and here I thought Bears were more the silent type

In my spare time, I am a writer. However, with a full time day job and more than one home business, writing seems to end up somewhere down the list. According to the entrepreneurial advice I read [also in my spare time] one should blog 2 to 3 times a week and belong to a number of the social/business networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook etc. To my children's surprise, I DO have a Facebook 'presence'. I AM on Twitter. Am I dedicated? Not yet! My entries are rather hit or miss, as they are on the blogs.

That said, here is my bit for this 2 to 3 WEEK period!

Memory Bears - people order them 'just because' or to help with the healing process when they lose a loved one. I can make a bear out of almost any garment, including sweaters & wedding dresses. The main point here is that the entire bear is made from one or more garments; it is not a pre-made bear that is clothed. [Hey they are cute too, is just not what I do!!] Come on over to the Bellybutton Bear den and check us out.

Bears on TV!

Wow, guess what I just found? Last fall I was a guest on "Journeys 'n' Journals" on KBLN Better Life TV. Bernie Martin Beck hosts this very neat program which is now available online.[http://www.betterlifetv.tv/watch_online.php?local_id=5]

If you have a moment, listen or view the show.

"Everybody Loves a Bear" - Denise Fields View Online • Listen Online
* Download Video (74 Mb)• Download Audio (3.5 Mb)

Is it Picnic Time?

Teddy Bear's Picnic that is. Well of course, any time is good, but now you can go outside! When I was young, and falling in love with bears, I had many a TBP inside in the winter. I guess it would be rightly called a tea party, not a picnic. By the back door of our log cabin, there would be a little snow if you lifted the tarp strip on the bottom of the door [you know, the draft stopper]. One could scoop a teensy bit, let it set near the round wood heater [the one with the isinglass windows in the front] and soon it melted and you had 'tea' for a bear party. I'm not sure why that seemed such fun, but it was and is a treasured memory to this day.
Is it any wonder I enjoy making memory teddy bears? Preserving memories for others, creating heirloom treasures, this is a job I truly love. If you'd like to visit my web site, Home of the Bellybutton Bears, just click there to drop in. Email me any questions at Bellybuttonbears@charter.net. Between us, we'll come up with a way to turn your special items into a memory bear to treasure.

International Bears

Did you know our memory bears travel? Oh yes, there have been a few in the past including one to Sydney, Australia [ordered here, sent there]. One that was shipped to South Korea so it could travel to Romania and then back to the US. One ordered for someone's niece in Russia. One given to an aunt that lived in England but spent time in Germany and Mallorca. A couple more to England over the years.
Latest country to mark on the map? Ireland! Four bears to Dublin, another I don't have the full address on yet. All within a few days of each other. Of course I love having the business, but the best part is the people you meet and the lives you touch.
Memory bears are parts of families, with stories to tell, memories to share, love to embody. They are not a toy, but can be hugged and talked to and loved like one. They ARE a part of each family they are made for, and by extension part of mine. Each is a creation of its own, coming to 'life' as it is made. They are instant heirlooms, a part of the family history to be shared and passed along.
Time for me to get back in the den and either sew some more or tidy up a bit.

Bears of all kinds....

This bear is in memory of a sheltie therapy dog and wears her vest with red cross patch. It was the closest fabric I had to her hair & color!

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The little 12" bear on the right is made from fleece, has a heart sewn on his chest and is not yet a memory bear. It was made as a bonus to accompany a gift certificate for a memory bear.

Brrrr

It is just too early to come out of the den and have a picnic, and you can't make me!!

Heck no, that isn't one of the bears complaining, that would be ME! Although it is 'just rain' currently, we've had another delayed start at school due to snowy/icy roads, and barely got our kiddos home the day before. Part of me was so ready for picnic weather and we could have on last Saturday. Now we are in the middle of another long bout of winter weather. Surprised? No, it is just Oregon weather.

Meanwhile, bears are still in production as we capture special memories in each one. The best part has been hearing from folks who received their bears over the holidays and have shared the reactions of themselves and family.

If you have a closet or box or bag of treasured clothing no one will ever wear, think about a memory bear. It doesn't have to be someone you've lost - consider graduation bears, birth bears, 'just because' bears, change of jobs bears, retirement bears.....there is always a good reason for a bear!

Wahoo!!

and Happy New Year! Here we are in mid January already, and the bear den is busy. Folks are planning now for special occassions and even next Christmas! This is great because I really hate to have to refuse folks when we get too close to the next holiday season. I would much prefer to get their bears done, safely in THEIR den and just waiting quietly for the gifting moment.
Got questions? call me at 1-888-229-7873