Teddy bears are synonymous with children and the younger generation. When a child is born, or on their birthday, a very common gift would be a teddy bear or some kind of soft toy, but nowadays owning a bear is becoming more of an art form, with teddy bear collecting on the rise.

Collecting these furry friends become a popular thing to do in the 1970s-1980s, when teddy bears were no longer being treated as just a ‘toy’. The term ‘arctophile’ is a word to describe a teddy bear collector or someone who is very fond of teddy bears and this was originated around the same time period with ‘arctos’ being the Greek word for bears and ‘phile’ the Greek for someone having a fondness for a specific thing.

Why Collect?

There’s no denying that a teddy bear could bring a smile to even the most solemn of faces, but what really turns someone who just loves bears into a serious collector? Well, there are many reasons!

• Passion – Some people start collecting from a young age as they discovered their passion for teddy bears early on in life.
• Money – Others collect to make money, buying and selling rare bears could make you a pretty penny.
• Good old fashioned fun – Bears bring happiness to owners, so a lot of collectors do so because they enjoy the company of their bears and the fun of finding new ones.

At My Bear Shop we offer bears from brands like Steiff, Kaycee Bears, and Suki, which offer a great range of bears that are perfect for a novice or seasoned collector!

Is Collecting Right For Me?

Yes, collecting teddy bears is a lot of fun if you have a passion for it but there are things to consider before jumping in. Unfortunately, when it comes down to it you will need a bit of money to start a collection, and if you’re looking for those rare or vintage bears they could cost you! Make sure you’ve got enough money to start a collection you’re happy with, don’t end up disappointed. That’s not to say you can’t start a collection on a budget – there are plenty of charity shops around and you never know, they may have some hidden gems!

Space is also worth considering, teddy bears aren’t small (unless you’re collecting miniature bears) so if you’re serious about starting a collection you need to make sure you’ve got a spacious clean and dry environment to keep them in. If you want to display your collection it might be worth investing in a special cabinet to keep them safe! Also (if you’re going to be taking collecting really seriously) have a think about how you’re going to keep track of your bears e.g. where you bought them from and as much information about the specific bear as possible.

What Should I Collect?

Now, this is the fun part because it’s entirely up to you. There are so many types of bears out there so the world is your oyster, start with one bear and go from there! If you’re really unsure, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Collect by brand – A lot of collectors like to stick with one brand until they have the full collection. For example, you could start with a Merrythought Traditional Bear, collect the whole lot and then move onto their animals!
• Limited Edition – Most bear brands bring out limited edition stock periodically and these are usually rarer and worth more in the long term. Why not start with this limited edition 60th anniversary Paddington Bear?
• Style or genre – Bears can be made by different brands but be of a similar style, find a style you like and get collecting. You could even collect by type of animal, teddy bears don’t have to be actual bears. If you’re a fan of bunnies, collect them all!

How Do I Look After My Collection?

Caring for your teddy bear (especially if it’s a collectors item) is very important, you need to make sure it’s in peak condition at all times! It’s good to understand firstly how a bear can be damaged and what environments are best for it. Here are a few key instructions:

• Avoid the washing machine.
• Shake the dust off regularly.
• Keep your bears out of direct sunlight.
• Clean them once a month.
• Store them in a cool dry place.

When Can I Start Collecting?

There’s no time like the present! My Bear shop has everything you need to start a teddy bear collection that is the envy of collectors across the world! Start your collection today with our amazing range of bears, we have all shapes and sizes, and brands to suit all budgets!