My name is Shaila Wise and I live in the wilds of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada.  When I moved here in May of 1997, I decided I needed a good hobby. Winters are long and dark and can be very depressing if you don't find a way to pass the time.
    I started with crochet. I made a blanket and a couple throw rugs, but soon turned to making doilies filet crochet. The smaller the better. But what so you do with a doily after you have spent the past 3 weeks making it?  Nobody I know really appreciates getting a little 4 inch doily for Christmas present.
    So I decided to learn how to quilt. I bought a sewing machine and a book. I made a couple bed quilts and a whole bunch of wall hangings. My family certainly enjoyed the quilted wall hanging Christmas presents much more than the doilies. But I knew I was still missing something.
    Christmas 2000 / 2001, I bought a pattern for a teddy bear and some fabric. And the rest,  they say, is history.

    Although I have made larger bears, I prefer to make miniature  - 3 1/2" or less.  I sew each one by hand and each one takes about 10 hours to make.