A Nod to More Than 14,000 Teddy-Bear-Related Words and Counting

HEY, THERE!

‘Tis the season for all things holiday . . .

And hibernation. 

Yes, Albert and I will be huddled up for the next two weeks watching our favorite shows, baking and stealing precious moments with JM3 and Super G.

The Kids.

Kids, who are no longer kids, but grown ups doing all the things that keep the young and crispy, super busy. 

Between work and friends, who are home for the holidays, it’s hard to keep track of who is home and when. 

So I’ve been reacquainting myself with my sewing room in preparation for a Sewing Bender. We won’t even talk about the number of already-cut bears I’ve had sitting on my machine.

Waiting to be made. 

Their personalities itching to shine.

So Albert and I will be back in January with new tales of teddy bear magic, history and even more tips on making your own heart-made bears. 

Until then, here’s a roundup to help you catch up on the more than 14,800 teddy-bear-related words written since the October launch of The Fuzzy Compass.

Next up in this issue:

• The top three editions

• The Simple Bear Necessities series

• Teddy bear history 

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 AT THE TIP-TOP

These editions took the top three spots for most read:

#1 YOU’RE NOT THE BEAR 🐻 BOSS OF ME!
Building a Plushie-Powered Squad

#2 WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO MAKE A HEART-MADE TEDDY BEAR
Must-Have Needles, Simple Sewing Machines and a Question of Who, Too

#3 SAYING GOODBYE TO A QUEEN ON A TOY THRONE
The What That Became a Who Known Around the World

THE SERIES
WHAT YOU NEED, IN ORDER

Let’s rewind and review what turns a heart-made bear into a Plushie Powerhouse with the Simple Bear Necessities series in order.  

Week 1
What You Really Need to Make A Heart-Made Teddy Bear

Week 2
Be a Cut Above with 'Good' Scissors, Better Pins and Quality Hugs

Week 3
Shield Your Thumb on the Road to Building a Better Bear

Week 4
Buh-Bye Brown: We're About the Bold Colors Around Town

Week 5
It's Not About You! Choose What's Right for Your Bear and Its Future Bestie

Week 6
Cut Confusion with the Key to Patterns Made Bear-y Easy

TEDDY BEAR HISTORY

I love good stories and history is full of them.

And one of my favorite places to dig into history - and all the good stories - is the Library of Congress. (As you know.)

The digital archives are better than Google or any of those AI platforms.

(I said what I said.)

In 2025, I’ll dig in to toy tariffs, how toys reflected the times and the rise of the American toy industry.

These backstories shaped the backdrop against which the teddy bear was born.

Until then, here is a review of the teddy bear’s beginnings.

Saying Goodbye to a Queen on a Toy Throne

The Early Days of a Teddy Bear Craze 'Spreading to Beat Mumps'

Asking for a Who, Not a What, From His Ho-Ho-Ho Highness