Teddy Bears

When teddies started .....

2008-09-08T11:12:00.000-07:00

The 1st Teddy Bear was invented and constructed by Rose and Morris Michtom. The Michtoms were impressed by Teddy Roosevelt and Clifford Berryman.

It appears that in November 1902, President Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt visited Mississippi to conciliate a border conflict between Louisiana and Mississippi. The President, having a little spare time, went along on a hunting trip. The additional people of the hunting company attached a American black bear cub to a tree for the president to shoot but he declined.

Hearing the story, political cartoonist Clifford Berryman drew a sketch showing Roosevelt declining to shoot the bear.

Upon seeing the cartoon, Brooklyn market keeper Morris Michtom asked his wife, Rose, to make 2 stuffed bears to display in the show window. The excelsior stuffed bears with the black, shoe button eyes acquired national fame. Michtom had an idea to associate the bears fame with Teddy Roosevelt; Michtom wrote the President and requested permission to call his stuffed bears 'Teddy Bears'. President Roosevelt concurred and the first Teddy Bear was given birth.

Morris Michtom called his shop The Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, and started the first Teddy Bear manufactory in the United States. In the same year the Steiff firm in Germany, began making it's adaptation of the jointed bear, on it's own. This firm, managed by Margarete Steiff, has been making toys since 1880.

Margarete's nephew, Richard Steiff, after seeing acting bears at a touring circus, had an idea to make a toy bear that stood erect. Richard was a adept artist and after visiting a nearby zoological garden to make cartoons of the bears, configured the first articulated bear. The bear was 2 feet high and, because of the jointed arms and legs, was able to stand erect or on all 4 legs just as an actual bear can[2].

The Teddy Bear is the most popular stuffed toy. Other playthings may come and go but the Teddy Bear is more than 100 years old and has stood the trial of time. Teddy Bears are employed daily for assorted reasons. Pink and/or blue Teddy Bears are joined to baby shower gifts; and they are imparted as presents for newborn babies. Teddy Bears donning cap and robe are given to high school alumnae. We decorate our bridecakes with Teddy Bears attired as the bride and groom and a hospitalised acquaintance may get a grinning Teddy Bear dressed in a nurses costume and hat.

Teddy Bears are particularly in demand during the holidays. Santa Bears and Snow Bears abound at Christmastide. Teddy Bears are available for every holiday or festivity, and almost everybody has named the Teddy Bear a buddy at one time or other.

When we were kids the delicate, cuddlesome Teddy Bear was a ceaseless comrade who got us through numerous scarey nighttimes and accompanied us everyplace. We cherished them as if they were a part of the family, feeding, dressing and even washing them when they got grimy. A dearest buddy our Teddy Bear was forever nearby.

The Teddy Bear, A Master Of Disguise

2008-07-03T04:30:00.000-07:00

While teddy bears come with their own furry coat, some of them prefer to dress in different costumes to show off the many facets of their personalities. They are available for adoption in stores, gift shops and on internet sites.

One of the best disguised teddy bear is Turkey Day Teddy. He can be found at:
http://www.auntbonniesgiftbaskets.com/bearholiday.htm. Other teddy bears on this site with disguises of their own are, Happy Birthday Bear, Angel Bear, Santa Bear Teddy, Halloween Witch Bear, Halloween Pumpkin Bear, 4th of July Teddy, Easter Bunny Teddy, St. Patty's Bear, St. Valentines Bear, and New Year's Teddy. Each of these wonderful bears sell for $21.95.

A site offering a vast array of teddy bears in disguise, is: http://www.vtone.com/teddybearsholiday.htm. They have Biker Bears, a Patriot Collection, and a Military Collection, to name a few. The site also offers holiday teddy bears and is a great place for those who love dressed teddy bears.

A great site with bears dressed in costume for the holidays would be: http://abgb.stores.yahoo.net/holtedbear.html. Hope, is a bear dressed in a pilgrim outfit, her counterpart, Jacob, is also a 12" bear dressed in pilgrim costume. Valentine teddy bear, arrives carrying a bracelet asking, ' Will You Be Mine?' His costume says, 'I Love You. Cupid bear, is a great choice to send your significant other. Other bears available are, Mr. & Mrs. Clause, Irish Bears, Bears in bunny disguises for Easter, a Graduation bear and a birthday bear in a clown outfit.

For a wonderful experience visit, http://shop.vermontteddybear.com/. There you will find many wonderful dressed bears for your adoption approval.

At, http://plushteddybears.com/product.php/bpb/75220.html, you will find many dressed bears from famous teddy bear makers.

Send a dressed bear for any occasion at, www.giftsbearsetc.com. This site offers many unique gift baskets that include teddy bears.

The site, www.offerasmile.com, offers various specialty teddy bears for sale. If, after seeing the bears on this site, you still can't find that special bear, you can make costumes and disguises for any bear with sewing, knitting and crocheting patterns. These sites are plentiful on the internet.

You may want to choose a bear of distinction and dress them yourself. Whether you choose to make the costumes yourself or purchase what your bear will wear, you might want to check out these sites.

www.buildabear.com is an excellent site to choose a bear and dress it as you like right down to the shoes. Go to the site to find the nearest Build-A-Bear Workshop near you.

