Bear Essentials & Silver Bear Centre

The most important part of any Teddy bear is his mohair. Artisans at Steiff-Schulte are constantly striving to provide us with new fabric choices from which they can make interesting new bears for our collectors around the world.
Dante is a perfect example of Steiff-Schulte’s innovators at work. His unusual green mohair is a work of art within itself. It’s an extremely short pile dyed using an ancient Indonesian “batik” technique. The result is a random pattern that makes each and every bear unique.
But Dante’s mohair is just the beginning of his wonders. He has a classical look, but is yet somehow modern. He bridges the gap between traditional Steiff and today’s artist Teddies. He has a shaved muzzle, sparkling black eyes, antiqued paw pads, loosely jointed head, and hand-stitched nose and claws. Around his neck, he wears a patinated bell on a cord for good luck. And any collector would feel lucky to own this exceptional Steiff Teddy.
Just one available at Bear Essentials online shop.

A Teddy Bear with Swarovski Crystal – where elegance and luxury come together.

In 2011, Steiff has brought  to light its own precious gem, the Sapphire Teddy bear. Sapphire brings together luxurious materials, sophisticated design, and the world of fashion for a bear that’s simply unlike any other. Even the Teddy’s coat is something extraordinary. It’s an exclusive plush woven from 100% silk strands for a sumptuous feel that you’ll have to touch to believe. It feels nothing like mohair at all. This silk material has been carefully dyed to a deep blue – just like the rich hues of the most coveted real sapphires. The bear’s paw pads are encrusted with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS for a dramatic effect, reflecting secondary tones of purple, light blue, green, and even pink. Around Sapphire’s neck, she wears a strand of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS as a choker. In the bear’s ear, a stunning Swarovski XILION crystal takes the place of a button as a fabulous finishing touch. Not since the 125-Karat bear has there been a Teddy so dazzling. Just 2 Teddy’s available. To buy click here>

Auction finds are a major source of inspiration for designers at Steiff. They follow the Teddy bear market closely, attending auctions and collecting catalogues – always on the lookout for wonderful rarities to reintroduce or reinterpret for our devoted collectors. The inspiration for Johann was found in an country auction. He had everything  collectors – and  designers – look for in a classic Teddy. First of all, his face is truly inviting and endearing. He has a hand stitched nose and sparkling black eyes. His nose is hand-stitched with black floss in the traditional Steiff style. His body, too, is very typically “Steiff”. Discover Johann – just the way our auction watchers did – and we think you’ll fall in love with him, too.
I know we here at Bear Essentials have.

We love to get feed back from our customers especially if it is such a nice one and we like to share it with you. We hope it assures you as well that we will look after your precious teddy bear and restore him to his own natural self as much as possible.

Here is Mary’s comment: Anke, Our trust was rewarded when we placed my late mother’s 90 year old ‘Big Ted’ with Bear Essentials for restoration recently. I gather he was the largest bear ever treated by the team? You did a fantastic job in keeping his old features (eyes and nose) while replacing all his fur and my daughter was amazed when he appeared as a gift for her on Christmas Day – this investment will make sure this new/old bear takes pride of place within the family – his days of being disguarded in the attic are over. Many, many thanks for your friendly professionalism – Mary

Hi Anke,
Thank you very much for Freezy who arrived on December 23rd! We have introduced Freezy to Leo and they were delighted to see each other! Unfortunately none of the children were there as they had finished for the Christmas Holidays. We will however take photographs of Leo, the children and Freezy after January 10th when we come back to school.  Consider Freezy well in truly adopted!!! Thanks again! Rachel from CavanKids – Look at Leo with Christmas Hat.

We just got a new message from CavanKids:Please find attached some photos of the children of Kavan Kids Montessori with Leo and Freezy! The Teddies are having a great time with us!

Yes we have got a winner! We are delighted for Cavan Kids to adopt Freezy for Christmas and he will meet up with his old friend Leo. It is the entry who got the most public votes and this was their story:

teddy bear picnic

Every year we visit Anke at Bear Essentials! All of the Kavan Kids Montessori children visit and get to do lots of interesting things. This year we noticed a sad bear on the kitchen work top. Anke explained that Leo the Bear had been sent to South Africa to someone who had returned him. Leo was then left in the rain on Ankes door step and Ankes dogs ripped open his parcel and dragged him around. Leo did not want to go back to South Africa nor stay at Ankes. Anke asked Kavan Kids Montessori would we adopt Leo! We were all delighted! Leo now sits on a shelf in the Montessori looking after all the children here. He has come on Teddy Bear Picnics and has had a new Graduation Gown made to attend our Graduation. He sat proudly on the stage with all the children. Leo is now a happy Bear and is very much loved…..

CONGATULATION Cavan Kids Montessori!!!

Thanks to anyone who took part and we like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and hopefully there will be a little bear under your Christmas tree.

We will add the last votes tonight and announce the winner of our competition by tomorrow morning. We would like the winner to come along and pickup Freezy themselves so that we can take a photograph of the new owner. I am sure Freezy will be very happy wherever he goes. Good luck to all of you and thank you for voting.

Yes this is what you are waiting for.You can vote now for your favorite entry to our Freezy Teddy Bear Competition. There are 2 ways you can vote either under the image you want to vote for or under this post – but you have to enter your vote under comments. Just one vote per email.
Enter vote for ……….(the name of the person/group) and one sentence why you vote for them. Votes who are not send in this format are not counted for. We try and publish your votes every evening. Voting will end on Saturday the 11th of  December which is our Gingerbread House workshop day here at Bear Essentials.
Ending time is 11am and we will announce the winner during our workshop in the afternoon and on the blog on Saturday evening. So what more is there to say than to thank you all for your entries, to wish everyone good luck and that Freezy is excited to find out where and with whom he will be spending Christmas 2010.
IMPORTANT: make sure to click at the end of page to see our first entries and than vote!!!

Hi my name is Clodagh, this is my dog called Patch. He is very old and needed to go to the teddy hospital and with Ankes help he is now looking like new.
He is my favourite toy and I play with him everyday.

You and your friends can vote for this image & story after the 5th of November – vote Clodagh Reilly

The entry with the most votes is going to adopt teddy Freezy for Christmas and will give him a new home forever after.

My first bear is now past his mid 50’s and has worn well even though he was hugely loved. He has been re-stuffed and wears my brother’s baby clothes (they are now grown man).I first heard of Anke and her Bear Making Centre in Cavan a few years ago and I looked forward to going there and make my own teddy bear. I thoroughly enjoyed my day session there and this was my first of many bear making times with Anke. I have since attended each year our teddy bear making week in An Grianan. Made about 10 bears including a panda and polar bear.

You and your friends can vote for this image & story after the 5th of November – vote Mariah Cooney

The entry with the most votes is going to adopt teddy Freezy for Christmas and will give him a new home forever after.