Meet the Bears

Still fluffed from the factory brush — this one's barely begun his first lap of shelf time.

drowsy-eyed · easy-tempered · quietly settled

A compact, crouched Wild Republic panda bear in black-and-white plush, clean-coated with no visible wear or repairs.

Built in a timeless classic style, with a Build-A-Bear label at her seam suggesting she's probably been someone's steady companion for a decade or more, simple enough in design to have never gone out of fashion.

sweet-tempered · steady-eyed · gently traditional

A classic honey-brown teddy bear with black eyes and a pink velvet nose, gently machine washed and brushed, in good overall condition with a Build-A-Bear Workshop fabric tag sewn into the back seam.

Young enough that his tag ink hasn't even started to fade — this one's barely out of his first birthday party.

unbothered · cheerfully bold · easy to love at first glance

A mid-size Teddy Mountain build-your-own bear in marbled pink-and-cream plush with matching pink nose, ears, and paw pads, tag intact and unworn.

His woven tag dates him plainly to 2001, making him a steady two-decade veteran of backpacks and bedtime.

satchel-faithful · plainspoken · paw-worn patient

A shaggy honey-gold teddy bear from Bear Factory, dated 2001 on its woven hem tag, with worn paw pads and a lightly frayed nose from years of affectionate use.

The GiggleScape tag and glossy short-nap build put him among the recent Halloween crowd — barely a few trick-or-treat seasons old, and still spry.

theatrically spooky · secretly gentle · proud of his seams

A two-tone lilac and aubergine plush teddy bear decorated with mock Frankenstein patch-stitching in lavender thread, with a velour muzzle, foot pads, and a stitched straight-line mouth.

That Gund-for-Shutterfly woven tag and the plush short-nap modern build put him in the 2010s — a handful of warm summers already behind him.

dawdly · soft-spoken · sun-warm

A shaggy blush-apricot Gund for Shutterfly teddy, roughly 12 inches seated, with a cream muzzle, stitched cocoa nose and sewn-in maker's tag.

Caltoy stitched that MADE TO LOVE, MADE TO LAST label around the turn of the millennium — so figure twenty-odd years of being handed over and handed back.

bow-proud · flops when lifted · sentimental about anniversaries

A mid-sized Caltoy teddy in curly honey-brown plush with red satin nose, foot pads and neck bow, hand-washed with the loose neck-seam threads resecured.

His woven red-script Gund label is the sort stitched in through the '90s, giving him a good twenty-five years of goodnights behind him.

nuzzly · tender-hearted · fond of a lap

A small soft-filled Gund teddy in mushroom-brown plush with a wheat-cream chest, glass eyes, and a stitched cinnamon nose worn smooth from years of handling.

No tag left to tell on him, but the long swirl-shag pile and floppy soft-filled build read late '90s into the 2000s — twenty-odd years of being quietly kept.

bookish · slow-blinking · loyal to one chair

A soft-filled long-pile cream teddy bear, roughly 14 inches seated, with a brown stitched nose, small black eyes, broad shaggy feet, and light shadowing and swirl-matting across the back; no maker's tag remains.

His woven Gund care label — red script, style number 42417 — is the kind stitched in through the late '80s and into the '90s, giving him thirty-some years of practice at lying still.

sprawl-prone · slow to rise · companionably heavy

A large lying-down Gund polar bear in cream plush with a brown velour nose, softly stuffed and unjointed, with light age-warming to the fur and his woven care label intact.

His Ganz "Scully" label (H13341) places him among the roomy cuddle-plush of the 2010s — a good handful of well-held years behind him.

huggable to a fault · leans in close · unhurried

A large Ganz "Scully" plush bear (style H13341) in long sable-brown fur with a cream belly and muzzle, pellet-weighted feet, and both original tags intact.

That teal Bellzi tag places him in the round modern plush of the past few years — a young bear by our standards, with the nap to prove it.

encore-minded · quick to harmonize · keeps time with one foot

A black-and-white Bellzi bear in dense short plush, with grey-lined ears, pink toe and heel pads, a gold-embroidered crest on the back and an intact teal hip tag — sold separately from his twin.

His teal Bellzi tag puts him among the modern round-plush of the last decade or so — young for this shop, and hardly a mark on him.

Fiercely loyal · twin-bonded · quietly proud of his paw pads

A round, sitting Bellzi panda in dense black-and-white plush with glossy black eyes and nose, pink embroidered paw pads, a gold embroidered emblem on the lower back, and an intact teal Bellzi hip tag, in excellent condition.

