Bear Treasures by Melanie Jayne

A Late Arrival - Henry

2012-01-22T15:18:00.000Z

Along with Marty below, Henry should have been added to my website yesterday, but my camera ran out of charge and the daylight vanished and the kids needed or wanted something, you know the story!! . . Thankfully I have just added him to my website. Henry is the second bear from my new "Yesterday Bear Collection" and he is thirteen inches tall and ten inches seated. This new collection of bears are made from pure Scottish wool, which I first knit and then felt, this is a lengthily process but I believe it adds something personal and ultimately adds a unique touch to the bears.

If you would like more information, Henry is available for adoption from my website

www.beartreasures.com

New Bear Marty

2012-01-21T14:58:00.000Z

I am delighted to introduce Marty. This charming character is eleven and a half inches tall and eight and a half inches seated. I started to create this little guy just over two weeks ago, however in the process of make the felt fabric for his clothes I was inspired to make Daniel the bear in the lower post, and Marty had to wait for his character to come into being.

I am now pleased to say Marty's full information and details can be found on my website www.beartreasures.com

What Happened?

2012-01-16T12:34:00.004Z

I have just sat down for a quick lunch break from the bears and to take a peek and catch up with friends in blog land, only to find everything has changed. What Happened, I dont like it or the new layout :(

A New Collection.

2012-01-13T17:28:00.002Z

I would like you to meet Daniel he is is the first design from a new range of bears for the
Bear Treasures “Yesterday Collection”

which will be introduced during 2012.

Daniel is approximately twelve inches tall and nine and a half inches seated. Daniel is made from pure wool, which is knitted and then felted, creating a durable, beautiful and alternative fabric to mohair. I make this fabric myself including the knitting and felting process which gives an incredibly unique touch to each teddy bear creation. In all essence you could say “I made his skin myself”

Daniel has an embroidered nose, smile and eyebrows creating a charming personality with the simplicity of yesterday!

If you would like further information please visit my website www.beartreasures.com

Daniel is available at a special introductory price.

First bear of 2012

2012-01-08T20:02:00.000Z

I would like you to meet Chloe, she is my first teddy bear of 2012.

Chloe is nine inches tall and six and a half inches seated, her measurements exclude her hat. Chloe is made from pink mohair and wears a hand made hand felted coil hat and neck accessory. If you would like to view her full information and photographs, please visit my website www.beartreasures.com

New Years Resolution

2012-01-02T19:55:00.001Z

OK I don't really make New Years Resolutions, and I am not going to really make one now, but I am going to remind myself about something I promised myself that I would do and continue to do. . . Gosh that sounds confusing doesn't it??? . . Earlier last year, after taking up some inspirational reading I decided to move away from negative people and surround myself with good friends and good acquaintances who have good hearts and good intentions, because these are the people who leave positive and inspirational impressions upon you and the good stuff that makes you smile. After reading the very same blog which inspired me to read I was again reminded of the promise I made to myself. Although this is not a resolution I do intend to keep this mindset and move into 2012 with goodness of those friends and acquaintances in my heart.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T10:39:00.000Z

Here we are already with 2012, another new year filled with hopes and dreams. The last year seemed to pass so quickly and if I am honest I wouldn't change any of 2011 apart from the time running a little more slowly! And as for 2012, well of course there will be more new bears along the way, I guess there will be plenty of laughter and maybe if I'm lucky enough, more new friends along the way. Whatever your plans, wishes or dreams are for 2012 I hope the new year is rememberable and enjoyable for us all. . . . . Have a wonderful 2012.

Back online.

2011-12-30T17:13:00.002Z

Yet again I have been absent . . Just before Christmas my laptop decided enough was enough and took its very last power flicker and ever since I've been off line. I didn't even manage to send out any Christmas messages and I am sorry for that, but I am now, back online with a new sparkling laptop which seems to have quickly and smoothly replaced my old one.

With everything back on track again I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I hope the new Year brings you much joy and happiness . . . And as for the New Year, well I do have a little tiny announcement to make. I have decided to phase out my facebook page for Bear Treasures, since the changes made on facebook I have thought for sometime my business page wasn't working for me in the same way as it once had. And now with the new FB timeline feature I intend to combine my business page and personal facebook page, so everything will be in one place and much easier to manage. So if you would like to make the change and keep up to date with me and the bears, please consider sending me friend request over at http://www.facebook.com/beartreasures

For now I hope you have a Wonderful and Happy New Year

Where to start

2011-12-15T10:54:00.001Z

Where to start? . . I guess the best place to start is THE END . . . or at least my last teddy bear creation for 2011. . . . I added Coral to my website on Tuesday and she found a new home in time for Christmas. I enjoyed working on Coral because she is of course pink and I love pink, so there's no better way to end a year of creativity than in your favourite colour! All my bears are now shipped and I hope the ones who are still travelling arrive in time for this holiday season. I really don't like them hanging around in postal departments.

Now I feel like I must also apologise for my sporadic online presences, I haven't been keeping up with anything including blogs and other online connections and that also includes the Guild and I know I should, but come every November I tend to go into a bubble, my mojo half disappears and for a little while I need to be self contained and alone, which I no longer mind and I do accept. Each year I put this period of my life down to the time when my mum was in hospital, that was eight years ago now and my life really did stand still as I watched her being defeated by breast cancer, she died on the 4th December 2003. I still miss my mum dearly, but I am not going to go down that route with this blog post, because those of you who have lost someone dear knows how it feels, but for some strange reason November is odd and not just for me. My Aunty Denise, my mums sister, who over these years I would not have survived without and although she is my aunty she is more of a very good friend first and she also goes through something similar. Its strange how life events change and can effect your mood and general self presence.This year I was prepared and did all my Christmas shopping early and I tried to keep myself busy in other ways and it seemed to work. I also decided to put my Christmas Tree and decorations up on the 4th December and I am pleased to report, I had no melt down this year and for the first time ever I felt some peace . . . I am now glad to report I am back to my normal self and looking forward to next year.

I started this blog post with the end, so I think I will finish with THE BEGINNING, or at least the beginning meaning 2012. . .Of course I will be making more bears and I have a few other plans and ideas for 2012 . . but I am pleased to say I will also be planning a wedding. My wedding! . . We have no date or venue fixed yet, but as soon as the new year sets in we will start the planning for a date in 2013, and I'm kinda excited for David and me and our two boys.

Maisy, Duncan and Loui

2011-11-27T20:02:00.000Z

I am delighted to introduce my latest creations, Maisy, Duncan and Loui.These charming teddy bear characters are available for immediate adoption from my website www.beartreasures.com where you will also find their full information and photographs.

As a Christmas Special all bears if purchased in full are available with free worldwide postage giving a discount of up to £24.00, this offer expires 25th December 2011 and excludes purchases made using layaway in which case postage will be charged accordingly and in the normal way.

Christmas Special Updates

2011-11-25T17:52:00.000Z

My next website update will take place on Sunday 27th November at 8pm GMT (UK time).

With the Christmas season upon us I have also decided to offer

a little website holiday discount cheer.

From 27th November 2011 to 25th December 2011 all bears purchased in full without the use of layaway will be offered for adoption with free national and international postage. This is my little way of saying thank you for all your support during 2011 x

Please note layaway will still be available during this time but the free postage discount will not apply and postage will be charged as normal

Beautiful Martha

2011-10-30T20:01:00.000Z

I am pleased to introduce Martha. She is a beautiful teddy bear character, made from silk/mohair which has the most amazing texture and feel. It is the first time I have worked with this type of fur and I think it is so beautiful and different to work with.

Martha is approximately eleven and a half inches tall and nine inches seated. She was a bespoke outfit made from fabric I have designed using knit pure wool felt. I think she has a wonderful personality and I hope you like her too. If you would like to see her full information please visit the available bear page of my website www.beartreasures.com

I have also added some new Teddy Bear / Doll wear to my Etsy Store

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beartreasures

Walking . . .

2011-10-27T15:44:00.003+01:00

At the weekend we took the boys and dogs to Haigh Hall, our local country park. The visit almost started in a near disaster as Mac our youngest dog on the way out of the car slipped his lead and as a young daft dog does, he just bounced all over the place and straight into the road. Needless to say for a moment we thought he was a goner. Thankfully we managed to get hold of him although he was in the "dog house" for most of the walk.

In the end it was a pleasant outing, I love walking through the woods and so do the kids, especially here because it brings back my own childhood memories and I remember the fairy waterfall that we always stopped off at. Even when I no longer believed in fairies, I always insisted on taking a peek just in case!

. Although I tried to find the waterfall for the boys, I couldn't remember where it was and the boys didn't mind because Patrick likes to climb and Oliver looks for dinosaur tracks and fossils. And as you can see the dogs just love MUD!

Philippa.

2011-10-22T13:27:00.001+01:00

I would like you to meet Philippa, she is made from hand dyed alpaca. I think she is a beautiful little girl bear and I enjoyed every minute working on her to bring her charming character to life.

Philippa is available now. She is nine and a half inches tall and seven inches seated and her full information and photographs can be found on my website www.beartreasures.com

This and That.

2011-10-15T11:54:00.000+01:00

I feel like I have been so inactive with my online and bear presence recently. I had been busy preparing for the show at Sheffield in November and after all that preparation and hard work, I am sad to report I have had to cancel my stand. It is nothing too serious and I am glad Katherine the show promoter understood, she is such a lovely lady so as you can imagine I did feel bad about letting her down and I still feel disappointed I wont be there, but "sometimes that's just how the cookie crumbles!"

Accepting I wouldn't be at the show left me feeling slightly deflated and my mind was preoccupied somewhere else and I felt I needed some personal inspiration. Have you ever looked for something, but you're not quite sure what you are looking for? . . Well, a few weeks ago that was me and I took a recommendation from a friend to purchase a book, which lead me to other books and further curiosity into other subject matters I have considered several times in the past but never looked into. Much of my time has been spent enthralled between the pages of three different books and suddenly my mood lifted and "hey presto" back to working on the bears, with a new personal inspiration and mind set.

Yesterday I put Jaydon and Franky on my website and I am thankful they both found new homes quickly. I am now working on new bears and I aim to try and up date my website on a more regular basis.

Etsy Update

2011-09-24T16:33:00.000+01:00

You Can also Visit my Etsy Store here

When I set up my Etsy store I had the intention to sell my teddy bear creations from it, but I soon found it very difficult to keep a stock. So when my mother-in-law Sue decided to take up her knitting needles again we decided to add the garments she makes to the store which has now been renamed "Melanie Jayne & Friends" Sue knits teddy bear/ doll clothes and today I have also added some childs knitted hats and a few topsy turvy dolls that are knitted by Sue's friends hence the name change! I also guess in due course there will be other crafts added to the store too, its kind of a nice thing to do and I wont be making or taking any type of commission from the store I am simply doing it to help friends out on the technical side so I will be stocking and maintaining it on their behalf. But please dont worry if you on my mailing list, I will only send a newsletter for teddy bear related news and I wont be sending millions of emails when new none teddy bears items become available.

Please meet "Dudley"

2011-09-22T12:39:00.000+01:00

I would like you to meet Dudley. He is eight inches tall and six inches seated and he is now available for adoption from my website www.beartreasures.com

As you may be aware I have added paypal buttons to my website, this has made the process of adopting one of bears much easier. I have now decided to add layway options in the paypal drop down menus. I am offering layaway on selected bears only and this will be clearly marked in the individual bear page. If you would like to use this option when available please read my layaway policy on the Contact & Ordering page of my website.

Week 2 of school

2011-09-14T10:02:00.001+01:00

This photo was taken last week at the start of the new school year and it is the best I could do under the circumstances, my boys love to mess about when its time for photo's!

We are already into the second week of the new school year. It is Patrick's last year in junior school and Oliver's first year in full time school. If you remember, last year Oliver started nursery and found it very difficult leaving me, but he did eventually come to love nursery and his wonderful teachers. I wasn't too sure how he would manage this year in a new school with new teachers, but I am delighted to report everything is going well, no tears, no clinging onto my leg of a morning, instead he is walking into school all by himself. I am so proud of my little guy. And talking of proud, Patrick was wonderful this summer, he played and helped with Oliver which gave me a little extra time to work on the bears for Hugglets, I wouldn't have been able to manage if he had not helped, so he has been treated to something very special for being such a caring and loving son and brother! . . . .I love both my boys x

A Lovely Weekend

2011-09-12T13:47:00.001+01:00

I returned home late yesterday evening from the most amazing, relaxing, friendly and enjoyable weekend. David and I travelled to London on Saturday and this was a most welcomed break away from the boys, I did miss both of my precious little ones, but being away from home was wonderful and my first time away from them in 10years, so I think I did deserve it! We travelled to London for Hugglets on Sunday, as you know I have been working on my collection of bears all summer and planning my stand for about the same length of time, all in all it turned out to be a lovely weekend.

