Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I think they are great. I would make more for sure!

That's just too cute. A second cruise for him. Man, he's better traveled than I am!

Karen, thank you. I appreciate your interesting perspective.

I think the one thing we forget, is that is we can get our bears to the 'works of art' stage. Then why not charge for it.

Sometimes when people find out how much my bears, or artists bears sell for, they laugh and can't believe a teddy would sell for so much. "who would buy that?" they always say.
Well, who buys sculptures? Who buys paintings and furniture and figurines. No-one would laugh at me if I said that a painting that took me 20 hours to paint sold for $400.

It's all perception, and of course, you can’t beat having a great product.
I am also going to continue to create the best product I can and just go from there.

Did anyone ever read Ramona Quimby? Gosh, I just loved those books!

Sorry I can't help. I hope you can get something to work. What a bummer. I didn't realize so many people had it. OUCH!

Also, I forget you Americans need a prescription for codine. We don't here in Canada unless you want the strong stuff.   

OOh, I want to swap with everyone as well. Maybe it is time to go text only...............

The books I remember most were Old Yeller and Where the red fern grows.
Both stories about a child and his pet. I remember just bawling at the end of where the red fern grows

Karen, you're killing me! Your experience is invaluable.
I also am not too crazy about the idea of asking the artists to have lower priced items. It would be up to them if they wanted to. I know I would like the idea of being able to offer a few lower priced bears, I'm just not sure I could make them!

Karen, I liked reading your post.

I'm hoping bear shows aren't dead, just that maybe some of the more established ones never bothered to keep up with the times. Maybe they needed to tap into a new market, and not just hope the same old collectors come back year after year. Because really, some people only want soo many artist bears before the collection is done.

But there is money out there. Lots of it. People are buying things like crazy and I think they just need to hear about and learn to appreciate artist bears, and given the opportunity will become collectors. Or at least fall in love with a bear here and there and buy it.

I also agree that these huge prices that can be fetched on ebay aren't realistic for the majority of collectors and that alone can stop them from ever coming back to a bear show.

I love the idea of different sizes and ranges of difficulty on an aritsts table. To offer a price range for everyone.

sounds like we all stuff firmly. I think that's a nice difference between artist bears and the manufactured ones.
geesh

and if you're not sleeping with them in bed at night, why does he care?

wow, I'm not offended or anything, not even close. But I am speachless..........................

It is a pretty well sculpted......umm........body part.........lol

very well said Chrissi. That is a great point and I guess it is easier to understand the price, when you can see and feel the difference an artist bear has to a manufactured bear.
Heck, most people are SHOCKED to feel how heavy my bears are, and from there they begin to understand the difference.

Hey Sarah,
Yeah, you get stuck with the fee's from paypal. I can't remember off hand what it is now. Last time I checked it was $1.
I think most sellers include this fee in the 'shipping and Handling' charges. I guess it would be up to you if you wanted to explain exactly what all that was.

OOoh, I just LOVE conversations like this! It's just the stuff I've been thinking about for my own show.

Shelli,  I like your idea about putting a limit on how many 'non bear' items an artist can bring, although that would get very tough to police.

I plan on allowing any Soft Sculpture artist ( juried of course ) to sell at the show. So that means a soft bunny, horse or even doll. I'm thinking that's a good idea. I tend to be drawn not just to bears, but other soft cuddly creations.
I also agree that there should be more affordable items at a bear show. I think the bears should be all artist made and of good quality but as you guys are saying, sometimes the sticker shock for a new collector is too much for the 1st time.
So if I were going to a show for the 1st time and I fell in love with a bear from Sue Ann, I may not want to, or be prepaired to buy one of her bears. But you can bet I would love to have a mouse pad with my fav. bear on it. Then you start to really love artist bears, maybe look them up on-line and start to understand the cost involved.

So I will have one table at my show that will be selling artist bear greeting cards. I bet she'll sell well, and I don't think it will  detract from bear sales at all.
Also like Sue Ann says, cheaper items will assure you of at least making back your table costs etc.

This has been a great discussion, thanks Ladies.

Daph, thanks for Marks info.......

It’s funny how we all have our 'ways' of doing things.

For me, I'm pretty flexable but for one thing. When I am done a bear/project I MUST completely clean my studio, but while I'm working on something I can't stand to put anything in that room away.

Wendy, funny about your tails.......lol

I also use the machine for everything. I know there is something to be said about a hand sewn bear, but I just can't deny the 30 mins it takes for me to sew a bear together. Although I do save the foot pads and gussets by hand. I have never learned to sew those parts properly yet! LOL

I work on a desk that is pretty high, and attached to the side is a lamp with a long bendy arm. It was like $10 at walmart. What I like about it, is I can move it anywhere and at any angle I like. So if I need some real good lighting so something hard to see, I can bring the lamp inches away from my work.

That's my super cheapo method anyway....... :hug:

Cheryl, thanks for the advice. I'll look into it. It's nice to know how much it has cost you in the past. Great info!

Jane, thanks for the advice, I'm going to try and hunt down his contact info because it would be really, really nice to offer that service.

:hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

a boy for sure...........

Thanks Ladies.

I know Daphne doesn't offer a credit card service.

It does sound like it would be complicated to arrange, but it would be nice to be able to offer the service at my bear show.
I'll look around and see what I can dig up.

Wow, things are different in the US and Canada. I can't imagine having to pay ANYTHING at the doctors office. Oh my.....................

Question though, maybe it needs it's own thread, but if you don't have your own personal Credit card situation and you're at a bear show, does the promoter offer credit card services?

I'm always in for swapping links, I'll be updating mine shortly

Heather Wing
Flying Fur Studios
http://flyingfurstudios.com/

Too funny Paula. Isn't it amazing how the bears tell us what they need? At least next time, you'll already have a sweater made........lol

OH Jane, I'm sorry. Your poor daughter. She is only 2 years older than me and I can't imagine being brave and strong like she is.

My thoughts are with you  :hug: