Furraree Bears
Lucinda realized she was a creative from an early age. After learning hte skills at what used to be Ryerson Polytechnical under her belt, she now had the tools to harness her natural creativity transforming it into a successful 45 professional career as an Interior Designer. she excelled at combining function and beauty in Retirement Homes, long term care facilities, restaurants, churches, and of course private luxury homes. At one point, she had seven 40 million dollar projects on the go.
Her own early professional artistic endeavours began with large scale woven tapestries (including a 12′ x 18′ tapestry displayed in a town centre in Hornepayne), as well, “featured walls” in the front lobbies of several Long Term Care Facilities in Ontario.
Her insatiable curiosity, exuberant personality and innate communication abilities led her to networking with a large community of artists and artisans from Ontario and Quebec, which combined with her irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit, led to Harp’s Desire, a high-end showcase and one-of-a-kind design store which presented their creations in a beautiful heritage limestone store front in Kingston. She learned to incorporate many of the display pieces for her interiors project including custom designed feature furniture pieces as well as original artwork.
While in Kingston, Lucinda was approached by the Committee that organized their Festival of Trees. She agreed to participate and donated a room vignette called “The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe.” Everything in that vignette was handmade by a collection of artisans. She was recognized with 4 of the 6 awards.
Lucinda spent most of her career living in Cobourg and Port Hope and now lives in Chatham to be closer to her daughter’s family and grandchildren.
She has “retired” but is certainly not taking it sitting down. A recent executive appointment to the Downtown Chatham Business improvement group, she is both initiating and participating in improving the beautification of the historic downtown precinct – including an innovative Canada wide mural project.
In her “spare” time, she is now devoted to a new venture – The Bear Necessities – a collection of designer, handmade, stuffed bears crafted from unique fabrics rich in both feel and colour, each with its own personality. These bears are “paws for a cause” since for every bear purchase, Lucinda makes a donation to organizations which provide crisis care to women and children. Whimsical, theme, accessorized, these are unique keepsakes which can be gifted for any occasion, including memory bears for a loved one who has passed. Custom bears are available on request.
