URSA Awards 2008 Competition

"Reach Out Beyond The Stars"

Congratulations to all the URSA Award Winners!

 

Category 2, Entry 2
Molly the Golly

Category 9, Entry 3
Bonnie

Binkibears
Almonte, Ontario Canada

It is always a delight to be challenged to develop new ideas and then actually create them and turn them into reality. The URSA Awards offer just such a challenge and encourage me to take an idea and make it happen, instead of leaving it on my To Do list forever. It also gives me the chance to showcase my work to a world wide audience, which is a wonderful benefit. The many categories inspire me to try something new such as my Molly the Grumpy Golly and I gave her an attitude just for fun. My other winning entry Bonnie is a needle holder, designed at the customer’s request and fashioned from wool spun by the owner from her own cat Bonnie. This is also a new design and has led me to create the cutest bunnies with the same style of haunches.


Thank you to all of my fans for voting for my creations. I love creating these beings and it is very gratifying that your votes have placed me in the top three of these categories. Thanks to you!!
 

Category 6, Entry 1
Baby Golly

Category 9, Entry 2
Blossom

Category 12, Entry 1
Rudy

Annie Laurie's Forget-Me-Notkins
Oakland Park, FL USA

I cannot put in words how absolutely thrilled I was to find I was a winner!

This was the first contest I have entered and really had no idea what to expect. What I found was it was some of the most fun I have ever had! I liked the challenge it offered me and then the anticipation and excitement of it all was the icing on the cake!

It has been wonderful to participate and I look forward to doing it again!

I would like to thank Valerie of Bears & Buds for this fantastic event and say "Well Done"!

Thank you to all who voted for my work.

Category 10 Entry 2
Rose

ThReAdTeDs
Horst-Hegelsom, Netherlands

Category 8 Entry 3
Will Mom Ever Come Home?

Creative Design Studio
Elmhurst, IL USA

Category 2 Entry 9
Mitzi

Category3 Entry 2
Andrew

Cathy Lynn Forcino Bears
Apollo Beach, FL USA

I received so many lovely emails from voters! The URSA Awards Contest was so exciting, the competition tough and the creations are gorgeous. Unlike print magazine awards, the URSA Awards Contest was so interactive. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for me.

Category 12 Entry 4
Cheerful

DiBears
Ft. Myers, FL USA

First of all I would like to take moment to give all the readers, collectors, family and friend, our heat felt thank you for the time you took to vote, for me twice!

I really appreciate all your enthusiasm, in the voting, attending the shows, and loving out little creations! For without all of you we would not be here, really! I hope to keep inspiring you all to keep supporting the shows, and our arts! We need you! Thanks again!

For me, making it into the top winners, is very special. I have a vision in my head and try to make it come to life in a bear, and when you think it is as special as I do, I am so touched. That makes every stitch, every needle poke, and tendonitis all worth it! It really does.

It is hard to put into words how important you collectors are to out being. I hope to see you all at future shows and keeping the Teddy Bear Arts Alive.

A special thanks also to our show promoters and helpers who work hard to make each show a special time for everyone. It sure takes a lot of time and effort on their parts. Sometimes we forget.
Thanks again.

Bear Hugs, Diana

Category 8 Entry 2
Martha

Chocolate Bear Studio
Moscow, Russia

As soon as we learnt about this competition, we decided to take part in it at once.

We with impatience waited for the beginning and long did competitive work. Participation in URSA Awards is very important to us, because such form of competitions seems for us the most objective. People from all over the world can vote for the creative work. The result of this voting does not depend on the opinion of a jury which can be subjective. The URSA Awards is truly a world competition.

It gives great possibilities to the world artists to show their works without leaving the house. We live in Russia and at the present can not visit the USA but we want to very much. Therefore we are grateful to the organizers of URSA Awards for establishing an International competition without the need of visas and tickets aboard the plane! :)

To be the winner in this competition brings us great happiness.

