after the storm

after the storm
Welcome autumn!

Thursday, August 27, 2015

on a search ...

West Elm came out with the cutest plates for the holiday season in 2013.


I was recovering from surgery and wasn't allowed to do much of anything. We don't have a West Elm here but once I was able to sit at my computer again, I started having fun just window shopping. (Is there a comparable expression for when you are doing it on your computer? Windows shopping?) Well, by the time I realized I could not resist the Dapper Animal plates, Mr. Bear was no longer available.

I had a very friendly, helpful West Elm employee on the phone trying to track them down for me. A couple of times, I thought I had it but realized the clerk I was talking with had confused the badger with the bear. I became ridiculously obsessed. I needed Mr. Bear. My original thought was to get some for my son's girlfriend because they had several bear encounters while camping. I couldn't find even one so sending her a set wasn't going to happen. I sent requests to West Elm to carry them again. My husband had business trips in cities that were lucky enough to have a West Elm and he checked. No luck.


All the other animals would be in stock for a while and then disappear, only to show up again so of course, I keep looking. Mr. Bear is the only one who has not done this. In my desperation, I even tracked down talented artist, designer, Rachel Kozlowski's email, asking her if she knew if any were available ANYWHERE. She was very gracious to me despite the fact that as I am typing this, I realize that I was behaving like a stalker. No luck.

They even came out with Mr. Bear tea towels but I wanted the plates. No luck.

Last year, they had a Dapper Animal set all dressed up for the holidays in black, white and gold. No luck.


Still no Mr. Bear with his adorable hat that always makes me think of my brother. It's even my favorite, a buffalo plaid. I wish this story had a happy ending but it doesn't. I check eBay and Etsy regularly. I check West Elm obsessively.

A few weeks ago, West Elm came out with a new set of Dapper Animal plates.
There is a bear but it is not Mr. Bear. He just isn't the same. I am sure a few of these will find their way to my table. We are University of Arizona Wildcat fans so the wildcat dressed up in his reindeer sweater may be hard to resist. And look at the moose!

I am a West Elm fan. I have many of their dessert/salad plates. They always seem to have ones that have a little something extra. I have always had excellent customer service from West Elm too. I have had orders that have gotten mixed up and they have always made it good and quickly. I so appreciate their helpful employees especially ones who are patient with a bear-plate-hunting crazy woman.

I have to say these are probably my West Elm favorites, by Shanna Murray, for Thanksgiving or any time we want to celebrate around our table. I have two of these, for each of my children. I hope they will be home to see them this year.


I have enough of these to have one for everyone else, at least for now. It is so hard to decide how many plates to buy when the family keeps growing and growing.























I have some extras of the original Dapper Animals if anyone wants to make a trade. I promise I will give Mr. Bear a very good home.

Mr. Owl looks ready for fall!

(Disclaimer: Pictures 1,2,4 and 5 came from the West Elm website. The rest are mine.) I am joining Susan and others at Between Naps on the Porch.

15 comments:

eileeninmd said...

The plates are so cute, I love the owl! Have a happy day!

Gayle Kesinger said...

I have seven of the plates but no Mr. Bear. My favorites are Miss Doe and Miss Bunny. I will check our West Elm in Dallas for Mr. Bear.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful plates! I wish you the best of luck in your search for the bear.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I hope you find Mr. Bear!! The plates are CUTE!!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

I didn't know West Elm sold dishes! Those are cute. I assume you tried Ebay to find Mr. Bear? I hope you can find him- I know what it's like once you get your heart set on something like that.

angryparsnip said...

I love West Elm.
My problem is I want the badger and when ever I find a dish that has one it is sold out.
Like you I am a Wildcat fan so I must look up the Wildcat one today.
I hope you find Mr. Bear he is a cutie.

cheers, parsnip

Sarah said...

We have a West Elm in Austin, so I'll keep my eyes open. You never know what might show up at the thrift stores. I understand your disappointment. I was smitten with the series but didn't buy them. Then last year, a friend sent me some of the gold and white ~ the ram and the owl. I adore them, but didn't add the two other designs with the female animals. Regret! ;-)
Good luck. I hope you find your bear.

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

I have seen these plates and I love them. I'm a West Elm fan, too, and a plate fan in general. Really, it's like a sickness, I need a 12-step program to keep me from buying more.

Chloe Crabtree said...

I understand your hunt for your Mr. Bear plates. I created a 'Bollywood' tablescape last year and was only able to find 3 of 4 patterns of plates at World Market. Turns out a dear reader of my blog found the one I needed, and I found one she needed and we sent them to each other. I fell for the Dapper Owl plates from West Elm and I created a fun holiday tablescape with them. You can see it here: http://celebrateanddecorate.com/a-dapper-owl-holiday-tablescape/

Thanks so much for stopping by Celebrate and Decorate!

thepaintedapron.com said...

I really had to restrain myself from buying those West Elm plates, I am crazy for them!! I hope you find your Mr. Bear!!!
Jenna

Salmagundi said...

You are a true plate-aholic -- such dedication. I hope you find Mr. Bear. I bet someone in blogland will find him for you. Good luck. Sally

Mary said...

I can relate to being obsessed over dishes Barbara! I was going to suggest you create an alert from eBay but see you're checking regularly. I'll keep my fingers crossed that one turns up. The new series of Dapper Animal plates are cute too, especially the owl :)

candlelightsupper said...

I love your dishes. They are so charming. I also love your photo of the Bunny on your Blog.

Lulu said...

Even when I don't buy anything, I love going to West Elm to see what is new. Often, the bonus is their table settings always overloaded with fun stuff. I'm always happy to see your posts with your beautiful photos.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Wow, I learned something today. Cute dishes from West elm. They are so sweet.