Announcement    When my son was born in 1989 I had 2 options. To go to work full time and put him in day care, or open a business and keep him home with me. I had some experience doing craft shows so I opted for the second option and decided to try my hand at starting a "Real Paying" full time - craft business.
In the meantime while visiting in laws out of state, I had a HUGE fight with my husband and while we were driving home, I didn't want to be in the same car with him, so I had him pull over at the first place that I saw, which was a Gift Shop. I stormed out of the car COMPLETELY FURIOUS, and then proceeded to spend ALL of my hard earned cash ($40.00 - ( which was more like a million dollars to me) ,on a GIANT Teddy Bear for my beautiful son. This is something that was COMPLETELY out of character for me because I grew up poor and ALWAYS had to watch every single penny......however, I was REALLY MAD, and at that moment I really didn't care!! I wanted that bear for my son, and I was gonna' get it!!
Of course he loved it up, and the time finally came when the bear needed to be washed. I was amazed when I took him out of the washer at how beautifully clean and sparkly he was. Wow! He was new again . I was so.ooo excited! BUT THEN CAME THE FATAL MISTAKE..........I PUT HIM IN THE DRYER! And He Melted. COMPLETELY MELTED!!!!! All of his beautiful silky soft white fur turned into a scorched tangly mess! I was devastated. Cory's $40.00 beautiful beloved bear was now a heaping melted scratchy mess!!!!
Then I had the bright idea to buy fur and try to re- make the bear. I AGONIZED over ripping Cory's bear apart - forlorn as he was! But I finally did it, and made a pattern out of him. I made the new bear and was SHOCKED that I actually was able to make a stuffed animal. And it was just as sweet as the original. I couldn't believe it! But then i thought, "maybe I can make him again, only this time change the arms and make his paws bigger." So i did---- and this one was even CUTER!! And it was really fun! Then I made him again.... a 3rd time! This time I changed the shape of the head and made his ears bigger. And i just kept going and going and going.....So this is how i got bit by the" Big Bear "Bug"
Judi Lynn Designs was born and by 1995 the business was in full swing.
In the early days before the internet, I did advertising in many popular craft magazines, most of which are now defunct, however my patterns have been shipped all over the world, and designed for McCalls / Simplicity.
I have since moved on to other business, but this one remains my favorite by far. It has been my training ground. When the business was so.ooo busy that I had to hire people to run it, I would always frustratingly say " business is like a baby..... You LOVE it, and GROW it, and NURTURE it, but then it grows up - turns into a teenager- and starts TALKING BACK!! "
I really didn't like those days because I couldn't enjoy the success of it. Things were too hectic. Every day I would say " the day is almost over and ONLY 18 more things to do" etc. Only some days it was 30 or 60 more things. I did all of the designing; writing; illustrating of instructions , plotting patterns, working on special paper with special pens; designing Cover Fronts; mock ups, laying out of the ads; working with the photographers; color combos, bleeds; Left align. Right align; Center , blah , blah, blah.
""Na..Na...No...NO... its too far off to the left, now its too far right" etc. ; 1'st, 2nd and 3rd drafts. Designing- layouts- Magazines ! 'IT NEEDS A FRESH EYE! Changing; Tweaking; Catching .mistakes Changing again..... etc. It never-ever ended.
Then 9/11 happened and EVERYTHING changed, The Paper industry spiraled downward, and so did the business. 9/11 made for a "perfect storm" against this industry. Paper prices went through the roof as did shipping and most things associated. Also the internet was gaining popularity which meant that most of the magazines eventually went out of business. And so did my well established platform.

The money was great but it was deceiving. And the time absorbed in a thriving business can never be regained.

Now, all of my advertising is through the internet and sales are slow but steady and manageable. I'm back in contact with my customers on a personable level which is exactly the way I like it! It has always been the best part of my day reading your stories about the kids in your life and their adventures with their Big Bear .

Big Bear hugs and kisses to all the friends I've made over the years. Your kids are now all grown up. I'm glad that I had some small part in making a part of their childhood more magical ! <3 u all~ Judi