URSA Awards 2010 Competition

"Reach For The Sparkling Stars"

Meet the 2010 URSA Winners

 
Listed by their first names and in their own words.

Congratulations to all the URSA Award Winners!


Category 10, Entry 7
Lady Viola

 Angela Yip

Angela Yip Bears
Kowloon, Hong Kong

As a new comer in the fascinating world of teddy bears, I am extremely excited to be among so many talented bear artists from around the world who have entered in the URSA Awards Competition.

My thanks go to the Bears&Buds for the chance to enter the URSA Awards, my teacher Gloria who showed me the unlimited room for creativity in bear-making, and to my dearest kids for them I took the step last summer to learn sewing their graduation bears.

When I was a teenager I loved sewing dress for my dolls and myself but stopped when everything is so readily available nowadays. I love water colour painting but as a working mother in a fast pace metropolitan city, I haven’t devoted time to really pursue that hobby.

Now I found this wonderful platform to merge all my interest and express myself through teddy bear making – it is really great!

The URSA award will encourage me to keep up my efforts and there is so much to learn from all of you.

A big thank you for all who have voted in support of Lady Viola.

Angela

 
 


Category 4, Entry 2
Reginaldo

 


Category 6, Entry 1
Gedeone


Category 11, Entry 1
Zucca

 Annalisa Taddei

The Tuscany Bear Maker
Marina di Pisa, Tuscany -Italy

First I want to say a heartfelt thanks to my beloved helper that each time ,with his advice and his criticisms, made me become a bear maker: my husband!

Thanks to all friends and people who believed in my work by voting for me.

Thanks to URSA Award Competition for this great, friendly and well-organized event.

URSA is for me, is one of the most important moments in my life.

I can honestly say that while I am waiting for this event, I feel excited like a child waiting for Santa Claus.

I'm only sorry that this bear world does not exist in Italy! And now more Italian's know Bears&Buds and URSA competition!

I'm really proud to be part of this wonderful constellation of stars call the URSA.

Each shines its light!

AnnalisaI

 

 


Category 12, Entry 1
Orazio


 





 


Category 14, Entry 1
Marlene
 


Category 4, Entry 6
Isobel


 

 

 Ann-Marie Dodd

BearMeToo
Skurup, Sweden

When I created Isobel, I really liked the way she turned out so I had to give her a try to enter the URSA Awards Competition.

Not in my wildest dreams I thought that I would be so lucky to win a URSA Award!

One of my highest dreams since I started to make bears was to win the URSA Awards. I can´t believe that my dream has finally come true!

It is thanks to all of you that have voted for Isobel and I can't thank you enough.

I am so happy that you liked Isobel and I am very grateful for winning the awards!

Thank you!"

Ann-Marie U



 

 

 

 


Category 9, Entry 1
Paper Teddy is Back



 

 Berta Hesen-Minten

B ThReAdTeDs
Horst-Hegelsom, Netherlands

I was happily surprised that my entry is one of the winners.

Thank you to EVERYONE who voted for my Paper Teddy.

Paper Teddy lives in Australia now and being taken good care for.

I enjoyed very much being part of the URSA Awards Competition.

Thank you,

Berta

 


Category 5, Entry 6
Golden Treasure Bear


 

 Brendan Daly

Brendans Bears

Oxford, Oxfordshire - UK

 

Greetings from Oxford, England where I have been designing and making bears for almost four years. As a relative newcomer to the world of bear artistry, I am truly delighted that my work is appreciated by all those who voted for Golden Treasure. He is one of a series of bears called Timeworn Treasures , designed and deliberately distressed to give that well-loved look.

It is a great honour to be a fellow finalist alongside so many talented artists and their splendid creations.

Sincere thanks to Bears and Buds for enabling me to share my bear with a worldwide readership.

 

 

 


Category 14,  Entry 9
Suger

 Cinda Peterson

Walk a Dream Gallery
Gig Harbor, WA - USA

I am just thrilled to have my dog sculpture honored by so many people.

It is humbling and inspiring at the same time.

Thank you to all who voted for Suger and a special thanks to Valerie and Bears&Buds for sponsoring the URSA Awards Competition.

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



 


Category 11,  Entry 6
Sugar Plum

Diana Watts

DiBears
Naples, Florida - USA

I want to thank all the participants in the URSA Awards Competition!

