Bear Musings

Jacob hard at work

Hello Etsy Ireland. My name is Jacob (aka the big Swede), and I am a big cuddly brown bear living in Belfast. I had a rather quiet life with lots of naps and cuddles, until I suddenly found myself in front of a camera, posing for knitwear.

One rather chilly autumn day, the-person-who-thinks-she-owns-me-but-in-fact-I-wrap-her-around-my-little-paws (just call her Brigitte, ok) decided that I would look rather cute in a photograph wearing her hand-knitted hats, and so I ended up sitting on a chair with a camera stuck in front of my face. A bit of an un-bearly profession, I may admit, but I am cute, of course! I've come to be rather fond of the camera. I like to do my model thang. Smile. Pose. Present the unique knitwear in the best possible light. Attitude. Bear-ti-tude!

I like it a lot when the fanmail comes in. And the treats and the extra cuddles. Wouldn't be a bear if I wouldn't like those!

Being a knitbear model gives me an insight into the trade - and I also get to peek into all those funny books Brigitte's reads to motivate herself. What a strange world this all is.

Being a bear is so much easier.

I've decided to share my beartracks to success with the Etsy Ireland blog readers. Because I'm cute!

• Be yourself. A bear is only his bear-self. Not the self of another bear. And not what other bears want him to be.
  

• Bears are individuals.

• A bear does what she's best at. Wouldn't waste her time trying to cluck when she can growl so beautifully.

• A bear takes breaks. And naps.

• Have you ever seen a stressed bear?

• To do two things at once is to do neither. You can either craft or nap, and there is time for either!
  

• You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time, you must make it, especially for naps and cuddles!
  
  
• Bear hugs. Do I need to say any more?
  
  
• Some days you hug the bear, other days the bear hugs you.

• A bear doesn't dance nor wear a suit. Not even for hunny or a good steak!

• A bear has thick skin. But the weaker the bearskin, the bigger the ego!

• Don't mess with a bear. And don't tickle a napping bear!

• Bears believe in themselves. They've never heard of self-doubt. A bear is.

• If something doesn't work, bears don't blame other bears or themselves. They just try something different.
  

• Bears don't give up!
  

• Most of the shadows of a bear's life are caused when she stands in her own sunshine.

• If a bear walks down the same path every day, he'll get the same thing again and again.
  
  
• The bear dreams of hunny - then she gets out to get some!
  
  
• Who is afraid of the sting never earns hunny.
  

• Make use of your paws, let not advantage slip.
  
  
• A bear is known by the work of his paws.
  

• Know the power of your paws.

• When the going gets tough, the bear gets going (but might have a nap first).

• Money, influence and position are nothing compared to bearskin, brains, creativity and perseverance (and naps).
  

• Sometimes you have to dig deep to get the hunny!

• The bear who doesn't take risks never gets the sweetest hunny.
  
  
• If you stay in the comfort of your cosy cave, you won't eat nor meet other cute bears!
  

• Turbulent times great bears make!

• Elvis was wrong! Let me be your Teddy Bear, put a chain around my neck and leave me anywhere - who was he kidding?
  
  
• Listen to Baloo - he was right. The bear necessities of life will come to you!
  

Bear hugs
Jacob