Imagination And Artistry Brings Magic To Life In Bears Of The Abbey

By Kathryn Neal


History, sometimes a little fuzzy over time, gives credit for the teddy bear's origins to Margaree Steiff of Germany in the late 1800's. Infamous German toy distributor, Steiff, introduced the first manufactured mohair rendition at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903. Today, few of the highly desirable, vintage mohair Steiff toys remain. At auction today, an early Steiff bear in mint condition is valued in excess of $175,000. The finest quality, handmade, limited edition, collectibles today are uniquely distinctive works of art known as Bears of the Abbey.

Any child who has ever loved a fuzzy teddy to frazzled old age, would be equally enamored by the endearing historic rendering that memorializes President Theodore Roosevelt's 1902 act of kindness in sparing the life of a live bear that, ultimately, baptized the beloved stuffed toy 'Teddy'. Unfortunately, most vintage, soft-fiber collectibles did not survive the wear and tear of the years, fires, floods or eventually, sadly, the dumpster.

The joint collaboration of Canada's Susan and Mark McKay is a successful model for entrepreneurship at its best with an award-winning collection of vintage collectibles. With a longstanding reputation for artistic excellence, Susan lends her personal interest, imagination and creativity to the creation of a unique line of reproduction vintage teddy's. Individually handcrafted of the finest mohair and alpaca wool, antique glass eyes and air-brushed faces render realistic soft reproductions with magnetism and distinctive personal appeal.

Mark's business expertise takes the artistic reproductions global with over fifteen annual, international, presentation events. Mark is responsible for the yearly Toronto Christmas showing held each November, where the new cast of charming characters in the exclusive line of soft-sculptural fiber art are introduced.

Susan is reaping the rewards of artistic recognition within the industry as the esteemed subject of featured articles in major trade magazines. She has been honored as a recipient of the prestigious TOBY award for artistic excellence. Local television morning shows have featured Bears on the Abbey across Canada. One of the highest compliments comes in the knowledge that Susan McKay's personal artistry resides as treasured collectibles in homes around the globe.

Distinctively endearing with extraordinarily expressive faces make the bears impossible to resist. Antique glass eyes with air-brushed facial accents, each creation elicits a unique emotional response. Individually conceptualized with personalized mohair and wool densities and colors, the vintage reproductions offer a range of facial expressions, ranging from 'puppy dog eyes' to 'ready to play' appeal.

The variety of soft sculpture art pieces vary in size. Teddy bears rule the roost, however, a realistic, one-of-a-kind replica dog, cats and special orders have inspired whimsically endearing renditions of various members of the animal kingdom. Movable joints allow each work of art the flexibility to strike different poses.

Great art is a personal, interpretative expression that has universal appeal and the power to unite. From an inspired imagination, to the critical eyes and skilled hands of an incomparably talented artist, Bears of the Abbey are brought to life to bring joy into the arms that hold them close.




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