The Shetland SECRET Behind These Famous Teddy Bears 🧸 MUST-SEE Interview 🇬🇧Knitting the UK:Episode 6

[@MakerMarkKnits]

If you're interested in purchasing a Burra Bear or having one of your own projects turned into a memory bear, make sure to follow the Burra Bears newsletter here: burrabears.us16.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=861313e7b74a211c429b98502&id=a1b7593e48 Wendy was the most wonderful host and we had a great time learning about her journey with these bears! There is currently a wait time to purchase newly made bears, however, each Friday at 10am Shetland time, Wendy posts a flash sale bear on Facebook and Instagram. The first person to comment on that post is eligible to purchase that week's bear, so keep your eyes peeled!

[@sueblaser14]

Amazing video, I couldn't look at your vest without seeing a bear after that visit! 😄🤩

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Haha! I agree. I'm so tempted to cut up my sweaters...

[@arwenwestrop5404]

Hi Mark, thank you so much for going to talk with Wendy about her bears! I'd heard of them before and now I've seen with how much love and care they are made. It's just wonderful! I am really enjoying your journey vicariously. These are such beautiful islands and most of us don't ever see enough of them!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thank you SO much for watching! :)

[@ClaireRose-b9q]

What a lovely lady and amazing business. Thanks for showing us her wonderful bears.

[@thomashubbell8612]

What a wonderful way of saving a memory. I made a bear for my mother many years ago out of one of her father’s coats and it still is part of the family.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Oh what a beautiful thing to do with a coat. I'm sure that bear means so much!

[@Jackie-zq2xs]

I visited Burra Bears in 2019 having seen one of the bears for sale on the ferry to Shetland. Wendy was so welcoming and kind when we turned up and she explained all about her bears and memory bears. My mum had recently passed away and I thought it was a wonderful idea to have 3 bears made for my 3 children out of my mum’s cardigans/jumpers. When I got home I sent the items to Wendy and she made them into beautiful bears which my children adore. Thank you Wendy; Our bears called Hilda, Violet and Rose after my mum are not only amazing but treasured and loved so much. You are an amazing lady and I hope to visit you again one day.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Yours is such a beautiful story! I'm so glad you have three special Burra Bears to help those memories live on :)

[@spinningloft]

Thanks Mark, what a sweet visit with Wendy and bears! Loved it. I feel almost like I finally made it to Shetland. Just lovely. And her yummy brogue!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Yay! Thanks for watching, Paula!

[@sharonstroud8075]

Great travel videos! Allows those of us who will never see it in person a chance to live vicariously!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

What a beautiful sentiment! Thank you for being here with us :)

[@ljcreations6094]

Fascinating video Mark, really enjoyed that and amazing to see how Wendy works and some of her creations. Shetland is of course just absolutely gorgeous too, what a dream it must be for Wendy to work there and see that view. X

[@picturesqueimages]

Wendy was delightful! Thank you for taking the time to seek her out and share her with us!

[@mendezcher]

She’s a wonderful presenter! She’s so organized, having everything to show and display right on hand. What a beautiful idea these bears are! And she’s so thoughtful of every detail! I love the darning area she keeps on the bear! And her stories! I hope she writes them all down for a book!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

I agree! I was blown away by everything you've highlighted!

[@joannshupe9333]

I sent Wendy one of my handknit Shetland sweaters which she made into a bear for me. She lived on my bed. Then we got a puppy who was left "unsupervised" while we went out for a few hours - we came home to a bear minus her heel. I knew it had been too long since I'd sent the sweater to be made up so there wouldn't be any fabric left so she's got a gauze bandage wrapped around her foot.

[@PatBall-v8q]

I've knit that lace pattern and it is actually true lace work; pattern on both the right and wrong side. All that hard labor is now commemorated in a lovely bear. Great work.

[@dorindabalanecki9307]

Love this episode! Love the bears! Love Wendy! Thank you for sharing this. ❤

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thanks for watching!

[@rebeccadees2300]

What a unique way to use heirloom knitted items. Thank you for sharing this.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

I couldn't agree more!

[@thomase3551]

How lucky we are to have this video from you. Thank you! ❤

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Our pleasure!

[@janetnash]

what a wonderful gentle and informative interview thank you so much.

[@thizizliz]

I have seen those somewhere - Perhaps Fruity Knitting did an episode on it. I don't know anymore but dang they are lovely. I've been looking into perpahs making them out of thrifted flannel shirts - I want to donate them to the shelter for Domestic Violence - most folks there have left everything and experienced trauma and it seems like a little thing they could cuddle for comfort. I also read that they are nice in police stations - kids who land there have usually also experienced trauma. I also knit simple hats and headbands either for the folks in the shelter or in the thrift shop to sell to people visiting Joshua Tree NP - you just can't imagine from Los Angeles, how incredibly cold it is up here in winter. So they sell well and that supports the shelter. Sorry this is so long - I get carried away. Another lovely video.

