Hart

Hope

Oscar

In 2001, Jane Blowes (Mo Bear Designs) along with a group of friends, decided to take a bear making course.

Although Jane had never sewn a stitch in her life, she didn't want to miss out on anything that the rest of the group was doing.

"I think I was the neediest person in the class. A lot of direction was necessary but after a marathon 12 hours, I finished my first bear; a musical bear at that!"

From then on, Jane was hooked.

When she arrived home and showed her creation to her family, they couldn't believe she'd made it.

Fast forward a couple of years to 2003, when Jane started her company named Mo Bear Designs. A nickname given to her by her husband, Steve, after one of the Three Stooges. The name stuck and she uses as her company name.

Even now her grand children call her "Mo" instead of "Grandma."

It took Jane a while to really get into making bears but once she developed the love for it, she started designing her own patterns and sewing up a storm; making between 30-40 bears a year.

For several years she also ran her business with a friend, but now she works alone with the exception of her granddaughter who recently was bitten by the "bear bug."

"She's made four bears on her own...well, maybe with a little help from Mo."

Jane loves to create and see her visions come to life.

"I have made many bears and critters using various mediums such as mohair, synthetic fur and sometimes real fur for memory-bears."

She finds it extraordinary to hear from clients about how much her bears mean to them; those bears made from fur coats of a loved one and the provenance the bear now has with the family.

"Some materials and furs are tricky to work with, but it is worth the effort in the end to witness the happiness their owners receive from them."

Jane sells her bears through different avenues; from online auction sites and online teddy bear shows as well as relying on reputation and word of mouth to propel sales.

"I think my favorite venue to get my bears out there is through the online shows. It gives me a connection with other artists and collectors worldwide."

Jane's own little part of the world is Redcliff, located in Alberta, Canada, where she works as a Finance Officer and Business Planner for the British Ministry of Defense when not making bears.

"I have worked there for 35 years and am retiring in December," she exclaimed, adding, "Then I'm going to have a lot more time to create bears and ride my Harley!"

You'd better believe that teddy bears will come along for the ride.

Jane Blowes
Mo Bear Designs
Member since January 2014

Ruby

Oly

Kallie

Arrow

Blush

Piggy

Rusty

Pumpkin

Willow

Flake

Grayson