Duffels Bear Blog

The Making of the SnipPets – Episode Two

When I created the SnipPets, it had an enormous impact on The Bear Mill and transformed life in Mills Beary Village. These little creatures are proof that very extraordinary things can come from the most seemingly ordinary of places. Here is the beginning of their journey.

It all started while I was sweeping the floor of the sewing room after a busy day at the mill. After getting rid of the day’s mess, I was left with a pile of fabric scraps on the floor. Now, I am a frugal bear and I certainly didn’t want these scraps to go to waste. So, rather than throwing them away, I placed them in a box in the corner. Then, I put them out of my mind. This probably would have been the end of them without another event that happened the same week.

I was in the mill’s basement organizing the shelves to get them ready for a new coat of paint when I saw an odd light emanating from the darkness of the farthest corner. At first, I rubbed my eyes to check if I was seeing things because this was no ordinary light. When I took a closer look, I saw that it was coming from a worn wooden trunk that looked as though it had been there for a long time. Now, I must tell you that I had never seen this trunk in all my years of visiting the mill’s basement. So, I was very curious about it, indeed. I made my way over to the corner and reached to open the trunk lid just a crack. For a moment I couldn’t see anything but the brightest white light. However, as I jolted in shock, I opened the lid fully and the light faded enough so that I was able to peer into the trunk. Inside, I saw rows upon rows of neatly placed bobbins of thread. As I reached into this array of bobbins and took one out for a closer look, I felt a tingle down my arm. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the thread had a wonderful silvery shimmer, that hadn’t been noticeable in the trunk. It was so beautiful that I decided I would try to use it the next time I was at the sewing machine. I took out a second bobbin so that I would have enough to use and I put them both in my apron pocket.

Now, the rest of the week was very busy so I gave little thought to the box of scraps in the sewing room and the bobbins of thread in my apron pocket. On Saturday evening, I decided I would go for a walk along the lane by my cottage after I had eaten my dinner. My thoughts wandered over the events of the week and I remembered the curious thread. Since it was still early in the evening, I thought I could take another look at the fabric scraps I saved and perhaps use the thread to make something from them. Arriving at the mill, I pulled out the fabrics from the box and placed them on the cutting table, where all the fabrics get cut before sewing them together to make our animals.

The colors were so bright that they instantly lifted my spirits. I cut them into various shapes and sizes, letting my hands guide me with their memory of many fabric-cutting sessions past. Eventually, I found myself sitting at the sewing machine with a pile of what would soon become arms, legs, heads, and bodies. I threaded the machine with the shimmering bobbin of thread in anticipation and, if I didn’t know better, I could have sworn I heard it make a contented sigh as I began sewing. Because I didn’t have enough fabric of any one color, I began to sew without an exact plan. I simply mixed and matched the individual pieces of fabric, hoping to make some new designs. It was enjoyable work and in no time at all I found myself with six new unstuffed plushies sitting by the sewing machine. I was very excited to take them to the filling machine to see exactly what I’d created, but it was getting late so I thought I would wait until the next day to finish the project.

I turned off the lights, closed the sewing room, and locked up the mill. As I walked home for a good night’s sleep, I caught a glimpse of the mill on the last curve of the lane before reaching my cottage. I thought I saw a light in the sewing room that I’d not seen before. It was very curious, indeed, and it must have tickled my memory because that night I had vivid dreams about how I was created at the mill. I didn’t fully understand until the next day as I worked at the filing machine with my new designs. For, as I filled each one, they came to life! My dream from the night before now made sense. I remembered the day I was created in long-forgotten detail. I also remembered that the special thread I used to stitch these animals was the exact same thread that had been used to stitch me many years ago. I thought I must have forgotten the trunk and thread over the years…or did I?  Astonishingly, when I went back to the basement to take closer look at the trunk, it was no longer there! Its whereabouts will stay a mystery for another time, I suppose. I am just so thankful for the set of coincidences that helped me make our new friends, The SnipPets family. They are not perfect with their unusual eyes and different colored body parts, all made from scraps of material, but it is my belief that they are each perfect in their own way. We are not all created equal but we are all still more than valuable and each have an important place in the world. Although we may be different, we all deserve to live, love, and be loved. It is what is in your heart that matters the most.

It is here that our story truly begins.

Duffels Bear

To buy your very own SnipPets click here

The following day, I wanted to take the SnipPets down into the village so they could become more familiar with their surroundings. So, I walked over to the mill and they were all sitting at the kitchen table. Looks like you have already had your breakfast I said. Yes, said Windle, the cupboards were so full of food we put breakfast together. Henry helped us. Henry was sitting at the end of the table finishing up his breakfast. Did I tell you who about Henry? Well, I will come to that shortly. Would you like to join us for a cup of tea, said Windle? I sat down and he poured me some tea. The rich dark amber colored liquid filled my cup, and I added one cube of sugar and a drop of milk. Perfect, I said. I love a cup of tea.