On Sunday we arrived at Hugglets, I'd previously held a dress rehearsal on my dinning room table at home plus I'd taken photos, so I knew exactly how everything should be and where each bear should sit and this made setting up easy. I was quickly welcomed by the ever so friendly Ruth Bowman of Flutter-By Bears and just having someone so friendly at the side of me made my day easier. And on my right hand side another friendly face, Susan Gam of Little Hugs. It was nice to have and see friendly faces so close by and it made my day easy and all the more enjoyable.

As the event opened, I was sat back and relaxed and after a short time a steady flow of people found their way down to the basement (hall 3). A steady flow of collectors and artists came along and some stopped to chat and a buy a bear or two and many took an odd Uncle Joe's mint ball from my daisy dishes which I'd placed on the front of my table, (yes I did have sweets on my table, because Uncle Joe's mint balls are also made in Wigan, just like my bears, so they where there offered to all who came by!!) It was wonderful to meet so many people and to receive some fantastic feed back on my collection of bears, some of which found new homes. The day was wonderful and the friendly calm atmosphere made the day all the more worth while.

Later in the afternoon when it was quieter I managed to leave and trust David with my stand, I decided to take a walk around, buy some mohair and introduce myself to some of the artists I know online, I think at this point many of the artists I'd planned to visit also had the same idea and I must have crossed paths with many of them because by the time I returned to my stand David said a few people had stopped by to say "hello" while I had been off looking for them!! But I did manage to say hello to one or two and I purposely made a point of not missing Paula from All Bear I have had admired her bears and her professionalism for years and of course she was friendly and chatty and just as nice in person and her bears where even more so beautiful too. I also made a point of meeting Katherine Hallam, she is hosting The Great Yorkshire Teddy Bear Event in Sheffield in November, which I am also attending! Not only is she a teddy bear artist and an event organiser but she also has some exquisite teddy inspired jewellery for sale, so I already know what Christmas present I will be asking Santa for this year x . . . . All in all it was a very good day making it, A lovely weekend! . . . And I can not wait for next year!

As you can guess we had a great time at Hugglets, I went to enjoy the day and I had no great expectations, thankfully some of the bears did find new homes and I truly had an amazing response towards my collection, but I do have some bears left and ready for adoption which makes it all the more fantastic because now I can have a website update with available bears!

If you think you would like to give one of the bears an available new home, please do visit the available pages of my website www.beartreasures.com

All Ready for Hugglets. Preview!!!!

2011-09-05T17:44:00.000+01:00

As promised here is a preview of my teddy bear creations who are all ready and patiently waiting for Hugglets on Sunday. I have worked hard this summer on the bears and if I say so myself I am delighted with this new collection and I hope you like them too.

I hope you can come and visit me and the bears at the Hugglets Festival on Sunday 11th September, I am exhibiting in hall 3 stand 105.

9 inches tall - 6.5 inches sitting

7.5 inches tall - 5.5 inches sitting

11.5 inches tall - 8.5 inches seated

11.5 inches tall - 8.5 inches sitting

11.5 inches tall - 8.5 inches seated

7.5 inches tall - 5.5 inches seated

9.5 inches tall - 7.5 inches seated

11.5 inches tall - 8.5 inches seated

9 inches tall - 6.5 inches sitting

9.5 inches tall - 7.5 inches sitting

9 inches sitting - 6.5 inches sitting

If you can not make it on the day, please dont worry, although I am not taking reservations prior to the show you can still register your interest in any of the show bears, this will be on a first come first served basis and if they are still available after the show I will contact you allowing you the opportunity of first refusal. If you would like to register your interest in any of the bears please email me at melanie@beartreasures.com

Hugglets Preview Coming Soon!!!!

2011-08-29T11:42:00.001+01:00

This summer, as you can guess I have been very busy making the bears and preparing for Hugglets Teddies Festival. All the bears are made now and I am in the process of finishing their clothes, hats and accessories. Although I am not looking forward to our very long drive to London I am very excited about the show, it will be my first show in almost 4 years!! I am hoping to hold a preview of my Hugglets collection in a weeks time and I do hope you come along to take a peek!

Getting Organised!

2011-07-31T11:37:00.001+01:00

I am determined to eliminate as much stress as possible and thoroughly enjoy my trip to Hugglets in September this year and to do this I am trying to be as organised as I possibly can be. The bears are well under way and I am happy with their progress. I also know how I want my stand to look for the show and most of that is done and I am pleased with how I am organising my time to prepare for the show. . . .So far so good!!!

And I spent yesterday designing new stationary for the show. It took me a while to figure out exactly what I wanted, plus I wanted everything to follow on through business cards to postcards. Although it did take me some time and stress I did finally achieve the the look I wanted, now I just have to wait for my order to arrive. I should just say my usual swing tags for the bears don't match my stationary and I haven't designed new either. I learned some time ago that I don't like to have bears printed on the swing tags, my style changes too quickly and then the tags become too dated. I now keep my tags simple with contrasting colours and writing and I like their simplicity and eye catching colours (see below) and they wont be changing any time soon!!

Last day!

2011-07-18T10:19:00.005+01:00

Today is Oliver's very last day in nursery. Last September when he started, I worried how my very shy little boy would cope, I worried how he would manage a full day away from me, I worried over almost everything and, at first it was very tough for the both of us. My parent sensibility prevailed because at the bottom of my heart I knew he needed to be in nursery, he needed to grow and he also needed to prepare ready for reception school this year. I remember feeling sick with worry when I left him crying each day, but that did pass and Oliver began to enjoy nursery.

Oliver has grown so very much, he was a very shy little boy and in his early nursery days he seemed overwhelmed and often didn't manage to stay awake for the full day. Things slowly changed, he managed to make new friends both at nursery and at home. Oliver showed more confidence and began to ask to go to nursery on the days he didn't have sessions. It also helped because he loved (loves) his nursery teachers. During Oliver's nursery time his teachers have nurtured him and brought the very best out in him, so much so a few weeks ago Oliver won an award for making fantastic progress and I credited this entirely to his teachers. As a parent the nursery staff have always been friendly, supportive and encouraging. I have always felt welcome in school which reassured any early concerns I may have had and this built good relationships and trust, and I know it is difficult to feel like that in every school!

Today I feel sad, this is Oliver's very last day in nursery school, I wish he could stay for one more year. I know he will miss his nursery teachers and friends. Oliver only turns 4 in August, he will be one of the youngest in reception school, but without his fantastic nursery experience and teachers he would never have been prepared for full time school. I utterly appreciate all that his teachers and nursery have given him, I think I will always be grateful for that! . . . . So today I feel sad because I don't want his nursery experience to end and there are many more changes ahead with full time school, but I feel this transaction will be smoother which will be credited to his nursery experience and wonderful teachers at Holy Family School.

An English Summer

2011-07-16T09:52:00.002+01:00

Here in the Northwest of England the weather can be pretty hit and miss. Until today we have experienced some wonderful sunny days, this is especially fantastic for our boys. Oliver turns 4 in just under a month, and this is the first summer he has thoroughly enjoyed. He is now playing out with the other children in the street and my once very shy little boy is now showing heaps of confidence and he is very happy to play with new children. I also feel very fortunate to live in a little close (cul-de-sac) which makes our children's playing safe and easy to supervise, like me the neighbours come out chat together and watch as our children play together and I am left with a nice feeling of community.

BUT today we have rain and I am glad, because I really need to get some work done. With the children playing out all the time, my time working has been very limited and I really need to work on the bears for Hugglets. So today we are staying in and I plan on making the most of the rain, working hard in my pyjamas and enjoying the gloomy rain! . . . .But I do hope the sun shines on Tuesday, its Patrick's sports day and every year it has been uncomfortably cold and wet, which does take the fun and spirit out of the day. . . . (Sigh) it goes to show that we are never happy no matter the weather!!!

Next update

2011-07-03T15:12:00.003+01:00

I hope you come along to visit the next showcase.

If you would like to be kept informed of my website updates and Bear Treasure News

please do consider joining my mailing list

The July update will be my last monthly Showcase for a little while, as I will be preparing my collection of bears ready for Hugglets in September, I will try my very best to add a bear or two to my website during this time, but I'm not promising as the boy's summer holidays begin very soon which means a summer filled with fun and mayhem!

Slacking & behind schedule

2011-06-22T00:38:00.001+01:00

I feel as if I may appear to be slacking on the bear making front and to some extent this may be true. Sometimes life in general just gets in the way of my work and creations and sometimes (all the time) my motherly guilt plays a massive part towards my distractions. Working from home has so many fantastic advantages, I can juggle most things, I can be a full time mum, work and do that house wife thing!! But juggling everything has been proving difficult recently. First of all David seems to be home less with his work commitments and "Yes" I find this completely frustrating, because somewhere in all this I have a life too. I can not plan anything and if I do those plans never seem to surface into a reality and my own time creating also suffers.

Now the sun is finally shining, my youngest wants to be outdoors all the time and this is where the motherly guilt sets in, without David here to take over, everything is left to me, again my work suffers because first and foremost I am a mum and my boys will always come first. I also think I must have had a few things to work out, I dont exactly know what, but occasionally I go on a mad crazy house cleaning, organising, rearranging frenzy. I dont always know why this happens when it does happen, but it became clear to me yesterday. I have been thinking about my mum a lot more recently. I miss her all the time for all different reasons and it would have been her 58th birthday yesterday. A coincidence I think not, because today I feel at ease and normal in my thoughts and I feel well balanced again.

So, while it would seem I am slacking, I really am not, I just can not fit everything in all the time, I cant always be super woman precisely juggling everything. I am sad to admit that I am behind schedule with my next showcase of bears and in I reality I do need my creating time, it keeps me balanced as a person, as a mum as and all the other things I am. But please don't worry the bears are well under way and I am hoping to have a nice collection of summer special bears to offer in the next few weeks, they are just taking longer to complete than expected and I am really not slacking!!!! x x x

Maybe overload???

2011-06-13T14:29:00.000+01:00

I think I may have experienced a little bit of an internet overload. I am not too sure what my problem is at the moment, but I just don't feel like participating or contributing to the online sites I usually do. In fact apart from a quick morning catch up on the usual sites I visit daily, I have been working happily with the computer turned off and I feel rather content in my own isolation working from home. This is a good thing because it means I am working and not wasting my time online, I have even been answering emails from my phone, which I rarely do. Maybe I have had an internet overload, or just maybe I am enjoying my craft, working on new bears and right now I do feel quite simply content as I work this way.

No computer turned on and no distractions is a rather nice way to work, especially when I feel like I have little to say . . . Do you ever feel like you have had an internet overload or is it just a case of shutting yourself away being happy in your own company for a while?

Little Pip

2011-06-04T23:18:00.003+01:00

After my May update I had a new design idea to make a smaller bear, so during this past week I designed and made a new seven and a half inch tall bear who I appropriately named "Little Pip" Now I know there are some fantastic miniature artists out there, but a 7. 5 inch bear is small for me and he is probably as small as I intend to go. I made him a needle felted hat and embellished it with needle felted flowers and beads, I think it works well with this size and character of design.

I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed working in this size and I am delighted with this new design, so much so, I almost decided to keep him! I knew if I waited until my June website showcase I would not want to part with him at all. So earlier this evening I added him to my website and to my mailing list at a special introductory offer with free shipping and I am pleased to say he found a new home quickly. . . . I think will be working with this new little design again very soon!

May Showcase

2011-05-30T20:03:00.000+01:00

I have worked incredibly hard to complete the new bears for my May showcase. With one thing and another over this last month I never thought I would manage to have any bears ready for my May update, so I am delighted to introduce my May collection to you.

Here we have Miss Sophie, Toby, Sprout and Lizzy and they are all available now from my website

www.beartreasures.com

If you have a minute or two please do take a peek of the new bears and I hope you enjoy them!

Lots of love

Melanie Jayne

Next Update

2011-05-28T10:28:00.000+01:00

I am pleased to announce my next showcase of new available bears will be held on

Monday 30th May at 8pm GMT.

And

If you do not want to miss the update please consider joining my mailing list at www.beartreasures.com. I will send out a reminder as the May Showcase goes live.