At, www.tbears.de, you will find the most unique one of a kind, and limited edition bears I have ever seen. This teddy bear artist spends hours on each bear's face to give them a real personality. This site is a must for teddy bear enthusiasts. Hurry, these teddies sell like hotcakes.

There are some pretty unique bears on, www.designsbyterri.com. These are miniature teddy bears and one of them, Domino, comes with his own die cast pedal car.

Whether you decide to buy an already dressed teddy or do it yourself, I'm sure you will find the perfect teddy bear at one, or more, of these sites.

Teddy Bear Tales

2008-01-15T02:01:00.000-08:00

Stories featuring teddy bears performing like a human and having great adventures, have been written about some pretty amazing bears. The first teddy bear that comes to mind is, of course, Winnie The Pooh.

Alan Alexander Milne, wrote mostly plays and novels. However, his most popular works are his Pooh stories. You can find excerpts from a few of his well known stories at: http://www.just-pooh.com/stories.html.

Another teddy bear, that is quite famous in his own right, goes by the name of Paddington bear. Christmas Eve, 1956, author Michael Bond, saw a small, toy bear on a shelf in a London store. He felt sorry for it, bought it, and took it home as a gift for his wife. He named the toy bear Paddington because they lived near Paddington Station. He wrote a few stories about the bear for fun; at the end of 10 days he had a book on his hands. He has since written several books about Paddington Bear. You are able to purchase 7 episodes of the BBC series, featuring Paddington Bear, on this site: http://www.sendit.com/video/item/7000000078397.

Of course there are other, less popular, bears with a story or two about them. At, http://members.aol.com/AnglWhisps/bears.html, you will find A Teddy Bear Story. This is more a poem than a story, but it does bear looking into.

Go to: http://www.beartime.com/, and you will find fantastic stories about teddy bears, as well as, other teddy bear related activities.

Visit: www.theodoreroosevelt.org/kidscorner/trteddy.htm, if you really want to know where teddy bears came from. There you will find the true story of how the teddy bear began, and the role President Theodore Roosevelt played in the birth of the stuffed animal.

On Theodore and Tilly Bear's Fun-site, :http://j4tb.com/funsite/index.htm, you will find lots of teddy bear stories, poems, and games to play.

The adventures of Chocolate the teddy bear can be found at:
http://skyscraper.fortunecity.com/cray/695/story.html.

Chocolate The Naughty Teddy, Chocolate's Trip, A New Friend For Chocolate, and Chocolate And Cake Don't Mix, are all stories about a teddy bear who seems to always get into mischief. Care Bears are teddy bears that began as an animation. These cute little bears have seen their share of adventure. Care Bear videos and books are available for purchase.

Yogi Bear, that pi-in-ic basket stealing bear from Jellystone Park, Has been a teddy bear. Created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera in the late 1950's Yogi began his life in automation. His best friend and sidekick, Boo-Boo has also been a teddy bear.

Rupert is a bear who started out at the business end of the pen, of artist, Mary Toutel, in 1920 and still appears as a comic strip in The Daily Express. He has also been a teddy bear and stars in his own series on PBS channels. I'm sure if you do some research on Teddy Bear Tales, you will be able to find many sources. From web-sites and books, to animation. The teddy bear, and bears in general, are very popular subjects.

Teddy Bear Songs And Poems

2008-01-02T04:54:00.000-08:00

Even though the teddy bear is over 100 years old, it is still one of the most popular toys with children of all ages.

Teddy bears are often the constant companion of small children. The stuffed bear inspires courage in the dark, friendship when we are lonely, and comfort when we aren't feeling well.

The cute, cuddly, stuffed bears have been known to bring out warm feelings in even the toughest of men. We have been inspired by the teddy bear to the point of writing songs and poetry about them.

One poem entitled, 'Egbert and Me', concerns a bear that wakes in the night and sits on the window sill to watch over a child. When pirates break in during the night, the bear quietly fights them off with a sword, and when the one-eyed bogey-man breaks silently through the wall; Egbert scares him off with a fierce look. A wailing ghost comes down the chimney and the teddy bear blows him away with quiet breaths. When the child wakes the bear seems to have lost an ear during the night. When asked about the missing ear Egbert just looks smug and wise.

This poem was written by an anonymous source. This poem shows the comfort a bear can give a child when the night is very scary. Another poem, ' A Boys Verse: To My Teddy', is about a teddy bear that came to live with a child when he was 4 days old, and gave him love without reservation. The boy professes his love still lives for the bear even though they are both 43, and very nearly men.

This poem was also anonymous. The poem tells how we feel about our first, best, friend, even though when we are an adult.

Teddy bear songs are very popular, especially with small children. They love to think of their teddy bears as being like them, a bit more human.

Teddy Bear's Picnic, seems to be the best known song about teddy bears. The author starts by warning the reader not to go into the woods. If they do go into the woods, they should go in disguise; because all the teddy bears will be there having a picnic. Good teddy bears will have plenty of wonderful food to eat, and under the trees they'll play hide and seek. If the reader goes down to the woods today they will be able to see the teddy bears gad about, and when they play they like to shout. The picnic ends when the teddy bear's Mummies and Daddies come for them at 6p.m., and take them home to bed. This was written by John Bratton and Jimmy Kennedy.