The artists with all the great entries, all the collectors and friends that took the time to vote for their favorite bears including mine.

And to Valerie who works endlessly to make Bears&Buds teddy bear magazine happen each month! Without all of that we would not be writing about our URSA Awards

Sugar Plum was my piece for the 2010 Teddy Bear Reunion in the Clarion, Iowa.
I loved her the minute I started creating her. My friend Hildie  adopted her and she thought she was wonderful too! Together we decided that Sugar Plum would be a great piece to enter in the URSA Awards Competition!

I just love creating my teddy's and friends!

Going to the shows and visiting with the collectors, artists and through the years I have met many new friends. I hope to do that for many more years!
 
Thanks again for your support over the years and for your votes!!

Hugs,

Diana


 


Category 2, Entry 3
Queen Violetta

 Heidi Schaefer

Puppen & Baeren
Dreieich - Germany

To all you bear lovers out there, thank you very much for
your votes.

I am so happy that my Queen Violetta has got enough votes to win!

I love being a part of the
URSA Award Competition and for me it is the chance to share my ideas with people worldwide.

I can not go often to bear fairs so the URSA Awards Competition lets me feel like taking part in a very fine International fair.

Every year I am fascinated by all the wonderful entries.

Let me also say thank you very much to Valerie and her staff for
without their great work we all could not enjoy this fantastic event each year.

Giving all a big bearhug,

Heidi

\
 

 

Category 12, Entry 6
Anais

 

 


Category 15,  Entry 3
Sea Nymph Frilenija

 Ina Smirnova

Bears and Roses
Vilnius, Lithuania,

Hello!
My name is Ina Smirnova. I was born in Russia, but almost all my life I have lived in a small and very beautiful country - Lithuania.

I'm not the best speech writer, it is better for me to create 10 more teddy bears than to write only one speech! Because this is such an important reason as a winning in the most prestigious International URSA Awards Competition, I would like to say a few words.

From all my heart I want to thank my family for their continued support, understanding and for the opportunity to do the things I love!

I want to say a huge thank you to my friends, collectors and all those Bears&Buds' readers who gave their precious vote for my entry.

It was very hard for me to choose an entry for the competition because I am in love with each of my creatures as if they all are my precious kids, so my husband, my children and my close friends helped me to make a right decision; Frilenija!

Winning in the URSA Awards Competition, for me is a proof that I am standing on the right path of life. After all, when you're doing what you are destined to do, then everything works easily and naturally!

I'm really happy! Have a good day!

Ina


 
 


Category 3, Entry 6
Melody Bear

Isabella Man

Muimui Bear
Kowloon, Hong Kong

It is indeed a great honor for me to participate in this URSA Awards Competition.

I am more than happy to enter into the world of teddy bears. There are certainly times of failure while making teddy bears, yet I enjoy the process very much. I not only learn that patience, skills, basic techniques, and creativity are essential to making lovely teddy bears from my respectable teacher, Ms. Gloria Chan, but also meanings of life that I would like to thank her for too.

I would also like to send my deepest gratitude to all those who love and vote Melody Bear.

Special thanks to my beloved family, for their love and support.

Thank you very much for all your votes!

Thanks a zillion!

Cheers,

Isabella

 


Category 8, Entry 2
Jellie and Bean


 

 Jacqui Ellerton

Jac-O-Bears
Macclesfield, Cheshire - UK

I would like to thank everyone, so very much for taking the time to
vote in the URSA Awards Competition, and a HUGE thank you to all who
voted for my entry, Jellie & Bean.

I thoroughly enjoyed making Jellie & Bean for this competition, as it meant I could do the things I like best in bear making;
working with bright colours to create colourful little cheeky characters.

It is hard to explain the thrill you get when you are notified that one of your creations has won in the URSA Awards Competition, that is solely judged by collectors and the readers of the Bears&Buds' online teddy bear magazine.

I have been very fortunate to have won in last years URSA Award Competition too, which gave me the confidence to have another go this year. You can imagine my delight to have been a winner this year!

I would like to say, to any bear artist who
has not had a go at entering the URSA Awards Competition, "give it a go", its
great excitement and the exposure you gain is brilliant.

