Welcome!  I'm so glad you came to visit me and my bears.  Although I'm one of the newer kids on the block in the world of teddy bear artists, I have been surrounded by and created art since I was a "wee one."  My mother, a painter, used to teach art classes during my childhood, so going to exhibits, galleries, art stores, and just being around artists and making art was a daily part of life.  Being around her taught me a lot about design, color, and balance.

Art, with all its texture, color, and feeling, is how I see my world.  So, just as I approach life, I approach my furry, stuffed creations.  I was known as a child to continually make little "friends" whether they were made of fabric, paper, wood, or clay.  I was happiest when I was creating.  Now as an adult, I have rediscovered my passion.

Bingle Bears are named for our little dog, Bingley, who entertains us with his joy of life. He loves everything and everybody. Toilet paper tubes—nothing could be better! A piece of apple, a couple of peas—boy, life is good! Everyone who meets Bingley just smiles, laughs, and loves him. I hope my bears can even approach giving such happiness and comfort!

And what's even better is that Bingley is also hypoallergenic.  Even my dear husband can handle being around him and I've never seen anyone more allergic to dogs.  

My bears and critters are of the highest quality and have been recognized as such in international competition.  I'm pleased to have received both a 2012 TOBY Industry Choice Award and a 2011 TOBY Industry Choice Award--one of the most prestigious awards in the bear artist world. 

I lovingly make all of my bears and their friends in our smoke-free home using the finest materials available such as premium mohair and Tissavel, glass eyes, and 100% wool felt. I take pride in offering my collectors the highest quality bears I possibly can.  They are original, one-of-a-kind Bingle Bears beginning with their unique designs that I scratch out on paper, through each stitch on my trusty little Featherweight sewing machine, to the last snip of the hair on their chin. 

My bears are made to last the test of time--high quality materials, double-stitched and fray-resistant seams, and strong joints in their heads and limbs using locknut and bolts with fiberboard disks.  I often attach my bears' heads with wobble-joints or a double neck joint for extra cute poses.  I also stuff them with premium fiberfill and a muslin pouch of glass beads to give them a nice weight and feel.  I love to give my bears a lively character,  and to that end, I frequently add needle-felted or apoxy clay details and carefully hand color their faces and paws to enhance their personalities. I hope you enjoy my bears as much as I love making them. 

My Studio