Teddy Bears in Museums

Teddy bears are now in museums due to their history of how they came about. If you love teddy bears or know someone that does try heading out to one of these museums. The world’s very first Teddy Bear Museum was in Petersfield, Hampshire, England back in 1984. Judy Sparrow opened it up with her own collection of teddy bears.

The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum in Dorset is opened 7 days a week beginning at 9:30 a.m. This museum has teddy bears around every corner, from the very old to the latest and greatest. Look back through time as you watch your favorite fictional bears come to life right before your eyes. Watch out as you turn the corner, there are even life sized teddy bears to keep you company. You can even walk into the house of “Mr. Edward” bear and sit with his family. The gift shop has everything you could possibly want from character teddy bears to one of a kind.

England wasn’t the only place in the world that has teddy bear museums, but that is where the first museum popped up. Jeju Teddy Bear Museum opened its doors in 2001, this place has all types of different teddy bears inside and all types of information on them. There’s a café for those parents that need a drink while carting their children around, two galleries, beautiful gardens and a gift shop.

The Dancing Bear Folk Center is the largest teddy bears museum in the western United States. It is located in Thermopolis, Wyoming and is ready for you to come and explore its teddy bears. If you ever get out to Vermont don’t forget to stop at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. They’ve got so many teddy bears you won’t want to go home without one. Take a tour of the factory while you’re there too.

There is also the Teddy Bear House Bed and Breakfast in Anchorage, Alaska where teddy bears are displayed in every room of the house. The cost is $45 a night per person and that includes breakfast. Try making some very bearable memories and start seeking out those teddy bears.

Crocheted Teddy Bears

Crocheted teddy bears are some of the least expensive teddy bears, if you make them yourself. Yarn is relatively cheap compared to other materials when it comes to making teddy bears. Anyone can learn to crochet, patterns can be downloaded free on the internet, add some yarn, a crochet hook, and your ready to make a teddy bear. Over the years parents who found themselves strapped for money at Christmas, Birthdays, or other Holidays, would crochet teddy bears for their children. The teddy bears were a gift the children appreciated and the parents felt better knowing their children had a present on the special holiday. Today the internet is full of web sites offering crochet patterns for teddy bears. Several teddy bear artist include crocheted teddy bears in their offerings.

Since the teddy bear began, teddy bear artists have used their imagination to create teddy bears from cloth, yarn, plaster, plastic, glass, and metal. The crocheted teddy bear can be even more precious to a child when it is created with love.

If you want to make your own crocheted teddy bears, the sites below offer, or have links to sites where you can download patterns.

The web site, http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa032997.htm, has a few crochet patterns to choose from. An adorable pattern for a teddy bear in bunny clothes is available, as well as, a bear angel ornament, Chenile bear and Little Bear. The site has many crochet patterns. Visit, http://www.home.inreach.com/marthac/teddy.html, and you will find crochet patterns for teddy bears and clothes for teddy bears. At the internet site, http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/dolls.htm#bears, you will find teddy bear patterns. The site, http://www.mielkesfarm.com/teddy_pat.htm, has a pattern for an sweet 4", crocheted teddy bear.

Sites offering crochet patterns in general, will usually have a pattern or two for teddy bears. If you are not into crocheting your own bear but would like to have, or give, a crocheted bear. The following websites make and sell crocheted teddy bears.

A teddy bear artist specializing in making crocheted teddy bears has a pair of adorable, soft, cuddly, teddy bears for sale at: http://members.aol.com/iicouchpotatoes/crochetteddybears.html.Professional crocheter, Laurie Jean Karluk, makes and sells croceted clothes for teddy bears at her site, http://www.ljkbears.com/.The site, http://www.aokcorral.com/uniqueteddybear.htm, offers unique crocheted teddy bears, including Holiday teddy bears. Links to sites offering crocheted teddy bears can be found at: http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/teddybears/.