I am sure I will be back again next year to have another try.

Very best wishes

Jacqui


 
 


Category 2, Entry 4
Esme
 



 

 Jan Cuming

Jinglebears
Wellington, New Zealand

Hello from New Zealand!

How fantastic to think that you all voted for Esme.

I was soooo excited to learn that I was a winner with my first ever elephant, although even I have to admit she is rather cute.

I would also like to congratulate all of the other contestants as there are some amazingly creative people out in the world.

Thank you all for voting for me and a very big thank you to the wonderful people at Bears&Buds as this URSA Awards Competition would not be possible without their commitment and hard work.

Thank you again for voting for me.

Warmest hugs,

Jan


 

 

 


Category 3, Entry 7
Prescott

Joanne Livingston

Desert Mountain Bears
Phoenix, Arizona - USA

One of the things that bring me the most contentment in life is making bears. 

I am so happy that people like what I make.

I chose to enter Prescott in this year’s URSA Awards Competition for just that reason. When he was finished and I posted his picture online for people to see they really liked him. Other’s reactions are how I judge my successes. 

Thank you to everyone who voted in the URSA Awards. It is your votes that make the awards possible.  

And thank you to Bears&Buds for giving me the honor to have my bear Prescott seen by so many people.

Joanne

 
 

Category 1, Entry 2
Fergus


Category 5, Entry 6
Cory

Category 11, Entry 2
Antonio

 Kim Russell

Russell Bears
Perth, West Australia

I am so honoured that my creations have been chosen this year as URSA Award winners, I would like to thank all those who participated in the voting, Valerie for her dedication and hard work and also all the artists that entered their pieces to make this event possible.
I look forward to the annual URSA's and choosing which pieces to enter is always a difficult decision, my husband helps me in the end, so most of the time, it's his personal choices.
Creating my bears is so enjoyable to me and to have them featured here as winners is the best reward I could ever ask for...I am just so thrilled to see them amongst all the other wonderful entries.
A huge thank you again for your supporting votes :-)

 
 
Beary kind regards,

Kim

Kim
 

 


 



 



 

 
 

Category 15, Entry 9
Zephera


 

 Kimberly  Rueby

K's Kritters & Kids
Smyrna, Tennessee - USA

For twenty years I have been designing teddy bears and kritters.

Other than entering a few State Fairs, where I have won best of show, I have never entered one of my creations in professional worldwide competition. For my 20th anniversary in business I figured it was about time to try, and am glad I did enter the URSA Awards Competition.

To step up against some of the best and future best artists, while hoping for a good showing, I am thrilled to be in the finals and all I can say is "thank you!"

K’s Kritters & Kids are living on four continents without the extra help from entering competitions and I am proud that Valerie and Bright Star Promotions have been a large part of my time in teddy bears shows. She has shown belief in my work and the work of so many others, even through the economically bad years.

Thank you again for voting for me.

Smiles,
Kimberly

 
 


Category 3, Entry 1
Piper


Category 12, Entry 2
Zippy the Baby Gorilla


Category 14, Entry 3
Diego

 Krista Griffiths

K Pawz Creations
Victoria, British Columbia Canada

Thank you so much to everyone who voted this year, not just for my entries, but for all the amazing creations entered in the URSA Awards Competition!

You are the ones who keep us doing what we love to do! It is because of your appreciation that we are able to continue to 'Reach For the Sparkling Stars'.

To everyone who entered; give yourself a huge round of applause for your amazing accomplishment. Each year the caliber of entries is raised, and the amount of new artists and new talent showing up is outstanding. I am honored to share the winners circle with such talent and friends. Thank you for believing in yourselves enough to share your creations with the world

Thank you to Valerie and everyone involved at Bears&Buds who have once again brought us an amazing competition and continues to make Bears&Buds the hot spot of bear artistry.

A huge thank you as well to my family, and friends for their support, honest critiques and encouragement to keep me reaching for the stars.

The real award for me is sharing a place on the podium with such outstanding talent!

Big Hugs,

Krista

Category 15, Entry5
Jacob the Wolf
From Twilight Movie





 
 


Category 10, Entry 5
Wang Chung


 

 

 Margaret Burke

Nikkel Bears
Orient Point, NSW - Australia

I would like to thank all of the wonderful Bears&Buds readers, my fabulous collectors, friends, family and everyone who voted for my panda Wang Chung in the 2010 URSA Awards Competition.

