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I've always dreamed of becoming an artist since I was a child. I was creative as a young child and very much a tom boy, preferring stuffed animals to my many dolls. From cows to horses and dogs to sheep, I enjoyed drawing my stuff toys. Since then, I've picked up sewing from my mother and I've been involved in many school art projects and exhibitions.
When it comes to making bears, my adventures began 22 years ago during a shopping trip. I fell instantly in love with a teddy bear fair at a mall. I immediately signed up for a basic class on the spot and my first teddy bear came soon after. My passion grew by leaps and bounds and I soon found myself visiting libraries and websites to find tips. Through this determined self-taught process, I now make all my bears from my own unique designs.
In July 2001, I made a showing in my first bear show in Tokyo, Japan where I won second place in the glamorous International Bear Competition. This gave me even more confidence to pursue my dream and passion as a designer.
Currently, I hand stitch all my bears and animals, each one a collectible due to its unique designs. For many years, designing and making teddy bears took over my life. Now, I teach bear making at the occasional workshop and I get invited by clubs to demonstrate advanced techniques on bear making as well as the creative use of different materials.
I'm also known for my one of-a-kind designs or limited edition of 2-3 teddy bears, making my work even more attractive to collectors. Despite life taking a sad turn a few years back, I've taken it in my stride. My experiences have even added more depth and variety to my passion for teddy bear design.
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