Flying Horse Teddy Restorations
Location not stated
A teddy bear restorer run by Carol Ann Zawadzki, working on vintage bears for private owners, dealers and teddy bear museums in the UK and abroad. The work runs from surface cleaning through replacing eyes, paw pads and nose stitching to remaking missing limbs, priced case by case.
Getting hold of them
- +44 (0)2392 736634 .... (UK mobile 078 365 19685)
- carolann@flyinghorseteddyrestorations.co.uk
- Their own site
Email is the way in. They do not take cold calls.
If it gets lost
Not stated
This is a blank on their page, not an answer from them. We have never asked anybody in this trade the question. Of the 185 businesses we have read, 4 have written anything down about losing an item: 2 say it is insured, 2 say the risk is yours. The other 181 are silent, and silence is not a policy either way.
If you would rather not have to phrase it
“Before I send it, can I ask what happens if it gets lost or damaged while it’s with you? I’m not trying to catch you out, it just can’t be replaced. Whatever the answer is, could you put it in an email so I’ve got it in writing?”
“No, we don’t cover it” is a fine answer to get. It tells you to insure the post yourself for the full amount, both ways.
If it is lost or damaged
Their website does not say what happens if your item is lost or damaged while they have it.
Ask before you post anything you could not replace. Only four of the businesses we hold publish an answer to this.
What they take on
- Full restoration and rebuilds
- Mending and seams
- Restuffing
- Cleaning on its own
- Fur restoration, de-matting and pile lifting
- Eyes and noses
- Joints
Works in mohair.
What they won’t do
The part every other directory leaves out. None of this is a criticism. It is how you avoid three wasted weeks.
- Doesn't say anywhere whether you send it by post or bring it in. Ask before anything else
Getting it there
- Doesn't say whether they take work by post
- Doesn’t say whether you can bring it in
- Takes work from overseas
Money
- Quotes from photographs, for a fee
Anything else they say
- Costs are sensible, but understandably variable, depending on the difficulty of repair, the availability of matching fabric/mohair, and the time involved.
- Carol Ann Zawadzki B.A. (Hons) Fine Art (Sculpture)
- Our experience of designing and making our own bears under the label 'Flying Horse Original Designs' has also helped to develop the necessary techniques
- the world-famous Hamleys toy store in London was one of our outlets!
- We offer a complete teddy bear repair and restoration service to customers in the UK and internationally.