The Biggest Bear at the Fair

Time has a way of evaporating, especially when illness takes away a few weeks at a time. I go through periods in my writing career where I’m on a roll, completing tasks such as editing, polishing chapters on work-in-progress, generating fresh story ideas, and creating newsletters. However, a little sore throat turns into a month-long adventure of getting better, with thoughts of writing farthest away from my radar.

My hubby ended up in the hospital in October with a lung issue, which really set priorities for both of us to get well and stay healthy! I thrive on routine and don’t like a lot of change and the stress that comes with it. We’ve learned to take and make each day a special gift.

Speaking of special gifts. My granddaughter is one (I know all grandmothers say this). Years ago, we purchased a teddy bear initially intended for our daughter, but it has found a new home. This is the story of how Calvin Gary came into our lives.

Dr. Sandy Morrow, Ph.D., started The Bear Fair in 1999 in Calgary, Alberta. It was a convention and show for collectors, suppliers, and bear makers. Teddy bear artists from all over created vintage-style patterns and made handmade bears mostly out of mohair with suede paw pads and black glass eyes. Artists often sell their artist-designed teddy bears to collectors, and people do not consider them children’s toys.

My hubby met Sandy through his work as a printing consultant. She needed sales materials for The Bear Fair. I attended the first show with him and fell in love with the concept of designing an artist teddy bear. Up to this point, I had always been a doll maker. Over the next several years, I attended workshops and learned the techniques involved in making teddy bears, and I became a vendor at subsequent shows.

Drawing on my love of writing and seeing the need, I created the Canadian Teddy Bear News magazine. I published it from 1999 through to 2006. The content featured all things regarding artist teddy bears, techniques, designs, and artist profiles.

Sandy produced The Bear Fair (which was renamed the International Teddy’s Round-up) over the next several years, not only in Calgary, but in Vancouver and southern Ontario as well, until her health declined, and sadly, she passed away in December 2003.

The Bear Fair events also featured an auction. Delegates submitted a teddy bear to the auction, and the Calgary Children’s Foundation received all proceeds from the evening.

We found the auctions exciting and fast-paced. Nothing would do but for us to invest in Calvin Gary—the biggest teddy bear at the show, made by artist Edie Barlishen. He represented all that Calgary offers, a Stampede bear for sure. Calvin stayed with us all these years and has recently found a new home with our young granddaughter.

I thought you might enjoy seeing these pictures. Our little one loves her stuffed animals, and Calvin Gary is no exception.

Thank you for indulging my trip ‘down memory lane’. After not feeling my writerly self for a month, a little whimsy does the heart good.

Wishing you all the best, Hugz, Patricia