Beyond the Seam: Introducing the Cher Bear Manifesto
A handcrafted Cher Bear (named Bluie), made from an upcycled flannel scarf.
Making The First Cut
Most people judge a handmade work of art by its surface. For me, I’ve spent the better part of my creative life learning to judge work by its skeleton. Today, for the first time ever in my existence, I am officially introducing my very first multimedia project that has been living in my hands and my mind for a while: the Cher Bear Manifesto.
This isn’t just a series about me making Cher Bears; it’s a deep dive into what happens when humankind stops treating textiles as disposable and starts treating them as entry points for our history, point in time and legacy (For those of you who haven't heard of Cher Bears, they're a series of bespoke stuffed bears made by yours truly).
The Foundation of a Creative Legacy
For me, true sustainability isn't just about where materials come from, it’s about how long it stays out of the landfill and how deep and intertwined its relationship with humankind goes. My soft toys and other handmade textiles are a dialogue between the raw, unvarnished integrity of the storied textiles I come across my daily life–like my friend Douglas’ shirt, featured below–and the invisible labor required to make that memory tangible and permanent. In a worldly mindset centered on planned obsolescence, I trust that slow and thoughtful workmanship is an act of rejection and rebellion against that mindset. In my case, these two happen underneath the layers normally unseen to all.
This Cher Bear (above), named after my friend Douglas, is made from the shirt he wore (below). Note how I retained the shirt’s original details and attributes after making Douglas the Cher Bear.
The Hand in the Handmade
Throughout this project, I’ll be documenting the internal standards and processes of my craft practice. You’ll see the repetitive pull of the whip stitch–a sewing technique I use not just for its aesthetic, but for its structural honesty. It is a manual promise and proof of contact that the seams I make will hold firmly, ensuring my Cher Bears are made to be held by anyone at any age. A Cher Bear has only one job: serving as a reminder of memories past and present while being that BFF. Whether it's an old work shirt or a childhood blanket, I'm interested in the human behind the work and the human on the other side of the adoption process.
This Cher Bear, named Soccer Girl (2024), was made for one of my clients who had a collection of her daughter’s soccer jerseys. I also made a lap sized quilt for them out of the same jerseys. While the handwork isn’t precise, the uneven stitches only help to emphasize the human element evidenced in the bear.
A close-up detail of a Cher Bear, gifted to one of my cousins, decorated with intricate braiding.
What's Next?
The Cher Bear Manifesto is just the beginning of an ongoing process and journey. Over the next several weeks, and through a series of blog posts, I'll be sharing the process behind the creation and making of the Cher Bears, from selecting the materials to the psychology of why we hold onto the items we cherish and value. I’m inviting you all into my humble workroom to witness the planning, designing, the messiness and the disciplined labor of love that goes into every Cher Bear. The work starts right now. Stay tuned.
One of my earliest Cher Bears, made in 2023.
Is there a piece of clothing or something vintage or timeless (or meh) in your closet or dresser that you really can’t bring yourself to get rid of or donate? Tell me the story behind it in the comments below or through my contacts!
