Hello!  I'm Shelli Heinemann, and I'm the artist behind POTBELLY BEARS.  I live with my husband and sons and a small fuzzy menagerie in beautiful Northern California, where I create works of fabric, paper and fluff in my home studio.

Here at POTBELLY BEARS you'll find sweet, soft, stuffed things. Usually teddy bears.  But sometimes pincushions, dolls, or other textile treasures that squish and comfort and charm, and can be made from warm, wooly fabrics -- my favorite kind. 

Everything I create is one of a kind and original, made from the highest quality materials I can find, and built to the most exacting of standards to last for generations.  I do my very best.

I'm very proud to be a multiple Golden Teddy, TOBY, and URSA nominee -- and in 2005, the Winner in the Golden Teddy Friends category with my skunk, Chauncey.  Thanks go to my sweet fans, whose votes led to that extra-special award.  Photos of my bears and tutorials I've written have been published many times, online and in print, both domestically and abroad.  Each occurrence remains a special honor.

It's a lot of work to keep current with magazine appearances and contest entries while raising a family (and growing older and creakier).  So in 2007 I retired from competitions and submissions, freeing me to focus on developing new skills.

I'm so happy you took some time from your day to visit with me and my teddy bears, and I'm deeply grateful for your interest and support.  I get to work at home and call myself an artist because of it.  From the very bottom of my heart, I appreciate and thank you.

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Shelli Heinemann
Owner & Artist
POTBELLY BEARS
potbellybears@gmail.com