Remember When. . . I was "bearly" in business?

​ In 2011 I started a business called “Keepsakes for You.” It was the same concept as Remember When Studio, with a focus on making only bears and bunny keepsakes. The business never got off the ground because I took a job at local nonprofit, but before that job offer, I did a lot of work that is now benefitting Remember When Studio. First, I had to rework the pattern. I had been using Vogue patterns, but drafted new ones so that I had original work.  ​

 Here are Bearlooms I made before I redrafted the pattern. 

My Bearlooms' bellies are rounder, with curved arms, more pronounced bottoms and the chin piece, called a gusset,  gives a rounder, sweeter face. I am really pleased with the changes. As you can see, I added the buttoned flap that protects the heart to the Vogue pattern.

The Vogue bunny pattern I redrafted from the start to create a unique Hareloom pattern. It took several tries to get it where I wanted it. Their ears are stiffened yet still flexible, arms are curved,  bellies plump. They make me "Hoppy"! (Hee, hee!)

A friend had lent me an embroidery machine, so of course I added quotes to personalized them. Next, I divided them into three categories; 

• A Baby Bear/Hareloom is made from that clothing or materials you just can't give away but no longer need. It often includes a special nook or toy that was a child's favorite.
  
• A Family Bear/Hareloom is made from materials from several family members, great for wedding and baby gifts, or, as in mine, just a great way to live with your memories rather than keeping them stored away.

All Bear/Harelooms have a heart: some are protected with pockets, while others wear them out where all can see!
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I especially enjoyed working with materials that are not traditionally sewn. Since the 60's I had saved a Valentine from my Aunt Murph and was pleased how well it sewed into the leg of my personal Hareloom. On my family Hareloom I used a baby ID necklace as a glasses holder for Grandma's sewing glasses. I assume the necklace was my sister's, since she always told me I wasn't born at the hospital, but rather arrived on the family doorstep wrapped in newspaper. Luckily, she fought to keep me!

• Personal Bear/Harelooms - made from treasures from one person's life. Great for graduation, retirement or taking keepsakes from storage to spotlight!  

When I look at any of the heirlooms I have made, stories play in my head. To help keep those stories alive I decided it was essential to have a pocket in each heirloom to hold a story starter booklet that explains the meaning behind each piece used to make it. Below is what I wrote for my personal Hareloom, pictured above.
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Jean's Personal Hare-loom

• White warm-up jacket from Albright College field hockey
• Green sweatshirt and blue chambray shirt from Donegal School District where I taught for 26+ years
• Swimming ribbons and patches from Lebanon Country Club and Annville Cleona: we all spent our summers with chlorine-straw hair and eating Jello out of the box to increase our speed
• Valentine from Aunt Murph
• 25-year service pin from Donegal School District
• Camp Oneka patch- my sister Lee and I spent summers there. I would never have made it without her. We will happily sing the Turtle's Trail- just ask!
• A exotic Turkish lady from a card from Aunt Susan. She and Aunt Murph always competed with each other, so I had to include something from each!
• College field hockey all-star patch
• Dad’s quote, “Leave the world better than you found it.” I have adopted this as my own mantra.

Pins

•  My initials- JB (lost the G)- I was the coach for jr. high hockey and the head coach gave these to me
• Senior Games pin– for coordinating badminton
• US Badminton Association
•  Believe pin– my love of Santa and Mary Engelbreit
  
• Teachers Rule– a pin from one of my “kids”​

Now that we are "bearly" in business again as Remember When Studio, you can contact us to make an heirloom for you or someone you love!