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Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)I was hoping to keep making bears for another year at least so
Has anyone else given thought to how long they'll be in this bear world, outside of those that're now depending upon it for their income?
As I approach 65 this Fall—the official Senior year!—I too have been thinking, "Well, can I see myself doing this for another decade?" It's been 17 years now and is more exciting to me than ever, but can I realistically see myself as involved? Unless I switch to swapping, which isn't for me as I don't collect bears, I've got to keep working at the same pace in order to keep up my collector base, small as it is!!!
A number of you have slowed down or stopped producing or listing over the summer; traditionally the last week in July and first 3 in August are the vacation/holiday times in North America and Europe,as schools are closed then and businesses also are on hiatus. These 2 continents are where most of our sales take place. This slow-down is to be expected in most businesses and especially in a peripheral market item like we produce. Shelli has said about gearing up for the coming holidays; I think that 4 July to Labor Day is about the longest time we go w/o a national holiday in the States.
My DH retired 3 years ago, with the rosey-glasses-viewpoint about our "spending more Together Time!" After my initial adjustment of a year to having a live person in my small space 24/7 (we're never out of view of each other unless one goes to the basement or outside) - after all of these years being alone & my own boss, he's now having to realize that I haven't retired! And I no longer appreciate the constant interruptions invading my focus on working in a business-like manner. Especially as his computer is 7' from mine.
After posting my Daily Schedule, to be implemented at Labor Day, when I've always considered a new year starting, he's suggested that if the door is closed it means (for him) to not interrupt and if he wants his computer he will do so w/o disturbing me.
But, long range, as we age, have you thought seriosly about how long you'll make a concerted effort to keep up the pace? So, so many of the ppl that were established artists when I began in 1990, have stopped their involvement. Natural attrition of health, family, financial matters impact all of us and conditions beyond their control have forced many artists out, but - how long will you work if you have a choice???
I'm hoping to give it another decade. Who knows? I may even be organized by then!!!
Past Time BearsWow, Bobbie . . . I didn't know you were almost 65 - you certainly don't look it! Yes, I briefly brought this up in a post on the "Jack of All Trades" thread that Paula started. As everybody on this board probably knows by now, I am 66 and wonder how long I can keep it up. I've been a bear artist for 'only' 10 years, but have definitely slowed down from when I was just a youngster in my late 50s. I can't begin to make as many bears as I did back then. My hubby is also retired but, fortunately, he has his own work area . . . two rooms away from mine. :dance: :dance: :dance: If I live to be 150, I won't be able use up all the mohair, accessories, supplies, etc., that I've accumulated over the decade. So - my plan is to just make stuff until I can't physically manage to do it anymore. And I hope it's not sooner than later. I do have physical problems that, on some occasions, interfere with my bear making, but mostly I can deal with that. All the stuff that I haven't used when I have to quit, I guess will go on ebay. Along with giving me arthritis, wrinkles, and a LOT of senior moments (I think you young ones call them brain farts), aging has taught me that I must prioritize the things that matter most in my life. Then focus on those important moments so that when they're gone, I will have no regrets. Oh yuck - sometimes I make myself (you, too, no doubt) sick when I get so philosophical. Okay . . . so I'm gonna make teds until my hands drop off, then I'm gonna sell all my bear stuff and take a vacation to - somewhere. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Bears by EdieBobbie, I've been working on bears with a retired husband for almost 6 years now and it HAS meant that I have cut back on the number of bears I make in a year. He really encourages me to make bears and being more of an outdoors person than me - and tons of things to do on an acreage - he is in not in my space for a good bit of the day still but somehow it just isn't the same. Plus we are spending more time travelling or going south for the winter so that affects my bear making as well. Several times now I've thought maybe it was time to quit - I've been at this for 20 years now! - but then I get spurred on with fresh ideas or new collectors taking an interest but really without the collectors and continued sales it just would not be possible to keep making bears - other than a few now and again. I don't know if I would ever quit completely - probably make a few as gifts (which I do now anyway) but that would be a huge difference from selling them. I only have about another 250 bears to make to reach my goal of 5000 bears and that will take at least a year - likely two or three at the rate I am going now.
It will be interesting to see other's thoughts on this topic - or if they have given any thought to how long they will be doing this. It was a real eyeopener at Heather's show in Calgary to realize how many of the old crowd at the Calgary Bear Fair, which ended 5 years ago, are no longer in the business!
