Profile
My name is Sarah Medina and I live in South Australia with my
Mum, sister and four doggie children, Nalani, Kira, spike and our
latest addition Pippin. I come from a creative family and from a
young age my mother introduced my sisters and me to a range of crafts which we all enjoyed exploring.
When I became chronically ill with autoimmune arthritis and diabetes at seventeen my crafts became an even bigger focus in my life. In 1999 I stumbled across the wonderful world of handmade teddy bears and enjoyed making my first bear thoroughly! I use many crafts in creating my teddy bears and find this most rewarding. I am always learning new techniques to incorporate with my bears. It�s fascinating to keep learning!
In 2002 I began designing my own bears and began my business, Jellybelly Bears, named fondly after my dog Nalani. I enjoy the freedom and satisfaction of creating a loveable bear from scratch. Having complete creative control, from concept, patterns through to sewing and the finishing touches, I feel such happiness and joy throughout the whole process. My designs are inspired by many things in my life, my dogs my love of my garden and nature and books. JRR Tolkien, Shirley Barker and Enid Blyton and books such as Winnie thePooh and The Wind In The Willows have always been favourites. I have always been imaginative and being able to include my interests in magical folk like fairies, wizards and dragons� gnomes who live in cosy homes underground, or creatures who live in tree stump or mushroom houses� dolls and bears who have secret tea parties whilst we aren�t looking. I draw on all of these fantasies whilst creating my bears and find it such fun to be able to do so.
I feel blessed to have been given the gift of creating my teddy bears and being able to share them with others is a wonderful feeling. Having been �discovered� and my profile published in various magazines around the world has been a thrilling experience that has really encouraged me. Creating web sites, photography and meeting bear friends online are interests that I never would have stumbled across had it not been for bears. Teddy bears have filled my life in many ways and given me a positive focus to fill my life whilst suffering with illness. It is my joy :)
Jelly Belly Bears