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He-He Sandra...It's a 'wait and see' bear...and goodness only knows how it'll turn out...but the reality was that I couldn't put my hand on the pattern pieces in the jumble that was my pattern 'file' ..I use that term very loosely ...let your imagination roam ...and so I thought...'what the heck ,I can do this free-hand' a bit like the knife throwing act that thought he could do it blindfold...till he missed!!
I bet it turns out identical to my other bears...!!!!!
Posts: 1,836Just for fun, here's an example of two bears I called "OOAK" pandas. I revealed at the time of their sale that:
-- they are made from the exact same pattern
-- they are made from the exact same two mohairsBUT... I still consider them OOAK because I created them in two distinct styles. .
What do you think?, and I ask this honestly. I felt very okay calling these two pieces OOAK offerings because they are so different. Would you have known, without actually LOOKING FOR IT, that they shared both pattern and fabric, given how different they look? From my perspective, I thought, No, they look really different. Which is why I called them OOAK. I never, ever want to do anything that collectors or fellow bearmakers might perceive as "tricking" the customer, however, and some of the comments here have me thinking about how nice it might be if we had some kind of industry standard, or official definition, for OOAK! Ya know?!!!
First off these bears both rock!! Their faces and expressions are lovely.
IMO these are one of a kind as they are here. They've got different mohair placement, different muzzle scissoring, different noses, eyes, paw pads,looks like different ear placement, and totally unique overall looks. Disclosing at the sale that the same pattern was used was a nice way to convey to your consumer the standards you hold in your business. IMO if you started making these 2 bears (their patterns) and their "looks" as a set standard, only changing the Mohair color and changed up the collar and headpiece colors, then you're making a series. If changing another's pattern by 10% doesn't make it yours then to me (logically) changing a look/design by 10% shouldn't make it OOAK (new color, new bows, etc). At least that makes sense to me (I can get Spockish with the logic..sorry are my vulcan ears popping out) :crackup: 
(???)
For me, the big draw is the a one of a kind style/signature that each individual bear artist holds and not necessarily needing to label an individual bear "OOAK". I think using OOAK can corner you in artistically , just as much as make the bear desirable. But from watching ebay sales I'm not sure that "OOAK bears" fuel the sales as much as the OOAK individual artist's look/signature. I think that's the bigger more meaningful OOAK. 
I'm interested in the guild topic, I think it could be an interesting discussion and a great idea to open up.
:hug:
~Chrissi
Teddy Bear and FriendsSadly, I wasn't the one to publish the definitions. But I can tell you what I expect when you tell me about a bear*.
One of a kind: While this bear might be made from a pattern and/or fur you have used before, it's absolutely unique from your other work. It will have your "look" in terms of face and finishing, but its theme, outfit, accessories, etc. are unique.
My friend Webster defines "unique" as: being the only one; sole; being without a like or equal; distinctively characteristic; unusual.
If you make a bear similar to a one-of-a-kind, you have created a series and, to me, compromised the value of the original one-of-a-kind. The whole point of a one-of-a-kind piece is that there's nothing else like it.
If you're advertising a bear as one-of-a-kind or placing it in a one-of-a-kind auction, it should, to me, be special and unique. I don't like the trend for people to say that all of their bears are one-of-a-kind because they can't or don't want to duplicate themselves. People are all one-of-a-kind, too, but when you describe a person as "one-of-a-kind," you mean that s/he is special, different, or outstanding in some way. A one-of-a-kind bear should be the same, or you should find another name for it.
Series: A group of similar bears with the same theme. The bears are similar, but each depicts the theme differently. So, you might have "young lady" bears, or "Peter Pan and Friends," or "Jane Austen Characters," or "the seasons," or "flowers."
Originals: Most bears fall into this category, because they aren't different enough to really deserve the one-of-a-kind label, but they aren't similar enough to be a series or limited edition. These are your standard pattern that you tweak a tiny bit every time you make it.
Limited edition: You plan to make a set number of bears, and every one of them will be as identical as possible.
Open edition: You plan to make a number of bears, and every one of them will be as identical as possible, but you're not sure how many you're going to make.
*The fine print: It's impossible to categorize handmade items strictly. I'm not going to reject something because you call it a one-of-a-kind when I would call it a themed series. I'm willing to listen to different interpretations and change my mind if someone comes up with a good argument.
That's actually really useful information, Mindy. Thank you for posting it!
Flying Fur StudiosI think everyone has great points. This is very interesting to read.
Sadly, there is no authority on what is an OOAK bear. It's just a matter of opinion and perspective.
I like to relate to other art. If a painter paints apples, are his paintings not ooak? What if he paints different stuff all the time, but uses the same brand of paint, or even the same colors, or color pallette. What if he uses the same canvas everytime, are his paintings not ooak?
