Charleen Kinser

Charleen Kinser (1934–2008) was an American toy designer, noted for her teddy bears. She founded the Forever Toys line of toys via her company Charleen Kinser Designs, and wrote three craft books in the 1970s.

Early life, education and career Kinser was born 1934 in Long Beach, California, where she went to school. She was an only child, and made her first toy when she was eight years old. She studied at the Chouinard Art Institute and worked with film animation at United Productions of America (UPA) and Disney. She became a director, worked with commercials, travelling to London and Paris. Her work was awarded at the Cannes Film Festival

She also designed toys and exhibits for toy firms in Los Angeles and Chicago. After having made a grizzly, "T.R.'s Bear" (T.R. for Teddy Roosevelt), for her daughter, the family started a company, Charleen Kinser Designs, initially making sew-it-yourself kits for bears and other toys. However, companies like Bloomingdales, their first customer, and Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) preferred to order the finished products, named Forever Toys. Bill was the company's graphic designer, Maggie, their daughter, wrote background stories for the toys or "characters", and their son Tom designed and made wooden toys. Prices varied: a luxury mail order company offered a Forever Toys "Rocking Ram" at in 1985 .

USA Today magazine said in 1993 that the line of "Live-in House Monsters" was "perhaps the most unusual ones on the market". Contemporary Doll'''s writer praised the Forever Toys, saying "unlike anything I had ever seen. Handsome enough to grace an art gallery ... totally fairy and utterly enchanting."

Books Kinser wrote three craft books in the 1970s. School Library Journal called her 1975 book Outdoor Art for Kids "a good source of ideas for science and art classes, schoolyard beautification projects, or after-school activities". Dubois Courier Express said of her 1977 book Sewing sculpture'' that "she coaxes you into expanding your visual awareness and encourages you to add your own style to her design ... a rarity in the crafts book field."

Personal life Charleen was married to Bill, and they had two children, Maggie and Tom. Bill had worked in design, advertising and as a teacher. Their 19-year-old son was found murdered in 1981, having disappeared ten months before. Bill died in 1999, and Charleen in 2008.

Publications