New Avenue Crew
by Debora Hoffmann
Artist Bears for Collectors
In 1996 I designed a teddy bear pattern and made my first original teddy bear. I knew right away that I wanted to create more bears, so I started New Avenue Crew and named it after my childhood home on New Avenue. Because of my fondness for Steiff and Bing teddy bears from the early 1900s, I create the majority of my bear designs in a traditional, classic style and mix in a bit of New Avenue Crew whimsy. I find inspiration to design my bears from God's magnificent creation, other art forms, and real, live bears. Turning a flat piece of mohair or alpaca fabric into a bear with his or her own cuddly personality is something I really enjoy. I hope you love my bears as much as I do!
—Debora