Hello and Welcome  Since childhood, I have always been drawn to the arts and crafts.  And it was my luck to have been surrounded be people who encouraged and fostered my creativity during those early years .  I am a self-taught artist,  who’s life-long love affair with fabrics (new and old), fibres and textures has led me down many different creative paths over the years.  Antiques, especially dolls and teddy bears, have also been a passion of mine.  Considering this, it’s easy to see how and why I began my endeavour with designing and creating Artist Bears.  I made my first jointed teddy bear way back in the early eighties, when teddy bear artistry was in it’s infancy.  I couldn't bare to waste any of the precious left over mohair, so I designed my first pattern and created a shy little bunny.  Over the years, my designs and techniques have evolved.  Most of my creations have been inspired by the antique teddy bears we all love so much.  But, I do experiment from time-to-time with the odd “bear friend”.  As an artist, I strive to create bears that look and feel as though they've had years of love by little hands.  I often use vintage fabrics, buttons and trims along with subtle tinting and gentle ageing techniques to achieve the final touches that give each bear it's own unique character. Thank you for taking the time to visit my website. Enjoy, Laurie