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* About Deb Beardsley and the Bears * |
Deb's roots (necessary boring drivel):
Way back in the 1800's...great, great, great grandfather, Elam Beardsley, decided Wisconsin was the place to raise his young family. Adelia, his ever lovin' wife, made primitive cloth dolls and other fascinating trinkets for their girl-children. (Sadly, teddy bears were never made.) The boys played with bugs, snakes, and other icky stuff. This odd tradition of never making or giving teddy bears to succeeding Beardsley girls passed from generation to generation. That is...until Deborah, girl-child, was born (*see epiphany*)
There was something lacking in Deborah's life...she decided at a young age (*see epiphany again*) that she would either make teddy bears or be an astronaut someday! Much to the disappointment of NASA...guess what happened?? Fast forward to high school...After struggling thru Home Economics in High School, thinking who would EVER need sewing skills, she began her sewing career at age 18. Working with men's and women's garments, shoes, upholstery...eventually ending up as an Alterations manager in the Leather and Fur Industry...sewing...sewing...sewing...(who knew?? it was all falling into place. ;o))
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How this crazy bear making started:
Making dolls and bears for her 3 daughters was a past-time, until she was stricken with "mohair fever" (very serious) in 1996. After a year of making bears from other peoples' patterns, she developed her own style. In 1997 she quit her full-time job (SCARY!) and began her journey as a bear artist. Antique and vintage teddies and animals became her passion, making replicas of those well-loved toys as well as contemporary bears. Removing color, dyeing, distressing, over-dyeing, plucking, scarping, sanding, burying, generally abusing...became common practices in order to breathe life into her creations and to achieve an "antique" essence. |
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How "Why Be Normal" came into being:
After making traditional bears and animals for several years~~~a few collectors asked her if she could create something as pitiful and ugly as she possibly could imagine (big heads, tiny arms, little legs...totally out of proportion) Her inspiration for this style was derived from "vintage Eurasian" pieces. She designed a teddy that was so pathetic, so utterly ridiculous... she set it aside for 2 years! Finally listing it on eBay..."Funky Panda" was a hit! The "Why Be Normal" series was born...you know..."life is short, so why be normal?" Within this YBN series are a few "mini" series:
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- Tag Sale Teddies- odd misshapen "lost soul" teds..... looking for a good home to retire in.
- Pudge E. Pups- adorable pups in various colors and sizes.
- Sum Tings- 7" bears and panda in pastels and realistic beary colors.
- Wee Lee Wittles- 5" "really little" bears and other "bebe"critters.
These series, along with an entire cast of characters, make up the inhabitants of the "Why Be Normal" world. |
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How Deb has influenced the teddy bear market. (if at all...;o)
Collectors and store owners agree that Deb's innovative series of new and unique bears and animals have influenced the current trends in contemporary bear making. Fans of Deb's unique style are impressed by her unwillingness to rest on her laurels, the diversity of her designs, and the continual surprises she never fails to deliver. As for the future, stay tuned...... |
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Cool stuff about Deb's achievements. Her work has been featured in these publications:
- Teddy Bear and Friends
- Teddy Bear Review
- Teddy Bear Scene (UK)
- Teddy Bear Times (UK)
- Teddy Bear International
Beardsley Bears was recently commissioned by The European Ballet in London, England, to create special "one of a kinds" for their Gala Events. This was one of the biggest thrills in Deb's career. She has also had the honor to be included for 5 consecutive years in the prestigious Teddy Bears of Witney catalog. Most recently, Cooperstown Bears has requested limited editions for their January 2004 catalog.
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