…….COMING SOON - Edwina's Friends is having a complete revamp! As well as the lovely old bears & furry friends we'll also be offering a varied range of vintage homeware items that are beautiful, interesting or quirky. Expect vintage patchwork quilts and eiderdowns, pretty china and glass, delightful books and book ends, small items of decorative furniture, exquisite items for the vintage dressing table and a host of other gorgeous items. It's all happening this autumn, so check back soon!

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24/07/10: I am taking my Winnie the Pooh campaign to Hugglets (thanks to the generosity of the organisers). My aim is to raise enough money to get a plaque commemorating the bear of little brain erected at his 'birthplace', The Elms in Acton. Any contribution is welcome, however small, so if you are visiting Teddies 2010 on 12th September, do come and find me (as yet I don't know precisely where I'll be pitching my table but as soon as I do I'll post the details here).

Other news: My Farnell Teddy Bears book is now available and I have already received some lovely feedback from early purchasers. It is very heartening to know this book is being well received because researching and writing it really was a labour of love. 

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 Magazines: The next Teddy Bear Annual will be published on 5th August so don't forget to order your copy from WH Smiths or direct from Warners Group Publications - www.warnersgroup.cco.uk. And there will be another teddy bear supplement with Collect It in the October issue on sale in September.

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IMPORTANT NEWS: Due to pressing commitments with books and magazines, I will be taking a break from Edwina's Friends until September 2010. Essentially what this means is that no new bears will be put on the site until then and all visits to the showroom will be suspended. However, it is still possible to purchase any of the gorgeous bears currently on the site. Amongst others there are some stunning creations from Madabout Bears and Jack & Lilia, just one fabulous little girl by Flutter-by Bears, a cute white polar bear from Okidoki Originals and three vintage-style girl bears from Barron Bears. All are being offered at very special prices.

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Books: My next book Farnell Teddy Bears is now on sale. I am delighted to say that the Foreword for the book was written by none other than John J. Lamb, the brilliant American writer of teddy bear related crime mysteries.

Meanwhile, my current book, Merrythought Teddy Bears, is now on sale from the publisher www.pen-and-sword.co.uk and other major book stores (Amazon, Waterstones, Borders etc). And if you'd like to buy a copy of my first book, A Collectible History of the Teddy Bear, go to the Vintage Bears section of this site and click on Bearabilia. 

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Artist Bears -

NO NEW BEARS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2010 

As you browse our pages you will find a stunning selection of exquisite artist bears created by some of the world’s leading bear artists. Although the bears vary massively in style and size they share two things in common: the first is the brilliance of their respective creators, and the second is the fact that they all reflect different aspects of my own taste in artist bears. I am so proud to have these fabulous artists making bears for Edwina’s Friends. Take a look and see who’s been hard at work for us (and remember, more bears by different artists are coming soon so keep checking back).

Rosita	Lavender	Tickle

NO NEW BEARS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2010 

In addition to the artist bears, you will find a small selection of adorable vintage teddies which are looking for loving new homes. They are an eclectic bunch but all have come to Edwina’s Friends because Edwina and I liked the look of them. We hope you do, too.

Bearabilia

For a limited selection of enticing bear-themed collectables, go to the Bearabilia section of the Vintage Bears page. You'll also find details of how to buy a signed copy of my last book, A Collectible History of the Teddy Bear.  

Visit our Showroom (no appointments until September 2010)

Visits to the Edwina’s Friends showroom (which is in Wokingham, Berkshire) have been proving very popular so if you would like to come on a specific date, please book well in advance. Email kathymartin@edwinasfriends.co.uk or telephone +44(0)1189 776272 to make an appointment. The showroom is open 3 days a week – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – from 10am until 3.30pm but visits are by appointment only.

You can buy with confidence from Edwina’s Friends as we offer a no-quibbles money-back refund if you are not happy with your purchases. See HOW TO ORDER for more information.