ABOUT ISSYBEARS
Gladstone
A number of years ago my husband came home from an auction sale with a lovely old bear for me. The poor thing had no ears. He was obviously well-loved and I named him Gladstone.
He was the first in my small collection of vintage bears, but as auction prices increased and old teds crept further out of reach, I decided to have a go at making my own.
These first creations, modelled on Gladstone, are most definitely not up for publication but practice makes perfect, as they say, and a few bears later I was addicted! Fortunately, I had a good background in stitchcraft. I made my own clothes at age thirteen and went on to help my older sister sewing soft toys for her market stall some years later, in addition to which I have re-covered innumerable chairs and sofas and made soft furnishings and curtains.
When my Dad was alive his nickname for me was always “Issy” and that’s where “Issybears” comes from. Sadly, he didn’t live to see my bears but, being a big softie, I am sure he would have loved them all!
Carole Richardson
Issybears are made from quality materials such as mohair, alpaca mixes, synthetics etc. and utilise traditional bear-making materials such as black glass eyes and cotter-pin joints. It is important to note that this makes them unsuitable as toys for children. They are intended for collectors only. All bears are one-of-a-kind unless otherwise stated.
Please feel free to e-mail me on any aspect of my bears: