About Butler Bears

My name is Marilyn Holland-Butler of Butler Bears. I live in Shropshire with my husband Michael, the bear widow. He calls himself this because I disappear into my work room and forget all else! My son Stuart now lives and works in London.

I started making bears as a hobby while recovering from cancer, at my husband's suggestions. I had always been a capable craftswoman and when I discovered Teddy Bear Times I was able to find material suppliers. When Michael suggested I start selling my bears I was able to source Bear Fairs through the magazine.

My father was a source of great support, encouragement and confidence during this period but unfortunately after about four and a half years both he and my mother became increasingly frail and eventually died within one year of each other. During this period I was unable to continue with my bear making. I have now recovered from this traumatic time and am again making bears and attending fairs.

My bears are made of hem bound mohair and alpaca with leather paws. They are traditional in design and I love making character bears. My favourite bear is the first proper one I made when I had finally worked out my first design. He is in cream curly mohair and is named Stuart as he reminds me of my son's blonde hair when he was a toddler. I am self taight and make up my own designs which evolve by mistakes and adjustments. The inspiration for bears comes from people I know and from characters from everyday life. For instance, Jerry and Jenny Joy were inspired by a nursery rhyme my grandmother used to tell us as children. The Bear Widow will say "I thought it was to be so and so you were going to make". I reply "Yes, but the bear had other ideas." The name of the bear evolves as I am making it.

My bears are usually a limited edition of one or two. I rarely make more of any particular bear as I like to move on to the next idea popping into my head. I have a little note book in which I write any ideas which I cannot use immediately. Sometimes ideas come flooding in all at once and by writing them down I can refine them before I begin actually making the bear.

My website is intended to provide a doorway to making new friends both home and abroad. I would love to do some overseas Bear Fairs in the future.

With the discover of Teddy Bear Times it has been both pleasing and productive to transfer my passion for collecting bears to making them. I have met many new friends and hope to make many more through bear making and taking part in Bear Fairs. The tags which go on each of my bears say "Made with 100% love". And they are.