returned 🙁 You are in my thoughts… sending many good thoughts your way.
Hi Mindi,
Thank you for your kind words about my bears and about the classes here in Teddy Bear Academy. I’m happy to hear that they have been helpful for you. I am looking forward to seeing photos of your bears 🙂
Hi Kathe,
Your idea of writing some B2B copywriting for the teddy bear industry sounds very interesting! Teddy bear artists are always trying to think about ways to spread the word about collecting artist teddy bears. Maybe that could be a direction?
There are a couple of ways to be able to sell from your website. One way is yes, with a shopping cart (which I use), but another is to simply use “Buy Now” PayPal buttons. I will be going over these very subjects in some upcoming Professional classes.
How is your latest bear coming? Looking forward to seeing photos!
Hello!
My name is Gisele Schaeffer. I was born in France many years ago.
I live with my husband of 50 years in North Carolina. We have two daughters, married, the oldest one, Nadine has one son, Brayden age 6. The youngest daughter, Natasha has a daughter, Erika age 12, and will have a new son, James who is expecting to be born in mid January.
We have a Tuxedo cat, Lucy and two dogs who stays outside because of their sizes: Prince, a Syberian Husky and Misha, a mixed Lab.
My love of bears started in 2010 after I retired from teaching. It first started with collecting and pretty soon with making them.
I keep thankingLaura Lynn for her wonderful patterns every time I make a bear. It is such an enjoyment.
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Hi, my name is Rose I come from the south of the UK. I’m a retired nurse having to take early retirement after falling down the stairs fracture my shoulder, surgery was unsuccessful & my joint is subluxed. I live with my husband & our third cat, a short haired ginger & white young cat who is rather a character.</p>
I have been sewing things from a small child, through my life & when I had to retire I started sewing Teddy Bears & other toys as a hobby of for friends & family. Needless to say I now have accumulated a lot of toys that I have made as I rarely use safety eyes which have to be put in before stuffing a toy, I prefer to sew the eyes in after stuffing so I can make sure the position is as I want. Thus unfortunately this means the toys are unsuitable for small children.
I have recently started to knit toys only as I wouldn’t attempt anything larger, I’m not good at picking up dropped stitches.
I would love to be able to afford a number of the “toys “ that some people make, they look so professional, I m not sure my husband would appreciate this- a more crowded house with toys. Well I can dream & admire.Hi Gisele,
Congratulations of 50 years of marriage! It sounds like you have a lovely family. I’m so glad you are enjoying the classes and patterns 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing more photos of your bears!
Hi Rose,
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry about your accident! I understand about your desire to use eyes that you insert after the head is stuffed instead of safety eyes. I think the bears look better too when you can both see exactly where you are placing the eyes and also you can sink them into the head instead of having them just lie on top of the fabric. But yes, it’s a shame that they are then not child safe.
I have had a few collectors purchase my bears for children and I tell them about the dangers of the eyes (and the steel bb’s inside too). I recommend they treat the bear as they would a porcelain doll. Once I compare my bear to a fragile doll, they understand a bit more.
I understand about a crowded home! My bears are upstairs, but I’d love to bring some of my collection downstairs. My boyfriend has been living in this home for over 30 years and has some stuff (and understatement!) I do think I’ll be able to bring part of my collection down when I find a good way to protect/display them. I love seeing how other people display their bears. I may have to start another post about that!
I do enjoy seeing the knit toys others create. I can neither knit nor crochet. I may have to remedy that sometime if only to knit scarves for my bears 😉
Hi!
My name is Nicola, and I live in Ottawa, Canada. I’m very new to bear making, but not new to sewing or crafting in general. I’m an avid needle felter and knitter, and I’ve spent much of the last four or five years sewing costumes for school musical theatre productions. I’ve wanted to make teddy bears for years. I’ve attempted several mini bears and never finished them, but I finally completed a very large bear for my daughter to give to a friend at Christmas (nothing like a deadline to boost productivity). I’ve now become a bit obsessed. I’m back to working on the mini bears that I had started, and hoping to try some mohair bears as I work my way through the collection of patterns that I amassed during my “aspirational years”.
I’m hoping to learn some techniques to smooth out the learning curve, but I know that, as with any other skill, this will simply take practice. I’ve always liked the idea of trying to start some kind of craft business if only to support my habit. But for now, I will work on my skills, and see where that leads me.
Hi Nicola, so glad you have joined us! That is so neat that you have sewn the costumes for the school musicals. That is quite a skill. You seem to have quite a lot of experience in the crafting niche!
Yes, nothing like a deadline to push you to finish a project! Every show I’ve ever participated in, I’ve been working right up until the deadline. My other artist friends are the same way too! Do you have a photo of your bear?
Looking forward to seeing your bears!
Hello! My name is Vickie and I am a retired professional who is ready to start a new adventure. I live in South Alabama approximately 75 miles from Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast. Matter of fact, the Florida state line is 18 miles from the front door of my home. I am married to a wonderful man and we share our home with two dogs. I just completed my first bear as a gift for my great-great nephew who is scheduled to make an appearance in May. His (the bear) name is Theodore and he is a crocheted bear. I have crocheted for many years, but I want to try my hand at sewing a bear. I have also sewed for many years, my mother and grandmothers sewed. I am excited to learn more about the art of bear making. Several years ago, I made hand sculpted Santa Claus and sold them at local craft shows, but stopped when family and work responsibilities hindered me from the ability to fill orders for them. So here I am, ready to begin this new adventure.
Welcome Vickie! What a lovely place to live! I think it’s great that both your Mother and Grandmother sewed. I learned how to sew in home-ec in jr high. My mother would have me do her sewing for her lol! I much prefer sewing teddy bears to sewing clothes. Hand sculpted Santas? What did you make them out of? We also share our home with two dogs: Sequoia our Chihuahua and Xena our shepherd/husky/hound mix.
Welcome!
Hello My name is Kristie Cooper, I live in Kentucky with my husband of almost 21 years and my two daughters!! I’m actually a wreath/floral designer turn sewing guru!! In 2018 it seemed as if everyone was placing hand sewn critters in their wreaths so of course I followed suit, however it became costly for me and for the end result of the wreath. So 13 months ago I decided to take an online sewing class, bought a bunny pattern, and started selling wreath attachments out of my Etsy shop!! Then one day I came across Bear Pile.com and I was amazed at the possibilities. I would love to make creations that people cherished as a keepsake and passed it on to loved ones!! I hope one day I can be that talented with teddy bears and other little critters!!
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