The Teddy Bear Doctor

30/08/2026

It’s been a day or two of small jobs with a big difference. I keep playing with the idea of taking some teddies to a fair but can never get organised! All these bears are for sale apart from the little Merrythought which has been reserved 😊

15/04/2026

Well this was a labour of love - but such a special bear! He was super fragile at places and a prime example as to why only the most experienced of restorers should handle these fragile old Steiff bears 🙂
A lot of newer restorers are popping up now. My advice would be to always ask for how many years’ experience a restorer has, and to see before and after photos of bears similar to your own. Pay attention in particular to noses and mouths, which should be in keeping with the bear’s original face; near-invisible stitching to pads, quality of skin grafts and bears not being overstuffed. This dear old boy was a pleasure to work on!

16/11/2025

Lovely early English bear with bellows mechanism…possibly Merrythought

16/11/2025

Such a beauty!

22/07/2025

When you SHOULD be working on someone else’s bear but someone keeps looking at you… This bear is a prime example of freezer damage…one the most fragile bears I’ve handled and a sad example of why you should NEVER freeze an old bear.

20/04/2025

26/09/2024

There is a reason I keep even small scraps of mohair, and I’m always grateful to artists who keep scraps and offcuts for me!
This small scrap was a perfect match for this little Chiltern who had lost his original nose!

12/09/2024

This little fellow came with a special request: all the old repairs by the owner’s mum had to be preserved! It took a while but I’m happy with the outcome. I hope his owner will be too!

03/09/2024

This poor bear had lost his hands! Someone had sewn patches of felt over what was left. I’ve elongated his arms, new pads, new nose, mouth and claws 😊

21/07/2024

This badly restored Steiff had had the ends of his hands chewed off…someone had sewn a piece of felt over the bit that was left, shortening his arms! He had also been given a new mouth which pulled his muzzle too tight.