Introducing ..... ClaireBears

I realise that I have not blogged now for a very long time, but I have a very good reason for it.  I have been beavering away creating my new business which is all about making beautiful things.  Mainly Teddy Bears, specifically what I call Memory Bears.

I create these bears from clothing that holds a special place in the hearts of my customers.  Baby clothes, garments worn by members of the family who have passed away, and other garments that may hold special memories, perhaps wedding clothes or clothes worn on a special holiday.  Even clothes that have finally passed their use by date but you don't want to get rid of them because you love them so.  I turn them into displayable memories for you.

So far I have only made teddies from these clothes, but I do intend to increase my repertoire as soon as possible.  I am also making rabbits, gadget cases and other small items to sell at craft fairs.  Two under my belt so far, another one this Saturday and one at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone on November 1st.  (Hopefully so long as I remember to send off the booking form)

This was my very first Memory Bear.  Made from baby dungarees that were about 20 years old.  The lady who commissioned them wanted the bear for her daughter (who's daughter wore them) who was coming over from Australia.  She was so delighted with her bear and so was her daughter.

I had a bit of a gap between orders, but then a gentleman came with a bear that he had bought in Liverpool years ago that was dressed and holding a mop and a teddy bear with a board around her neck that said:  "I hate four letter words; cook, dust, wash, iron"  He wanted a bear made in a similar fashion for a friend's birthday.  This was a challenge but I rose to it and he was happy with the result, so I was too.

Then I got two commissions to create several bears out of clothes belonging to family members who had passed away.

I felt privileged to be allowed to create these bears and their recipients were so happy with them, even to one lady telling me that she felt she could always hug her grandad now whenever she needed to.  Reading that made me feel so good.

I have a range of bears now from small to large and I am hoping to build the business up to provide this service nationwide.  So if you have anything you would like turned into bears, give me a shout  :)

https://www.facebook.com/ClaireMemoryBears?ref=hl

And I'm still knitting commissions as well, and we're moving house week on Friday, so it's all go here.