“I was born, raised and still currently live in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada,” began Jennifer Kettle, however my name will change this October when I become Mrs. Niemeyer. I’m getting married!” she announced with glee.
Jennifer’s love of teddy bears started early in her life when her nanny gave her a teddy bear. “She showed me beautiful butterflies and that spawned my interest in them,” she said. “It only seems natural that I would be inclined to make Bearyflies!”
“I started making bear about six years ago,” began Jennifer. “I found patterns in my Mom’s old craft magazines. Being creative in nature, I tried to alter the pattern and ended up with a funny-looking creature that was a cross between a mouse and an elephant! I thought they were hilarious.” She had caught the bear-making bug and continued perfecting her methods.
Next she tried using fun-fur with a jointed teddy bear pattern she purchased online. “Friends were impressed that I had made a ‘store-bought-looking” teddy bear!” she said.
After their words of encourage-ment, she made six more and donated them to the Salvation Army for Christmas! Late in the next year, Jennifer found a newspaper ad and visited a local shop that was selling mohair and bear-making supplies. “That opened an entirely new world for me and I haven’t looked back!” exclaimed Jennifer.
Church members asked me to show them how to make bears and that started a chain reaction. They, in turn, taught others and those ladies taught their friends. “I became know as the ‘bear professional’ in our church," she said. "Through those friendships, I was encouraged to design my own patterns. After a few prototypes, I came up with my own design which I cherish,” Jennifer said.
Primarily doing all the bear-making, Jennifer loves doing all the little details, from painting the eyes, to adding eyelids, facial shading, crocheting their scarves and shawls. “My Mom designs and makes the clothes! She laughs when she knows I can make 3 dimensional creations, but when it comes to clothes, I’m stumped!" she grins.
"Dad even gets involved at times. He used the wood lathe to turn the peg leg for my pirate bear," she said.
Giving bears to all her family and loved ones, Jennifer heard suggestions that she should start selling her lovely creations. “I felt confident enough to start selling, but where?” she began. “That’s when I discovered Etsy. I have an online shop there where loyal collectors return to see what’s new."
Busy as Jennifer is with working and planning her wedding, she finds time to capture her ideas sprouting from her mind, "I have about 10 different patterns I use.” She is a graphic designer who’s been working in a company for eight years. Her responsibilities include web site creation, working on logos, designing brochures, photo retouching and using html. Jennifer created her own web page.
When she’s not working on bears, Jennifer enjoys crocheting and quilting too.
Sparked by a line in a movie, “I don’t want him to be presentable, I want him resplendent." Jennifer was absolutely struck by that word and thought it was wonderful! “And what better way to describe my 'creations' than to say they are “Resplendent Creations!” and she adapted that as her business name.
Even though Jennifer's name will change in October, it will not change her passion for bear making. We know that she will be 'resplendent' on her wedding day.
The definition of resplendent is: shining brilliantly: characterized by a glowing splendor.
The staff and members of Bears&Buds wish to extend congratulations to Jennifer and her future husband for a life filled with much love and many bear hugs.
Jennifer Kettle
Resplendent Creations
Member since May 2007 |
3428 Hillvale Road 
Sandra the Angel
