Advantages: Lovely personal gift!
Disadvantages: None that I can think of..

...The Bear Factory.. ******************** My own experience of this amazing shop.. My daughter and I were visiting my mam one day and my auntie was there too.. She was telling us of her other niece who had been given a gift of a bear factory teddy bear, she went on to describe the various items of clothing you could get for the bear to wear, and also how you choose the bear and actually have It "stuffed" while you are at the shop. Well we were curious, my daughter was then 12 it was nearly her birthday ,she and I decided to go to the metro centre near where we live and have a look at the shop which had just opened. Off we went. The shop itself was a nicely decorated shop with a machine In It which we discovered was the stuffing machine. The shop had... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to use site, well made bears, next day delivery
Disadvantages: Slightly expensive, the bear may need ‘tidying’ after delivery

...OK, so I’m probably the softest softy around when it comes to teddy bears and I do have a rather vast array, but you can never have too many and this website (www.bluefootbear.com) is just a teddy-lover’s delight (even if you don’t intend to buy, go and have a look – it’s great!) The initial title page has the option of ‘UK’ or ‘USA & rest of world’ – to be honest, I’ve had a quick look through both and the only real difference is that UK has pounds and the ‘USA & rest’ has dollars, but the basics of the site are the same whichever option you choose. Now as I live in the UK it seemed sensible to choose the UK option… SITE NAVIGATION The site is easy to navigate: you only have to click on a link to access whatever section you’re after... Read review

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Advantages: Great gifts that will never be forgotten
Disadvantages: Might be a little pricey.

...There are special moments in our childrens lives that we like to mark by buying them a special gift, something to treasure. Personally the best gifts I have given my children have been the ones that have been unexpected, the little treats that we have surprised the children with. The other evening my son decided that he was old enough to face the wild outdoors and asked if he could camp out in the garden. I was a little worried about letting him do this until my daughter offered to camp out with him.Watching them drag their bedding down the stairs in their dressing dressing gowns, I suddenly spied something pink and furry hanging by my daughters side.Her old mouldy pink teddy bear, given to her on the day she was born.Fifteen years later it is still a comfort to her and still as special now, as it was when she was a toddler. I got... Read review

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Advantages: A cute cuddly friend, a great shopping experience
Disadvantages: It can be expensive

...Being the big kid that I am, I love teddies. Infact, I still have all of the stuffed animals I had when I was born! So you can imagine my delight at walking into the Hamley's store during the festive season a few years back and finding a factory full of bears! Yes, it is the unmistakable Bear Factory, which puts the fun back into buying stuffed toys! "It's just for kids" I can hear you scream, but you would be pleasantly surprised… *** The Store *** The first Bear Factory opened inside Hamley's in London, and they are now nationwide available on most large high streets. It's not like Clintons, or other retailers where you buy a bear 'off the rack', The Bear Factory offers a truly unique experience in that you select the bear you want, fill it with stuffing, give it a heart and voice, and then dress it in pretty clothes! The shop... Read review

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Advantages: Harmless hobbey
Disadvantages: Can be expensive

...Well, what more can I say. My teddy bear is always there when I need him. Or perhaps I should elaborate a little bit more. You see I do not have just one or two bears. I am afraid to admit, I am a 28 year old Arctophile. Would you like me to explain myself? Arctophilia, you see, is the art of caring for, making and/or collecting teddy bears. Not just any old bear, mind you. Usually we collect and make "collectors bears". It is an ever growing obsession (some might say), that is taking over the world, slowly but surely. Collectors bears are the type of bears that one might see on the high shelves of gift shops, with labels on them that say "not to be used as a toy", or "not for children under 14". Reason being that most collectors bears are not made to the same trading standards as toys. They may have eyes that are made... Read review

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Advantages: Entertaining and educational or children of all ages
Disadvantages: Singing the catchy songs in public can be a bit embarrassing

