First, let me say that I have been crafting and drawing since I could hold a pencil. It is both the curse and blessing of my family that almost everyone has some artistic talent. Several musicians, draftsmen and just all out artists line my family tree. So when I tell you that my talents seemed otherwise unremarkable until 2000, you should understand that I am in no way being modest.

In 2000, due to a tornado and some well deserved R&R from the day-to-day grind, I discovered polymer clay and sculpting. It was a wonderful discovery! It provided me with a creative outlet (one well needed for an artist persona in the computer programming field!) and the quick results also required by my easily bored mind. This was the first hobby I stuck with for more than a couple months!

I sculpted for 5 years, selling my little ones on Ebay and at local craft shows. One day, when looking at some auctions, I discovered needle felting. I wondered if it would be something that I would enjoy doing and found a reasonably priced trial kit. The first few bears were okay, but what I found interesting was that it worked so simlarly to sculpting and made my sculptures soft and cuddly to boot!

Now I am selling my bears to people all over the world via Ebay and have discontinued local craft shows. I thank God everyday that there is such a wonderful outlet for those of us who would not have near as much success if limited to a local show basis. Currently, I have bears (and their buddies) in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, the Netherlands, and all over the US including Alaska and Hawaii! That is always such an awing statement to me.

I feel so priviledged every day that as I go to work here in my little office, I don't do so grudgingly, like so many others I know. I wake up with new ideas every day, excited to get to work, disappointed when it is time to tear myself away. I hope that shows somehow in my work. I love my work, my life and each one of my little guys (and gals).

Thank you to all of you who follow my story - because that is really what it is, not just a business, but a story.

Alecia Edwards