A Florida native and nurse by profession, C.R. always enjoyed hobbies such as quilting and other needlework crafts. Her favorite craft was designing whimsical folk art Santas and other dolls out of muslin and other natural fabrics and wool. Opting to be a stay at home and raise her husband and two boys, her favorite pastime soon became a career. C.R.’s soft sculpted folk Santa’s and other dolls were sold all over the country. She also spent three years as a contracted design artist for Midwest of Cannon Falls.

One day, she happened upon a teddy bear workshop given by renowned Teddy Bear Artist Ann Inman and made her first bear. C. R. quickly made the switch from muslin to mohair with the “it’s only a little more expensive” white lie and Boggy Bottom Bayou Bears was born. Her husband still suffers from sticker shock.

Mohair is made from angora goats and ranges from $50.00 to $300.00 per yard depending on length, style (curly, short, etc.) and density. C.R. uses the same Schulte fabric that the World Famous Stieff Company uses for their elite line of plush animals manufactured since the early 1900’s. Fine English mohair is also incorporated further expanding her style and color of designs.

C.R. specializes in teddy bears that have a whimsical, not to serious appeal most likely dating back to her folk art roots. They are well known for their inquisitive, deep expressions brought together by their German hand blown glass eyes and thread noses. It is not unusual for C.R. to use a whole skein of thread on one nose! “Patches,” one of her larger bears, is on display at the famous Teddy Bear Museum in Naples, Florida. Her bears are sold all over the world. Some of her favorite teddy bears, such as “Chance” and “Hope” among others have been donated to auctions benefiting the Spring shelter for domestic abuse and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Meticulously hand crafted using the finest materials each character evolves as a mixture of art and fun sprinkled with folk art details that sneak out from her whimsical past.

Backwater Bear Collection

I am delighted to present to you Boggy Bottom’s Backwater Bears. Boggy Bottom Bayou’s Backwater Bears are a combination of my long love for folk art primitives and my even longer love for bears (way back when I was little!).

I love making all types of bears, but these bears have a special place in my heart for allowing me to express my passion for folk art, mohair bears and last but not least, antique. Many bears will have one or more truly antique treasures although at times I will substitute something vintage if it just the perfect accessory for that bear. Antique baby shoes and christening dresses are two of my favorites. I love finding these accessories and allowing them to be “re-loved” on my bears.