Winnie The Pooh sings a few songs of his own. I will include one of them here.

It's a very funny thought
that, if Bears were Bees
They'd build their nests at the bottom of trees
And that being so (if Bees were Bears)
We shouldn't have to climb up all these stairs.

Teddy Bear Patterns And Materials

2007-12-26T04:04:00.000-08:00

Teddy bear artists are responsible for some unique and interesting teddy bears. A number of these artists are willing to share a few patterns with the public. You will find teddy bear patterns, or links to patterns, on the sites below. A number of these patterns are free. You can also purchase kits to make your own bear, not to mention, materials and accessories to make your teddy complete.

You will find teddy bear patterns, kits designed by Chris Cotton, as well as teddy bear making supplies here, Easy and Fun Teddy Bear Patterns.

At, http://www.christiebears.co.uk/acatalog/Patterns.html, you will find pattern packs. Each pack includes, pattern, joint nuts and bolts, and 1 pair of black, glass eyes. You may browse the materials and accessories for bear making. Miniature bear patterns are also available. When you visit, http://www.judilynndesigns.com/Rumbles.html, you can purchase teddy bear patterns with a complete materials list for $10. A great site to find teddy bear patterns, kits and teddy bear making materials is, http://www.admiral-bears.com/. Teddy bear kits are available on, http://www.bearmania.com.au/bearkitn.htm.
This Australian based site offers unique and wonderful bears. Kits to make your own teddy bear include, all materials needed to make the bear, except the stuffing. Also included, are various other articles to make each specific bear. Pattern sizes range from 4" to 24" teddy bears. Links to various sites featuring teddy bears, teddy bear patterns, teddy bear kits and materials to make teddy bears, can be found here, http://www.teddybearsden.com/art-dir/index.html. Would you like to make a knitted teddy bear like the bear seen in Mr. Bean videos? You can do so by visiting,
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/toys/beanbear.htm. Here you will find a pattern and material list for this amusing, big eyed teddy bear.

Needle Felting is a new way to make teddy bears and other soft toys without stitching or stuffing. This is accomplished by poking carded wool fiber many times over with a special, barbed, needle so that it felts together. As you felt the wool you are able to turn and mold it into any shape you desire. The result is a firm toy that is solid wool. You can learn about this technique by visiting, http://www.bearycheap.com/info/felting1.html.

At, http://www.crochetnmore.com/Becky'sLittleBearPattern.htm, You will find a tiny teddy bear pattern designed especially for babies. The finished bear size is 4.5 to 5 inches. This is a crocheted bear. Another crocheted teddy bear pattern can be found at: http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa110897.htm?once=true. If you love miniature teddy bears, you will find an adorable, 3" bear by visiting: http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/tbear.html. If you want to make a pilgrim outfit for your teddy bear, http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa112297.htm, has a great pattern with instructions and materials list. Learn to make a teddy bear at: http://www.fuzzybee.com.au/fuzzbears/make_a_teddybear.htm. Looking for teddy bear and felting supplies? Then, http://www.woodlandteddies.co.uk/, is the place for you.

This site has very unique patterns for teddy bears and stuffed toys. http://www.funkyfriendsfactory.com/?gclid=CITwr5XW3ooCFSM9UAodlFyzcA.

You should find everything you need on the above sites to make your own teddy bear. You may want to try some of the craft sites to see what they have to offer along the line of teddy bear making supplies.

Teddy Bear Museums

2007-12-23T10:15:00.000-08:00

Teddy bears have been around for over 100 years. It is reasonable to assume, in all that time, some of them have been well loved and it is time for them to retire. Since there is no old-folks home for teddy bears they are given to collectors, or a museum to sit comfortably and be admired.

Greenfield Village and the Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, is one of the museums where a teddy bear may live his life in peace. This museum has hundreds of items on exhibit. There are several antique exhibits that include some of the first teddy bears ever made. Be sure and see all of the exhibits, as I recall, the bears are in more than one place.

The Teddy Bear Museum in Naples, Florida, has over 4,000 bears on exhibit. Nearly 40,000 visitors from around the world visit the museum yearly. This 'dream home for teddy bears' has many displays, including, antique and limited edition bears, as well as, bear paintings, sculpture, posters and collectibles. The museum highlights work by some of the worlds most imaginative bear designers working with various materials. The museum sponsors community events throughout the year including, teas, workshops and bear shows.

The puppet, teddy bear and toy museum, located in Germany, provides a history of puppets and toys from 1845. A special rarity is the Stiff Teddy Bear School from 1910.

The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum, located in the UK, is a wonderful place for children and adults who still know what it is like to have fun. With such favorites as Rupert Bear, Winnie The Pooh and even today's TV favorites, are included in a century of teddy bear history. If viewing this exhibit prompts you to adopt a bear of your own, there is a teddy bear shop on nearby Trinity Street. The Northam House Museum of Early Childhood features an antique teddy bear museum and an antique doll museum. There are over 700 antique and vintage teddy bears and more than 200 antique dolls on display at the museum in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Quite a few of our soft, fuzzy friends have been thrown into the trash or destroyed by one thing or another over the years. My own childhood teddy, Cinnamon Bear, was lost on a trip to a relatives when I was young. I have never stopped missing him.

