My bears are of an "old fashioned" theme, typically dressed as gentlemen or ladies. I often accessorise them with an antique brooch or handmade hat adorned with flowers. My quest to bring the bears to life demands great attention to the finest details.
Having never owned a childhood teddy bear, at first I didn't know where to start or how to create teddies. My brother Murray was given a bear as a child, but my sister Gracie and I were given traditional dolls.
It wasn't until my husband, Martin, gave me my very first teddy bear years later that I actually owned a bear. I was delighted and inspired to create my own bears.
The birth of our daughter Victoria in 1989 and son Marcel in 1991 inspired me to start making bears for my children. I wanted to give both of them something special. Previously I had made porcelain dolls and learnt various needlework and other crafts, but it was the making of teddy bears, initially for my family and friends, that captured my imagination.
Looking at the many mass-produced bears available, I felt that these lacked the life and the personality of a handmade bear. I decided to make my own bears, and thus in 1992, Draffin Bears was born. Draffin is my maiden name and was chosen to reflect my lifelong interest in bears.
I hope that you enjoy owning them as much as I enjoy making them. |
