Customers' Comments 2010
Brendan warmly welcomes comments from his customers which, with their permission, appear below.
Received 'Old Gold Bear' from my very dear friend, for my 40th birthday - I couldn't have asked for a nicer present. Beautifully crafted with much thought to detail and one that would make a lovely present for any occasion. The quality reminds me of my old bear, Timothy, who was a Steiff bear that my mother passed down to me as a child. Many thanks.
N.F., Cumnor, Oxfordshire. (December 2010)
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I don't know how to thank you enough for my bear Brendan. He is an absolute treasure and I was right, you've given that ancient piece of mohair the kind of life it really deserved !! Fabulous.
Thanks for the loveliest surprise.....Very best wishes for a creative, happy and healthy 2011.
J.M., Newport, South Wales. (December 2010)
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We could not resist taking home a “Little Autumn Bear” from Wisley. He is beautifully made, has bags of character and is rapidly becoming a very loved member of the family. It was hard to decide on who to take home with us from the wonderful display but we are very pleased with our choice. We have now christened him Bertie.
D.E.M., Oxshott, Surrey. (December 2010)
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I am just writing to tell you how pleased I am with the latest addition to my family: Golden Treasure bear. He has settled in well with his new friends. The quality of workmanship and attention to detail are both excellent and I would thoroughly recommend Brendan's Bears to anyone wanting a good quality bear at a fair price.
R.R., Bristol. (November 2010)
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I was just talking to Chocolate Ripple the other morning over breakfast! He is a delight, warm and welcoming to all our visitors. I have to be careful that they don't get too attached. He is enjoying his new home and enjoying the comings and goings of our family from his vantage point. Looking forward to seeing you both at the end of November.
Thanks again for a wonderful bear.
M.D., Stafford. (November 2010)
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Sunflower arrived yesterday. I love her. Her jewels just finish her off.
The hand dyed colour is spot on, Sunflower is a very apt name.
Thanks for the work you put into her, the quality is first rate.
Will have to save up for another purchase in the future.
Many thanks.
A.L., Lincoln. (November 2010)
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Just thought we'd let you know that Morelli has settled in nicely after leaving Stonor and is enjoying the company of Butler, Hartley and Barnabus. Hope to see you and the bears at Wellington College.
L. and N.H., Nr.Reading, Berkshire. (October 2010)
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My gorgeous China Blue bear...now named Sky....made my day when he arrived. He is absolutely wonderful and has such an amazing coat of blue curly mohair. Brendan has done a lovely job with Sky's face and is such a friendly seller. I will certainly be recommending his
bears to all of my arctophile friends. Thankyou Brendan for such a wonderful addition to my hug.
J.W., Newport, South Wales. (October 2010)
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Thanks again for the new bears I collected at Hugglets - three adorable characters and some really beautiful & unusual fabrics. My enthusiasm for collecting Brendan's Bears is undiminished!
S.B., Horsham, West Sussex. (September 2010)
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I am absolutely thrilled with my new bears. They've got
great expressions. They are all arranged in my sitting room. Thank
you for the tickets to Kensington. I hope to be there.
Thanks so much.
M.R., London. (August 2010)
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I would highly recommend Brendan and his bears to anybody looking for that extra special present. Brendan was really helpful and the communication was fantastic (with him even emailing me from Turkey whilst he was on holiday!!) He helped me think through what I wanted and was very patient with my various changes of mind. The bear is stunning and made to a really high standard with exquisite materials. Unfortunately the bear's not for me but I know my sister (as a bear collector) will love him.
A.S., Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. (August 2010)
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It was great to see and chat to you both at Sutton Coldfield last Sunday. Raspberry and Clementine are currently gracing the dining room and have yet to be introduced to Alexander Sandybear, Willoughby, Merlot and Little Golden. Looking forward to Kensington.
M.R., Stafford. (August 2010)
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Your bears truly are wonderful.....I would like to thank you both for M.....'s bear. She is a delight. Forest is glad to have another pal in the hug. Forest is none the worst for his surgery and enjoyed the trip and seeing you both again! I was more than pleased when I read her label. It was a very generous thing to have done.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Looking forward to seeing you both in London.
M.D., Stafford. (August 2010)
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I can't tell you how happy I am with him. My boyfriend has no interest in such things and thought it was going to be a waste of money, but even he was truly delighted with him! Not only so well made, but with so much character. I am an artist & designer and have turned my hand to making little fellows once or twice, so I can appreciate your skill, there's so much more to it than meets the eye!
The prompt delivery was also much appreciated.
L.W.D., Livingston, West Lothian. (July 2010)
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I'm so delighted with the new additons to my collection - you always manage to come up with such sumptuous fabrics for your glamorous bears and Old Stilton has terrific charm and character; a very convincing old timer, could easily be a genuine vintage bear. I've already named them - Blanche and Stanley; I'm sure you can work out which is which!
Thanks again for my bears!
S.B., Horsham, West Sussex. (July 2010)
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Just a note to say thankyou so much for the speedy, friendly communications and the lovely bear which I received. This is my second purchase and I love both bears - they are absolutely gorgeous - but unfortunately they are gifts so I cannot keep them. I shall be dropping a few hints here in the hope that someone buys me one. Once again thank you so much.
Mrs. B.C., Shepperton, Middlesex. (June 2010)
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Thank you for Danish Blue which I purchased from you at the Artist Bear Event in Stratford Upon Avon. He is a gorgeous bear and is settling in well with me. This is my first Brendan's bear, but I am sure it won't be the last. The quality of the bears is excellent and the care that goes into making them is very clear for all to see.