We feel a huge gratitude towards each person who has voted for our work.

Thank you very much.

Category 8 Entry 6
Juno

Arrowroot Sculptures
Huntington, WV - USA

The URSA Awards have been a wonderful experience.

This is the first time that I've entered one of my creations in a competition. I was thrilled when I found out I was a finalist. There was so many outstanding artists that I did not expect to win. I think that it's great that the URSA awards give the collector a chance to be the judge.

I want to thank all of my customers and collectors that voted for me. The email feedback that I've received has overwhelming.

Category 4 Entry 7
Angelique

category 6 Entry 3
Golly Blu

Category 7 Entry 5
Truman

Category 11 Entry 10
Beatrice

Jinglebears
Wellington, New Zealand

You can imagine my enormous surprise and delight when I was told that I had won several awards in this year's URSA Awards Competition.

I find joy in creating new designs and working with a large array of vintage accessories; many of which I use in the vignettes to tell a story. What with a full time job that keeps me super busy; Bear making is my sanity time

Thank you to ALL who voted for me.

Very best wishes with extra bear hugs to Bears&Buds staff.  

Category 9 Entry 1
Kiai

First I want to thank Valerie, Dawn and the whole team of the wonderful Bears&Buds' Webzine that they have given me the opportunity to take part at the successful URSA Award Competition!

I have entered the contest because it's a good means to get a feedback for my work. Doing contests invite me to challenge myself more and to think about ideas and techniques I never have done before.

After over fourteen years now of designing and creating my "Lovable Fellows", I'm still fascinated by the teddy bears. I love to create a large variety of styles. I love antique looking bears, which look like they were loved by generations and I also love artist bears with soul. It’s very important for me that every bear has its own personality and is a real pal. They have to convey that they really live.

My URSA Awards entry "Kiai" is my second Japanese Style Bear. I had so much fun to design and create this whimsy little teddy.

Special thanks to all who voted for him! I'm so happy!"

Bearhugs, Karin

Category 2 Entry 5
Major

K Pawz Creations
Victoria, British Columbia Canada

First of all I would like to say a big 'Thank You' to everyone who voted this year, not only for me, but for all of the other amazing artists as well, for without your appreciation we wouldn't be able to do what we do!

A huge 'Thank You' to Valerie and everyone behind the scenes who made the URSA's a success, and continue to make Bears & Buds the place to be!

I would also like to thank all of the other artists for having the confidence in themselves to enter this competition! In the end it doesn't matter who wins, we
all win when we are comfortable enough with our work to put it out there for
the world to see. I am honored to be in the company of such amazing artists.
For me, standing in the winners circle with such talented company is the real prize!

I entered the URSA awards to challenge myself. I love having something to work towards, a way to reach outside my comfort zone and create freely, and I find that contests, such as this, are just the thing I need to keep my designs fresh and creative.

I create a wide variety of animals. I love to go the realistic route and work in both imported synthetic and wonderful mohair and alpacas. The URSA Awards gave me the opportunity to open my mind and see what I can achieve.

I have just started taking my creations to a new level with open/close features such as eyes and mouths. I am also planning on continuing to let my creative mind soar in the future and intend to incorporate some fantasy creatures into my designs.

How about a big round of applause for all of the winners, and everyone who entered, as well as the gang at Bears&Buds, all of whom continue to keep
bear artistry alive!

Big Hugs, Krista

Category 11 Entry 6
Chilling Out

Puca Bears
Wald-Michelbach, Germany

URSA finalist? WOW!
I'm thrilled to bits. Many thanks to Valerie and everyone behind the B&B scenes, and to everyone who voted for my little vignette.

I so enjoy competitions - the challenge to come up with something new, and the sheer indulgence of being able to take the time to create something special.

I've been making bears since 2001, or should that be, the bears have been making ME bring them to life? It is certainly an obsessive pastime! I count myself extremely fortunate to be part of the "bear world" - creating them is sheer joy, and best of all, they have brought me so many wonderful like-minded friends.