A Special Surprise

2011-05-24T23:45:00.003+01:00

I am delighted to announce that my Bear Treasure creations have their very own profile feature in this months UK magazine, Teddy Bear Times. I knew the profile was due out, but I am completely overwhelmed to say Pink du Soleil managed to find herself on the front cover of the magazine! This was a huge and totally unexpected surprise for me.

I am not usually one to show these things off, but it is so wonderful to see the bears in print again. I am very shocked and very happy to see my bear on the front cover, so I am allowing myself to be happy about the feature, and I think sometimes it's fair enough to be proud and loud isn't it!

The magazine is available here in the UK from 26th May and can be found in all good newsagents. I haven't even had my copy yet, a good friend sent me the the images so I could take an early peek.

I do hope you like the article and the bears, Dawn James the editor did a fantastic job and I will be forever grateful to her. This is also her last issue of the magazine as editor and she will be surely missed by all.

What makes you, you?

2011-05-24T09:49:00.000+01:00

Earlier last week I managed to convince Patrick it was time to get his hair cut off and styled. His hair is rather long and the untidiness of it was starting to get on my nerves. I'd figured it would take some persuading for him to agree, but surprisingly it took little effort on my part.

I made the appointment for Saturday and for the first few days everything was OK, but then I kept looking at Patrick and his hair. Women envy hair like his, its blonde and straight and people randomly pass comments on how nice his hair is, often saying his hair is wasted on a boy! Friday night I looked at him and asked did he really want to have his hair cut. Sincerely he turned to me and explained "My hair is what makes me, Patrick" I gave him a cuddle and promised he could just have a good trim and keep it long. But I can not tell you how guilty I felt, he'd only agreed to have his hair cut because he wanted to please me and not because he wanted to. I know this shows good character, but I was willing to take his individuality away for all the wrong reasons. To make matters worse he was right, his hair does define a little of who he is and it wouldn't have been right to cut that part of his personality off.

I am so glad I had the chat with Patrick, I cant imagine the guilt I would have felt to see him unhappy with shorter hair. I am also pleased to say after a good trim Patrick's hair looks tidy again and I am glad he kept it long, because it does make him, Patrick.

"Running just as fast as we can"

2011-05-22T14:10:00.004+01:00

David has taken Patrick and a few of his friends to the roller rink today, I've been excused because of my back and I am not sure if I am really ready for a flash back to the 80's. The roller rink has not long since reopened and this is the exact same rink where I skated as a child and it hasn't changed much!

It is kinda cool to have the roller rink open again, but every time I think of it, the song "I think we're alone now" by Tiffany pops into my head, do you remember that song? I am not completely sure if it played at the roller rink when I use to go, but I do know it was from around the time of my very early teen years (1987) and I always associate it to the roller rink, so I guess it must have played.

David promised Patrick he will not try to relive his youth by skating today, which is good news because Patrick was worried his dad would "cramp his style!" David tries his best to be a cool dad, but sometimes he doesn't realise that he can no longer do the things he did as a child or teenager 20 or so years ago. When things go wrong like the time David was determined to prove he could still walk on his hands and then tippled over causing himself injury, becomes one of those time when it is really not cool for a 10yr old to be embarrassed by their dad, so hopefully Patrick will be safe and embarrassment free today, but I'm not promising I can keep his dad off the rink forever. Hopefully they will all have a good day x

The best made plans!!

2011-05-20T11:03:00.000+01:00

I am sat here twisted and supported by the large fleece cushion I recently made to cheer Oliver up from his cold, but it is hard to find a completely comfortable position when you have agonising back pain! . . . Yes I have hurt my back, its the muscles across and under my shoulder blades. If I am careful I hope it will pass in a day or two, but this most inconvenient problem will cause havoc with my plans.

I have found it difficult, at times almost impossible to get my work done this past month. The kids seem to have had lots of school holidays in such a short space of time and we have had some busy family weekends and my usual time working on the bears has been taken up with so many other things this month. Now with the backache, as you can imagine I am way behind with the bears for their May showcase and website update. Thankfully most of the work on the bears is done, but if my back does not sort itself out soon I doubt I will be able to make the felted fabrics as the wool roving takes a lot of strenuous rolling to make it into a piece of felt. Fingers crossed my back will be better soon and I will be able to make the fabrics in time for a May update.

Imperial War Museum

2011-05-09T12:39:00.001+01:00

Yesterday we took the boys to the Imperial War Museum at The Quays in Trafford. I had no idea what to expect. While inside looking at the historical 100year time line of war throughout the world I couldn't help but feel an immense sense of deep sadness for all the lives both friend and foe that have been lost.

The IWM holds big picture shows for visitors. Huge images are projected over all the walls, voices commentating giving their real life experiences of war. The sound of bombs exploding echoes loudly and gun shots pierced the silent atmosphere as we sat and watched. I found the sounds disturbing and found it difficult to control my emotion. At that moment all I could think about was my boys and how I would do anything to protect them, that feeling of fear was and with current worldwide affairs is overwhelming and harrowing.

Whether it be power, greed, religion or terror, conflicts between mankind seem almost inevitable. The fear war or terrorism brings is so immense for mankind, that it leaves me thinking we will never see peace in our world and that is a very very sad thought indeed.

I should just add the boys emotions where not effected in the same way as how I felt, but we did make sure especially with our oldest that he/they understood how life destroying for everyone war or killing really is and it is not just something made up for TV or gruesome computer games.

Smithill's Hall Farm

2011-05-02T11:28:00.000+01:00

It has been the most beautiful Bank Holiday weekend here. We've had gloriously nice weather, which is unusual for bank holiday weekends and D has been home from work too.

We took the kids for a day out to Smithill's Hall Open Farm. It was rather busy but both boys had a great day out. Patrick held a hawk and Oliver fed a baby lamb and we all held and touched little chicks, the cutest baby rabbits, the most handsome baby donkey and the nosiest squealing piglets you can ever imagine. As you can see it was a rather fun family day out at the farm.

Fairy Tales

2011-04-28T16:47:00.000+01:00

I am so utterly excited about the Royal Wedding tomorrow, anyone would think I'd been invited. I know people moan and groan, but the Royals are a significant part of our heritage and I for one am proud of that.

And for the Royal Wedding, well I will certainly be watching with tissues to hand, because its an absolute positive that I will cry buckets. Their wedding is all the things fairy tales are made of and I hope they live happily ever after.

New Bear Wear

2011-04-28T00:08:00.000+01:00

I'm kind of doing well with blog posts this week!

My M-in-L called this afternoon with buttons for all her knit wear. By coincidence yesterday while she was in town she picked up all the buttons she needed, meanwhile I had also purchased lots of buttons on ebay for the same items and the odd thing is we both purchased the exact same buttons, I guess she will now need to knit more garments for the buttons!! When she called this afternoon, she stayed and sewed them all onto her knits, I was then able to photograph them and this evening I finally managed to list all Sue's knit wear on to Etsy.

I am so happy for Sue. Some of her knits have already sold, and I know in the morning when she reads the text I sent she will be thrilled as I am for her. I have also been trying hard to persuade Sue to make some bear and dolls clothes for the Etsy store, she is a whiz at dress making and I know she would enjoy it, maybe now I can finally give her the push or the careful shove she needs!

There are some beautiful little cardigans and coats left in the Store and I hope you have time to take a peek, and I am sure Sue would love to read your comments http://www.etsy.com/shop/beartreasures

An early WIP for May

2011-04-27T10:08:00.001+01:00

I know we are not actually in May, but this is a piece of alpaca I dyed yesterday is for my May bears, so this post is going to be apart of my WIP for May!

Did I ever mention how much I love pink? Well the simple answer is "Yes" I always mention it every time I write about pink, and yesterday I decided to take a piece of alpaca and dye it pink, so there should defiantly be one pink bear for May's website showcase and last night I designed a new bear who will not be pink.

Now talking about the showcase, I was so pleased with how everything went and I am delighted and totality grateful that all the bears went to new homes and hugs. The showcase completely exceeded any expectations I may have held.

Working on the bears during this past month, I came to realise a few things about how I work and how at this time I work the best. I discovered working on several bears at the same time does work for me especially in terms of how much more work I can get done. My time is not consumed with individual photography sessions or single website updates, plus I love to see all the bears together and another advantage of seeing the bears together also gives me inspiration for new designs which is always a positive.

For now I guess I will continue with monthly showcases and add work in progress reports here on my blog. And again I would like to thank everyone who came to view the April showcase bears and I would like to add a special thank you to those who give the new collection a home and hug to belong to.

Right I'm off now to think of a plan of action for the May bears.

A knitting holiday!

2011-04-26T16:06:00.003+01:00

On Sunday my M-in-L, Sue came back from a 3 week holiday in New Zealand, now when most people return from a holiday you get to see plenty of photos and tales of adventure, not with my "M-in-L." Instead she returned with a heap of knitting she had done while away and tales of craft stores she had visited, but I've gotta love her, because I can now fill my Etsy store with all the teddy/doll knits she has done. I still need to sew buttons on all her knits, photograph them and list them so I am guessing it will be next week or so when they are done and on Etsy.

I should just add that I sell all the knits on Sue's behalf and love seeing them when she brings them round. The green cardigan/coat is one of my favourites, because if you haven't noticed in my work I love the colour green almost as much as I love the colour pink. Also I kind of squealed when I saw the pinkish loopy cardigan to the right of the image and I would really love to keep that, just to look at it forever. When I was a little girl my mum knitted me a bright red loopy cardigan and I loved it so very much and I felt special wearing it, so it reminds me of that particular time. Although I would love to keep these two cardigans my "M-inL" says NO, because I will then want to keep more and I have to resist, so she has every right to be firm with me on this occasion.

And please do keep a look out for the new knits in my Etsy store over the next week or so.

April Showcase - New Bears Now Available

2011-04-24T19:01:00.000+01:00

Finally here are my 6 latest creations. I have worked incredibly hard over the last month to bring a full website update and I am so pleased with them all. They are all available on my website www.beartreasures.com

Now I must mention, I had some problems photographing them, "you see" I couldn't get their facial detailing to show up on the white'ish background I usually use and to be fair the background I had hoped to use simply did not get made and I kinda gave up on that idea. So as a last measure I used a brown fabric background. Now I do think this background shows up their facial detailing and colours much better, but I really dont like the pattern, so for next month I am going to have another rethink and try to figure out what would actually look nice, but at the same time I also need to think of something that will show the detailing and colours successfully, wish me luck, because I think I will need it!

Happy Easter Showcase

2011-04-22T21:42:00.000+01:00

I am very pleased to announce my planned Easter Showcase for Sunday 24th April at 7pm. I have worked incredibly hard on the new bears over this past month and I have been extremely keen to share them with you during this time, but I did manage to keep them undercover!

On Sunday at 7pm I plan to update my website with 6 new beautiful available bears, so please do pop along and take a peek, your visits are always welcome.

And I hope you are all having a wonderful and happy Easter Weekend.

One last WIP for April

2011-04-17T20:25:00.000+01:00

This is the last work in progress snippet for my Aprils showcase. I have spent my entire day felting the fabrics and making the felted accessories for the new bears.

The flower you can see in the image is made from a blend of orange wool and silk roving. I've also added some deep coloured silk fiber strands to the flower which gives some nice extra detailing.

The felts and flowers I have designed are all done now, they just need time to dry. And while I wait, I need to assemble my final bear and then for the rest of the week I plan to complete all the bears garments hats and accessories, fingers crossed my update will be on time for next weekend.

Hope you've enjoyed your Sunday as I have mine!

More WIP's for April's showcase

2011-04-15T16:34:00.001+01:00

I know it is a bit of tease to add works in progress as snippets in black and white, but I do want the monthly update to be kept under wraps as much as possible. I can however tell you that everything is going to plan for April's website showcase which I am hoping will be ready on or just after the Easter weekend in a weeks time. All the bears are almost completed and this little guy to the left was the last bear to be finished and in full colour he is a little sweet heart and I also have two new designs to share.

I am also hoping David is home at some point over the next week as I really need him to do some DIY. A few years ago he made me a display for the bears and I now want him to adapt it so I can use it as a photography set for the bears, if it works it should look quite nice.

I am the first to admit that I struggle with the photography side of things. Even with the good help of a dear teddy bear friend and artist who has given me lots of advice over the years, but I have still come to the conclusion, photography it is just one of those things I can not comprehend. I think I could do with someone personally teaching me the "how to's" and I have considered a photography course, but finding the time is almost impossible because D is rarely home at a specific time, actually at the moment he is rarely home at all!! However if the set goes to plan and works in the way I hope, it should give my images a little more individuality anyway, "fingers crossed"

And finally back to the bears and the update. I have decided to send out an email in advance of my intended website showcase. And I will be adding paypal buttons to the available bear pages as this should make life easier for everybody and if you would like to receive email notifications please do consider joining my mailing list. If you would like to join please visit my website http://www.beartreasures.com/mailinglist.html

My sad furry companions

2011-04-06T13:13:00.000+01:00

As a child we always had dogs, they where more than just pets and I loved them dearly. As an adult with children, I confess I did not understand the bond between adults and their pets, but that all changed when we took Rosie in and once more I understood the positive impact pets have on family life and how they become loving and loyal companions as I remembered as a child.

