Merging the Magic of Bears
with Humor
& Excellent Design
By Shiera Okida
When Laura Unrau says she creates original one-of-a-kind teddy bears and other animal works of art,
she truly means ORIGINAL!
Each piece is truly unique and as
individual as Laura is, herself.
According to Laura, "Regardless
of it's size, a bear can be many things."
"It should, first and formost, make a person smile, and if one of the bears I create does that, then all the many hours of work are well worth the effort."
" A bear should be able to bring comfort when needed, always lift the spirit, and if they can evoke a giggle or two that's even better," Laura continues.
"To me, a bear is almost never 'just a bear'; there's magic in there!"
"Every bear has it built in and it happens somewhere between the first pencil mark and the last stitch in the process of their creation," claims Laura.
"Magic brings them to life and magic is what gives us that glimpse into our pasts (real or imagined), our dreams and our deepest inner selves." Bear making has been part of Laura's life in some form or fashion ever since her bear making exploits began when she was about 9 years old, with the creation of her first original pattern.
Laura started collecting 1/12th
scale miniatures and building scale furniture about 10 years ago, and from there, starting on miniature bears was a natural evolution.
Although some of her bears have been occasionally larger scale bears, her heart was captured long ago by miniature bears and that is where it remains, at least for some time.
"The bears I create are born in a variety of sizes, from a tiny 1" to 22" larger," says Laura, "The majority of them however, fall into the range
of miniatures from 2-4" as that is the size that affords me the best opportunity for detail."
Laura designs all her patterns herself (which she says she is constantly tweaking), and other than a few limited editions, most
of her bears are one of a kind.
She sometimes will reuse a pattern in the future, but never creates any bears identical to those she has created before. Each is unique with their own personal features and personalities.
Although Laura likes to exhibit
at one or two shows a year (as listed on the Whazzup page of her website) so far, the majority of her bear selling experiences have taken place
with eBay, the mega-auction site which she first explored through a friend's advice and prompting.
While Laura says that preparing
a bear for eBay is quite a process, Laura describes her forays in eBay
marketing as "always exciting and
a terrific amount of fun!"
"I take a lot of time figuring out how to present my bears and insure that the magic IS there," reveals Laura, "I want to stretch myself and my art
further and further with each bear -
experimenting with colors, fabrics and designs."
" Otherwise, I would be bored in seconds, as I'm sure my collectors would be, too," Laura advises,
" Instead you'll find innovative designs and honest top quality workmanship that come straight from my heart and needle."
" I take great pride in that creative process that brings my little cubbies from pencil sketch to 'someone to love'." "My bears are often silly (probably because I often am), sometimes sad, and once in awhile they're realistic, but always always I strive for that 'magic' quality." "I work very hard to keep my patterns fresh, original and unique and so from the drawing of the pattern to the very last careful stitch they are truely part of me..or is that I of them?" questions Laura.
"I love experimenting with fabrics and often get my inspiration from the texure or colour and I also spend quite a bit of time looking at pictures of wild bears as they are, after all, ancestral relations to the teddy bear." maintains Laura, "I like to work with mohair, vintage fabrics, upholstery fabric or a combination
of all of those. I also add painted highlights to some bears." "Whether you are bidding, adopting, or just looking at one of my little creations," Laura declares, "I hope sincerely they will bring a small bit
of peace, magic and laughter into your heart. "
Her husband and two children, always her primary focus, have contributed great input and play
a large part in her bear making, providing suggestions, giving encouragement, and identifying their favorites.
Laura says her family helps her understand the lasting appeal
of teddies, "While my children are getting older, we all know that you are never too old for bears!"
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3428 Hillvale Road 
