Made in Scotland: Burra Bears

Based out of a small home studio on the beautiful Burra Isle, one of the many islands that make up the archipelago that is Shetland, are the family team that are Burra Bears: The Original Shetland Teddy Bear. When we first saw the Burra Bears, we fell completely in love with them. They have even made bears from our own designs, so this is a very special Made in Scotland blog. Mother Wendy and daughter Robyn have been making and designing the bears on Shetland since 1997.

Can you tell us how your business got started?

I never considered myself an ‘arty crafty’ type but have always had an ‘I could make that’ kind of attitude; because of this, almost 24 years ago I decided to take an old Fair Isle jumper and turn it in to two teddy bears as an anniversary present for my sister – and so Burra Bears was born! I had always been around knitting of some sort, my Mam was a prolific knitter; unfortunately I didn’t inherit her talent. I can’t knit to save myself (sewing is a different matter), but I have come to appreciate the skill and effort involved in every single Fair Isle jumper; the careful choice of pattern and blending of the colours combined with the painstaking construction process – all going to make each one totally individual. Because these jumpers are so well loved they often become totally worn out, this is the time to salvage them to be re-worked into a unique Burra Bear. I really do believe that it is a crime to throw away any woollen jumper when it could become a keepsake filled with memories (and wool) to be appreciated every day.

 

Can you tell us a bit more about how you make your products?

At first every bear was made from old Fair Isle jumpers, however it didn’t take long to exhaust the local charity shops. We moved on to purchasing Fair Isle waste panels from local knitwear factories but as we grew ever busier we had to source a continuous supply of raw material. So we now design our own Fair Isle fabrics in pure Shetland wool which are produced at the local textile college. Fair Isle continues to be the most popular bear we make but we have introduced a few relatives; these include the demure Shetland Lace, and it’s wayward cousin, Jamiesons Tweed. Recycling is a very important part of my business, nothing is wasted. All my bears are stuffed using leftover woollen scraps from the jumpers and woollen waste very kindly donated by Jamiesons Spinning.

Where do you look for inspiration when you are designing new products?

The Burra Bears range includes 3 sizes. In designing new knitted fabric to make our bears from I take inspiration from colour combinations and patterns from years gone by, they are always the most interesting. I also take inspiration from our Shetland heritage and our natural surroundings, 2 of these designs include ‘peerie sheep yoke’ and our ‘viking’ bear.

 

Which are your most popular products and which are your own favourites?

The most popular Burra Bear is probably the light natural coloured Fair Isle, a beautiful combination of natural Shetland colours in a very traditional Fair Isle pattern, a prefect base to show off that happy Burra Bear smile. My favourite to make has to be the commissions. I never know what is going to come through the door, it may be a beautiful hand knitted Fair Isle jumper from many years ago or a plain woollen chain store jumper, but whatever the type of garment it’s the sentimental value attached to each, to be trusted with something so special and turn it into a bear to give back to a family, that’s my favourite and what makes my job so worthwhile.

If you had to pick one place in Scotland to recommend that people visit, where would it be?

Right here in Shetland would be perfect, I was born and brought up here in Shetland, my family go back generations and to me it’s the best place to be. I have lived in a few different parts of Shetland but having spent the last 35 years in Burra Isle it would have to be here.

Who are your favourite Made in Scotland businesses?
Only one?
There is such a wealth of talent here in Shetland, here are some of my favourites:
Mike Finnie – Red Houss Shetland
Coleen Thomson – Yala, made in Yell Shetland
Joanna Hunter Knitwear at Ninian
Emma Blain – Aamos
Niela – Nielanell
Shona Anderson – Pink Fish Shetland

 

Thanks so much to Wendy for talking with us about her wonderful bears. Check out her social media pages and do get in touch with her if you have an idea for a memory bear! Take a look at www.burrabears.co.uk.