Kris Kringle Teddy Bear

~ Getting ready for the Holidays ~

Kris Kringle's hat is trimmed with Velvet petals and Jingle Bells.

He wears Vintage Millinery ~ in Red and Green

Kris Kringle is 10 inches tall and made from German Mohair.

Rory's Winter Sleigh Ride

Rory and his Winter Sleigh ~ Are ready for the Holidays!

Teddy Bear, Sleigh with Lace and Christmas Stocking included.

Available in my Etsy Shop

Teddy Bear show March 12 and 13, 2011

Blueberry invites you to attend the Blooming Teddy Bear Show

March 12 and 13th !

The creations of 75 International Artists can be viewed now ~ Hope to see you there !

www.teddiesworldwide.com

My five bears can be viewed here:

www.oldsoulbearsbykarenhawker.blogspot.com

Spring Teddy Bear Show ~ Preview

The preview of the Spring 2011 "Blooming Teddy Bear Show" has begun! You can see the 75 Artists and their initial "reveal" at www.teddiesworldwide.com

Great Bears !!! Here is my sneak preview . . . .

Please remember to mark March 12th on your Calendars !

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Teddies Worldwide Blooming Bear Show!

I am very happy to announce that ~ Old Soul Bears ~ will be participating in the Online Teddies Worldwide Bear Show in March!

Can't wait to start planning those teddies designs !!!

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Do your creations evolve as you make them?

I always start with a clear plan in my head . . .this is going to be a girl bear and I have the perfect little piece of lace for her to wear. Maybe even some millinery and pearls !!!

She will be sweet and dainty . . . .

Any sometimes my plan even follows though with what I had in mind : )

And other times I think he will be cute and chubby ~ a mischievous boy bear!

Maybe a little sailor.



But then I have enough mohair remaining, lol, to make a mini bear from the same fabric and I think . . . oh wouldn't a mommy and baby bear be so cute !!!!

But then I discover the cutest little doll sweater, that happens to fit my bear perfectly!!! I hand dye it from cream to a wonderful shade of green. It is around Earth Day so I think . . . this little bear with be called Terra in honor of Earth Day and she will hold the secrets to a greener happier world.

So that is how she evolved !!!!

Do your designs and plans stay the same from start to finish?

Perfect for a little girl bear !

I was looking through my stash of doll clothing today and found the cutest little sweater and antique blouse. Perhaps I can make a white or pale pink bear with VERY thin arms. Teddies always have trouble wearing doll clothing it seems . . . but if I plan ahead it should be OK.

Such a pretty girl bear she shall be!

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Vintage Steiff ~ Bears and Toys

I heard about a new Antique Market last weekend and was excited to visit for the first time. I was dreaming of finding a big'ol Steiff Bear for cheap (don't we all!). Well, I laughed to myself when I did indeed find him. You get what you ask for I guess. Next time I will have to project more specific details to "the Universe" . . . . like mohair !


He is a lovely Antique Steiff Bear and probably a generous size too. Looks like he might be about 20 inches standing. The only thing is . . . he's a tin sign. I did buy him though, for cheap : )

I have decided to thin out my collection of Steiff bunny rabbits. Then I'll have some spending money when I find my MOHAIR Steiff Bear, lol. I have listed these cuties in my Old Soul Bears Etsy shop. You can view them here .

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Our new kitten !

Best Wishes to everyone for 2010 ~ Happy New Year !

We have a special addition to our family this Christmas ~ Isn't she adorable ! We adopted her from the Humane Society on December 19th. She was thrilled to be out of the shelter and into her forever home for Christmas.

Shop Update ~ Vintage Bonnets for Dolls or Bears

I'm Back! Summer ran into Fall and before you know it . . . Christmas will be here! I'll try and update more frequently. I have the most wonderful selection of vintage hats and baby bonnets to list in my Old Soul Bears Etsy shop this week.

The blue child's hat with rabbit fur trim and rosettes is just adorable!

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I have many different shapes, styles and fabrics to choose from . . . .

Silk Bonnets

Pretty Ribbon Work


White Crochet


Frilly Victorian Bonnets

Thanks for dropping by !