Museums are a great place to visit teddy bears that used to belong to someone else. The attachments we form to our teddy bear goes beyond that of any other toy. He is our hero when the dark, night gets scary, our guest when we need a partner to play a game or join our party, a companion when we are embarking on a very dangerous adventure and a best friend when we are feeling sad or lonely.

I've often heard it said, 'the definition of a friend is, someone who knows all of your faults and loves you anyway'. If that doesn't describe a teddy bear, I don't know what would.

Teddy Bear Collections

2007-12-14T05:19:00.000-08:00

The web site, www.bearhollow.net, belongs to a teddy bear collector. They have adopted, and share their home with quite a few furry friends. They would like to show you where these 'adopted children' make themselves comfortable around the house and grounds.

You will find links to the kitchen, the family room, the library, the office, the bear room, the living room, the dining room, the powder room, the garage, the picnic area, the guest room, the stairway, the lily pond, the sun room, the laundry room, the hallway and two bear hollow rooms. Wow, with a family like that I wonder how much the honey bill is!
The web address, http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/8514/, will lead you to The Beary Blue Bear Nook. A site owned by Trish a woman of 37 who loves collecting bears. She will show you her collection, and offer you links to sites where you can find kits and accessories to make your own teddy bear. She also has links to teddy bear artists, and the World of Miniatures page will link you to miniature artists.

Lorie's Bear Shelf is a site owned by teddy bear collector, Lorie Barnhill, you can get there by going to: http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/greenlawn/994/. Lori will show you her collection of over 200 bears.

Some teddy bear artists sell teddy bear collections. That is to say, they sell certain groups of similar teddy bears they have designed to go together. Others sell unique, one of a kind teddy bears just right for you to start your own collection.

One site, www.designsbyterri.com offers adorable, miniature teddy bears. 23/4 inch-tall Domino is a bent knee bear made from off white and black medium pile non-shiny upholstery velvet. He is cotter pin and disk jointed and is stuffed with polyfil. Domino comes with a reproduction, die cast, taxi pedal car.

A site owned by Elizabeth Mowatt, www.tailoredteddies.com, offers one-of-a-kind, hand sewn teddy bears. Each bear is numbered and signed on the paw by the maker. Each bear has it's own unique accessories. Another great site is, www.tbears.de. Owned by Karin Jehle this site offers bears with their own personality. Karin spends hours creating each bears face. Valdemar, a 13 inch tall teddy bear made from shining white faux fur. His eyes are alive; with upper and lower eye lids. Valdemar wears soft, brown leather trousers.

Karin also makes miniature, crocheted teddy bears. Thomas, a 4 inch crocheted bear and Minty, a 3.3 inch crocheted bear, go together perfectly. They both sport soft leather pants of different colors. Red Fred, is a red crocheted bear, 3 inches tall.

You may begin your collection with regular size, miniature, figurines or giant, stuffed teddy bears. Maybe you want a collection that has a little bit of every-bear in it.
The choice is yours. Remember, the sooner you get started adopting your extended family, the faster you will become an adoptive parent to as many teddy bears as your heart will hold.

There are hundreds of sites offering unique and one of a kind teddy bears and teddy bear collections.

One Of A Kind Teddy Bears And Their Makers

2007-11-30T01:00:00.000-08:00

For those of you who would like to step out of the ordinary, here is an idea. Instead of buying a teddy bear that everyone can get, why not go to a teddy bear artist and get a teddy bear that is unique?

After all, this teddy bear will be your, or your child's, best friend for many years. How often is it, that one can pick just what their best friend will look like?

The web site, www.bearpile.com, provides links to teddy bear artists. This site was founded by Dave Stack and he runs it out of his 1903 Victorian home in Cleveland, Ohio. Teddy bear artist, Emma-Louise Braiden, Sells one of a kind bears, many of which have already been adopted. Some of her available friends are:

Baby Jeremy is made in two different mohair fabrics, and is fully lock-nut jointed so that he can pose in the positions a baby would. He is not overfilled with polyfill so he feels more like a baby. Jeremy also has a heap of stainless steel shot in him to make him more the weight of a baby. When you hold him you will need to support his head, but when he sits he is able to hold his head like a much older child. Baby Jeremy comes with baby booties on his feet and his own toy. A string jointed bunny.

'TATE' is a 12 inch wacky panda created by Jaqui Ellerton from Jac-q-lyn Bears, in the United Kingdom. He is made from black and cream, matted, curly, German, mohair fabrics. His face, inner ears and paw pads are made from, beige, cashmere fabric. TATE is fully jointed and is number 1 in a series of 5. This soft, cuddly, unique teddy bear is up for adoption. Another great site featuring teddy bear artists is, www.teddybearsden.com.

This site has links to the web sites of many talented teddy bear artists. Susan Bartlett is the teddy bear artist, and owner of, www.adorablebears.com. She has been making her unique teddy bears for 12 years.

'LITTLE PREP', is a 9 inch bear stuffed with Australian wool and glass beads for weight. He is made of German 'Kid' Mohair and ultra suede. Little Prep is limited to only one. He is fully lock nut jointed, and his muzzle is a light beige in color to complement his milk chocolate colored fur. This teddy bear wears an oversized key as a necklace and is waiting to be adopted by you.

