Teddy Bear & Friends - February 2014

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There are bear species native to every continent except Australia and
Antarctica (though Africa’s native bears are now extinct). So it’s not surprising that the art of teddy bear making has also spread around the world — although there are no bear artists living in the Antarctic, as far as
we know. This issue, as part of our continuing Bears Around the World series, we visit with artists from such far-flung locales as Belgium, Singapore,
and South Africa.
Thanks to the Internet, of course, it’s possible to admire the work of
bear makers across the globe, for artists to share their experience with each other, and to find inspirations for new creations. Inevitably, some of
the most recognizable, most shared, most
photogenic creatures in the universe are being made into plush pals.
We received word that Internet meme Grumpy Cat is being immortalized this way by not one, but two companies:
Gund and Ganz
— turn to Page 18 to see
the sour-faced delights
that await collectors!