The Gentle Treasures tag out of Suzhou dates him to the seasonal plush of the 2000s — call it fifteen-odd winters of practice at being cold-weather company.

thermos-minded · cheerfully bundled · steady in a cold wind

A medium-sized white Gentle Treasures polar bear plush in dense snow-white fur, wearing an attached grey-blue faux-fur trapper hat with earflaps and a fringed blue plaid fleece scarf, with matching plaid fleece pads on both feet, a black plush nose and small embroidered eyes.

That Matrix Essentials label pegs him as a salon promotion of the late 1980s or early '90s — some thirty-odd years of keeping his shape.

curl-proud · adorably sincere · slow to leave a warm spot

A roughly 12-inch, vintage sitting teddy in curly ivory-to-wheat shag with a dark velvety nose, jointed arms and legs, cream paw pads with stitched claws, and an intact Schmidt-Cannon International / Matrix Essentials label at the side seam.

His Anico International, Inc tag reads 4/2011, marking him an early-2010s companion with a decade of gentle settling behind him.

patient · featherlight-hearted · quietly good company

A medium plush shaggy cream-and-oat teddy by Anico Int'l (dated 4/2011) with a brown suede muzzle, black bead eyes, and a wide brown satin neck ribbon.

His Gund woven care-label and plush build peg him as a keepsake bear of the 2000s, a good few tidy years already settled in.

welcoming · tidy-minded · cushiony

A plump Gund bear in heathered taupe plush with cocoa muzzle and paw pads, wearing a navy-green-and-crimson tartan ribbon at the collar.

His stitched Giorgio Beverly Hills tag reads 1995, marking him a promotional collector's bear near thirty years on.

glamour-tinged · modestly vain · warm-mannered

A 1995 Giorgio Beverly Hills collector's bear in aged cream mohair, wearing a hand-knit red GIORGIO sweater, with suede paw pads and a stitched brand tag on one foot.

His Animal Adventure LLC woven tag and swirl-shag build mark him a nursery companion of the 2010s, with a handful of gentle years already worn in.

doorway-steady · softly stubborn · fond of a good sit

A rounded grey/brown Animal Adventure teddy bear in heather-grey swirl shag with darker felt paw pads, a black nose, and a spring-green satin neck bow.

His 1986 Gund Collectors Classics tag and Korea-made stitching set him firmly in the late-1980s keepsake bears, with a good three decades of quiet sitting behind him.

mild-mannered · company-keeping · softly observant

A vintage, medium Gund Collectors Classics limited-edition teddy in honey-caramel shag with a suede-brown nose and original blue oval Gund charm at the chest.

His Gund "Grahm" style number and marled shag put him among the 2010s cuddle-plush, with a few unhurried years already softened into him.

mellow · slow to rise · comfortingly heavy

A medium Gund "Grahm" bear (#6050659) in tumbled honey-to-toffee shag with a broad chocolate-suede nose, stitched foot pads, and an intact side-seam tag.

That crisp red Aurora seam tag and glossy two-tone shag point to a nursery keepsake of the 2010s, with a good few reading afternoons logged.

thoughtful · page-holding steady · softly watchful

A plump weighted Aurora panda plush in black-and-ivory shag with tilted eye patches, a charcoal nose, and an intact red seam tag.

That red-lettered Russ "make someone happy" tag and novelty snowman suit read as a gift-shop keepsake of the 2010s, with a season or two of hugs behind him.

dress-up devoted · cheerfully theatrical · cold-weather sunny

A small Russ brown teddy bear dressed in a white plush snowman costume with a hooded snowman head, felt carrot nose, and black top hat with red ribbon.

That FTD/Boss Berrie tag and get-well styling date him to a turn-of-the-2000s florist-shop keepsake, with plenty of bedside shifts behind him.

reassuring · big-hearted · steady-sitting

A large, weighted honey-brown FTD/Boss Berrie plush bear with a felt bandage on his brow and an embroidered "Get Well Soon" badge stitched to one foot, restored by hand.

That Aéropostale seam tag and plush ivory shag peg him a mall-brand keepsake of the 2010s, with a good few winters clocked.

platform-patient · letter-fond · unhurried

A soft ivory shag Aéropostale plush bear with amber eyes and a suede nose, wearing a red-and-white striped A87 knit scarf.

That FAO Schwarz foot stitch and 2016 MerchSource label mark him a department-store keepsake from the mid-2010s, with a good many holidays clocked.

tidy-minded · festive at heart · gently ceremonious

A curly champagne-blond FAO Schwarz teddy bear with a foot-embroidered logo, one glass eye, a suede stitched nose, and a knit red-and-white striped scarf, gently worn and hand-cleaned.

