"Auriel"

"Auriel" is a very cute little butterfly fairy bunny created from creamy chenille stems (pipecleaners) with some shading and trimming. Black bead eyes and a tiny polymer clay nose enhance her little face and pretty pink butterfly wings adorn her back. She carries her juicy carrot which has been sculpted from polymer clay. Auriel is approx 2ins/5cms tall. A little sweetie! Check her out on my website! Just click her photograph for more details.

Hugs

Mr Pickles

Meet "Mr Pickles" an enchanting early 1950's Pedigree Bear. He is 20inches tall and is in a lovely condition. Mr Pickles is looking for a lovely new home. He is for sale on my website. Please click on his photograph for more details.

Hugs

Spring Has Finally Sprung!!

What a wonderful time Spring is here in Wales! The garden bursting with beautiful Spring flowers of all colours, shapes and sizes. Gorgeous!! My all time favourite though is the beautiful but simple Daffodil and not just because it is the National Flower Of Wales. It was also my Mothers' favourite flower and our garden as a child was always full to the brim of these beautiful, bright, cheerful flowers.

All across Wales from the beginning of March the country comes alive with meadows of richly coloured flowers as the daffodils begin to bloom. Brought to Wales by the Romans and named after the Greek God Narcissus who looked into a pool, saw his reflection and fell in love with himself. Along with newborn lambs, the Daffodil heralds the arrival of Spring. Also, as the Daffodil begins to bloom around the 1st March, it has also come to symbolise St. Davids Day here in Wales, commemorating the Patron Saint Of Wales and you can see many a patriotic Welsh person wearing a Daffodil in their lapels.

Unfortunately they just simply do not last long enough so I plan to make the most of it whilst they're here.

Hugs

A New Addition "Casper"

"Jasper"

I have had a delay with my new designs, as you may have noticed, due to illness. I have been unable to sew for the last few months due to depression/panic attacks, which has not been a nice experience. After the death of my beloved dog Jasper on 4th February this year, I found myself unable to cope as I was so full of grief and missed him so much. It all happened so quickly between Jasper being ill and his death. He left a great big hole in our lives. Two months later (ten weeks today) I still miss him and cry about him most days but am starting to feel more able to cope with my loss. My husband (bless him) has reserved a puppy for me, a chocolate labrador retriever (thought it might help). He is 5 weeks old at the moment and we collect him on May 1st when he will be 8 weeks. We plan to call him "CASPER" after his father, but mainly after our boy JASPER. He reminds us both so much of Jasper even though he looks nothing like him really. It's in the eyes/face I think. Casper will never be able to replace Jasper and we wouldn't want him too, but we hope he will fill at least a part of the empty hole left by Our Boy. No matter what, he will be loved so much and be treated like a little Prince. We are looking forward to bringing him home on May 1st.

"Casper" 5 weeks

Hugs

Does Anyone Know Anything About This Bear?

I recently acquired this lovely old blue bear. I think he is from the 1950's/1960's but that is all I know about him. I think he is British. Can anyone give me any information about him?

Hugs

"Charlie" Chiltern

"CHARLIE" Chiltern 1950's Has Been Adopted And Gone To Live In Honolulu, Hawaii.

"Smile" It Does Your Heart Good

I found a lovely poem in a magazine the other day that I would like to share with you.

Smiling is infectious, you catch it

like the flu,

When someone smiled at me today,

I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner and

someone saw my grin,

When he smiled, I realised, I'd

passed it onto him.

I thought about that smile, then

I realised its worth;

A single smile, just like mine, could

travel round the earth.

So if you feel a smile begin, don't

leave it undetected;

Let's start an epidemic quick and

get the world infected!

Hugs

"Gemma" L/E of 2 Genista Bears

"Gemma" L/E of 2 Genista Bears Is Currently On eBay. Click On Her Photograph To View Her Auction.

Thank you for looking!!

Beary Hugs

Hillary Rose

"Oscar" On eBay

"Oscar" OOAK Faux Fur 13ins Is Currently On eBay

Please Click On Oscars' Photo To Be Taken To His Auction

Thank You For Looking!!

My New Designs Will Be Available Soon. After The Death Of Our Beloved "Jasper" Work Went On Hold For A Time.

Beary Hugs

Hillary Rose

"Henry" Musical Bear On eBay

"Henry" A OOAK 14ins Musical Bear Is Currently On eBay

Click On Henry's Photograph To Be Taken To His eBay Auction.

Do You Have Room In Your Heart And Hug For Handsome "Henry"?

Beary Hugs

Hillary Rose

Farewell Jasper

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to tell everyone that our beloved Jasper "Babba" passed away yesterday evening 4th February at 9.10pm. He came home from his hydration therapy at 5pm and his breathing was quite difficult. After a few hours he started to get distressed so we had to rush him to see his veterinarian. He was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, the water was by-passing his kidneys and going straight to his lungs. His kidneys had completely failed. He would have drowned in his own fluid. We had no choice but do the only thing we could for our beloved friend and had Jasper "put to sleep". It was the hardest thing that we have ever had to do but we could not leave our boy scared and suffering. It was very quick and peaceful and we brought him home to be cremated at the pet crematorium.

