I live with my family in the rural town of Babcock, Wisconsin. This small town is where my grandparents grew up, married, and raised ten children. Six of them still reside in Babcock, including my dad. Many of my cousins and their families live in the surrounding areas. Wisconsin is known as "God's Country", and this is where I have settled with my family - my son Sean, daughter Jennifer, and their father Carl. And now, our granddaughter, Emily Ann, and our grandson, James, have joined us - the lights of our lives. Our family also includes 3 cats and 2 dogs! Our old farm house is surrounded by cranberry marshes and wildlife, including deer, foxes, coyotes, wolves, eagles and even black bears!

My love for sewing and crafts has always been a large part of my life. So naturally, my drive for new challenges brought me into bear-making. It was just a hobby when I first started, but after I lost my job in a corporate take-over, my family persuaded me to try bear-making as a career.

I have met the most wonderful people in the teddy bear world. Teddy bear people have the biggest hearts! I'm also a sponsor for the "Good Bears of the World", an organization whose goal is to provide teddy bears to hurt, abused and traumatized children, and to the lonely, forgotten adults of the world. We are always on the lookout for new "Good Bears".

With the support and love of my family and friends, I'm doing what I love, and loving what I'm doing. And if I can put a smile on someone's face when they adopt one of my bears - well, that makes it all worthwhile!

Bear hugs to everyone,

Pat

Me, with my daughter Jennifer

Our Papillon, Tippy

Our cat, Sadie

Carl at our son Sean's wedding