Karen Shields' Crafts

And collections of interesting stuff*.

I'm a fashion designer who, over the years, has collected some interesting stuff.

For example, I own an antique 8-harness loom, which was hand-made by a Swedish gentleman in Hanley, Saskatchewan around the turn of the last century (1890's). (If anyone can help me to find out more about this, please drop me a line!)

I also have a portable table-top loom (created by my father, Jim Misfeldt). The small loom is great for traveling and going camping with. I have added to my collection with a 1920's 12-harness loom. Of course, that didn't stop my loom-collecting -- I have added triangular looms of all sizes.

Below is an example of a woven-rag rug made on a 100" loom:
This rug greets visitors to my home.

The fabric that I used all had Teddy Bear motifs... thus the name of the rug,"Teddy Bear's Picnic". I had to calculate the length of the finished rug (as well as plan the design from the middle out) to keep a balanced pattern.

My collection of teddy bears comes from all over the world; at last count it numbered around 600. My "Pride and Joy" is a blonde black bear-skin rug from my late twin Kevin Misfeldt. Other bears of note are an autographed angel bear by Canadian bear designer Sue Ducat and two bears by American bear designer Robert Raikes.

I have bearaphinalia all throughout my house and in the gardens around our house. Our wedding cake had red gummy bears on it and had a Bride and Groom Teddy Bear picnic on the top. The train of my wedding gown sported a teddy bear which was hidden in the design.

Now you know why my nickname is "Teddy Bear"!

In 2011, I was asked if I had anything to donate to a low income daycare in the Toronto downtown core. I went into my craft/collection room and gathered over 100 teddy bears which were donated, making many children happy.

To enjoy some of my poems, click here.
To see my craft samples from prior to October 2011, click here.
Samples for 2012, click here.
Samples for 2020, click here.
Samples for 2022, click here.
Samples for 2024, click here.

To go to Klara the Klown's (my alter-ego) page, click here.