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I have been sewing
for as long as I can remember. As a child I often raided my
mother's scrap box to make Barbie clothes and small gifts. I
still have the Singer Featherweight sewing machine I learned
to sew on. My mother purchased it in 1950, making monthly payments
of $11.82.
I was doing craft shows in the late 80's and early 90's,
making muslin bunnies and soft plush button jointed teddy
bears when someone at a show suggested I try making a mohair
teddy bear. I was also a veterinary technician and dog
breeder at the time...thus the name "Dog Patch Critters".
Although I have been designing and making Teddy bears and
other critters since 1993, I feel the new techniques like
needle felting and hand shading that I have learned in the
last few years have really helped express my sense of humor
and creativity.
One of my bears,
Misty Lou, received a Golden Teddy 2010 nomination from
Teddy Bear Review.
My critters tend
toward the whimsical and most are 6"(15cm) to 12"(30cm).
Although most are one of a kind, I occasionally do a small
limited edition. I also like series, one of a kind with a
theme. My love of animals is reflected
in the teddy bears, dogs, cats, and other critters I create.
My husband, Bill,
and I reside in warm central Florida with our two
Dachshunds, Lexi and Lucy.
Bear
Hugs,
Nancy Dontigney |
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