Although I'm English, I live in Germany - with husband Jeremy, our huge Leonberger dog named Nounours and cat Fuchsia.

Category 2 Entry 8
Pixie

Category 4 Entry 5
Minnie

Category 10 Entry 1
Finnegan

bearkidz by Marion Fraile
Boca Raton, FL USA

Category 1 Entry 2
Hugie Leuie Chipster

Category 3 Entry 6
Jules Lapin

Category 4 Entry 4
Pierre La Grande

Category 5 Entry 5
Shyris Viola Fairy Bunny

Category 12 Entry 2
Kriss Mouse

Mary's Secret Garden
Willimgton, DE USA

I entered the URSA Awards Competition to share my work with others.

As I continue to evolve as an artist, express new ideas and try new techniques, I like to see if I’m reaching new collectors, fans and old friends.

Of course it’s nice to win awards but the best thing for me is to know that I’m on the right track in reaching people. A low chuckle, a soft sigh, an “Oh! I just love him!” or an “I know this little person!” is what I’m hoping to achieve.

It’s also helpful for me to know which creations strike a chord in others. As always, I love all collectors of things fuzzy and sweet, and I want to thank all those of you who felt my animals worthy of your vote. It’s all about the collectors!

Blessings, Mary

Category 1 Entry 8
Candy, Baby Sugar Glider

Cripple Creek Creative
Bethel, OH USA

I've been an animal lover as long as I can remember. I still live on the farm with my husband, Ronald, and all our animals: Llamas, cats and dogs. My love of these animals has enabled me to create felties, with unique poses, expressions and personalities.

A special thanks for the on going support of Ron, my sisters, Maggie and Cookie (Susan) and Felicia Hymer of the Bear Scout who sells my creations. I spend about eight house a day needle felting which I Love!

Competitions like Bears&Buds' URSA Awards are extremely rewarding and challenge me to continually improve my skill and a vehicle to introduce my work to many of which have become my loyal customer and friends.

Thank you for voting for me.

Category 7 Entry 3
 Captain Jack

Lefftybears
Remchinger BW - Germany

I just returned from a wonderful trip to Tanzania. We spend our last days on the Island of Zanzibar where we had a wonderful beach that reminded me of "Pirates of the Caribbean". When I saw this beach for the first time I thought spontaneously: "Where is Jack Sparrow?"

I remembered my Captain Jack was in the URSA Awards Competition and was wondering, how he was doing in the competition. During this time I knew the first round of voting would be over by the time I returned. We had no Internet access so I didn't know the results.

Upon returning to Germany I took my time before logging on the Internet, as I was pretty sure that my entry wasn't among the top three because of all the wonderful entries in my category.

And what a surprise there was an eMail message telling me that Captain Jack was an URSA Finalist! I was shouting so loud, I'm sure everyone in Zanzibar heard me!

So, I want to say: "Asante Sana/Thank you very much" to everybody who voted for my entry and a very special "Asante/Thank you" to Johnny Depp for being such a wonderful model!
 

Category 7 Entry 1
Raffles

All Bear by Paula Carter
Maistone, Kent UK

II have been designing my own range of teddy bears since the mid 1990's, proud to play my part in continuing our wonderful heritage of Great British teddy bears. I chose to enter the 2008 URSA Awards because I believe the concept of an all encompassing competition such as the URSA's, offers a worthwhile focus for the teddy bear as art.

I am both excited and delighted to have had my work recognized by public vote this year and would like to send warm hugs of thanks to everyone who voted for my entry 'Raffles'!

Thank you all so much for your support!

Category 10 Entry 3
Konpeitou

Strawberry Seeds
Saitama-ken, Japan

I'm very excited by winning.

Thank you to every one who voted for Konpeitou.

Category 11 Entry 4
Julie and Cody

Sandy Yastcemski

Love Bud Bears
Sicklerville, NJ USA

I am extremely honored and thrilled that Julie & Cody have won third place!

