The Teddy Bears of Lin Wildlife Friends have come about over 30 years of evolution. Taught by her
grandmother to sew at the age of 4, Lin later excelled at several forms of needlework including knitting,
crocheting, quilting, and cross-stitch. When the Davies' second child was born disabled, these sewing
skills enabled Lin to create a form of income while remaining at home to care for her child.
Lin's first items made for sale were quilted pillows. Lin began to sell her pillows at small craft shows and
bazaars. Pillows were gradually intermixed with animals, first made with quilted fabrics, and then
synthetic furs. Lin soon began drawing her own designs and her work became a 'menagerie' of plush fur
critters, including whimsical and realistic arm and hand puppets. About 15 years ago, she designed her
first jointed bear and heard somewhere that there was a wonderful fabric called mohair. Nearly 13 years
ago she designed and made her first mohair bear. She was so taken with the experience that she was
soon making mohair bears exclusively.
Throughout this whole process, Lin was exhibiting her bears at craft shows and eventually bear shows.
Gareth was teaching high school earth science and physics and helped transport and set up the shows.
Gradually, he began to become a full-time summer helper when schools were not in session and, in 1994,
he retired to become a full-time partner making bears. The Davies both like the traditional bears of the
early 20th Century, especially those of Germany. While they don't attempt to copy these bears, their
preference is reflected in their designs. Lin does all the sewing, while Gareth draws on, cuts out, joints,
and stuffs each bear. Lin knits wool sweaters and sews clothing for some of the bears, and when leather
accessories are needed, Gareth makes them.
Since 1996, Lin and Gareth have been recognized annually by Early American Homes magazine as one of
200 outstanding craftsmen in America. 1995 the Davies were asked by noted bear artist Steve Schutt to
exhibit their bears in his store during the Clarion, Iowa Teddy Bear show. They will be among the regular
exhibitors in the year 2000 Clarion show in June. In 1996 and 1997, they won Glass City trophies at the
Toy Store Show in Toledo, Ohio. These awards were chosen by the attendees of the show.
In October of 1997, the bears of Lin Wildlife friends were featured in a Teddy Bear and Friends article, and
in the fall of 1999, they were asked to produce a bear and vest pattern for that magazine's Teddy Craft
supplement. As their business name implies one of their goals is to again craft animals other than bears.
This time they will be made of mohair, a sort of return to where Lin's business evolution began.
Lin was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico while her dad was working there as part of the Manhattan
Project. The Davies have always been drawn to the Southwest and spent several summers camping there
as their children were growing up. They have been dreaming about moving to New Mexico for many years.
In March, 2000, theirs dreams became a reality when they moved to Los Lunas, New Mexico. They
purchased a vintage 1912 adobe home in the Rio Grande valley and are busy building a new bear smithing
studio. They are excited about the possibility of showing their bears in new areas, and meeting many new
friends.
The Davies consider themselves very fortunate to be able to share a life doing something they truly enjoy.
They can spend much of their time at home with their dogs and cats. Their show schedule includes shows
in the U. S. and Germany. Along with the stimulus of seeing new places, the Davies enjoy meeting so many
fine people associated with the Teddy Bear world. Hopefully, their bears reflect this excitement about and
love for the Teddy Bear.
I met Lin and Gareth the day before I opened Beary Best Friends for business.They were peeping in the
windows, and while I was
delighted to see someone interested, I was wishing they would go away, as there was still so much to be
finished. My girlfriend, Sandy Bradley, invited them in....the rest is history! Within a few days, I had their
terrific bears living in my shoppe. They were the second artists to be part of the collection, which has now
grown to twenty-one artists. As fate would have it, they have also become dear and valued friends. We
miss them desparetly, since they moved to New Mexico, but look forward to their shows in our neck of the
woods. Then they stay with us, and we get to catch up on each others lives. There is nothing so treasured
as friends, and Danny and I are honored to have them as ours!
The Teddy Bear
Shoppe Of The Poconos
