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Celia Baham offers full restoration and conservation services for heirloom-quality (or simply over-loved) bears and stuffed animals. Using vintage materials and proprietary techniques, Celia can produce museum-quality, fully reversible restoration that can restore the value of your collectibles.
This dog was given a new life for the third generation. The original owner wanted it restored to its original look.
The repairs began then a replica skin covering. This way the original was not compromised and all they have to do is take the skin off. The dog was hairless not one strand of mohair on it. I found it in the Stieff history book and hand stitched the skin over the dog and hand dyed it to match the original look. When the gentlemen came back to pick it up he looked at it and his eyes teared up. I asked him if he was diappointed and he said NO absolutely NOT.
"It brought up the vision and feelings in my heart of the first time I got it from my Mom," he said. He was very happy. "I will have trouble giving it to his niece."
And I had trouble giving it back to him after I repaired it.
Celia restored the Teddy Bear that belonged to "Little Rascal" Darla from the Our Gang comedies.
Before
After Celia's loving touch.
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In a small home in big Silicon Valley (San Jose, California) lives Celia Baham and her husband, Steve. Their home has vignettes in practically every corner of every room, with her own creations and the many bears she has collected over the past twenty-five years.
Celia divides her time between serving others and making her own designs. She has been a regular worker and an oil painter; had a stained glass business; sold dolls; and run an export business. It is evident that Celia enjoys being around people. She enjoys sharing her craft with others, especially young children. She takes a sample of her bear collection to elementary schools to show and discuss how they are made.
Currently, Celia is finding fame as a bear restoration artist. Using her own proprietary techniques, as well as, vintage methods, Celia lovingly and painstakingly restores worn antique stuffed toys, adding to their value and protecting them for years to come. Celia is constantly searching for real vintage materials and furs. When newer materials must be used, it gives her an opportunity to hone her "aging" techniques. She is, therefore, able to offer unsurpassed quality in stuffed toy restoration.
Celia has designed many bear patterns for Teddy Bear Review and Soft Cloth Dolls & Animals; has designed bears for L.L. Knickerbocker and Little World of Miniatures; and has designed her own line as well. On cable television, she has demonstrated how to make a bear and has traveled extensively throughout the United States, England and Canada, teaching the craft to others. For the past few years, she has been a regular workshop teacher at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina.
She has several pieces on exhibit in the Teddy Bear Museum in Naples, Florida, and in Tokyo, Japan. Her first book, Costumed Teddy Bears; 14 Bears in Body Suits, contains fourteen of her most innovative Teddy Bear designs.
Over the past two decades of her career in bear artistry, she has won well over one hundred awards and ribbons. She has been a judge several times for the Teddy Bear & Friends Toby Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Golden Teddy Award, winning once. Other honors include the International Doll Exchange “Most Popular Bear” and numerous regional First Place and Best of Show awards.
Celia’s bears have been photographed by well-known photographer Ron Kimball and appear frequently on calendars, bookmarks, puzzles and even a teachers’ poster. Her inspirations are books, greeting cards and life itself! She has donated bears to many charitable organizations including cancer research, Kobe, Japan, children’s relief, Good Bears of the World and the Ronald McDonald House.
Now a grandmother, you can be sure Celia’s grandchildren will never be without a special furry friend!
Celia Baham
Celia's Teddies
1562 San Joaquin Ave
San Jose, CA 95118
Tel. 408 266-8129
Email: Celiasteds@aol.com
Email Celia for a quote or more information.
Permission granted to publish this article from webmaster and author Jeff Baham
Professional Member Since October 2006
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3428 Hillvale Road 