We wish to thank everyone for their kindness, support and well wishes and I am sure that Jasper would also like to thank you. We would also like to thank all the staff at Jaspers' veterinarians for everything that they did for him.

Hugs

Hillary Rose

Please see Jaspers' Page

"He Is Your Friend, Your Partner, Your Defender, Your Dog. You Are His Life, His Love And His Leader. He Will Be Yours, Faithful And True, To The Last Beat Of His Heart. You Owe It To Be Him To Be Worthy Of Such Devotion"

Unknown

Jasper Unwell

What a terrible week we have had! Our beloved dog Jasper "Babba" eleven years of age, has been diagnosed as being diabetic. He has been so ill the last few days and is currently in hospital on a drip. We are hoping for him to return home tomorrow when he will start insulin injections, given by us. We have just telephoned to check on him and he is showing signs of improvement, so, fingers crossed!!

Update 4th February (AM)

Jasper came home the following day (2nd) but still so sick. On top of being diagnosed with diabetis, he also has renal failure. He came home to be with us overnight and then was to go back to the vets the next day to be "put to sleep" as he is so ill. It was such a hard decision to have to make. You cannot imagine the tears we have shed. The following morning (3rd) we arranged to return with him to the vets when he suddenly started to show signs of improvement, only slight but they were there. We telephoned to cancel/postpone and discuss with the vet but still had to take him back to the vets for his insulin. We have fed him baby food through a syringe which he has managed to keep down and is keeping water down but he is still very ill. We are now giving him his insulin injections at home. Today he has gone back 9.30am - 5pm for hydration therapy and will continue daily with this for now, hopefully to decrease the toxins. If we can decrease the toxins and he starts to eat he has a chance of recovery. He is a very sick dog and this is probably our last shot at saving him, but we have to try. We love him dearly. Please say a prayer for our boy Jasper....

Beary Hugs

Hillary

BEAR PORTRAITS

Has Anyone Seen This Fabulous Book "Bear Portraits" By Jill Greenberg? Her Work Is Truly Amazing. Bears Are Such Amazing And Beautiful Creatures, And This Book Really Captures All The Different Aspects Of A Bears Personality Beautifully. You Can Purchase It Online At Amazon.co.uk and at Amazon.com . It Is A Book Full Of Inspiration For The Bear Artist.

I Have A Birthday Coming Soon (16th January), So I Have Put It On My Wish List.

Beary Hugs

Hillary Rose

UPDATE 18th January

Yippee!! I did get this book for my birthday and it's even better than it looks, so if you get the chance to get hold of a copy, grab it with both hands.....

Hugs

Hillary

Antique/Vintage Bears

As well as designing and making Teddy Bears and other Bear related items, The House Of Genista aims to offer a good selection of mid 20th century Teddy Bears, and other Animals/Toys from worn and well-loved to good and even mint condition. The House Of Genista is the perfect place for starting or adding to a collection or simply finding "A Special Old Friend!"There is no antique quite so huggable and endearing as an old Teddy Bear, and even today, collecting old Teddy Bears remains an International Passion. Available mainly on my website and eBay, but I do have a few here on my blog for you to take a peek at. For more information, please email me at genistabears@hotmail.co.uk. Each of my Antique/Vintage Teddy Bears comes complete with a H of G Bear Care Information leaflet and an organza lavender bag filled with french lavender to deter insects.

Thank you for looking.

Have a Good Day!

Hillary Rose

"Cher Bear " A OOAK Collectible "Genista Bear"

Please meet "Cher Bear ", a lovely bonny little Teddy Bear created from a lovely baby blue mohair with co-ordinating baby blue merino wool needlefelted paw pads. She is a petite 10ins/25.4cms tall from the top of her head to the tip of her cute little toes. Her face has been trimmed and needlefelted in a lovely baby blue merino wool, black bootbutton eyes, felted under eye whites, embroidered nose/mouth in a blue mix perle cotton. "Cher" is poly filled, fully traditionaly hardwood and cotter pin jointed and wears a lovely beaded necklace around her neck, blue gingham bows in her ears. Complete with H of G Logo in white felt heart on right paw pad, H of G Hangtag, and H of G Certificate of Authenticity. "Cher" is a cellist and comes complete with her wooden violoncello, her bowed string instrument that she plays every Sunday. "Cher" is a OOAK Handcrafted Teddy Bear Made in Wales by myself, Hillary Rose of The House Of Genista. "Cher" is priced at £39.99 plus postage and packing. If you are interested in "Cher" please email me or visit us on Bearpile at http://www.thehouseofgenista.bearpile.com/

Thank you for looking.

Have a Good Day!!

Beary Hugs

Hillary Rose