It was roughly twenty years ago when Ann bought a miniature bear making kit which she actually believed she would not complete.

"It looked so fiddly but after a day of frustration, I created an acceptable mini bear."

Her real "trouble" was that she also caught a creative "bug" and wanted to improve on her creation.

She studied every mini bear she could find and drew pattern after pattern, in search of improvements to the design and something that would make them uniquely hers.

Some redesigns worked; some didn't. But she pressed on (and still does) striving to improve with each bear or bud she creates.

It wasn't long before she was encouraged by compliments on her creations, and so she began selling the bears on eBay and discovered that many collectors around the world loved them as well.

Each little bear is about
6 centimeters/2.5 inches tall, is one of a kind, taking on their own personalities.

"The face is crucial," she revealed, continuing,

"so I concentrate on what I consider to be their 'take me home' eyes." It seems to get the job done as so many have found their new forever homes.

All are fully jointed and occasionally are dressed or have an added accessory such as a balloon, hat or bow.

Sewn in soft upholstery velvet with matching faux suede paws, all are weighted with steel shot for a lifelike feel.

Now that her children are grown, Ann is able to concentrate on her sewing, making well over one hundred bears in a year.

"I love the world of miniatures and have met some fascinating people because of my bears, especially from foreign countries.

All I can say is thank goodness for Google Translate software!"

Ann Bradley

Bears by Ann

Member since March 2019

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