Turning cherished clothing of a loved one or special life event into a lasting keepsake
EVERY BEAR HAS A STORY
CenterStage Bears- Specialty Line of memory bears uniquely designed and created from dance costumes and wedding dresses.
Heirloom Bears- Classic Line of memory bears for bereavement, bequeathment, bears made from child's sports uniform, baby clothes/blankets, scout uniforms, ideas are endless!
NEW ORDERS TEMPORARILY ON HOLD
SO MANY ORDERS, SO LITTLE TIME!!!
Orders are full through Christmas 2024 and into 2025. If you have communicated with us, your order will be honored. Please feel to reach out with questions.
CHRISTMAS ORDERS & NEW ORDERS
Plan early!!
CHRISTMAS 2024 orders completely booked. We will resume taking orders in 2025. Gift certificates are available.
NEW IN 2019
Remembrance Heart Ornaments & Pillows
Remembrance
Heart Ornament
Created from the clothing of a loved one, a custom ornament is a keepsake to be cherished year after year. Several ornaments can be made from one article of clothing. Ornaments can be made from nearly any type of clothing. Personalized machine embroidery can be an added option.
$15
Additional fee for personalized machine embroidery.
Remembrance
Pillow
A memory pillow is a special way to remember a loved one. Pillows can be made from almost any type of clothing. Pillows are generally square, (14", 16", 18") depending on article of clothing. Pillow form is included.
$50
Additional fee for personalized machine embroidery.
Specialty Line
CENTERSTAGE BEAR GALLERY
THE ART OF IT
"Bearly" Remembered
All memory bears are designed and created for a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Each bear is 18" and made with plastic safety eyes and noses. Many bears require stabilizing due to stretchy or lightweight fabric. Custom machine embroidery can be added to bear paw(s) for an additional charge. Ideal gift idea for graduation, birthdays, Christmas, group gifts at work, retirement. Gift certificates are available.
CenterStage Bears
Specialty Line
Do you have a closet full of dance costumes?
Bring these beautiful costumes out of hibernation before they become barely remembered, to a special place in your home where they will be bearly remembered for years to come. Each CenterStage Bear is intricately designed and created to be a one-of-a-kind treasure to last a lifetime!
Wedding dresses fall in this category as well.
See further details under "Questions" below.
Heirloom Bears
Classic Line
Your treasured clothing becomes the fabric of your keepsake!!
Bereavment
Bequeathment
Child's sports uniform
Baby clothes/blankets
Scout uniforms
Ideas are endless!
A coordinating ribbon can be put around the neck of the Heirloom Bears.
HEIRLOOM BEAR GALLERY
Classic Line
Bear Production
HOW IT WORKS
Order Received
Once we receive your order and clothing, bear production begins. The design of your keepsake takes shape. If needed, a sketch of the design can be sent to you to ensure that your keepsake is what you have envisioned.
Bear Tracking
We will keep you tuned as to the progress of your bear and send along photos with Bear Tracking updates.
Order Complete
When your order is complete, we will send you a photo of your keepsake. An invoice will follow and your memory bear will be shipped. We welcome feedback and would love to be able to share with others your positive experience!! We love emails letting us know how we are doing!
TESTIMONIALS
Happy Client, Happy Us
"Julie, thank you for putting your talent and love into making these bears. I've hugged my dad so many times while he wore that shirt and to be able to watch his grandchildren hug it is more than words can express."
Beth C.
"What a wonderful idea and a special tribute to a loved one who has passed!"
Meerilee V.
Legacy Memory Bears...where the fabric of life is sewn into a memory!
QUESTIONS?
WHAT TYPE OF CLOTHING WORKS WELL?
Almost any type of fabric will work just fine. If the clothing is very stretchy, sheer or lightweight, it will require extra stabilization. Mesh jersey material is not recommended. For the CenterStage Bears, wedding dresses and dance costumes that are heavily laden with sequins/rhinestones are not recommended.
For the Heirloom Bears, shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, dresses, blankets, uniforms, pants, and pajamas work well. Generally, a single bear can be made with a woman's medium/large shirt/blouse or pants, men's large shirt. You can send 2 articles of clothing that would go well together and this creates nice features on the bear. There may be situations in which I may need to use a coordinating fabric to finish the bear if there is not enough fabric in the article of clothing. This would be a minimal extra fee. I do not return or save unused or leftover fabric, unless specifically requested.
