Tampa 2017 Show Review

Bright Star Promotions, Inc. presents the . . .

11th Annual Tampa, Florida

The stars, our amazing teddy bear artists, were definitely shining their brightest on February 19, 2017 at the Crown Plaza Westshore.

The large ballroom is an ideal setting to feature all the bears and a great place to welcome our collector each year.

As you scroll down the page, you'll discover all the show activities prior and during the show. And who won the "Winter White" bear contest? Keep on scrolling.

This years post card bear was by Jackie Melerski of Gilmur Rudley Bears.

Unfortunately she was ill and could not attend the show. Her award was mailed to her.

Congratulations Jackie!

If you are not on our mailing list, and would like to receive a colorful postcard for next years show, please join.

Saturday Workshops

Sandy's class of ten learned how to sculpt bear faces and then assemble the bear at home.

Isabella taught 2 students how to make a whole bear, and they learning all types of bear making techniques.

Saturday night dinner gathering

Saturday night, 24 artists and students/collectors gathered around three tables, to enjoy a delicious dinner and catch up on the happenings since we last saw each other.

The Gift Table

Each of the artists, along with Bright Star Promotions, Inc., donated a bear or two and they became a special gift for the first 50 collectors through the door.

Everyone was delighted, "such a nice surprise," said one collector, and another exclaimed, "I can pick any bear?"

'Winter White' Contest for Artists

Each artist piece entered was made from white fur, plush, mohair and fibers.

Attendees, better known as arctorphiles, picked their favorite from the 15 entries. It was next to impossible to vote for a favorite as each entry was extraordinarily fabulous!

Carol Miller

The Teddy Bear Maker

Isabella Hoffmann

Bearly Collectibles

Charlene Draeger

CharBears

Sandy Czaja

Notchlok Bears

Dona Sorensen

Dona's Bears

Dian Pete

Bears For Pete Sake

Diana Watts

DiBears

Cindy McGuire

China Cupboard Bears

Julie Pitts

Granbeary Bears

Diana Ussery

Diana's Merry Bears

Bev White

Happy Tymes Collectibles

Stevi Tiongco

Stevi T's Alpaca Encounters

Martha Burch

Martha's Bears

Olga Hahn

Hahntastic Creations

Pat Fairbanks

PRFect Pals

Who will the winners be?

Three Top Winners

Valerie with mike, (left to right) Sandy Czaja, Diana Watts and Olga Hahn

Third Place Winner!

Congratulations to Sandy Czaja, Notchlok Bears from Whitethron, CA for her entry: Amber.

Sandy received a certificate, gold star pin and $10.00 from Bright Star Promotions!

Way to go Sandy!!!

Second Place Winner!

Congratulations to Diana Watts, DiBears from Naples, FL for her entry: Winter Woodland Frost.

Diana received a certificate, gold star pin and $40.00 from Bright Star Promotions!

Way to go Diana!!

First Place Winner!

Congratulations to Olga Hahn, Hahntastic Creations from Cape Coral, FL for her entry: Polar Bear Maximus.

Olga received a certificate, gold star pin and $50.00 from Bright Star Promotions!

Way to go Olga!!

Meet the Stars of the Show!

Is a certain bear still lingering in your mind?

Contact the artist to see if it is still available or they might even
have enough materials to make a similar one for you!

Business Name	Artists Name	State	eMail Address
Bearily Pawsing	Donna Manthey	WI	bearilypaw@aol.com
Bearly Collectibles	Isabelle Hoffmann	WI	bearlycollectibles@hotmail.com
Bears by Two Hearts	Trish Hansford	FL	2heartstc@verizon.net
Bears for Pete Sake	Dian Pete	FL	bearsforpetesake@gmail.com
Charbears	Charlene Draeger	FL	charbears@comcast.net
China Cupboard Bears	Cindy McGuire	OH	chinacupboardbears@hotmail.com
Collins Gift Shop	Wendy Collins	NH	collinsgifts14@aol.com
Cookie's Critters	Donna Nielsen	NY	donna@cookiescritters.com
Diana's Merry Bears	Diana Ussery	CA	dmbears2@yahoo.com
DiBears	Diana Watts	FL	dibears@aol.com
Dona's Bears	Dona Sorensen	TX	donabears@charter.net
Good Bears of The World	Terrie Stong	OH	goodbears1@sbcglobal.net
Granbeary Bears	Julie Pitts	FL	juliebears72@gmail.com
Hanatastic Creations	Olga Hahn	FL	light6573@gmail.com
Happy Tymes Collectibles	Bev White	FL	bevwhite@happytymes.net
Heir Bears	Jane Woodard	FL	Heirbears@aol.com
Martha's Bears	Martha Burch	WI	mdrbears@aol.com
Mohair Maniac	Donna Mettling	CA	mohairmaniac@gmail.com
My Apple Tree	Cindy Malchoff	NY	cindy@myappletree.com
Notchlok	Sandy Czaja	CA	notchlokbears@gmail.com
PRFect Pals	Pat Fairbanks	FL	pdfairbanks@verizon.net
Raspbeary Bears	Darlene Allen	FL	raspbeary_bears@hotmail.com
Stevi T's Alpaca Encounters	Stephanie Tiongco	PA	SteviDolls@aol.com
The Country Bear	Josiah Hadly	FL	jaysbears@aol.com
The Teddy Bear Maker	Carol Miller	FL	teddybearmaker69@netzero.net
The Toy Store	Ben & Beth Savino	OH	beth@toystorenet.com

Good Bears of the World Raffle Winner!

Terrie Stong, Executive Director of Good Bears of the World, presented Lisa, the lucky raffle winner with a huge basket of bears, books, gifts and surprises. "Oh what a huge gift," remarked Lisa, "I am flying home, and my suitcase will bulge!"

A few candid photos during the show!