In 1986-87 I produced my first limited editions, Ben, Betsy and Thom, my Bicentennial Bears.

They set the stage for my first original bear pattern in 1988, Say Your Prayers Bear, a kneeling bear whose likeness was taken from a picture in my childhood nursery rhyme books.

From the beginning, my bears have had an identifying, embroidered accent line attached to the eyes. It became my hallmark, straight from the illustrations of my old books, and I call them worry lines.

Even See-Through-Too (click to view), created in 1990 to demonstrate the variety and use of materials in the construction of a teddy, had his Happy Tymes eye accents on the plastic skin.

Full color posters of See-Through are still available from Teddy Bear & Friends Magazine.

Through the years, I have had two to three skilled helpers. Without them I would never have been able to continue producing the about three hundred bears each year from my home-studio.

Every year since 1989 until 2010, I have presented a special Annual Collectors Christmas Edition. 

Appearing at Disney World Conventions annually since 1995, has given me the opportunity to create some very dynamic and prized edition and auction pieces for them. 

At the turn of 2000, who could forget the Millennium bug scare, so I created my own version of a Millennium Bug, furry and friendly.

In 2001, my bear called Chance, created exclusively to stir financial support and recognition for the research of histiocytosis (a blood disease), produced my highest auction sum of $20,500.00.

I annually develop bear designs for Cooperstown Bears, and have also designed for The Franklin Mint, Little Gems and the Annette Funicello Bear Company.

In 2004 I was asked to create the design for the first annual Theodore Society Club Bear.

I called him Alfie, as he signified "in the beginning" or number one. Produced by Cooperstown, he was limited to charter member registration and purchase.

Teddy Bear Review distributed about 150 pieces.

In 1998, I launched of my own manufactured editions under the separate GLOBAL DESIGNS label. "Friends"- Happy, Smiley, Hooligan and Halfpint produced in 1998, were followed by the 1999 "The Pride" Of Happy Tymes-The Little White Lyins'. Since then, my Basically Bears design has continued annually in a variety of 14" dressed bears.

Early in 2001, I developed TEDDIES TO GO, an innovative addition to Global Designs.

This simplistically designed bear, panda or bunny allows the interactive satisfaction of stuffing your own bear. They are available in the form of an individual complete kit, or shared as a group activity of any size, and for all ages. I've truly enjoyed the opportunity to direct workshops at

variety of venues, both nationally and internationally.  

I resolutely continue to produce my own hand-made bears, including those special editions of the PORTRAIT BEARS, one of my three registered trademarks.

It has been these PORTRAIT BEARS, beginning with Laurel & Hardy in 1992, which have given me my identity within the teddy bear world.

Since then I've created the likes of W.C Field, Chaplin, The Presidents, Emmett Kelly, Ronald McDonald, John Wayne, Churchill, Jack Nicklaus, The Little Rascals, Yogi and Boo-Boo, Smokey, Elvis, Sinatra, Ralph Waldo Emmerson, Auntie Mame, the Berryman Bear, Mona Lisa, Van Gogh, Gandhi, Napoleon, Elvis, the Beatles and a few common folk too.

The PORTRAIT BEARS go beyond mere characterization. Their sculpting process creates a unique art form, and some really neat teddy bears! This is wonderfully gratifying and I wish that I could devote more time to it.

Some of my most dynamic creations reside in private collections as well as U.S. and European museums, Japanese museums, Korean Museums, Teddy Bear Kingdom in Hong Kong.

So many faces, so little time!

I love the challenge that contests present, and through the years I've been privileged to have been nominated for numerous trade show and magazine awards.

A few produced winners with Golden Teddy's in 1993, 1994, and 1995, and TOBY's in 1992, 1998, 2003, and 2012. International awards include the Japan convention and Museum Awards, BBAA in the UK, and Der Golden George in Germany.

"Smiley" was a 1999 Glass City Award from Ohio, while “Ike”won a URSA Award 2012 in the Bears & Buds online magazine.

It has been equally thrilling to see my creations on the covers of our trade magazines around the world through the years:

Sometimes it is difficult for me to believe that these simple little teddy bears have been responsible for my extensive international travel.

They have allowed me to make so many new friends and experience so many wonderful new places. They have slowly stretched their fuzzy paws around the globe, touching the lives of people whom I may never meet.

My teddy bears are a nostalgic expression of who I am, a furry collage of my life experiences, my emotions and perceptions, my creativity and energy.

I take great joy in knowing that this work of my hands can bring a sense of wonder, happiness and friendship into the lives of others.