...My name is VickyVickster and I am addicted to Bear in the big blue house. Don't laugh, it's true! I blame it all on my sister! Ok i'll explain. Are you sitting comfortably? This could take me a while. Whilst staying back at my parents house at Easter earlier this year, I sat and watched Playhouse Disney with my sister (who is 19 yeares old by the way) and although she does this on a regular basis anyway, my excuse was my little baby girl Bethanny (then around 5 months old) Anyway we got hooked. I found out it was on channel 5 at 8 am in the morning so it soon became a morning ritual, we'd watch "Bear" before we'd eat breakfast. So that leads us to now and here I stand before you a confessed "Bear" addict. I shall tell you all about my addiction, which of course I promise not to enjoy and use as a cathartic... Read review

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Advantages: Henson puppets rock
Disadvantages: gets addictive

...It's only over the last 3 years that I was made aware of Bear in the Big Blue House when it was on Channel 5's Milkshake - a series of programs aimed at the under 5's on between 6.30 and 9.30 in the mornings. Every time the theme tune for this came on my son would stop what he was doing from an early age and start laughing - we ended up taping one episode to start with just to stop him crying, it was great. Now 3 years on he still loves this big furry bear and all his friends who he helps along the way. Bear lives in Woodland valley in a big blue house and there are a number of friends who spend time with him. Tutter is a small blue mouse who lives in the house with Bear - he has his own little mouse hole where he tries to fit as much cheese into as possible. OJo is a young female bear cub who's favourite toy is snow bear. Pip... Read review

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Advantages: It's a wonderful, magical shop!
Disadvantages: Expensive

...I visit Norwich quite a lot, and have often walking passed the Bear Factory store in the shopping mall. I've been in there a couple of times to have a look round. But - until today - could never really afford to buy a bear of my own. I really wanted a bear from there. You see, it's not just any old bear that you're buying. The bears you buy are different. They're not stuffed. So, you go about choosing your bear, and bringing it to life! THE STORE ~~~~~~~~ The store in Norwich is quite large, and very colourful and child-friendly. As you walk in, there are big containers crammed to the top with unstuffed teddies and bears of all kinds. Just pick the teddy you want and see a member of staff. There are teddies that are already stuffed and dressed all ready and waiting to be bought and taken to a good home. These bears... Read review

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Advantages: Cute furry friend, Great gift.
Disadvantages: Cna get expensive.

...The Reason i am writing this review is because this shop (Build a bear) Has taken over all stores from the Bear Factory and i felt i should point this out in case anyone was wondering where the Bear factory had gone or not gone if you know what i mean. Build a bear is similar to The bear factory which sold Bears that you could buy in the shop, stuff and dress. Bear a bear shops now have a wider selection of bears/Animals to buy these include Teddy's, Pooh Bear, Hello Kitty, puppies, cats, koala, bunny's, monkeys, cow giraffe (These are all the ones i remember seeing on my visit last week). Build a bear is always bringing out new ones so keep an eye out. You can also get some limited editions. Our collection includes limited edition pudsey bear, Giraffe, Dog and Teddy. I am waiting to see if they will get a piggy one, going to make... Read review

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Advantages: your own individual bear created before your very eyes
Disadvantages: can be pricey

...The Bear Factory is a great idea for a store but also a bit of a rip off at the same time. Saying that, i still am a proud owner of one of their bears!!! I do believe that if you are going to own a teddy bear, be it just one, then you should get a bear factory bear as they are the best. Upon entering the store you are greeted by loads of different stalls, each containing a teddy bear without its stuffing. There is quite a good selection to choose from ranging from dogs, monkeys, bears ect The prices of selecting your bears "skin", as it is refered to, ranges from £8.99 for a tiny one, up to £15.99. I chose a "skin" which was £12.99. After this selection you take it to the workshop at the back of the store to get made. The worker gives you three choices on how you want the bear to be stuffed ( soft, medium and hard). I chose... Read review

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