My name is Berta Hesen-Minten.

As long as I can remember I have worked with some kind of needlecraft. The results you can achieve with thread has always fascinated me. Knitting, Crochet, Embroidery, Tatting…you name it...I love it all.

After making fabric bears for several years I challenged myself to design a miniature crochet bear. I already knew the style of crocheted toys that had been made in the past; I too made them for my children, but the bear I had in mind had to be completely jointed, just like the “real” teddy bears. I had enough crochet experience, and bear making techniques were not new to me. I was really pleased with my first attempt, and started designing another one right away. I wrote down every stitch, making it possible to ‘tweak’ the original design and make each subsequent bear better, until I finally held in my hands, the bear I’d seen only in my imagination.

In 2000 I jumped into my eBay adventure, difficult at first, but after a time, thread bears became very populair for the bear collector, as they remain today.

In 2001 I put on paper my first ThReAdTeD® Basic Pattern, which was soon followed by 2 more Basic patterns, which all together makes a course in how to make a thread bear. These Basic patterns are interchangeable with each other, with the possibility to combine them and create many unique and different bears. These first patterns were written in English, but after many requests, they are now available in Dutch, English and German.

In 2004 my book ©ThReAdTeDs® Secrets & Patterns (Patronen & Trucs) was published, the very first Pattern book in the category of crocheted, jointed, miniature thread bears. The book is in 2 languages, English/Dutch. (German translation available !!) From these beginnings, many people started with my ThReAdTeDs patterns, and became successful: some of their results can be seen in the changing Customers Gallery.

I invite you to walk through my website and take a look at my Agenda, to see which show I am exhibiting at next…or other important announcements! Perhaps you will visit the Already Adopted Gallery or just enjoy see all of the new faces that were created with my crochet hooks and sewing needles! Who knows, you may be inspired to try to make a thread bear yourself and visit my webshop for supplies and patterns. If it brings you the joy I have experienced while designing and creating these little bears, you will want to acquire supplies and patterns for yourself.

Thank you for visiting, and please visite again!