Teddy Bear Collecting is fun?

My introduction to collecting teddy bears came while I was courting my wife. Like many men I had no idea what to get my "girl" for a gift, and when that first "special occasion" arrived I was at a loss. By chance I stumbled across a teddy bear picture in a magazine - it was a custom made teddy bear which caught my fancy. I purchased, wrapped and delivered it to the woman who would soon become my wife. All at once I think "I'm cool!" - she loves the teddy bear and I have accomplished my mission. Over time I bought her a few more, and figured I had a really great system that did not take much thought, and gifts that pleased were easy to find.

She now had become aware of artist teddy bears. I began to get this nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. Next she discovered teddy bear shows at the local mall. Then the shows were further away. Finally she took me to a store that sold hand made teddy bears. While a little anxious, I thought "How bad can it get?" Just then another lady come in with a teddy bear under her arm, and she looked like she was on a mission. As she waited while my wife negotiated with the sales clerk on another artist teddy bear, I struck up a conversation and asked how long she had been collecting teddy bears, and how many she had. That's when it hit me!!! She had over 500 teddy bears, and when her first child moved out she converted the now abandoned bed room to a teddy bear den!

I now knew my fate. I had unleashed something I had never imagined and which could grow to something far more than I could have dreamed. My wife was now involved in teddy bear collecting! All at once you find yourself involved in a hobby that you never expected, collecting teddy bears. Above you can see a picture of some of my wife's teddy bearcollection.