The Teddy Bear Doctor

Lovely early English bear with bellows mechanism…possibly Merrythought

Such a beauty!

When you SHOULD be working on someone else’s bear but someone keeps looking at you… This bear is a prime example of freezer damage…one the most fragile bears I’ve handled and a sad example of why you should NEVER freeze an old bear.

There is a reason I keep even small scraps of mohair, and I’m always grateful to artists who keep scraps and offcuts for me!
This small scrap was a perfect match for this little Chiltern who had lost his original nose!

This little fellow came with a special request: all the old repairs by the owner’s mum had to be preserved! It took a while but I’m happy with the outcome. I hope his owner will be too!

This poor bear had lost his hands! Someone had sewn patches of felt over what was left. I’ve elongated his arms, new pads, new nose, mouth and claws 😊

This badly restored Steiff had had the ends of his hands chewed off…someone had sewn a piece of felt over the bit that was left, shortening his arms! He had also been given a new mouth which pulled his muzzle too tight.

A few weeks ago I went to a doll and teddy fair, and there were hardly any old bears. I bought these because they were cheap and I felt sorry for them. The 11inch beat needed a lot of work. The smaller bear had very strange short arms. Don’t they look happy now?

Missold on Evilbay as a ‘yes/no’ teddy I couldn’t bring myself to send him back. A very early little American Ideal teddy.

Do I know anyone who lives (or visits) in or near Kirkbymoorside YO62 who could pick something up for me and post it to me? I’ll pay the expenses of course!

This was one of the most fragile bears I’ve seen, and one of the most challenging to restore. I’m very pleased with the result!