Teddy bears have traditionally been our best friend. The teddy bear protects us from the monster under the bed, comforts us when we aren't feeling well, never tells our secrets, knows all of our faults and loves us anyway, is a constant companion, and a participant in all of our adventures. It is a proven fact that teddy bears given to a sick, hurt, or abused children will help them heal. Perhaps just the act of having a warm friend close chases away a feeling of loneliness or helplessness.

No matter what your teddy bear is made of, the fact is, he may be the best friend you will ever have.

Have you hugged your teddy bear today?

The Care Bears!

Teddy bears are the most popular stuffed toy, and have been for over 100 years. You can find them in every department or specialty store you visit. Character teddy bears are a very popular addition to the teddy bear family. These bears are usually collectable.

Care Bears are teddy bears that started out in books and animation. The official Care Bear site, www.care-bears.com, has games, stories and facts about all of the Care Bears. Here are a few facts about The Care Bears.

Bashful Heart Bear: He is a very cute, slightly shy, little guy. He is the bear who shows you that you don't have to talk a lot to be nice. His tummy symbol tells his story. It is a heart timidly hidden behind a cloud. MOTTO: You learn a lot by listening!

Bedtime Bear: Bedtime Bear stays up at night. He helps people get a good night's sleep and makes certain they have sweet dreams. He's a great buddy for a goodnight hug. His symbol is a crescent moon symbol that represents what he is about, a sleepy-faced moon. MOTTO: Sleep is what I do best!

Champ Care Bear: Is a sports star. He is great at every sport, but he's better at sharing the prize of sports fitness, friendship and learning to be your best. He teaches good sportsmanship. His golden trophy symbol shows you are always a winner when you practice good sportsmanship. Motto: Playing fair makes the game more fun for everyone!

Cheer Bear: Helps others see the brighter side of life. She will even cheer to make someone happier. She is wears a symbol of hope and happiness- a rainbow, representing hope.

Daydream Bear: Shows how important your imagination is. She also knows it is important to pay attention. Her symbol is a heart-shaped planet surrounded by stars. She is imaginative, inspiring, and funny. MOTTO: A daydream a day keeps the frowns away.

Do-Your-Best Bear: Dreams big and never gives up. He helps others do their best at anything they do. He is very up-beat and is the first to say 'Great job'! MOTTO: You feel your best when you do your best.

Friend Bear: Will be your best buddy bear. She is caring, loves to play, and is a lot of fun to be with. She teaches how to be a great friend. Her symbol of two smiling flowers symbolize the joy of friendship. MOTTO: Have I got a friend for you-me!

Funshine Bear: Is the clown of all Care Bears. He is funny and knows how to have fun. His symbol is a smiling sun reminding others to enjoy each day. MOTTO: The fun starts here!

Good Luck Bear: Loves to share his luck with everyone. This Care Bear always has a smile on his face. His symbol is a four leaf clover symbolizes the luck he carries with him. MOTTO: Lucky for you I'm here!

There are more Care Bears with plenty to teach you. You can find out all about them at: www.care-bears.com.

Teddy Bears, Teddy Bears, Everywhere!

Wherever you are and wherever you look, you are sure to spot a teddy bear. In towns and cities, homes and offices, on buses, trains, or airplanes, you are sure to find a teddy bear somewhere in attendance. The teddy bear is over 100 years old and climbing. He wears many costumes and goes by many different names but he can not escape the fact that he, indeed, is a teddy bear.

The teddy bear was born in 1902 when shopkeeper, Morris Michton, asked his wife, Rose, to make 2 stuffed bears to put in his shop window. At this same time, President Theodore Roosevelt, was in Mississippi to settle a border dispute between Louisiana and Mississippi. Having some free time, he decided to go on a hunting trip. Members of his hunting party found a small, black bear cub and tied the animal to a tree for him to shoot. When President Roosevelt saw the small, pathetic animal, he refused to shoot it and had it set free.

The following day, cartoonist Clifford Berryman, drew a cartoon depicting the President refusing to shoot the bear cub. The caption read: 'Drawing The Line In Mississippi'. This cartoon sparked the interest of Michton and the nation. Morris Michton contacted President Roosevelt to ask if he could name the stuffed bear, 'Teddy', the President agreed, and the Teddy Bear was born. The nation was captivated by the story, the stuffed bear grew in popularity, and is still the most popular stuffed toy to this day.

