About Donna

As a  child, Donna always had a passion for teddy bears. They are a symbol of unconditional love and acceptance.  She remembers how she would worry herself about choosing which bear to sleep with at bedtime.  And then feel sad for the bears left behind on the shelf because they might feel lonely.

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Donna began creating and collecting bears over 24 years ago when her children were toddlers. The children have since grown and moved close to the family home in Laporte, Indiana.  Being an empty nester was difficult but did have one positive benefit.....it left one bedroom unused that was since turned into Donna's dream bear studio.  Her own sanctuary where creativity abounds.

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Every Hager Bear is hand-crafted in Indiana, USA in my smoke-free home.  Each bear is brought to life using the finest quality materials, her own original designs, and ever evolving skill and techniques. 

Donna also uses her many skills lovingly creating many of the accessories her bears wear, like crocheting little hats and jackets, sewing gorgeous dresses and outfits, and even working with polymer clay to make darling charm necklaces for the bears to wear.​

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Since Hager Bears began all those years ago, Donna has humbly adopted numerous teddies to discerning collectors in the United States and around the world. Her creations have been featured in Teddy Bear Review and Teddy Bear and Friends, and Bears and Buds magazines. 

Donna shares that is her heartfelt hope that each Hager Bears bring a smile to the collectors face, warms their heart and becomes a treasured family heirloom.