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Bear makers and teddy artists are always welcome to contact us for a portrait. We're looking forward
to hearing from you.
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Mireille, please describe your bears in your own words.
My creations are one by one little masterpieces. Bearytale Teddies and matching
accessories are unique and entirely handmade with durable materials.
Years ago, I was inspired by the funny Japanese so called Anime little bears
so I could give my fantasy free rein while making my Teddies. The result are my
original little wonders. Every creation itself is “one of a kind” and ‘bears’ both
a name I personally invented and an own ‘character’.
The size of these miniature creations is between 13 and 23 centimetre.
My little ‘wonders’ as I always call my creations can be identified by their roguish
little faces and broad smile. Many collectors especially know my so called butterfly
bears, very unique with hand-made ‘Fimo clay’ flower wreath and abundantly supplied
with Swarovski-pearls.
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When did you start making them and what was the occasion?
As a child I used to dream of making dolls and bears. About twenty years ago, I visited
a doll’s fair in Bruges (B) organised by Max and Niesje Wolters - Van Bemmel.
From that moment onwards, I totally fell under the spell of bears and dolls.
My determination to succeed got me to where I am now.
As a start, my correspondence lady friend and bear manufacturer, Esther, , sent me my first ‘anime’
(= ‘dessin animé’ in French) pattern. I had to begin with something and it goes
without saying that, in the meantime, I have outgrown this very first pattern
(with all due respect for Esther’s initiative and contribution). The ultimate
satisfaction is of course one’s very own design. A personal design is of course
totally gratifying, particularly the search for naughty-amusing ‘expressions’.
At first, the required tight embroidery of the noses seemed not feasible. Many hours
of practice however makes perfect.
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Do you recollect the first teddy you made?
Absolutely, my very first model bear has a fixed place in my studio at my worktable.
It is barely 6 centimetre and is made of faux fur, has a cute little face and will
always remain my talisman (good-luck charm).
How do you get ideas or inspiration for new creations?
As a child I was inspired by fairytale figures such as elves, gnomes, witches
and even fantasy creatures. I am always working out new ideas. Since I am not very
mobile due to my handicap, it is difficult for me to go to bookstores or visit trade
fairs. Most of the time I find my inspiration in a small piece of fur, original old
lace or even any picture that appeals to me. Many ideas materialise during the night
when I cannot sleep. These night-time daydreams often appeared to give the initial
impetus to the most unique ideas such as for instance the butterfly and the Eggy
Longleggy-bears.
What do like best when making bears?
One of my favourite phases is the creation of a new idea and the search for the
right accessories in the perfect colour harmony. The ultimate moment is the finishing
of the little faces. Only then the clothes and other accessories can be made
accordingly. I just love to design miniature clothes from antique lace, flowered
fabrics, crocheted of knitted dresses.
The so-called butterfly bears are made of short-piled mini fabrics with the most
diverse shades. Time and time again it is a stressful moment in order to find a
well-balanced combination. Butterfly bears are painted with a special indelible
paint (no corrections possible). A matching colour variation in the eyes brings
the bear alive.
The finishing is made of hand-made flower wreaths that are made of about three hundred
to six hundred Swarovski pearls and hand modelled flowers. It takes about one week
to apply the Swarovski pearls and other beads. This work is not beneficial for one’s
fingers but the result is magnificent and it gives me great satisfaction.
The finishing touch are the hand-made butterfly wings which make this little
creature just perfect! When a bear comes to life, it gives a curious feeling
when I think to myself “was it really me that has created this little wonder”?
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Do you still have any wild dreams regarding the bear making?
I aim at quality perfection for the bears and I even wish to become better in the
future in order to make the collectors happy. I have a list with new challenges
such as making a grizzly or traditional bears with an antique touch. I am really
at my best when I am challenged. One of my dreams is to participate in contests
organized by magazines such as “Teddy Bear and Friends” or “The Toby Awards”.
Do you think there is a perfect teddy bear?
A perfect bear ... each person has a different opinion about it.
Professionally speaking, a bear must have a perfectly taut embroidered nose
and be made of the nicest material. However a neglected one-eyed poor bear bought
at a jumble sale put on the right spot in your home can also be perfection.
Which sizes and materials do you prefer?
The bears are about five to nine inches long but I would like to make bigger ones
in the future. I will take up this challenge, but personally I feel very much ok
with my miniatures. I manage better to put a certain expression to little faces
and I preferably work with mohair and short-piled mini fabrics.
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Do you think that your bears are influenced by your place of residence/country or would they look the same if you lived elsewhere?
I am pretty convinced that my work would be the same, no matter where I live,
in another European country or in the U.S., Australia or even Africa.
I have always been fond of fantasy figures and I constantly use my imagination.
The only advantage of living in Belgium is that we have our own beautiful handmade
lace on jumble sales and dolls and bear fairs. Once a year I visit with my parents
the largest European collectors fair in Utrecht (the Netherlands) where we are
looking for antique lace and accessories.
“Never underestimate small things in life
Even when they do not last forever
You’ll always keep them in your heart”
See Mireille's creations at: www.bearytale-teddies.be
E-mail : mireillebegijn@hotmail.com
Copyright: Mireille Begijn
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