Stearnsy Bears History
Since 1981 the Stearns family has produced classic styled fine quality collectible teddy bears. Never more than a small family business, Stearnsy Bears have earned a reputation for becoming family heirlooms. For 27 years each Stearnsy teddy bear has been hand-crafted and it is still that way today.
Since my Dad died in 2001 and Mom retired, my wife Vicky and I have carried on as a 2 person operation. You would be hard pressed to have a smaller "small family business" than we do. But what we lack in quantity we make up for in quality. We do business old fashioned way. We make our bears one at a time. It isn't the best business model but it is the way to make the best teddy bears. What we are trying to do is make something that will be loved and appreciated for a lifetime. Our bears end up with people of all ages but what binds them together is that they want something special.
Stearnsy Bears are also famous for their whimsical vintage outfits. Sally Stearns started this by first buying three bears. Then she dressed them in vintage doll clothes and named them after family members. From this small seed of an idea the family business grew. Soon family members were making the bears, Sally was dressing them and Jim Stearns (papa bear) was selling in what was the family grocery store and also on the road. Soon bears crowded out groceries and there was no looking back.
Today Charles and Vicky Stearns carry on the family tradition.
One of the main things that have allowed us to stay in business has been the ability to offer something unique to each collector. We do the same thing each day but they never turn out the same way. Ideas for outfits come from what we find to work with not the other way around. So no two are ever dressed alike because we never find the same things to work with.
So if you have a Stearnsy no one else has one like it.
Our production ranges from 20 to 25 bears a month depending on size. Most of the bears are made from Schulte German mohair, but we also use some synthetics and vintage fabrics on occasion each bear takes from 5 to 6 hours for smaller sizes up to perhaps 9 hours for our largest size. They are a labor of love for us. We also spend a lot of time out looking for the things we use in each outfit.
We also do custom heirloom bears. Perhaps you have a vintage fur coat that has much sentimental value but just hangs in the closet. We can make wonderful teddy bear or bears from it that will turn into a valued treasure that will pass from generation to the next. We work with most kinds of real fur, fake synthetic fur coats and coat linings, and other fabrics.
We also can dress a bear that we have made in an outfit you provide. Vicky in most case can do wonderful things with baby clothes, old or new, christening gowns, children's clothes, etc. She also can work with vintage or antique adult clothing, military uniforms and other things. If you have you own idea for something like this we would be glad to listen to it.
Stearnsy Bears normally range in price from $50 to $425. We will gladly give you a free estimate on any kind of custom work. Stearnsy Bears offer a life time of enjoyment. Expensive, but worth it.
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