An exciting year ahead & My achievements in 2013 :)

I am currently working on a few new pattern designs for next year 2014. I believe that it will be another exciting year for us as there will be new and more realistic looking animals coming up, new fur colours & combinations and of course, some new techniques that i have always wanted to try.

I will also be learning how to make dolls from a doll artist in December, opening the possibility of having another new toy design creation which might be added into Wayneston Bears' portfolio as well.

We have a total of 5 successful Bear a Bear workshops this year. We are happy to see new faces every time in all the workshops. There is also an increase in the number males signing up for bear workshops which is a very good sign! Making something for your love ones is definitely more valuable and meaningful then purchasing something off the shelf. The joy of teaching and sharing as a mentor is indescribable and the happy faces of every student upon completing their first bear is priceless.

This year, Wayneston Bears attended 2 shows, one in Brisbane and one in Singapore. The Winter Wonderland in Brisbane was a Doll and Bear Show with more than a 100 tables! It was an eye opening experience for my family and me. We are very pleased to have won the People Choice Award of Greenland at the Winter Wonderland Show. Our entry, Day Dreamer has done us proud. He is currently happily residing in US with his new mum who collects lots of Pandas! The Singapore Teddy Bear Show was a regular event for us to meet the local artists, friends and collectors. We have plans to visit somewhere further, however due to work commitment we hold back our plans of traveling to more places.

Will we do another overseas show in 2014? Definitely yes! The event, dates and venue will be announce later in 2014 once we have reserved our bookings with the various organisers.

Creations in 2013 are mostly mice! There was no particular reason for that; it was my intention to redesign a new mouse from the previous year. The new mouse design was a success, being one of the best selling item for the year. We just love making them as they have so much different expressions every time we create a new one! The open mouth design is good, I enjoy creating them especially with teeth embedded onto them after I complete the mouth. I am so pleased with my on "fours" design as well. Although it's time consuming taking up to a month to complete them, it's definitely worth my time to see the results.

We want to thank the following Newspapers and Magazines for featuring our creations in 2013. Thank you for the opportunity to have our works seen by the world.

- The Business Times, 26 January 2013 (Singapore)

- Teddy Bear  & Friends, August 2013 (US)

- New Zealand Teds, August/September 2013 (New Zealand)

- Australian Bear Creations Magazine, October 2013 (Australia)

We are approaching towards our 5th Anniversary soon in just 4 month's time! WOW! I still can't believe that I have been making bears for 5 years now :p

Thank you for your continuous support and making our dream towards becoming a world class soft sculpture toy designer a step closer.

We wish you a successful and prosperous 2014, may this year be the one in which all your wishes come true. The one in which your dreams may turn into reality. Happy new year!

Hugs, Wayne