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| Cherished Teddies History |
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Introduction
The Cherished Teddies collection is a brand owned by the Enesco Corporation, based on the artwork of Priscilla Hillman. The brand is mainly focused on resin figurines of teddy bears but also includes plush bears, infant bedding and accessories, wall borders, apparel and other merchandise.
Priscilla Hillman
Artist Priscilla Hillman grew up in New England with her twin sister Greta, brother Rick and their parents. It was during her childhood that she discovered her love and talent for drawing. Along with her sister, she would spend many hours drawing and painting at the kitchen table, while her mother baked. However, it was many years later before her artistic talents would become her primary focus.
Priscilla was a student at the University of Rhode Island, where she majored in botany. It was at the University that she met her husband, Norman. After graduating, Priscilla joined the U.S. Oceanographic service, where she served as a marine biologist, but she knew that art was her first love.
After the birth to her son, Glenn, in 1969, Priscilla realized the opportunity to use her creative talents and went to work as a book illustrator. Her illustrative work can be seen in the Merry Mouse series of books, first published by Doubleday in 1980.
In 1980, Priscilla was forced to spend months lying flat on her back as the result of a serious back problem. It was during this prolonged period of inactivity that Priscilla began to form her visions of teddy bears that eventually became the inspiration for the Cherished Teddies range. Lying there, reminiscing over her happy childhood memories of rooting through her Aunt’s attic, spending afternoons in the family garden or sitting around the kitchen table, Priscilla used these nostalgic thoughts as the inspiration for her future Cherished Teddies artwork.
As soon as she was able, Priscilla rushed to her drawing board and let the teddy bear images flow from her. She very quickly had 36 drawings. Having been aware of the collectible market, Priscilla took her pictures to the Enesco Corporation. Her artwork was instantly recognized for its special qualities and a partnership was formed.
As well as the Cherished Teddies collection, Priscilla is also responsible for design on other Enesco brands, including the Calico Kittens, My Blushing Bunnies and Mouse Tails collections.
Cherished Teddies
Enesco introduced the Cherished Teddies collection in the United States in 1992. The debut collection featured 16 teddy bear figurines.
Each Cherished Teddies figurine starts from a Hillman drawing. Enesco artists then carefully craft a matching figurine of cold cast resin, which is later hand-painted with an oil-based lacquer paint.
Other than some special edition and collector club figurines, all Cherished Teddies are packaged with their own certificate of adoption, an addition that enhances the personality captured in each design and strengthens the bond with the lucky owner.
In 1995, responding to overwhelming enthusiasm from the public, Enesco launched the Cherished Teddies Club. Members of the club (or “membears”, as they are known) receive news, invites to special events and a variety of membear-only special offers and other benefits.
The Cherished Teddies collection is one of the world's leading teddy bear gift and collectible brands, sold in many countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Germany. The collection has been honored with numerous awards in the gift and collectibles industry, including the Teddy Bear of the Year (TOBY) from Teddy Bear and Friends Magazine in 1992, “Collectible of the Year” by the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers (NALED) in 1993, the 1996 and 1997 NALED Miniature of the Year, the 1997 Parkwest Oustanding Collectible of the Year, the 1997 NALED Collectors Club of the Year, the 2001 Teddy Bear of the Year Industry Choice Award by Teddy Bear and Friends Magazine and the Golden Teddy Award by Teddy Bear Review Magazine in 2003.
Priscilla’s son, Glenn, joined his mother in designing Cherished Teddies in 1999. Glenn has taken some of the load from his mother by designing over 130 figurines.
© 2007 Woolvey LLC |
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