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My career as a teddy bear artist...

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I have been designing teddy bears for adult collectors around the world since the mid 1990's and am very grateful to have had them regularly featured in specialist collectors' publications around the world.  I have been honoured with many international awards for my work, including the TOBY Industry's Choice Award, 'British Bear Artist Award' and 'The Excellence in Bear Artistry Award'.

 

About me ...

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The Bearmaker, Dec 2022.

As a toddler I received a beautiful Chiltern Hugmee teddy bear for my birthday and he inspired a lifelong passion for teddy bears. I have two amazing children, a son aged thirty seven and a daughter of thirty nine and am a very proud Nana to my cheeky seven year old Grandson and four year old Granddaughter.  I am the oldest of five sisters and my husband and I live in Kent, with cats Puddle and Stanley and our Golden Retrievers, Polly, her younger sister Betty and latest addition, Cooper, a lively young pup!

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It has been a while since I entered any competitions, but here are my past glories!

Teddy Bear (and doll) Design Honours 

 

  • 2017 EXCELLENCE IN BEAR ARTISTRY Award Winner

  • 2016 EXCELLENCE IN BEAR ARTISTRY Award Winner x 2

  • 2015 EXCELLENCE IN BEAR ARTISTRY Award Winner

  • 2014 Teddy Bear Artists & Friends Awards 1st place winner 'Rustic Bears'

  • 2014 Teddy Bear Artists & Friends Awards Awards 3rd place Winner 'Touching Tradition'

  • 2014 EXCELLENCE IN BEAR ARTISTRY Award Winner

  • 2013 Teddy Bear Artists & Friends Awards Awards 1st place winner 'Sunday Best'

  • 2013 Teddy Bear Artists & Friends Awards Awards 1st place winner 'Jubilee Memories'

  • 2013 EXCELLENCE IN BEAR ARTISTRY Award Winner

  • 2012 EXCELLENCE IN BEAR ARTISTRY Award Winner

  • 2011 URSA Awards Honorable Mention

  • 2011 Teddy Bear Artists & Friends Awards Award 3rd place winner 'Creative Dolls'

  • 2011 Teddy Bear Artists & Friends Awards Award 3rd place winner 'Groups'

  • 2011 Teddy Bear Artists & Friends Awards Award 3rd place winner 'Polar Bears'

  • 2011 Teddy Bear Artists' Event: Organiser's Award Winner

  • 2011 TOBY Industry's Choice Award Winner

  • 2011 Golden Teddy Award Finalist

  • 2010 URSA Awards 2nd place Winner

  • 2010 Australian Bear Creations Awards Finalist

  • 2010 Sydney People's Choice Finalist

  • 2008 TOBY Industrys' Choice Award Winner

  • 2008 URSA Award 2nd place Winner

  • 2007 Teddy Bear Scene Magazine Readers' Choice Award Finalist

  • 2003 British Bear Artist Awards Finalist

  • 2000 British Bear Artist Awards Finalist

  • 1999 British Bear Artist Awards Runner-up

  • 1998 British Bear Artist Awards Winner

  • 1997 British Bear Artist Awards Runner-up

  • 1996 EVA Awards Finalist

 

Publications featuring my work ...

 

Teddy Bears, A collectible History: by Kathy Martin
(Hardback 2009)

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The Teddy Bear Annual (UK)

Teddy Bear Times Magazine (UK)

Teddy Bear Scene Magazine (UK)

Teddy Bear Club International Magazine (UK)

The Wonderful World of Teddy Bears (Agostini) (UK)

Teddy Bear and Friends Magazine (USA)

Teddy Bear Review Magazine (USA)

Teddys Kreativ Magazine (Germany)

Teddy and Co Magazine (Germany)

Bear Creations Magazine (Australia)

Bear Beautiful Magazine (Australia)

The New Zealand Teds Magazine (New Zealand)

Hugglets UK Teddy Bear Guide 

 

 

 

 

Teddy Bears, A collectible history of the teddy bear, book, Katy Martin

Join me on Instagram... @thebearmaker

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