UKCA Bears Info

Bears are sold both in person at Craft Fairs and here in my online shop.

Each of their neck labels is the same size, regardless of the Bear's size, so that's a handy way to see the size differences between the small, medium, large and special edition teddy bears.

The Design, Testing & Production ...

The teddy bears idea came about after I made a 'special' looking teddy bear for my Mum and Dad's wedding anniversary. I absolutely loved making him and I was so incredibly proud of the fact I could make an actual teddy bear, I decided to look into making them properly. I knew that they'd need to be incredibly neat and a super strong design because prototypes would need to be tested to know they're safe toys to sell... and legal. It literally took several months at the start as I wanted to design my very own brand of Teddy Bear and get better at sewing. Yes, there are others with templates which I could purchase and use commercially, but what's the fun in being like anyone else!?!? Apart from being fully hand-sewn, my bears are in no way traditionally made but they're my very own style from start to finish which is something to be proud of I think.

I wanted to do things right, which was a huge task as there was a LOT of learning required but I believe it's best to do things properly to make toys safe. Also, once the overwhelming fear settled down, learning about and doing the UKCA testing is actually really interesting. Having the UKCA mark on my teddy bears' boxes and labels makes me really happy and confident with my product, plus it makes my little business look professional too.

Although my bear testing and making began years ago, the current range was designed in December 2023 and launched officially on 1st January 2024. I am in the Collective Member Directory who have provided the tools and information in order for me to test my design and method over the years, according to the UK Toy Safety Standards. The tests all relate to actions of play and what a child may do with a toy and if any prototype fails it must be re-made differently to then be put through the testing process again in order to pass. Prototypes are tested both unwashed and washed.

Luckily, I've never had a bear fail their UKCA testing so I know they're super strong and actually don't even light when a flame is put near them, they just get a burny mark on their bottom but even that wipes off.

Here's a few photos of the latest testing... 

The first two are from one of the Tension Tests - Designed for assessing the seams: showing they will not break apart after a weight of 7.2kg is used. The total weight clamped to the prototype is achieved by gradually adding items available in my office to a bag, in 5 second intervals, until the 7.2kg is reached ... The third photo is the result of the flammability test: No burn rate!

... Ouchy - Poor Rainbow!

I love snazzy packaging so it was a given that my beautiful bears were to have great packaging to give the right first impression. I make all the lantern boxes from scratch and always try to match the colours as much as possible. They're informative AND keep a Bear safe and looking nice. The back of every Bear's lantern box has the care instructions printed on it, as well as on one of the neck labels. Each Bear is documented as part of the UKCA rules but this also means I have all the information ready for their Birth Certificates, should they be added to a Teddy Bear order.

People often ask if they can have one of my bears in a different fabric with the idea that it's made "just for them" as an adult so it's "not a toy" - the answer is always no to any changes as ANY changes have to be tested. I cannot change their shape/silhouette, fabric, any materials or the process of how they're made unless that change is tested.

It's a simple rule... any item, if it has any play value whatsoever, it MUST be tested as a toy. 

 The whole idea of having toys tested to UKCA standards is that they are a safe standard... no ifs or maybes. Any toy from a toy range should ALWAYS be made to the same standard and method to the tested prototypes which passed the testing of that whole toy range. Labelling a toy that's from a UKCA tested range as 'not suitable from birth' because the maker has made untested changes should simply never happen. There should be no confusion for a buyer. Every single wool felt bear I make has the same range of materials used, all of which has been tested on my prototypes. I have just two suppliers of 100% wool felt, one supplier of toy stuffing and I always use Guttermann Sew All threads. Nothing else is ever added or changed. If any supplier changes their products or stops supplying what I use, then I would have to source an alternative and retest my bears. 

I display my UKCA declaration at craft fairs and have it on a digital format as well, plus I take all the documentation with me to craft fairs too because I am really proud of all the work I've done to make my bear range as safe as I possibly can. Plus, I think it's really good to show people what's actually involved because sellers which only label their 'toys' as 'lovingly handmade with care / not suitable for small children' are illegal and dangerous.

Should you have any doubts about a seller's toys, especially if child safety could potentially be an issue, then ask the seller: they should be happy to show you any of the documentation from the UKCA testing as well as their declaration. Trading Standards should also be able to help with any safety issues people come across.

If you have any questions at all regarding my Teddy Bear range, please just get in touch.