Ina Nektar Fly Fishing

Wading Boot Felt

The Plush Stuffed Animal and Teddy Bear Artists

The plush stuffed animal is made up of such an enormous amount of soft toys, it's difficult to know which one to choose. If you're a first time buyer and are feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of having to wade through a throng of plush stuffed animals, have no fear – there's always a fall back. And, that, of course, is the teddy bear. Just look for the one with the most pleasing face, the softest 'fur' and the one that is the most squishable when you hug it. Once you have found 'the one,' you will see that the decision wasn't such a daunting one after all.

Over the course of the last two decades of the 20th century, the number of artists around the world producing handmade teddy bears, has continued to increase. While their output has been much smaller than that of large manufacturers producing teddies for the collectors' market, their work has still been highly influential and was even encouraged when the Golden Teddy Awards were first introduced in 1987. That was soon followed, in 1990, by the TOBY (Teddy Bear of the Year) awards.

Through the years, traditional-style teddy bears, both that are dressed and undressed, have continued to be the favorites of artists and collectors. One of the best representations in the field that has emerged in recent years is a Dutchman named Audie Sison. Sison began collecting artists' bears in 1990 and then, five years later, began producing his own designs under the trademark A Teddy...by Audie. He has won numerous prizes including two TOBY's, a Golden Teddy, and the highly sought after Golden Teddy's 'Winner's Circle.'

The traditional teddy bears made by Gregory Gyllenship, owe a lot to early Steiff teddies which have long arms allowing the bear to stand on all fours. Gyllenship's bears are made out of the finest mohair plush, have boot-button eyes and are really a tribute to early days of great bearmaking. Gyllenship is a London based artist who has also made large huggable bears which includes polar bears that have realistic pads on their feet.

Wickenden Bears' Sandra Wickenden uses top of the line mohair plush, hardboard joints, wool felts and old boot-button eyes – all traditional materials – when creating her teddy bears. While many of her bears are made undressed, there are some that have old collars and laces or leather muzzles which can sometimes be found at antique markets. She also makes multijointed bears which are very realistic as she sculpts – in leather- their noses, mouths, and claws in such detail (in leather) that they look like wild animals.

In 1991, Janet Clark started making bears and sold them at local craft fairs. She is an award-winning artist who has since moved on to produce limited edition bears under the business name Teddystyle. Clark's speciality is making realistic toy bears which includes an American Black, Chi (a panda), and Kermode (a polar bear). In addition, Clark also makes beautifully dressed, accessorized bears that include an organ-grinder that comes complete with a monkey.

When choosing your first plush stuffed teddy bear, you don't have to run out and track down a specific artists' bear; with the many mass manufactured teddies on the market, there are plenty to choose from - either online or at a local retail shop. However, if a one of a kind plush stuffed teddy bear is what you really want, whose going to stop you from buying one?

plush stuffed animal

large plush stuffed animals

Copyright Shelley Vassall, 2010. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

 

About the Author

Shelley Vassall is a writer and collector of the plush stuffed animal and large plush stuffed animals

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