Where it began...

 

Where it began...

Where it all began. This photo is an important element of my bearmaking journey over the past thirty years. My connection with teddy bears has lasted my entire lifetime and long before I made my first teddy bear, I was a bear collector. It began with a love of Chiltern Hugmee teddy bears, the British manufacturer of the wonderful Hugmee teddy bear range, made in the UK from 1923 until 1967. My parents gave me a beautiful large Chiltern Hugmee for my first birthday in 1964, a very special big bear (third from right, centre row) who sat on my bed for many years... and the rest, as they say, is history!

Full Circle

 

Full Circle

One for vintage teddy bear admirers... a proud moment in my bear making history.

My first childhood teddy bear, a fine 1950's Chiltern Hugmee, holds a copy of the 2011 Hugglets UK Teddy Bear Guide, featuring one of my original handcrafted teddy bear designs called 'Chester' on the front cover.

Now that is what you might call a full circle!

The art of...

 

The art of...

The art of creating artist teddy bears follows a long road of trial, error, determination to improve and the gift of a creative soul.

An original handcrafted teddy bear flows from the maker's heart and hands, into a character woven with the warmth of childhood nostagia and a sense of comfort.

Thirty years, in print!

 

Thirty years, in print!

I have some exciting news to share this week... I was sworn to secrecy until the 'Teddy Bear Times and Friends' latest publication date, which is this week... so, at last, I am able to share my secret with you!

Earlier this year, the UK 'Teddy Bear Times' magazine asked if they could publish a feature about my thirty year career as a teddy bear artist ... of course I agreed instantly as it is such an honour to have my work published! This month, the team has kindly included a beautiful multi-page article written about my life as a teddy bear maker. I am so thrilled!

Issue 276 will be available for single copy purchase from the TBT website in a few days' and if you are fortunate enough to hold a subscription, you should be receiving your copy through the letterbox this week.

I am not able to share a photo of the new magazine here today, as I haven't yet received my own copy, so for the sake of nostalgia, the photograph I am sharing with you today is a flashback to 1997, when a wonderfully large bear called 'Gently', a bear I designed and created, was featured on the front cover of the prestigious Teddy Bear Times magazine! (Incidentally, the cover price has risen somewhat over the years... a printed copy is now priced at £7.99 and a year's subscription £65.00... the days of £2.95 for a specialist collector's magazine are now long gone!)

If you would like to order a printed copy of issue 276, featuring my article, or a copy of the magazine in digital format, please head over to: 

https://www.teddybeartimes.com/

I am reliably informed that the most recent magazine, issue number 276, will be available to order directly from the Teddy Bear Times website very soon.