Replacing Childhood Treasures

by Pam North

Collectors of teddy bears are motivated by many reasons and tastes in acquiring their treasures, but Eunice Eiseman equates it all down to one very simple emotion: replacing that cuddly teddy one had as as a child. “Every person should have a teddy bear - a much loved companion to be treasured even into adulthood. Sadly, those bought for children often don't last, and are lost.” 
Eunice celebrated her 85th birthday earlier this year, so she is one of Australia’s most senior bear artists. Raised on a sheep farm, she used wool for her first craft attempts, and she loved drawing. Later, she became a trained milliner. Her journey into bear making began as it often has for others, with a visit to a bear show. “I first began making teddies at Stanley, a small village in NE Victoria, from whence my Stanley Bears derived their name. When we moved there in 1990, I had time on my hands, and was looking for something to do. During a visit to the Central Coast in New South Wales, I went to a teddy bear show in Sydney Town Hall; it was there that I learned how to repair old bears.” Back home, she decided to try repairing some old teddies that she had bought as an experiment, and then segued into making her own bears. “Word got around, and I began getting orders, which led to the creation of my Grandparents’ Choice series - my most popular teddies. They are named that because it is often grandparents who give one to a new grandchild.” 
Her first Stanley Bear was created in 1990. These are traditional teddies, from Eunice’s own exclusive patterns. “When you adopt a Stanley bear, you gain a friend for life,” she remarked proudly. She features the Stanley Bear Club. for customers who purchase these bears, which costs nothing and enables them to keep in touch with Eunice for bear news. 
Eunice uses only Schulte German mohair for her best bears, and quality faux fur for her less expensive teddies, which are fully jointed, and are similar to the old German bears.
In 1995 Eunice released the first of her Limited Editions, a series which continued until 2014. 1995 also saw the release of her first limited edition, numbering only 20, and named in memory of her friend and neighbor, Joyce McKeon. Every year since, Eunice has created limited edition bears for serious collectors. Released in February each year, they invariably sell out within twelve weeks.  “I have been asked if I could recreate past editions, but this is not possible, as I destroy the pattern after the last bear has been sold.” She also has created a series of ‘”specials”, including Mary of the Outback, Peter Lalor, Hans Christian Andersen, Tom Roberts, Miranda from Picnic Rock. Old Father Time, and Vivaldi - The Four Seasons. Her latest creation is the CuddleMe Bear, made from soft quality plush. “These are made for people living alone who want someone to cuddle on dark winter nights. He is better than a security blanket. You can talk to him; he won’t answer you back; and he’ll keep all your secrets!”  
Although she never has entered competitions, Eunice does have many certificates of appreciation from various organizations, including the Country Fire Authority, for which she made a bear dressed as a fireman following the bush fires in 2003.
As for what inspires her, she cites, “The look on children’s faces when they see Winston, my signature bear. Of all the bears I have made, he is the most popular. I have lost count of how many I have sold.”
Eunice has been married for 62 years to her husband, Stewart, a retired Anglican priest. In 2010, they moved to Wodonga, located across the Murray River from Albury City; these twin cities are halfway between Sydney and Melbourne.
Eunice reminisced, “Looking back over two decades of teddy bear making, I think my creativity was best expressed in my limited editions, twenty in all from 1995-2014. Some collectors have the complete set. and I still get inquiries from other collectors who want to fill in the gaps, and who ask if I know of anyone who wants to sell a back number. I try to put them in touch with a possible trader. After  27 years of bear making, I am often asked when I am going to retire. I say that I will keep making teddies for as long as I am able without compromising workmanship. Teddy bears are my life after my husband and family.”

Contact Information:
Eunice Eiseman
Email:  eunice@stanleynears.com.au
Website:  www.stanleybears.com.au
Telephone:   011 61 2 6059 2552
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[mailto:eunice@stanleybears.com.au] 
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