JACKSON WOMAN FINDS LIFE IN BUSINESS IS BEAR-Y REWARDING

Each has a name.

Jonathan was her first. His light brown acrylic fur and felt paws make him pretty plain, but Lillian Hahn would never sell him. He just sits next to the front door on a small bench.

Peewee and J. Tedrick are much prettier. Peewee is 10 inches tall and made of white mohair. J. Tedrick is brown. Both earned Hahn second place in a contest in Minnesota.

Heather has a life-like stare and resembles Grizzelda. Grizzelda is 22 inches tall with distressed champagne mohair fur.

Wellington is 14 inches tall, has reddish brown hair and growls.

But these are just a few.

Since Hahn started making antique-style collectors' bears in 1985, the owner of The Bear House in Jackson has sold, donated or given as gifts more than 1,000 of the collectibles.

After working as a supervisor at the International Shoe Co. for 40 years, she thought she should put her sewing experience to work.

Besides, she was tired of sitting around with nothing to do after she retired in 1977, she said.

She had always liked bears, but thought they were too expensive. Making her own seemed more feasible and a fun hobby.

Her first pattern was Jonathan.

"I didn't like his face," she said. "It didn't appeal to me."

So she altered the pattern. Now she has 15 variations ranging from 10- to 30-inch bears.

The mohair and shoe buttons for the bears are imported from West Germany. The paws usually are made of suede. Ribbons and bow ties for the necks come from wherever she can find them.

Now her customers live in other countries such as Canada and West Germany and 18 states, including many in Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Inquiries continue to come in from places like Switzerland.

"I could have the bears in more places, but I can't make that many," Hahn said. "And I don't want anyone to help me. I prefer to make them myself."

Hahn sells the custom-made bears out of her house at 626 E. Main St. in Jackson. She also takes orders and special requests. She can make bears out of old quilts, baby blankets and fur coats.

Her favorite bear is made of an old fur coat that someone had given her.

The longer hair gives it more personality, she said.

It's 18 inches tall and brown with a metallic green ribbon around its neck. She refuses to name it because she doesn't want to sell it.

Each bear takes two days to make, from cutting the pattern to sewing in the last eye. It can be frustrating to create the perfect bear, but it pays off.

"You have to keep re-doing the faces, resetting the eyes until you get the look you want," she said. "But the best part is when you put the ribbon on. That's when they come alive."