Ger Bear Project

In the Ger Bear Project, Brenda F. Bell dressed teddy bears in clothes based on costumes worn by actor Geraint Wyn Davies in roles he had played on Dracula: The Series, Forever Knight, and Black Harbour. She originally intended to do a set of twelve bears, but only completed six.From "Re: Ger Bears Project", post made by Brenda Bell to FORKNI-L, 19 April 2021.
Three of the bears were later donated to the Geraint Wyn Davies Fan Club. At their third "Weekend With Ger" a/k/a "Gerthering", the actor met and signed one of the bears during the autograph session, auctioned off a second one, and received a third as a gift. Another bear was auctioned off in one of their internet auctions. 
 
==Website==
In 1997, Brenda created an eponymous website, The Ger Bear Project, to memorialize the teddies. The main page of the website includes a brief description and a group photograph. However, each bear also has its own individual page which describes the costume and includes photographs of the various stages in which the bear was dressed. There is also an additional page of photographs.
From the front page of the website:
==The Bears==
Four of the bears are dressed in versions of specific costumes from Forever Knight episodes, while the other two are dressed in more generic costumes associated with the characters Wyn Davies played previously in Dracula: The Series and later in Black Harbour.
===Klaus Bearsing===
To depict the character of Klaus Helsing from Dracula: The Series, Brenda dressed a bear in a "movie-traditional" vampire style, with a white cotton dress shirt, black wool slacks, and black opera cape lined with bright red acetate satin.
The page about this bear, "Vampire Crazy", includes four photographs of the creation of the bear: undressed, in pants, in pants and shirt (with the focus on the latter), and complete with cloak.
"Klaus Bearsing" was auctioned at the third Gerthering. The webpage also includes an informal photograph taken at the auction showing Geraint Wyn Davies holding the costumed bear.
===Nicholas B. Knight===
To depict Nick Knight in modern dress as he appeared in several episodes of Forever Knight, Brenda dressed a bear in black slacks, a dark button-down shirt, and red waistcoat with a tapestry-type design. In one paw was placed a miniature wine bottle, representing the character's "special stock" of bottled cow's blood. 
The page about the bear, "Knight Moves", includes three photographs of the creation of the bear: undressed, wearing shirt and slacks, and complete with waistcoat and bottle.
This bear was donated to the fan club to raise money for the club charities.
===Nicolas de Bearbant===
To depict Nicolas de Brabant, as he appeared in scenes set in 1228 at the time he was brought across, Brenda dressed a bear in a costume based on the one worn by Geraint Wyn Davies in the episode "Killer Instinct": a white chemise, a beige tunic, and an open, sleeveless burgundy robe. It also carried a miniature wine bottle.
The page about the bear, "Coming Across", includes four photographs of the creation of the bear: undressed, in chemise, in chemise and tunic, and fully dressed.
Brenda kept this bear for herself. Geraint Wyn Davies signed the left lower paw in gold Sharpie, which has faded over time.From "Re: Ger Bears Project", post made by Brenda Bell to FORKNI-L, 19 April 2021.
===Bear of Harps===
To depict Nicolas de Brabant, as he appeared in the flashback of the episode "Queen of Harps", Brenda dressed a bear in the costume worn by Geraint Wyn Davies in an outdoor scene where he is on horseback. This includes a white chemise, a dark green tunic, a short-sleeved burgundy overtunic, a riding tabard with gilt braid trim, a "chainmail" helmet, leather belt, and sword. 
The page about the bear, "Learning the Ropes", includes eight photographs of the creation of the bear. Two show the undressed bear, one being a close-up of the face. One shows it in chemise; one in chemise and tunic; and one in chemise, tunic, and overtunic. One shows the bear in these clothes plus the tabard and belt, while the final two show it fully dressed, one being a close-up.
This bear was given to Rosemary Shad, founder and president of the Geraint Wyn Davies Fan Club.From "Re: Ger Bears Project", post made by Brenda Bell to FORKNI-L, 19 April 2021.
===Beartual Reality===
To depict Nick Knight as he appeared in the episode "The Games Vampires Play", Brenda dressed a bear in the costume worn by Geraint Wyn Davies while "inside" the virtual reality game, i.e., black slacks and shocking pink shirt, along with the goggles that he wore while playing the game. Again, the costume included a miniature wine bottle in one of the bear's paws.
The page about the bear, "Games Vampbears Play", includes four photographs of the creation of the bear. Two show the undressed bear, one being a close-up of the face. One shows it in slacks and goggles, while the final one adds the "evil pink" shirt.
"Beartual Reality" was donated to the Geraint Wyn Davies Fan Club to raise money for the club's charities. It was sold through an internet auction. Several years later it was auctioned off again to raise money for another charity.From "Re: Ger Bears Project", post made by Brenda Bell to FORKNI-L, 19 April 2021.
===Nick Bearskill===
To depict the character of Nick Haskell from Black Harbour, Brenda dressed a bear in a typical costume for the character: plaid shirt and denim blue jeans. The costume also included a wristwatch and RayBan sunglasses ("for driving his blue Mustang convertible down the sleepy streets of this Atlantic Coast town"). 
The page about the bear, "Black Harbear", includes four photographs of the creation of the bear. Two show it undressed; one shows it in plaid shirt and sunglasses; and the last shows it fully dressed, with jeans and watch. 
An additional photograph on the page shows the creator, Brenda Bell, with the actor. He has his right arm around her, and "Nick Bearskill" in front of him. The bear was presented to him as a gift.From "Re: Ger Bears Project", post made by Brenda Bell to FORKNI-L, 19 April 2021.
==Fan Fiction==
During Forever Knight War 10, Brenda wrote "Nicolas de Bearbant" (the bear she had kept for herself) into some of the war posts she wrote for the faction with whom she was playing, the Celtic Glow Worms. The fictional version is not only a cuddly-looking animate teddy, he is a fanged blood-drinking vampire, who swears a lot and eagerly attacks anyone he thinks he can feed from. This "vampbear" was introduced in Brenda's arriving-in-Toronto post. 
 
The vampbear was also written into one post in War Fifteen, in which he was given his own honorary faction of fans, which was dubbed "the Teddies".
==External Links==
* photos
* The Ger Bear Project
* Gerthering 3 Photos ("thanks to Pat and Steph who held the camera for me during these!")
** Ger signs Nicolas de Bearbant
** Ger, Brenda, and Brenda's Ger Bear
==References==
Category:Crafts
Category:Dracula: the Series
Category:Forever Knight
Category:Forever Knight Websites
Category:Black Harbour
Category:Websites
Category:Tripod
Category:1997
Category:2021 Featured Articles