My name is Michelle...

I'm so happy and just a wee bit thrilled, actually,
to invite you to take a peek at some of my passions!
I'm a bear maker and a huge collector of things...
lots of things including vintage teddy bears!

Bear making, my real passion is a very important
part of my life and so, with that being said,
I wanted to create a page where I can show
my past work...you know, bears that have already
ventured on to new homes as well as show photos of new bears ready for sale!


I have also taken on a new task... one which will

prove to be just as reward as creating new teddy bears! I now restore antique and vintage teddy bears
and have had the pleasure of working on some very beautiful and grateful old bears!
Check out the photos!
Hopefully, I'll be adding more very soon!

I also wanted someplace to showcase the many
collections that my husband, Darren and I have
acquired over the years! I checked out several
other blogs recently and realised that there are
so many people just like us who have a passion
for collecting things that make us happy
and love to talk about it! And, for goodness sake,
who doesn't want to be happy?

If you'd like, click on some of the teddy bear
photos to see either a larger photo of that
bear or to get to a listing for him/her
on Etsy or Ebay? And please...feel free to
contact me anytime via those two sites, right
here from my blog or sign my guestbook...you should
see it in the side bar to the left! I look forward to
hearing from you!

Thanks for stopping by and don't be a stranger! Oh...check in often as I occasionally hold "Blog Giveaways"! You probably don't want to miss out on that! Next giveaway will be announced soon!



Bear Hugs (I know...so original!!)

Michelle




A Little About My History As A Bear Artist!

My Photo
My name is Michelle and I'm a mom and a bear artist who loves her children with all of her heart. I'm the wife of a very special man who literally made my life complete last year when he asked me to marry him. I adore my pets who keep me busy, my dearest friends who fill my heart with so much love and joy and the best part...I'm the grandmother to a beautiful little girl whom I affectionately call "Tinky"! She fills my life with so much inspiration that sometimes I'm overwhelmed! Is it possible to be overwhelmed by inspiration? Primarily a self-taught artist, I've been designing and handsewing my collectible teddy bears for nearly 20 years. I learned the “art” of bear making after completing many bears using a variety of fabric mediums. These include mohair, plush and velveteen with each one being a one-of-a-kind creation. I sell most of my work through my Etsy Shop (Find the link to my shop here on my blog!) and locally. Michelle

FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE!

FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE!

DID YOU KNOW...A person who loves and collects Teddy Bears is called an "Arctophile"? Now you know!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Happy "Love Day" My Friends...

Hello all,

I'm just breezing in for a moment to wish you all a beautiful Valentine's Day full of love, joy and happiness and I hope that it carries on throughout the year and through all the years to come!

My heart is full of joy for the love of my wonderful family and my amazing friends...you know who you are. I feel blessed to be able to get out of bed each morning and welcome a new and glorious day even in spite of the cold weather for I look forward to the sunshine and the newness that is springtime. It's peeking around the corner and to me that is the beginning of new life and love and hope and even some new friends!

Kisses and hugs,
Michelle:)

Here's some extra love for ya!










Thursday, December 20, 2012

Merry Christmas Everyone...

This is a quick one! My blogs are sort of on the back burner so-to-speak until the New Year at which time I'll decide whether or not to keep them going.

In the meantime, I would like to extend my best wishes and all the love and hugs in the world to you all this holiday season! I hope that 2012 was as good as it can be and that 2013 will be just as good if not better!

I would also like to send my prayers and all the love and support that I can possibly send to the town of Newtown, Conneticut and hope that the families of those beautiful women and children will be able to get through this holiday season and begin that journey to healing after such horrible loss.

I know the rest of the world is wishing the very same thing. I know so much is going on all over the world...loss, grief, pain and agony exist in just about every single corner of our planet. I wish I could snap my fingers and make it all go away but it's there and all we can do is hope for a better future...hope for more strength and more love.

The world sure could use one great big group hug.

My virtual arms are opened wide right now.

And before I go, as most of you already know from my Facebook posts, our family has been blessed with two more beautiful grandchildren this year! My daughter is now the mother of a sweet little girl named Paisley and my son and his family welcomed an adorable baby boy named Jaxon...a little brother for my sweet girl Cierra!





Hugs,
Michelle:)

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

My Beautiful Summer Thus Far...

It takes a lot, sometimes, to come into this room, sit for an hour or so at this computer and try to come up with something worth reading here on this blog. I wish I had more in me these days. Perhaps a little more to say. Seems like my energy is drained...seems like time is slipping by faster and faster and it seems as though I haven't accomplished a thing day after day. But then, I wonder...















Ummmm...what was I sayin'?
I hope you had a beautiful, fun and family filled summer too!
Michelle:)

NOTEABLE QUOTES!


"There's nothing childish about Teddy Bears!
They are no more childish
than collecting wives,
cars or yachts!"~Peter Bull

"A house without a teddy...
is like a face without a smile": Anonymous.


"A teddy bear is your childhood wrapped up in faded yellow fur, and as such, he commands affection long after he is out grown".~Pam Brown

"My teddy bear is my best friend...nobody should come between me and my best friend."



My Memory Album!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic

This Little Guy Now Lives in Paris, France!

This Little Guy Now Lives in Paris, France!
Sadly, I don't remember if I named him...it's been a littl while now!

An old friend of mine! One of my first mohair bears!

An old friend of mine!  One of my first mohair bears!
Brown and Gold Mohair

"Sweet William"-Mohair-4 inches

"Sweet William"-Mohair-4 inches
I made the little bumble bee and ladybug from velveteen!

