Born in the Netherlands, Cathy, as she likes to be known, now has lived in the United Kingdom in a town called Grimsby, since 2013.

How she got into bear making is quite a story.
"It was a complete change of life for me when we moved to the UK.

I had convinced myself to start making curtains, but when I arrived I soon realize that curtains were being sold everywhere and very cheap prices.

My dream was dashed"

She applied for a few jobs she thought she's like but never got even an interview, "probably because of the language barrier."

"I still was active as graphic designer in the gaming world, so my days were not really boring."

Cathy pick up some crafting, making all kinds little things: bags, dog coats, etc., and she attended a few craft fairs with her creations.

"But here in Grimsby everything needs to be free or very cheap."

The craft fairs were not profitable for her.

Browsing over Facebook pages and groups, she'd often see 'memory bears' and thought that would be nice, but how to start when she didn't know anyone in Grimsby.

"Suddenly my husband's ex wife passed away, and we had her coat. I asked my husband what he thought of the idea of me making a bear from the coat to give to his daughter?"

He was delighted with the idea and so began her memory bear. "The bear turned out very nice but I knew I needed to change some things and improve the look."

"As young girl I was always making doll clothes.

I was 12 when I began sewing my own clothing!"

Cathy's studies in school included textiles, pattern drawings, working in textile and she end up with sewing curtains.

"I knew how and what to do to create my own patterns, still I dare to admit it took almost 20 bears before I was happy with the results. I then had confidence to create my own signature bear.

Kiku

Brumm

Pirate

Luca

Ruby

I posted some bear pictures in different Facebook groups and slowly orders came in.

That was when Bearcrafty
was born."

She setup her own business
in 2014.

This business was a new challenge for Cathy, "and what a great feeling knowing people outside of my family and friends seems to like my bears!"

She took orders for memory bears. The memory bears are made from various fabrics set to her by the customers, and she makes them in a traditional teddy bear style.

"I call them, Bears With a Past' as they are made from special clothes that have a memory such as; baby's first clothes, a favorite sweater of Grand dad's, a beautiful wedding gown, school uniforms, coats, suits and dresses."

Cathy chooses the right look to satisfy the customer. "Often I have to force myself to stop working on a particular bear because it is officially finished but I want keep adding and adding more details."

Some people just order a bear and tell her to work her magic while others ask that the bear has eyelashes or glasses. Others choose to have the bear wear a cap, waistcoat or a dress.

Cathy can make it all.

"My memory bears are famous for the sweet faces and are recognizable as a Bearcrafty bear. Now that’s a great reward, be known by your style of bear making."

It amazes her when she finds a parcel arriving from so many different count ires. People from Europe, USA, Australia, etc, end clothing to be made into bears.

Her orders pile up. Patience is needed by the customer.

In the beginning there where not many orders for memory bear as her name was not known.

Cathy's desire and curiosity let her back to searching the Net.

She discovered beautiful and stunning bears made from fur.

"I decided to try my hand with fur. Sewing a bear isn’t that hard, but shape it takes with fur is a different story."

Buzz

Firemonster

She bought some how-to books and soon learned many new technics.

"With each fur bear I made

I learned something new.

And I try to give the bears my own special look. Working with quality faux furs is hard as working with mohair. I love using both furs.

After developing her bear style she wanted to created fantasy creatures.

I started from scratch. No pattern just work bit by bit.

I always start with the head first and then I see if I make a bear or a creature.

Cathy loves to create out
of the blue. She usually ends up with something very unique. Perhaps with wings, hand painted eyes, multi-colors, etc.

"I decided to enter a contest and partake in the Sheffield bear show to introduce Bearcrafty. Taking fur bears and I was so grateful that
I sold my bears to collectors. I enjoyed talking with each of them."

Lucky enough she had a house with spare bedroom.

It soon became her studio."I started making bears there but the bears and materials soon took over and I moved into a larger bedroom."

The bigger room is at the back of the house where full sun pours into the fully functional bear-making room.

Toby

Woof

Smudge

Contact:

Catharina (Cathy) Kammers
Bearcrafty
info@bearcrafty.com