So I tend to think of OOAk as a very loose term. Who really knows what it means. Sure you could get really technical and then it's true, that OOAK means there will never be another like it or even simular. But does anyone even care? Sure we do, but do our collectors? Seems like bears don't re-sell well anyway, so they are hardly an investment. I Think most people buy bears because they love the face and it speaks to them.
I would love to hear you experiences where your collectors did care they weren't the "true' ooak. I know a few of you have had comments.
I've gotta admit though, I might not be calling my bears ooaks anymore. It's just too complicated. 
Mindy, I think what you say makes absolute sense. I have created a few 'one of a kind' bears....where I said at the time ...'I will never make another one like that.'
So in making a 'similar' bear to another..although it will not be identical for all those reasons that Shelli said... I feel like...from my point of view, I would feel happier if my customers knew that while these bears have individual qualities they are not entirely unique inasmuch as they are made from patterns that I have used before..and will use again. So I need to find another name that says..individual..but not totally unique.
I was never going to make an identical bear for that lady when she asked me for a bear like the one on ebay that she missed out on...so I was understandably taken aback when she felt that I'd changed the bear too much. I only agreed to make a girl bear in that fabric and that size.
This has been a really interesting discussion..and has really made me think I need to change the way I go about describing my work.
I hear ya, Heather! And for now at least, given that we do NOT have any kind of industry standard, you're so right; it's just kinda confusing.
I've only ever offered bears that, to my eye anyway, are really very different from one another, so historically I called them OOAK, whether it was a pattern I was repeating but finishing in unique ways, or whether it was something entirely new and original like my skunk or pig pieces. They call got washed with the OOAK label. I'm wondering if I might want to rethink that a little bit, given this discussion...
But I've heard many times from others, on forums or privately, that there are, indeed, collectors who purchase only bears which are truly unique and will not ever be duplicated, who feel their collecting cash is best spent in that way. So I feel pretty secure in saying that yes, some collectors do care about the OOAK thing.
As a person who makes bears, I'm most challenged by doing something new or different with each thing I make, whether that's a small difference or a big one. So I don't approach bearmaking thinking, "This one must be OOAK!" but rather with the thinking that, "Dang, I'd better figure out something interesting here, or I'm going to chew my arm off with the tedium of it all." There ARE a lot of tedious aspects to bearmaking, which is why I love the face and head construction and finishing so much. You can be really creative there... and with paw finishing. And with armatures and accessories. But just how creative can you get, shoving stuffing into a sewn arm?
Anyway...
You definitely make really some great points about canvas-based art and painters, Heather. It's certainly one of those grey area things, and to some, as you pointed out, just not remotely important in terms of considerations for buying. As a collector myself, I couldn't care less whether a bear was OOAK or an edition or series, or even mass produced or produced with assistance. However, I might think differently if I had the cash to splurge on a $1000 bear. In that case, with that kind of pricetag, I might want to know that my purchase is, indeed, the only one of its kind.
All of this, just great food for thought. I'm enjoying everyone's input.
Bears by JodiI have found in the past that no matter how hard you try they never look exactly alike. Like family maybe but not identical. Picking out a bear is like picking out a puppy, there is just something special about the one you fall in love with. I just tell people that what I did before was a one of a kind and that I could make some thing close but IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME . And I let them know that if they are not happy that they don't have to buy it. Some one else always does down the road. But I do know what you mean about felling like you let them down . Thats because you have an artist heart, creative, and we care what other people think of our work . So it is hard not to have a sad feeling. But as you saw, some one else fell in love with it . So all is good !!! Here are 2 of my bumbles . as you see they are family but not identical !! Just like puppies !! :dance:
Jodi Falk
Flying Fur StudiosFunny, how some of us are thinking of not calling our bears ooak. I think Ebay ended up making that term common, and we all know not everyone on ebay is totally honest! :crackup:
Shelli, glad you've pointed out that there are collectors who care. That is important to know. I also think if I were to spend $1000 on a bear it would be ooak, but even Mary holstad dogs sell well, and there is no guarantee that she won't make another of that breed.
Urgh, this is confusing. LOL
It's very nice to know that I'm not alone in hating commissions. I thought I was being a snobby artist. That's what my non-artist friends say. But I guess they just don't understand the whole creative process. I think it's the ability to be free, think outside the box that makes an artist, so it only makes sense we don't want to turn into a factory.
It's fun to have a topic that everyone is so passionate about. Great reading!
Apple Dumpling DesignsThis has all been very interesting...thanks Jenny for bringing it forward.