We adopted Mac as a little 8 week old pup, he was the only pup in his litter to be predominately liver colour and he had the most dopey endearing lovable face which was impossible to resist. Instantaneously Rosie and Mac became best of friends and together they added another dimension to our family life and with our boys are in school they became my furry companions and sit with me as I work.

Now as you can imagine having a girl and a boy dog presents certain problems and on Monday we took Rosie to be neutered, hence the lampshade framing her head. I felt guilty about putting her through the operation, but I was assured it was the responsible thing to do and subsequently discovered neutering has certain health benefits. While Rosie was at the vets poor Mac was so very sad, he has never been away from Rosie before. Rosie's operation went smoothly and on her return home Mac was so pleased to see her and for a short while reverted back to himself but he soon realised Rosie wasn't up to playing or having fun just yet!

As you can see, this week I have two very sad furry companions, Rosie is simply not herself and completely disapproves of her lampshade and its limitations and Mac just wants to play. But another week from now everything will be back to normal playful mayhem between them and the family dynamics will return once more!

Work in Progress - April

2011-04-01T19:01:00.000+01:00

Today I realised how hard it is going to be to keep the new bears under wraps until my monthly website showcase. I was desperate to share these two new beautiful bear designs in their full colour but then that would spoil Aprils update!

The little bear in the forefront is just nine inches tall and she has an incredibly sweet little face. The larger bear is almost fifteen inches tall and he has a handsome classical, but contemporary character. From the onset I was completely unsure if the combination of design features I'd envisaged for the larger bear would work in harmony with my current style, but they do in a different and complementary way.

I am delighted with these two new designs and can not wait to share them with you, but both bears still need their ears sewing on and will remain earless until I decide what fabrics to create and how I will dress them and/or what accessories they will wear.

A plan of action!!!

2011-03-23T17:50:00.001Z

OK so my plan of action is to make and work on several bears over a monthly period. I have one larger new bear design cut out and ready to sew, actually I have his head completed, minus ears, because I wanted to make sure my design would work in a larger scale and if I say so myself this guys face looks great, but I have opted for a couple of slightly different design features in him, so he may or may not have an appearance in my April showcase.

Today I decided to bring out the mohair, I have several piles like this one and today I placed them out in neat piles in the hope to make decisions on what bear characters I wanted to create for next months website showcase. Needless to say once all the piles of mohair where out I couldn't make a decision at all. I have mohair in all sorts of shades and colours and some mohairs, I'd also completely forgotten about.

If I am going to get new bears done for next month I guess I am going to need a better and more constructive plan of action! So for now my plan is to complete the new design and think of a real plan of action!

Etsy - A Change of Mind

2011-03-23T00:33:00.000Z

As I have mentioned before for some unexplained reason I like Etsy, I like the layout, format and almost everything about the place, BUT then I got to thinking and questioning why I am actually using it. I have never had any problems selling available bears via my website and the only real reason I decided to sell on Etsy recently is the option for a customer to buy now.

Earlier today I had mentioned to someone else about using paypal buttons and I also remember another blog post discussing their dislikes about wanting to make a purchase but being put off due to being redirected around the online world just to make that purchase. So taking this on board I have now decided to return to my tried and tested website selling of available bears with the use of paypal buttons and "hey oh" and as simple as that problem solved!!! but I will still have knitted items in my Etsy shop

New Monthly Website Updates

2011-03-21T11:46:00.005Z

Towards the end of February I decided to work on a small collection of teddy bears with the intention of just one monthly website update in March. Before Oliver came along I frequently worked on several bears at the same time, but that was a considerable time ago and since I have offered bears available for adoption as each came into being. I wasn't particularly sure if I would enjoy working on a several bears again, but I am pleased to say, I did enjoy working this way. Doing all the cutting, pinning, sewing and stuffing first, left me to work on the most enjoyable part of the individual bears construction and facial characters. It also gave me time to think about the colours and how I could make the felts and accessories for their characters.

My first monthly website update took place on Thursday 17th March and appeared to be well received and I also enjoyed seeing my creations together in a small collection. From this I have now decided to continue working on several bears at the same time, with the intention of just one monthly website update, which is likely to take place during the third week of each month.

During my monthly working schedule I am hoping to add occasional working progress reports here on my blog, so you will be able to follow what I am up to and possibly see a glimpse and a tease of what creations may come into being for the next monthly update.

For now I will leave you, but if you would still like to adopt one of my bears Tallulah pictured here in this post is still available and her details can be found on my website www.beartreasures.com

I am now off to plan and work on the bears for my next April update, maybe if you would like to catch my next update you may wish to consider joining my mailing list. Or if you would like to see a particular colour or style of bear from my New Range of bears please email me melanie@beartreasures.com I can't promise anything but I am always happy to hear your thoughts and suggestions x x x

New Bears for March

2011-03-17T20:11:00.000Z

Alfie & Lennon

Spring & Tallulah

Remember a little while ago when I showed you my works in progress well here they are! I am absolutely thrilled with these four little guys. Each are different in design and wear all hand made felts using various and different techniques.

Alfie (top left) wears a hand felted hat, the flowers are made using wool and I've added silk fibre blends which I during the wet felting process and it gives a lovely effect. Lennon (top right) wears fabric that I made using a knit felt process and his clothes and accessories are so soft to touch. Spring (bottom left) is just a wonderful baby character, I love his face so much x he wears wool and silk blend felted coil hat and neck accessory. Tallulah (bottom right) wears a wool and silk blend felted hat and shawl, the felt fabric I created for her is textured with silk ribbon and fibres which where added during the felting process and they add a beautiful and interesting touch to her garments. I also hand made her little flowers from pure silk and added bead centres.

Alfie, Lennon, Spring and Tallulah can be viewed on the Available Bears tab above or for their full information and photographs please visit my website www.beartreasures.com. Alternatively you can also view them and purchase direct from my Etsy store

Thank you for looking
Lots of love
Melanie Jayne

Nanna Sue's Cake

2011-03-11T10:21:00.001Z

I thought I would share a quick photo of the cake Nanna Sue made. Nanna Sue is my mother-in-law, I dont particularly like saying mother-in-law because jokes and stereotypes are often fitted to that title and Sue is more like a good friend to me, as well as D's mum and the kids nan!

Anyway a little bit about this cake and Nanna Sue, the reason Sue and I get along is because we are both creative people, plus she is easy going and also a little bit daft and kinda cool for a nan. She made this Noddy cake in her cake decorating class, I think it was fantastic until my kids destroyed it and ate it, but no need to worry because she will be making something else next week.

The thing with Nanna Sue she is always off doing or trying something new, a little while ago she was learning how to make and decorate cup cakes in an evening class, now they where good lessons because we got to eat what she made. Before that she did floristry, balloons, tiara making and many other creative courses, plus she works full time. It's kinda neat having a creative nan/mother-in-law because she is always calling with a show and tell, but the best show and tells are the ones you can eat . . . Thank you Nanna Sue for the Cake!

Adding Show dates to my 2011 Calander

2011-03-10T11:36:00.000Z

Recently there has been much talk about shows on the Guild, which I am a member of. I love the guild because it is a place for like minded teddy bear artists who share and talk about the business of bears on a private forum. In my opinion the Guild is particularly needed when you work from home in isolation from other artists and it offers a good place for support and conversation based purely on the business of bears.

The other day and purely by coincidence I received an email reminder regarding my invitation to Hugglets in September, with all the talk about shows on the Guild, it made me think about accepting the invitation. I have only ever exhibited at Huggelts once before and just 3 months later I discovered I was pregnant with Oliver, so due to obvious family commitments, exhibiting at shows has been out of the question for me over the last few years. Also the last time I did Hugglets we did the journey to and from London in one day which is an horrendous task if you suffer from travel sickness like I do. In truth I found the entire day overwhelming, from the journey to the place itself, which is huge and ever so daunting when you're new to an industry and a first timer to exhibitor and I vowed I could never do it again.

However when I saw my invite I thought for a little while. You see, I've always promised myself when Oliver starts school full time I would dedicate all my time to bears again and possibly do a show or two yearly. And come September Oliver will be in school. I checked first with Nanna Sue (thats the kids nan) to see if she would have the kids for the weekend of Hugglets and as soon as she agreed I accepted my invitation. I am now really excited about it, not only will I be exhibiting at the show, but just me and David will be travelling down on the Saturday without the kids. Please dont think I am being a bad mum, but I've never spent any time away from our children and I'm kinda looking forward to it and I view the day as a way to promote my work and to let people know I am retuning completely to bear making again.

I am also attending The Great Yorkshire Teddy Bear Event in November, I booked this show because I'd had a brief chat with Katherine on the telephone and she seemed really nice, and if I think someone is nice then it goes a long, long way for me to want to do something. I also decided to the show because I also know I can manage the journey and I am excited to be exhibiting here too.

March works in progress.

2011-03-07T10:46:00.003Z

After my last website update I decided next I would make a small collection of bears for a March website update. I am not exactly sure when in this month these guys will be completed but here they are in progress.

I have 5 bears all stuffed, ready and waiting for their faces and individual detailing to be done. Then I will hand make their felts and accessories. I am guessing it will be a few weeks before they are all completed. I also have two new designs here. I will see what happens with their characters once assembled, but as you can see I am very busy working away.

Today, or should I say as soon as I have finished here, I will start needle felting the muzzle on one of the new designs, hopefully I will manage to complete his character and have him assembled by mid week, I am rather excited to see how this little guy turns out.

Hope you're enjoying your Monday x x x

Patrick The Viking

2011-03-04T11:26:00.008Z

I spent last night making Patrick a Viking costume for World Book Day in school today, actually World Book Day was yesterday and all the schools celebrated it yesterday, but for some unknown reason Patrick's school is holding it today, a day later!

I have got to say that finding a costume for a 10yr old boy which he will wear is now almost impossible, you see I am told by Patrick, everything in the shops is now just too babyish, however he's still not too "babyish" to want to dress up either. So after all my suggestions where rejected and a few disagreements Patrick decided he wanted to be a Viking, I'm guessing it's kind of a typical aggressive boy thing being a Viking.

This costume was completely Patrick's idea, he knew exactly how and what he wanted and I just put it together for him, which isn't too bad considering on short notice I managed to find all the bits we needed stashed in the attic! I did however make his hat from a ball. I cut the ball and turned it inside out, I also managed to make the horns and glued them on, however after all the stress this costume created I do hope the horns stay stuck on for some of the day at least.

Walking to school this morning Patrick was really pleased with his costume and mumbled something about hoping to win the fancy dress competition today. For his creative imagination I do hope he does, but I'm not holding my breath, because the same kids who's mum's help out or are general busy bodies in school win these things time after time, but I will keep my fingers crossed in hope for him, but no matter what the outcome he is a winner in my books, because he thought of everything himself, yet I doubt that counts to a 10yr old boy.

And for something new Again!

2011-02-28T11:44:00.000Z

OK, a week or two ago I launched a new look website, with fun bright colours, now I really liked the colour combination, but was a little doubtful as to weather or not it represent me, then D passed a comment and I decided I liked it but could not live with it. I couldn't bare the thought of redesigning my website again and in truth I was completely out of inspiration and technical capability to create a completely new look in a way I really wanted. I was left feeling a little miffed off with myself and with D for the comment he'd made.

I spent last weekend at a bit of a loss as what to do and then decided to contact Shelli, in my opinion she's a graphic Queen and I've always admired her graphic work and I knew with her Potbelly Design flare, she could create the graphics and look I wanted. After an exchange of emails, which on Shelli's behalf where very professional, constructive and organised, mine on the other hand where a little more than just excitable (laughing here) and she agreed to accept my requests.

I commissioned Shelli to design me a web/blog background template and a header. You see I like my blog and website to coordinate and I've never been able to achieve this in the past in a way I was totally happy with. In short my brief was pretty, but not fancy, colours there where many! but I explained I liked pink, green/blue and brown. Patterns and textures, but not real flowers and nothing flouncy, an element of the scrapbook look, meaning layers of textures and/or patterns and finally something which represented and fitted with my bears. I had complete trust in Shelli and her Potbelly Design and this is the wonderful and delighted result.

