I began making the Back Road Bears in late 2000 after attending my first artist teddy bear show. I’d been collecting bears for over 30 years and felt inspired to put my crafting abilities to work on making my own teddies. After making my first bear with lots of help from seasoned artist, Diana Lind of Wee Treasures in Hillsboro, NH, I was hooked! 

I have since left my ‘real job’ as a regional manager for a large retail corporation to pursue the art of teddy bear making. In 2001 I began selling my bears at shows. In 2002 I learned web design and created my website. I also published my first original teddy pattern for purchase. In 2003 I began teaching bear making workshops. It’s such a wonderful experience to help others bring their first handmade teddy bear to life.

In 2004 I was juried into the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen… the oldest and most prestigious craftsmen’s league in the US. That has opened up many new avenues for sales, education and publicity for Back Road Bears. During 2005 it became quite clear to me that Teddy Bear Shows were suffering. Many cancelled, others downsized considerably. I decided to take over the production of a formerly well-known show in Maine. With careful planning and wonderful artist and collector support, The Maine Teddy Bear Show was a very successful event in August 2006. Since then the New England Spring Teddy Bear Show has also been added to my annual events and become a very popular show also.

"The Last Mimzy" is a family movie, drawing on children's imagination.
The star of the movie, Mimzy, is the bunny I made. The art director gave me computer images of exactly what the bunny was to look like. 6 bunnies in all were created for the making of the movie. It was an interesting process, working for a movie production company with constant changes, deadlines, etc. (I have a trash bag full of bunny parts that didn't quite look as
they should and a few more gray hairs than I had!)

A day trip to FAO Schwarz to a signing event with the cast from the movie (Timothy Hutton, Joely Richardson, Rainn Wilson) was just as exciting!
The event celebrated the release of the plush Mimzy made by Tonner Doll
Co. using my pattern. Bear artist and friend Laura Lynn Matthews flew in
from Chicago for the day to join me. We had way too much fun drooling
over the Steiff bears and just looking at the 3 floors worth of plush and toys!

When not making bears I am busy with our two Wheaten Terriers,
quilting, enjoying the wilderness around me, learning more about computer graphics and web design and trying to keep my various health challenges, including diabetes and thyroid disease, under control. I live in the mountains of New Hampshire with my husband and biggest fan, Henry. We have 4 wooded acres near Mount Sunapee and are frequently visited by deer, moose, bear, coons, coyotes, bob cats and a beautiful array of birds.
I am never at a loss for inspiration!

My bears have been adopted all over the world and I've made many special friends through this wonderful addiction!
I appreciate the encouragement and knowledge bear artists share with each other and the enthusiasm and commitment
from so many terrific collectors. Send me an email or look me up at a show! I'd love to meet you!

May your life be blessed with love, laughter and a teddy bear or two!

                                                                                                         ~Daphne