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edie wrote:I love bear fairs but haven't been to one in a long time now - none a reasonable distance from me anymore. What I really liked was going to one that was a FULL convention not just a sale as then there were so many other things going on that selling bears was just a small part of it and not your total focus, and therefore totally justifiable even if you didn't sell a lot!
I have so often seen sellers that are SO unapproachable - although not as often at bear shows as at antique shows. Really makes you wonder what they are thinking! I should have to work so hard to find out if they will sell me something from their table/booth???
This discussion reminds me of a teddy bear show back in the early days. I had seen some bears, entered in the competitions, by an artist I wasn't familiar with and just fell in love with them so when the sales room was setting up looked for her intending to buy one of her bears. Well, she just totally put me off by her pushy, "I'm the best", manner and my desire for a bear died on the spot! Throughout the events of the convention, I got to know said artist a little better and realized she was a very nice person - just very shy and overcompensating for that and not at all like what my first impression was! I did end up buying a bear from her - which I still have and still love, but if I had been a collector there for one day, and not a seller there for the whole weekend, I would likely not have ended up with one of her bears!Edie, why don't you organise your own small fair, we have found in the UK that in the last few years quite a few shows have started. I know it's not as easy as it looks
but it might be worth a shot
I think it's very difficult to gauge it just right as you say too pushy or too shy and over compensating can really put buyers off. Years ago I had a baptism of fire by opening a shop and the lessons have never left me.
jenny wrote:I agree Edie. So much can depend on the person doing the selling. There are many times where the old adage ' the customer buys the person doing the selling ' I can think of many times where I have gone from one shop to another to buy the same item just because I couldn't stand the sales person in the first shop. So there is much to be said for putting on your best sales face.
That is not being overbearing or full of yourself, or being so painfully shy that you can't talk. Just being confident and friendly is the main thing...people have come into the fair of their own accord..nobody dragged them in so presumably they are interested in teddies. So it should be easy to just share your passion for making bears. Looking nice is the thing that I think is important...not like a fashion model but just nice and smart and businesslike.That is so true Jenny especially in the teddy bear world, when collectors are very interested in the maker
Kayleigh wrote:I The thought is daunting I must admit and I have deliberated so much about whether I should do a show or wait, what if people like them? What if I don't sell any? what if because I have never been before people take no notice whatsoever of me. You know all the negatives a person can think of completely shutting my eyes to the positives just incase I get my hopes up for success- silly I know.
My first fair I didn't sell a bean, cried all the way home LOLOL Collectors do like to know you will be back again and again
For those that find fairs difficult a few tips (maybe others would like to add)
1 Never be anything other than yourself
2 Never be anything but truthful, lies will find you out
3 The first moment of speech and eye contact is key..... more on this below
4 Never take your daughter who has just split up from her fiance (collectors are more interested in consoling her) LOLOL
5 As Jenny says, be presentable, not flashy but smart
6 Get on with your neighbours, not just for toilet breaks but you can create a great atmosphere that attracts buyers, I have done this a number of timesPoint 3..........the most difficult, I usually start with a "hello are you alright there, feel free to pick up any bear" all the while making eye contact
This usually results in a few reactionsNo eye contact, virtually ignoring you, I usually fade backwards at this point, the buyer has made it very clear in body language they are not interested in engaging in small talk and I respect that
Some eye contact but looks away and mumbles, this is the shy buyer who doesn't want to be pushed into a purchase, I usually take a small step backwards and smile whilst retaining eye contact, I am respecting their personal space but saying I'm here if you want to talk. At that point you will have one of two reactions, they walk a way (your bears are not their cup of tea) or they linger and pick up a bear, at this point it's tempting to jump in and speak again, don't you will scare them off. Just smile and if they make eye contact with you then speak, it means they are inviting you in, be gentle.
Open face, direct eye contact buyers, now these are friendly souls who are easy to deal with if you are a gregarious person but if you are shy they can be difficult. If you are shy try to be open back, chat about what they want to chat about, let them take the lead because they will, it might not be about bears it maybe something topical in the news that they end up talking about but it doesn't matter, they will be all the time looking at your table at the bears. At some point they will hone in on a bear and reach out and pick it up. They maybe the easiest to talk too but the hardest to sell to, they are happy to talk to anyone regardless whether they have any money, like your bears or have just come for a day out LOL I know I'm in this category.
I do hope this might help someone, at the end of the day you can't beat experience of actually doing shows. My tips are not intending to trick buyers into buying but to help you make the most of your opportunities, as Edie points out a wrong approach can kill a potential sale
Oh Jenny...........................oh Jenny, she is just gorgeous 
I went through a juggling stage but then ended up the week before a show with loads of body parts and no stuffed bodies 
I have loads in the planning stage and cut out stage but once I get to sewing and stuffing I complete each bear in turn.
I have also found that its a better PR move to produce frequently rather than lots all in one go
Katy..you are so right. I have spoken to Andy a few times and the organisers always position him so he can manouver around his stand very easily 
And as I said the other day, we are all totally ageless here: we can be great-grannies talking to high-schoolers but when we're 'talking Bears' we have no age and it doesn't even occur to us to think about that, unlike in the real world where ppl judge others based on their age & experience. Here we're all just Kindred Spirits!
