Banner Sponsors
For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
I've just received a message through my British Bears on the Net group to say that Claudia Wagner has recently passed away. Claudia is internationally respected as a bear artist and so I thought it would be appropriate to let TT'ers know of this sad loss.
I didn't know Claudia beyond sharing a few smiles across her table of wonderful creations at Hugglets a few years ago, but I feel very sad at this loss. I loved her work, which was highly original and creative, winning many awards and achieving her well deserved reputation. Claudia's dedicated contribution to our bear world will be greatly missed.
Newcastle, OntarioI am very sad to hear about Claudia. She often exhibited at the shows I attended a few years ago, and was next to me at one or two. She was lovely and her bears were wonderful -very innovative at the time, with open mouths and always with smiles on their faces. Claudia contributed a lot to the bear world, her artisty was superb and she will definitley be missed.
hugs,
Brenda
LuxembearsI never knew Claudia but it's always sad to hear of one's passing. 
Does anyone have a photo they could post of her and her work. It sounds like she was greatly respected and will be dearly missed. :hug:
Bears by EdieThat is very sad news indeed - thanks for letting us know, Paula.
I never knew Claudia but it's always sad to hear of one's passing.
Does anyone have a photo they could post of her and her work. It sounds like she was greatly respected and will be dearly missed. :hug:
This is a link to Claudia's website:
http://www.weini-baeren.de/creatures-d.htm
She also has a page on the Bear Paths website.
I've posted a pic of Claudia's wonderful elephants, borrowed from her website ... they are my personal favourites as they are so full of charm.
Oh I am SO sad! My heart goes out to her family.... it's just too much sometimes.... 
BruinwerksHow terribly sad! I crossed paths with Claudia several times @ US shows and she was always helpful, friendly and had a great laugh. She made a great turtle named "Franklin" that I always loved and her little animals had such delicate little 'hands'.
The teddy world has lost truly a gifted artist!
Cheryl
How very sad to hear of Claudia's passing. My thoughts are with her Family at this sad time.
Her Bears and friends were wonderful and she will be greatly missed in the Bear world.
Hugs
Carolyn
Pumpkin & Pickle BearsEven though I didn't know Claudia, I feel very sad about her passing. Whenever a bear Artist passes away, it feels a bit like losing someone from our 'extended family'. Am I making sense?!
Here is a picture of Claudia that I got from her website....
Pumpkin & Pickle BearsDon't know if anyone is interested but there is a panda on eBay which was designed by Claudia for Clemens Bears....
Jellybelly BearsWhat sad news...my heart goes out to her family and friends....
Bears by Jodi 
BearsbyTraceyI am so sad to hear of the death of Claudia Wagner. The bear world has lost another great artist!!!!
My thoughts are with her family.
Gemma I know what you mean. I get really emotional when I hear of a well known bear artist dies. I feel like you do that part of my extended family has been lost. Even thou I did not know Claudia I admired her work. I never ever get a chance to meet her.
Hugs
Tracey
I am sitting here going cold, I know, knew Claudia, we used to meet up at the shows in Wiesbaden every year.
I also have two of her bears in my collection. I just cant beleive this, even thought maybe it is someone else.
I also know that someone from America, and now my mind has gone totally blank, always stayed with her and they were great friends. just cant think of the name. Claudia was still doing her bears, but had taken a full time work position as bears were not paying the way as they had been, she was also young, I cant beleive this , I will contact Hanna , my other German friend and find out what she knows.
How sad, this is the 2nd news from a bear family I have heard that is sad, my other friend from Switzerland, MGH Bears,Madeleine lost her husband. He had cancer, was not well and the say of the show in Sigriswil he broke his back, was admitted to hospital, never came out and passed away there a a week or two ago.
oh my,
Lynette
I have been in contact with one of Claudia friends in USA and this is the reply I have got
Dear Lynette,
Thank you for your note regarding the loss of my dear friend, Claudia. She passed away in her apartment on September 1; the autopsy that was conducted came back "cause of death unknown." Yes, Claudia was quite young - only 38. I already miss her terribly, and really haven't yet gotten over the shock and sadness of it.
Hope all is going fine for you and your family.
Mac
I was sitting and thinking back on all the times I have spent with Claudia at shows. She introduced me to using the Artificial Sinew, The Prisma Pens, mini Clippers, Rowenta traveller steam iron , special long handle needle felting needles from Japan and much more.
Once at a show in Zurich, a show which was 4 days, over December, cold and wet, trading from 8 am till 10.00pm , focusing more on antiques, with artist teddy bears thrown in, Claudia , would say enough of this, and spend the day with some of the other artists visiting the local christmas markets.
At shows she was always busy working on her bears or other creatures,last time I saw her she was working on a monkey face which she was needle felting.
One more star in heaven
Lynette
