Teddy bear lovers can now order the "bear" essentials necessary to build a new friend at home.

A new Provo-based company, Tykes Teddy Bears, opened up online last week offering affordable components to build stuffed animals.

Jeremy Sims, of Provo, and Brett Bradshaw, of Orem, launched the new company May 2 at the Provo Women's Expo at UVSC . The teddy bear company invited expo attendees to learn more about the company and register for the chance to win some bear materials.

The company is Web based and easy to order products from. The Web site, www.tykesteddybears.com, is now up and running.

Sims and Bradshaw first met up as coworkers in a local Chili's. Bradshaw's father had some contacts with wholesale companies for materials and Sims agreed to the idea of setting up a teddy bear business. The Build-A-Bear company has had great success in the mall industry, but Sims and Bradshaw said they wanted to give children an at-home experience of making bears.

Sims' favorite part about the company is that the children stuff the bears and create a bond with their project.

"It helps them be more creative," Sims said.

The creative side of building these bears is more than stuffing and sewing.

"We're offering them something they can't find at stores," Brett Bradshaw said.

Customers can order bears with a variety of outfits like a cheerleading uniform or cowboy attire. Blank T-shirts for bears are also available so they can be doodled on.

Lauren Sims, wife of co-owner Jeremy Sims, said she loves the idea of an at-home bear building party. It is easy for moms and great for the children.

"It's fun that they can learn themselves," Lauren Sims said.

Tykes Teddy Bears isn't just for children, though. Making teddy bears can make a great "date night," said Jeremy and Lauren Sims.

"It's a different kind of idea," Lauren Sims said.

College students can have a double date to make bears for each other. Everyone goes home with a personalized gift to remember the night.

In the future, Tykes Teddy Bears plans to do charity work. The company already donated some bears and materials to a private school in California and hopes to work with Boy Scouts' charity events and other humanitarian services.

Bear packages start at $15 for the basics, up to $25.