My name is Eileen Baird. I've always loved animals, real and stuffed; I carried my small collection of Steiffs from home to college to graduate school to career. I've been designing soft sculpure animals for a long time, mostly for my children--notably Berenstain Bears and Care Bears long before the licensed versions were available. Then about a year ago, I made a wrong turn on eBay and discovered the wonderful world of Artist Bears. I've never looked back.

My bears, rabbits and mice are made of mohair, real fur recycled from vintage coats, and fine imported faux fur. I make traditional antique-style bears, dressed character bears, and semi-realistic cubs. Most are Adult Collectables, but almost any design can be adapted to a child-safe version for those who believe (as I do) that children deserve very special bears too!

I live with my multi-species family in a large Edwardian house in Toronto. One of my three daughters is married, one is in the Boston area, about to get her MBA from MIT, but I'm lucky enough still to have one at home. I've been a stay-at-home Mom since I left a career in university teaching to raise a family. My dogs, cats and rabbits are my inspiration, my daughters and sons-in-law are a continual joy, and my husband John is the soul of patient resignation.

My daughter Eleanor (below left) designed this website as a Mother's Day present--Thank you, Eleanor!

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