New Bears off to see Edwina

Here's 2 new bears and a big mouse that have just been sent to Edwina's Friends

http://www.edwinasfriends.co.uk/index.html

"Benjamin"

"Twizzle"

"Blitzy"

Christmas parade!

http://ellen-borggreve-design.typepad.com/

Exciting news! The talented Ellen Borggreve is having a Christmas Parade from her blog on 23rd December 2008. The idea is to promote our "art" and creativity and have a bit of fun drooling over the wonderful creations on display. I do hope you will be able to pop over on the 23rd and have a look.

Long time no blogging!

Well the past 2 months seem to have flown by in a flash! I can't believe how busy my life has been of late, I just can't keep up, unfortunately my blogging duties have been neglected so let me tell you what I've been up to recently.

Firstly as some of you know my fella Lex left on the 31st October to travel the world, he's gone for about 7 months, travelling through South East Asia, China, New Zealand, The South Pacific and the USA, you can check out his travel blog at

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lekka/1/1225464900/tpod.html

So alot of October was taken up with us trying to spend as much time together as possible, it was'nt always easy with me working ALL the hours under the sun and Lex getting ready for his travels, but we did get the chance to do a few fun things before he went as the following photos show.

Me and Lex at his fancy dress/bouncy castle leaving party!!!! The theme was Halloween, bad taste or superheroes/villain, the night was a total success, a mad night was had by all.

Emma, Lex's cousin and fellow traveller

Lex Poiing at the party

Me & Lex at his last supper!

Me & Lex in the Buddha bar after spending the night in a posh hotel and our last day together in London

As well as all this gallivanting around I have been very busy with work, I'm currently working around 60 hours a week, still doing the 2 jobs and making the bears! I've had orders non stop since Hugglets and I'm gradually getting though them all. 10 bears went to Hamleys at the beginning of the month, 3 bears have just been finished today for Edwina's Friends and will be available from Kathy soon. Next I'm working on bears for Bear Paths in the USA and bears for my online show in December, its all go so I really haven't got time to miss Lex at all, having said that I do, like mad but its only 7 months and that's nothing really and he's promised to be back for my 30th next year with lots of exotic presents!

A couple of the bears that are now available from Hamleys

Charity Raffle

WIN THIS FAMOUS BEAR!!!!

I am sure some of you are aware that I work in a day centre for adults with learning disabilities, well we have a little charity that raises money for our clients to have a few extras that the Social Services budget just won't allow, things like a people carrier to get out and about and art equipment. A few months ago I decided to donate my cover star bear "ABE" to be raffled for this charity so close to my heart! We have so much trouble raising awareness of what we do and find raising money even harder! I am selling tickets at £5 each and they are available until the draw at our Christmas party on 10th December. If you would like to purchase a ticket and help support this worthy cause please contact me for details:

shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

Just a few things you may want to know about "ABE"

“Abe” is worth over £130 and was exclusively made to feature on the front cover of Teddy Bear Club International July 2008. “Abe” is 12” high and is made from golden brown Schulte mohair, with felt paws. He is heavily weighted with steel shoot, has black glass eyes and red, white and blue ribbon details.

Thanks so much!

Edwina's Friends!

Edwina

Kathy's bear, she's very special!

A while ago I was asked to produce some bears for a new a venture from Kathy Martin (formally editor of Teddy Bear Scene) and I'm pleased to announce that her new online shop "Edwina's Friends" is now up and running, Kathy has handpicked some of the best of the best artists to make exclusive bears for her and am honored she has including me in that list! I wish Kathy the very best with her new business and I am sure she is going to make it a success, please pop by her website and have a look at the wonderful bears she has available.

http://www.edwinasfriends.co.uk/

New borns

Every commission I do is special but every now and again I get to make VERY special bear and over the past week I've had 2 special bears to make for my good friend Jackie. Last weekend she was made a Grandma for the first time TWICE!!!! Her eldest son's girlfriend Naomi, who also happens to be my good friend had a baby girl, Megan Isobella on Saturday and the Jackie's 3rd eldest son's wife Lindsay had a baby boy Blake on the Sunday!!! Its been cuddles all round and I have to say Megan is one of the most content babies I've ever met, just cute, cute, cute! Anyway Jackie's a big fan of my bears and commissioned two bears almost as soon as she knew the girls where expecting and here they are!

A successful day at Hugglets!

It seems all my hard work was worth it as Sunday was fabulous! It was such a lovely day, you can always rely on the Hugglets team to make it a special day. I got the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones, had lots of fun talking to collectors new and old, I even managed to run down to purchase myself the sweetest tiny bear from Samantha of Mary Myrtle Miniatures, Teeny is only 5cm high and now sitting in pride of place within my own hug!

Thanks so much to everyone who brought a bear or mouse your support of my work means so much.

I've now only got 2 bears available that I'll be popping on the website shortly!

For now its back to work, there's the website to update, a big Hamley's order, commissions to finish and its the Inn on the Lake show in a few weeks, gosh and I thought I'd be able to have a rest!!!!!!