It all started with a cat…..
Until 2018 I worked as a senior event producer and planner, managing productions - from cross Canada multiple day conferences to fashion shows in the U.S. to AGMs in every major Canadian city - with 50 to 1000+ attendees.
Upon retirement, I created Rescued Bears (@rescuedbears) to help raise funds to support initiatives helping adults with intellectual disabilities. By rescuing stuffed bears, creating clever bios and making them clothing, Rescued Bears sold a lot of bears until 2020 when covid shut everything down.
In 2021 our beloved cat needed expensive surgery so I dusted off my mother’s old sewing machine and offered to make my friends a jacket in return for cash. My wonderful friends responded and we raised over $800.
In 2022 Rescued Bears transitioned to creating clothing by rescuing deadstock fabric and used clothing. We make new things out of old and sell exclusively at a Toronto shop. Our work, like our Japanese Canadian background, is a hybrid of the pop and classic cultures we are part of.
Today I have 4 sewing machines, a husband of 25 years, identical twin daughters and work 4 full days a week making clothing and have sold 100’s of garments and accessories.
I am very happy to share what I've learned about sewing and designing with anyone who comes to Tiny Cheer Handmade. And cats still need rescuing, so I will be donating my teaching fee to the Guelph Humane Society.
