Grrrrrrrunt, whoof, snort....

or however a bear sounds on a blog!! Complaining about the heat you see. Perhaps I should fill the kiddy pool and make like a polar bear!

Summer always does this to me, especially if I don't get moving fast enough in the morning while it is still cool.

Even tho bears are a priority around here, summer is also the time when we trim bushes and trees, weedeat and/or mow down the weeds and grasses that grow across our small acreage to lesson the fire danger, and fight with the drip system until it works 'just right' [you notice that hint of Goldilocks in there, right??]

Updating the website just a touch, clarifying that folks CAN purchase memory bear ornaments even if they do not purchase a Memory Bear - all these things take time, and soon summer will be gone again. If you have a Memory Bear question, or just want to chat, drop me a line at bellybuttonbears@charter.net.

YES, we offer Gift Certificates!! Just let me know.

Thank you Denise Richards!

From one Denise to another, thank you for sharing your memory bears on 'reality' TV. This has created an increased awareness of memory bears, more phone calls, more emails, more folks excited about having a bear made.
No, they were not Bellybutton Bears! Doesn't matter, we appreciate the renewed interest in bears, and the chance to help folks preserve their memories. One nice lady noted that I make bear ornaments as well. No, you do not have to order a complete bear to be able to get ornaments; you can order just ornaments. Any time. Don't wait until Christmas.
Again, thank you Denise Richards ~ your timing was great and we share your delight in memory bears.
God Bless,
Denise

Busy in the Bear Den

I know, a while since I've growled out there, or snuffled around. Been too busy for anything!

The bears were keeping all my spare time occupied up until May, then it was the last full month of sschool with a huge field trip. All went very well, and we wrapped up at school last week. I stay a number of days after the kids and then the teachers leave. However, now I'm home for the summer [theoretically] and a good thing because I am so behind at home and have more bears hollering/growling for my attention!
Things like getting my home drip system active again, because summer seems to suddenly be here. Trimming bushes, dead wood out of trees, sorting my wood piles [some is for crafts, some to burn], and so on. Exploring at least one place for a future field trip. Visiting with family. Spending a bit of time with my Mom getting her drip system up and going again, and maybe a kink or two out of her new computer. Going to the coast with sister Linda whenever I can help out because her hubby is still planting like crazy and she can't do it alone. Just stuff to keep us busy!!!
At any rate, I'm here to help with bears whenever I can, just drop me an email. Ask any questions you have. bellybuttonbears@charter.net

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......