Hugs
Strange BearsBecause of my shop in Manly, which had over 100 artists supplying bears I had to define some of these things for my own sanity in selling them. I asked all artists to try and follow this criteria. If they used the pattern once it was OOAK. If they used the same pattern but changed it so all the bears looked different......it was a OOAK in a series, their choice of open or limited. If it was the same pattern, same material and same features etc it was not marked unless it was a limited series of 10 only etc.
Everyone seemed happy with this decision and kept some integrity to the tagging.
Posts: 1,836I like Mindy's definitions of OOAK and Originals.
My web under construction page reads "original design teddy bears". I was happy with that only because I didn't want to be boxed into anything right now with "OOAK".
Old Navy/GAP t-shirts are fabric, thread, and come in various colors..I can never get two of those things to fit the same..every medium fits differently from the last (anyone else have this issue??! I know I can't just grab a tee and run..I have to try the silly things on!!!), but Old Navy isn't going to call each shirt a OOAK. That's the nature of handmade items. Handmade will always create variances, but variances created by being handmade shouldn't define OOAK...for me there's got to be something definitive to OOAK, like in Mindy's def.
Because there's not an industry standard I guess we all just have to create and disclose our own standards to the client/buyer. It is a business and because people do indeed buy for investments as well as enjoyment I think to not disclose could prove sticky. Esp when you're using auctions with "contracts" and all. It probably sounds silly but so does getting sued for coffee being hot
I think the idea of a guild could be really exciting.
:hug:
~Chrissi
Flying Fur StudiosOld Navy/GAP t-shirts are fabric, thread, and come in various colors..I can never get two of those things to fit the same..every medium fits differently from the last (anyone else have this issue??! I know I can't just grab a tee and run..I have to try the silly things on!!!), but Old Navy isn't going to call each shirt a OOAK. That's the nature of handmade items. Handmade will always create variances, but variances created by being handmade shouldn't define OOAK...for me there's got to be something definitive to OOAK, like in Mindy's def.
~Chrissi
That's a great point. I guess that is just the nature of what we do.
I also have that issue about one size fitting differently at Old Navy. From sweat pants to t shirts, I thought it was just me. I've made the mistake of replacing something, same item, same size, only to get home and it doesn't fit. Grrrr
This has been a very interesting topic....I am now really motivated to find a way of describing my bears that doesn't say OOAK...since I don't believe, after cosidering it honestly and carefully, that while I think they are all individually different from eachother, they are only on rare occasions definable as totally OOAK.
The next problem that occurs to me is how then do you list on ebay (yawn...that old chestnut, again) In my mind I would still list among the OOAKs since I think that my description would be enough to explain about the bear. The UK ebay is no problem as there is no OOAK section.
Pumpkin & Pickle BearsJenny, if your buyer really wanted the bear on eBay - she should've bid higher!!!! :crackup:
Jenny wrote:
Well..for the record I believe one of a kind ( ... only in my opinion..) means that this bear is different in some way from the other bears that I make. For my part I feel it would be unrealistic for me to discard every pattern that I make after each bear.
I couldn't agree more! I would never get any bears made if I drew up a new pattern for each one! All of my bears are OOAK but the same patterns are used....they all look completely different!
Below are some examples....these bears are all from the same pattern.
As a collector, I am often put off by bears that are one of an edition....I much prefer OOAK as you are owning something unique!
Now here's a spanner in the works...can you tell I am really thinking about this...?
I looked up the word 'kind' and the dictionary defines it as the following:
'A class that is defined by the common attribute or attributes possessed by all its members'
So in reading that I'm thinking you could define 'one of a kind' as being one among others of the same type but not necessarily the same....aaaaaagh.
I still think I will redefine my bears to clarify it to potential customers....'No two are exactly alike' may sound better than 'one of a kind' ?
I need a coffee!!
Laurie Lou BearsIt seems to me that we are all getting sooo confused the more we talk about the subject. I thought I would try and define ooak in my own terms:
1-OOAK can be the same pattern,same size and the same mohair colour and type that you have already used but you must change the features ie eyes,ears,nose in the way of placement and colours etc so they do not look the same as the last bear.
2-OOAK can be the same pattern and the same size but different colours of mohair as this would change the look anyway.
3-00AK can be the same pattern but a different size with exactly the same mohair type and colour which makes it a smaller brother or sister but would end up being the most similar out of all of these to the original bear.Although again if you change the mohair type and colour that makes it different anyway.
I hope this all makes sense as I was trying not to confuse myself as I was going along.I must go as I am supposed to be painting the bathroom and when hubby comes back I will have done nothing and he will know I have spent the morning on TT. :crackup: Hopefully we can agree on a correct definition then we can all get back to our sewing and not worry whether we are doing ooak.
Laurie :hug:
Pumpkin & Pickle BearsYep, that's what I define as OOAK too Laurie!!
