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Burlison BearsI've been contacted by a bear store called Bearpaths and the lady has sent me an email asking if I'd like to participate in sending some of my bears to be in her fall show this October...supposedly it is an online show. I don't know anything about it, really. This lady has bought 2 of my bears from me on ebay and has told me that doing one of her show's is by invitation only. Has anyone on here participated in this? Can you give me the scoop/details, how it works...etc. I've never even done a real show, let alone an online show. Would like to know as much as possible.
MerBear Originalsif it's an on-line show - why does she need the bears there? Penny's show is also on-line but the collectors contact you by email and you send the bears out yourself.
Marion
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)I'd Most definitely respond, Eliza!! I've worked with Diane and her staff for 6 or 7 years. She (and Bear Paths in Cleveland OH) is totally reliable and has a great presence online.
Click on the list of Artists she's worked with and you'll find the top names in the bear biz as well as newcomers.
She runs a 'quality ship'!
It is an honor to have been asked to have Bear Paths represent you!
Every Monday night there is an online 'show'. She also runs an 'Orphans' line, so if you have some bears that you think could go to other homes, send Diane pix for her consideration.
For the 3 or 4 annual themed shows, it s by invitation only.
Now about Bear Paths shipping - this is a distinct ADVANTAGE!!
First, Diane does all of the photography herself, which is a plus for those not equipped to take excellent, professional, quality images. She does this for uniformity online - and they're photographed with the most wonderful vintage & antique accessories so they're really set off to best advantage! - and it really saves Diane time in trying to get others's images to become only the most clear, crisp images she will use to display your work.
Secondly - the % taken is MUCH smaller than other ppl repping bear artists, and
3 - Bear Paths handles all of the packing and shipping and it is another quality feature.
She welcomes anyone sending her images and descriptions of their work for approval and it's an honor to've been contacted by Diane and her Bear Paths staff to handle your work.
Congrats!!!
I've worked with Bear Paths many, many times. In fact I sold my first bears through them. Owner Diane is very professional and does her best to photograph and present your bears to her collectors; there's no work for you except to send them to her. I'm not going to reveal my own financial arrangement with her because she might work differently with every artist, but generally, shop owners -- online shops OR brick and mortar shops -- either buy your work at a discount, OR take a commission off your set price.
My first two bears sold the very night they previewed and my bearmaking career was off and running and for that, I owe Diane a huge debt of gratitude. The only reason I don't continue to make regular appearances at Bear Paths is that I am terrible with deadlines and get all stressed out about them, so it was better for me to withdraw from all such arrangements and work just for myself.
Penny doesn't own a real-world shop per se (that I know of, anyway!) but is running a wonderful online venture that's more of a virtual "storefront" and acts as an online middle-man between artist and collector, leaving her out of the loop of the actual transaction itself except for setting it up in the first place and introducing collector to artist.
Diane, in contrast, actually does own a real brick and mortar shop in Cleveland, Ohio, where she also showcases the work of her artists and even has a place for visitors to rest if they need a b&b type room for the night! She likes to photograph the bears herself for consistency in her Plum Club showcase, and she takes time to style each one with pretty accessories from her other offerings (antiques, etc.)
Both methods are fabulous ways to market bears, but each looks different and operates differently. And you'll find all retailers handle things just a bit differently. Which is okay! Variety is the spice of life, and all that. :)
Just be sure that before you get into any arrangements with her or anyone, you know what you're getting in to!
Edited to add: Ha! Me and Bobbie were writing at the same time! Great minds... ;)
Hope this helps!
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)LOL from me too, Shelli!
And the best part is that point-for-point, we agree on all of their shop policies!
I just couldn't think of 'Plum Club' (the shop I visited was an old victorian in downtown and painted a pretty Plum color but they've since moved around the coner and I don't know if the color has been kept!) but then your memory is a generation younger than mine!!!
BruinwerksMy advice is to LISTEN to what their expectations are and to spell out VERY CLEARLY in writing what your expectations are. I'm glad Shelli and Bobbie had such a great experience with them but I know of others that would not echo their glowing recommendation. 
Cheryl 
Burlison BearsThank you everyone for your opinions, including those who sent me pm's. It is good to hear both sides on this. I have decided to take a chance and send a couple of my bears for her Fall Show. I hope it will all go well. Hopefully, the exposure alone will make it worth it.
Thanks everybody! :hug:
