About 15 years ago, I visited a friend of mine in California and was introduced to the world of bear-making. She had almost a hundred bears, and as I picked up each and every one of them to marvel at their individual characters, a little light went on inside me. A few months later, back in Florida, I went to my first teddy bear show and met two ladies who made teddy bears from recycled fur coats. That little light came on again because I loved the idea of recycling.  The ladies were offering classes so I immediately signed up. I went to my first class and have been hooked on bear-making ever since. I hope you enjoy my Heir Bears as much as I enjoy creating them!   

Upcoming Shows & Events in 2013:

January 4-6, 2013:   West Palm Beach Antiques Festival (Antiques & Collectibles), South Florida Fairgrounds, Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL --   Directions & Details

January 12-13, 2013:   Crossroads Teddy Bear & Doll Show, Al Bahr Shriner Center 5440 Kearny Mesa Rd San Diego, CA --  Directions & Details

February 8-10, 2013:   West Palm Beach Antiques Festival SPECTACULAR (Antiques & Collectibles), South Florida Fairgrounds, Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL --   Directions & Details

February 24, 2013:  Teddy Bear Show (Bright Star Promotions), Crown Plaza Westshore, 5303 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL -- Directions & Info

March 8-10, 2013:  Bear Hugs 4 U "March Madness" Online Teddy Bear Show.  Opens Friday, March 8th at 10:00 a.m. and closes on Sunday, March 10th at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time zone)

March 22-24, 2013:  Teddies Worldwide "Teddy Bear Extravaganza" Online Teddy Bear Show. Opens at 4:00 p.m. Friday, March 22nd and closes at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 24th (NY time).

March 29-31, 2013:   West Palm Beach Antiques Festival (Antiques & Collectibles), South Florida Fairgrounds, Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL --   Directions & Details

April 13 & 14, 2013:   Pembroke Pines Antiques & Collectibles Show, S.W. Focal Point Community Center, 301 N.W. 103rd Ave., Pembroke Pines, FL.  --   Directions & Details

May 2-4, 2013:  Artist Doll & Teddy Bear Convention, Clarion Airport Hotel, off I-95 at Exit 9A, Philadelphia, PA -- Details & Info

May 31, June 1-2, 2013:   West Palm Beach Antiques Festival (Antiques & Collectibles), South Florida Fairgrounds, Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL --   Directions & Details

June 22-23, 2013:  Who is Who in Bear Making Online Show.  Opens Saturday, June 22nd, at 11:00 EDT for 24 hours.  Click here for site:

July 12-14, 2013:  Bear Hugs 4 U Online Teddy Bear Show.  Opens Friday at 10:00 a.m. and closes on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time zone)  Click here for site: 

August 22-24, 2013:   TBAI (Teddy Bear Artist Invitational), Binghamton Riverwalk Hotel, 225 Water Street, Binghamton, NY -- Directions & Info

September 6-9, 2013:   Bright Star Online Teddy Bear Show.  Opens Friday at 10:00 a.m. and closes on Monday.at 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time zone)   Details & Info

September 7 & 8, 2013:   West Palm Beach Antiques Festival (Antiques & Collectibles), South Florida Fairgrounds, Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL --   Directions & Details

October 5 & 6, 2013:   West Palm Beach Antiques Festival (Antiques & Collectibles), South Florida Fairgrounds, Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL --   Directions & Details

October 18-20, 2013:  Bear Hugs 4 U Online Teddy Bear Show.  Opens Friday at 10:00 a.m. and closes on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time zone)

November 1-3, 2013:   West Palm Beach Antiques Festival (Antiques & Collectibles), South Florida Fairgrounds, Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL --   Directions & Details

November 10, 2013 (Sunday):   Hunt Valley Christmas Holiday Teddy Bear Show, Embassy Suites Baltimore North Hotel, 213 International Circle, Hunt Valley, MD --   Directions & Details

December 7- 8, 2013:   Craft Festival, Stephen C. O'Connell Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL -- Directions & Details

Heir Bears in Print:   Who's Who in Bear Making 2008; Teddy Bear & Friends Magazine (see feature article in Sept.-Oct. 2008 issue); Teddy Bear Review Magazine (see feature article in April 2009 issue AND "Monroe" on the cover.)

.(click to read)

Customer Comments:  "The two bears made from my Mom's beaver coat arrived ... they are absolutely precious and even cuter than I thought possible.  The workmanship is wonderful; I just love their faces!"  M.S.

" The Safari Bear arrived today.  I think you do a wonderful job in shaping the faces.  He is very adorable." M.P.

"I love 'Lil Coyote ('Wiley Coyote').  It's always great to see you & your bears."  C.W.

 "Your bears have the magic touch!!"  L.V.M.

"... thrilled with the bear.  (I) had no idea that furs could be recycled into such magnificent creatures!"  C.K.

"Your work is beautiful and I am thrilled to own a piece of it!"  G.M.

"'Little Ted' arrived safe and sound today.  He's even better than I anticipated!  Thank you for sharing your talent with me!"  L.N.