I spent the entire day, evening and hours gone past midnight on Saturday updating my website and blog. Using the template and header Shelli designed for me, I simply picked up on the colour combinations and general feel of the template and in photoshop I applied a similar look to the individual pages of my website, by adding my own bears, information and menu bars and so on to it. My job was made easy because the background and header where so good . . And "hey oh" one pretty new website

www.beartreasures.com

I completely love the new look and I feel as if it really does work with my bears and also represents me as an artist. So If you have time please do nip over to my website and take a look and I hope you like it as much as I do x x x

New Directions are kinda scary

2011-02-18T19:04:00.001Z

Taking anything in a new direction is kinda scary and sometimes you just have to follow what is in your heart.

The new look website and blog are one of those new directions, I know the vibrancy is not for everyone, but I wanted the colours to be fun with an atmosphere to reflect where I am right now with the new bear designs.

Talking of new designs I added these two guys Doddle and Abella to my website this afternoon www.beartreasures.com I finished them off with some new felted fabrics late last night. If I say so myself, I love these two creations, however little Abella down below gave me such a difficult time in her photo session this morning. I'm guessing I may need to rethink how I photograph the new bears in the future.

Again the new designs are one of those new directions which are kinda of scary. When introducing something new and very different to an already established style you just never know how collectors will accept them or even if they will be liked or liked by fellow artists but just sometimes you have to follow what is in your heart at that given time. I also wanted to create something that wasn't as mainstream as the current trends in bear designs at the moment and I wanted to keep an element of cuteness. I think I have achieved this, if the new designs are accepted or not well that's down to a matter of time, but for now I'm continuing to follow my heart.

With each website update I have decided to add all new bears to my Etsy Store in the hope they will be purchased from there, not only does it solves my problems of answering emails during busy family times, but it also solves the time difference issues and finally it will also give new collectors peace of mind when purchasing.

Side Tracked

2011-02-08T13:34:00.001Z

Do you ever feel a little side tracked? . . . Well I've been experiencing that feeling for a while now. I have a million and one things whizzing around in my creative thoughts, some bear related, some are not. And they all stem from those trigger moments I so love.

I experienced these same feelings when Patrick was just about to start school full time and then I discovered the world of artist teddy bears and that was almost 6 years ago now. I guess I am going through the same thing again because Oliver starts school full time in September this year, and I know I will have more time on my hands to do all those creative things I've been craving to do, but just don't have the time to start.

While the bears will always remain at the forefront of my passion, I have found from felting that I thoroughly enjoy textiles and their endless possibilities, so I am feeling slightly side tracked from my work. I wont reveal too much right now as you never know things don't always turn out as planned, but I have decided over the next few weeks and months I am going to start experimenting and putting my ideas into practice ready for when Oliver starts school.

So if I seem a little more adjacent than usual, please forgive me but my imagination is side tracked!

New design "Rachel" the cute little elephant

2011-02-07T11:44:00.000Z

I am so happy to introduce a new little elephant design to you today and I must admit I really love this little girl! I think the last elephant I made was over 4 years ago now and I've really wanted to create a new little girl elephant design with oversized ears for such a long time now and I am pleased with her results.

Rachel is made from white viscose fabric and is a touch taller than nine inches. She wears felted accessories and has cute blush cheeks. If you would like to take a look at her full information she is available on my website now www.beartreasures.com

Working in colour

2011-02-04T18:25:00.001Z

I'm sure I mentioned in an early blog post, about how the colours in the felted fabrics, hats and accessories I make for the bears inspired me to design the new range of Du Soleil bears. Well I can tell you I have had a difficult time trying to find mohair in the colours I want. Or if I've found a colour I like the pile length or density is not what I like to work with. After some disappointing online searching I decided if I wanted to use colour in the bear designs, I'd have more success if I were to dye mohair's myself! . . This decision also provided another quandary. I've never really been completely confident or satisfied when I've dyed mohair in the past. The process didn't always work or the colours didn't take as I'd hoped for. So for obvious reasons I was a little dubious about attempting it myself.

But "hey oh" a girl has gotta do what a girls gotta do if she wants something badly enough". I'd spent some time researching different types of dyes, because I also wanted to dye the wools I use for needle felting in a matching hue. So I found the dyes and earlier in the week I purchased some beautiful alpaca. Now I love to work in alpaca, the density is perfect and it is also soft and fluffy to touch, but the colour choice in alpaca is limited.

Wednesday I threw caution to the wind and took the plunge. If the dyes didn't work, then it would have been back to the drawing board and at least it would have been a lesson learned! And on Wednesday my kitchen looked like a science lab as I tested water and dye quantities and I quickly learned the dyes worked fantastically and a little goes a long way. I also forgot to think ahead, I didn't have any gloves and managed to dye my hands purple and my little helper Oliver, ended up with splatters on his face.

I now have 6 pieces of colourful alpaca, plus wool rovings and felt for pads in matching hues. I'm hoping to make the bears and then have a website update with all of them completed. Whether this happens or not may be another story, I often get a little giddy and impatient to share a new creation so I will just have to wait and see what happens, but I do know for sure that there will be plenty more colour injected into the bears this year!

After saying all that, I'm currently working on 2 new designs and both are in white!!!

Bluebell du Soleil

2011-02-02T12:00:00.001Z

I have just added Bluebell du Soleil to my website www.beartreasures.com

He is approximately nine inches tall and made from a cornflower blue coloured fabric.

I'm having a fabulous time creating these new designs!

Bluebell du Soleil has been adopted - Thank you!

Work space again

2011-01-31T18:35:00.001Z

This makes 3 posts in a week and they have all been about the trials and tribulations of a work space :-) And here it is my new work space!!

I'm only joking!! This desk belongs to Oliver, he can spend hours here drawing and creating what ever comes to his mind. He's always a happy soul when sat at his desk. But can you believe my little boy had a work station before me!!

As promised here are the photos of the writing bureau we purchased to enable me to I have a place away from the dinning room table to work on the teddy bears. Now the size works out perfectly for me and the draws hold all the tools, eyes joints and all the other bits I use to make a bear. My mohairs and wools are all kept upstairs out of the way, so everything I need for the individual bear can be kept here.

I know the writing bureau doesn't look much in its old and shabby state, but this little unit has great potential. The simplicity in the unit design works well in our home. It is also made from English Oak, with a little work by stripping the varnish and stain away we will be left with up beautiful bare wood which will be waxed and oiled giving the unit a fresh and contemporary feel.

However until we have some warmer weather the unit will be left and used as it is, but it already feels nice to have my own neat and tidy little space to work!

Tears and Tantrums at Ikea

2011-01-29T23:23:00.001Z

OK so I went to Ikea with D, I'd already chosen the piece of furniture/work station I wanted, but when we got there D didn't like it. Now I had my heart set on this particular bureau. I was hugely disappointed with D and I soon found myself in a bit of a strop with tears and tantrums, which where made worse when I put my foot down demanding we get it only to discover they had none in stock and it had been discontinued anyway. I guess I acted rather shamefully really, like a child, but I desperately want my dinning room table back and used for its intended purpose. I had even spent the morning organising my tools and tidying my mess ready for the new work station which wasn't to be today!

But all came good in the end, I searched ebay looking for a drop leaf writing bureau. Now its difficult trying to find something old that will fit in with a contemporary home, wrong colour or type of wood, location of item too far or too fancy and ornate, too big, or just way too old and beyond repair!!!

Thankfully I did find what I was looking for, the lady was happy for me to have it on a buy it now with collection tomorrow and its only a 40 minute journey for D. Now this piece of furniture is rather old, the simplicity of its design will work, but its age and colour will not quite fit in with our home as we don't have antique furniture, although I would love to paint it giving it a shabby chic look, that wont fit in either. However our hundreds of years old flooring never fitted in and D managed to strip that back to its bare beauty and make it apart of our home. So my intention is to wait for the warm weather to arrive. I will then take it out into the garden, strip it back and give it a nice natural finish with oil and wax, for the time being I will use it as it is but I'm kinda excited now because I know once its had an overhaul it will look wonderful and work perfectly in our home. So all came good in the end! and I will post photos soon.

In search of work space

2011-01-29T10:01:00.000Z

If you have followed my blog you will also know when our youngest son came a long we extended our family home and D did all the renovations. My old bathroom is now an empty shell, the tiles need removing and the walls will then need plastering. Our plans are to make this room my work room. D insists on doing all the jobs himself, he is rather handy and good with stuff like that but with D's work commitments, long hours and all the other million and one things a family life demand, those renovation plans seem to be in the distant future.

I work at my dinning room table and I actually like working in this room because I'm at the centre of our home and I also manage to fit in little bits of bear making when the kids are home. However the beautiful dinning room set we purchased over 12 months ago has steadily become a complete work area rather than a family eating space. I have a felt protector mat covering the table and for those of you who are creative souls, a work surface can soon become rather messy and cluttered quickly, especially when you're eagerly working away. And all that mess is starting to really annoy me!!

Yesterday I figured enough was enough, the old bathroom/new work room plans are certainly not going to get done any time soon and I want my dinning room table back! So today I'm off to Ikea to look for a new work station and that's easier said than done. I really dislike shopping at Ikea, its way to busy there and I have a limited space in my dinning room for a work station, plus I want it to fit in with the decor. I may be coming home disappointed today and demanding my room to be renovated immediately!! or I may be coming home happy with the perfect work space and a heap of re-organising to do. Thankfully I will only have to re-organise my tools, because all my supplies are in large plastic storage containers upstairs, so with a bit of luck and fingers crossed I may have some order back to my dinning room today!

I just love. . . .

2011-01-27T18:33:00.001Z

Baby news! . . . . .

I just love hearing baby news, it doesn't matter if it's a relative, friend or someone at the other end of a computer a millions of miles away, who I have never met in person, but I still just love hearing that news!

I do love babies and if I'd had no common sense or was less realistic I would have loved to have had 3 or 4 more! So now what I love the most is the knowing and understanding of what joy a baby brings to new parents. It's a new adventure and new life where everything becomes different, filled with an unimaginable and the most incredibly deepest love for a little person who is just seconds old. . . I know it can also be hard but the happiness will always outweigh the tears!

No I'm not having a baby, I just thought I would share because I've just heard some really nice baby news and it always makes me feel happy!

Pink!

2011-01-22T15:45:00.001Z

Did I ever mention how much I love the colour of pink? I'm sure I must have mentioned it at some point. I love the femininity of pink, the softness and the idea it may symbolise the notion of a girly girl and I see nothing wrong with that whatsoever! So obviously I love to work with pink, but I try to practice a little restraint, otherwise every other bear I made would be in a shade of pink.

This new little girl is just nine inches tall (excluding her hat) and she is made from a viscose fabric in my favourite shade of pink, I actually have a dressing gown in this same shade and this little girl bear really did pull at my heart strings, she is certainly the kind of bear and colour I would have liked to have kept for myself.

I have named her "Pink du Soleil" these new designs are inspired by the beautiful and wonderfully colourful and magical world of Crique du soleil and I have decided to call my new range of bear designs Du Soleil collection which means (if the translation is correct) "The Sun" I would have used the full crique du soleil name but I was afraid it may have some trademark attached to it and thought it best to avoid such an issue!

I have given Pink du Soleil a pale pink needle felted muzzle and a rose pink coloured needle felted nose. I have also been busy this week experimenting with a softer way to add depth to my bear faces with a new method of hand shading and I am utterly delighted with the delicate and pretty results on Pink's face and I hope I captured it with some satisfaction in my photographs this week.

Pink du Soleil's coil hat and neck accessory are hand made and hand felted from the same rose pink as her nose and I think her colour coordination works perfectly for her little character. If you would like to view her full information and photographs she is available on my website www.beartreasures.com

Felting, Felting, Felting!

2011-01-18T16:14:00.001Z

Above Noodle and Natalie

These two bears where available on my website and I am pleased to say both are now on their way to new homes, but I thought I would also pop them on my blog with a mention of their new design and felting.

Before I begin I'd just like to reinforce that I do have every intention to work on both new and previous designs in the future. Have you noted that I'm not calling my previous designs "Old" Well this is intentional, because they are certainly not old because they have a natural progression so they never can become old designs anyway!