I'm absolutely thrilled and honoured to have won an URSA Award! I have only been making bears since 2007 and to achieve this standard of success in such a short time is beyond my wildest dream!

I created my Chinese circus panda Wang Chung earlier this year as a fantasy ringmaster, loosely based on the theatrics of Cirque du Soleil and only decided to enter him in the URSA Awards Competition at the last moment, never expecting to reach the final round of voting or win this award.

I'd also like to thank Valerie and the Bears&Buds team for organizing this wonderful showcase of international talent - without their dedication and hard work these awards wouldn't be possible.

It means the world to me as a ‘newbie’ to win such a prestigious award and I’ll treasure it forever.

Beary Best Regards,

Margaret

 

 

 

 

Category 8, Entry 5
Ted and Lucky

 Maria Collin

Puca Bears
Wald-Michelbach, Hesson  Germany

I am really delighted to hear that my "Ted and Lucky" bears are URSA
winners - not just for myself but for the special bears who inspired me.

Ted and Lucky are two of the three resident black bears at the North
American Bear Center, and I am fortunate to have recently visited
Minnesota and actually seen them "in the fur" -- just wish I could have
told them about the URSA Award Competition!

I was hoping to get a photo of me with Ted and Lucky but this one will have to do! Much nicer than one of camera-shy me.

I'd like to send my thanks and a BIG bear hug to all who voted for my bears.

Hugs,
Maria


 


 

 


Category 9, Entry 2
Amelia

 

 Marion Fraile

Bearkidz by Marion Fraile
Charlotte, North Carolina USA

I am very pleased to have placed again in the URSA Awards Competition, although it was a bit disappointing that not more thread artists entered. Hopefully next year there will be more!
 
Thank you for to Bears&Buds for running the URSAs. It is a great opportunity to show my bears and I will definitely be part of next year's competition.
 
Thank you to everyone who voted for my Amelia.

Bearhugs,

 
Marion

 


Category 6, Entry 3
Stevie

 

 Michele Seraphim

Seraphim Bears
Belleville, Ontario - Canada 

What a phenomenal year! I have been published, will do my first bear show and now have won my first URSA Awards Competition!

I have grown from award winning dolls and quilts to the most huggable creations in this world... teddy bears. My bears have allowed me the biggest privilege; together we have touched many hearts. In return, my own heart has been touched many times over by those who have adopted worldwide.

To think of the company I am presently in, with all the talent in this URSA Awards Competition and to pay homage to my grandmother by continuing the family tradition of bear making, is such an honour.

Thank you all so very much for welcoming me to this wonderful community of loving artists. Thank you to all who voted for my bears and for making my 'Stevie' the Bear of the Ball!

Love

Michele Seraphim




 

 

 

 


Category 6, Entry 2
Nesbit

 Paula Carter

All Bear by Paula Carter

Maidstone, Kent - UK

I 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.

My entry in the 2010 URSA Awards Competition signifies a new direction for my teddy bear designs this year, so I am especially delighted to have had my work recognized by public vote.

I would like to thank everyone who voted for 'Nesbit', such loyal support means a great deal to me!

Best wishes,

Paula


 

Category 9, Entry 4
Pegasus

 

 

 

 Phyllis Swanson

Fiber Phylly Designs
Yorba Linda, California - USA

I am very humbly honored that Pegasus was voted a winner in the URSA Awards Competition. Having an idea for an animal and transforming thread into that idea is the greatest rush that a creative person can experience.

Thank you to all who voted in this competition!

Thanks to Valerie and Bears&Buds for sponsoring this each year.

in stitches,
Phyllis

 


Category 10, Entry 6
Emilie

 Sandra Piper

Skye Rose Bears
Turnbridge Wells, Kent - UK

Being relatively new to the bear world [2 years] I entered the URSA Awards Competition for the first time, hoping to be seen and hopefully to put my name out there.

I was very excited and feel very honoured to have actually won an award.

I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for Emilie.

Your votes have made me feel very proud.

Sincerely, Sandra

 


Category 5, Entry 3
Dakota

 Sheryl Morrow

Gone to the Dogs
Gladstone, MO - USA

I was overwhelmed with excitement to find out that I was a finalist winner. I am still a little speechless.

