History

Diane has been making bears since 1992. At the time, she was an impoverished student. She has always loved Teddy Bears and enjoyed collecting them, but sadly, the student grant at the time just wouldn't stretch to the prices!! So she decided to make her own, bought some mohair and a pattern and made her first bear (probably best forgotten) - She wasn't happy with the style of the bear, so developed her own design until she got what she wanted!! She started off making bigger bears, but a move to Sweden in 1993 (hence the bears have Swedish names!) meant that availability of materials was suddenly an issue. Sweden, although a fantastic place, wasn't fully awake to the world of bears so materials had to be sent over. Bears were transported back to England in suitcases, so luggage allowance became a problem!! Hence the first miniature Bear was produced - small in size, but big in pawsonality!! Diane returned to England in 1999 and has continued to make bears of all sizes - from 3" to 24". Most bears are one-offs, but occasionally she might make four or five of one design.

Benny is an example of an early bear - made in Sweden for Diane's mum - he now lives with Diane's parents. He is an avid television fan and spends much of his time watching films, particularly Westerns, Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis films. He has his own gun and a Sherriff's badge, bought especially for him in Rawhide - not a bear to be messed with!

Ari is another Swedish bear, the biggest of the clan at 24". He considers himself head of the household, although many of the smaller bears would dispute that, claiming that size isn't everything. He was a regular correspondent to Teddy Bear Times magazine during his Swedish stay and had several letters published during that time.

When Diane is not making bears, her mind is full of all things Land Rover. The love of her life is her Land Rover Pick-up (Click here for a picture of him. So here she has combined her loves and made a tiny Land Rover bear to work on the little Land Rover model.

Here's another Landy Bear, this time a bigger one!

This little bear, dressed as an elk complete with his own elk warning sign, was made as a souvenir when Diane left Sweden.