Teddy Bear Times Magazine Issue 261 Back Issue

How has this year been for you? Here in the UK it has been full of ups and downs of the most unusual kind. There was the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II back in the summer — the first time a monarch has served this long (70 years); then we had a very wonderful, warm, dry summer followed by the sad death of Her Majesty in September. I am sure many of you have had unique events wherever you live, either nationally or of a more personal nature. At the end of the day, whatever life throws at us, our bears are always there to offer comfort and a furry paw or two. With over 50 million bears sold each year just in the US alone, the teddy bear continues to be one of the most popular items to give and receive as a gift all over the world.
Behind these furry friends that we all adore so much are the real bears and other furry wild animals that have inspired them for more than 100 years. If only we could be certain that they will still be here 100 years from now. Amy Goodrich is just one teddy bear artist who has supported the work of charities that rescue and rehome some of the more unfortunate bears that are forced to spend lives in appalling captive conditions. Now Amy wants to give back by offering you a chance to help a charity and have the chance to own one of her beautiful bears. Good luck if you decide to enter. And if you don’t we have plenty of patterns to sew or knit in the run up to the coming festive season. So until next issue, I wish you all the best for the winter and the happiest of new years.