For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Hi all :D
I'm making my first child-safe bear for one of the kids at Penny's Progeria Gala, and started wondering.
Does anyone make and sell high-end bears for children? Is there a market for them anymore?
Parents seem to spend a lot of money on toys (remember Elmo?) but I don't recall seeing any jointed bears at all!
Eileen
I will have finished my bear soon and will post it on the showcase section. It was weird putting in eyes first and other things I had to consider. I was well impressed with the plastic saftey eyes I bought. They were only 20p (about 33cents?) and really nice too.
Could be a market there. I'm thinking for newborns or babies first christmas. You can only give it a try.
Eileen . . . is that avatar photo your pup? Beautiful!!
Sue Ann,
Yes that's my beloved Lucy. She's and old bird of 14.5, but going strong. I can't bear the thought of ever losing her, and I do all I can to keep her going. Her mother was a sable collie and her father a german shepherd. Isn't she beautiful? With her ears back, the kids say she looks like Audrey Hepburn! :/
Amanda,
The child-safe variation does seem strangely backward, but I was pleasantly surprised too! I'm using inexpensive solid black safety eyes from DiscoJoints&Teddies, and they look good! I haven't jointed yet, so the plastic lock joints will be completely new to me. Then again, just about everything is.
I love the idea of teddies for kids. Why not nice, jointed mohair teddies, instead of crummy ones? After all, what higher calling could a teddy ask for, than to comfort a child?
Eileen
I fogot to add that I was so unsure of the safety eyes that I did a light 'trial stuffing' before I marked their locations, just to be certain I didn't produce a gargoyle!
Eileen
I would buy a child safe bear in a heart beat. Jenn
My first bear that I sold was for a child. A newborn. She wanted it to be made normally tho, not child safe. But I think the idea of bears for kids isn't out there enough.
hugs sarah
My daycare kids LOVE teddys. Jenn
Just my 2 cents worth. I think the manufactured bears like Russ, Gund are too competitve with their prices, especially bears suitable for kids.
My daughter loves my mohair bears too, I think the price would put people off, as some kids can be rough with their toys, and lose them.
I have to agree with Karen. There are also companies like Robin Rive Country Life who make artist style bears with some targeted specifically to babies. I have made a few but not for a few years now. I did create a niche market a few years ago teaching expectant mums to create their own heirloom bears for their babies. The best one was a hairdresser who did the most amazing face trimming/sclupturing on her bear.
Oooh hair dressers seem to be great with bears ;)
Danni
My bears sure do need a hairdresser!:D
Eileen