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Behind the Hoodie: The Story of The Bear Claw

Updated: 6 days ago

 

Some designs are just designs—but The Bear Claw  is something more. It’s a piece of the wild, a tribute to the untamed spirit of nature, and a reminder of the powerful creatures that roam the forests of Vancouver Island.


This design took six weeks of dedication, countless hikes, and a fair share of trial and error before we finally captured the perfect bear print. Here’s how it all came together.

 


Photographed by Carol Kelpin Art & Photography


Tracking the Perfect Print


We knew we wanted an authentic bear track, so we set out to find one the hard way—by tracking real black bears. Our search took us along rivers, well-known bear trails, and through community-reported sighting areas. Every other day, we’d venture into the wilderness, preparing prime locations by clearing away leaves, sticks, and rocks and compacting the mud in the hopes that a passing bear would leave behind a crisp impression.

Finding a print was one thing, but capturing it was another challenge entirely. Armed with jingling keys to warn any nearby “teddies” of our presence, we scouted for fresh tracks—hopefully not too fresh! Once we found a promising print, we mixed plaster on-site and carefully poured it into the track, letting it set for several hours before extracting it.




Black Bear footprints left in the muddy forests of Vancouver Island, BC
Black Bear footprints left in the muddy forests of Vancouver Island, BC

Trials and Tribulations


Our first attempt ended in disappointment when we had returned to find a leaf had disturbed the casting. Perseverance and dedication is what moved us forward.


The second and third attempts were equally disappointing we had found some deep, detailed Bear Prints left near our local hatchery which seemed promising until we realized that, like many of the other mud impressions that we found, these too the pinky toe was barely visible! We had learned that black bears often place little weight on their pinky toes, making it common for them not to show up in tracks. It was an unexpected challenge we hadn’t anticipated.


By the fourth attempt, our patience was wearing thin, but our determination remained strong. The thrill of the "hunt"and the challenge of capturing the perfect print kept us going. Finally, on our fifth attempt, luck was on our side. Early one morning, we set out again, following a muddy trail where a bear had recently walked downhill. The moment we spotted the track, we knew it was different—it was crisp, intact, and showed every detail, including the elusive pinky toe! We carefully poured our plaster and anxiously waited, knowing this could finally be the one. Hours later, when we lifted the cast, we saw it was flawless. The excitement was overwhelming—after weeks of trial and error, we had finally done it! We casted the PERFECT Black Bear Print!



The final plaster casting of a 400-500 lb bear print
The final plaster casting of a 400-500 lb bear print

From Track to Stamp


Once we had our perfect casting, the next step was turning it into a stampable design.


We meticulously cleaned out any dirt from the plaster before making a silicone mold. However, in our excitement, we underestimated the amount of silicone we needed. With only minutes before the mixture solidified, we had to improvise. We ran outside, grabbed decorative rocks and pebbles from the side of the house, and carefully dropped them into the mixture to raise the silicone level. It worked—but to this day, the mold contains 20-30 little embedded stones, a hilarious reminder of our frantic problem-solving.


With our silicone mold complete, we created a resin replica, capturing the raw power and beauty of a 400-500 lb black bear.


The final print measures about seven inches across, and we are able to get such a clear and detailed casting of not only her claws but also the little pinky skin pad, —a rare feature, as black bears usually walk with their claws retracted. However, since this bear was walking downhill, she needed her claws for grip, leaving behind an incredible impression that now lives on in our designs.




Our resin Bear Claw measuring at 7 inch. Displayed in store
Our resin Bear Claw measuring at 7 inch. Displayed in store

A Story in Every Print


The 'Bear Claw' isn’t just a design or a piece of clothing—it’s a testament to the adventure, patience, and respect we have for nature. Every time you wear it, you’re carrying a piece of the wild with you, a symbol of the untamed and raw beauty of the Pacific Northwest.


We hope you love this design as much as we loved bringing it to life.


Thank you for supporting The Mossy Coast and sharing in our journey to create truly authentic, nature-inspired apparel.






"Everything we create at The Mossy Coast tells a story, but 'The Bear Claw' is particularly special to us. It reminds us that the wild is both unpredictable and awe-inspiring. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share this story with you and hope it becomes a cherished part of your wardrobe. Thank you for being part of our journey."


Keep Adventuring,

Rochelle + Michaela




The Bear Claw Hoodie: Hand-stamped with a real bear print.

This video shows how The Mossy Coast found, created, and designed The Bear Claw

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