Keeping memories alive to touch
Keepsake bears help families remember special moments, lost loved ones
Awoman from Labrador City is using her sewing talent to help others remember the special people in their lives.
Julie Giles, who lives Happy Valley-Goose Bay, started a Facebook group called Keepsake Bears by Julie Marie almost five years ago, after the death of her grandfather in March 2015.
“From one of his shirts, I made my very first keepsake bear for my daughters. Then, I made several more as gifts for my family. Some friends saw them and from there I started getting asked to make bears from their loved one’s clothing. And it just grew from there,” Giles said, answering questions via e-mail.
Giles offers several different animals and keepsake pillows.
She’s made bunnies, elephants, fox, cats, penguins, dinosaurs and small heart ornaments.
There are two styles of bears in different sizes, she said. Some are made from sealskin.
When asked about the process of making a bear, pillow or other stuffed animal, Giles said things start long before the sewing begins.
“Usually, it starts with several back-and-forth messages, helping the person discover exactly what they are looking for, the clothing they wish to use and embroidery phrases," she explained. "Then they send me the clothing. Or drop it off to me if they live locally.”
Giles has shipped bears across the country, to the United States and Australia.
SPREADING COMFORT
The keepsakes bring comfort to family members that have lost a loved one, Giles said. The bears and keepsake pillows are also a way to have something to hug, she said, as a way to hold onto a loved one.
Giles’ creations also celebrate special moments in people’s lives. She’s made bears from a baby’s first pair of sleepers and embroidered the child’s birth information onto the bear’s belly. She’s also worked with wedding dresses and uniforms marking people’s retirement.
Knowing just how special her finished product will be, Giles takes great care in every keepsake she creates.
“Often times, it is the last article of clothing that someone had been holding onto for years. So, I am very careful with each one," she says.
"I have had many heartfelt and tearful hugs from complete strangers when they see their bears for the first time. It brings me joy to know that I can help someone in a very difficult time.”
While she doesn’t pry or ask questions about how someone may have passed, she said it’s not unusual for the person to voluntarily tell her their story or share a little something about the individual.
“I always have a listening ear and sometimes make a suggestion they may not have considered or known was possible, as a way to tailor the keepsake more toward the person they are remembering,” she said.
She has many repeat clients that she has gotten to know well, unfortunately it's usually due to the loss of multiple family members, she said.
She has been brought to tears on several occasions, she said, listening to the heartbreaking stories.
“One of the most painful for me was a lady with cancer who was close to the end. She was getting bears made to leave for her family and friends after she passed.
"We spoke several times by phone and e-mail, and I met with her to help select the clothing.”
FULL OF MEANING
Jennifer Lorraine Young said the bear Giles made for her daughter is one of her family’s most cherished possessions.
“My daughter (Praia) was born at 32 weeks, as I suffered from preeclampsia. I had this bear made out of the pajama pants I was wearing when her and I first got to meet and had our first cuddles. I kept the pajama top for my keepsake and had this bear made to give to my daughter Praia on her first birthday,” she said.
Praia is now a three-year-old happy, bright and thriving child, Young said.
“Julie did an amazing job and she is the only person I would trust with such a sentimental piece,” she added.
Lois Berrigan held onto her father’s woods jackets for years after he passed away. After she read about Keepsake Bears online, she knew instinctively what to do with the jacket.
“After 20 years, I had Dad’s jacket made into six teddy bears: one for each of my sisters and one for my mom and, of course, me. I gave them to everyone for Christmas that year. It felt like we had Dad back again.”
When Berrigan’s mother passed away, family members knew they’d like to have bears made from her clothing.
“What a beautiful keepsake to have and to pass on to the next generation. My Dad’s teddy bear that Mom was the owner of is now passed on to the youngest grandchild,” Berrigan said.
In posting her comments to Giles’s Facebook page, Corneila Fleming wrote about the bear Giles made for her almost four years ago after her brother died by suicide. Fleming said the bear has been on many adventures with her – it’s been to college and was close by when she moved into her first apartment.
“I never thought an item would mean so much to me. Being able to hug into my bear every time I am missing Nathan brings me so much comfort.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Keepsake bears and pillows can be made out of dress shirts, T-shirts, pyjama shirts and pants, uniforms, scrubs, jackets, baby clothes, receiving blankets, dresses, wedding dress or any other item of clothing that has special meaning.
Giles doesn’t accept clothing with spandex or polyester or any pet clothing or blankets.
All clothing must be washed before given to Giles.
GO ONLINE
Learn more about Giles and her Keepsake Bears on her Facebook page or via e-mail at Jmgiles1975@gmail.com.