What is Mohair Anyway?

Higher-end collectible teddy bears and friends are primarily made of mohair, but what is it exactly?

• Mohair is shorn from the coats of Angora goats.  These goats were not introduced to the US until 1849.
• The US is one of the two largest producing nations in the world which total two million pounds.
• Most Angora goats are raised in Southwest Texas because of its perfect climate and terrain.
• Mohair is considered an all-season fashion fiber.
• Mohair fabric is:  wrinkle resistant, has a high affinity to absorb dyes, is moisture resistant, and extremely flame retardant.
• Mohair can be hand washed and brushed.
• Angora goats are shorn twice a year and the animals are not harmed when being shorn.

So, the next time you are admiring your mohair teddy bear, please appreciate what an Angora goat has contributed to making your collectible bear amazing!

Quote of the Day - "To unpathed waters, undreamed shores." - William Shakespeare

All About Your Alpaca Teddy Bear

Collectible teddy bears are usually made from either mohair, plush or alpaca.  Alpaca bears are amazingly soft and cuddly and it is usually made clear that they are made from alpaca fleece.

So what exactly is alpaca?

• Alpaca wool is shorn from an Alpaca (which is a long-haired domesticated South American mammal related to the llama).
• Alpaca can be light or heavy in weight, depending on how it is spun (very similar to how wool is spun).
• Alpaca is warmer and softer than sheep's wool.
• The Alpaca animal is a docile creature well-suited for a family pet.
• Alpacas come in 22 natural colors, with more than 300 shades from a true black through brown-black, browns, fawns, white, silver-grey and rose-grey.
• White is the predominant color.
• Alpacas are raised in San Angelo, Texas, which has the perfect climate for these animals.
• San Angelo, Texas, is the largest producer of alpaca in the US.

A teddy bear made from alpaca really stands out because of its incredible softness.  In fact, once an alpaca teddy is picked up, it is hard to put him down because he is so very cuddly.

Quote of the Day - "The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness.  Happiness is the goal of every other goal." - Deepak Chopra

Some Things You Did Not Know About Hildegard Gunzel

Came across this online article taken from a blog by Dear Little Dollies regarding Hildegard Gunzel.  Some interesting facts were found about Hildegard that we were not aware of.

• Hildegard was born in Tauberbishoffsheim, Germany
• She was born in 1945 (right after the end of World War II)
• Attended to German School for Fashion Design in Munchen
• After graduation, she worked as a designer in the fashion and jewelry industry
• In the 1970's she began making dolls as a hobby
• Her first medium used for dolls was Cernit
• Hildegard attended her first "International Toy Fair" in NYC in 1986 and her dolls were an instant sellout
• Her dolls always have wigs made from human hair 

Quote of the Day - "Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration, and inspiration." - Evan Esar