Tami Eveslage Original Teddy BearsGreat question, Bobbie! I have been in the business of making and selling Teddy Bears since 1993, but I began making bears as a child who loved art and her Teddy Bear. My Teddy Bear art evolved slowly from a six year old's crayon drawings of Teddy Bears, to modeling clay sculpts of them, to Teddies stitched from scraps of old velour shirts, to the detailed mohair bears I make today. Different media, but always the same subject matter! Since Teddy Bears have kept my attention and captured my imagination for 33 years, I really don't see it ending anytime soon! I expect I too will make them until I no longer physically can. Of course artists are always evolving and growing, and I hope to persue doll sculpting more in the future, but you know there is just something special about one's first love and mine is Teddy!
Jane Perala Designs Ltd.This is something that I have been thinking about lately - not quitting, but when to quit. There was a group of about 5 or 6 bear makers here in my local area, and we used to get together a couple of times a year for lunch and a natter about bears. Over the last 4 or so years, they have gradually stopped, one by one, until I am the only one left making bears. It was really nice to have them to talk to, as this is a very lonely profession, and I miss the interaction. Also, with my husband now retired, I am finding it harder and harder to concentrate on making bears. It is not that he is in the way at all, as he is usually outside doing something around the acreage, it is just that he is "here". For example, when he worked and I wanted a cup of tea, I would make it and go right back to work - now he wants to sit and chat while we both have a "break". This throws my concentration right out the window! However I am not complaining about having him around - it really is great. I am just finding my enthusiasm for bear making is waning. I guess to answer the question, I would really like to make bears until my Canada Pension comes in at 60 (a mere 2+ years away), and then re-evaluate things at that time.
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I have to take 'vacations' yearly as I live where the temps and humidity are not 'bear friendly' for my real fur bears. Even when I lived in the milder climate of Oregon, I often took breaks in the summer as the temps badly effected the real fur.
I don't hold myself to the same standards as everyone else, as my bears are backburner to a sometimes all consuming mushroom business with my hubby (we're self employed). Although I sell my bears, I cannot and do not force myself to rush my bears, especially as I also handstitch. That relates to my bear making as "slow as molasses in January"
However, I adore bearmaking from real furs, and I can't see myself giving up on it ever....even if it takes me ages to complete one bear 
Tuppies TeddiesThis is such a good topic.
I was rather late starting with bear making, I have only been making bears for about 7 years now but I just love this craft. It has certainly helped me in my current situation of moving to a new area on my own. I find when I am sewing my mind is on the bear at hand or even creating the next one. I am 57 this coming Sat. (Gemmas wedding day ) and I don't see anytime as yet in the future that I would stop the bear making.
It has really been my saviour of late...
Bears by JodiI plan to keep going as long as my hands and eyes hold out !! Even if I have to only trade or just give as gifts !!! It is therapy for me .
PawssiblesSadly things always change in the world. I am going to be sixty this year and feel I want to concentrate more on my artistic endeavours. Bears probably being one of them. I have slowed down too. I want more enjoyment out of the things I do now and less pressure. But I truly do love making bears, so I don't know if I will ever stop, God willing. And by the way - I can't be more pleased that I have joined Teddy Talk. I now feel part of a community and I love it! 
MerBear Originalsyes, really good topic. I've been thinking about my bear making as well lately. I turned 60 recently but I still work full time and probably will til at least 65 or I don't like my job anymore - whichever comes first. I've really only considered myself an artist for the past couple of years - before that I mostly used bought patterns so that doesn't count. My bears don't support me in any way but does support my buying supplies - which realistically I would buy anyway cause I make bears more for the therapy. It's good to know that collectors value my bears but I would be making them even if I only gave them away.
I belong to a local bear group and at 60 I am one of the youngest members. I think the oldest is in her 80's. They mostly make their bears for friends and families and we try to support local charities. I wish sometimes that I had started making bears when I was younger cause I so admire the younger members of this board - they have so much energy and imagination. For me - I'll continue with bears until my hands and eyes give out. My mother was a fantastic quilter right up to her early death at 77, and my aunt is still sewing at 84.
Marion
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)LOL - I kinda figured there'd me more replies from those of us around my age bracket! Yes, Jane, you've said exactly what's happening here Divorce? Never. Murder? Maybe!). As Don was out of the house during the day since a week after his HS graduation, he's still in the mode of it being a never-ending Sunday. This has really brought it home to him that all of my years of child-raising and voluntarism and small jobs, that I too am working several full-time jobs and not just doing busy-work. Your cuppa translates to "Want to go to the Garden Center?" "Want to go to the show?" "Want to go away this weekend?" "Gee, you never want to do anything with me." That makes me cling more furiously to "I MUST get this job/bear/column/research/shipping done." All things that he cannot do for me, though he certainly loves cooking and doesn't mind doing laundry, shopping, mailing etc... I'm lucky there, though Don also just wants to share my time as he was away working for 46 years. I'm still adjusting to him sharing 'my space'! I guess he thought I'd welcome having no set schedule and just kicking back with him. While he does have hobbies that take up his tme, they're still done on his own schedule. Being your own boss & employee makes one more conscious of getting a job done quickly and efficiently - in that respect a lot of us lazy ones are still Type A ppl!