[@user-eq5ps1uy2j]

I just stumbled on this channel. I make a bear just like the ones you are talking about. But, I make mine from a loved one's clothing that has passed on. I made a bear from 56 shirts. So there was a lot of cutting and sewing to make the fabric to make the bear. I have made over 200 bears for customers. I had to order another pattern. I couldn't find one here in the USA. It came from Australia. I have since made the patterns out of interfacing.

[@gartlande]

That was a great video! Wendy is so kind and lovely! Really enjoyed it! Thanks! Now I want a Burra Bear!😊

[@TheSablelou]

Thank you so, so, so much for sharing this very special place! What a wonderful way to keep the history alive!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

We were blown away! I think its such a beautiful way to preserve history :)

[@judygiesbrecht8297]

Lovely, simply lovely. Thank you. ❤❤❤🇨🇦

[@MarilynElston]

Mark thank you for sharing this with your channel. What a great idea and the bears are so sweet. Really enjoyed this !!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sharonnewport2864]

What a wonderful lady and such a fabulous interview. Thank you so very much for sharing ❤

[@MakerMarkKnits]

We were so impressed with Wendy and her bears!

[@laurielecours8426]

I had a memory bear made and Wendy was wonderful! She communicated with me every step of the way so I felt very comfortable sending her my mom’s sweater. I love the bear! It was absolutely worth the wait time! And I love that she uses scraps and waste.

[@diy-meinHäkel-Lookbook]

Thank you ❤for this great ❤bear making ❤ video ❤

[@betseyfowler2625]

Loved this episode. I lead a grief recovery group and this is another idea what to do with special clothing.

[@dianahendricks8657]

Most brilliant idea ever. I’m watching from Cape Town South Africa and wish I was near enough to purchase one. Thanks for sharing. Good wishes in your future endeavours. ❤️

[@cball8160]

Charming, touching, interesting, inspiring, and many more adjectives for this video. Thank you for this! Enchanting!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thanks for watching!

[@bluekitty3731]

I think a sweater made into sheep/lambs would be so cute also!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

That's a great idea!

[@lynnewillette2654]

What a wonderful service Wendy provides to so many people. She has a true skill and her bears are works of art and heirlooms. I loved hearing how Jamieson’s plays such a big part in providing the material for the bears. And the idea for stuffing was an eye-opener.Now I know to cut up my old socks that are no longer wearable for stuffing soft toys instead of just throwing them out (which always hurts when I spent so many hours knitting them). Thank you for such a special video and thank you to Wendy.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Yes! True works of art - and I'm glad you'll have a new use for your worn out knitwear :)

[@helensmith8350]

Thank you so much Mark, what a wonderful idea, I smiled all the way through the story. I’m a Glasgow Girl living in Australia and I have been home many times over the years and I thought my travelling days were over but you have made me think maybe I might have one trip to do 🤔

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Wow! Thanks for watching. I think Shetland is worth the visit :)

[@kcfield601]

Mark thank you so much for this video. Such a grand idea about the bears. Please thank Wendy for letting us into her home.

[@suemeyer8989]

What a talented lady with so much creativity in making the bears😁

[@RomonaFresquez-t4h]

Hi Mark and Ned! I really enjoyed your trip to Burra Bears! It was great seeing how the shop started and how they are made. I have collected bears throughout the years and hope to one day buy a Burra Bear.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

That's fabulous! Thanks for being here with us :)

[@AB-nk7qu]

I loved this episode! Wendy is a wonderful story teller!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Isn't she amazing? I was so happy to hear her story firsthand!

[@valeriechambers4773]

Hi Mark, I only found out about Burra Bears recently and I found it really interesting listening to your interview with Wendy. Enjoying watching your trip around the Uk, particularly the Shetland Isles

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@eenleukleven]

Another lovely video! Thank you two for sharing your trip with us. Beautiful landscapes, lovely people, like Wendy making such special bears. I have a Fair Isle sweater of my daughter (not intentionally felted years ago 😬), and a big teddy bear wears it. It sits near our Christmas tree every year, it looks so lovely. I wish you a wonderful rest of your journey in the UK!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Oh that's a very sweet solution! I love the idea of a bear by the Christmas tree :)

[@KYERRN]

It would be fun to see you and Max Miller from Tasting History get together. I really enjoy the research and stories you both have in your videos!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Wow, that's high praise! I'd love the chance :)

[@joandloughy5210]

Best video I’ve seen in a while! What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@paulaley05]

What an amazing idea and what beautiful bears! I can't stress how much love that they are symmetrical.