Strange BearsOk well I throw another spanner in the fir so to speak,,,,,,,,,,what is OOAK in a theme or series,
Is a series where you use the same pattern but different furs and looks. And:
A theme where you do the same "look" ie all bears dressed as say the 7 dwarves in Snow White but they may be different patterns.........or is that a series, too?
AARRGGGG now I'm getting confused!!
If a painter does the same view at different times of the year that is " Series of Lake blah blah " or the Seasons series - this equals the same pattern in the bear world- done differently but each being OOAK.
If a painter does different paintings but all totally different but they all feature a sunflower that is a theme - right? So a if a bear artist only made pandasbut all different we'd do OOAK bears all in a theme....
So the bears would be OOAK in a series or theme...I think.... 
I convinced myself..........anyone else?
Pumpkin & Pickle BearsYep, I'd have said they are 'OOAK in a series'. They may be from the same pattern but each one would be completely different - no 2 the same.
Teddy Bear and FriendsI think you can definitely have original designs within a series (each dwarf being similar but not the same), and the whole series can be either one-of-a-kind (if you're only making the Snow White set once) or a limited edition (if you're willing to do it, say, three times).
I seem to have the strictest definition of "one of a kind" among us. I think it stems from attending the Disney auction lo these 12 years ago and seeing some of the amazing OOAK creations the artists presented. They were these huge, complicated, accessorized extravaganzas that no one in their right mind would ever make more than once. (And they sold for reeeally impressive prices, worthy of the artistry and work.) I've also been attending the Ross Park Zoo show for years, and their gallery is composed of true OOAK pieces, because each artist makes one really outstanding piece to interpret the theme his or her own way.
Chrissi, really good point with the T-shirts. There are simply natural variations that occur with handmade products and natural fibers -- that doesn't make something OOAK. If you try to create a variation, but it's still similar to its fellows in fundamental ways, you've got an original.
Jenny, great work looking up "kind." 
It made me look for "one of a kind." My dictionary doesn't list it, but it does have the similar Briticism "one-off": limited to a single time, occasion, or instance: one-shot, unique. "One-shot" is: that is complete or effective through being done or used or applied only once; that is not followed by something else of the same kind. Which takes us back to "kind."
Thanks for a great discussion!
Mindy
Laurie Lou BearsI think I would be tempted not to mention series and themes when selling your bears as it could get confusing to buyers.We all end up using the same patterns so it is easier not to mention the series thing and if you made bears with a theme I would think that in a lot of cases you wouldn't have to mention it either as say you done days of the week bears there would have to be seven.I think I am trying to keep this ooak thing as simple as possible as the more you keep trying to give yourself too many different terms and explanations the more complicated it seems to get.
Laurie :hug:
Posts: 1,836Maybe the "kind" in it is the "bear". Humankind...mankind...bearkind "one of a (bear)kind"
In science they say that all snowflakes are one of a kind, but that's because the pattern is never ever the same. Science and art sometimes do and don't blend, so it's just an example. (You need the science to make the paints, but not to use them).
Really cool discussion
:hug:
~Chrissi
Teddy Bear and FriendsSeries and themes tend to be obvious when they happen -- like the Snow White example, or Virginia Jasmer's flower bears, or Karen Lyons' new "Wild West" kitties, or John Wright's Bears at Sea.
It's just that I think OOAKs should be obvious, too. If they aren't -- if they're variations on a pattern or standard style -- then I think they should be marketed as "originals" rather than "one of a kinds," thus saving the OOAK designation for your really spectacular, unique work.
See, if everything is OOAK, then when you do something really amazing, there's nothing left to call it. As an example, a few years ago, everything became "collectible," so the truly special pieces were drowned in a sea of matchbooks, shotglasses, and Happy Meal toys. You will never convince me that a swizzle stick is as collectible as a handmade teddy bear, even though people do amass huge numbers of swizzle sticks. You can collect anything, but calling it "a collectible" implies that there's a reason to collect it: it's limited in number, unique in design, artistic in its workmanship, or something. People collect rocks, but rocks are not collectibles. I guess I'm snob enough to want collectibles to be art in some fashion, and I want my OOAK collectibles to be really special, not another remotely like it on the planet.
Sorry, I'll get off the soapbox. Who knew I was so passionate about a label?
:redface: Mindy
Flying Fur StudiosThe tough part about asking for a new pattern for an ooak, is at what point is a pattern new? What if I only change the head, or the arms. Or what if I change every piece, but only very slightly. There really are only so many ways to draw an arm or a footpad.
I guess that's why I don't think an ooak needs a new patten.
Laurie, I don't want to mention series or anthing like that either. When I think of a series I think of simular bears, or themes. So that could get confusing, 
Then there's ebay. OOAK or not, we should still put that in our auction listings as many people search for that and expect to see our bears.
Soo many grey area's. 
