About three years ago, after more than a decade of making dainty, detailed, and award-winning miniature bears, Janet Wilson got the urge to make something ... different. "I wanted to make a small, loose-limbed, weighted bear," she says, cupping her hand. "Something to hold, that would feel good to hold."

She worked and reworked the idea, making her bear from soft mohair and weighting it so it cuddled into her hand. In a touch of whimsy, she gave the bear a sparkly nose and, remembering her son’s childhood name for raisins, called the design a "Fluffwee." The same son, now an adult, helped Janet create a fanciful story about the Fluffwees’ starry origins and the concept was complete. "It’s simple," Janet admits, "but everything comes together, all the elements."

Made in a variety of colors and with different decorative accents, the designs have been popular with collectors. "People tell me they rub and hold the bears, that they are a comfort and help them with stress," says Janet, clearly pleased that her collectors relate so easily to her idea.

In fact, the Fluffwees have been so successful that Janet couldn’t keep up with the demand. Too, she participated in a craft show in Central Pennsylvania and met a grandmother who wanted to buy Fluffwees for her granddaughters, but couldn’t afford to multiply the $100 price tag times several children. Janet realized that she needed help with her production, and that there might be a market for a more affordable version of the Fluffwees.

After doing some research and careful thinking, Janet called David Miller, the vice president for marketing and product development at Boyds by Enesco. "David asked me what people liked about the Fluffwees," she remembers. "I told him, it’s the whole package: the nose, the weight, the loose limbs, and the way you can hold them in the palm of your hand. He got it, he could see it, right away."

From the company’s perspective, says marketing director Pam Wasylson, "Boyds looks for artists who share our passion, who fit with the Boyds ideal. Janet’s creativity and passion fit so well, plus the uniqueness of the Fluffwees’ look, the strong emotional tie, and their unique personalities."

She sees the Fluffwees as different from Boyds’ other sentiment bears - those that portray occupations or come emblazoned with messages like "Happy Birthday." "Those pieces have a very Boyds look," she says. "Their sentiment is right out there. With the Fluffwees, their personalities and the emotion shine through in their faces. At the same time, they’re very typical of a Boyds product, in that they inspire an emotional connection. We have so many testimonials from collectors about their emotional ties to their Boyds bears."

Of course Janet’s design had to be modified slightly for manufacture. "We went back and forth to Asia several times to get the face and fabric right," says Pam. Real mohair was too expensive and the supply was uncertain. Faux mohair "looked faux." They decided to use a cotton plush fabric with subtle sparkles. Paired with loose joints, pellets for weight, and extra touches like bows and buttons, the Fluffwees are charming interpretations of Janet’s handmade originals.

Boyds is introducing three Fluffwees characters, Twig, Raindrop, and Rose Petal, as part of their Fall/Winter 2008 line. "They’re a comfort thing," says Janet, "especially in an economy like we have now." But if a grandmother wants to give a group to her grandchildren, she should be able to afford the expense: the Fluffwees will retail for less than $10 each.v

The Fluffwees are also part of Boyds’ back-to-basics effort. "We’re focusing on our core strengths," says Pam. "With the fall line, you’ll see refreshed designs and new patterns. We’ve designed many of our own fabrics. Boyds is, fundamentally, a bear company, and that’s what you’re going to see."

The company recently signed a licensing deal with Enesco, granting the Illinois-based giftware giant long-term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture, and distribute products under the Boyds brand. "They have no intention to change the look," clarifies Pam. "They hired the design, creative, and marketing teams, which are staying in Pennsylvania. Enesco has a strong sales force and an international presence that Boyds was lacking. It’s a good fit for Boyds, and adds plush to the Enesco line-up." Pam notes that the F.o.B. club will continue, as will many of the resin lines and the "usual variety" of plush, albeit with improvements she expects collectors will enjoy. Artist-designed bears, for example, will retain more of the artists’ characteristics instead of taking on the Boyds "look."

Janet Wilson has enjoyed contributing to the new Boyds line and working with the Boyds team. She’s looking forward to slowing the pace of her own Fluffwees creation as Boyds ramps up the production of theirs and is already working on the prototypes for some new Fluffwees animals. "It’s been a pleasure working with Boyds," she says. "I’m just thrilled, and I can’t wait to share their Fluffwees with the world!"

To locate a retailer, visit www.boydsstuff.com.