Heather Lyell’s passion for bears started in 1989 when she saw a fluffy fellow in a shop window and it had called out to her “please, take me home”!  She then took her new friend home and her life has never been the same since.

 
She started designing her own creations in 1991 under the label of D’Lyell Bears.  Together with her husband Roy, they had a wonderful and eventful career in making and designing their own Artist bears.  They had the fantastic opportunity to design for the famous German company ‘Hermann Teddy Original’ which was a wonderful springboard for them into the European show circuit.  They exhibited at shows in Germany; Switzerland; Belgium; UK; Japan; Singapore; Taiwan; China; America; Australia; (before terrible Covid 19 of course!); and at home in New Zealand.  They now design for an English company called ‘Charlie Bears’ who have been very well received around the world.

Heather has worked hard to develop her unique styles which she has become well known for, including the world’s first use of magnets to make her creations more interactive.  She also enjoys  combining her love of handbags, jewellery, and antique accessories to create memorable display pieces.  These can be found in Museums and private collections around the world.  Roy & Heather take great delight in displaying their creations and seeing the public’s enthusiastic response.

You can see more of their works on website: www.dlyellbears.com 

They also offer B&B so you can stay with them and see where their bears are born at: wwwthegrangeauckland.com