Teddy bears come in many sizes. They range from tiny teddy bears 1 inch tall, to giant teddy bears over six-foot in height. One thing they all have in common is their soft huggable appeal. It is very easy to find teddy bears of all types, in all sizes, everywhere you look. Teddy bears have evolved over the years. There are many teddy bear artist who create teddy bears reflecting a personality of their own. While the body of the bear may be similar to another bear in the collection, the countenance and the face reflect a very different bear, indeed. Teddy bear artists can spend hours working on the face of a bear. The result is a one-of-a-kind bear with a look and personality all his own.

Teddy bears are a very collectible commodity. Many teddy bear collectors have sites on the internet to show off their adopted families. Some of them have teddy bears in every room and around the grounds. Other teddy bear collectors have modest collections of very special bears.

Where do teddy bears go when they have had all the love they can handle without falling apart? A teddy bear museum, of course. The Teddy Bear Museum of Naples, Florida, has over 4,000 teddy bears on display. Over 40,000 visitors from around the world, visit the museum yearly.

Whatever your teddy bear passion, you will find the teddy bear, or bears, you may find most adoptable without much effort.

Teddy Bear Collections

The web site, www.bearhollow.net, belongs to a teddy bear collector. They have adopted, and share their home with quite a few furry friends. They would like to show you where these 'adopted children' make themselves comfortable around the house and grounds.

You will find links to the kitchen, the family room, the library, the office, the bear room, the living room, the dining room, the powder room, the garage, the picnic area, the guest room, the stairway, the lily pond, the sun room, the laundry room, the hallway and two bear hollow rooms. Wow, with a family like that I wonder how much the honey bill is!

The web address, http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/8514/, will lead you to The Beary Blue Bear Nook. A site owned by Trish a woman of 37 who loves collecting bears. She will show you her collection, and offer you links to sites where you can find kits and accessories to make your own teddy bear. She also has links to teddy bear artists, and the World of Miniatures page will link you to miniature artists.

Lorie's Bear Shelf is a site owned by teddy bear collector, Lorie Barnhill, you can get there by going to: http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/greenlawn/994/. Lori will show you her collection of over 200 bears.

Some teddy bear artists sell teddy bear collections. That is to say, they sell certain groups of similar teddy bears they have designed to go together. Others sell unique, one of a kind teddy bears just right for you to start your own collection.

One site, www.designsbyterri.com offers adorable, miniature teddy bears. 23/4 inch-tall Domino is a bent knee bear made from off white and black medium pile non-shiny upholstery velvet. He is cotter pin and disk jointed and is stuffed with polyfil. Domino comes with a reproduction, die cast, taxi pedal car.

A site owned by Elizabeth Mowatt, www.tailoredteddies.com, offers one-of-a-kind, hand sewn teddy bears. Each bear is numbered and signed on the paw by the maker. Each bear has it's own unique accessories. Another great site is, www.tbears.de. Owned by Karin Jehle this site offers bears with their own personality. Karin spends hours creating each bears face. Valdemar, a 13 inch tall teddy bear made from shining white faux fur. His eyes are alive; with upper and lower eye lids. Valdemar wears soft, brown leather trousers.

Karin also makes miniature, crocheted teddy bears. Thomas, a 4 inch crocheted bear and Minty, a 3.3 inch crocheted bear, go together perfectly. They both sport soft leather pants of different colors. Red Fred, is a red crocheted bear, 3 inches tall.

You may begin your collection with regular size, miniature, figurines or giant, stuffed teddy bears. Maybe you want a collection that has a little bit of every-bear in it.

The choice is yours. Remember, the sooner you get started adopting your extended family, the faster you will become an adoptive parent to as many teddy bears as your heart will hold.

There are hundreds of sites offering unique and one of a kind teddy bears and teddy bear collections.

The Teddy Bear, A Master Of Disguise

While teddy bears come with their own furry coat, some of them prefer to dress in different costumes to show off the many facets of their personalities. They are available for adoption in stores, gift shops and on internet sites.

