The featured artist of the month for April is Angelia McLean of the US!

What got Angelia started in bear making:
I actually began making miniature teddy bears for garden fairies...see, the fairies brought their little teddy bears to the garden on midsummer's eve and the fairies partied too much that they abandoned their bears in the herbs. Hungry, the bears ate the herbs and so they then became scented with the herbs' essences....they were my first bears(about 11/2") made of felt and scented. I love herbs and gardening and made gifts with herbs about 8 years ago. I moved into making miniature bears as we all know them today-upholstery fabric etc. From there I have designed a monkey, snail, dragons, horses etc. Miniature things has been a BIG part of my life since my first dollhouse in 1971.

The Unique Quality of her bears:
I want my tiny teddy bears to be just as lovable and huggable as their larger cousins So often miniature bears sit as Knick Knack's on shelves where as big bears get hugs....I try to create these little guys with big personalities and huggability characteristics that makes them perfect for your pockets.


Angelia's Opinions on Bear-Making:
It amazes me that bear making is the industry that it is! Multi numbers of artists and thousands of collectors and countries all over the world! Truly phenomenal!! It has been taken beyond a hobby and beyond just a 'stuffed toy'. I love being part of this dynamic industry. Creativity is a part of my soul and making my bears and other mini animals allows me to do what I love and create what I want. What a wonderful 'job'!(well, I love being a mother too;)

You can see more of Angelia and her bears at her website: Angelia's Tiny Teddy Bears