Peggy Hatton of DeKalb is the owner of her own custom-made “Liberty Bear,” a teddy bear with patriotic symbols on its feet. She made the bear at Saturday’s Noah’s Ark “Stuff-N-Fluff” open house.

With places like Build-A-Bear Workshop appearing at Navy Pier in Chicago and Woodfield Shopping Center in Schaumburg, people now are able to personalize classic stuffed animals. It’s also a way for kids to have an hour of fun that does not involve hours of scraping finger paint out of the carpet.

Noah’s Ark Stuff-N-Fluff Workshop is a similar business that has opened in DeKalb. Founded in 2003 by Dina Kriescher, Noah’s Ark provides both adults and children with quality and affordable teddy bears and stuffed animals while giving the chance to personalize them.

Debbie Williams, a five-year DeKalb resident, has brought the bear-stuffing industry to DeKalb.

Williams, a mother of 17-year-old twins, was working from home doing data entry when she was laid off. A friend told her about the Stuff-N-Fluff Workshop and she said she decided to give it a try.

She said after seeing how much fun children have while making their own stuffed animals, she decided to participate in the business.

Once contacted, Williams will come to your home or business and provide all of the materials needed to stuff and personalize a bear, kitten, pig or other animal.

She said this is a great activity for birthday parties, baby showers, play groups and other social events. While attending a Hello Kitty-themed birthday party once, she said that the little girls made themselves kittens. Children get the opportunity to choose an animal, stuff it, “make a wish” on a rainbow star they place inside, zip it up, then give it a name, gift certificate and an outfit, she said.

Contact Debbie Williams at 753-5369 for more information, or visit www.noahsarkworkshop.com.