The URSA Awards mean so many different things to a lot people, but for me I am honored to be such a big part of a wonderful group of talented artists.

I decided to enter my bear Dakota for a couple of reasons. He is a very special bear to me because he is one of my favorites that I have made and his name has a very special meaning as well. I named him after my wonderful 12 year old Nephew, Dakota.

I have to say thank you to everyone that has voted for my entry Dakota. I feel very honored to be a part of this years winners.

Thank you!!

Sheryl

 


Category 4, Entry 8
Walden

 Suzie James

SuziBear Designs
Hampshire - UK

It is always fun to be part of the URSA Awards Competition and such an honour when being announced as a winner!

Bears&Buds is a fantastic on-line magazine to be part of.

Flicking through the pages of this amazing monthly publication is like disappearing into a magical world of bears, and I always get inspired to either create a new little character, or to try a new technique when exploring each new issue.

It is always packed with great artists and their work, and many interesting articles too, and I am thrilled to always be a part of this every month.

And to then be announced as a winner in the URSA Awards Competition makes the whole Bears&Buds experience all the greater.

Thank you all very much for your votes!

Suzie

\=
 


Category 1, Entry 5
Sir Richard


Category 2, Entry 2
Lady Perfection

Tatiana Scalozub

ts-mini-bears
Odessa, Ukraine

Dear friends!

Thank you very much for your votes, I really appreciate them.

Every artist realizes his importance due to admires of his creative work. Every compliment to my bears makes me happy and gives me wings to grow. Every kind word makes me work hard and generate new ideas.

That is why I like to take part in exhibitions and contests. I notices that each year September brings me eventful life - full of publications and attention. And this year I have become winner in URSA Awards Competition and I have been also featured in on-line bear magazine Bears&Buds.

I wish good luck for all newcomers to bear making world!

Thanks again for your votes and be happy!

Tatianna

 

 
 


Category 1, Entry 3
Kimi

 

Terrie Kalaputas

Terries Bears
Sherwood Park, Alberta Canada Alberta Canada

I was thrilled to hear that Kimi had placed in the finals this year, there are so many wonderful and creative entries, it is an honor to have her place in the top three. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for her!

Once again the URSA Awards Competition was a wonderful experience for me. I enjoy seeing all of the bears and buds that are entered, the variety of styles and amount of talent each year really amazes me. I love to create my little bears, and it is so rewarding when others love them as well.

Thank you so much to Valerie and the staff at Bears & Buds for creating this great webzine and for all of the work that you have done to host the URSA competition.

Many thanks again!!

Bear Hugs,

Terrie

 

 

 


 
 


Category 8, Entry 6
Almost There

 Tracy Lee

ThimbleBeary Originals
Rockwell City, Iowa - USA

I wish to express how thrilled and honored I am to have my entry, “Almost There“, chosen as a 2010 URSA winner!

The idea of this special piece stayed with me for several months before I actually put it together, and I feel it has special meaning that was meant to be shared, which is why I chose to enter it in the URSA Awards Competition.

Though the ‘hill’ ahead of us might seem large and looming, through teamwork and effort, we will achieve our goals or reach our destination in the end, just as the my little bears in “Almost There” will make it to the bear show in their little blue car.

Thanks so much to everyone for their votes!

Sincerely,

Tracy Lee


 
 

Your vote helped determined the URSA Major- Best Overall winner!

 


Category 11, Entry 1
Zucca

 the
URSA Major Award!

 

The URSA Major -Best Over All  Award winner is:

Annalisa Taddei
and Zucca

 

Voted the
Best Overall
winner!

Our hat's off to YOU!o---!


Annalisa & Zucca
 
 Look for the URSA logo on the winner's web pages

and

spot this lapel pin on the winner's jacket too!
     

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

The gifts and gift cards are being presented to
the top 28 winners who accumulated
 the highest vote count.

Gifts courtesy of Bears&Bud's Advertisers, 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.

     


See the list of First Place Winners


Congratulations to all who entered and to all who have won!
 


See the list of top winners.

See the eMailand web addresses of the winners

Coming Soon!

Watch the URSA Awards Presentation
Slide Show on YouTube.com

  

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