Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Jane,
So sorry about your ink stain!
Boy, have I had a lot of experience with ink stains! ... says the woman who like to carry pens in her pocket but forgets to take the out before doing the laundry...LOL

Shari is right about the rubbing alcohol. It will take most inks right out of cloth at least. I'm not sure how it would do on ultrasuede, it won't hurt it but you might need to use a little mild soap and water after the alcohol.
Alcohol works like a charm on black Sharpie ink. I've never tried it on the new colored sharpie inks. It doesn't work as well on some gel inks. Hydrogen peroxide works on many gel inks but might lighten you paw pad. (FYI peroxide makes iodine, betadine, blood stains disappear like magic if they aren't too old.) Hair spray also works on some inks but then you have to wash the hair spray out.

Good luck!

Boy is my head spinning! I've been taking notes, but I think I'm more confused than ever about pricing. Everyone has presented some very valid points and a lot of great info that I will be thinking about for a while.

I agree that how you price and sell your bears is your own business, but it does affect others sellers too. Certain business principles are the same no matter what the product is. No single bearmaker is an industry to him/herself. In my humble opinion, If a bear artist wants to be in business for the long term, they must consider the overall picture of the artist bear industry as a whole. If the artist bear business in general is suffering, then all.. well, most artists will suffer too. As a part of the industry, I think we should promote the industry, not damage it, and in doing so, we promote our own business too. On the other hand, we want to sell our bears, even if we have to take a little less to start just so we can make more bears and hopefully become better known as our skills develope gradually get better prices for our bears. 

Finding a happy medium is really hard. Which leads me to the question(s) on my mind:
When I get ready to start selling bears, as a new bear artist how do I price my bears? I've read past posts that recommend $10-$15/inch to start.  Is this really a reasonable starting point for a rank beginner or should a beginner expect a little less to start with? I have been told not to start low because people expect your prices to stay there and it is hard to raise you prices without losing customers. Would it be better to ask an average price ($10-$15/inch range) and stick with it, making as many bears as I can afford and trying to get as much exposure in as many different places as I can, and just wait it out keeping my fingers crossed even if they don't sell at first? 

I know pricing has been covered in the past and I've read many of the posts but I would be interested to know how all of you handled this when you were starting out. (If this has already been specifically covered in past posts, just direct me to the posts, I must have missed it.)

Such cute and well dressed bears! Well done.
:clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Wow Fran! She's gorgeous and so elegant in her lovely dress.   You'd better get busy making another one because someone will snap this beauty right up!

hugs,

Happy, Happy Birthday and Happy New year!!!

  :dance: :bday:  :cake:  :cake:  :cake:  :bday:  :dance:

I hope you have a wonderful day and a great year!!

Although I haven't been here long, and as a bear maker I am greener than green, I have gained sooo much here. I am looking forward to a whole new year of Teddy Talk and teddy making! So I just wanted to thank everyone at Teddy Talk  for making it the great place it is. 

Thank you to all the wonderful bear artists for sharing you wisdom and know-how with greenhorns like me. I have literally spent hours searching and reading posts, getting an education in bear-making right here. The amount of knowledge here is amazing yet is totally eclipsed by the amount of talent and the sharing, caring attitude of the members. I genuinely appreciate it.

Thank you to all the members... artist, collector, new, verteran, experienced or not. It is such a lovely treat to come here and 'visit' with bear lovers from all over the globe. You make TT special.   Thank You!

Thank you to all the advisors for keeping things flowing smoothly in such a diplomatic, friendly, intelligent and tech-wizardly way. You're all great.

And thank you to Intercal for making TT possible!

So here is wishing all of you a joyful, prosperous new year full of lots of good things, including (but not limited to..) good health, love, blessings, and teddy bears!

With a few fun surprises thrown in for good measure.

Happy New Year!!!

Congratulations Danni!
:dance:  :dance:  :dance:

What an awsome job you have done!
:clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Here's to a looong and successful 'life' for Bearwitched!!

Happy New Year to you too Rita. Thank you for sharing the wonderful glimpse into Scottish tradition and history I thoroughly enjoyed it!

hugs,

I can't decide who is luckier, Julia with such a beautiful new bear or Merry with such a wonderful new family. It's a perfect match!   Congratulations Julia, Merry is very special. :hug:   
Lovely work Judi! :clap:

hugs,

There both very cute Kim!  Like Dilu said, their eyes get your attentin right away. Well done!   Julia will be thrilled. :dance:
:clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

hug,

What wild and wonderful creations!! I love them!

:clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

You all never cease to amaze and delight with your talent and creativity!

hugs,

I don't know why your bashful about showing you work either Deb, it's great! Giggle is sooo cute   and cuddly looking and obviously a great comfort to his new mom. What more could you ask of a bear?
:clap:  :clap:  :clap:
Great job Deb.

Hugs, :hug:

Yahoo! Congratulations of the house offer! :dance:

I will say a little prayer that the deal goes through for you. :pray:

Sorry I can't help with the internet service question.    Here in the wooly woods, all we get is dial-up which is very sloooooooowwwwwww....

hugs,

Beautiful website glenys!  Your beautifu creations look right at home there.   Excellent job.

:clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Great photos Estelle, thanks for sharing. I love seeing pics from around the world!

I'm so glad this turned out all right after all you went through!! Whew!

hugs, :hug:

It's so funny that you should start this thread Dilu. I just came across Mary's name for the first time yesterday elswhere on the net. I spent a good hour all agog at her amazing work and the prices she gets for them!  Whew!
Very inspiring!
Still, right now I would just be happy to (some day) make bears that people want to buy. (preferably on a fairly regular basis and at a bit of a profit otherwise I won't be making bears long!! lol.)

Kudos to Mary Halstad!! :clap:

Well, I'm not a professional but I think your site is lovely. 'Enchanting' would be an even better word to describe it. It is the perfect showcase for your wonderful creations. Well done!
:clap:  :clap:  :clap:

hugs,

Hi Heather,

I don't know how to install whiskers so I'm not much help there, (sorry!    ) but I did see some whiskers on
CR Crafts' site the other day           the url is www.crscrafts.com

they are only 85 cents and it says they are a 'natural fibers' but doesn't say what sort of fiber. Hope that helps.

I'm looking forward to seeing what others have to say about attaching them!

hugs,

Lucky Dilu! How great to get two bears for Christmas! And what an adorable bear Terrie made! He looks happy with his new friends. Yay for all of you!! :clap:

Your bears are wonderful. I can't tell which i like the best.... I think the panda... But I really like the sleepy twins....  and fatso is soo cute.... (fatso kinda reminds how I felt after our Christmas feast yesterday ~groan~) and the wee bee bear really makes me smile... 

:clap:  :clap:  :clap:

What a sweetheart Patsy! I love her color and her pansies!
:clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Count me in SueAnn!! What a great idea. thanks for starting this.  There is nothing like public accountability to keep me motivated! 
After I quit smoking several years a go, I gained a lot of weight. ugh. I hate it. I lost quite a bit last summer but somehow lost steam in the fall and really fell off the diet wagon this past week.   I find it harder to lose weight in the winter but MUST get back on track!!! I have at least another 30 pounds to lose, maybe even 40 and I'm determined to do it!

Yes, I can see it! What a great visual. When I exercise, I will have this in my head!

Great idea Shari! I would buy one.

This is very cool! Thanks Jo-Ann!

I'm just catching up on this post and I'm so sorry everyone is feeling so stressed! This can be such a hectic time of year!  I've gotten most everything done that I need to... what I don't get done will not ruin Christmas so I have decided not to let it get to me.

Chrissie, I'm sorry about your Grandad. My heart goes out to you. I tend to think of the loved ones I've lost more at this time of year. I miss them terribly. When I get to feeling too sad about missing them, I revisit all the memories I have of the good times we shared and think about how blessed I am to have had them in my life. Big hugs to you. :hug:

Big, Big hugs to you Winney too,  I'm so glad you are feeling better and for your mystery angel's gift! Your keepsake spiders sound like very special gifts. I've never heard that legend, but would like to. Take care of yourself and I hope the new year is one of good health and many more lovely surprises for you! :hug:

Brenda, your memory ornaments are a great idea. Things like this can mean so much.

Helena, What a heartwarming story! I would probable be crying too, when I opened that gift.

My Christmas wish for everone is to have everything caught up and sorted out and to be able to relax and enjoy their families and their holiday. Warm wishes and blessings to all of you!