[@bgummeson]

I’ve followed Burra Bears on Facebook for a while, and it was a delight to meet Wendy through your video!

[@gundulap.3484]

Diese kleinen süßen Teddys❤

[@genevievekaufmann1118]

What a lovely idea ! Thank you for this great video 👌❤️

[@MarinaMandarinaWoolyWorld]

I am so glad you had been able to have this interview. Such a beautiful idea! Absolutely beautiful bears ❤

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thank you for watching!

[@jennifershaw4756]

This is amazing! Great interview.

[@fionaorton7076]

What a beautiful thing to do 😊 Thanks so much for sharing ❤

[@karenbochinski]

This show is incredible. This woman may not enjoy knitting but her sewing skills are amazing. I have sewn a few bears and find it so difficult; I rather knit one

[@dianapulido1807]

Love the brats! I started thinking do I have any wool damaged items that could be turned into a bear?! Unfortunately I was allergic to wool as a child and recently found out I'm no longer allergic Unfortunately all the wool items that my mom had were given away to family members who were not allergic.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Dang! You'll have to keep the idea in mind for future projects :)

[@СерафимаСмирнова]

this bears are adorable ❤️ thanks for this video, i will share it with my audience, i know they would love it!

[@Fe1AlR]

Love the darning on the leg 🥺 Wendy is excellent at explaining 💗

[@jeannewells6747]

I cannot thank you enough for this video ❤

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thanks for watching!

[@dorotheekschmid]

This is amazing ❤ Thank you for sharing. So much love 💕

[@pauladavitt7554]

Those bears are beautiful works of art.

[@ic7505]

This was incredible. Thank you.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cathyridley3005]

I just think this is so BEAUTIFUL !!! Such a talent . Handmade is best. Thank you !

[@jilliankonig2759]

Thanks for sharing this story!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thanks for being here with us!

[@vickicoleman2474]

Thank you for taking us along on your memorable travel adventure!❤

[@DB2hull]

Would love to visit Shetland.

[@omaeve]

Yes, when I was in a fiber guild, we called all those leftover scraps of fiber orts and I got kite tickled because we made a little cover for a lid to a butter dish with a hole in the middle to stuff the little bits and pieces in, but I remember my grandmother had an ort 11:36 box that was also called a hair receiver, but everybody in my family is very big on saving recycling probably because our parents and grandparents live through the depression

[@MakerMarkKnits]

That makes sense!

[@eliscanfield3913]

Awesome interview & she makes some really cool bears I make memory bears on commission occasionally; never thought of using a felted sweater for one. I'll have to remember that. Funny to have this come across, since I'm waiting for my BIL to send a few of his father's shirts so I can make BIL & MIL bears. FIL died a couple weeks back.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Oh wow. What a beautiful thing you do for people! I think the idea of memory bears is fantastic. What a great way to hold onto those memories.

[@eliscanfield3913]

​@@MakerMarkKnits Nice pun there, lol. Holding on to someone in memory is why I'm going to make the inner parts of my inlaws' bears' arms with a piece of my kids' outgrown clothes, with their grandpa's on the outside, like a group hug. Bro-in-law definitely approved. I haven't heard yet from MIL, but I think she'll love it, too.

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

What a great visit! I really enjoyed learning about bears and the makers.

[@elaineholden1988]

Love this whole idea ❤

[@CharlaDetjens]

What a lovely video! I have loved these bears for years and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Wendy and seeing how they’re made. (Also I envy the view from her workspace!)

[@yonwife5879]

What a lovely video. I used to work in one of the local charity shops where we saved the Shetland jumpers for Wendy ooh about 25 years ago.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Wow! I loved hearing that part of Wendy's story. I can't imagine the knitwear that must have come through that charity shop :)

[@user-zh6tf4ny3r]

Изумительная работа, очень здорово!!! У этой милой мастерицы можно где-то посмотреть мастер=класс! Спасибо, очень интересно

[@haveagojo-joanne]

I love my Burra Bear. I bought one of the first lace bears and she’s gorgeous. I’m really pleased I stumbled across this interview, it’s been a real eye opener to see what’s involved in making these amazing bears.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

That's fabulous! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@piratessalyx7871]

So easy to make one myself!

[@dees3179]

Absolutely excellent interview. Brilliant business, well done both of you for such an enjoyable episode.

[@belindacurtis48]

Wonderful ❤ thank you for this.

[@CrochetJoJo]

Amazing video. Thank you so much.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thank you for watching!