During last year I worked hard making the felted fabrics for the bear clothes, hats and accessories and thoroughly loved the whole time consuming process. The garments I make and design give my bears an element of individuality which also works towards that important "Signature look" Also no matter how hard you try, two pieces of felt could never be the same so everything about the garments are completely bespoke to the individual bear wearing them. You see felting fabrics from wool roving has an element of unknowing about it. You do have a certain amount of control over the design process, but as you begin to felt, shrinkage occurs as the fibres felt together and this is where you loose complete control, for me this element makes the process all the more enjoyable. I have other felting projects in the pipe line which are likely to be none bear related, but I think I may wait a while until Oliver starts school full time which will give me more time to work.

By making and using the felted fabrics it seemed like a natural progression to incorporate needle felting into their facial features of the new design, but believe me this is not an easier or quicker option over scissor or needle sculpting a mohair or fur muzzle! In fact needle felting a muzzle is more than twice the work and time as a scissor sculpted face and muzzle. Those many hours spent needle felting are all worth while because it brings a certain amount simplicity and sweetness to the bears face which I love. "Who says the simplest things are the most easiest"

With the felted faces I'm also able to give the bear muzzle more shading and depth, although you can't really see this in their photo's, but I'm kinda a poop at the photography aspect of the bear business anyway and must work on finding an individual and interesting way of photographing them, but I've not figured than one out yet!

Back to felting . . I certainly would never have thought I'd find two completely different crafts, bears and felting which work together so well, which also obviously lead me back to felted faces. I'm completely enjoy combining these crafts and techniques together and I hope it shows in the designs I create. I also have many more new design ideas planned for the near future!

I think it's going to be A Colourful New Year.

2011-01-02T22:50:00.000Z

A New Range of Bears for 2011, Robin, Twist, Cleo and Chester.

The beginning of December always marks a sad time in my life, for the last few years it also coincides with a lost creative mojo. My usual December malfunctioning mojo is certainly not a negative thing. It gives me time to take a step back to evaluate my work and the next direction I would like to take in my bear making career. Thankfully I have also learned that my mojo returns quickly with a significant vigour, and a new flare of freshness.

Prior to the December "thing" I had been thinking about colour and how I would like to incorporate more colour into the bears. I'd been inspired by colour from the felting I'd introduced for bear garments and hats during 2010 and I started to mull over how I would like to take the felting and colour further into the bears I design. Then I produced these three guys (below) and a fellow artist kindly passed on a very nice comment which initiated one of those trigger moments I love!

Coupled with colour inspiration from felting and the comment and throw into the mix a reinvigorated mojo I considered the 3 little guys above and how I could take their design further. I started to search for mohairs and other fabrics in colour and style. I don't usually consider short furs in my designs, but I found colour in some very new short fabrics and placed an order. The moment they arrived I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them and my imagination and thought process ran wild with ideas for a completely new additional range of bears for 2011 and the colourful bear characters Robin, Twist, Cleo and Chester where created.

I always work hard on the bears, but with these 4 guys I couldn't stop and I enjoyed every minute working on them, I didnt know if they would work, I wasn't sure if the combination of design ideas I envisaged would develop as I'd hoped and I had no idea if they would be well received at all. In truth I didn't really care, because I thoroughly enjoyed the creative process and flare I felt while designing and making them. It also seemed obvious to return to felting muzzles especially as I use felting for the bear garments.

Future plans - I have no intention to dismiss any of my previous bear designs and plan to continue working on bears in both old and new design styles. But for the next few weeks or so I plan to work on developing the new range of bears and I'd be foolish not to do so while the I'm loving the create flare which is burning in my tummy at the moment, which leads me to say that I really think 2011 is going to be a very colourful New Year for the bears!

Introducing Francesca

2010-12-08T11:27:00.000Z

I have just added Francesca to the available page of my website www.beartreasures.com. She is made from one of the most stunning and wonderful dense, pale gold mohairs I have ever used. I have been holding on to this mohair for a while, sometimes I have furs that I can not wait to use, and other times I have mohair that I can not wait to use, but I love it so much I just dont want to cut into and this is one of those furs!! But I do think Francesca's character works beautifully in this particular mohair and the deep colours I hand felted for her hat and accessories create a wonderful and complementary combination of tones and textures.

If you would like to view Francesca's full information and photographs, please do visit my website at www.beartreasures.com

The best made plans!!!

2010-11-15T13:50:00.000Z

I've been busy with all kinds of things these last few weeks and time flies by so quickly. There is simply not enough hours in any one day to get all the things I plan, done!

For instance I had an appointment with Patrick's headmaster on Friday, I'd booked it in advance knowing I would be free that morning, but the night before Oliver fell sick and obviously he could not attend nursery on Friday. OK I know my kids always come first no matter what, but it sometimes seems everything falls apart when the best plans are made, plus it is made even harder, because I never know what time David will arrive home from work, so evening plans are out the window! . . I should just say Patrick isn't in any trouble in school, I'd made the appointment becasue I had concerns of the aggressive nature of his teacher!!! BUT I think I will not go into that today!

So Friday flew by, Oliver was still a little poorly, so I only managed to work on my bear for a short time before leaving to collect Patrick from school. Then if you're a mum with young children you know what happens next, or if you dont have children imagine mayhem!! The first few hours after school the kids are on top note, its dinner time, change time, playtime, kids falling out time, (I think you get the picture) And to top it all off David was late home, I dont even remember what time he came home from work Friday!

I dont even know what happened to the time on Saturday, but Sunday, it was breakfast time, dress time, dinner time, walk the dog and puppy for the first time, time! Home time, play time, tidy up time, clean the house time, dinner time, bath time, iron the school uniform time, bedtime!!! But no bear making time . . .Oh well I guess that's what happens when you have a young family!

Today is Monday and a fresh start to the day. My plans have all gone to clockwork. Kids, fed, watered, dressed and off to school, dogs walked, tired and asleep . . . . And I've had time to sew ears on to my little bear, give him a brush, add his accessories, photograph him and add him to my website. I'm so glad Marley is done, it seemed like he would be earless forever, the poor little guy!

Anyway with Marley finished and up on my website the last thing to say and do here is, I hope you like this little guy and his full information and photographs can be found on my website if you would like to take a look.

Little Joey

2010-11-07T12:15:00.001Z

Since Oliver came along I stopped working in the attic of our home on my bears, becasue the time I could spend there became incredibly difficult and limited. I still miss my space, but David is in the process of building me a new room, however with his ever increasing work load I am not counting my chickens before the hatch!! Now my once organised attic studio has become more of a store room for anything and everything which does not have a place in our home!

Some time ago I was in the attic sorting out and de-cluttering, when I came across some of my old teddy bear designs. In my early years of bear making I'd designed an anime inspired bear with a needle felted face, he was a quirky chap and fun. When I first found my patterns, I thought I would like to recreate the same anime design, but something didn't feel right, so I began to think if there was some way I could incorporate some of the design features of my anime design with my current bear designs.

Now I've been mulling over this design concept for sometime, I wasn't exactly sure which way to go with the blend of both designs and I wanted his head shaping to be wider and higher like the anime style I'd previous created but with the essence of my current bears. And I think I finally managed to incorporate the two in Little Joey and I completely enjoyed creating his design becasue he is a brake from the norm, he's a little bit of fun with other possibilities, who knows!!! Although I have no idea how he will be received by collectors, I do really like this guy and I hope you do too! I may even pop him on Etsy?

Little Joey is available for adoption from my website, his full information and photographs can be view at www.beartreasures.com

Tool Tidy!

2010-10-17T13:07:00.004+01:00

A few weeks ago I visited a craft fair, if they are local I like to visit, sometimes my visits are futile and others are successful! On my last visit I purchased a tool tidy called Store n Spin they can be found here in the UK and here in the US

I have heaps of bear making tools and haberdashery supplies, some of which are used in the creation of every bear I produce and other tools are used occasionally. The problem was this, I had some stuff chucked in my large sewing box, some thrown in my draws and other in tubs, so as you can imagine, it can become a little frustrating trying to find what you want, especially when searching for the tools and supplies you use on occasion, plus everything can become a mess when you're busy creating and not tidying as you go!

The picture above shows just a small selection of the tools and supplies I have, so when I spotted this tool tidy at the fair I knew it would be perfect and I could finally have everything at hand.

This tool tidy is roughly a half of the size of a waste paper basket, it has pockets all around the outside and inside, plus there is still space left on the inside for things like eye positioning boxes, and my needle boxes and pins and all the other bits I have.

Now everything I need is constantly at hand, no more frustrating searches. I simply place the tool tidy on my work table and when I've used something I put it back, so no mess no tidying. But the best thing of all, is that my tool tidy also spins making it even easier to find those bits I need!

All in all this was a successful craft fair visit, resulting with a perfect tool tidy!!!

So Very Beautiful!

2010-10-16T18:16:00.001+01:00

How beautiful are these . . .

When I offered to help a fellow artist out with her website and blogger problems, I did it becasue it was simply a nice thing to do, plus I guessed, she was getting a little stressed with it all and I could help. But never in a million years did I expect something as beautiful as these flowers to arrive this afternoon as gesture of her appreciation and true kindness . . . It's simply nice, to be nice, isn't it! . . .

. . . . And now I guess we both feel good today . . . .

Thank you!

Bramble and Willow

2010-10-11T17:13:00.000+01:00

I have finally finished two new bears, they seem to have been in the making for sometime now, but I am pleased to introduce Bramble and Willow

Bramble

Willow

I decided to make these two bears at the same time which enabled me to give them very similar characters. They are made from apricot dense mohair which inspired me to create their autumn hats and accessories in my own hand made bespoke felted fabrics.

Bramble and Willow are almost 12" tall (excluding their hats) and are available from my website if you would like to take a look at their full information www.beartreasures.com

Chalk and Cheese!

2010-09-28T22:44:00.002+01:00

"Rosie" She's a little shy of the camera

New puppy "Mac" at 4 weeks


Oliver and Mac

Patrick

I've had a lovely but busy day today with Oliver, painting, playing, walking Rosie and we even went to visit our new pup "Mac" he is now 4 weeks old and in another 4 weeks time he will be ready to join us. I am excited about the new pup and I also know it will be hard work, especially with training and introducing him to Rosie, I guess the two dogs will be so different just like chalk and cheese.

All day I have been thinking about how different people are. These thoughts where triggered just after breakfast, Patrick had left for school and Oliver insisted he wanted to paint. He couldn't wait for us both to be dressed because he really "needed to paint" So in our pyjamas we set up the easel and painting table in the kitchen. I stood drinking a cup of tea, watching Oliver paint and listening to his creative explanations, Oliver likes to chat about everything! As I stood there I began to think about the similar traits both Patrick and Oliver share and at the same time how very different they can be.

When I realised I was pregnant I hoped fo another boy, because Patrick was a pleasure. He was and still is a mischievous happy and loving little boy and I hoped our second child would be similar. While some physical appearances and some personality traits are similar in Patrick and Oliver, they have many differences which make them just like chalk and cheese.

When Patrick was a toddler he wasn't at all shy! He played all day, loved to dance, entertain and he ran everywhere, this often caused problems! He was always on the go, climbing trees, catching bugs, falling in mud, he was busy just being a typical boy. He loved to cuddle but he would never sit on my knees to listen to stories and he avoided painting and messy time like the plague, he just wanted to be off playing. His nature was and is still good, he's loving and I admire his sensitivity and the caring nature he has for others. I love how he understands when his friends are being treated wrongly and how he will defuse situations between them. And he easily makes new friends no matter where we are! He never padded as a toddler and doesn't have a temper, he does have a cheeky smile and thinks all the girls love him! Even now he still doesn't like being sat down for long and in school I can only imagine that his complete lack of concentration is distracted by an imagination of play.

And Oliver, well he loves to play, a typical boy but gentle in nature. He loves to paint and draw and will sit for hours listening as we read him stories. He can also be shy and you would never see him dancing away to the music in shops, or climbing on a stage at the young age of 3 to sing "Bob the Builder" to 400 people!

Oliver does likes his dinosaurs. When we are walking he will tell me or his dad about the dinosaurs in the trees following or hiding from him, but try as you may to participate in his imagination, this wise little soul will also tell you "its not real, its just pretend!" Oliver will take time out from play to chat about anything and everything. And from time to time he may have a strop when things don't go to plan. He is also caring and loving, but his gentle nature is also fooling because he can show a little temper from time to time, but nothing major like a paddy!

I'm glad to have been blessed with two wonderful boys, I love them both for their similarities and good natures. I especially love their million and one difference and how this makes them like chalk and cheese.
Life would probably be a bit dull any other way, its good to share some traits, but there is always some individuality that makes each of us special which makes you, You!

A few little some things and nothing!!!

2010-09-27T13:20:00.003+01:00

Well today I just feel like getting a few things of my chest! So I thought I would share little random things!

