Welcome to Dottie Bears
Unique collectable character bears, hand made with love
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About Dottie Bears
Dottie Bears
Dottie Bears are collectable character bears created from my own designs, made using high quality mohair and sometimes other fabrics such as specially designed velvet. Every bear is unique and has its own character which comes alive as they are made. All bears are fully five way jointed using either cotter pins or nut and bolt joints, and they all have traditional glass eyes.
Dottie Bears are collectors items, not toys and not suitable for anyone under the age of 14 years. Every Dottie Bear comes labelled with its own name and hand-made with love.
There is a Dottie Bear to suit everyone, whether you love traditional bears or those with a more unusual look. Some of our bears have been adopted or given as gifts in countries including United States, Australia, Canada, Falkland Islands and Spain.
Dottie Bears is a member of the Essex Craft Guild (formerly Essex Guild of Craftsmen) and is proud to be recognised for the high standard of craftsmanship that goes into creating each bear. We display at many events during the year which are listed on our events page
About the Creator
Dottie Bears are uniquely crafted collectable character bears, lovingly designed and created by Wendy Marcon-Knightley.
Creativity runs deep in my roots. My grandfather on my dad's side was a tailor in London’s East End, and my mum came from a long line of talented seamstresses - so it’s fair to say I was born with a needle and thread in my hand!
Sewing has always been a passion of mine, and I began making bears over 30 years ago while living abroad. Life took a different turn when I returned to the UK in the early ’90s - family and career became the focus, and my creative hobbies were put on hold.
In 2015, I decided to take a career break and returned to sewing. I quickly rediscovered the joy of creating something with my own hands, and just like that, Dottie Bears were born - I haven't looked back since!
Designing and handcrafting each bear brings me so much joy. I love developing my own patterns and watching every bear come to life with its own unique character.
And the name? That’s thanks to my spirited little Jack Russell Terrier Dottie who inspired both the name and the charm behind every bear.
Very sadly, we said goodbye to Dottie in April 2025. For nearly 15 years, she lived a life full of love, adventure, and a lot of mischief!
Tenacious, quirky, hilarious, and fiercely loyal, despite her expensive fetish for eating stones, Dottie brought joy into our lives every single day. She has been by my side through the highs and the lows, and the bond we shared was beyond words.
Though her little paws no longer walk beside us, Dottie’s spirit lives on in our hearts… and of course, in every Dottie Bear.
A Personal Touch
Dottie Bears began as a cherished hobby in my spare time, which I do alongside my fulltime job at St Helena Hospice - a job I really love. With three energetic dogs - Dottie the Jack Russell, plus Alfie and Teddie the Terripoos, as well as a family - life keeps me on my toes and balancing everything can be a challenge sometimes.
I personally value excellent customer service and I take great pride in offering the same level of service and high standards that I set myself.
For me, the joy of creating and selling Dottie Bears isn't about profit; its about providing a personal experience for every customer, ensuring that every purchase feels special.
When you choose to purchase a Dottie Bear, you're not just buying any bear - you're supporting authentic local craftsmanship, lovingly handmade with care and attention to detail, because a little bit of love goes into each individual bear to give you something truly unique.