Brenda Parker  - BrendaBears™

Dedicated to Perfection

by Pam North
Self-taught teddy bear artist and crafter Brenda Parker, the designer and creator of BrendaBears™, 
lives in scenic Jackson, WY, in the majestic Teton Mountains. She always has had a love for sewing and all things creative. “I was drawn into the wonderful world of bear making in 1993,” she explained. “After purchasing a teddy bear pattern, I made a few bears just for fun. That was all it took to be hooked! I retired my other crafts to concentrate solely on creating bears, and it is a decision I have never regretted!” 
Success with the commercial pattern led her to creating her own designs, and now each of her bears is lovingly made entirely by her from start to finish. Much thought and attention goes into every detail, and no two bears are exactly alike. She employs both machine and hand-stitching in the fabrication of her bears, and uses only the finest quality materials: German or English mohair/alpaca/synthetics; Ultrasuede/leather/wool felt pawpads; premium German glass eyes; disc joints; Loc-line or Flex Limb armatures; hand-embroidered pearle cotton/floss noses; polyester fiberfill /plastic pellets /glass beads /steel shot; subtle hand-shading; needle and scissor sculpting. To ensure authenticity, each of her bears wears a sewn-in tush tag, and has an attached, signed hang-tag stating the bear’s name, birthdate, series number, and Parker’s signature. The bears available for adoption are "one-of-a-kind" creations;  however, she also occasionally offers small limited editions and a few open editions. Parker infuses each bear with its own personality, and she has worked hard to develop her artistry. “My early bears did not have quite the detail that my bears exhibit today. I strive to perfect every new creation. It’s a learning process that I thoroughly enjoy, and there is always something new to discover.” 
The inspiration for Parker’s work typically comes from a variety of things. “The innocence of children has often been an inspiration for me. Sometimes an accessory I find inspires a bear I create. Many times it’s the gorgeous fur materials themselves that spark my creativity. Even the beauty of changing seasons can stir me to craft something special. The possibilities are limitless.”
“The most challenging thing about being a teddy bear artist for me is the struggle to find enough time to dedicate to my bear-making. Life has a tendency to divert my best-laid plans. There is nothing more rewarding than to see a new creation, with a personality all its own, emerge from a piece of fluff, and then to hear of the happiness it brings to others. It is truly rewarding experience. I sincerely hope that my teddy bears bring collectors the same joy I experience in creating them.” 
Parker’s teddy bears have brought her recognition, including three TOBY Industry’s Choice Awards. “Being acknowledged for my artistry is always a thrill, but the joy I feel when one of my creations wins the heart of a collector simply cannot be surpassed.”
Her future plans include an upcoming occasion. “2018 will mark 25 years of bear making for me, so I’ve started making preparations for some anniversary specials to celebrate. Along with that, I am keeping my hands busy creating some new designs, and also tweaking some older ones.”
Contact Information: 
Email:  brendabears@brendabears.com> 
Website: http://www.brendabears.com/