可愛的小熊跟人類共存超過了一個世紀，跨越不同國界，為我們帶來了無限的温馨喜悅。
自20世紀，無數畫家，手工藝術家們都先後創作不同意識形態，尺寸大小不一的小熊兒；分別以卡通人物選用不同針、梭織羊絨面料套入天然木碎，一針一線精心來製作每一款小熊兒。
猶記80年代我過訪當年一位成功地產物業顧問英藉友人瑪莉亞的家中，就曾欣賞過她珍藏的一頭小熊兒，出自一位著名的藝術家手筆設計。
最近跟瑪莉亞重遇，得悉她自我90年代末搬離清水灣後，她亦相繼退休，還選擇留港長住並遷入石崗，為可見將來會收留更多的被遺棄狗兒跟自己家人有更大的生活空間。
彼此話舊中，說當年，話今朝…跟着她悠然地送上一本製作典雅的照片冊，不看由自可，一看便愛不釋手了。
照片中，有8張不同臉容和服飾的熊兒，手功精緻，栩栩如生。沒有待下午茶喝罷，便嚷着要前往她的手藝工作室去。
瑪莉亞手工藝室裡目前只有8頭熊兒，均滿臉幸福地相處一室，讓我可以細心去認識，欣賞到一位成功物業顧問的另一面才華。
每一頭熊兒製造需要整整一個月時間，獨一無二。
熊兒情深款款的眼睛及由”口吹”玻璃珠組合，四肢皆用傳统優質金屬針扣相連，活動自如；身內除了化纖和天然木碎充實外並配以鋼珠加強熊身質重感。
最誘人的是每頭熊兒都有瑪莉亞為它們度身訂造的時尚服飾，配件；細心欣賞附照後，你可有心動？
逗人喜愛的熊兒不少是我們孩童時代的玩伴，隨着年齡增長；未曾讓我們忘却它那忠心相伴成長的温馨。
於1969年，著名演員Peter Buff還出書大談其四出搜集熊兒的樂趣，曾幾何時掀起了一陣”兒”風。
及至1985年，世界知名的拍賣行Christie’s 更出現了古舊熊兒收藏品的昂價成交…時至今天大小的熊兒仍為老少咸宜樂意選購收藏，甚至成為在家庭成員中世代相傳下去的寵兒。
Maria Francis started making teddy bears in 2004 whilst contemplating the arrival of her first grandchild. She realized that happy childhood memories could be recaptured and brought to life in the form of the Teddy bears who had been our companions through childhood.Wanting to share her own memories and to help create new ones for the next generation she decided that each bear should bring with it its own story. Maria has been making things since she was a child and her first sewing efforts created elaborate wardrobes for all her dolls. A convent schooling instilled in her a love of fine quality and detailed work and a fondness for old fashioned neddleworking skills. This is brought together in the creation of each bear and the outfits they wear.
Maria’s ‘Storytime’ Teddies show her preference for the 1950′s bears of her childhood. She designs and handmakes them using the best quality mohair fabric and in the traditional way with cotter pin jointed limbs. They are filled with a mixture of polyfibre, occasionally excelsior (wood shavings) and she often adds stainless steel beads to add weight. Once assembled the bear is clipped and trimmed to suit its character and its head and face are needle sculpted to enhance its expression. All of Maria’s bears have handmade glass or ‘shoe button’ eyes. Each bear wears a handmade outfit and has accessories to suit its theme. The bear’s story and accessories accompany it to its new home. It is hoped that Storytime Teddies will be treasured and bring happy childhood memories back to Collectors. Because of the materials used these bears are not intended as children’s toys although Maria is happy to report that her 2 granddaughters each have a Storytime bear on display to accompany them through their childhood.