[@beverlyb5144]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS EPISODE!!! I will be on the hunt for a Shetland sweater because I would love a Burra Bear. thank you for this episode.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thank you for watching!!

[@debbyflowers1488]

Awesome episode, so wonderful!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thank you for watching!

[@rebmedina2835]

What a beautiful bear. Such a great idea

[@lindarussell1932]

What lovely ❤

[@beatewolf7477]

What a wonderfull idea to make memory bears, thank you for this episode, love it.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thanks for watching!

[@KarenStrickholm]

Absolutely delightful episode!

[@jenniferwiltrout1975]

Such a wonderful podcast. Did you purchase a bear?

[@MakerMarkKnits]

There weren't any bears available for purchase at the time...but Wendy does a flash sale each Saturday morning through the Burra Bears Facebook page. We were able to get a bear that way after a couple of weeks of entering! We'll unbox it on the channel once we get home to the states :)

[@jenniferwiltrout1975]

@@MakerMarkKnits can't wait to see it. Her bears are amazing.

[@craftycalley]

What a lovely story.

[@debra7893]

Thank you for this wonderful episode! Definitely one of my favorites!so did you guys get a bear??

[@MakerMarkKnits]

There weren't any bears available for purchase at the time...but Wendy does a flash sale each Saturday morning through the Burra Bears Facebook page. We were able to get a bear that way after a couple of weeks of entering! We'll unbox it on the channel once we get home to the states :)

[@lesleywallace5748]

I have seen a bear made from airline pilot's coat ,and then put all his badges as decoration , great memory for the family🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Oh that sounds incredible!

[@majlark]

That was fantastic , thank you. I hope to visit Shetland next year from Australia and hope to find a bear to bring home . Though now you have me thinking I should knit a piece to be made up into a bear ! 😊

[@stephaniebenson2501]

Fascinating episode. The bears are just awesome!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

I think so as well!

[@jayneaspinall1638]

Im new to your channel but what an amazing watch

[@toomiepal]

So lovely. The memory bears are so clever and creative. Best wishes!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

We agree!

[@leahholland6272]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your adventure and the Barra Bears

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Our pleasure!

[@yvainem7126]

Wonderful- love the bears

[@glendabathgate4036]

That was lovely

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thank you for watching!

[@bagladysendtheferalspinner3761]

What a wonderful video!

[@AnneWiley-vp5rj]

Such a special place ❤

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Agreed!

[@jocelynmackinnon5886]

Fantastic podcast. Thanks

[@jeanboardman3155]

Wonderful thank you! I am In awe of your work. Gorgeous! I wonder if you would mind if I ask - did you make your peach coloured linen (I think) top? If so where can I get the pattern or where did you buy it? Thank you ❤

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thank you for watching! You can reach out to Wendy via the Burra Bears Facebook and Instagram pages :)

[@lucianabassi738]

Hello, I'm from Brazil and I would love to learn how to make these bears here in Brazil.💓 But I don't know English and unfortunately the video doesn't have subtitles in Portuguese😢.

[@loiscassels8966]

I inherited a mink stole from my Grandmother. At a craft fair, I met a woman who made bears from vintage coats. I gave her the stole to make a bear from. Sadly, she was not open to a trade, but I bought one of silver Persian lambs wool, which I gave to my goddaughter for her new baby. The bear is called Nickel. My great-goddaughter will be 10 next week and is named after me.❤️🇨🇦🐾

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Wow! That's a beautiful story :)

[@johannabezuidenhout4252]

Can we have them made if you supply what ever is needed for the project can you let me know I am from South Africa thnx

[@PetraRobinson-gm8nh]

Can Acrylic yarn be used to make a bear?

[@cathafloat1519]

I was surprised not to see bear shaped holes in your fair isle waistcoat!!! Did you and Ned buy a bear for each other? Did Wendy say how big a square of knitting was needed to make a bear?

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Ha! There is currently a wait time for new bears, but we entered Wendy's weekly flash sale (Friday's at 10am Shetland time on the Burra Bears's Facebook page) and we won the opportunity to buy a bear! Our Burra Bear is in the mail and we will do an unboxing when we get back to the states! Here is the link to the details for the memory bears. Wendy told me that people who are interested in knitting a swatch to be used for a bear can contact her via the website for specific dimensions :) I hope that helps! www.burrabears.co.uk/bears/memory

[@HulyaDemir-e6c]

Siz örgü örüyorsunuz ördüklerinizi çok beğendim bir bayan olarak malesef sizin kadar becerikli değilim üzerinizdeki kazağı kendinizmi ördünüz eşinizde örgü örüyormu Türkiye'den selamlar 😊💐

[@cdma7sss]

♥

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thanks for watching!

[@catalinamargomyers9970]

Why will this not close???