The Cybearspace review of my website for Teddy Bear Times (August 2001) mentioned that some fellow browsers might be interested in how I got into bear making - and even hinted at a photograph of myself. I'm not very photogenic, so I apologise for the photo!

My bear making began at the tender age of 8 and was a simple "2-piece affair" for a Brownie badge. For quite a few years I continued to make soft toys - including bears. By the time our children were born in 1984 and 1987 I had taken up Cross Stitch instead - not so many bits for little fingers to fiddle with. Alongside the Cross Stitch I built and furnished a Doll's House.

I was quite happy with my hobbies; but in 1994 a chance visit to the Merrythought shop in Ironbridge changed everything. Out of the blue my husband Allan bought himself a bear; this was quickly followed by an acrylic bear kit - so I taught him to sew. Spurred on, he bought a twin bear kit in mohair - we made one each. (The twin bear heads looked more like rats - stuffing mohair is so different to stuffing acrylic fur fabric!) Allan decided that he preferred collecting to sewing - but I was hooked on making bears! Several hundred bears later, and I still love creating bears.

The bears have taken over my life, and I have even given up my job as a Primary School Class Assistant. Hopefully, I will now have time to achieve all my ideas before someone else comes up with the same theme (great minds or fools seldom, etc.).

I hope my bears bring pleasure to others, both in looking at and owning.

You can write to me at Ruth Dickinson, 46 Wellwood, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, CF23 9JQ, or telephone me on 029 2073 6610, or send an E-mail.

Hope you enjoy your browse, Ruth