Truffles is a fully jointed 10 inch bear kit designed by Susan Bartlett. The kit includes a pattern and full instructions, mohair and matching ultra suede paw fabric. All joint requirement, threads and quality glass eyes are included. This kit is ideal for beginner and advanced bear makers.

These bears may cost a bit more than a teddy bear you might buy at a department store. You must remember, teddy bear artists design and make each bear by hand and many of them are one of a kind.

Gund Teddy Bears

2007-11-16T02:42:00.000-08:00

The leading soft toy manufacturer in America, is also the oldest. GUND was founded in 1898, in Norwalk, Connecticut by Adolph Gund. GUND was one of the first companies to design and produce teddy bears in the early 1900's. A young Russian immigrant, Jacob Swedlin, took a modest job at GUND in 1907. Swedlin bought the business in 1925 when Adolph Gund retired. The business was sold to Swedlin for a token sum with the understanding the name would always remain Gund. Jacob passed the company on to his daughter Rita Raiffe and her husband Herbert in 1969.

The Raiffes continued producing high quality, plush toys. Under the direction of Herbert and Rita Raiffe, the company began using its under-stuffing technique, the heart of the worlds most huggable plush. Bruce Raiffe, Herbert and Rita's son, joined Gund in 1977, became President in 1993 and Chairman and Chief CEO in 2004. Jim Madison, the first non-founding GUND member, became President in 2004.

GUND has been responsible for the beginning of many innovations, safety standards and manufacturing processes in the toy industry. Swedlin introduced the concept of industry licensing with cartoon characters like Felix the Cat, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Popeye, among others. Gund was also the first to manufacture a musical toy that was modestly priced. Gund has always been devoted to product safety and set an important industry standard by devising a way to attach eyes securely to stuffed animals, to prevent them from being pulled out and swallowed by small children.

The famous GOTTA GETTA GUND advertising campaign in the earl 80's made the GUND recognized as a leading consumer brand. Today, the company produces an extensive collection of unique characters and licensed plush toys under the GUND and babyGUND brands.

25 YEARS OF SNUFFLES.

In 2006 Gund created the 25th Anniversary snuffles. Snuffles has always been a part of the GUND collection, in various sizes and colors. The 25th Anniversary edition was created in a pale blush, soft, fabric with a white crescent moon on his chest. A faux leather tag declaring that he is a 25th Anniversary edition with the words, "Celebrate Love With Snuffles" makes this a special gift to give and receive. In addition to Snuffles Anniversary edition, this cuddly bear is also available in a traditional color of white with a brown embroidered nose and warm deep brown button eyes in four adorable sizes: 6 1/2", 8", 10" and 13 1/2".

You see the name of GUND on teddy bears everywhere. Gund is the most popular name when it comes to plush, stuffed teddy bears. They have some very unique and interesting teddy bears you will find anywhere. Although you are unable to order teddy bears directly from the factory, their web site will direct you to the nearest store, or site, offering GUND teddy bears for sale

Visit, www.gund.com, to see the many teddy bears, and teddy bear collections they have to offer, and find a GUND distributor near you.

Famous Teddy Bears

2007-11-13T01:58:00.000-08:00

Teddy bears, teddy bears everywhere. Teddy bears are the most popular of all toys. Cute, soft and cuddly, they have a way of comforting us when we are lonely, ill or afraid. Teddy bears listen to our opinions without argument, hear our problems without attempting to solve them, and understand when we need a hug.

Over the past 100 years there have been a few teddy bears that have reached celebrity status. These particular teddy bears have been so popular they are recognized by name.

Winnie The Pooh is right up there when we think of famous teddy bears. He was created by A.A. Milne with much inspiration from his wife Daphne, and his young son, Christopher Robin. The idea of Pooh began with a trip to the zoo where, Christopher Robin Milne, fell in love with a small, black bear. This prompted Milne to write about the adventures of Christopher Robin, his teddy bear pooh, and their friends. Today you will find Pooh everywhere. There are Winnie The Pooh clothes, bedding, animated cartoons, web sites and, of course, the teddy bear himself.

Paddington Bear is quite famous in his own right. Paddington was created by Michael Bond, a British writer who wrote his first book about the bear in 1958. A Bear Called Paddington, was the first in a series of books about Paddington Bear. In 1967 Bond's books became so successful that he was able to quit his job to become a full-time writer. Paddington is the sort of bear with his paws settled firmly on the ground. He has a great sense of right and wrong and tends to get involved in everyday situations, no wild adventures for this bear. He gets involved with human situations, but he could never be human, it simply wouldn't work. Paddington bear has also been depicted as an animated cartoon and has had his countenance made into a huggable teddy bear, but don't hug him too tight, it just wouldn't be right.

Rupert the bear was first introduced as a comic strip in 'The Daily Express', a British newspaper. Rupert was introduced by artist Mary Toutel on November 8, 1920, and he still appears in the same paper today. Mary was forced to stop drawing the cartoon in 1935, because of her failing eyesight. Alfred Bestall took over the job and continued drawing and writing about the adventures of Rupert for 35 years, until his retirement in 1965. Since then, various artists have taken over the task. Christmas, 1936 it was decided that the previous cartoon strips be put together in an Annual, and the tradition began. Rupert is popular with children and has become a star, in his own right, through animation. He is a popular animated cartoon.