One of my little teddies, "Orson", with his friend "Chantilly"

One of my little teddies, "Orson", with his friend "Chantilly"
Chantilly is for sale at "Her Dark Heart"

Pardon Me? How Rude!

Pardon Me?  How Rude!

Be Happy...Clown Around Once In Awhile!

Be Happy...Clown Around Once In Awhile!

A Pretty Little 4 inch Primitive!

A Pretty Little 4 inch Primitive!
Click on her for a better look!

A Sweet Little Mohair Teddy

A Sweet Little Mohair Teddy
Take a peek at a larger photo by clicking on this one!

A 4 inch Miniature

Ready for Some Winter Fun!

Ready for Some Winter Fun!
3 inch mini Primitive-Click on his photo to see a larger view!

3 1/2 inch Mini Primitive

Some of My Most Recent Bear Restorations!

Some of My Most Recent Bear Restorations!
Tracy's Bear!

...And Now!

...And Now!

Scott's Bear!

Scott's Bear!

...And Now!

...And Now!
"You did a wonderful job on him. He looks fantastic. What I appreciate most is the fact that you did just enough to bring him back to life, without creating a "new bear". This is the tricky part of restoration and you handled it exceptionally well."~Scott

More Bear Restoration Projects!

More Bear Restoration Projects!
Sad, sorry little teddies that I purchased off of Ebay!

Cheese Restoration Project


Some Nice Changes That Didn't Ruin His Integrity!

Click on this photo for a closer look!

Another Sheepskin Restoration Project!

Another Sheepskin Restoration Project!
Before and After...A Happy Bear and a Happy Owner!

My Favorite Things To Collect

  • Vintage Cook Books
  • Vintage Barware (SWIZZLE STICKS!!)
  • Vintage Playing Cards
  • Old Perfumes, Make-up, Jewellry, Etc.
  • Vintage Ladies Clothing (Hats, Gloves, Stockings, Handbags, Etc)
  • Vintage Flower Frogs
  • Milk Glass Vases
  • Vintage Sewing Supplies (Threads, Buttons, etc.)
  • Anything from the 1950's
  • Vintage Children's Clothing
  • Vintage Fisher Price Toys
  • Vintage Dolls (Composition, Vintage Vinyl, Chrissy Family, Etc.)
  • Vintage Teddy Bears (Anything before 1970)

A Procelain Baby Doll by Artist "Emily Hart"

A Procelain Baby Doll by Artist "Emily Hart"

Adorable "Majorette" Composition Rattle Head Doll-1930's?

Adorable "Majorette" Composition Rattle Head Doll-1930's?

Composition Baby Doll-"Baby Bubbles"?-1920's?

Composition Baby Doll-"Baby Bubbles"?-1920's?

Another "Emily Hart" Baby Doll and Her "Steiff Teddy"

Another "Emily Hart" Baby Doll and Her "Steiff Teddy"

1942 "Reliable" Army Doll-Composition

1942 "Reliable" Army Doll-Composition

A Gorgeous Heavy Plastic Girl With Tin Teeth and Eyes That Spook Me!

A Gorgeous Heavy Plastic Girl With Tin Teeth and Eyes That Spook Me!

Two Beautiful Old Friends From the Past!

Two Beautiful Old Friends From the Past!

Good 'ol Fisher Price!

Good 'ol Fisher Price!

Handmade Quilts in an Old Suitcase

Handmade Quilts in an Old Suitcase

This and a Little Bit of That

This and a Little Bit of That

An Adorable Baby "Romper" From the Early 1900's

An Adorable Baby "Romper" From the Early 1900's

1950's Sweetness

1950's Sweetness

Two Sweet Friends

Two Sweet Friends

A Warm and Friendly Hug!

A Warm and Friendly Hug!

A Merrythought Cheeky Bear!

A Merrythought Cheeky Bear!

A Sweet 1940's Chiltern Bear!

A Sweet 1940's Chiltern Bear!
I've always loved vintage/antique sewing supplies but I think my absolute favorite things to collect from that category are pin cushions! There's something so simple and whimsical in vintage pin cushions!
They were meant to be functional but the adorable and sometimes beautiful designs are completely timeless and inspiring!

Here is the beginning of my pin cushion collection!

My First Kitty Pin Cushion!

My First Kitty Pin Cushion!
Made in Japan~Green glass eyes

A Sweet Tartan Puppy!

A Sweet Tartan Puppy!
Made in Japan~Pull on his wee tongue and you get a tape measure!

An Old Teddy Pin Cushion!

An Old Teddy Pin Cushion!
Made in Japan

Another Sweet Doggie Pin Cushion!

Another Sweet Doggie Pin Cushion!
Made in Japan~Original Hangtag!

Lovely Little Doll Pin Cushion!

Lovely Little Doll Pin Cushion!
Original tag on front. There is a tiny tape measure which you pull out from the bottom of her skirt in the back!

A Sweet Victorian Doll Pin Cushion!

A Sweet Victorian Doll Pin Cushion!
Ceramic Head

My Favorite Piece! A Gorgeous Bulldog Pin Cushion!

My Favorite Piece! A Gorgeous Bulldog Pin Cushion!
1920's~Made in Japan...Shown with the all of the pins that were stuck in him when he arrived!

A Simple Cushion Made From Charming Fabric Scraps!

A Simple Cushion Made From Charming Fabric Scraps!