I've been designing and making bears for 3 years now. Since I took the summer off, I entered the URSA Awards Competition as a way to help get back in to bear mode. I also knew it would be a great way to get lots of exposure for my Love Bud Bears.

I hoped that Julie and Cody would stand out among so many exceptional creations. But, I only dreamed that they would place. Now that my dream has come true, I'm very excited to get back into the studio. I'm looking forward to creating new designs and trying different techniques.

A very special thank you to everyone that voted for me.

I sincerely appreciate all your support!

Big Hugs, Sandy

Category 5 Entry 1
Zak

Tami Lahey

Dolls N Dreams
Odessa, CO USA

Dolls N Dreams has been designing dolls for over 10 years. But a few years ago, my love of fantasy inspired me to design and create a line of whimsical teddy bears that I call Fairy Doogles. They have fairy features such as pointed ears, wings and cashmere fairy boots. Each one has a glass bottle necklace filled with magical fairy dust. You just have to believe.

I was so happy to see the Fairies Category in the URSA Awards Competition this year. I knew exactly which Fairy Doogle I was going to enter. "Little Zak" has been a favorite of mine and many of my customers.

I want to thank everyone who voted for my Zak. 

Zak and I really appreciate it.

Category 3 Entry 8
Future

Teri Crews

Bears by Teri
Crystal Lake, IL USA

Hand-stitched noses, "hug me" eyes, little faces and piles of mohair surround me. I can't imagine my home without a teddy bear. These little faces give me a feeling of comfort and provide me with a way to be creative.

When one of my teds is lucky enough to get adopted I always wonder if he or she will be able to provide someone else with that same sort of comfortable feeling my teds give me. Obviously I'm not a writer so please forgive me if my words tend to run together, but I struggle to emphasis how thankful I am to be able to do something I truly love.

I can't stop smiling when I think how fortunate I am to have one of my bears chosen for a 2008 URSA award. Once again, please bear with me as I try to eloquently emphasis how grateful I am to all the wonderful collectors and bear lovers who have given my teds a home, supported and voted for me and who have provided me with the need to keep creating. I also want to be sure to say thank you to everyone from Bears and Buds for all their hard work and the opportunity to participate in such a great event.

Well, now that you know I'm not a writer and your thinking, "she should stick to bear making," I've decided the simplest and probably the best way for me to tell you how honored and grateful I am is to just say...thank you!

Hugs, Teri
 

Stuffing Sticks
 

Category 1 Entry 4
Princess

 

Category 5 Entry 2
Fancie
 

Terrie Kalaputas

Terries Bears
Sherwood Park, Alberta Canada

I love all aspects of bear making from the first tiny stitch to the creation of a new personality. I started making small and miniature bears in 2004 and it is such and honor to have two of my bears make it to the finals.

Entering the URSA Awards has been so rewarding. I enjoy this competition because you get to see all of the bears and buds that are entered. The variety of styles and the amount of talent is amazing. The many emails and comments that I have received about my entries have truly “made my day!”

I would like to thank Valerie and the staff at Bears&Buds for hosting this fun competition and a huge thank you to all who voted for my bears.

Your vote helped determined the URSA Major Award winner!

Category 2 Entry 5
Major

"Major" wins the
URSA Major Award!

The URSA Major Award winner is:

Krista Griffiths

Voted the Best Overall winner!

Hat's off to you Krista!

Watch the URSA Awards Presentation on YouTube.com

Each winner will receive their awards by mail,
 including extra special surprises too!

The gifts and gift cards are being presented to
the top 17 winners who accumulated
 the highest vote count.

Gifts courtesy of Bears&Bud's Associates, Artists, Sponsors,
 Bright Star Promotions, Teddy Bear Collectors and Bears&buds.

 See all the gifts

Special thank you to our generous supporters for their lovely gifts.

For more information on the winners and
links to the Global Directory listings.

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