About Me

I have been making miniature bears since Spring 2000. All my bears are from 1 ½ to 3 inches
tall. Just a few bears have been over 4 inches high. I usually make my miniature bears from
vintage velvets, As I am working on a mini bear, I focus on the colors, the textures, and
personality of that bear so that all my heart and soul is reflected in each bear. I have so many
ideas stuck in my head that I have to write them down in my journal. I can't wait to create the
next mini bear!

I usually make mini bears, but it was a few years ago that I started making fiber art bears. Now
I am totally addicted to fiber art bears. When I crochet a bear, I get very excited as I start
seeing the face develop. I also started making bears with a mix of thread and felting. I felt the
bear's face, but the body is crocheted. Felting is so much fun to do! I get so lost in the time! I
just keep felting and felting a face until I am finished. I will look at the clock, and a few hours
have already passed away.

I have always been creating since I was young. I did everything from macrame, to
soft-sculptured dolls, to quilting, to counted cross stitch, to beadwork. I have always loved
working with different types of fibers for as far back as I can remember. Before making
miniature bears, I made soft-sculptured dolls. I actually made a mini bear to go with a Santa
Claus sculpture that I had been working on. It's funny because I never did get that Santa Claus
finished. I was bit by the bear bug!

I haven't had any formal training in bearmaking. I taught myself how to make mini bears by
asking other bear artists lots of questions. Bear artists are more than willing to share technique
with others. I was taught how to crochet when I was a young girl by my Mom. My Mom was my
biggest influence. She would always be crocheting or doing needlework. Of course, I wanted to
do everything that she was doing. She would let me create anything that I wanted.

I just feel that a TEDDY BEAR has a charm, a sweetness, a quiet little voice. A voice that calls to
me in a soft way. It is very hard to explain the emotional feeling until you actually hold a
miniature bear in your hand. All my bears are made with tender loving care. I take my time on
each and every bear! They are all one-of-a-kind.