Although in childhood I did not possess a favorite bear, it was in my early twenties that I stumbled across a craft shop with a room full of teddy bear fur and patterns.  My eyes were opened to a world that I had no idea existed. Never one to be put off by challenging tasks (although let's just say I didn't excel at sewing and textiles at school) I bought a bear pattern magazine and using cheap tracksuit material (fur was just too good to destroy with my feeble attempts) made my first version of a teddy bear.

After completing my first satin stitch nose, I was overcome with pride. I still think to this day it was one of the best noses I've ever seen. Alas, that first bear didn't make it through the night. The puppy found him lying on the coffee table and, whilst I slept, made friends with the bodiless Ted. I found the shredded remains the next morning and learnt two very important lessons;

1) Never leave teddies or their bits exposed, they are just too enticing to little critters, and

2) Unless it will last the test of time, don't waste yours on inferior materials.

The poor misguided pup to this day has never touched another bear, whole or part, not because she got in trouble that morning,  she didn't, she was simply playing, but she never wanted to inflict that pain on me again.

And so it was that I  embarked on teddy bear making, with little rounded synthetic bears making the rounds for presents, until I could justify the expense of mohair to my dear partner.

Twelve years later, I still find immense joy in bringing new bears to life, and although I've had a couple years in the wilds of child raising, it is with renewed energy that I am able to enjoy five minutes peace and quiet in the evening and stitch to my heart's content. Other than creating "Little Souls" for collectors, my other main priority is to develop patterns of bears that others will enjoy and teaching others, sharing the many lessons that I have learnt since that first tracksuit teddy.

I hope these Happy Little Souls bring you joy too!

Mel

Andrew and I with our pin up boys Christian and Brandon.