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I design and make miniature bears and other
animals. I am passionate about creating realistic, moveable creatures
and this is an area I hope to develop in the next few years. My styles
and techniques have definitely changed but this is what keeps it alive
for me. It’s the continual challenge and the excitement of “getting
there”.
My "biggest claim to fame" is that I hold 2
Guinness World Records: One for the smallest fully jointed, hand sewn
teddy bear (at 4.5mm) and the other for the smallest commercially
available teddy bear (9mm). "Tiny Ted", the smallest version was made
for the opening of the Teddy bear Museum in Cheju Island, Korea and a
6.5mm "Wee Bear" belongs to the Puppenhausmuseum in Basel, Switzerland.
I was a regular pattern designer for Teddy Bear
Scene magazine in the UK until it closed its doors in 2008 and I have
taught many classes both locally and internationally. I have also been a
judge at some South African teddy bear competitions. My bear are
displayed and collected all over the world from as far afield as Hawaii,
Switzerland and Australia to mention but a few. I love attending the
various shows and travel overseas whenever I can.
In my personal capacity, I am a single mom with
two children aged 9 and 20 years, as well as a full time computer
teacher at a local school. I am also a partner in a large breeding
cattery. With all of these commitments, I do not get as much time to
spend on my bears as much I would like, but I do enjoy the full support
of my kids, my best friends, Marilyn and Rita, and my parents. They are
my biggest admirers, my greatest critics and the centre of my universe.
I still enjoy bear making just as much as when I
started out, perhaps even more. When I look back, I realise how much I
have learned and grown as a teddy bear artist and as a person. But most
importantly, I have met so many wonderful people all over the world and
made some of my best friends through the teddies. This, to me, is still
the greatest reward of all. |
