Amy Lilley on ArtFire.com creates handmade OOAK miniature bears and animals, jewelry, accessories and more. Her biography reads "My name is Amy Lilley and I can honestly say that I adore making all of the little creations that you will find in my shop. Creating them is always a fun and exciting experience that leaves me reminiscent of my childhood. It was here that my love for these creations began.
It was my mother who first introduced me to the jointed (artist's) bear. She owned a little lion (Leo) and a bear (Bruno), whom she had acquired during her childhood. They were both charmingly tatty and fragile. I looked on them with envy as I knew they were one childhood posession that my mother would not relinquish to my pleading. I settled for having them visit my bedside every time that I was unwell or scared at night: they both had excellent bedside manner. Failing to inherit Leo and Bruno as I grew older, I sought after a little jointed companion of my own. They were annoyingly hard to come by! The completion of this search was anticipated on every beachside-holiday (as a result of my mother explaining that the 'quirky' shops by the seafront may sell them). I did make several purchases, but none were quite the same as the little lion and bear whom I loved. It was not until I discovered Etsy (at the age of 21), that I realised that these creatures were available to 'adopt'! They were called 'Artist's Bears,' and were handmade, OOAK (one of a kind) creations (most of which had little moveable joints-the feature I loved best about Leo and Bruno). I rang my mum and asked her to buy me a little jointed elephant from one Etsy shop as a Christmas gift. I was delighted that I could finally have a little jointed companion of my own! I began researching 'Teddy Bear art,' and started to make my own little bears and animals. I have always loved making things and I had loved these critters for so long that it seemed the perfect art-form for me to pursue. I have done so ever since."
Below are just a few of the wonderful creations that can be found in Amy's shop.
You can follow Amy's blog at www.teacupsandteddies.blogspot.com/. And be sure to check out the rest of her wonderful creations at AmyLilley on ArtFire.com!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters
