Donna Jean Fifarek was born and raised on the south side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
"When I was a child, I never had a teddy bear but I do now!"

After marrying her husband they moved to Pennsylvania and even lived in Texas and in several parts of California.
Celebrating 40 years of marriage, they have now settled in Massillon Ohio near their three adult children.

Onyx and Marley, their two dogs keep them company too.

"In the late 1980's and early 1990's I was an avid Barbie collector. In 2001, while browsing eBay for Barbies,
I decided to search for a cute teddy bear for my soon-to-be-born third child.

I came across a link labeled "Artist Bears," which I clicked on out of curiosity.

Donna Jean's attention was drawn to an adorable little bear made by Teslinton Bears.

"I knew I had to have it. When the bear arrived from England, I fell in love with her creation.

After that I bought a few more of her bears and I still cherish them to this day."

Inspired by those bears, Donna Jean decided to try making teddy bears.

"I sold some of my Barbie collection and with the money I bought teddy bear-making supplies and a book called Making and Dressing Miniature Teddy Bears by Julie K. Owen.

Using the patterns in the back of the book, I traced one and created my very first bear.

It was then that I realized this was what I wanted to do, and so "Bears by Donna Jean" was born."

She still has the very first teddy bear she made.

While pregnant with her son, she was able to create a few more bears.

"I listed one on eBay just to see if it would sell."

To her surprise the bear sold within 2 days of being listed.

"I said to myself; I can do this!

Since then her passion for bear making consumes her time.

"I cannot see myself doing anything else!"

Donna Jean considers herself a self-taught teddy bear artist considering she makes her own patters, designs unique bears and animals to the joy of her collectors.

"I still create a few patterns each year, but I do use patterns I designed years ago, making each one slightly different. Some are bears, hares, cats and critters."

Bears by Donna Jean

Contact:  Donna Fifarek

Many collectors purchase multiple creations during the online shows. Donna Jean sells at a fair price, so that all can afford her creations.

"I am so very thankful to all my world wide collectors that gave me the opportunity to do what I fell in love with."

"Fifteen years before I became a teddy bear artist,
I was an interior plant technician. My job was to go to office buildings, atriums, model homes etc., and water the plants located in offices, lobbies and foyers."

Over the years Donna Jean enjoys collecting Kirk’s Folly jewelry. "I have nearly every watch they have ever created."

Her backyard pond is where you'll find her relaxing and watch the goldfish swim around.

Each day filling the bird feeders which attract woodpeckers, pigeons, finches, bluebirds, and cardinals.

"We see a mix of wildlife, including deer and lots of rabbits, who often stop by to eat the seeds that fall from the feeders to the ground."

Looking to the future, Donna Jean hopes to enter the URSA Awards Competition but said she's a little shy after seeing this years entries. "I feel I could never compete with them."

We all know better.

"My husband who will retire sometime in 2025 then we plan on discovering new places around the country plus trying to pan for gold in California.

"I do not plan on retiring from bear making!"