It would not be right to end this article without mentioning two other bears of note.

Yogi Bear, introduced by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera in 1957, is a very pesky, yet lovable, cartoon character who has been a teddy bear a time or two. Yogi is famous for his schemes to swindle campers out of their pic-in-ic baskets in Jellystone National park.

Smokey The Bear has been responsible for the prevention of forest fires. He has been teaching adults and children about the dangers of forest fires for over 60 years. Smokey has also been a teddy bear.

Crocheted Teddy Bears

2007-11-12T13:53:00.000-08:00

Crocheted teddy bears are some of the least expensive teddy bears, if you make them yourself. Yarn is relatively cheap compared to other materials when it comes to making teddy bears. Anyone can learn to crochet, patterns can be downloaded free on the internet, add some yarn, a crochet hook, and your ready to make a teddy bear. Over the years parents who found themselves strapped for money at Christmas, Birthdays, or other Holidays, would crochet teddy bears for their children. The teddy bears were a gift the children appreciated and the parents felt better knowing their children had a present on the special holiday. Today the internet is full of web sites offering crochet patterns for teddy bears. Several teddy bear artist include crocheted teddy bears in their offerings.

Since the teddy bear began, teddy bear artists have used their imagination to create teddy bears from cloth, yarn, plaster, plastic, glass, and metal. The crocheted teddy bear can be even more precious to a child when it is created with love.

If you want to make your own crocheted teddy bears, the sites below offer, or have links to sites where you can download patterns.

The web site, http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa032997.htm, has a few crochet patterns to choose from. An adorable pattern for a teddy bear in bunny clothes is available, as well as, a bear angel ornament, Chenile bear and Little Bear. The site has many crochet patterns. Visit, http://www.home.inreach.com/marthac/teddy.html, and you will find crochet patterns for teddy bears and clothes for teddy bears. At the internet site, http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/dolls.htm#bears, you will find teddy bear patterns. The site, http://www.mielkesfarm.com/teddy_pat.htm, has a pattern for an sweet 4", crocheted teddy bear.

Sites offering crochet patterns in general, will usually have a pattern or two for teddy bears. If you are not into crocheting your own bear but would like to have, or give, a crocheted bear. The following websites make and sell crocheted teddy bears.

A teddy bear artist specializing in making crocheted teddy bears has a pair of adorable, soft, cuddly, teddy bears for sale at: http://members.aol.com/iicouchpotatoes/crochetteddybears.html.Professional crocheter, Laurie Jean Karluk, makes and sells croceted clothes for teddy bears at her site, http://www.ljkbears.com/.The site, http://www.aokcorral.com/uniqueteddybear.htm, offers unique crocheted teddy bears, including Holiday teddy bears. Links to sites offering crocheted teddy bears can be found at: http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/teddybears/.

Teddy bears have traditionally been our best friend. The teddy bear protects us from the monster under the bed, comforts us when we aren't feeling well, never tells our secrets, knows all of our faults and loves us anyway, is a constant companion, and a participant in all of our adventures. It is a proven fact that teddy bears given to a sick, hurt, or abused children will help them heal. Perhaps just the act of having a warm friend close chases away a feeling of loneliness or helplessness.

No matter what your teddy bear is made of, the fact is, he may be the best friend you will ever have.

Have you hugged your teddy bear today?

Create Your Own Teddy Bear Best Friend

2007-11-11T05:36:00.000-08:00

Maxine Clark founded Build-A-Bear Workshops Inc. in 1997 and has served on the board of directors when the company was incorporated in 2000. By the end of 2006 There were nearly 300 Build A Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company owned stores in the US, United Kingdom and Canada and franchised stores in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Friends 2B Made, (r) a store designed for kids (especially girls). Clark launched this new addition to retail entertainment in 2004.

A few of the awards bestowed upon Build A Bear Workshop and Maxine Clark:

An induction into the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame for Clark in 2006. In 2005 Build A Bear Workshop was named Workshop Portfolio Company of the Year. Build A Bear Workshop was named one of the "Hottest Retailers in 2004, and the retail innovator of the year for 2001.

The list goes on but I think we get the big picture. Build A Bear Workshops are tops when it comes to a creative way to build the very best friend you may ever have. After all, the definition of a best friend is someone who does not hold your shortcomings against you, listens to your problems without giving advise unless it is asked for, and is there to comfort you when you are feeling sad, sick or hurt.

You can go to: www.buildabear.com to find the Build A Bear Workshop near you. Prices for stuffed animals start at $10 and go up. Clothing and accessories are purchased separately. You can choose from many themes to dress your Teddy Bear. The website has slumber party where you can find pajamas and slippers in several styles. There are also accessories available, such as, sleeping bags which comes with a carrying case. A rock and roll theme includes t-shirts, blue jeans, billed hats, sun glasses, guitars, walkmans, cell-phones and more. The Harley Davidson theme includes faux leather jackets and chaps, boots, bandanas and even a motorcycle so your best friend can ride with the pack. All of your favorites from the Wizard of Oz are ready to come to life, including Toto and his basket. These are but a few of the themes to be found at www.buildabear.com.

