Borealis

I'm happy to introduce you to the newest Crew member: Borealis.

Though he is white, he is not a polar bear--he is a kermode bear. (See the post below this one for some photos of kermode bears.)

Kermode bears are not albinos; they are a rare white phase of the North American black bear. They are striking!

Borealis is named after the aurora borealis or northern lights that are sometimes visible in the night sky in the kermode bear's home range of western Canada and Alaska.

His multicolored nose reflects the beautiful colors of the aurora borealis.

Borealis stands 8.5 inches (21.59 centimeters) tall, is made from an ivory-toned alpaca, and has black glass eyes. He sports pulled fingers and toes and needle-sculpted pads of Ultrasuede.

He is five-way jointed, has a hand-embroidered nose, and is stuffed with polyester fiber and glass beads for a nice weight. I have carefully added some light shading to enhance his features. Borealis comes with his fish pendant, which is accented with two small stones.

Borealis is available for adoption directly from me for $135 plus shipping. Send me an e-mail if you would like Borealis to come live with you.

Update: Borealis has found a new home! He has been adopted and will be going to live with a very sweet girl in Minnesota.

I hope you have enjoyed meeting Borealis. I've enjoyed creating him and having him around the studio; he looks cute nestled with the bigger bears. He will likely be my last small bear for a while--small bears make my eyes work extra hard!

Fun Fur Facts Friday

In our last fun fur facts Friday, we took a look at polar bears, which I just love. Today, let's take a look at...

photo from www.alaska-in-pictures.com

...no, it's not another polar bear. This, dear reader, is what's known as a kermode bear or spirit bear.

This rare white bear is actually a subspecies of the black bear. It is not an albino. Perhaps it is the result of a recessive gene.

photo from www.ursafreedomproject.ning.com

Kermode bears are found only on the west coast of Canada and up into Alaska. Scientists estimate there are 1,200 black and white kermode bears in the coast area that stretches from around the northern tip of Vancouver Island northwards to the Alaska panhandle. On Gribbell Island, up to 30 percent of the bears can be white, while on the larger Princess Royal Island, about 10 percent have the white coat.

Kermode bears are so beautiful. I hope you've enjoyed learning a little bit about this elusive white bear.

photo from www.nickgarbutt.com

Source: http://www.bcspiritbear.com/

Logan

I’m so happy to introduce you to a special bear named Logan. Here is his story.

For many years, I had set bear making aside. In 2006, I took a bear to sew at a craft Saturday at church. Elaine, a dear friend, approached me about making a bear for her 5-year-old granddaughter, Logan, who was struggling with aplastic anemia. I enjoyed working on a bear again and completed Geneva (my grandmother’s middle name) in time for Elaine to give her to Logan for her 6th birthday.

Sadly, sweet little Logan lost her battle with her illness in March of 2007. She is now with Jesus and experiencing a life we can only imagine. Geneva was the last bear I completed until this year.

In memory of Logan, I decided to name the first bear I completed after her. And so, Logan the bear was born earlier this year.

Logan the bear wears a photo pendant and a key tied over his heart with blue silk ribbon. The pendant holds a photo of Geneva, Logan’s bear. The key says LIFE to celebrate Logan’s life on earth and in heaven.

And Logan the bear comes with a small wooden frame that holds a copy of a drawing of a bear done by Logan herself.

Logan the bear stands 10.5 inches (26.67 centimeters) tall, is made from a lovely peach-toned Schulte kid mohair with a hint of a blush, and has matching Ultrasuede paw pads. He is five-way jointed, has a hand-embroidered nose in pearl cotton, sports black glass eyes, and is stuffed with polyester fiber and plastic pellets for a good weight. I have carefully added some light shading to enhance his features.

Logan is available for adoption for $185 plus shipping. If you would like Logan to come live with you, send me an e-mail.

Update: Teddy Logan has found a new home! He is being adopted and will be going to live in Virginia.

I hope you have enjoyed meeting Logan the bear. I’ve enjoyed creating him and having him around the studio.

For more of young Logan’s story, be sure to visit her Caring Bridge website: Logan's Race.