Custom Work Order Schedule

Finally starting on Custom Orders for 2015 ...  

It's August but I have been backlogged with Custom Orders for the past 2 years and I'm just now able to accept new orders. I will be completing the orders according to when they were received:

Note: Pattern #1 has an arm position that is traditional teddy bear.
         Pattern #2 has an arm position that can sit like a puppy.

2020 Update

Since the 2015 posting (above) I continued to accept Custom Orders by assigning each interested person a number and space on my Work Schedule (below). As you can see I have 80 people on my Work Schedule so I have to CLOSE my Work Schedule to future orders. The people already on this schedule will be notified when I am nearing your number. At that time I will send you my address so you can ship your Heirloom mink stole or coat to me. If you are on my list and are waiting for your number to come up ... please just remember to keep me updated on your contact information because if I do not receive a response from you when I try to contact I will just move on to the next number because I have a lot of people waiting. Please be aware that after I complete the orders on this list I will NO LONGER make Custom Orders for anyone. I will continue to make my mink teddies and other animals as One-Of-A-Kind creations occasionally to offer to my collectors as I gently move into my retirement as a Teddy Bear Artist and re-open the door to my first love of drawing, painting, and sculpting.

1. Carol & Joe: I will be making 2 teddies (pattern  #2) from their mink jacket. Started on "Sister Bears" August 2015 ..... CLICK HERE to see completed teddies #3625 and 3626
2. James: I will be making 1 teddy (pattern #1) from a beautiful grey mink stole Starting on one teddy using pattern #1 Sept 2015 ..... CLICK HERE to see completed teddy and companion #3627 and #3628
3. Kathy: I will be making 1 teddy (pattern #2) from an EMBA brown mink stole (note: first check to see if there is enough mink to make the Mother-Daughter set) Starting on one teddy (possibly two teddies) using patterns #2 on Dec 3 2015  ..... update 12/9/15: I will be making a Mother-Daughter set ... CLICK HERE to see completed Mother-Daughter set #3634 and #3635
4. Debbie: I will be making 1 teddy (pattern #2) from a blond mink coat Starting on one teddy using Pattern #2 on March 1,2016 ... CLICK HERE to see the completed teddy ... update: I will be making a companion for this teddy (starting March 24). CLICK HERE to see the companion puppy.
5. Lee & Linda: I will be making 2 teddies (whichever pattern works best) from a brown mink stole and a cashmere coat with a brown mink collar Starting on the 2-teddy order April 7, 2016 ... CLICK HERE to see the completed twin teddies
6. Vaunell: I will be making 2 teddies (whichever pattern works best) from a brown mink stole Starting on the 2-teddy order May 5, 2016 ... I created twin teddies using the smaller version of Pattern#1 ... CLICK HERE to see the completed twin teddies.
7. Dorothy: I will be making 2 teddies (one from each pattern) from a brown mink stole  Starting to this 2 Teddy Bear order June 28, 2016 ... sorry, it took longer than usual to finish these two teddies (vacations and wedding planning are very distracting) ... I created two teddies one from each pattern. Please CLICK HERE to see the completed teddies #3646 and #3647.
8. Melanie: I will be making 2 puppies from the two brown mink stoles that I was sent ( I promised to make a puppy for Melanie when she contacted me several months ago ... before I decided to limit my custom orders only to teddy bears). CLICK HERE ... to see the puppies.
9. Mike & Dawn: I will be making 3 sister bears (using a teddy pattern that works best) from a beautiful black mink stole and a brown mink collar. Starting on 3 teddy order Dec 2016 ... you can watch the Work In Progress by CLICKING HERE.    And you can CLICK HERE to see the completed 3 teddy order, they turned out beautifully!
10. Brenda: I will be making one teddy using pattern #2 from light brown mink stole. Starting on this one teddy order January 2017 ... my first teddy of the new year. Please CLICK HERE to see the completed teddy.
11. Connie: I will be making 1 teddy (pattern #2) from an EMBA brown mink stole (note: first check to see if there is enough mink to make the Mother-Daughter set). Extras requested: "Love you forever" embroidered on foot in red and use the lining to make a "rug" for the teddy to sit on including embroidered name and label. Started on this order Feb 2017 ... I will be making a WIP post for this order on my blog because there were some requests that I will make decisions on and there were some "problems" with the mink pelt that I will address.        Unplanned hiatus: I hurt my finger and I was unable to work on my teddies for the months of March and April and May. Click HERE to see my post on my injury. I finally finished these teddies by the end of July ... Please CLICK HERE to see the photos of these teddies.
12. Mary Anne: I will be making 2 teddies (pattern #1) from a mink coat that is a very pretty color, it looks taupe to me (a color between brown and gray). I think the natural mink color may be called platinblond. To see the completed twin teddies, click here.
