I'm Laura, the 'one woman' behind Bubbles, Bears & Other Wares. I've had a passion for art and craft since I was a child, and I have many memories of 'helping' (perhaps she didn't see it that way) my Mum as she sewed our everyday clothes, school uniforms and other items. I made my first teddy bear while still at Primary School - a very simple, rather misshapen calico bear by the name of Murray.
Although I love to create, my dream was always to become a veterinarian. However at the age of 14 I injured my knee hiking and despite trying almost anything and everything, the pain never went away. At 20, and halfway through my veterinary degree, I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. I completed my degree in 2007 despite increasingly severe pain and mobility issues - only to find myself requiring a wheelchair less than a year after graduation, and fighting for my life just a few months after that.
I used - and still do - my crafting as a means of distracting myself from my pain. I sewed as I have always done, but also started to experiment with soap-making, which to me is the perfect combination of science and art. I fell down many a Pinterest and YouTube rabbit hole, taught myself a variety of new techniques, and over time, I began to create my own patterns and branch out in my formulations. When it became apparent that my life wasn't to be quite as I'd planned it, I looked to turning my simple distraction into a small business that I could structure around my abilities and restrictions. And so, Bubbles, Bears & Other Wares was born. Several years on, I now take pride in providing a range of high quality skincare, gifts and accessories "ready to go", as well as custom order and wholesale product.
I hope you enjoy browsing the page. Comments, questions and criticisms are always welcome.
- Laura
Although I love to create, my dream was always to become a veterinarian. However at the age of 14 I injured my knee hiking and despite trying almost anything and everything, the pain never went away. At 20, and halfway through my veterinary degree, I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. I completed my degree in 2007 despite increasingly severe pain and mobility issues - only to find myself requiring a wheelchair less than a year after graduation, and fighting for my life just a few months after that.
I used - and still do - my crafting as a means of distracting myself from my pain. I sewed as I have always done, but also started to experiment with soap-making, which to me is the perfect combination of science and art. I fell down many a Pinterest and YouTube rabbit hole, taught myself a variety of new techniques, and over time, I began to create my own patterns and branch out in my formulations. When it became apparent that my life wasn't to be quite as I'd planned it, I looked to turning my simple distraction into a small business that I could structure around my abilities and restrictions. And so, Bubbles, Bears & Other Wares was born. Several years on, I now take pride in providing a range of high quality skincare, gifts and accessories "ready to go", as well as custom order and wholesale product.
I hope you enjoy browsing the page. Comments, questions and criticisms are always welcome.
- Laura