I was often heard to wish that I could spend more time making bears and less time working. In 1997 I left this job for a less demanding one in the hope of giving more time to my bears and making my wish come true. 

At this time I read a story in an English bear magazine about a shop that rented out shelf space to artists to help promote their bears. Therefore some months later when the economy forced a change in my job I decided to open a shop in Manly following this concept.

Calling my shop The Teddy Bear Hug I approached over 100 artists around Australia to rent shelf space and set out to promote Australian Artists to tourists and teddy bear collectors around Australia. For 3 years I had a lot of fun and made many friends throughout the bear industry.

Then in July 2000 I received a shock, I was not putting on weight and neither was I having a return of ill health, I was 5 months pregnant!!! Something I had thought impossible. 

Three months later, in Ocotber, Lara was born. I am a great believe in karma, therefore a few weeks later when a man walked into the shop asking if I knew of any leases that may be coming free I offered him mine. The recent introduction of the GST (and subsequent paperwork), Lara's birth and a small bout of the baby blues all combining to give me the impetus to work from home.

I missed the shop but now had more time to explore creative ideas and the combination of different fabrics and textures that had circled in my mind for some time.

In 2005 I was approached to take the Editors job in Australian Bear Creations this allows ledd time for my own bears but those I now make are all the more precious. Please enjoy my site and also pick the magazine and let me know what you think

Bearhugs to all...........