My name is Jane Perala. My husband and I live on 5 acres in Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada. It is a beautiful spot, very quiet, lots of trees and fields, and right next door to Hemer Park - we really love it here. We share our lives with two horses, two dogs, and numerous visiting children and grandchildren.
Before getting into the "bear" business I was a potter for many years with a line of decorative and functional stoneware. When I left the pottery business I started designing craft patterns. I sold the patterns through various fabric and craft shops, mail order magazines and sewing shows. On a trip to England in 1991 I noticed an abundance of teddy bears, and thought a bear would make a great addition to my line of patterns. Of course once I got started making the bears, I just couldn't stop. I now concentrate exclusively on bears, both patterns and finished bears, and really enjoy it.
