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Hello all 
I've been away for a few months, good to be back. This thread is so informative, thank you all for such good info, I had been thinking of listing some items on Ebay again, but after reading this, I decided it's not worth the aggravation right now. I normally make candles/soaps and am "teaching" myself via books, to make bears and I love doing it, but I'm of course a newbie and in the very beginning stages, hopefully when I feel comfortable, I'd like to share my bears , but at the rate I'm going it'll be a few years 
Congrats on the opening of your shop. The bears and bags are awesome! It's hard to decide what I want to get first 
I make candles( main interest), crochet, soapmaking,and currently trying to learn
how to make a basic bear.
Hi Sheree... isn't it so exciting to begin your first bear???? See it come to life..... start envisioning all kinds of other bears you want to make. :dance:
Your question is one we've discussed in the past and I went back looking for that discussion but couldn't find it... perhaps someone else can. It was quite a long time ago and we have many new members since then so it will be interesting to hear what others think distinguishes a "maker" from an "artist".
ORIGINALITY & QUALITY in materials and craftsmanship ..... these are a couple of the main characteristics that can be the difference between a maker or crafter and someone who has worked long and hard to establish a look of their own involving pattern design, techniques, a pollished/finished appearance in their work... it can take months or years to reach a point when you or your peers and collectors view you as an artist.
Some don't ever like to call themselves artists..... too pretentious or presumptious..... many use the term when telling others what they do in an effort to gain a little more respect (let's face it, the general public doesn't see teddy bears as ART... they just think we're immature adults with major issues! :crackup: ) and still many others are quite clearly 'artists' or 'masters' in their craft.... creating amazing original teddy bears that are uniquely their own.
Not a stupid question at all and no black and white answer either!!!
Daphne: thanks for your reply Your answer was helpful and your right, when it comes down to it, there is no black and white. yes, i am thrilled with my little yellow bear, he has no mouth yet, but he has life anyway :dance: he will get his mouth after the holidays, I wanted to make it differently than the original, he is made from yellow fake fur, so I wanted a little different expression
:hug: sheree
Sheeree, never ever think you have a stupid question. Its wonderful that you are starting a journey that you enjoy.I asked that question when I first started many years ago. No one answered or maybe then they did not know how to answere so this has been my personal thinking. I agree with Daphne workmanship,originality,everthing she mentioned counts. I think your question would be answered by Mindy Kingsey (TeddyBearandFriends)editor she posts here and you can send her a private message too.She is a person you can count on with advise always. Send her a pm.and find out what she says.Ok :hug:
But I myself also thinik this:You are already a bear artist with your name 7pawz. I think:
You created something out of what ever material not knowing what to expect. :dance: :dance: You saw the magical results and you felt over whelmed. :dance: You created that magic and you will many more.You can now say when anyone asks you "what do you do!" You can answer proudly" besides my regular job or being a housewife" "I am a bear artist. :hug:
Thanks again Mary---everything you say is so true :hug:
Hi
To some extent, it depends what you are doing with your bears! If you are making them for yourself or just as a hobby then it really does not matter when you call yourself an Artist. However, if you are wanting to sell bears then most buyers or collectors would expect an artist to carry out the complete design of the bear, which means not using other artists' or commercially available patterns no matter how much they are tweaked.
From a personal point of view, I love the term 'Bear Artist' and use it all the time, but I only started using it regularly when I had developed my own patterns and style of bears.
Having said that, there really are no hard and fast rules and it depends what you feel comfortable with.
Dawn
Thanks Dawn for your reply, at this point I want to make them as a hobby, which means I am using patterns from others, but eventually would like to get to the point that I can carry out the complete design of the bear---I eventully would like to sell my bears, but right now I just want to enjoy making them
sheree
Both Daphne and Mary had great answers to your question. But I have one for you:
When you view other's work at what point do you say: NOW THAT'S ART?
or That's nice handwork; etc.
If you can recognize art when you see it then you should be able to know when you have attained your own self imposed criteria.
So? What do you think?
Looking forward to seeing artist somewhere in your business name...and to seeibng you grow and develop in your art.
gollyhugs
dilu
Thanks dilu, there is a difference between the 2. I've seen dolls or bears just put together, work was quickly done for a sale in a craft shop; handwork was correct, but the total result was what they intended, something to sell and collect the money. There was no thought, no nothing behind it. I've admired the work of many on the forum and because of that, it is an inspiration for me. It will set the standards for which I hope to obtain--in the next millenia
hugs
sheree
Hello all I hope your holidays will be what you hope for. I hesitated in posting this question, but, after all the research, reading, and finally attempting to create a "very, very beginners bear", I began to see as I progressed, that my little guy had a soul of his own; he is being crafted from a pattern that i decided to start with, rather than the vintage panda kit that i have. I thought if I started very small, than maybe I could tackle my panda and hopfully he will look like a panda when finished
NOW for the question: at what point does a bearmaker add "artist" to their title? See, I told you it was stupid; I have a long way to go before I think about that
hugs
sheree
"I hate people sometimes" I can relate I pray for her recovery and may God bless you many times over :hug:
Hi sorry your dog is having a bad time of it; since the steroids are a major concern for you; try and find a vet that deals in holistic healing or medicine for animals, dogs in particular, (try a web search) then you can deal with diet, allergies, etc. as far as bathing your dog, you might also want to investigate a natural dog shampoo or soap bar that fits your dog's needs. There are many soapmaker's that make a natural shampoo for dogs that are much safer and kind to their skin--one soapmaker in particular specializes in just that. I have 7 dogs and thats where my little salary goes Hope things get better.
Bless you :hug: they are so precious!
