Beatrice bear has been helping Liz in the garden on these sunny summer days.
She has her own little berry bag and collects all the berries she can reach.
She enjoys helping and dreams of the lovely pies and cakes and juice Liz will make for all the bears to eat.
When some berries stain her dress she is excited about the colour and would like them to stay on her dress but Liz explains about berries being “fugitive “ dyes.
Beatrice didn’t know that word and asks lots of questions so she could explain to the other bears how berry dye washes out and preparation of the fabric with a “mordant” is very important to make the colour light and wash fast.
To answer the many questions Beatrice asked, Liz decides to dye a favourite dress worn by her.
They use Cochineal Beatles and grind them up to a powder and add water, the dress is soaked in Alum and then cooked in the Cochineal.
Some indigo sprinkles were added to create the squished berry design.
Beatrice stirred carefully until the dress was ready to be rinsed and dried.
She was brimming with excitement when she modelled it in the bear room and explained the new words she had learned as they ate blackcurrant muffins.
One new bear in particular was captivated and asked Beatrice many questions about the dyeing.
Ohhh I wonder if that new bear keeps their fascination with natural dyeing.

Beatrice’s new words
Fugitive dye - disappears after washing with soap, not light or colourfast
Mordant - A mordant or dye fixative is a substance used to bind colour to fabrics
Mordant red 19

Many adventures begin at Dalmally Railway Station, trains cars and hill walkers but the conversations of visitors to Heartfelt Studio about Kayaking really inspired the bears. 
Using what tools they found around the Studio - they created their own boat and with a little help, set sail in the local landscape.
What a wonderful idea that led to the creation of some new pieces to go out into the world and make others smile.
We would like to introduce you to the Loom Series. 
Using authentic antique loom shuttles ( for holding the fibres for weaving ) we have created these mini bears sculptures. They are a limited  edition as are all of our bear creations.

Primrose Bear is off to join her sister Bears in America.
To be sure that she was ready for the long journey all the bears gathered for an evening of fun and storytelling in the Bear Room at Dalmally Railway Station. Beatrice made sure all the passage tickets were in order - there were some tears from the bears that had come to know this gentle, pretty bear but every bear is excited at the new adventure Primrose is embarking on.

There was a lot of singing and laughing and even the noise of the passing trains didn’t make a difference to the joy and love each of the bears gave Primrose.
The stories she will have for her fellow book cover bears  in America will be keenly listened to.
We are sure this delightful bear will warm the heart of her new Bear Mummy 

Beatrice Bear was so excited to model the new Shetland Shawl miniature 'Haps '.
They arrived in todays post specially created by the bears favourite knitter Mavis Clark.
Beatrice wanted to look like Liz when she tried on Mavis' full sized authentic Shetland Wool Shawls , she just loved how warm she was on this sunny but cold January day .
Doesn't she look beautiful - however these special haps are for some bears being created this year in the Bear Room ...very exciting to see which future bear may wear these as part of their special outfit.

Beatrice Bear follows her Mummy Liz around the Station on her many jobs . 
Collecting the eggs from the hen house is one of her favourite .
Every day throughout the summer she went to the hens nesting boxes and helped lift the eggs .
She was very quiet and never disturbed the yellow striped flying creatures Mummy Liz told her about.
When Liz came into the Bear Room today and gathered all the bears to see something special Beatrice never imagined that the wasps would leave the beautiful home they had created from chewed wood .
She got to hold the nest on her lap and noticed the tiny egg chambers that had already hatched and flown away. 

The bears were very excited and when Liz then showed them the big hive Beatrice just squeaked and couldn't wait to get a closer look.
In fact Beatrice so so amazed at how light it was she insisted on having it placed on her tummy, much to the amusement of the other bears .
What a joy to share such amazing acts of nature to a very eager audience of Book Cover Bears.

Now the nest will go off to one of the  paper makers Liz knows and will be recycled into paper. Beatrice will just love to draw her pictures on that paper!

Samhain ( Halloween ) has been and gone, with spooky stories and extra treats for the ever growing Bear Room population .
One bear is super excited at being chosen to go and live in his new forever home.
He was happy to be here while his Mummy Bear was unwell , for all he is a rascal he is very attached to his Mummy Andrea. 
How happy all the bears were to hear that she is well and at home tucked up in her bed.
That was a double celebration and the bears are happy to wave goodbye to some of their friends knowing that there are some new bears just emerging from their wooly beginings  

Beatrice is a curious bear and especially when it comes to work Mummy Liz is doing in the studio . Today she learned a little more about Indigo dyeing and wistfully looked on as Liz coloured a new bear coat with beautiful blues . The bubbles in the fermentation made her want to burst them but she is such a well behaved bear that she caused no trouble to Liz and was allowed to watch all the dye process even the magical crotal dyes .
She is however very curious to know who this very special coat will be for !!! Perhaps some new bears will join the Bear Room very soon .

Keeping safe and indoors for the bears at Dalmally Railway Stations Bear Room has been a challenging time but apart from the squabbles , all the bears have done well.
Beatrice has been a shining star inventing new games especially for the baby bears .
Lewis has discovered he has a 'way with the wee ones ' and is proud of his new skills .
Fergal has an endless series of natural history knowledge that even astounded Liz .
Monica didn't need much encouragement to make music , much to Lucys delight as she has  certainly  found her singing voice .
Happy Humphries was sad for a bit when he couldn't get out to tend his real daffodils so Liz made him some more felted ones and his smile returned again .
Wiggles Wilson surprised everyone with magic tricks that had lots of ohs and has and giggles.
The most amazing change is in Billy Bear - sometimes edging towards the naughty side he has been so kind and helpful since the lockdown. Mind you i do think his clever idea of making a den might have had a little to do with holding hands with Beatrice in the dark .
Oh dear Bertie Bear you had better watch out , it looks like your best pal might be trying to steal your girlfriend away from you !
Beatrice is such a wonderful helpful bear , no wonder she has many admirers and Liz just loves the way she keeps the Bear Room so clean and shiny with her own beeswax polish . Perhaps Beatrice needs a special treat, now what might she like to do for her treat ?
Sorry Beatrice still too soon to visit Bertie even if you have your own mask and wash your hands lots but soon .