Teddy Bear Times Magazine

We’re always amazed at the wonderful stories we hear as we put each fur-filled issue together.
And Dorset-based Sam Peacefullday has more stories than most. She makes as well as restores bears, having been inspired after picking up some copies of TBT at a car boot sale more than ten years ago.
It was a time when Sam was suffering a serious illness that damaged part of her nervous system before bears came to her rescue, lifting her spirits and launching her into a new career. She shares some moving moments that her restoration work has generated.
We also head to a cobbled street in Norwich to chat with Robert Stone, owner of the renowned Bear Shop. He gave up a good job to start a bear shop more than 35 years ago and continues to go from strength to strength. Loyal collectors have been shopping there since day one and they mingle happily with the myriad of tourists who stop in on visits to the historic city.
We love the fact that Robert now owns the first bear he ever sold in the shop - it was gifted back to him as a memento by the shop’s earliest customer.
Tyler Crain-Davis tells us what inspires his contemporary, whimsical bears and how he used mixed media to create his Diving in the Great Barrier Reef vignette. A ted with an aqualung on his back swimming over coral — that’s certainly a first for us.
But at the other extreme Sam Mason decides that four Chiltern white bears would make ideal inhabitants for the North Pole.
We’ve got a pattern for you to knit a charming Christmas tree jumper decorated with buttons, and there’s also a pattern to make a cute alpaca teddy. Julie is on hand to offer bear-making advice as usual and Dot’s here with tales from the hospital bed. And we’re sure you’re going to love our sparkling winter gallery, a perfect lead in to the festive season.
All that’s left is for everyone here at TBT to wish you a wonderful Christmas — may all your packages be filled with fur.