This last week or so I've been on a bit of a life's learning curve. I had no idea I was so misconceived about people, people and their friend relationships, or just people in general. I didn't realise I was so naive and I think I would have preferred to stay that way!
I thought we had done something really nice for someone which we did, but the third party who profited from our gesture turned it into ungratefulness and something a little nasty! There is no pleasing some folk no matter what you do.
I always use exclamation marks when writing, I just do! but be warned these lovely little symbols !!!!! can be interpreted and twisted as something of malice when there is none!
I've learned you never really know your neighbour. A friend of mine, who keeps her house in pristine condition, (she may have a cleaning obsession lol) discovered she had been living next door to the real house of grime, such a shame really because the neighbours house had been beautifully renovated before its sale and within 3 years the new owners have left it in such a dreadful state. Just shows you never really know the people next door!
I've learned, some people will never like you no matter what you do. I don't particularly care about this and I'm certainly not a people pleaser, but it is frustrating when you know they instantaneously decide not to like you and never take the time to get to know you! Folk are just odd sometimes.
I've finally phoned the dentist, I am absolutely petrified of the dentist, it is far beyond nervousness and when I spoke to the receptionist today I burst into tears, but at least it is one step closer.
And on a happy note, I'm still creating away on the bears and I'm delighted to work in this little world which I have created for myself. It's calm and peaceful here and I can remain naive! Although I do have a dreadful cold!!!! lol

Changes, changes and more changes!!!!

2010-09-18T23:33:00.005+01:00

A little earlier I wrote about the difficulties I have with routine and how I desperately try to maintain some sort of organisation or routine, well all my plans are now out the window and I've had to reorganise our daily lives all over again. Before I explain I would like you to meet Mac. This little chap is an 18 day old springer spaniel who will be joining our home in about 6 weeks time to keep Rosie our other spaniel and of course me company. Ekkk I'm excited but kinda thinking I must be a bit mad, but he is the cutest thing ever!

Now my explanation. Everything over the last two weeks happened rather quickly. The company David works for offered him a promotion with a sparkly new car. He accepted and started last week. I believe he will enjoy this new challenge and opportunity within the company, plus he is also very good at what he does. The new job has some obvious benefits for us all, but on the downside it is likely David will be working longer hours so I've had to reorganise myself yet again! I would have shared this news earlier. I am completely and utterly thrilled for David, but I didn't want to appear to be somehow gloating! . . there are always the odd few who will think this . . . but I've also felt a little overwhelmed by the sudden changes!

As you know Oliver started nursery school which meant I had more time to work on the bears, but with David's new job I have had to be practical with my reasoning and decided to increase his half day into a full day, so he is now doing 3 full days. He is settling in a little better now and we had very few tears on Friday, but I still feel selfish because I want this extra time to work on the bears. On the upside of these changes I have found both Oliver and I are enjoying our time together more, plus I feel less stressed trying to fit everything in like homework, reading and spellings with Patrick and other normal mum and kid stuff. Hopefully these changes will be beneficial to us all and take some pressure off David so he can concentrate on his new job.

My other practical reasoning and change is the bear fair I booked for the end of October. I have now decided not to attend the show, although I had no great expectations, I had planned on David being home to see to the kids while I worked some evenings on the bears and I know this will not happen now. I've been completely honest with myself and I know I can not keep staying up late working on the bears, it is simply not good for any of us. I now only intend to work on the days Oliver is in nursery. The bears are, as always very important to me and I'm surprised on how much more I can get done without interruption, I've even kept the computer turned off to avoid any distraction. And as always I will continue to update bear availability via my website as they become available and notify my mailing list members of their updates first.

Overall I believe the changes are practical for all of my family and in a few weeks time the dynamics will change once more with the arrival of Mac, I cant wait for him to be old enough to come out on my daily dog walks and for him to eventually join David, Patrick and our other dog on their fishing trips to the lakes. . . .

Who knows how long all these changes will last, before something else comes along causing more reorganisation, but for the first time in a long time I feel so much better and less stressed with normal daily life and the rare late night has also improved or I would go as far as to say resolved my sleeping issues!

Leali's Midnight

2010-09-18T17:27:00.001+01:00

Odd title I know, but I have two new bears today called Leali and Midnight. I really like how these two turned out. Midnight is made from a wonderful baby blue mohair with a darker backing and I have made him a hand felted bespoke hat in deep blue with felted swirls and a loop ribbon yarn embellishment which coordinates with his neck ruffle.

Midnight 13" tall

And Leali, she is a smaller bear of just nine inches, excluding her hat and I think she is a sweet little thing. I have gone to town a little with her, I made her a hand felted bespoke hat with felted rose flowers with glitter accents and feathers. She also wears a collar, again embellished with hand felted flowers I am thrilled with how I incorporated her embellishments into her feet pads and I like how this works to bring her over all design together. I came up with the idea after my last creation and this is something I am definitely going to be working with in the future, her paw pads are a nice and different touch to her design.


Leali 9" tall


Leali's feet pads.

I wished I had thought in advance about taking a closer photograph of Leali's feet as the image does not do them justice, hopefully next time I will remember.

Both bears have now been adopted - Thank you
You can still view their full information and images on my wbsite until the next bear arrives www.beartreasures.com

Routine

2010-09-09T10:41:00.000+01:00

The summer holidays throws any routine I have out the window. I appreciate this when there is no real time set out for a daily routine! However the summer has gone, Patrick is back in school, Oliver is now attending nursery and I have desperately attempted to organise my self into a routine and it is not easy because nothing ever goes to plan especially when you have kids and work from home! but I think I am getting there, although I still wish there where more hours in a day to get everything done.

Oliver is still very upset about leaving me and attending nursery. He is there for two and a half days a week but I'm sure he will eventually settle. I also feel terrible admitting this but I am enjoying this short time on my own. It has been almost four years since I last had this kind of time to myself and I'm surprised by how much more creative time I have to work on the bears. The kids and normal family life will always come first and I work my bear business around them, but it sure is nice to have a routine which fits in a little me time too!

Back To School

2010-09-02T23:43:00.002+01:00

What a day and I am absolutely exhausted!!!

It is the first day back to school today for Patrick, two more years from now he will be in high school, this is a frightening thought. It was also Oliver's first day in nursery school today and this was petrifying . . . For Me!

Yesterday I had worked myself up into a bit of a frenzy, worrying about how Oliver would cope in nursery without me and today I learned I should have been more concerned how I would manage without him. I've been lucky enough to have been a full time mum to Oliver, I know this is not always possible for everyone due to careers, financial stuff and other things, so I feel grateful to have had this wonderful experience. Oliver has been with me every day and if you read my blog he's also been with me every night for the last 3 years. And now he is nursery "sigh"

Oh I know all the reasons why it is good for both Oliver and I to be apart, but no matter how many times I tried to convince myself to believe it today, the more I wanted to cry. When I left him, I could have cried! When I thought about him, I could have cried! When I collected him, I could have cried and even now I could cry! . . . I think I am going to find this adjustment much harder than Oliver.

The truth of the matter is, my little baby is no longer a baby and no matter what I do I can not stop time to prevent him from growing up and there is a wonderful world out there for him to discover, BUT no matter what anybody says or what both my boys ever think, they will always be my babies.

A trigger moment

2010-09-01T20:26:00.003+01:00

Flower

The New Year always provides me with a fresh new feeling of inspiration, I had every hope this year would provide me with the opportunity to concentrate on the bears once more and it has. I'd also wrote about my inspirations back in January and I've since worked hard trying to define myself by developing the bears. I also changed some detailing, such as eye lids and sculpted toes, these features are not new techniques in my designs, I've used such techniques in many of my creations new and old. Over the years I've developed them to work in my recent creations. I've also introduced lots of new colour to the bears by felting and designing garments, hats, bags and accessories. All in all, I've focused on the overall package of the bears.

Towards the end of last week I spent some time looking through my older bear photographs and I enjoyed the trip down memory lane. It was fascinating to see the progressive changes in my designs, each manifestation in the bears held a story, a reason or an influence from something happening in my own life at that time!

This trip down memory lane, coupled with a comment made on the Guild by a member who I dearly admire and respect for her professionalism in our industry, instantaneously sparked a trigger moment. I've been so focused on the bears to bring me to this point that I almost forgot to step outside my box. . . Have you ever been so enthralled in a book, on a bus or train, that you almost, or did miss your stop? . . "Yes" well that was me. You see, Oliver starts nursery tomorrow and I've worked hard to bring myself to this point, because I will now have more time to work, and it's now time to step out!

So late last week I took inspiration from my photos and the comment made and decided to create a new design. I didn't want to change the complete look of the bears, rather I decided to incorporate something slightly different and not within the limitations I had set for myself, I threw caution to the wind and designed a new bear from scratch. At times I was unsure if the design combinations I desired would work together and I almost did not complete her, but I'm glad I did.

I am delighted how Flower turned out, my bears are usually more cub/baby like with chunky proportions inspired by the classic and traditional teds. I designed Flower to have a slightly more prominent muzzle and her body and limbs are also slender and longer. I don't actually think you can see these differences in her proportions from the photographs, but I assure you she is a step out from the box from the usual bears, but she is still in keeping with my style. In the design process I also set her arms lower and give her a neck line (something which was once a trait in my work), I've thoroughly enjoyed working on the new design and will develop her further in the future, but while making Flower I also had another trigger moment, which I am now working on.

All in all, I love being enthralled in my work, there is nothing more rewarding than doing something you love, but once in a while it's important to put that focus aside and step out the box, because those trigger moments are special and can lead from one thing to another.

Taking a leap

2010-08-29T00:55:00.003+01:00

So the other day I was feeling a little bit cheesed off, a little bit up set and well just all round fed up. I easily overcome most isolated little incidents with a laugh or a shrug of the shoulders or quite frankly I just won't give a damn! This should not be misunderstood, because I am the first to acknowledge my highly emotional personality, but over the years I have learned and I am still trying to learn to contain myself in most situations. But occasionally when I am not at my best these little random things can accumulate into one big deal!

A few days ago I experienced this accumulation, instinctively my emotions split into two. Apart of me felt rage and the other was sadness. I really don't like the rage or temper side of me, or in anybody else for the matter. I grew up as a child with that in the family and its self destructive and well just darn right horrible. So the vulnerable side of my emotions took over. Usually I will wallow for a while and snap out of it, but the more I tried to ignore it the more my hurt turned to a distraction.

In times like this I need to get these things off my chest, my mum was the best ever at listening, she was never really good with advice, but I could chew her ear off until all was well. Other friends will also listen, but this time I needed someone who would understand my situation and feelings. David tries his best, but he's a man who was brought up with 3 sisters where everything was a big deal and all he wants now is peace!

I pondered for a considerable amount of time, I needed some advice, someone to understand me. I also worried about burdening someone with my problems and concerned that they may not understand at all. But I am so glad I took that leap of faith and asked for help because their advice was second to none, and my belief in genuine human kindness and sincerity was completely restored. Within a few hours I was back to normal and those hurtful feels where restored to "I don't frankly give a damn!"

I also needed to put myself at ease by restoring my frame of mind back into a place of no distraction and away from people who willingly play hurtful games. I found great comfort in reading some of the blogs that I follow. It's been such a long time since I caught up and there is so much advice out there in those posts, or not so much advice but thoughts and feelings which I can associate too. If I had been keeping up with some of these blogs I probably wouldn't have found myself in the position I did. I've also realised I don't use my blog for the way in which I intended and it deserves some more of my time . . . . So that's exactly what I am going to try to do.

All in all my week turned out good and I discovered that's just sometimes it is really good to take that leap!

Random!

2010-08-26T22:56:00.005+01:00

Here are few silly random things about me!

1. I saw a mouse in the garage, now every time I go in there I "meow" like a cat

2. My favourite teacher in Art college was Selwyn, he was a grey haired guy, unique and quirky, he wore a leather waste coat and rode a huge motor bike, every Friday he would stop off at the florist to buy his wife flowers, I always admired him for that and thought he must really love his wife.

3. So at 17 I dreamed I would one day marry a man who brought flowers home.

4. One of my favourite memories at 25 was dancing in the street with David,

as if we did not have a care in the world.

5. At 35 I know I will never marry a man who will bring me flowers home on a Friday,
but that's OK because I love David anyway!

I'm so tired I could sleep on a brick!

2010-08-21T02:59:00.000+01:00

Seriously I am so tired it is now 2.45am and I feel shattered, my body feels like it could fall to sleep on a brick, but my brain is awake!

