Teddy Bears Picnic

Taking the bears on a picnic today. Not really, just an outing! There is an expo/craft fair locally today and in a weak moment I thought sure, why not? So the 'spec' bears may find a new den to go to. These are ones I made just for fun. One of my own bears will go along to chaperone and show off just what you can do with a loved one's clothing. This is my Herb bear, made from my Dad's western shirt and jeans [his favorite clothing style].
Dumb Dora will attend as well ~ my headless dress form, clothed in a garment from Oh My Gaudy . An assortment of primitive and rustic frames, note cards, kid kits, books etc from the Homestead Store will be there, signature t's from Oh My Gaudy, and lots of advertising handouts.
Tomorrow it will be back to making bears!

What a trip!!

Mama Bear is back....but been busy with bears [of course]. Several very patient customers were waiting my return, with their orders already waiting at my house. Coveralls, shirts, cords, bathrobes - I've made bears out of all those in the past two weeks. Plus one pet bed. Bears out of clothing make really special memories for folks.
I'll put in a photo or two later, but right now, I've bears to wrap!

Bears head south

Spring is here and time for a road trip south to see the grands. Hubby is guarding the den at home, bears in process are slumbering while they wait for my return. The workshop will be running at full tilt again by April 1st, so don't despair!!

How DID they get their bellybutton?

I'm talking about Bellybutton Bears and their bellybutton. Yes, every single bear that I make has a bellybutton. Even if they have a shirt or something else on, take a peak. There is a bellybutton! First, it sounded cute. Second, it looked cute. Then I wrote a story about how the first one got it's bellybutton. "The Bellybutton Legend" is an original story that I wrote, print and bind. In the works is a series of Bellybutton Bear stories, following them through history. All stories will be 'family safe'.
Some folks, when ordering a bear, send their own buttons for eyes and bellybuttons. However, if they do not, I have pounds which I go through until I find just the right ones for each individual bear. Sometimes it takes quite a while, because...they have to fit the bear, the personality, the feeling I have gotten from communicating with the customer.
So there you are - you still don't know how they got their bellybutton do you? hmmmm......

Bears from clothing

Sometimes it is not clear to folks, but our bears are almost always made from clothing. They are not boughten bears. I plan the layout, pin, cut, and assemble each bear. The majority of the memory bears are made from clothing sent by the customer. It may have belonged to a relative or friend, young or old. When the recipient looks at the finished bear, they 'see' the special person. The bear gives them something to hold on to, not just a garment packed away in the closet or a box.
Once in a while we locate a theme pattern fabric for a customer, because they do not have 'that special garment'. Then a photo they share, phrase or hobbies added to a memory vest or tag will again carry on the memories they want to keep or share.
Bellybutton Bears has pictures and more information - drop by!

Bear's eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy!

Actually that should start with 'Mares' instead of 'Bears' but this IS the bear den, right? How many of you knew that is what that saying was, as opposed to "Mares e doats 'n' dose e doats and little lamsey divey" ?? Your trivia for the day....

How about a little trivia on how Bellybutton Bears started?

'Grandpa' Panda and 'Greatgrandpa' Goldie are old and worn, tattered and torn. They are not going to be reconditioned or restored, because they earned every smudge and stain through many years as the companions and friends of children. Goldie belonged to my father, who was born in 1918. Over 90 years allows you some wear and tear! Panda is a youngin', maybe 60, and I don't remember him ever not being there for me. Teddy (not pictured) is about the same age, but lives with a sister. These bears homesteaded in Alaska, moved to Arizona and back up to Oregon. Additional bears started moving in on us a few years back, and then I made one for the eldest grandson. From that, Bellybutton Bears was born. Other bears live here, squeezed in with tea cups, and fabric, junk and dust that we collect, but there is always room for another. They gather on top of my computer desk at work...and crawl right into your heart. They know all the words to 'Teddy Bears Picnic' [which used to be the theme song for the 'Big John and Sparky' radio show for kids--old Alaskan homesteaders knew those radio shows by heart!].

After the first few bears, I started making bears to hold memories; a special piece of clothing from Grandma, or Dad, or a child or spouse was turned into a lasting memory that could be hugged, held, and loved.

I make birth bears for newborns, with their name and birthdate on a vest, and pet bears for folks who have lost a cat, dog, horse.....

Whether it is for memories of someone special who has passed, or to commemorate an event - you can't go wrong with a bear!

Snow days and grow days....

Talked to my sons in Arizona yesterday and today. Grands had a snow day Friday! Not their usual for mid February, not south of Tucson.

Sonoita had 4", Nogales only an inch or so. Who would have thought?

The bear on the right was made to start a memory, not from a memory. Letty loves green, then the vest has SW motif on the right and a Tlingit Raven on the left - combining things my daughter in law loves with a touch of my son's heritage.

Most of my bears ARE memory bears, made from someone's clothing. However birth bears, retirement bears, anniversary bears, just because you care bears...they are all good!

These little guys were for grandson Johnathon when he was born last year. One on the left to play with, and one on the right to save as it has the special vest with his name and birthdate on it.

He is almost a year old and growing like crazy. I am taking the two great grannies with me to Arizona to visit in March. We'll have a great time with all 4 of my grands, and will visit a nephew in California on the way. He has a new little guy that we have not seen either. Yes, he also received a bellybutton bear!!