The Bear Days is a small paper goods brand based in South East London, creating charming greeting cards with a hand-drawn, joy-filled aesthetic. Thoughtfully designed and printed in England, our playful illustration, artisan quality, and of course — our much-loved bear — brings character and style to every occasion.
Hello, I’m Mollie – I’m so glad you’re here.
I come from a family that’s big on cards. No occasion is ever too small for us to exchange a few handwritten words of love, nor gift too grand to be outshone by a thoughtfully chosen card. As a little girl, I loved rifling through a vintage suitcase my mum kept full of cards and paper treasures, each waiting for the perfect person and moment. I’d make a careful choice and then use all my best pens and pencils to decorate both sides of the card and envelope (something I rarely refrain from doing as an adult). That’s when I fell in love with the ritual of choosing and sending cards.
And then there was the magic of receiving mail. Every month, a card would arrive in my devoted uncle’s unmistakable handwriting. On birthdays, there’d be at least ten cards to open, just from him! He’d always make sure our doormat was covered with colourful envelopes — the best kind of paper confetti. Those envelopes meant more than I could ever have understood at the time. They taught me one of life’s small but lasting pleasures: the joy of meaningful post.
That joy, and the novelty of a good card, has never worn off. I’m quite sure it never will. And so, I’ve started The Bear Days — a true labour of love and a good excuse to spend my days wrapped up in the world of artisanal paper goods that I so adore.
The Bear Days is named after my paper-filled childhood — the true ‘bear days’ in every sense. At the heart of it all is Mr Ted, my beloved childhood teddy and muse, now immortalised in ink as the stylish, straight faced star of my designs. Every card begins as one of my hand-drawn illustrations, before being crafted in small batches here in England. I use carefully chosen, sustainable materials and print on beautifully tactile, uncoated paper so that each design keeps the soft, delicate quality of the original artwork — it’s what makes each card feel so charming.
Through this little brand of mine, I’m creating new bear days — for myself, through the utter joy of returning to paper and play, and for others too, with days made softer by handwritten notes and thoughtful paper gestures. Whether you’re celebrating something big or simply sending a little love, I hope my cards act as small objects of enduring connection, carrying love into every bear day they become a part of.
Hugs,
Mollie