DO I NEED TO LAUNDER THE CLOTHING BEFORE I SEND IT TO YOU?
That is up to you. I do not do any laundering of customer clothing.
CAN WE DISCUSS DETAILS ON THE PHONE?
I am happy to discuss details so that your memory bear becomes the special keepsake that you are envisioning. My hours are weekdays, 9am-4pm. Please feel free to leave a voicemail if I am unable to take your call and I will return your call as promptly as possible. Contact via email is available, as well.
DANCE COSTUMES TEND TO HAVE VERY LIMITED FABRIC, HOW DOES THAT WORK?
Yes, that is very true. I will use additional matching/coordinating spandex to go with the costume, if needed. This is included in the cost of the CenterStage Bears.
WHY ARE THE CENTERSTAGE BEARS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE HEIRLOOM BEARS?
Specialty Line, CenterStage Bears, require a great deal more work than most Heirloom Bears. There is a design element to skillfully creating a memory bear from very limited fabric and at the same time accenting the bear with the embellishments present on the wedding dress or dance costume. There is an added challenge to working with sheer, lightweight, rhinestoned fabric, not to mention the various types of tutu's having to be reshaped to fit the bear. Most often, extra spandex fabric is required for the dance costume bears and this is included in the cost.
CAN THE MEMORY BEARS BE PLAYED WITH AS A TOY?
It is recommended that the memory bears be for display, NOT for play. I use plastic safety eyes and noses, however, even those could possilbly be pulled out of the bear by a small child. But, they are meant to be gently hugged as you remember a special loved one or special life event!
CAN YOU WORK AROUND HOLES AND STAINS?
I will do my best to work around these if you desire, however, that may not always be possible. Many people find that holes/stains are just fine as this was most likely a favorite item worn by their loved one.
HOW DOES SHIPPING WORK?
The sales tax and shipping will be the customer's responsibility. I will do my best to find the best price for shipping. It is generally about $15.00 or less per bear in the contiguous United States. If there is more than one bear in a shipment, the cost is usually reduced for additional bears.
WILL YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS?
Yes, I will accept credit card payments upon completion of the bear. In order to initiate an order, I require a 50% down payment at the time you send your clothing to me. Most customers send a check to accompany the clothing for the down payment.
I WOULD LOVE TO GET UPDATES, IS THAT POSSIBLE?
Yes, check out our page on Facebook, Legacy Memory Bears. "Like" us and feel free to share. Updates and promotions will be found on Facebook.
Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions!
OUR STORY
People and events form the fabric of our lives. Using sewing skills l learned from my mother as a child, I am able to construct unique creations in the art of memory bears.
The seed was planted for Legacy Memory Bears following the passing of my mother-in-law. To create a tangible remembrance of her, family members received a specially designed memory bear made from her clothing...we fondly refer to these as "Nana Bears". They have provided a comforting remembrance of a very special woman.
In addition, my daughters have been involved in dance for the past 20 years. A large closet houses dozens and dozens of dance costumes...and precious memories. CenterStage Bears became the specialty line of Legacy Memory Bears, LLC. My dancers were once centerstage in recitals and competitions and now their bears are centerstage as a beautiful remembrance of a special time in their lives.
I look forward to helping others preserve memories through their own keepsakes!
Every bear has a story!!
MEET THE OWNER
Committed to Your Satisfaction
Julie Konzen
Owner
My sewing days began at an early age with a wonderful teacher and seamstress, my mother. Continuing to use those skills throughout my adult life for our family with making children's clothing, Halloween costumes, home decor, alterations, mending, and t-shirt quilts, my love of sewing has never waned. There have been times when life becomes a little crazy and dust had collected on my machines, however, I always enjoy my reconnection with this lifelong skill. I have been abundantly blessed to be married to my CSO (Chief Support Officer) for the last thirty-four years with our beautiful nest of five children and three grandchildren. Three of those children are the reason for the closet full of dance costumes that were the final impetus to launch this business, and the other two children have filled other storage areas with a plethora of hockey and baseball gear! More memory bear opportunities! I find simple pleasures in creating with fabric and look forward to assisting you in creating a unique keepsake to be treasured forever!
Meet the experienced team behind Legacy Memory Bears, LLC.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Please feel free to contact us with questions. Contact Legacy Memory Bears, LLC today.
Chippewa Falls, WI, USA