Every bear
has a story.

Josiah Reeves Hadly III, better known as Jay, was born in Ohio in 1938 and raised in McMechen, West Virginia, by his parents, Bud and Leona. Bud was a watchmaker and jeweler, and he and Leona were avid collectors of antiques—a family influence that helped shape Jay’s lifelong appreciation for craftsmanship and history.

After graduating from high school, Jay enlisted in the United States Navy and served as an aircraft engineer for aquaplanes. He became certified in land-and-sea search and rescue. In 1959, Jay married his sweetheart, Noel—short for Noelene—and they moved to Florida, where their first two children were born. The family settled in Glenside, Pennsylvania, in 1966, and welcomed their third child in 1973. Jay supported his family by selling heavy construction equipment while pursuing his interests in collecting, photography, and Americana wood décor.

Along the way, Jay became intrigued by the art and collection of handmade teddy bears. He taught himself the craft and began creating under the name Jaysbears. His special ability to make one-of-a-kind bears earned national and international recognition, with his work appearing in teddy-bear magazines and local publications. Jay also became a respected appraiser of handmade teddy bears and other antique collectibles. Every Jaysbear has its own personality, expressed through carefully chosen textiles, antique and whimsical embellishments, individualized colors, and a hand-stitched face.

With Noel always at his side, Jay opened their first shop, The Country Bear, in Skippack Village, Pennsylvania, in 1985. The original shop sign—also made by Jay—remains in his personal collection. Several years later, they opened a second Country Bear shop in Keswick Village in Glenside. Noel welcomed customers at the front while Jay could usually be found in the back with a sewing machine humming.

After the Country Bear shops closed in 2000, Jay and Noel returned to Florida. Noel passed away peacefully at home in May 2025 after 65 years of marriage, with Jay having served as her primary caregiver. Seeking a renewed sense of purpose, he returned to his sewing machine full time and began creating teddy bears and other playful stuffed characters. Some of his finest recent work includes beloved figures from Winnie the Pooh and the Peanuts gang.

Jay’s craftsmanship can be seen in every detail: each nose is stitched by hand, and every creation has fully jointed arms and legs. Most are made from imported mohair, which Jay often dyes himself to achieve just the right color. His caring nature, strength, and dedicated spirit live within each unique creation. Jay welcomes you to explore his work, share comments and photographs with your own Jaysbear, and help preserve a legacy of handmade bears for generations to come.