When I tell someone that I am an artist their first response is usually “Oh, so you paint?” and sometimes I do paint but not in the way they are referring to.

I am a fabric artist. I LOVE fabric of all kinds; fur, silk, cotton, synthetics, you name it; they all have a place in my world. I have been sewing since I can remember and my world is lost without a needle and thread in my hands at some point throughout the day.

I was born in Toronto, Canada and have lived in a variety of locations in Western and Eastern Canada, finally settling in Ontario.  I trace my creative and imaginative visions back to the strong and artistic influence of my family, a loving circle of artists, toy makers, and two grandmothers who instilled in me a great love for the traditional arts of sewing, bear and doll making. 

My Grandmothers were always creating something in the traditional arts be it knitting or sewing and I was always helping. Mary, my Mum’s mother was a professional bear maker and over the years I watched and learned. In the past few years my grandmother has passed on all of her supplies and what was left of her patterns to me. She no longer remembers that she made hundreds of bears that are being loved tenderly all over the world, but I do.

Today, August 8 2008, my grandmother passed away. She created the bear that my mother is holding (below) when my mother was a child and then took that bear apart to recreate him for me. As you can see I still have my "Rupert" and it is my hope to one day create him again for my mother in Persian lamb as he once was. Today we lost a truly amazing woman and master bear maker.

It is my hope that my bears will follow in the paw prints of hers and enlighten and warm your lives. Here you will find traditional handcrafted heirloom teddy bears using only the highest quality materials and designed with loving attention to Old World Artistry made exclusively by me Michele Seraphim.

It is my vision to transform fabric from its simplest form to a wondrous whimsical creature.  Each of my creations has its own unique quality, its own personality.  No two pieces are alike.  My range encompasses many branches as I continue on my creative journey from traditional and art quilts all the way to one of a kind artist bears and dolls.  Each piece is made with the utmost care, the highest quality materials, acute attention to detail, creative visioning and of course LOVE.

I am happily married to an artist, Sinister, whose drawings are often my inspiration. We enjoy the company of our two dogs, an Italian greyhound and a Pug and two Siamese cats.

I am very pleased to welcome you to my website and I hope you enjoy your visit. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions and if you would like to be contacted when I have new bears available please join my email/ newsletter list under “Updates”.

Please note that my bears are collectibles and not suitable for small children unless specified. Art dolls and Quilt galleries can be viewed under “The Fabric”

Blessings to you and yours. Michele Seraphim.