That Bukowski Design tag and plush chocolate coat mark him a Scandinavian-styled keepsake of the 2000s, with a fair few quiet hours behind him.

deliberate · fond of a good long ponder

A medium chocolate-brown Bukowski plush bear with a suede muzzle and matching foot-soles, small black bead eyes, and an intact maker's tag.

That Toys "R" Us tab and curly caramel shag point to a store-shelf sweetheart of the 2000s, with a fair few armfuls behind him.

easy-slouching · softly sentimental · fond of a chorus

A large, vintage, shaggy caramel-brown Toys "R" Us teddy bear with ivory suede-plush muzzle and paw pads, floppy limbs, bead eyes, and an intact side-seam label; cleaned and combed by hand.

Born 1989 and he's aged like a favorite track.

sentimental · sings in the shower · loyal to a fault

A large honey-blond North American Bear Co. teddy with frosted-tip fur, big flat paw pads, and an intact green-and-navy tartan bow, freshly cleaned with all tags present.

That navy 'Guaranteed for Life' Vermont Teddy Bear tab and shaggy plush read as a keepsake bear from the 2000s, with a good many laps logged since.

slow-simmering · long-limbed and loose · kindly patient

A long-limbed Vermont Teddy Bear in shaggy pale-honey plush with ivory velvet muzzle and soles, a stitched black nose, and an intact side-seam brand tab, hand-cleaned with sound seams throughout.

That Build-A-Bear side-seam label and curly shag plush read as an early 2000's bear, clearly settled into a few good years of sitting.

methodical · comfortably grounded · quietly amused

A weighted roasted-brown, vintage, shag, Build-A-Bear bear with a curly coat, open muzzle, amber-flecked eyes, and an intact side-seam tag, freshly cleaned and combed.

His Heartline tag and shaggy frosted plush read as a keepsake bear from the '90s, carried plenty since.

mist-quiet · softly observant · easygoing

A vintage, Heartline teddy bear with copper frosted tipped and cream fur, a two-tone muzzle, glossy black stitched nose, dark eyes, and an intact side-seam tag, gently machine washed and hand combed.

That signature Build-A-Bear seam label and mottled shag plush place him in the 2000s, with plenty of hugs already logged.

watchful · companionable · gently theatrical

A vintage, shaggy Build-A-Bear panda in black-and-white plush with tan paw pads, an intact back-seam label, and gentle even wear.

The Build-A-Bear stitching and this heart-print plush place her in the last decade or so, well-cuddled but holding her color.

sweet-spoken · demonstrative · cheerfully bold

A Build-A-Bear teddy in mottled pink-and-cream plush with scattered white hearts and a pink embroidered heart on one foot pad.

The block red GUND tab at his back suggests a birth somewhere in the 2010s, though his plush shows almost none of the wear you'd expect from a decade of duty.

cheerfully bossy · fond of countdowns · fireside cheerleader

A GUND teddy bear in soft tan plush with cream paw pads, wearing a red-and-white knit, stocking cap, in clean restored condition.

That Russ Berrie Korea tag and her shaggy weighted build set her in the late 1980s, cuddle-mileage included.

billowy · matter-of-fact · fond of high ledges

A late-1980s, vintage Russ Berrie cream shaggy-plush "Teddy," roughly medium-sized, with brown stitched nose, dark bead eyes, and taupe-worn foot pads, hand-washed with all seams sound. Made in Korea, No. 7630

Vintage 1979 with plenty of lap-time logged since.

poised · obliging · fond of a rehearsal

A vintage, 1979, honey-brown GUND teddy bear with chocolate suede contrast pads on paws, ears, and feet, and an intact red side-seam tag.

No tag survives to pin down a year, but his long shaggy plush and tartan trim suggest a fireside companion from somewhere in the 1990s.

weather-wise · blustery-hearted · gale-proud

A vintage style, classic, large, long-haired honey-brown teddy bear with a tousled, windswept coat, a tartan ribbon bow at the neck, and gently worn paw pads, in sturdy, well-loved condition.

That Kellytoy tag dated 2022 makes her a recent arrival, still fresh in her plush.

quietly luminous · sure-footed · good in the dark

A blush-cream Kellytoy teddy bear, roughly 12 inches, with metallic silver ear tips and foot pads, a two-tone muzzle, black bead eyes, and an intact tag.

The 2001 Bear Factory tag at his seam puts him just past twenty, though his stuffing hasn't sagged a bit since the millennium turned.

even-keeled · gently nosy · quick with a compliment

A 2001-dated Bear Factory teddy bear in taupe-brown plush, amber eyes, blush-pink paw pads, and dark brown foot pads, wearing a white cotton tee printed 'DON'T STUFF YOUR FEELINGS!' in teal.

