Dori Vogel

Hi Everyone… My name is Dori Vogel! Dreaming Bear Designs is a dream that became a reality (officially) in 2000. I have always enjoyed creating -  starting at a very young age with scraps of fabric, scissors and glue. At about the age of seven, I claimed our family room as my own personal art gallery. I  have always imagined a place where I could create anything I wanted, and sell it to people who love happy things.

Over the years, my interests and tastes have evolved into what they are today. My passion is fun, funky color, playful motifs, and inspiring words. While I was working at a stifling “real” job in the corporate world during the day, something magical happened at night after I tucked the kids into bed. Flying hearts and magic wands started emerging out of my busy little hands! Blue candles decorated with puffy white clouds, and zebra striped martini glasses were appearing.

One night, I sketched a dreamy eyed little bear wearing a top hat. And right then and there, Dreaming Bear Designs was born. (Dreaming Bear was the last name of a spirited, feisty woman I met during my travels. We had a wonderful connection, and I told her that someday I would name something after her. She laughed, and years later, viola!  But that my friends, is a chapter for another day!

I continued working the day job for several years, while peddling my wares through various venues; including local gift shops and art fairs. This later turned into a wholesale business as well, with my work exhibited in major markets such as Chicago, Minneapolis and Atlanta. Before I knew it, I was selling my whimsical creations to 150 gift and specialty stores across the nation. I was blessed with more work than I could handle, and eventually I took the leap and left my “day job” in 2004. Since then, I haven’t looked back! My first retail store opened in the spring of 2004 in historic downtown Marion, Iowa. We have recently expanded the store to include an art studio in the back, where I host art parties and workshops. Recently I was “discovered” by Camelot Cottons while exhibiting at an art show not far from home. It has been a wonderful and exciting challenge to design a line of fabric and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Designer Collections

	Fiesta by Dori Vogel How can you go wrong with Black, White and colors!!! Dori Vogel has done it again...come check out her latest group - FIESTA!!!
	My Heart Comes Home To You Our loved ones are what makes life worth living, and they are what makes a house a home. I love the idea of happy little houses all in a row, each one filled with laughter and play.