One of the best disguised teddy bear is Turkey Day Teddy. He can be found at:

http://www.auntbonniesgiftbaskets.com/bearholiday.htm. Other teddy bears on this site with disguises of their own are, Happy Birthday Bear, Angel Bear, Santa Bear Teddy, Halloween Witch Bear, Halloween Pumpkin Bear, 4th of July Teddy, Easter Bunny Teddy, St. Patty's Bear, St. Valentines Bear, and New Year's Teddy. Each of these wonderful bears sell for $21.95.

A site offering a vast array of teddy bears in disguise, is: http://www.vtone.com/teddybearsholiday.htm. They have Biker Bears, a Patriot Collection, and a Military Collection, to name a few. The site also offers holiday teddy bears and is a great place for those who love dressed teddy bears.

A great site with bears dressed in costume for the holidays would be: http://abgb.stores.yahoo.net/holtedbear.html. Hope, is a bear dressed in a pilgrim outfit, her counterpart, Jacob, is also a 12" bear dressed in pilgrim costume. Valentine teddy bear, arrives carrying a bracelet asking, ' Will You Be Mine?' His costume says, 'I Love You. Cupid bear, is a great choice to send your significant other. Other bears available are, Mr. & Mrs. Clause, Irish Bears, Bears in bunny disguises for Easter, a Graduation bear and a birthday bear in a clown outfit.

For a wonderful experience visit, http://shop.vermontteddybear.com/. There you will find many wonderful dressed bears for your adoption approval.

At, http://plushteddybears.com/product.php/bpb/75220.html, you will find many dressed bears from famous teddy bear makers.

Send a dressed bear for any occasion at, www.giftsbearsetc.com. This site offers many unique gift baskets that include teddy bears.

The site, www.offerasmile.com, offers various specialty teddy bears for sale. If, after seeing the bears on this site, you still can't find that special bear, you can make costumes and disguises for any bear with sewing, knitting and crocheting patterns. These sites are plentiful on the internet.

You may want to choose a bear of distinction and dress them yourself. Whether you choose to make the costumes yourself or purchase what your bear will wear, you might want to check out these sites.

www.buildabear.com is an excellent site to choose a bear and dress it as you like right down to the shoes. Go to the site to find the nearest Build-A-Bear Workshop near you.

At, www.tbears.de, you will find the most unique one of a kind, and limited edition bears I have ever seen. This teddy bear artist spends hours on each bear's face to give them a real personality. This site is a must for teddy bear enthusiasts. Hurry, these teddies sell like hotcakes.

There are some pretty unique bears on, www.designsbyterri.com. These are miniature teddy bears and one of them, Domino, comes with his own die cast pedal car.

Whether you decide to buy an already dressed teddy or do it yourself, I'm sure you will find the perfect teddy bear at one, or more, of these sites.

Teddy Bear Patterns And Materials

Teddy bear artists are responsible for some unique and interesting teddy bears. A number of these artists are willing to share a few patterns with the public. You will find teddy bear patterns, or links to patterns, on the sites below. A number of these patterns are free. You can also purchase kits to make your own bear, not to mention, materials and accessories to make your teddy complete.

You will find teddy bear patterns, kits designed by Chris Cotton, as well as teddy bear making supplies here, Easy and Fun Teddy Bear Patterns.

At, http://www.christiebears.co.uk/acatalog/Patterns.html, you will find pattern packs. Each pack includes, pattern, joint nuts and bolts, and 1 pair of black, glass eyes. You may browse the materials and accessories for bear making. Miniature bear patterns are also available. When you visit, http://www.judilynndesigns.com/Rumbles.html, you can purchase teddy bear patterns with a complete materials list for $10. A great site to find teddy bear patterns, kits and teddy bear making materials is, http://www.admiral-bears.com/. Teddy bear kits are available on, http://www.bearmania.com.au/bearkitn.htm.

