What Is ReMinkie Memory Bears?

Updated

ReMinkie Memory Bears is a custom keepsake studio that turns sentimental fur, fabric, or neckties into teddy bears, pillows, blankets and throws, and keepsake quilts. It is a fit if you have material with personal meaning—such as a fur coat, horse cooler, or a collection of ties—and want it remade into something you can hold onto rather than store away. The studio describes itself as a cottage industry with four specialized sewers working with Rita Glosser, and it states over 25 years of experience making memory bears.

What ReMinkie makes

The site lists these keepsake categories:

  • Memory bears — teddy bears made from many types of fur, neckties, and a wide variety of fabrics
  • Custom pillows
  • Custom blankets and throws
  • Keepsake quilts
  • Custom keepsakes from horse coolers and blankets

The bears are described as jointed, with movable arms and legs, and fully lined. Personalization is available, including adding monograms.

How the process works

According to the site, the studio is "hands on": as soon as your fur, fabric, or neckties arrive, they call you and work together on the project. That means the design decisions—which parts of the material go where, and what personalization you want—are handled in conversation rather than through a purely automated order form.

If you are considering a project, the practical steps are:

  1. Decide which material you are willing to have cut and rebuilt. Once a garment becomes a bear or quilt, it is no longer wearable.
  2. Check the pricing and size options page before sending anything, so you know what dimensions and formats are offered.
  3. Expect a phone conversation once your material is received to confirm details such as monogramming and layout.
  4. Confirm turnaround and shipping expectations directly with the studio, since these are not stated in the available site information.

What to check before you commit

  • Pricing and sizes are published on a dedicated page at reminkiebears.com/pricing/, so review that rather than assuming a cost.
  • Material suitability is broad—fur, fabric, neckties, and horse coolers are all mentioned—but if your item is unusual, ask first.
  • Personalization includes monograms; other custom touches should be discussed during the call.
  • Testimonials and TV coverage are referenced on the site, and a gallery shows bears made for families including the Smith family, which can help you judge whether the style matches what you want.

ReMinkie is aimed at people who want a sentimental object preserved as an heirloom rather than kept in a closet. If that is your goal and you are comfortable with the material being permanently transformed, the studio's stated experience and jointed, lined bear construction are the main reasons to consider it.