Why I make teddy bears

I have been asked a few times now why I make teddy bears. many weavers make scarves, throws, cushions etc. But I don’t. This is something I have been thinking about because I don’t normally have much of an answer. I don’t make the usual items because I want to make something special and stand out as an individual with a unique product. Making teddy bears is something I have always wanted to do, I found courses but they were always so expensive and in difficult to reach places. While at uni I gained the confidence to make a teddy bear myself, with my woven fabrics. The shop bought teddy bears I have at home each has a special memory attached to it. They remind me of a special place, event or person. I make teddy bears because I want to make a product that is treasured, that is going to be special to my customer, not something that will be worn for a a while and eventually discarded. Weaving the fabric for the teddy bear and being able to put a letter/initial/date on the makes each one truly individual.

I also love the fact that I am making a traditional product, using traditional techniques and processes but my use of colour, yarn and weave makes it a contemporary product.