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Silly Bears by Julieann Bruce
Having been an avid collector of teddy bears for most of my life, I decided after successfully completing an MSc in e-business to undertake some market research, with a view to opening my own collectable teddy bear shop. The market research strongly indicated that there was a niche market in Scotland for 'luxury', 'collectable', 'gifts' and ‘Silly Bears’ was born!
The shop was built in the 1720’s and thus has an appropriate and highly inviting ambiance for the discerning collector. The shop is home to 300 new and vintage collectable teddy bears, supplied by over 50 established artists from around the world. The artists were selected from a pool of hundreds to underpin the business venture; on the basis of their skills, imagination and stories of how they personally ‘fuel their creative fires’.
I personally adore vintage bears with the look and feel that comes from years of love. I requested that the artists capture the vintage look for 'Silly Bears' by using highly effective distressing techniques to simulate the bear from the attic look. Most artists have approached their creations or themes for 'Silly Bears' as a painter would approach a blank canvas.
The name ‘Silly Bears’ originates from my own adoration as a small child for the endearing Winnie the Pooh, who was often called a ‘Silly Old Bear’ by Christopher Robin.
Christopher Robin tells Pooh that they will help him get out again but Pooh tells them to take their time; the bees were scared away by his abrupt arrival giving the ‘Silly Old Bear’ a chance to enjoy a hive full of his favourite Honey.
A.A.Milne (1966)
Vintage bears are becoming extremely difficult to source, rare almost and as a result can be very costly to purchase. I think this is one of the reasons why our 'Teddy Bear Hospital' is proving to be such a success. We have been inundated with vintage injured bears; from a missing eye, full paw replacements to a badly severed head.
In addition to being the proprietor of Silly Bears, I plan to launch some of my own creations during the Autumn of 2008. I have been producing art in various formats for as long as I can remember and my teddy bear art is enabling me to combine my love for textiles and vintage ephemera.