Developement and Availability

After last year with my health issues - heart problem diagnosis, and all the polls I took on the blog I spent a lot of time redesigning my bears. I am thrilled with them and I know you will be too! They are the new line of Seraphim Bears - the Over-Hugged bears. All are stuffed with cotton, wool, wood wool, and granules. All are nicely aged and beautifully weighted! Created using only the very finest materials in mohair, alpaca and viscose... when have you ever seen an aged alpaca bear? Well, you will see them here.

Each bear has a "Heart Pocket" which is a pocket built right into the bear, right over the heart area and in that pocket you will receive a Lucky Canadian Penny. It is my way of sharing with you the joy of life and living. It was lucky for me to have finally been diagnosed with my heart issue and because of that doctor, finally taking the time to look at all that he could, he found the issue and was able to prescribe medications that have given me my life back. So in this little heart pocket I hope you will remember how precious life is, how much you are cared for and loved and appreciated by me and the Seraphim Bears. You may even get another little "something" that will fit into that heart pocket. But for sure there will be a Canadian Lucky penny.

And for those of you who do not know... here in Canada if you pound a penny it was considered lucky indeed... you were to make a wish on it immediately and even share the luck by then giving it away! And... now the Canadian penny is not being minted. As of last Monday the penny will no longer be a part of Canada's currency, so it is truly lucky and considered a collectors item.

Here are the first transition bears: These bears are truly one of a kind as these bears were an essential part of the transition from my traditional bear pattern to the new Over-Hugged pattern. Declan has already found his forever home and will now be living in the UK but Lavinia is in search of her new home. Please contact me if you are interested in the adoption of Lavina. I will be happy to work with you on a  layaway plan for any of my bears.

Seraphim Bears on Bear Pile 

 I have been spending a lot of time on my graphic skills with my very talented husband who is teaching me his art. I hope you enjoy the new polished look of the images. It takes many hours to get things prepared behind the scenes as I take all my photos myself, which I also took several courses at college night classes for, and now I am also able to use photo editing programs to create these beautiful photos that I feel truly capture the life of each bear. It takes more than just pointing and shooting to get the personality of the bear across and knowing that you have put your trust in Seraphim Bears pushes me to always advance in my skills.

I know that purchasing a bear over the internet can be a scary thing and I want to make it as comfortable as possible. My images must be clear and the bear must come to life for you. If ever you need to see more photos or have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. I will continue to develop as an artist and do my very best to be as accurate for you as possible. I want you to be able to feel the bear through your computer screen and be even more impressed when that bear arrives and you meet her/ him in person and never disappointed! I also try to be as descriptive as possible so you can visualize what my words are saying as well as looking at your monitor. I know each monitor is different and colours can appear changed from what they actually are so please read my descriptions carefully as I will always try my very best to describe what the colour is in person!

I am also beginning to design my own clothing for the bears. This has been a challenge but in a good way. My bears are created to represent the old and yet encompassing something new in my design and so the clothing must reflect that image. I have always loved the eras of the 20's, 30's and 40's and I think you will find many influences in the design of my clothing from those times and before then too, 1800's for example. I have a bear right now that I have almost completed that will be up for adoption at the Teddy Bears Worldwide show in March who is wearing a beautiful outfit that I designed, reminiscent of the 1800's. The theme for this years show is EXTRAVAGANZA so I wanted the bear to be very elaborate.

In saying that, my clothes must still envelope the style of aged appearance! I do created them in a well constructed way and not a primitive style but I still try to capture that worn appearance. I also want them to last though so I am trying to make the clothes with great attention to detail and construction. Lavinia's outfit for instance is well developed and sewn but I have purposely added a few pulls to the fabric or it would have stood out like a sore thumb on this beautifully aged bear. I also added a finishing touch on her outfit of a vintage clip on crystal earring.

There are many new developments happening here at Seraphim Bears and not just with the bears themselves. Seraphim Bears is now being developed as a business. So there has been much studying done in that aspect as well... many late nights reading books on marketing, business essentials etc. and there are possible plans in the future of taking a business developmental course. Three weeks away from home to learn all the boring government stuff... but essential to give you a professional sound place for you to adopt your bears. All this costs money and time but you are worth it to me. My bears are worth it to me too. I want you to know and trust that when you put your trust in Seraphim Bears there is far more going on here than just cutting and sewing some fabric. I want you to know that I am taking care of you in every possible way I can. That you will be looked after and treated as you should be, as a valued customer and friend.

So in that... I am off to continue in the development of Seraphim Bears. Today I will work on completing a new Tatted neck piece for Mrs. Patmore bear who will be at the Teddies Worldwide show. Learning to tat is a challenge with all that tiny thread but one day at a time and the pieces are getting more and more beautiful! Yet another handmade item that I have taken a course to learn so I can make the bears look like what I see in my minds eye and you can enjoy them in your hearts and homes.

Be back soon with more... Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know what's happening here at Seraphim Bears! The sign up box is on the right side bar!

Big Hugs from me and the Seraphim Bears

Notice of some importance

NOTICE:

Hello Everyone: I wanted to check in and let you all know that I am still here.

My new medication makes it difficult form me to do anything quickly which is good but also difficult and causes me some moments of depressions. I am trying to adjust.

Because of this I have left my stockist stores in the USA and UK. I will now simply be working to make bears for you through me.