13. Janis: I will be making 1 teddy (pattern #1) from a light brown mink jacket that is not in the best condition since the top section, especially around the collar, is dry rotted. I will see if I can salvage any useable pelts from the lower section. I line all of my teddies with cotton fabric for extra strength. To see the completed teddy, click here. While this teddy did give me a few challenges it turned out beautifully!
14. Diane: I will be making 2 teddy bears (pattern #2) from a beautiful ivory mink jacket. It seems to be in lovely condition and should produce two exquisite teddies. I will also estimate if there is enough remaining fur for two more teddies. Instead of using the lining for the paw pads I will be using the leather that is also a part of the jacket's design. To see my work in progress on this order please click here ... the order has been increased to four teddies... CLICK HERE                                                                                                    There was a long delay from when I started these teddies to when they were finally completed ... they took several months to complete. I was the main caregiver to my 95 year old mother. She passed away peacefully on June 5, 2018. We were blessed to have her with us for 95 years. To see the completed teddies ... Please CLICK HERE.
15. Theresa: I will be making 1 teddy bear (using the pattern of my choice) from her taupe-brown mink stole/jacket. Theresa requested a Teddy and puppy set but wants the puppy to be golden in color. Unfortunately Theresa does not have a golden colored mink to send me. I'm not sure if I have the correct color in my supplies but if I do I will add on the Special Request puppy to her Custom Teddy Order ... if I have the time. (correction: after reading Theresa's note to me... she wanted a dog to represent a Mahogany (red) Golden Retriever ... sorry, as far as I know there is no natural red mink) To see my work in progress on this teddy ... please click here. To see the completed teddy ... please click here. Theresa decided to add on a companion puppy to go with this teddy. To see my work in progress for the puppy ... please click here. To see the completed set ... Please CLICK HERE
16. Pat: requested a dog from her mink scraps that I have been holding for ... well, I lost count ... probably over 2 years. So I may try to make this one earlier in the schedule since I've had it for so long. Pat is a long time collector of my Custom Teddies and she loves to challenge me to design what she imagines and I've tried my best over the years. This time Pat has requested a 10 inch dog with a heart shaped blaze and an open mouth. She wanted teeth but ... sorry, I don't give my creations teeth. Usually my puppies are made as companions to my teddies so their typical size is about 6 inches and I've only made a couple of 10 inch dogs in the past (and none with an open mouth), so this is a challenge for me. Fingers crossed that it will be what Pat has imagined.  To see the completed large puppy ... please click here.
17. Debra: I will be making 2 teddy bears using pattern #1 from a golden blond mink stole. The stole is not in the best condition but the pelts seem to be strong enough to allow transformation into teddies. I won't be able to use the name on the lining on the paw pads (as requested) because of the size but I could make a "pad or quilt" for the teddy to sit on from that part of the lining. To see the completed teddies ... please click here.
18. Cathy: I will be making 2 teddy bears using Pattern #2 from a brown mink stole (a brown mink jacket was sent just in case I run short of mink). My choice of teddy patterns.   I won't be able to use the name on the lining on the paw pads (as requested) because of the size but I could make a "pad or quilt" for the teddy to sit on from that part of the lining. CLICK HERE to watch my photo documentation of the making of these teddies. Final update: I completed the teddies in Oct 2019 (there was a long delay due to my home renovations). Please click here to see the completed teddies
19. MJ: I will be making 3 teddy bears from a brown mink shawl. Teddy one will be from Pattern #1. I will add the initials from the shawl on the foot pads. Teddy #1 will have initial "E". Teddy two will be from Pattern #2 and will have initial "M" . Teddy three  will be from Pattern #1 and will have initial "A". This last teddy may be a little smaller than the first two depending on how much pelt I have remaining. Please click here to see the Work in Progress on this order. Please CLICK HERE to see the completed three teddy order.
20. Donna: I held a Work Order space for Donna.  UPDATE: January 2020 Donna very patiently waited for me to finish with Order 19 and she let me know that she was ready to send me her heirloom full length black mink coat. It's simply beautiful!!! She has requested 7 teddies: 2 Mother-Daughter sets and 3- 11 inch teddies. 
21. Susan: I will be making Teddy Bears from a brown mink stole. (Also received 3 muffs but they were rabbit fur which I don't use, so I will be returning them).
22. Nancy V. : Holding a Work Order space for Nancy's mother's black mink coat, she will send coat when it is time to work on her teddies (maybe 2).
23. Eileen P. : Holding a Work Order space for Eileen's 33inch mink stroller jacket, she will send jacket when it is time to work on her teddies. Preference for 2 Mother-Daughter sets or if there is not enough pelt then 3 teddies (one set and one teddy).
