Hello fellow teddy bear lovers and collectors. My name is Jodi Falk , my company name is Bears by Jodi.

I started my journey in 1988 as Jodi Rankin, with 2 wonderful children one 13 and one 3. I had a great start to my business when I was selected for to be in my first book "The Teddy Bear Artist Annual - Who's Who in Bear Making", page 63, bottom right. This was one of my very first designs. I laugh now when I look back! In 1990 July/August issue of Teddy Bear and Friends they did a wonderful article on me that was on pages 34 - 37.

As you can well guess my journey was increasing becoming very exciting and busy. In 1991 I was in the first group of American Teddy Bear Artists to visit Europe. It was called the "European Doll and Bear Tour" (see July/August 1992 issue of Teddy Bear and Friends, page 70). In 1992 I was selected to be in a second book  "Contemporary Teddy Bear Price Guide - Artists to Manufacturers", page 88, top left.  Also in that year I was in the March/April issue of Teddy Bear Review in the Grimms Beary Tales article. I did a set of bears called "Snow White and Rose Red". My bear "The Wonder of a Butterfly" was selected to be on the cover of Teddy Bear and Friends of that very same year (April 1992). And to top that off with a cherry I won a Golden Teddy Award with my "Sandy" panda bear in the over 8 inches section (Sandy appeared in a Panda article done by Teddy Bear Review July/August 1991 page 51).

At this point I was in full swing with shows, orders, and autographs. I was a cele-bear-ity! In 1993 I wrote 2 articles one in Teddy Bear and Friends "How to Be a Wise Collecter" March/April 1993, page 96-97 and one in Teddy Bear Review "Is There a Secondary Market for Artists Bears?", January/Febuary  1993, page 51-52.

In May of 1993 I was invited to do the Disneyland Teddy Bear and Doll Classic. I was one of 40 artists scheduled to appear that year. I did a run of indian bears for them and an auction piece, "Running Bear and Little White Dove".

In 1994, I was blessed to be in a Linda Mullins book ,  "Tribute to Teddy Bear Artists". I appear on page 5 with the auction set I did for Disney and on pages 84-85.

With my business really increasing I had more orders than what I could ever fill by my self. I was just getting ready to hire help when the big "D" happened! I went through a very ugly and long divorce which killed my creativity for years.

My children are now 29 and 19 and I am remarried, I have a full time job in retail at a store where I am a supervisor. I enjoy collecting bears, dolls, antiques and garage sales. Just this year 2005 I got the itch to design again. GOD tapped me on the shoulder and said its time. So I am back!! I am working on smaller bears right now and will work up in size as I get more organized.

But I must say I could have never accomplished all this with out GOD. He gave me the talent and I respect it and want to use it wisely. My goal in life is to complete my journey gracefully, love my children dearly, be a good wife, and design God inspired teddies and friends. I pray I can bring a smile to your face as well as to your heart.

Please enjoy my blessing and my gift. Bear hugs and Blessings from above.

                                                         Jodi Falk - Bears by Jodi

Come visit me at :

www.freewebs.com/jodifalk