When Linda Boiter started crafting teddy bears she soon discovered the joy of creating a treasured work of art from “grandma’s old fur coat.”

Boiter constructs adorable bears (and other animals) worthy of passing along for generations to come. Her bears’ arms, legs and heads move and they have hand-painted glass eyes. Perhaps you have a fur coat or fur wrap that’s no longer in style – bring it to Kathleen’s Gallery on Aug. 20 and Boiter can have a lovable heirloom teddy bear ready for you by Christmastime.
Boiter has been sewing for more than 20 years now, making her first stuffed animal in high school. Her first teddy bear came years later.
“I met my friend, Lise Wiley, eight years ago and she had been making many of her teddy bears at her home,” recalls Boiter. “That is when I became more serious about making bears. Lise and I still make teddy bears today for close friends and family. Everyone loves them because each has its own personality,” she said. “Recently, I made a special teddy bear for a former NASCAR driver, Richard Petty. It was made to resemble his recognizable looks with “Petty Blue” colored fur, dark sunglasses and a feathered cowboy hat. I also painted STP on one of the paws.”
Boiter sometime uses faux fur in wonderfully outrageous colors but they all “bear” her signature of fine craftsmanship and embroidered paw designs. You can see some of Boiter’s bears at Kathleen’s Gallery during the Tryon Gallery Trot on Aug. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m.
– article submitted by Kathleen Carson