24. Mary W. : Holding a Work Order space for Mary's grandmother's dark mink coat, she will send coat when it is time to work on her teddies. Preference is for 2 teddy bears.
25. Laurie B.: Holding a Work Order space for a full length mink coat to be transformed into teddies for her grand-daughters. She will send the coat when it is time to work on her teddies.
26. Ann E. : Holding a Work Order space for her mother's mink stole to be transformed into one or two teddies. She will send the stole when it is time to work on her teddies.
27. Marilyn H.: Holding a Work Order space for her grandmother's mink stole to be transformed into a teddy using Pattern #2. She will send the stole when it is time to work on her teddy.
28. Laura B.: Holding a Work Order space for her Gramma's mink coat to be transformed into 2 or 3 teddies. She will send the coat when it is time to work on her teddies.
29. Linda M.: Holding a Work Order space for her mother-in-law's mink cape to make ??? She will send the cape when it is time to work on her teddy.
30. Susan P.: Holding a Work Order space for her mother's mink stole to make ??? She will send the stole when it is time to work on her teddy.
31. Donna C.: Holding a Work Order space for her mother's mink coat to make some teddies. She will send the coat when it is time for me to work on her teddies.
32. Cathryn: Holding a Work Order space for her mother's mink stole to make a teddy bear. She will send the stole when it is time for me to work on her teddy.
33. Phyllis T.: Holding a Work Order space for her mother's silver mink stole to make 2 teddy bears. She will send the stole when it is time for me to work on her teddies.
34. Karen L.: Holding a Work Order space for her Grandmother's mink stole to make 1 or 2 teddy bears. She will send the stole when it is time for me to work on her teddies.
35. Janet P.: Holding a Work Order space for her mother's large mink collar to make 1 teddy bear. She will send the collar when it is near time for me to start work on her teddy.
36. Lori B.: Holding a Work Order space for her mother's mink stole to make a teddy bear for her great granddaughter. She will send the stole when it is near time for me to start work on her teddy.
37. Kim N. : Holding a Work Order Space for her mother's cream colored mink coat ... a teddy for her grandchild. She will send the coat when it is near time for me to start work on her teddy.
38. Lynne R.: Holding a Work Order Space for her grandmother's mink. Suggested that I use the lining and monogram not only for teddy's paw pads but also for a cape or neck scarf that can be worn by the teddy ... of course, I will know better what I can do once I see the mink stole. She will send the stole when I let her know that it is near time for me to start work on her teddy.
39. Sarah R.: Holding a Work Order Space for her white mink coat... which I will transform into a polar bear. She will send the coat when I let her know that is is near time for me to start on her polar bear.
40. Jan S. : Holding a Work Order Space for 2 family mink stoles to transform into teddy bears. She will send the stoles when I let her know that it is near time for me to start on her custom teddies.
41. Mary B.: Holding a Work Order Space for family mink garments to be transformed into 2 or 3 teddies. She will send the stoles when I let her know that it is near time for me to start on the custom heirloom teddies.
42. Gae M.: Holding a Work Order Space for her mother's mink stole to be transformed into a custom teddy. She will send the stole when I let her know that it is near time for me to start on her teddy.
43. Cathy O.:  Holding a Work Order Space for a mink coat to be transformed into 2 custom heirloom teddies. She will send the coat when I let her know that it is near time for me to start work on the teddies.
44. Susan R.: Holding a Work Order Space for a mink stole to be transformed into a custom teddy. She will send the stole when it is near time for me start on her teddy.
45. bbburke: Holding a Work Order Space for a mink stole to be transformed into an heirloom custom teddy for a new grandchild. I will email to send mink when it is near time for me to start on teddy.
46. Rachel S. : Holding a Work Order Space. Rachel has several mink stoles and a coat ... so I don't know which ones she will send me or how many teddies she will want but I will email her when it is time to send me her minks.
47. Nancy C.: Holding a Work Order Space for her grandmother's mink jacket for some heirloom teddy bears. I don't know how many but I will email her when it is time for her to send me the jacket and she can let me know then.
48. Margie: Holding a Work Order Space for a light grey mink coat to be transformed into teddy bears. We still have to discuss how many teddies (sorry, my custom work is limited to only this teddy pattern because my work is in such high demand that I just don't have the time to offer any other of my patterns for custom orders). I will email when it is time to send the mink coat.
49. Lydia W.: Holding a Work Order Space for her grandmother's mink stole for teddy bears. We still have to discuss how many and which pattern. I will email when it is time to send me your mink stole.
50. Kim W.: Holding a Work Order Space for her mink cape for a teddy bear(s). We will discuss how many and which pattern when I receive her mink cape. I will email when it is time to send the cape.