Each Teddy Bear and stuffed animal has a heart and virtual wishes inside, personalized birth certificate, Lifetime Paw Pass, Find A Bear tag inside and comes in a Cub Condo carrying case. Different sounds can be added to the inside of each stuffed animal purchased, depending on what you want.

You can also build a teddy bear or stuffed animal for any special occasion. You may even want to build as a gift for that special loved one or as a thank you to that Fourth of July barbeque. When you think of Teddy Bears, think about building your own at one of the Build A Bear Workshops near you. After all it isn't every day you can create your own best friend right down to the shoes.

Children, Teddy Bears And The Connection

2007-11-10T00:12:00.000-08:00

Children are innocent and free of blame. That is why it hurts adults when they are sick, hurt or afraid. We feel better when we are able to soothe them and make the bad go away. There are times when even our devout love can do nothing to help the pain and heartache a child may be feeling. When a child must undergo tests or an operation at the hospital. Parents are not allowed to be with the child while these necessary procedures are being performed. The child will often feel afraid, alone and abandoned.

It has been proven time, and again, the act of giving the child a teddy bear to hold and cuddle takes a good measure of these feelings away. There are several groups who give teddy bears to hospitals so they can be given to sick and frightened children.

Good Bears of the World is a non-profit organization which gives teddy bears to children of all ages, when love, and comfort will make a difference. Last year Good Bears of the world gave out 20,000 teddy bears to victims of tornados, floods, hurricanes, and domestic violence. The bears were also given to many sick, underprivileged, and injured children. This list also includes lonely senior citizens. The teddy bears are given to policemen, firemen, psychologists, emergency workers, and grief counselors who have discovered the healing power the bears have on victims of trauma. Good bears is responsible for giving bears to the survivors of 9-11, the Oklahoma bombing, and the crash of TWA flight 800. If you would like to contribute to Good Bears of the World, the address is:

Good Bears of the World
P.O. Box 13097
Toledo, OH 43613

The Vermont Teddy Bear Company has a Big Hero, Little Hero program. The mission of this program: To make sure every child has a Teddy Bear to hug when he or she needs one the most. The Vermont Teddy bear company and donations make it possible to donate teddy bears to police departments, fire houses and rescue personnel so they may distribute them to children in need. The bears are 13 inch and for every specially designed teddy bear bought through VTBC, 2 bears will be given to help a child. You may contact them at: www.vermontteddybear.com.

Other organizations have given teddy bears to children.

The Thorndike Press, located just down the road from Inland Hospital in Maine, donated 600 teddy bears to the hospital. These bears will be given to children who are sick, hurt, or frightened. The company pulled together holding a silent auction, bake sales, and hosting a drawing, among other activities. The proceeds were used to buy the teddy bears. Although Thorndike Press gives a charitable donation every year, it was decided to give the bears to Inland because of the sister of an employee. The child was in the hospital and given a bear to hold before having a treatment. Afterward the unconscious child was still clutching the bear tightly.

The next time you think about giving, think about the teddy bear and how far he can go to help a child in need of comfort.

All About The Teddy Bear

2007-11-08T00:54:00.000-08:00

In 1902 when President Theodore Roosevelt was in Mississippi to settle a border dispute between Louisiana and Mississippi. While there he went on a hunting trip. Members of the hunting party tied a small, black bear cub to a tree for him to shoot. Seeing how helpless the small bear was he refused.

The next day cartoonist, Clifford Berryman, drew a cartoon depicting Roosevelt refusing to shoot the bear. This prompted shopkeeper, Morris Michtom, asked his wife, Rose, to make a teddy bear to place in his shop window. Morris Michtom contacted the President asking his permission to name the stuffed bear, Teddy. The president agreed and the Teddy Bear was born.

At the same time in Germany, a company owned by Margarete Steiff, was beginning to manufacture a stuffed bear of it's own. These were the first time stuffed bears were introduced to the world.

From there the popularity of the teddy bear grew. Today almost all children have had a teddy bear at one time or another. Today you will find toy manufacturers, teddy bear artists, and stores selling teddy bears of all shapes and sizes. Gund(r) is a leading manufacturer of soft toys, and is in the same league as The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory when it comes to quality. You can check them out at: www.gund.com, and www.vermontteddybear.com.

Quite a few teddy bear artists have sites on the internet where you can view their teddy bears online.

The teddy bears on, www.tbears.de, are the some of the most expressive, unique teddy bears you will find anywhere. The Lovable Fellows are one-of-a-kind or limited editions. Hours are spent creating each bears face. This gives each bear his own personality traits. If you want to adopt one of these Lovable Fellows you should check them out quickly. Most of the teddy bears on this site have already been adopted. When you visit, www.theoriginalpakabear.com, you will find unique, one of a kind teddy bears made of Alpaca. These bears come in many different colors and some of them are multi-colored.

The site, www.settlerbears.com.au, features one of a kind bears inspired by the island of Australia.

The web site, www.designsbyterri.com, is a fantastic place to find miniature teddy bears. Domino, is a 2 3/4" tall bent knee bear of black and white, made of upholstery velvet. This tiny teddy comes with his own die cast, taxi pedal car.

