Sew Many Bears ...

Sew Little Time!

If we are going to share bear making stories, it seems logical we should start with our story.

We have been involved in many phases of this exciting hobby, dating back to the late 1970s. At one point in time we were designing and crafting our Carrousel line of teddy bears that were sold in over 100 shops in 40 US states and in several foreign countries.

Over the course of time we estimate that we have actually crafted between 10,000 and 15,000 bears.

I was involved in a variety of efforts from designing, installing joints, stuffing and marketing our teddies, and while several ladies assisted Doris with cutting and sewing. It was Doris who hand finished each and every bear personally.

The Carrousel line of teddy bears reached the end several years ago when Doris became allergic to mohair which was a signal to slow down.

We continue to remain involved in a variety of bear related activities

Doris is shown with a teddy she crafted in 1977, modeled after her childhood bear. It was made from

a wool blend fabric Sweater and hat knit by Doris.

Terry & Doris Michaud

Carrousel

Members since March 2009

18 inch Carrousel teddy, circa 2008. German mohair, 100% felt paw & foot pads, glass eyes, pop rivet joints. Vintage wood bead necklace.

"Meg" has been a collector most of her life and she also has been designing and creating teddies since 2003.

During the past 9 years she estimates she has crafted 190 bears.

Most are produced in mohair, although she occasionally uses Alpaca or Japanese silk. Some of the jewelry that can often be found as collars on her bears, she made too.

The first Pinney Bear by Meg

Margaret Jackson

Pinney Bears

Member since December 2005

Mary got involved with creating her teddy bears around 1995 when she was creating half scale realistic animals for her display business.

She showed them at Toy Fair and was asked by Franklin Mint to create a teddy bear. She called it Bubby, a 24 inch 3 month old Grizzly. She fell in love with him and decided to keep him, offering his "cousins" to collectors on her own.

After creating a host of realistic bears, Wimberley turned to a more whimsical look, doing actual teddy bears, with joints and mohair.

Her "nose" count of creations to date number in the range of 1300 bears and other creatures.

24 inch Bubby, created in 1995 by Mary Wimberley.

Mary Wimberley
Mary's Secret Garden
Member Since August 2005

Mary's Award winning teddy bear Keichi Coo is a 2012 design.

Cindy McGuire - China Cupboard Bears

Cindy has had quite a journey in the teddy bear world for the past 23 years,  designing and creating over 5,000 bears and animals.   

She shared that she had to learn time management, involved in designing bears, preparing for national and international shows,  sharing her work at Toy Fair in New York and doing classes in Japan -  all the while raising four children and running a cottage industry! Cindy has a Fashion Design background, and her love of dolls and antiques have been a major influence in her creations. 

McGuire’s designs have that whimsical attitude that collectors are drawn to, and she is encouraged by collectors to continue creating animals that delight.  Her favorite piece ?  She says with a smile, “the one I am going to do – next!”

Cindy beginning bear making 1989

Bear of today by Cindy

Cindy McQuire

China Cupboard Bears

Member Since March 2005

For our review for this artist, we made the journey (in spirit) to the beautiful Tuscany coast of Italy.

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Annalisa Taddei, who has been creating one-of-a-kind teddy bears on a part time basis since 2007.  During that time frame, Annalisa believes she has made around 600 teddies.

She has three beautiful daughters and a great husband that she shares a lot of her time with, but somehow manages to set aside a bit of time for designing and crafting bears.

Taddei discovered the world of teddy bears through the Internet and discovered where to buy supplies. Her family encouraged her to try her hand at making a bear, and her first bear, named Pucky, was sold on eBay.

Needless to say this created the spark for Annalisa to continue with her work, for which she has had numerous nominations and awards.

Annalisa Taddei's first bear "Pucky" from 2007

Annalisa Taddei

The Tuscany Bear Maker

Member since March 2009

A more recent design by Annalisa named Fedro.

Michele  Seraphim is a Canadian teddy bear artist who can trace her teddy bear roots to her grandmother, who actually worked in a teddy bear factory in England prior to World War II.   

Michele inherited  some of the materials and tools her grandmother used in her trade, but she admits that her own interest in creating a teddy bear remained dormant until 2009. 

She decided to make a bear for her grandmother, but unfortunately  Grandmom passed away before Michele completed the bear. 

This set Seraphim off in a whole new direction. Leaving her quilts and dolls behind, she focused her energies on the bear world.

Michele has been making bears is somewhat brief time frame. She has produced 100 teddies to date and she tells us that four of her designs have won awards in the past two years! 

Seraphim loves what she is doing (a sentiment we hear often from teddy bear artists) and expresses her thanks to everyone for welcoming her so warmly into the world of bears. 

Eve was my first bear that sold.

Michele Seraphim

Seraphim Bears

Member since May 2009

Bear with Michele's initials on her paws is one of Michele's newest.

Want to be included?  Please submit your information and photos of your first bear and the latest one, to us as soon as possible.  We need to know when you started, how many bears you have made to date, and a brief background (300 words or less) of what you are doing today. Nominal fee is charged for non-members to be featured in these articles.

 Join the parade, because there are

 "Sew Many Bears - - - Sew Little Time."