51. LeVonda: Holding a Work Order Space for her chocolate brown mink coat for her custom teddy bear(s). We will discuss how many and what pattern once I receive her mink coat. I will email when it is time to send the coat.
52. Pat N.: Holding a Work Order Space for her mother's beige mink jacket for a teddy bear. We will discuss how many and which pattern once I have received her mink jacket. I will email when it is time to send the jacket.
53. Pattie C. : Holding a Work Order Space for a mink coat to be transformed into a teddy (or teddies). We will discuss how many and which pattern once I have received her mink coat. I will email when it is time to send the coat.
54. Toni Q. : Holding a Work Order Space for her mother's dark brown mink jacket to be transformed into to two teddies. I will email when it is time to send the jacket.
55. Diane F.: Holding a Work Order Space for a mink coat to be transformed into teddy bears. I will email when it it time to send the coat
56. Kenna K.: Holding a Work Order Space for a mink (stole or coat?) to be transformed into teddy bear(s). I will email when it is time to send the mink garment.
57. Julie N.: Holding a Work Order Space for her blond mink coat to be transformed into a teddy ... or Mother-Daughter set. I will email when it is time to send the coat.
58. Meg K.: Holding a Work Order Space for her black mink stole to be transformed into two teddies. I will email when it is time to send the stole.
59. Sue G. : Holding a Work Order Space for her white sheared mink coat to be transformed into 4 teddies. This coat's pelts will make very beautiful polar bears! I will email when it is time to send the coat.
60. Leslie B. : Holding a Work Order Space for her mink coat to be transformed into a teddy or teddies. I will email when it is time to send the coat.
61. Karen H.: Holding a Work Order Space for her mink coat and mink stole to be transformed into 2 teddy bears. I will email when I am nearing this number so the minks can be sent to me.
62. Diana D.: Holding a Work Order Space for (Kim's) mink coat to be transformed into a teddy bear for her niece's first child. I will email when I am nearing this number so the mink coat can be sent to me.
63. Denee H.: Holding a Work Order Space for a family heirloom brown mink coat to be transformed into 2 teddies. It was also requested that the name in the lining be used for something special ... it is too big for the paw pads so possibly a heart shaped pillow or a teddy sized quilt. I will email when I am nearing this number so the mink coat can be sent to me.
64. Kathy B.: Holding a Work Order Space for one of her family heirloom full length mink coats to be transformed into 4 teddies. I prefer to work with full pelts so if one of your coats is full pelts I think that would make nicer teddies. I will email you when I am nearing this number so you can send me your mink coat.
65. Jade S.: Holding a Work Order Space for one bear from a family heirloom mink. I will email you when I am nearing this number so you can bring me the mink. (So happy that I have been friends with Jade for ... well, must be a couple of decades!)
66. Windy C.: Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy from her mother's mink wrap. I will email when it is time to mail me your mink.
67. Denise B.: Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy or teddies from her Grandmother's mink stoles or coat. I will email when it is time to choose a mink or minks to send to me.
68. Fred P.: Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy ... I'm not sure if he has a mink garment to send me. If not then I have a supply of minks and would charge just a little more to use my minks. I will email when I am getting close to this number to discuss it further
69. Diane B.: Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy from her mother's mink stole. I will email when I am nearing this number so you can send me your mink stole.
70. Christina D.: Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy (or teddies) from her mother's mink stole. I will email when I am nearing this number so you can send me your mink stole.
71. Mary Jane B.: Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy from her mother's mink coat. I will email when I am nearing this number so you can send me your mink coat.
72. Michelle K. : Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy from a small mink stole. I will email when I am nearing this number so you can send me your mink stole.
73. Catherine J.: Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy or teddies from her mother's two mink stoles. I will email you when I am nearing this number so you can send me your mink stoles.
74. Sheila N.: Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy or teddies from her mother's mink stole. I will email you when I am nearing this number so you can send me your mink stole.
75. Marcia M.: Holding a Work Order Space for teddy or teddies from the choice of 2 or 3 mink coats. I will email you when I am nearing this number so you can send me your mink(s).
76. Janet F.: Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy from her mother's mink stole. I will email you when I am nearing this number so you can send me your mink.
77. Linda S. & Barbara S.: Holding a Work Order space for teddies from their grandmother's mink coat and grand aunt's mink stole. I will email when I am nearing this number so you can send me your minks.
78. Kyle B. : Holding a Work Order Space for 2 teddies to be made from 3/4 length Beige mink coat. I will email when I am nearing this number so you can send me your coat.
79. Sally J.: Holding a Work Order Space for a teddy bear to be made from her mother's dark brown mink stole. I will email when I am nearing this number so you can send me your mink stole.
80. Lianne F.: Holding a Work Order Space for possibly 2 teddy bears to be made for a brown mink coat and/or an off-white mink stole. I will email when I am nearing this number so you can send me your minks.