I have lost count of the number of times I thought an artist was about 32 and they were really 62............it's like beauty cream
I loved to see picture of shows
PS the more you think the more you remember what you liked xxx
Oh Bobbie what a wonderful post
Recently I was asked by a magazine what career I would choose if I couldn't make bears ...........................yes you have guessed it, an actress 
The photographs say it all. I stand ALL day and the only time I am behind my stand is if I eat, the rest of the time is spent in front, I do feel for those that find this very uncomfortable and in this industry it is made harder by the fact that our creations have come from within, so promoting them to collectors can prove very very difficult.
What I love is the general section, for all it's past squabbles, it was so diverse and there was always something to interest you or make you want to comment
SueAnn I love the library and have never failed to use it, even when not posting, it is awesome
Becky you are so right by focusing on the good the bad becomes less intrusive and good for you for bringing a few old faces back
Joanne............I must be the opposite of you, to stand in front of a 100 strangers and speak holds no fear for me but family and friends, yikes that is another matter.
Us Bears........I love the analogy of the sailing ship and what you say is very true, being able to stand out above the noise is very important. I feel that I am only just developing "my style" the bear that was in my head all those years ago and as a result have been selling quite well of late. My daughter has given similar advice regarding analysing why this bear sells and that doesn't, we have a full debrief on the way home. As you say "be there and be recognizable and consistent at the second and subsequent shows"
Thelma..........a good seller should gauge your demeanor to see if you want to be approached, I hate pushy ones too I thing that you are right it does take all sorts
I think for me I pay for a fair to socialise, which is really bad business
I will tell you straight away I love fairs, the hustle and bustle and meeting new people
I am wondering if that love, colours my judgement?
I am strongly in favour of fairs and feel that I should support them even when the return for me can be minimal and often result in a loss. I have always taken the view that they are another form of advertising and as such it may take a collector a few shows to commit to buying a bear. Since the start of doing fairs 4 years ago I have seen each set of fairs I attend reap greater rewards, subsequently resulting in growing sales at them.
Since the recession I came to the conclusion that collectors were frequenting more shows as they want to see the bears in the fur, this theory has been put to the test lately as I have noticed a falling number collectors and my sales have only come about by my collectors attending the show specifically to see me and new bears that are on offer. Resulting in all my sales taking place in the first hour. I must admit that I really appreciate their support but if the decline continues it has a serious effect on the atmosphere and then results in a spiraling downward pattern.
Do I have a rosey view, do you disagree...................all opinions welcome x
Just a little plug for Dawn
http://www.teddybearsforwspa.co.uk/
Here is the website and there are a few bears still left, so go and have a peak, it's such a good cause
Hi Brenda......................I think it felt US just because the percentage of US bear makers on here far outweighs the rest of us. 99% of the US bear makers are lovely, so kind and helpful and I am sure there were a few non US makers who added to unhappiness on here
I must have left by the time it got serious and I am really happy that Admin toughened the rules. I didn't realise people were joining under false names, how bad is that
Maybe if we make an effort TT will become more lively again. I for one am more confident in myself now compared to when I left.
Sue Ann...............hats off to you for being the only admin
Sorry still haven't had time to read the rest of the thread but will do
I have your post now and have been able to like it
I think you were brave to raise this point it's is what a lot of us have felt
Birgitte, sorry I spelt your name wrong......................my pc threw a wobbler and I lost your post completely, really strange :lol:
PS it won't let me like your post either x
Jenny, I think you are right it is a problem on ALL forums, a core few seem to be determined to spoil for a fight.
Maybe the forums will naturally rotate in popularity and those that feel ignored or are bullied will gravitate to another forum, then moving on again when the bullies catch up. I do love a good debate but you can do it without it getting personal
Brigitte, I have to say I agree, at times I felt very ignored. It did feel like a giant US club................maybe that was because they had an affinity together, fellow countrymen etc and other nationalities are not as represented but as with Jenny's point I think a core few seemed to make it their business to either ignore or dominate depending on how they felt, you were not alone in your feelings
I would like to think that TT was moving into a new phrase, just don't tell the dominators
Just a quick post from me, as lunchtime was just over when I found this, so sorry if it's been said
I joined TT 5 years ago and .............I am going to be very honest now and risk being slapped :cry:
I stopped posting then stopped visiting when time and time again I was "put down" I would not point fingers and do not believe that those who did are still here, which is why I have started to visit again
This site was great but became a victim of it's own success, maybe a new era is dawning when people will return. I am sure they will return because FB is going the same way, petty squables, name calling etc
Sorry if I have offended but I always try to be truthful 
Thank you Katrina xxx
Thank you xxx
I just want to show you all my new bear called Enya
She is made with hand dyed mohair and woolfelt in a stunning emerald green
She is about 9 inches tall
She is available for adoption on my website under new bears
Hope you like her
Thank you Marilyn
A truly beautiful bear
Amazing, he looks as if he is just about to get up
She has such a gorgeous face
This is Plum Puddin, my latest bear for adoption
She is about 9 inches tall and made from hand dyed Schulte mohair
She is a stunning muted damson colour which due to the colour of the original mohair can never be replicated
She is one of a kind and available from my website
Gorgeous and so different, cute as well xxx
