Memory bears

by | Dec 30, 2020 | Memory bears | 0 comments

Millie dog head - memory bear dog - brierley bears

Memory bears.

Memory bears are a fantastic way of honouring the memory of a loved one.
They are bears or animals made from the clothes or other fabric that is sentimental to the person commissioning the bear.
Memory bears are typically made from things like babies first clothes, an old wedding dress, or the favourite clothes of a deceased loved one.
I love the idea of them, but I don’t want to make the type of memory bear that so many others are making.

So, my memory bears are created much like my other creations. Using only the finest mohair, alpaca or faux fur fabrics.

* * *
My first memory bear
The first memory bear I made was called Arron, back in November 2018.
Arron was for a lovely collector of mine who lost a baby. I can’t imagine what this loss must feel like, so I was honoured to get this special commission.
Arron - a special commission - memory bear - sitting

Arron

Arron would have been a beautiful baby boy. So the colour chosen to make him was blue. His pendant is red wooden beads, that I engraved the name Arron onto (first attempt at engraving round objects went well, you’ll be pleased to know too). Red was chosen for his pendant as he would have supported his local football team.

For special commissions such as this, I give the option of writing the story to the new bears new owner, and his mum decided to write his story.

The bears story is what Arron’s mum thought Arron would grow up like, which was really lovely to hear.

This was a lovely touch, so much more personal for such a special bear, and gave the bear the perfect personality.

Arron now has pride of place with Arron’s urn and a few of my other bears.

Peony, Arron & Orla

Peony, Arron & Orla

He’s stunning!!♥️ love the fur and his colours Thankyou so much .. you do not know how much this bear will mean to us he will also be sat with little Arron’s earn X
~ Emma (Arron’s mum)
* * *
My second memory bear (dog)
In November 2020, I was honoured to get the request to make a very special memory bear (dog);
When Millie’s dad first contacted me, he sent me a photo of Millie (isn’t she adorable?). She was beloved family pet who passed away in September.
Now, I am of the opinion that pets are as much a part of the family as any human family member, so to me asking to make my own version of her was a huge honour.
The real Millie dog

The real Millie dog

 

Millie is my first dog pattern, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed making her.

For special commissions like this one I allow the client the option of writing the bears story, or giving me some personal details to enable me to write the story.

Well, I did the writing for this one, but I got to hear lots of stories about Millie, and got to see a little video of her, which was great!
It definitely helped me to get her character right, and my client enjoyed reminiscing about Millie.
Millie dog standing, memory bear dog, Brierley Bears
Millie dog standing
Then I found out that the owners had had another devastating loss in the last few years, so she’s even more special as she’s a double memorial.

 

I have to say that when I read the story I wrote out loud to my husband, I burst into tears at the last sentence.

As a little surprise for them, I also engraved a tag for Millie.

Millie, memory dog and her new mum Claire

Millie with her new mum Claire

 

I’m thrilled to tell you that Millie’s new mum, Claire, absolutely loved her. She was quite emotional when she met her.
“I just wanted to properly say thanks you for creating Millie for me.
You have managed to capture not just her bright-eyed and bushy-tailed look and demeanour, but somehow her personality too.
The creativity, detail, and quality of your work is incredible (you certainly have quite a talent!), and I know that my wife will absolutely love opening her present on Christmas Day. I just have an agonising wait of 3 weeks now.
Your creation will be a part of our family for many years to come and I can’t recommend Brierley Bears highly enough!”
~ Dale (Millie’s Dad)
“I’m Millie’s Mum 😁 and I just wanted to say that when I opened her Christmas morning, the emotion I felt was indescribable. Never in a million years could I have guessed what was going to be in that box!

I still can’t believe how you have managed to capture her daft but beautiful personality and scruffy face as well as telling her story as if you knew her like we did. I miss her every single day but with your talent, you have managed to make that pain a little easier and I’ll be eternally grateful for that so thank you for all your hard work and thank you to my amazing husband

Dale Turley

for organising what I thought would have been impossible ❤️❤️🥰 xx”

~ Claire (Millie’s Mum)
Reviews like these are why I love making my bears!

I hope to create more special bears like this in the future!

So, If you have a memory bear that you would like me to make for you, I’d love to hear from you.
Just email me using the button below and I’ll see what I can do.
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