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Build-A-Bear

(I'm going to wander around here for quite a while before I get to the actual adventure, but hey, it's MY web page, so stick with me or start scrolling!)

At the tender age of 10 months I flipped my teddy bear out an open car window at a busy intersection and lost it to a long-armed low-life in the next lane who snatched it from the pavement and drove off! Or so I am told. I remember nothing of the incident, however I am positive that I have been scared for life and this early trauma can certainly be blamed for any personality deficits I now hold dear. It hardly needs mentioning that I, as an only child, had a replacement bear within days. Probably hours. And, this is important: some two score and five years later (this is nothing more than a clever ploy to confuse you regarding my true and real age) I still have the bear. At least most of it. I would share a picture at this point, but I fear that the flash may accelerate the decomposition of my beloved, bald, nose-less, and partially disintegrated Pooh Bear.

I will go on to say that I have always had a soft spot for stuffed animals and during my childhood accumulated a great many. By the time I was a teenager my mother began suggesting that I "outgrow" the animals and thus began periodic trips to Goodwill to thin the herd. This was only moderately successful. While the numbers of animals in the closet grew smaller, my love for them never did diminish. Now, at age 40-something, realizing that I don't have to listen to my mother ALL the time, I have begun to collect again!

It began some years ago when I saw my first Boyd's bear and discovered its soft fur, its cute little face, and the little plastic pellets in its tush, and realized I could purchase such a wondrous thing for myself! I have been purchasing wisely ever since.

I say "wisely" because I am excruciatingly picky. I have to be, otherwise I can see my collection quickly turning into an obsession. In case you're going shopping for me, here's what I look for

1. Visual appeal. It has to be adorable, with personality and character, and that "look" that forces me to reach out and grab it.

2. Tactile appeal. If the fur isn't incredibly soft, it never leaves the shelf. I know that seems harsh, but that's the way it is. Soft is VERY important. That out of the way, we hug. The longer we cuddle, the more we bond. What's the #1 thing that keeps them in my arms? The little plastic tush pellets. I love the extra weight. (I hope whoever invented those lives a long and happy life never wanting for anything.)

3. Value. If I flip the tag over and gasp, it goes back on the shelf. Sometimes VERY carefully. Otherwise we begin negotiations.

4. Sartorial appeal: While I have purchased many a naked beast, there is something about a well-dressed animal. Girl outfits are infinitely more interesting then boy outfits (sorry) especially if they have several components like coats, vests, and aprons over top of something else. (Yes, I do peek underneath.) Hats always get extra points too, as I have never been able to wear one myself without looking like a pinhead when the hat is removed.

5. Playful appeal: During this whole process, mother's voice plays inside my head: stuffed animals are not for adult women. I can quickly silence the audiotape if the animal is "playable." If I can pose it, wave a paw, invent a voice for it, or show it to someone else who will admire it or offer even the smallest bit of encouragement I never let go until we get to the cash register and the sales clerk pries it out of my arms. Yes, in a store full of strangers, I have done all these things.

This last time through Houston, I picked up a brochure for something called Build-A-Bear. I was intrigued, but out of time. Besides, I have NEVER gone out of my way to shop specifically for stuffed animals. (If they happen to appear on my journey through life, then I take that as a sign.) I tucked the flyer in my purse and decided to investigate from a safe distance: home. Sadly they have a web site AND a store reasonably close to where I live. I had no other option but to Build-A-Bear!

I had a blast! The store reminds me of a cross between Disney and Dr. Seuss. The costumed employees ("Master Bear Builders") help the customers ("Guest Bear Builders") through the construction process, moving from station to station, explaining procedures and offering advice. They are in charge of the bright yellow stuffing machine with the fluffy white polyester fiberfill swirling around like cotton candy, but GBBs can operate the foot pedal if they like.

Even replenishing the stuffing supply is fun. The MMB feeds handfuls of fluff into a chute, which sucks it through clear plastic pipes that run from a corner of the store across the ceiling to the stuffing machine. But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. <> The first order of business is to select a skin from one of the barrels at the Choose Me Station. There are several dozen animals to pick from including bears, bunnies, cats, dogs, frogs, monkeys, and horses. There's even a cow! Prices range from $10 to $25. (Here's where you can check to see if your model comes with the little plastic tush pellets.) After MUCH deliberation and much hugging of empty skins I finally selected Bunny Big Ears, $20. Surprisingly she lacks tush pellets, but I was won over by the incredibly soft fur, excellent ear placement, expressive nose, and large feet. (Funny, that's what my husband said about me when he proposed.)

Next, one proceeds to the Hear Me Station where GBBs can add a voice if they desire. Selections include giggles, growls, barks, moos, other animal sounds, and a selection of songs (like "Happy Birthday") or they can record their own voice. Add $3 for single sounds or $8 if you record your own message. All are surprisingly clear and loud enough to be heard from inside the animal. (Select paw or foot placement or none at all.) I selected the infectious giggle.

At the Stuff Me Station part of the bar-coded price tag is carefully placed inside the bear, so that lost animals can be reunited with their owners through the Find-A-Bear database, something I sure wish had been invented when the first Pooh was bear-nabbed.

GBBs then select a red silk heart for their animal, rub it for luck, make a wish, and put it inside their bear.

MBBs continue stuffing until the exact degree of huggability is achieved (multiple test hugs are allowed) and then they sew the seam shut. No needle and thread here, folks, sturdy silk thread has been pre-laced laced through the opening in a ladder stitch. MBBs just fish out the ends, pull on the lacing, knot securely and trim off the ends!

Next we're off to the Fluff Me Station for a bear bath to brush away stray fur and fluff out the any wrinkles. Foot pedals easy enough for small children to operate control the compressed air that neatly grooms the almost finished product.

The Dress Me Station is next. It was clearly the most difficult for me, not because I can't dress a bunny, (that is done for you, if you like) but because there were so many choices. I know I spent at least half an hour in front of the wall of clothes because my original MBB rotated to another station before I had made my final selection! Pick from pre-coordinated outfits (ballerina with toe shoes, poodle skirt and sweater, basketball uniform with ball, cheerleader with pom-poms...I could go on and on) or mix and match to create your own outfit from dresses, pants, vests, sweaters, overalls, ties, and hats. If that wasn't enough there are also a slew of accessories: golf clubs, musical instruments, sunglasses, shoes, fishing poles, and more.

After much trepidation I selected the prom dress, matching purse, hair bow, and stole for $12. I see I didn't do a very good job blowing the fur away from her eyes, but trust me, they're in there!

After dressing, it was off to the computer (even the keyboard is cute!) to register the birth and receive a birth certificate or customized storybook (in English or Spanish). This means selecting a name, and if you need help (who doesn't?) a MBB will show you a list of appropriate monikers.

Twinkle and her beautiful wardrobe were carefully placed in a cardboard Bear Condo for the trip home. (She's even sitting on my lap as I write this.)

So is this a plug for Build-A-Bear? You bet. I had a blast. For $38.20 plus tax I have a beautiful well-dressed bunny ready for the prom, that giggles. And so did I, at each step along the way. Not only that, but I was thoroughly entertained for 90 minutes! (You don't need to take this long---honest---about 30 minutes will suffice, less if your have a cranky child or want a naked bear.) I want to go back. I think my mother needs a stuffed animal.....

Interested in building your own bear? Call 1-888-560-2327 and ask for the nearest location or hop on the Internet and go to www.buildabear.com.