On the site, www.tailoredteddies.com, you will find many one of a kind teddies. This site has many fantastic bears. You really don't want to pass this one by. If you have been thinking about starting a teddy bear collection, you should visit: www.bearhollow.net. This teddy bear collector has opened her home to many adopted teddy bears. Teddy bears reside in every room of the house and some outdoor ports as well. There are also rooms dedicated to bears only. The history of the teddy bear is wonderful and heartwarming. To think of how many thousands of teddy bears have been loved and held by children who considered them a best friend, confidant, protector, and constant companion, it is no wonder they are still the most popular soft toy today.

A Teddy Bear's Life

2007-11-07T01:21:00.000-08:00

The teddy bear has been in existence for over 100 years. In that time he has had books written about him. The adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a series of books written by A.A. Milne, about an adventurous teddy bear. Pooh, and his friends, Christopher Robin, Rabbit, Tigger, Owl, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo, have great adventures in the hundred acre wood.

Paddington Bear's creator, Michael Bond, has written several books about the teddy bear who comes from darkest Peru, and now resides with the brown family at 32 Windsor Gardens. Paddington is a teddy bear with both paws planted on the ground. He has strong feelings on what is right and what is wrong, and hates bureaucratic red tape. He doesn't look kindly on the sillier rules human beings surround themselves with. About his daily life Paddington says, "Things happen to me. I'm that sort of bear." Paddington may conduct himself in a human way, but he could never be human. As he is fond of saying, "It just wouldn't work."

The Care Bears Have had books written about them. Care bears are teddy bears. Each one has a message and a lesson to teach us about how we should conduct our lives. Each Care Bear has a personal motif on their tummies and a personal motto they dedicate their lives to.

Rupert, that mischievous bear who got his start as a comic strip in a London newspaper(and still appears there), has had books about him called Annuals, put together yearly, of the comic strips appearing in the paper the entire year. This has been going on for a good 50 plus years.

As far as poems go, Pooh and The Care Bears have had poetry written about them. I'm not sure about Paddington Bear and Rupert, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised.

Not only have the teddy bears mentioned above been written about and drawn, they all have their own animated television shows. Check out the listings on PBS, BBC, The Disney Channel and other station where cartoons are shown. You may also want to look for Yogi and Boo-Boo bear on Boomerang. Baloo, from The Jungle Book, has his own cartoon called Tailspins, you can find his show on some of the above mentioned cartoon stations.

Other, less famous teddy bears can be found living in houses(like Paddington Bear), Museums, stores, web sites, and factories waiting to be adopted. There are many talented teddy bear artists and manufacturers, who have brought some pretty amazing bears to life. Here are a few websites for you to check out. Be careful, you may fall in love and adopt an adorable teddy bear of your own.

www.tbears.de, www.tailoredteddies.com, www.designsbyterri.com, www.childhoodfantasiesbear.com, www.theoriginalpakabear.com, www.settlerbears.com.au

If you can resist adopting even one of the teddy bears on these web sites, I commend you, you have more will power than most of us.

A Teddy Bear For Everyone

2007-11-06T08:36:00.000-08:00

Every child deserves a teddy bear to hug when the world gets too painful, lonely or sad. Teddy bears are there to watch over them when the dark is too spooky, they need a best friend or their lives become unstable. There are many charitable organizations out there and they are all working toward the same goal, to put a teddy bear into the arms of a deserving child.

The Vermont Teddy Bear Company started the Big Hero, Little Hero Program in September of 2002, to give children across the country a teddy bear to hug when they need one the most. More than 11 million children are transported by emergency services each year. The Vermont Teddy bear company and outside donations, provide specially designed, 13" teddy bears to provided to emergency service professionals around the country free of charge. Interested parties can participate in this charity by purchasing one of the specially made bears. For every bear bought, The Vermont Teddy Bear Company will donate two bears to an emergency service station in need. These bears are also given to lonely seniors.

The Inland Hospital in Maine, was donated 600 teddy bears to give to children who come in for tests, illness, trauma or with other patients. Thorndike press, located just down the road from Inland Hospital, was able to buy the bears with money earned from a silent auction, bake sales and other activities. The decision for Thorndike to donate the bears was reached after a younger sister of one of the employees was given a bear when she had to attend the hospital.

You may want to start a charitable teddy bear drive in your community, to help put a teddy bear into the arms of every child.

The first step is to recruit others, of like mind, to help you. Let's face it, this a big undertaking for one person. You may also want to get area schools and churches involved. Elementary school students make great recruits, as the entire class (or school) can work together to make money to purchase the teddy bears. Churches like to get involved in charity, especially when it is for children.

Get together with friends and plan some money making activities. A Bowl-a-thon, walk-a-thon, spaghetti dinner, Pancake Breakfast, Bake Sale, auction, rummage sale, or street carnival are all excellent ways to raise money for your teddy bears. You and your group, will need to set a time limit on donations and money collected. For instance, you may want to have enough money to buy the teddy bears by Christmas. You must also decide before you begin, where you will distribute the bears.

While you are raising the money, you should look around to find the best place to purchase the teddy bears when the money is collected. It is a very rewarding experience to give a teddy bear to a child. The look on their face when they see the soft, cuddly teddy, is worth ten times the effort it takes to get the bear. The first time you see a child grab the toy and hug it tight, will be one of the happiest of your life.