"It's not just a bear, but a friend for life; one who will listen to everything you have to say and always be there with a hug when you need it most!"
After all, isn't a bear quite simply "your childhood all wrapped up in faded yellow fur?" Each and every one VERY special in their own special way!
Here at The Artful Bear every single bear (or Hare) is made by hand; with love and a true passion for my craft - meaning that they have a whole lot of love to give back.
Each is 100% unique and created from the finest German mohair and alpaca fabrics; always either Steiff Schulte or Helmbold.
We also offer a vintage 'upcycling' service. Have you recently inherited an old fur coat that you have no idea what to do with.....well, why not breathe new life into it by having it skilfully created into a bear with real personality.
(This handsome boy is made from upcycled vintage rabbit fur).
My name is Vivienne McBride; and I'm a self confessed 'hugaholic' - from as early as I can remember, I have LOVED bears!! Something about their little faces, and how each has their very own personality never fails to tug at my heartstrings. That’s why I’m delighted to be able to bring to you my handmade creations at ‘The Artful Bear’ from miniature 3.5″ bears to 2.5 foot tall; and everything in between – I love to see their little personalities emerge.
I am a true lover and creator of art in many forms; be it photography, pottery, silversmithing the list goes on; but as soon as I laid eyes on my first ever bear creation, I knew that this was what I wanted to do (a complete change from my previous, somewhat stressful, life as a successful wedding florist for 12 years) and so, The Artful Bear was born!
My bears are mainly made using the finest German mohair and alpaca fabrics (either Steiff Schule or Helmbold); with a good measure of love, care and attention to detail. Each is weighted, fully jointed and sees the world through vintage hand-blown glass eyes; each and every one having hand embroidered features; the ethos being to produce very special bears that evoke emotions of nostalgia for those long-lost childhood friends of a bygone era.
However, I am increasingly being asked by my customers to create specially commissioned bears from real fur; perhaps an inherited mink or rabbit fur coat that once belonged to their Mum! I DO NOT condone the fur trade in the slightest and would NEVER buy new fur; but I do feel that it is much better to recycle these vintage garments than dispose of them – making them into something beautiful once again – and breathing new life into them. I take great pleasure in creating these special bears – especially since it provides my customers with a true ‘bearloom’; a lasting momento of someone very dear to them.
I like to think if my bears could talk, they would be like Paddington. Well spoken, polite and always trying to help others….even if they did get into mischief along the way!
From Pandas to Polar Bears and not forgetting traditional teddies and cute hares (as well as the odd Highland Coo); fully dressed in vintage fabrics and hand-knits or just with the bear necessities, there is sure to be something for everyone. Perfectly unique Collectors’ items or special gifts guaranteed to surprise and delight their new forever humans, of all ages.
I love my new vocation and watching my little bears come to life is nothing short of magical. It really is dream come true being able to do this as a job; and it gives me a real sense of pride that something I have made; gifted say, to a child as a keepsake, will most likely be around long after I’m gone – passed down through generations as my lasting legacy.
"The realisation of your dreams is an incredibly powerful thing - I am honestly living mine!"
"Each and every bear that I create is hand made from scratch; starting with beautiful German mohairs and alpaca fabrics and finishing with hand embroidered features and hand blown glass eyes - giving each bear its own individual personality."
Click below to see the creation of an 'Artful Bear' and a sneak peak into our Studio surroundings.
Friends in High Places......
Meet Edward...
He Lives With...
He Lives With...
This is Edward - he is one of our gorgeous 'one of a kind' bears created using vintage upcycled fabric (in his case, 1950's mink).
He is a lovely chap, but didn't want to live in Scotland in the cold and rain - and who can blame him.
He Lives With...
He Lives With...
He Lives With...
So, after introducing my company to the lovely Angel & Dick Strawbridge; who I am sure you will know from Ch. 4 Escape to the Chateau - it was decided that Edward would go off to live with them; a little friend for their children, Dorothy & Arthur!
Here!!!!
He Lives With...
Here!!!!
As you can imagine, Edward is over the moon that he has been lucky enough to find such a fabulous home.
Mind you 'The Professor' (our resident bear) is extremely put out and is patiently awaiting his invitation to tea at the Chateau.
This is the Professor!! Our Resident Bear here at HQ!
Watch out for The. Prof. on his travels throughout the summer months (Scottish Weather permitting, of course) - to see what adventures he gets up to. He loves nothing more than visiting a country house (or castle), exploring the gardens and then joining us for a spot of lunch. He is a bear who knows EXACTLY where he wants to be in the world! You can see him on our Facebook and Instagram pages. x