In the recent change I have also made a wonderful discovery... I no longer have themes and deadlines to contend with and this has opened all my doors and windows to allow the beautiful spring air in which has been inspiring. In this I have begun creating an entirely new design and style and am completely in love with these bears. To date I have designed three new designs all of the same style: A bear, A bunny and an Ellie. The first three are almost complete... two bunnies and one ellie and two bears are in the making. I am also designing a style of outfits for them that I think you will embrace as I have. My decision to change my style was also important to reflect this new change of leaving the stores to go on my own. It will mark a time and it was my way of honoring the stores that had me in as their guests for the short time I was there.

It was not until I began working on my own that I realized how restricting my working for my stores was. I am not saying that doing so is not a good idea but I think I was offered this position too soon in my bear making career. I had not yet settled on a style and was still experimenting on where I wanted to go in my style. It has only been since 2009 that I have been making bears so if I compare that to how long I have been doing hair, I am still new.

The positive of me being slowed down by my medication and heart issues is that a lot of things were brought to the forefront of my mind. I realized where I wanted to be in my art and I have the time, as I am forced to take my time, to go slowly and focus on character again and the style that is in my heart. Of course I also feel that my health has effected the desire to create a style that reflects where I am in my life right now. I feel that I have landed on a style that I enjoy and will be making as my style of bear for quite a while.

I will try to have some photos soon but I can say that I do have three entries in the up and coming URSA awards... and I will be planning on entering into the online Teddies Worldwide Christmas show, two local shows and one Toronto show this year. Due to my restrictions currently I am trying to build up my stock a bit before I release anything so please bear with me for just a bit longer!

I will be able to post more frequently for you and post available bear for you here, on bear pile and etsy.

Big Hugs and thank you so much for sticking with me these past few years and months!

Things are about to change for the better and get really fun here at Seraphim Bears!

Labels

Hello Everyone:

Well, the good thing is, with me not feeling so great lately, working on the computer can be done from bed on my laptop. So today I was able to finally get a job done that has needed doing for quite some time. I finally organized this blog to make things easier for you all to find your favorite posts. On the side bar at the very top you will now find my LABELS. It took some time but now you will be able to easily follow posts like Fur Fridays without searching through a ton of posts.

Sorry it took me so long to get on this but it's finally done. Thanks so much for being so patient and I hope this makes things easier.

Big Hugs

A Brilliant Artist and Friend - Farewell

Last evening a fellow artist and friend passed away! My friend Roger was a brilliant wood turner and made the most beautiful pieces!

I had purchased his work for gifts but always figured I had time to get something for me later...

His son, Steve came by our wine store today to tell me that Roger had passed. I was really pulling for him but it just wasn't enough! And with Steve he brought a bowl made by his father for me. At a time of loss he still thought to bring a friend a piece of artwork that will be dearly cherished!

I thought I would include a write up about Roger that was done last year...

He had a laugh that was contagious and a spectacular personality and even better sense of humour!

 Boy, I LOVE this photo!

Still turning wood long after retirement

Posted by Ashliegh Gehl Local - Feature Sunday, May 8th, 2011 By Meagan Pecjak

Roger Bodley is 81 years old, and has been woodturning for 18 years. He has spent most of his life in Belleville, and worked as an engineer before retiring. He is currently working on a smaller bowl that can take nearly a month to complete. Photo by Meagan Pecjak

Even after retirement, Robert Bodley continues to turn pieces of wood into works of art.
Bodley, 81, has enjoyed the retired life for quite some time. Even though he’s getting up in age he still makes his way down the basement stairs each and every morning to his shop where he turns.

“I come down nearly about every morning, for a couple of hours,” says Bodley as he looks around at his wood-filled basement. Although he is still going strong, Bodley admits his age is slowing him down.
“As you get older, you are limited sometimes,” he says.
He continues to turn wood even though he is beginning to struggle with lifting the larger pieces.
“I have to make smaller pieces now, because I can’t lift the heavy ones,” says Bodley.

It can take almost a month for one project to be completely finished. However, now that Bodley is limited to the size of piece he makes, he adds more detail to his smaller pieces.

“It’s hard work, so you kind of have to slow yourself down as you get older,” he says.
He never thought he would catch the woodturning “bug,” as Bodley calls it. He caught it years ago when he was painting mini-soldiers. He realized shortly after beginning his newfound hobby that he needed bases for them to stand on.

Bodley dragged out his grandfather’s old lathe and began to turn the bases for his soldiers. Small wooden bases turned into bigger, more elaborate projects such as salad bowls and Christmas ornaments.

“When you put a piece on the lathe, you have a good idea of what it is going to be like, but you never really know for sure,” says Bodley.

He finds the biggest challenge is the initial thought going into a project.
“It’s unpredictable, and that is what makes it so exciting,” he says.

Woodturning has been a part of Bodley’s family for many years. His grandfather was also a woodturner, and passed down many of the tools Bodley now uses today.

“That was my grandfather’s lathe,” says Bodley, as he puts a hand on top of the machine.

Bodley may have inherited many of the tools he uses but he also manages to make some of his own tools out of items he either finds around the house, or picks up on his travels.
He spent much of his youth, starting at 12, with his grandfather in his shop.
It took Bodley several years to “catch the bug,” but he caught it in the end.

As Bodley says, many women are not big fans of wood, but some do come by and look at his work.
“They like the rustic ones as opposed to perfectly finished pieces. When they see a piece made of ceramic, they think, ‘Oh it’s beautiful,’ but if it’s made out of wood, ‘Oh it’s only wood.’”

Here are a couple of Roger's pieces:

 And here is the beautiful bowl that I was gifted today: You will be missed my friend! Till we meet again...

Thank you Steve!