New Ruffs for your Sweet Old Bears

I have finished the photo shoots and I will be posting some amazing ruffles this week in my Old Soul Bears Etsy shop.

I have yards and yards of ruffled ribbon, cord and frills. Many colors to choose from.

They make wonderful collars or ruffs for your teddy bears.

The Blue or the Pink suit my 17 inch Steiff Bear.

I think "he" can pull off the pink : )

The Flowers are pretty too. They could be used to embellish doll or teddy bear clothing.

Lots of potential !

The Teddy Bear shop is now updated : )

Thanks for dropping by for a visit.

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New Bear ~ Wesley

This little guy is 8 inches tall. He is made from German mohair and has worn out boot button eyes. I thought about making him into a clown bear but he just wasn't into the whole clown hat thing. He says he is too small for a big hat . . . so he won that battle, LOL. Funny how they get to decide !

He was OK with the rusty bells on his lace collar though.

His mohair has been distressed for an old bear look and I have squished his excelsior stuffing to give him a bit of a belly.

He has been listed in my Etsy shop
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Grand Opening of my 2nd Etsy Shop!

I am very excited to announce the opening of my second Etsy Shop: ~ Old Soul Bears ~ to Showcase my handmade teddy bears and related vintage treasures. The following items have already been listed. I will be adding additional items throughout the week. Please stop by for a visit.

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A sweet little Jewelry Keep with Millinery and Pearls

An adorable little tin cup and saucer. Perfect for your favorite bear.

A mini Tea Set that would look lovely with your dolls or bears.

Antique Net Lace Shawl for a larger Teddy Bear.



Vintage clothing that looks charming on ol' bears.


Thanks for visiting : )

Earth Day ~ Terra Teddy Bear ~ 2009

I was inspired by Earth Day to finish this little bear in gentle shades of Brown and Green. I have named her Terra. Her vintage sweater is 100% wool. It was gently soaked in tea dye to achieve a soft sage green. Her eyes are old fashioned boot buttons. Her mohair is hand dyed and her necklace is made from Raffia. Her key hopefully holds the secret to a greener, happier planet.

She will bring a vintage lace hanky with her.

Her rose is Vintage Millinery



Ms. Terra will be in my Etsy shop later this week. Thanks for visiting : )

A playful look for Spring!

A playful look ~ floral petals and a pink bow !

It is Spring after all !

I like the pink against the dark blue :0)

The Vintage Millinery is pink and silver and frames her face nicely.

Available now in my Etsy Shop.

A New Banner!

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Thank you Brenda!!! for making me a wonderful banner to use on the Bear Artist Blogs site. I just got back from vacation and was thrilled to have this surprise waiting for me, in an email. How sweet! Thank you Brenda : )

A Valentine's Day Bear

It is February already! I made this little Valentine's Bear from hand dyed mohair. He is a very dark shade of blue . . . . so I decided to call him Midnight Blue. He has antique boot button eyes, a vintage bow and distressed mohair ~ An Old Soul Bear.

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He is ready for Valentine's Day and has a red rose (dried and preserved) for his sweetheart.

A sweet little bear with a heart of gold . . . all ready for Valentine's Day

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A Sentimental Christmas Gift ~ 2008

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This is a lovely photo of Marian Earle . . . taken about 75 years ago. Marian passed away last summer at the age of 96. Her family misses her dearly, especially her daughter Dianne. I was asked to make a Teddy Bear from Marian's Mink Stole, as a special Christmas Gift for Dianne.

Here is a before picture of Marian's Coat

The Bear started to take shape nicely.

I was hoping for a very sweet teddy bear.

I wanted her to be very feminine and pretty. I gave her an Irish Crochet Collar and a silk bow (from the lining of the coat).

I added a purple velvet flower ~ Vintage Millinery and gave her pretty light green eyes.

I sewed the label from within the coat to the back of the silk bow.

Ms. Bear had a quick photo shoot before I mailed her ~ the package arrived on Christmas Eve.

She was certainly a surprise and her arrival was a very emotional moment.



Her new home is on top of Marian's Memory Box in Dianne's bedroom. She is the first thing Dianne see's every morning when she wakes up.



I am happy Teddy made it to her new home for Christmas : )