I've tried laying in bed, but to no avail. I just can't seem to rest or switch off, but it doesn't help when our 3 year old is still sleeping with us, there is just not enough room in bed for all of us. Not enough room for me to spread out and relax. I don't remember if we had the same every night problem with Patrick and I am very unsure how to angle this sleeping situation with Oliver. I don't want to send him to bed in tears and heart broken. On the one hand I need my own bed, however to achieve this I will upset Oliver and probably be awake all night comforting him, plus I also know he is not ready to leave our security yet, thus I end up with even less sleep. I've always tried to encourage the kids to achieve something, anything by themselves, by allowing them to make their own decisions and when they are ready to make those decisions, but Oliver just does not want to even give sleeping in his own bed a try . . . .Any answers, any suggestions here?? Maybe it will end in a case of tough love . . .mmmm I doubt that very much! . . . But all I know right now is, I seriously need some sleep.

An Autumn inspired website

2010-08-20T20:40:00.002+01:00

When I made Posy and Saffron the bears below, their colours inspired me and with Autumn on the brink I thought it was time for a new website colour scheme. I decided not to change the layout because I am happy with that, but I have updated the gallery, contact me & ordering and about me pages, there is also a photo of me and the bears on my about me page, this is a relatively new photo, but it does now seem outdated because I had my hair cut and restyled yesterday!!! "Oh well"

I build my website in photoshop using layers, I created the lined background with individual coloured lines, it does take a while but it does create a nice simple look using lots of colour without it all being too overpowering. I am also pleased with the colour combinations I used, and to help in selecting some of the colours I found this website helpful, I've used it many times in the past so it does come in handy from time to time. . . . . . I hope you like the look and colours of my website and yes I've also updated my blog to match (yet again!)

Smile.

2010-08-18T18:03:00.006+01:00

I found this blog and loved the happy soulful attitude there and decided to write a blog smile list of my own! . . .So here goes, 10 random things that make me smile!

My children's laughter, love and enthusiasm.
David, my partner in life and his all will come good attitude in life.
The smell of fish & chips, salt & vinegar on the sea breeze.
They are hard to find, but good people with a good heart.
The smell of clean laundry wafting through the house.
Apple crumble and custard, now that does make me smile!
Creating something from my hand for the joy of others.
Photographs filled with memories.
The colour pink
When all are asleep and the house is silent but me.

Yeah New Bears!

2010-08-16T15:08:00.003+01:00

As you can guess from my last blog update I have been busy with the kids during the rainy summer holidays so my new available bear updates have been on the slow side as of late! However if you follow me on facebook you will also know that I have been working on a new design and today I am pleased to introduce Posy and Saffron, they are both 9" tall, which is really small compared to my usual creations and designs!

But before I introduce Posy and Saffron I must also tell you about some other bear related news! I have decided to attend the

North West Doll & Teddy Bear fair
at Rivington Barn, Bolton, 23rd October 2010.

As I am not a great traveller this is a perfect venue for me, it is close to my home town and Rivington is a beautiful location, as a child we spent endless hours walking and playing in the Chinese inspired gardens there, if you live local or you don't mind to travel please come along and meet the bears.

Over the next weeks/months I will be busy working on a small selection of bears created specially for the fair, but I will try to add a new available bear or two to my website during this time.

And finally please meet Posy and Saffron.

"Posy"

"Saffron"

These two little girls are approximately 9" tall and wear hand made, hand felted hats in cream, burnt orange, rust and saffron colours.
Posy and Saffron have been adopted - Thank You!

A little update on happenings.

2010-08-11T12:23:00.000+01:00

The summer always seems like a busy time. The kids are home on summer holiday and my time is juggled between trying to keep organisation while children play, come and go, mess up, fall out and generally kids being just kids. In the mix of things I try to keep a tidy home, which is an impossible task with toy boxes being tipped out and the bear making is still very much on the go!!

During the past few weeks I managed to complete 3 more bears for A Bear Place in Singapore. The bears are 11" tall and made from alpaca and all have handmade, hand felted accessories.

Kalina

Calantha

Eliza

And Birthday Celebrations . . .This past weekend we celebrated Oliver's 3rd birthday, it doesn't seem that long ago when we brought him home from the hospital. For his birthday we decided to take a trip to the zoo which also has a dinosaur land, "A perfect place" for an enthused dinosaur fanatic like Oliver!

We had a fabulous time at the zoo, seeing all the animals, although when we came across the gorillas I did feel a little sad with the realisation that none of these beautiful and magnificent animals belonged in captivity for our pleasure! But in some instances we must consider the conservation of animals and the work the zoos do towards this.

After our long trip to the zoo we took the kids to the beach, they had a fabulous time diving into the waves and well just running, laughing and playing as kids should be!

The last 3 years has raced by. This September Oliver starts nursery and yes I will be terribly sad to be apart from him, he is still so little and young but at the same time he needs to be in nursery to discover a little of his own independence. I will also have more time to work on the bears, but I still don't really want to see him go!

And on the New Bear Front? I have recently been working on a new design hopefully I will have him completed and ready for availability soon. Aside of family life nothing gives me greater pleasure than working on the bears and over the coming few months I will be busy preparing for a teddy bear fair in late October, but I will give you a little more information on that very soon ;-)

Don't You Dare!!!

2010-07-11T23:25:00.010+01:00

We have a family pet called Rosie,

She is as lovely as can be,
But she is as daft as a brush,
but we love her as much as can be!

This evening, David and the kids took our dog, Rosie for walk.
She is a beautiful looking dog,
With rust coloured fur and beautiful blond curls to her chest.
But where there is water there sure is a mess!
David called dont "You Dare"
And there she Dared!

"No don't you Dare" called David and the kids!

Oh but come on it sure is hot!

I cant resist called Rosie the Dog
And there she sat daring to dare.
With a sudden leap, she leaped to her fate!

And there she was covered in (Sh@*!) a mess!
Oh No Rosie who is the fool?
For you it is bath time again I am afraid! Called David, the Dad

Ooops and maybe she thought "I shouldnt have dared"

but "hey it sure was fun" she grinned,as she leaped from the Sh@*!

Needless to say Rosie was a very sad dog, as she came home from her walk
to discover a bubble bath!

Nancy

2010-07-11T13:05:00.007+01:00

I can not begin to explain how much I am thoroughly enjoying creating my new teddy bear characters and apart of this enjoyment comes from their evolution as they come to life in my hands!

Today I am delighted to introduce a new creation "Nancy" Her name comes from a remark Patrick (our eldest) said when I asked him did he like her. He said yes and suggested that she reminded him of a character from Oliver Twist and I must agree, she does have that feel to her so I have decided to name her "Nancy"

The hand felted accessories and clothes which I am also designing and making are also playing a significant part in the fulfillment I feel in the bears.

I made Nancy a hat and matching bag using a combination of purple wools and then made individual felted flowers and leaves to decorate. I love her hat and think the accessories complete her charming character!!!!

I added bead detailing to the flowers and leaves.

Nancy has been adopted - Thank you.

Poppet

2010-07-05T16:11:00.003+01:00

I have just added Poppet to my website. I am utterly delighted with her endearing and flamboyant charm, which I have created using bespoke hand felted accessories.

Poppet has now been adopted - Thank you!

If you would like to see more photographs or to view her full details then please do stop by and visit her on my website!

The boys!

2010-06-19T18:01:00.003+01:00

I have just updated my website with two boy brother bears, Millo and Murphy.
With these guys I created two bear brothers who are similar in most ways, just like my own two boys Patrick and Oliver, but both have something slightly different making them the wonderful personalities they are! And I think a little of that is captured with Millo and Murphy.

Murphy

Millo

A little bit of sunshine!

2010-06-03T20:33:00.003+01:00

I have just added these two guys, Copper and Twiggle to my website and I think you may agree that sure so bring a little bit of sunshine with them!

When I put these two completely different types of mohair's next to each other I instantly decided I wanted to create two bears with two different characters, but with some sort of connection to each other.

The fabrics I made for these two guys are felted using a combination of wool colours. For Coppers clothing I used warm brown tones and for Twiggle's clothing I used a combination of oranges and a dark drown.

I am really pleased with how they turned out, although I never thought ahead on how difficult they would be to photograph, but I do think they bring a little bit of sunshine fun!

Just loving it!

2010-05-28T10:48:00.009+01:00

I have been extremely fortunate to have had extra special time to work on the bears recently and I've loved every minute of it.

I am also thoroughly enjoying making the new bears and felted accessories. And who would believe that from this fluff pile of wool rovings beautiful garments and accessories could be made for the bears.

Wool Rovings

wools mixed together ready to make accessories

The wools are not beautiful at this early point of felting!

But here on Sarah you can see the finished result. From the wools I can design something different, unique and bespoke to each bear character I create.

And here on Alice you can see from her bespoke neck
accessory a different colour combination

And just one more on Flora.

Flora

2010-05-24T18:10:00.004+01:00

I've just added Flora to my website, she is made from the most fabulous champagne coloured Schulte faux fur, which was a joy to work with, but took forever to scissor sculpt!

I have also given Flora a hand felted neck accessory which is made from a combination of coloured felted wools.

Flora is approximately sixteen inches tall and her full information and photographs can be found on my website www.beartreasures.com

Please welcome Charlaine

2010-05-17T14:41:00.003+01:00

I struggled over the previous week to finish this bear, but all difficulties are now over come and I am delighted to introduce "Charlaine" When I started with the early stages of her cutting out i instinctively knew that her pink mohair with a darker undertone would work perfectly with a blend of browns and I am thrilled that Charlaine came together in the way that she did.

Charlaine wears a hand knitted hat and a shawl that I made from my own felted fabrics and then added flower details, I think it suits her personality too!

Charlaine has been adopted - Thank you!

Melissa

2010-05-09T15:17:00.002+01:00

I would like you to meet Melissa a beautiful 11" gray tipped alpaca bear.
I absolutely love her fur, although I knew it would make a beautiful bear I have been holding onto it for sometime as I simply did not want to cut into it, but I think she was certainly worth it.

I have given Melissa a collar using some of my own hand made, hand felted fabric and added flower details, with a little embroidery and seed beads.This little collar took me such a long time to make, but I think it was worth that time because it complements Melissa's little personality.

Melissa is available on my website if you would like to take a look at her full details.

And a website update too!

2010-05-03T12:34:00.007+01:00

Well haven't I been a busy bumble bee this week!!!

I must admit that David has been a great help this weekend with the kids and all the domestic stuff that goes with a household. In turn my time has been completely freed up and I have thoroughly enjoyed quality uninterrupted working time on the bears.

So today I am delighted to introduce my latest creation "Olive"
her full details and photos can be found on my website

Olive has been adopted - Thank you x x x

Bella, Cleo and Beatrice.

2010-04-29T16:48:00.004+01:00

I've been very busy recently with the bears and I promise very soon I will have a website update with a new bear or two. For now I will leave you with Bella, Cleo and Beatrice, these three girls are all their way to "A Bear Place" in Singapore.

A Bear Place

2010-03-12T17:02:00.003Z

I have been busy busy busy recently working on some very special bears who are destined for a new shop called "A Bear Place" in Singapore due to open 10th April 2010. I feel so privileged and honoured to have been asked to commission some bears for the shop, and my answer was an immediate yes. Not only is the owner of the shop a lovely lady but she has a huge heart for all things teddy bear. I am utterly delighted to have a few of my bears for sale in her shop although I have been approached by several shops in the the past this is also the first time I have actually dealt with a shop and I am completely thrilled by this opportunity.

Here are the bears who are now on their way to "A Bear Place" in Singapore.

Stephanie 10"

Louisa May 10"

Ellison 16"

A Bear Place opens 10th April 2010 and is located at

Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #02-24/25

Singapore, 059817

a website is also planned, but you can also follow news from A Bear Place by becoming a fan on Facebook click here to visit

Lots of love
Melanie Jayne

Facebook and Twitter

2010-03-05T13:58:00.007Z

I enjoy using Facebook, its a great connection tool for everyone, I can talk with friends catch up with my fellow artists, even meet new artists from all kinds of creative media's and there is so much more which I enjoy. So I have now extended my Bear Treasures Facebook page to Twitter so if you prefer one or the other we now have both available, please do check us out on Facebook or Twitter, and to make it even easier you can use the links to the right for easy access. Now I must also admit that I have not got a clue how to use twitter, I have joined, un-joined and joined again more times than I care to think about, the only reason I originally joined was because Phillip Schofield from This Morning tweets and I've had a crush on him since I was a young child when he presented childrens TV in the broom cupboard, so please forgive my lack of experience with twitter, I think it is best I simply link up my facebook fan page to it.

Hope to see you there!