Our Story

One day Brian came home carrying a bear-making kit. My first reaction was panic. “We can't afford that,” I said. “What if I fail?” Brian simply smiled and replied, “Well, the money is already spent, so you might as well give it a go.” That simple act of faith changed the course of my life.

What started as a single bear soon grew into a lifelong passion. As my confidence grew, I began designing and making cloth dolls, developing my skills in pattern making and construction, and eventually creating my own teddy bear patterns now loved by makers around the world.

Many years later, an opportunity arose to purchase our local craft shop, Cottonwool Creations. It was a dream come true, but it began under the most difficult circumstances imaginable. On 25th May 2004, while I was finalising the purchase of the shop, Brian suffered a massive stroke. He was rushed to intensive care. That night I stayed by his bedside until the early hours of the morning, then opened the doors of the shop for the very first time. I took just $70 that day. Standing there, exhausted and overwhelmed, I honestly thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life.

The years that followed were challenging as we balanced hospital appointments, recovery, family life, and running the business. But somehow we kept putting one foot in front of the other and carried on.

Then one day, while chatting on Skype with my dear friend Michelle in the United States, she noticed some bears sitting behind me. “Who made those?” she asked. “I did,” I replied. Her next question surprised me. “Why aren't you selling them?” The truth was that I had never even considered it. Encouraged by Michelle, I decided to give it a try. That conversation opened another unexpected chapter in my life.

Since then, my bears, created under the name Cooper Bears, have been sold to collectors around the world. I have been fortunate enough to win multiple international awards and competitions, and I remain incredibly grateful for the wonderful collectors who have supported my work over the years.

Then, about 11 years ago, yet another door opened. A customer asked me to repair a teddy bear. I had always said I would never do bear repairs. They seemed far too stressful and carried so much responsibility. But eventually I agreed to help. One repair led to another, and before long I discovered something truly special.

Today, repairing treasured bears has become one of the greatest privileges of my life. Behind every bear is a story—stories of childhood, love, loss, friendship, family, and memories that span generations. Through Cottonwool Creations and The Teddy Hospital, I have been honoured to help preserve not just teddy bears, but the precious memories they carry.

Looking back, it is amazing to think that it all started with one bear-making kit that we couldn't afford and a husband who believed in me before I believed in myself. For that, and for the incredible journey that followed, I will always be grateful.