His current Build-A-Bear labels and boucle curl mark him as a bear of the 2010s or later, though he's clearly logged plenty of hours in someone's arms.

squeezable · home-loving · good at keeping secrets

A caramel curly-plush Build-A-Bear Workshop teddy with dark glass eyes, embroidered nose, intact B-A-B pawpad patch and seam label, gently washed and combed.

That Taiwan-registered polyester-fiber tag hums of the late '80s, and he's carried the decades with his stuffing firm and his shine intact.

deliberate · dry-witted · steady-handed

A large dark cocoa plush bear with a distinctive boucle-knit muzzle, quilted champagne satin paw and foot pads, and a tan satin neck bow.

His trim size and tidy tag put him somewhere in the small-bear boom of the early 2000s, though he's clearly been handled with care the whole way.

dapper · companionable · unruffled

A vintage, seven-inch tan teddy bear with a burgundy velvet bow tie, embroidered paw pads, and an intact "Playful Pals" fabric tag, gently machine washed and in bright, well-kept condition. Made especially for Mervyn's Department Store, circa 1980's/1990's.

Stitched sometime in the mid-1990s, when the Mayberry workshop got adventurous with color

collector of last light · quietly sparkly · tilts her head when listening

A small 1990s Russ Berrie 'Mayberry' teddy bear with multi-colored mauve, rose, and grey fur shot through with gold tinsel threads, rust corduroy paw pads, and a burgundy ribbon bow, in excellent condition after a light steam cleaning.

From the golden years of the Boyds workshop — call it 25 winters, all of them well-dressed

dresses for the weather · turns to greet you · keeper of small details

Branson is a fully jointed Boyds bear with frosted brown fur, original hang tags, a plum cable-knit turtleneck sweater, and gray houndstooth tweed trousers with an embroidered snowflake pocket.

Modern vintage — a bear of this century with an old soul's patience

excellent bedside manner · calm in any weather · takes his badge seriously

A shaggy raspberry-brown GUND Philbin bear in excellent washed condition, dressed in a handmade floral hospital gown with a yellow back tie and a red 'Fezzy's Rescue Squad' badge on one arm.

A cub of recent winters — young enough to still smell of snow

fully committed to the bit · howls in whispers only · braver than his size suggests

A small modern white plush bear wearing an attached grey furry wolf-hood costume with an embroidered wolf face on top, freshly machine washed and in excellent condition.

Barely a season old — still wearing his tags

team spirit · eternally optimistic · first one ready by the door

A plush caramel-brown FAO Schwarz teddy bear in a red, white, and black snap-front varsity jacket, in like-new condition with original hang tags attached.

About 20 years young, and hardly a day of it shows

patient shelf-sitter · quietly optimistic · excellent listener

A soft frosted-brown GUND teddy bear from the early 2000s, in excellent condition with his original 'Gotta Getta GUND' hang tag and a rainbow organza bow.

Somewhere around 25 years young, and wearing it beautifully

Early riser · fond of flannel · enjoys his daily word puzzle

Oatley is a plush tan Gund teddy bear in good condition, with full soft fur, a dark brown nose, embroidered paw details, and his original plaid fleece scarf.

A youthful ten-or-so years

Laughs at dad jokes · fond of sunny spots for napping · needs plentiful snacks

Marshmallow is a soft-furred GUND panda in very good condition, roughly 12 inches seated, with black and cream plush and his original tag intact.

About 25 years young

proud of his sweater · steadfast lap companion · prefers to eat organic

A plush light-tan teddy bear in excellent condition, wearing a navy knit sweater with an appliqué bear face and red bow, approximately 14 inches seated.

About 10 years young, from the era of the films

polite to a fault · keeper of sandwiches · quietly adventurous

A modern Paddington-style plush bear in very good condition, with curly brown fur, a red felt hat, a blue fleece duffle coat with toggle fastenings, and an attached marmalade sandwich.

A distinguished twenty-something, and proud of it

reads the last page first · unapologetically opinionated about tea · knows which wardrobe leads to Narnia

A curly caramel plush bear from the early 2000s with suede paw pads, round black spectacles, a red tartan bow tie, and an embroidered year on his left foot pad, in gently loved condition.

About 10 years young, give or take a nap

professional hugger · takes up the whole chair · can't resist a good pun

A large cream plush bear with long shaggy fur, black eyes, a taupe stitched nose, and oversized feet with embroidered cocoa-brown paw pads, in gently loved condition.