Guild Description:
We are a collective of artists who make soft-sculptured collectibles produced in the image of a bear and/or any other real or imaginary creature. These collectibles are knitted crocheted, needle felted or stitched with an external covering of yarn, mohair, wool, plush or other fabric including real fur and leather. They may be jointed, partially jointed, or un-jointed. Their common denominator is that none of them are intended or safe for children. To join, you must be an ArtFire member and a maker of one or more of the following: Artist Teddy Bears and Friends defined as any artistic rendition of a teddy bear or any other creature, imaginary or real, knitted, crocheted, felted, made from mohair, wool, any fiber, recycled materials, real fur, plush fabric (faux fur) or any fabric of any kind. In addition, the "teddy bear or friend" must be originally designed by the artist and hand made by same. For the purposes of our group, none of the items called "artist bears and/or friends" may be described as toys, made from commercial patterns or copied designs from another artist.