J.L., Birmingham (June 2010)
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I was given a beautiful pink and black panda made by Brendan for my birthday. I have to say it was a fabulous surprise and very unexpected. The workmanship is great, she has a beautiful face and is just asking to be cuddled all the time. She has a ruff round her neck which makes her look like Bassett's allsorts, hence her name 'Bassett Bear' . I love her very much and hope someone will get me a friend for her in the future. Well done Brendan.
Mrs. M.E., Kidlington, Oxfordshire. (May 2010)
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Thank-you very much for Blackcurrant Sorbet Bear; he's delightful and I've named him Ribes. The quality of him is exceptional and I found you so very helpful and friendly in dealing with my enquiry. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you and your bears.
T.V., Bristol. (May 2010)
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Your bears are of the highest quality and deserve all the accolades possible; I'm truly impressed not only because of the craftsmanship and quality of materials but what Gerard Manley Hopkins (Balliol College) would call the instress and inscape of the bear--that divine thisness and thingness that make him unique. Oscar Hopkins [Antique Gold Bear] is a living work of art--inimitable, with a personality never to be repeated. I like him because he has a Shakespearean aura, with his dapper collar; I really feel that he is a very English bear, born in Oxford, who could easily give Sebastian of Brideshead Revisited some serious competition. I was especially pleased with the careful packaging (long before I opened the box I could hear him growling: obviously hungry after a trans-Atlantic flight, although Thank God the Icelandic ashes subsided!) and swift arrival. I expected an overseas shipping like this to take longer but he arrived less than a week after I placed my order. This is terribly convenient--perhaps even faster shopping than if I had gone to NYC and attempted to park my car!! Many thanks.
L.O., Ewing, New Jersey, U.S.A. (May 2010)
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A few months ago I asked you to make me a bear for my god-daughters 1st birthday. I've been meaning to email to let you know how delighted my god-daughter's parents were when they helped my god-daughter open her present. They were in awe when they saw the bear that you made. As they were looking at it, every minute a different comment came like "Look at the stitching, it's amazing", "Look at the lovely orange checked ruff around the bear's neck" and "Look at the tiny glass eyes, how on earth did he manage to put them on?" and then when they noticed the pads on the bear's feet, one embroidered with their daughter's name and the other with their daughter's birth date, they were absolutely speechless.
Thank you so much for making such a unique bear, it was all and more than I imagined it would be. Quite why I would think this I don't know, as I have purchased bears from you before and each and every one of them has been of excellent quality, none of which you would purchase in the High Street. If anybody wanted to buy a bear for an occasion, I would not hesitate in forwarding your name and website to them. I really, really can't put into words the gratitude you deserve by offering such a personalised, non-pressurised and detailed service. It has been a pleasure doing business with you and I look forward to the next special occasion when I can click on to
Mrs. K.T., Cowley, Oxford. (May 2010)
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I recently met you at RHS Wisley and bought the little curly Panda. He is doing very well and has settled nicely. We have called him Ching!!!!
A.F., Wallington, Surrey. (April 2010)
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Dear Uncle Brendan,
Thank you very, very much for taking me to the fair at Wisley last week. It was very exciting and I had a wizard time. Although I was sad to say goodbye to you, and to my other beary friends, I thought you would all want to know that I am very happy here in my new hug. I haven't met them all yet, and some of them are a bit scary, 'cos they're rather big and old and wise, but Squirrel, Basil, Cranberry, Aloitius and Alphonso who I'm sitting with at the moment have told me that they're really very kind and not scary at all. We're going to have our Annual Picnic soon, so I will be introduced to them then.
My new auntie is very kind and asked me to tell you that she loves me very much.
Love from Gingerbread!
Chiswick, West London. (April 2010)
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Thank you very much for Forest Bear. Myself and K..... are very pleased with him. He is home safe and well and enjoyed watching Ratatouille with K..... yesterday afternoon. The rest of the family think he is pretty special too. Thank you again.
M.D., Stafford. (April 2010)
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Thank you so much, the bears arrived.... safe and sound and are just GORGEOUS. Once again, thank you both very much.... A very large Welsh 'cwtch' for you both.
J.M., Newport, South Wales. (March 2010)
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Just to let you know that Simply Red Bear got home safe and well. He is settling in well. What lovely bears and lovely gentlemen. They were very eager to help in whatever way possible. The love and care shows in their bears.
M.D., Stafford. (March 2010)
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She's a lovely, huggable bear and the most beautiful colour.....hand dyed mohair makes her extra special and completely unique. I shall remain a loyal collector of Brendan's Bears !
S.B., Horsham, West Sussex. (March 2010)
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Thanks for the interesting chat yesterday at the NMM and suggestions of how to overcome problems my daughter is experiencing with a bear's head. It is great to find friendly craftspeople prepared to share their expertise. Sandy bear and Little Light Honey bear are settling into their new home though they have not yet been named.....I wonder if they need any other name !
M.R., Stafford. (March 2010)
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Husky has arrived today. He really is the most splendid fellow and such a lovely heavy armful to cuddle. So proud to add him to my collection.
S.B., Horsham, West Sussex. (February 2010)
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A precious timeworn bear made a Brussel's guy very happy! Perfectly made, high quality and worth every penny! Thx a lot.
T.van R., Belgium. (January 2010)
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I was so pleased when I received my bear, the detailing on his paws, with my son's name and date of birth, is fantastic. My bear was specially created and the final result was better then I could have imagined. He now sits in my son's bedroom ready for when he's older. The service was fantastic and the bear was made so quickly. I highly recommend Brendan's Bears for a great gift idea for a child, especially as a keepsake.
A.M., Witney, Oxfordshire. (January 2010)
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