How was your first night at the mill.  They all shouted at once as it seems they are likely to do.  We all slept really heavy.  Henry brought us some biscuits and cocoa for supper and none of us heard another sound until the morning.

I thought we may go down to the Village Center today. It seems to me if you are going to live here; you need to get familiar with your surroundings. You can work with me at the Mill but there is a lot more to life than the mill and so much to do around Mills Beary Village. However, it’s a little chilly, so I suggest you all wrap up warm for the journey.

The SnipPets all looked at each other and said in unison, with what? Oh Sorry, I said I was not thinking, come with me. The SnipPets followed me up the wide stairway for the second time in two days.  This time we went to the second floor not the Attic.   It was a little noisy because the stair treads have no carpet and everyone was running at the same time. In the center of the tread, you can see wear from others walking up and down over the years. Duffels caught sight of Hue who was very inquisitive admiring the banister. It is hand carved from old oak, I told him it is very rare indeed.

Right, I said here we are and pointed to the last room on this floor. I opened the door and could hear audible gasps from the SnipPets as they viewed the racks and racks of clothing.  This was the left-over clothing that used to be made at the mill and had not shipped out to customers.  I just put them in this room to store them.  The excitement built as each SnipPets pulled  down hangers with various clothe designs and tried them on. They were laughing and giggling as they mixed and matched silly combinations.

I will tell you what, I have some emails to answer. How about I leave you here and you can take whatever you would like to wear? Put yourself together a wardrobe. If you open up the cupboards at the back of the room, you will find socks, shoes, slippers and boots. When you have finished, come over to my office. It is at the front of the mill and we can get ready to go out.

Sitting in my office in the distance I could hear them giggling, I knew This was going to take much longer that I first expected.  Perhaps I should get back to work and we can go to the village tomorrow.

 Big News and a New Discovery – Episode Seven

I was looking out of my office window and I spotted Little Red and Henry walking down the pathway.  Little Red is another one of my friends, a red fox with a big bushy tail.    He lives in the woods by the Mill. The two were deep in conversation so I assumed that word had gotten out about the SnipPets. Mills Beary Village is a small place and everyone cares very much about one another. So, it does not take long for news to travel. Seeing Little Red and Henry animatedly chatting, I assumed the whole village must be abuzz with the news. I thought to myself that I simply must take a trip down into the village square soon for everyone to meet our new arrivals.

In the meantime, I was busy trying to find The Book. I had been told of its existence many years ago when learning about the Mill’s history. People in the village put great store by the contents of The Book.  You see, it contains years of history and documents all the great changes that have occurred in Mills Beary Village over the years. I vaguely knew of its existence, like I said, but I had never had cause to go in search of it. However, with the arrival of the SnipPets, that had all changed. I was aware that I must have come into the world magically, the same as they did.  I thought it might have something to do with the thread that was used to create us. But, I wanted to know more. So, I was on the hunt for The Book that could answer my questions.

While I was busy searching, Henry walked in the office, followed by Little Red.  “Good morning, what are you two up to today?,” I asked. “I just came up from the Village,” said Red, “I heard all about the SnipPets and was hoping to meet them.”  “I believe they are in the Attic, as they still have some organizing to do,” I said, “Feel free to go and introduce yourself.” After Little Red started toward the staircase, I asked Henry to wait for a moment. I explained that I could not remember where I had heard about The Book and asked if he had any idea where it could be found. You see, Henry knew every nook and cranny of the Mill.  He had made it his mission to find out everything about Mills Beary village since the day he arrived.

“Hmmm,” said Henry, “I do remember that key hanging in your wardrobe. Do you remember it? We saw it when we were fixing the hinge on the wardrobe door. It was hanging on a ribbon in the corner.”  “That’s right!” I said with excitement. “Would you like to come with me to see if it holds any clues?” Henry agreed and off we went towards my cottage to see if the key could tell us the whereabouts of The Book.

As we walked, Henry said, “So, what are your plans for the SnipPets? It seems like you have created a unique group.” “Yes,” I replied, “I am so happy that I created them together. They are such a lovely little family and I feel bonded with them already.  We are all going to work on improving The Mill and expanding the work load now that there are more of us to help. Once they get settled, we will be able to discuss all that we do at The Mill  as we plan on moving forward. I thought it would be best if they became familiar with their surroundings and all of the people in the village before that, however.”

With that said, we arrived at the cottage and went to my bedroom. We opened the wardrobe door and Henry said, “There you are, Duffels, it is still there!”  I reached in and took hold of the once forgotten key. I felt a familiar tingle down my arm as though I was about to discover something very special. It was the same feeling I had when I picked up the bobbins of thread before I made the SnipPets. I knew Henry was onto something and I couldn’t wait to discover more.