I’m a bit of an eclectic person when it comes to collecting items, e.g. for my collector’s badge when I was in the Brownies I was collecting empty perfume bottles. I used to collect porcelain dolls and postcards. I have always been a collector of cuddly toys and it wasn’t until 2005 when I started to read the Teddy Bear Times magazine that I found an article about Charlie Bears.

It was the unique range of bears and animals that caught my eye. I bought my first Charlie Bear in 2007, called Jacob, whilst I was on holiday in Keswick.  If I’m going on holiday or a day trip, I will have a look online to see if the town or city we are visiting has a teddy bear shop. If not, I will purchase a bear online from a stockist instead.

Charlie Bears Collection

The Charlie Bears in my collection are:

• Milly.
• Mulberry.
• Twinky.
• Briar Rose Rabbit.
• Evie.
• Arthur.
• Firework – renamed Amethyst or Amy for short.
• Timmy.
• Edwin.
• Charlotte.
• Summer.

I’m planning on adding another bear to my Charlie Bears collection in the near future.

Evie came from a stockist in Norwich whilst my Mum and I were on holiday there in 2009. Edwin and Milly came from a stockist in Ramsbottom, in Bury, East Lancashire, during a visit to the town.

I bought Firework, renamed Amethyst, from a well-known toy store in London. My Mum treated me to a weekend away in London one week before a big birthday in 2013. A few months later my Mum and I went on mid-week break to Lytham St Annes and that’s where I got Timmy from.

Arthur, Charlotte (2016) and Mulberry (2014) came from a stockist in York (two day trips and online), whilst both Briar Rose Rabbit and Twinky were purchased from a well-known shopping channel in 2015.

Family Links

For the last 10 years I have been doing my family history research and I will buy a bear that has the same name as an ancestor, or I will rename a bear in memory of a family member. Edwin was my three times Great Grandfather.

I bought Summer, now renamed June, from Charlie Bears direct in December last year in memory of my Grandma’s passing in December 2007, she was born in June 1910. My collection of bears and animals has grown over the years to 50, which include bears from other manufacturers and I have three handmade bears by three different teddy bear makers.

One of these bears is called Lilly May (after my other Grandmother), she is a memory bear made from one of my old pair of jeans and some fabric I had with some ribbon, buttons and a fabric flower. I sent these items to the bear maker by post. Breeze and Robyn Rose are the other hand made bears.

Storyteller

I am a member of their best friend’s club and official Facebook group, which I like being a part of because I can share my stories and photos with like minded people. This is my first time as a blogger, and I’m looking forward to sharing my stories and experiences of collecting teddy bears here at My Bear Shop.

Take a look at our bear collection today!