As I've withdrawn bear making from the all over this small house - I could spread out when I was alone during the day - and confined it to 2 rooms, I feel even more pressured to keeping my nose to the grindstone, like Jo's wanting to concentrate even more on my Art - I feel as if I've just opened the door to the possibilities. I agree with Jodi - as long as my hands, eyes & mind hold out I'll be working.
But as one of the best business practices is to have some short- and long term goals and a business plan in place,and this is a Business no matter how creative, fun-filled, artistically fulfilling it is, ending a business is certainly a major consideration, which I'm willing to bet that unlike other 'jobs', 99% of bearmakers have never thought about how long they'll continue. In this respect most of us haven't thought about ending, we're concentrating so much on keeping up the current momentum. There are few other 'jobs' in which those involved don't have at least a year or an age in the back of their minds when the end will come. It's kinda sad if it's just outside conditions that end our careers. I'm going to feel really lost (and ticked off!) if I'm forced by a future situation to stop before I'm ready to lay down my needle.
A 'generation' is considered roughly 20 years: we've passed through the first generation of those who were the pioneers of artist bears, from the early 80s, and are a goodly way into the next group. Most of the early ppl have left actively creating: how long will you work? This is food for thought for the youngsters & us oldsters....
Newcastle, OntarioI made my first miniature bear in 1994 and started selling in 1996, although I made large stuffed toys and dolls and hand painted Xmas ornaments for over 25 years before that. I've also done children's portraits on commission. I'm actually surprised I've stuck with bearmaking this long - I usually get bored easily. I'll be 58 in December, so Jane, you and I are the same age. There are so many other things that I am interested in - stained glass, altered art, in fact art in any form, but as long as my bears are selling I will probably stick with it, unless my wrists get any worse.
Ahhhh, hubbies and retirement. Mine has been on holidays for the last 9 days and has another week to go. I've accomplished NOTHING. He is an extremely active person and doesn't sit still AND has no hobbies, other than golf and in Canada that translates only to summer months. I seriously don't know what I will do when he retires or if we will survive. The older I get the more reclusive I'm becoming - I like to stay home and dabble in art. I'm dreading his retirement. After nine days of holidays, I slept 14 hours last night - I'm exhausted. Anyway, I'm off to enjoy an afternoon to myself - he's golfing LOL!
hugs,
Brenda
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)I do have to address this, as it sounds as if I'm being too hard on hubby.
Actually not, I have so many divorced & widowed friends, so I definiltely appreciate what I've got.
It's just that change is hard and I knew what was coming.
The Adjustment Period is over and I'm coping!
We (I!) joked for years about putting his name in to WalMart or as a (school) crossing guard; I do wish I could count on a certain period of time that I know I'd be totally alone during.
Here's the name of one of my favorite books: Party Of One: The Loner's Manifesto by Anneli Rufus.
If any one is a shy hermit like me (I don't even answer the phone - only our kids get right through) I'd recommend getting this book. It's a great affirmation for our life style and the choices we make.
F
bears by beesley TMGreat topic Bobbie. Well, I am a very young 51 this year! 
Well young at heart anyway. I am always busy with the critters. I truly hope that will last until they shovel the last bit of dirt on me.
I am disabled and home bound as I no longer have a drivers licence. We live way out in the country on an acreage and I truly would go stir crazy if it were not for the bears and critters
We are down to two dogs now from 4 and I find I even have more time on my hands. I am not a television watcher but I love to draw and paint. I cannot imagine not making critters.
But, should they stop selling I will just have to give them away to family because I think I would shrivel into one crabby old broad if I were not busy!
Garnet likes to say I am a crabby old boot anyway but I disagree!
Hugs Louise
Cleathero CreationsWell I am younger (30's) and it is hard to say what will happen in the future but at this stage I feel like I will be making bears for a very long time!!
Bears are one of the things allowing me to stay home with my children and has allowed me to epress myself in a way I could never have thought.
I had a break due to circumstances but after some thought know what I want and how to work it all.
Whether 1 year or 40 years I will enjoy the trip.
