Jan's Warm Fuzzies by Jan Alford
,
http://www.janswarmfuzzies.com I started making bears in March of 1991. I have a special friend that at that time made
teddy bears. She kept trying to get me to make one. On Easter of 1991, my brother-in-
law and his family came for a visit. My nieces, Suvi and Sara, asked me when I was
going to make a teddy bear. So I told them that I would make one right away. Well I
ended up making my first bear and I got hooked. So I have Suvi and Sara to thank for
giving me that "push" that I needed to get me started. I started with a commercial
pattern and acrylic fur. Then I made another bear using commercial patterns that I
altered and my second bear was born. I entered both of these bears in the competition
at a small bear show in Oklahoma in September 1991. Both bears won ribbons in the
most cuddly category. I was so surprised by the awards. These ribbons did encourage
me to continue making my bears. I have also won ribbons on my miniature bears at the
KC Jubilee.
In 1992 I took a miniature bear making class from Jill Hawthorne, award winning
miniature artist. I was hooked! Since I have always enjoyed doing handwork, the
miniature bears are perfect for me. I find it very relaxing to sit and stitch on the little
bears and I love the fact that I can take them with me to work on whenever the
opportunity presents itself.
I now design my own bear patterns and find that very rewarding. I have tons of new
ideas floating around in my head and I only need to find time to draw them out, make
patterns and make the bears.
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