Tenderly handcrafted from 100% sheepskin, Tambo Teddies are true blue Australian teddy bears that have been well loved for over 30 years.
When Australian wool prices crashed in 1992, coupled with an ongoing drought, the tiny Queensland town of Tambo was at a loss. Locals brainstormed how Tambo could assist the wool industry and create employment, while encouraging tourists to the area. They came upon the idea of making unique teddy bears from wool pelts was born.
After nearly a year of designing, trial and error, samples, and prototypes by three local ladies, Tambo Teddies were finally ready for sale. The very first, Macfarlene Mary, was sold to the local police Sergeant marking the beginning of what quickly became a flourishing business and Tambo becoming known as the ‘outback teddy capital of Australia’.
Every single teddy is hand cut and crafted from Australian and New Zealand sheepskin in the Tambo workshop, and more recently, at their Regional Sewing Hub in Toowoomba. Nineteen pieces of material are required to create each one, the pieces sewn together using only the softest pelts to make seamless teddies of upmost quality.
Each Tambo Teddy is also unique depending on the sewer and the sheepskin used. As their personalities emerge, each bear is named after a farming property in the Tambo district – you might fall in love with Macfarlane Mischief or Cranmore Cuddles. To add to the cuteness, with each teddy comes a poem that introduces their name. Designed to last, the teddies all come with a unique number and the tagline “Childhood Friends for Life”, which is what they have become with over 69,000 teddy bears made and sent all over the world to date.
To distinguish between the types of teddies, the bears were originally separated into families – the Tobies and the Basils. Now they’ve also been joined by a flat style bear, called Bickie Bear, and a pint-sized Tambo Teddy called Tom Thumb. There’s also Tambo Teddies’ Kiwi cousin, Stewart, who was released to commemorate Tambo Teddies’ 30th year, and Tambo Tasman, who’s dressed as an All Black. You can even request a special bear, styled however you please – from ballerina to builder, and request any colour of the rainbow. If bears aren’t your thing, other cuddly creatures include a koala, lamb, dog, echidna, and possum – all made with the same 100% sheepskin for maximum cuddle factor. Plus, there are blankets, hot water bottle covers, slippers, seat belt covers and stubby coolers – truly something woolie for everyone.
After more than 20 years sewing bears and managing the business, one of the three original owners decided it was time to retire. Wishing to only sell to a local, she was delighted when, in unique synergy, three more local ladies decided to purchase the iconic business. So, in 2013, three new women took the reins of Tambo Teddies: Alison Shaw, Tammy Johnson and Kiralee Sanderson. Today, Alison and Tammy continue to operate and grow the business.
“We feel so privileged to continue the legacy that was started over thirty years ago,” says Alison. “When we talk about a nimble and agile business strategy – Tambo Teddies lives and breathes it. It’s meant employment for a number of people over a period of 30 years and has been a huge support to the local wool industry. Tambo itself is proud of Tambo Teddies because it has put us on the map. If you go anywhere and say, ‘I’m from Tambo,’ they say, ‘Oh, like Tambo Teddies?’ It really is something quite special to be the producers of such loveable teddy bears.”
Tambo Teddies are available in New Zealand via the Tambo Teddies website tamboteddies.co.nz