This Australian based site offers unique and wonderful bears. Kits to make your own teddy bear include, all materials needed to make the bear, except the stuffing. Also included, are various other articles to make each specific bear. Pattern sizes range from 4" to 24" teddy bears. Links to various sites featuring teddy bears, teddy bear patterns, teddy bear kits and materials to make teddy bears, can be found here, http://www.teddybearsden.com/art-dir/index.html. Would you like to make a knitted teddy bear like the bear seen in Mr. Bean videos? You can do so by visiting,

http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/toys/beanbear.htm. Here you will find a pattern and material list for this amusing, big eyed teddy bear.

Needle Felting is a new way to make teddy bears and other soft toys without stitching or stuffing. This is accomplished by poking carded wool fiber many times over with a special, barbed, needle so that it felts together. As you felt the wool you are able to turn and mold it into any shape you desire. The result is a firm toy that is solid wool. You can learn about this technique by visiting, http://www.bearycheap.com/info/felting1.html.

At, http://www.crochetnmore.com/Becky'sLittleBearPattern.htm, You will find a tiny teddy bear pattern designed especially for babies. The finished bear size is 4.5 to 5 inches. This is a crocheted bear. Another crocheted teddy bear pattern can be found at: http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa110897.htm?once=true. If you love miniature teddy bears, you will find an adorable, 3" bear by visiting: http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/tbear.html. If you want to make a pilgrim outfit for your teddy bear, http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa112297.htm, has a great pattern with instructions and materials list. Learn to make a teddy bear at: http://www.fuzzybee.com.au/fuzzbears/make_a_teddybear.htm. Looking for teddy bear and felting supplies? Then, http://www.woodlandteddies.co.uk/, is the place for you.

This site has very unique patterns for teddy bears and stuffed toys. http://www.funkyfriendsfactory.com/?gclid=CITwr5XW3ooCFSM9UAodlFyzcA.

You should find everything you need on the above sites to make your own teddy bear. You may want to try some of the craft sites to see what they have to offer along the line of teddy bear making supplies.

Singing Teddy Bears

Trying to figure out what to get that special someone? Get them a singing teddy bear and if you really want to show them you care, have them show up at work. But remember, what goes around comes around and they may not be too excited to have someone dressed as a teddy bear dancing in front of their co-workers while he sings you a song. Instead, you might want to try going with a real singing teddy bear.

Singing teddy bears will definitely make her smile; get her one that you know she’ll treasure. Shopping for women doesn’t have to become a chore, at least not when you have teddy bears galore. Find her a soft bear that sings her special song, from jazz to romantic music, these bears can do just about anything. A singing teddy bear will definitely let her know where she stands and just how much you love her.

There are teddy bears that sing songs for children or even sing a newborn baby to sleep. The Toilet training singing teddy bears will sing a catchy tune that only a child could love about going to the potty. It may not be something us adults like, but a child is sure to love it. The bears are small and all wear a cloth diaper and look like they are eagerly waiting for a hug. These special teddy bears can be purchased for as little as $16, so if potty training isn’t going as great as you hoped this my be the trick.

Singing teddy bears can be a lot of fun to listen to, especially when it was given to you. Teddy bears aren’t just for cuddling anymore, now they are passing along a message.

Make Your Own Teddy Bears

Making your own teddy bears is a lot of fun, whether you are doing it by yourself, with a relative or at a birthday party. Imagine spending the afternoon at your local build-a-bear shop with your mom and dad. Have fun picking out your own items for your bear. Don’t forget his little heart, he’ll need it to keep on living.

No longer do you have to know how to sew in order to create your own teddy bears. There are several craft kits that allow you to stuff a bear that you never even need a needle. This makes everyone happy and you without getting pricked.

Build a bear parties helps the young ones create their own teddy bear. They get to pick out which body they want, a heart and a birth certificate. If they want to put clothes on the bear to make them more personalized it’ll cost them extra.

Craft kits can cost anywhere from $10 on up and they come with everything you’ll need to make your bear. Most kits will include a heart, birth certificate, the bear body, stuffing and an outfit. Buying a few teddy bear patterns from the store is another way to make your own teddy bears. There are always a ton of different types to choose from and you don’t even have to be an expert. However, make sure you read the back first and find out what level it is for.

