About Us
Privately owned and family run, The Bear Paw Gift & Craft opened in August, 1988.
Alice Freeman, A well known Gaelic singer from Cape Breton was formerly a nurse, but decided to quit in 1987 to explore a different path. It was then that she had time to do some quilting, as well as take weaving lessons.
The first quilt Alice completed was a traditional pattern called ‘The Bear Paw’. This became the namesake of her new venture as well as the catalist for her new nick name: "Mama Bear". Soon after that, and somewhat auspiciously, the idea of having a gift and craft shop developed and soon became a reality. And now it is 20+ years old!
It has been amazing how many people – tourists, expat Cape Bretoners, Scottish researchers – have an interest in the still strong Scottish culture here in Cape Breton.
We call the Bear Paw a ‘shop with a celtic climate’; Alice weaves Scottish tartan throws to order, we carry as much celtic jewelry as we can, clan books, clan giftware, and loads of independent music – fiddlers, piano players, pipers, and as many instructional fiddle/piano/pipe music books as we can.
Alice still runs the show at the Bear Paw and she loves to talk, visit, tell stories, and give Gaelic lessons.
Please do not hesitate to call ; We'd love to hear from you!
Alice Freeman, A well known Gaelic singer from Cape Breton was formerly a nurse, but decided to quit in 1987 to explore a different path. It was then that she had time to do some quilting, as well as take weaving lessons.
The first quilt Alice completed was a traditional pattern called ‘The Bear Paw’. This became the namesake of her new venture as well as the catalist for her new nick name: "Mama Bear". Soon after that, and somewhat auspiciously, the idea of having a gift and craft shop developed and soon became a reality. And now it is 20+ years old!
It has been amazing how many people – tourists, expat Cape Bretoners, Scottish researchers – have an interest in the still strong Scottish culture here in Cape Breton.
We call the Bear Paw a ‘shop with a celtic climate’; Alice weaves Scottish tartan throws to order, we carry as much celtic jewelry as we can, clan books, clan giftware, and loads of independent music – fiddlers, piano players, pipers, and as many instructional fiddle/piano/pipe music books as we can.
Alice still runs the show at the Bear Paw and she loves to talk, visit, tell stories, and give Gaelic lessons.
Please do not hesitate to call ; We'd love to hear from you!
About Alice
Alice. lovingly known around here as "Mama Bear", was born of Gaelic speaking parents, in Scotsville. It was not the trend in those days to have your children speaking Gaelic, so although the parents sometimes conversed in Gaelic, it was not used when speaking with kids. And so, Alice did not grow up speaking Gaelic as even a second language to English.
Her father, Neil Allan MacLean, was in the habit of singing a Gaelic song or two as either pastime, or when out and about visiting other homes, when ‘making a ceilidh’.
In preparation for the 1986 Expo in Vancouver, a group of Inverness County singers, organized to perform a milling frolic in the Canadian pavilion there. Alice was part of that group. With the help of older, native Gaelic speakers and singers, the group learned some milling songs and went out west to perform.
Once the Expo gig was over Alice was hooked. The group continued to meet, dissecting Gaelic songs together, and learning more Gaelic thru their translation. Also since then, Alice has attended some summer programs at the University of Edinborough.
Though we have designed a website, Alice much prefers people to ring her on the telephone for a good chat. She has no time for emailing, blogging, or any other internet based interaction because she is too busy living, singing and enjoying a good old fashioned concersation. So give her a shout ... fair warning - it won’t be a short conversation!
Her father, Neil Allan MacLean, was in the habit of singing a Gaelic song or two as either pastime, or when out and about visiting other homes, when ‘making a ceilidh’.
In preparation for the 1986 Expo in Vancouver, a group of Inverness County singers, organized to perform a milling frolic in the Canadian pavilion there. Alice was part of that group. With the help of older, native Gaelic speakers and singers, the group learned some milling songs and went out west to perform.
Once the Expo gig was over Alice was hooked. The group continued to meet, dissecting Gaelic songs together, and learning more Gaelic thru their translation. Also since then, Alice has attended some summer programs at the University of Edinborough.
Though we have designed a website, Alice much prefers people to ring her on the telephone for a good chat. She has no time for emailing, blogging, or any other internet based interaction because she is too busy living, singing and enjoying a good old fashioned concersation. So give her a shout ... fair warning - it won’t be a short conversation!
