Our featured artist for the month of December is Ellen Sotos of the US!

Ellen began as an antiques dealer specializing in old teddy bears. She restored antique bears and soon began to design her own bears. Out of this grew her love for artist bears and the work of other bear makers. She now collects the work of other bear artists as well as beautiful vintage teddies.

Her mother was a very talented seamstress who worked well without patterns and could design on her own, she also made many wonderful crafts. Ellen learned about patterns and design from her mother.

Ellen's bears are each unique one-of-a-kinds. They are made of mohair, alpaca, and sometimes for a special effect Ellen uses a fine synthetic, or even wool. Her bears have glass or onyx bead eyes, hand-stitched or leather noses, and leather or felt paw pads. Each bear is signed on the foot and comes with its own card, giving its description and name. All of the work is done by Ellen Sotos. Some of Ellen's bears are dressed, and some undressed. Some will have just a hat or an unusual accessory.

Ellen lives in Carrollton, Georgia, which is why her bears are called "The Bears of Carrollton."

To See more of Ellen and her bears please visit her website at The Bears of Carrollton