If you have a child that is due to get his shots soon, make him a felt bear. Felt bears are fun to make for little kids and they don’t cost much. All you will need is a permanent marker, two pieces of felt, a needle, stuffing and thread. Take the felt and cut them into the shape of a teddy bear. Sew up the body, leaving a small space for the stuffing to go in. Your child will get a kick out of helping with this part, especially as he watches the bear come to life. Finish sewing him shut and let your child mark him a face.

Donating teddy bears

Donating teddy bears can be a really rewarding gesture, even when you are just doing it to be nice. Imagine taking a small teddy bear to a girl that you just bought at a store. The moment you had this little girl it she has a tear drift down her eyes, the last time she had a teddy bear her house was swept away by a flood.

Teddy bears mean so much to someone that has nothing or has lost all hope, whether they are homeless or have been abused. Giving them this small token might help them know that there are other people out there in this world that actually do care. Start making someone smile today and donate a teddy bear. You don’t have to take it in yourself if you don’t want to either. There are a ton of different types of teddy bear fundraising drives that will take them in for you.

These children aren’t picky, they’ll take whatever you hand them. They know money is hard to come by and that it isn’t every day someone comes by to see them. Sometimes they are just thriving for any type of attention and they are hoping you stay there just a few moments longer to chat with them or hug them. They’ll be very grateful for the teddy bear you’ve given the.

Stuffed With Hugs is another fundraising campaign that Build-A-Bear does, once it gets enough bears the Teddy Bear Foundation gives them to the children of crisis. It doesn’t matter what the crisis, these children could’ve been in abused homes, lost their homes due to fire, abandoned or orphans. Each child will be given one of the teddy bears to hug and hold to help them through these difficult times.

Teddy bears can be bought for cancer victims that are stuck in a hospital and need something to hug, victims of violence, disabled, or even children that no longer have families. Make them have something to smile about and donate a teddy bear.
*

Teddy Bears Are People Too!

Over the past 100+ years, teddy bears have been given the distinction of being more human than bear. They have been best friend, constant companion, protector and confidant to more than a few. Teddy bears have been there through illness, heartache and sorrow, pain, and loneliness. They have been there, for many of us, through infancy, childhood, puberty, adulthood, and old age. They have been the one, true constant in a world that forever threatens to pull the rug from under us.

We will ever be thankful for their loyalty and companionship. They have become so much a part of our families that some of us have written stories, books, and poetry about them. Most of these writings depict the teddy bear as having adventures, (many with friends) fighting villains, and getting into human-like situations.

Winnie The Pooh, is a bear that is very fond of hunny, has wonderful adventures with his best friend Christopher Robin (among others) in the 100 acre wood. He is a very resourceful bear who loves to sing and recite poetry.

Paddington Bear is another teddy, from darkest Peru, who gets involved with the human aspect of every day life. He could never be truly human, it just wouldn't work out.

Rupert seems to find himself in very human situations, trouble just seems to find him no matter how hard he tries to keep it away.

Yogi Bear is very set on finding human ways to get pic-in-ic baskets away from humans visiting Jellystone National Park where he lives in a cave. His best friend, Boo-Boo bear, is loyal and will help him in any scheme he dreams up.

Teddy Ruxpin can spin a yarn and tell a tale with the best of them. His inspirational stories and songs teach children what to do to be good and decent.

The Berenstein Bears are a family of bears that live in a tree in very a human way. They even have a car that Papa Bear drives.

Baloo, that big, friendly bear from The Jungle Book. Has taken on some human traits of his own. After starring in The Jungle Book movie, he went on to fly a plane in the animated cartoon, Tailspin.

The Care Bears are a group of teddy bears who perform as humans do. Each of them has an uplifting message for children and a personal motto they live by.

Fozzie Bear, is surely one of the happiest Muppets around. He is quite human-like and has starred on Sesame Street, the Muppet Show, and The Muppet movies.

The Gummi Bears are another bear family with human actions. Like many human families the Grandmother and Grandfather live with them.

