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Cynical folks might say that you could claim....for example...that you were an award winner if you table at a fair was judged second best.
Jenny I haven't done a bear show that gives an award for table display. Now you've got me curious...does anyone know if any of the Australian shows give awards for tables?
But back to your lady with the letter...she needs to do some research of her own...as a collector if I was worried and in doubt, I'd ask the bear artist themselves about their Claim to Fame.
I have photos of my awards in my portfolio that I take with me to shows so this has never been a problem for me.
Sorry Jenny...that's the best I can do.
Big hugs,
As for putting the words "award winning artist" on auctions, ads, etc., why not, if you have earned it? I think it's OK to be proud of your accomplishments and want to share.
Is having won an award a selling point? I believe for some collectors it is a factor, which is why I include this information in my listings. I expect that most collectors purchase what moves them. (I do.)They may be impressed with a particular artist's style or the awards she has won, or admire extensive details on a piece, and appreciate fine craftsmanship, but what makes a collector take home a particular piece is that it speaks to them in some way.
I have been thinking about this whole thread and I agree with Tami whole heartedly on both the above.
Just think for a minute, how do you buy your clothes?
Some women buy what they can afford, others buy on impulse, some only ever look for designer labels and others just buy with the heart, some buy whether it suits them or not!
I don't really think it's any different buying a bear! Some will look for a bargain on Ebay, others browse the websites and buy on impulse, some only ever buy from Award Winners or recognised names and others buy just because they love it so much they can't possibly go through life without it.
(Last one's me with Lisa's JJ, I asked her for him well before he became famous. I think I just about drove her round the twist with my emails! :redface:)
Anyway that's my 10c worth!
Big hugs,
Thanks Lisa for clarifying that, I thought it would, as most of our Oz comps use much the same guidelines.
Hugs,
Sandi
Paula's concern was: thus adding potentially unnecessary detailing which could be detrimental to the appeal of the overall bear
Krista: I trust you mean you would be entering a bear that was designed initially with claws as part of the aesthetics of the overall design...not something you added on just to try and gain points.
The only problem I can see with this type of marking system, if used for competition judging, is that bear designers may feel they need to incorporate 'extra effort' detailing to achieve those all important extra 10 marks, thus adding potentially unnecessary detailing which could be detrimental to the appeal of the overall bear.
Paula: When I first entered a comp here, I didn't even know how the points were issued so the bears I submitted went in exactly as I had designed them...to the best of my ability at the time.
Bears I have entered since receiving my first critique sheet have been those where I have tried to improve the areas pointed out in the first critiques. I have never even thought of designing a bear to suit the score sheet, nor would I.
Especially as the overall appeal is a major consideration scoring 20 points. Why would anyone jeopardise those points to score an extra 10 somewhere else? I can't see the sense in that at all.
Lisa: Do you also issue a written sheet from the TABA judges? I have always found these comments to be really beneficial especially when they explain the reason behind the lost point or two.
...silly isn't it that i would make the aussie awards less important in my mind...
I couldn't have said it better Sarah.....SILLY THOUGHT INDEED!
I think the Aussie system of competition far outways those where winners can be determined by the amount of friends and rellies one has to cast votes on ones behalf!
But I do think judges should be impartial (not include their own personal preferance) and as most of our comps are based on a points system (similar to the way dolls are judged - tush tags concealed) I think winning a comp in Oz has a lot of merit.
I don't expect all will agree with me and I'm not trying to influence anyone else's opinion, but I'm exercising the right to submit mine.
Hugs,
Thanks for the news Sophie. Thank heavens it was only the computer and the bird that carked it!
May they both rest in peace!
Hugs,
Well what a bunch of talented ladies you all are. Just an absolutely wonderful thread full of artwork!
Here are some of my decorated boxes...I used to love making the flowers to go on top and it was a great way to use up my old bridal fabrics.
This is what I love doing now, as companion pieces for my bears. I design them, Glenn cuts them out and assembles them and then I paint them. It's been a great way to keep him involved and it's something we can share.
The sled is one of my favourite pieces that I have done so far.
Hugs,
Jenny you'll get some varied replies to this post I'll bet.
Personally, I haven't entered a competition for a very long time, but the times I did, it wasn't so much to gain an award but to receive the critique that came with it.
I think hands on competitions that give an unbiased and constructive critique are good for up and coming bear artists to help them hone their skills and I would encourage anyone wanting to improve their workmanship to enter. By 'hands on' I mean the judges get to see the actual bear and can examine the workmanship, not just a photograph.
Sending in a photo and being nominated for an award doesn't make one an award winning artist...winning several awards does! However, having said that, it doesn't mean your work sucks if you don't win either!
If I was to enter a competition these days it would only be for a bit of fun...or to make myself stretch a little!
And in regards to that letter...it's only the opinion of one collector!
Hugs,
Great :photo: girls,
This is my Woody at my Mum's in the heat of summer ... never uses his bowl for a drink!
In his basket at home with all his belongings.
For those who haven't seen him on my website here he is being a COOL DUDE!
We just love him to pieces...spoilt rotten and rules the house.
Hugs,
I've enjoyed this thread immensely. A trip down memory lane is nice from time to time ... keeps your feet on the ground!
Here's my contribution (thank heavens I keep records of all my bears):
My first bear Howie made from a pattern 1996.
One of my first designs, Briar and Brambles 1996.
My first design with boobs Delilah (Charity Bear) 2003.
My most recent design will be appearing later this week.
Hugs,
or should I say, I have always been, up until a lot of shows were cancelled ... but have now decided to try Bid4Bears rather than Ebay ... it's more bear focussed (besides which, I'd rather pay auction fees to a "bear person", than some big company that only cares about itself)!!!
Hugs,
I'm so glad that the day went well for you Laura ... after putting so much hard work into the organising, you certainly deserved it !!!
Thanks for posting the outcome, I'd been thinking about you...the photos on the website are fabulous, what a great time you must have had.
Hugs,
I have high school French (but failed it!).
Oh I am so glad I wasn't the only one. I'm absolutely hopeless at foreign language...so I'm no help at all. :redface:
Good Luck Kim ... I hope you get a sale!
Hugs,
Congrats once again Sarah Jane ... Now you have no excuse for hiding ... you can use this photo behind your avatar!
Hugs,
After ten years of designing...how many would you expect?
Two archive boxes full!
But of late, I have been working with only three of four basic patterns that have lots of interchangable limbs.
Hugs,
Oh Charlotte he is wonderful...congratulations on the birth of your dragon! :clap: :clap: :clap:
Hugs,
WOW! A wee little doggy...he's cute. I agree with Wendy he would make a great bear companion.
Well done Tammy! :clap: :clap: :clap:
Hugs,
Just love your Opie's Judi...they are georgous!
:clap: :clap: :clap:
An Opie's on my list of must have.
Big Hugs,
Possibly because when you do see one sitting upright on it's bottom, the front paws seem to be right angles with its body. I don't think I have ever seen one with its arm outstretched! :crackup: But I have seen :photo: bears in the wild with arms going in all directions...anyone would think they were waving hello!
Certainly not knocking the tip...it's a great one and one I have used time to time when designing traditional bears, but I have also worked on the way I stuff because this often can cause the 'deformity' too!
Hugs,