A bear played the part of Little John in Disney's animated version of Robin Hood. He played a good Little John and was very loyal to Robin Hood who was played by a fox.

Smokey the bear has been around for a very long time warning people how to prevent forest fires.

Snuggle, that snuggly soft bear is a spokesman in commercials for fabric softeners. Although these bears have differing human traits, they all have one thing in common. They all speak English.

Fixing Teddy Bears

“Mom, he’s broke!” Your child has run in crying for you to fix her teddy bear. You quickly look over the teddy bear to discover exactly what is wrong with it. But how do you fix it? Is she just wanting you to add a band-aid to him or is there really something broke?

Teddy bears can take a lot of loving from children and last a long time, however there does come a time when teddy just can’t take it anymore. There are ways for you to fix your teddy bears without having to throw them away.

First, look over all your teddy bears to see if any need to be fixed. Determine what the actual problem is and make sure you have all the proper gear. If a string is hanging you may want to try pulling it but keep in mind this can make teddy come undone. Or you can take a needle and sew that small piece of string back into teddy. A hole on his side can be fixed the same way and no one will ever know that he once came apart.

With teddy bears it always seems that they will lose their cute little nose or those glass eyes. If you can’t find a replacement eye you can always add a patch to your teddy bear and make him look like a pirate.

You notice that a couple of your teddy bears have fur coming out of them; this could be just because he’s been worn out on this side. Kids seem to favor holding them a certain way, which tends to wear out that side. Purchase a patch that resembles the fur or you could simply get some fabric cut to the size you need and sew it back on. Teddy bears love to wear clothes as well, so if nothing else works you can start dressing him. You won’t be able to fix all your teddy bears but if you really want to save them, find a teddy bear expert.

Create Your Own Teddy Bear Best Friend

Maxine Clark founded Build-A-Bear Workshops Inc. in 1997 and has served on the board of directors when the company was incorporated in 2000. By the end of 2006 There were nearly 300 Build A Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company owned stores in the US, United Kingdom and Canada and franchised stores in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Friends 2B Made, (r) a store designed for kids (especially girls). Clark launched this new addition to retail entertainment in 2004.

A few of the awards bestowed upon Build A Bear Workshop and Maxine Clark:

An induction into the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame for Clark in 2006. In 2005 Build A Bear Workshop was named Workshop Portfolio Company of the Year. Build A Bear Workshop was named one of the "Hottest Retailers in 2004, and the retail innovator of the year for 2001.

The list goes on but I think we get the big picture. Build A Bear Workshops are tops when it comes to a creative way to build the very best friend you may ever have. After all, the definition of a best friend is someone who does not hold your shortcomings against you, listens to your problems without giving advise unless it is asked for, and is there to comfort you when you are feeling sad, sick or hurt.

You can go to: www.buildabear.com to find the Build A Bear Workshop near you. Prices for stuffed animals start at $10 and go up. Clothing and accessories are purchased separately. You can choose from many themes to dress your Teddy Bear. The website has slumber party where you can find pajamas and slippers in several styles. There are also accessories available, such as, sleeping bags which comes with a carrying case. A rock and roll theme includes t-shirts, blue jeans, billed hats, sun glasses, guitars, walkmans, cell-phones and more. The Harley Davidson theme includes faux leather jackets and chaps, boots, bandanas and even a motorcycle so your best friend can ride with the pack. All of your favorites from the Wizard of Oz are ready to come to life, including Toto and his basket. These are but a few of the themes to be found at www.buildabear.com.

Each Teddy Bear and stuffed animal has a heart and virtual wishes inside, personalized birth certificate, Lifetime Paw Pass, Find A Bear tag inside and comes in a Cub Condo carrying case. Different sounds can be added to the inside of each stuffed animal purchased, depending on what you want.

You can also build a teddy bear or stuffed animal for any special occasion. You may even want to build as a gift for that special loved one or as a thank you to that Fourth of July barbeque. When you think of Teddy Bears, think about building your own at one of the Build A Bear Workshops near you. After all it isn't every day you can create your own best friend right down to the shoes.