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Deb Sep 28, 2005

So … I’m confused again.  I was reading again the thread on preserving patterns, and got to thinking (uh oh).  If a true, OOAK bear is one where you throw the pattern away after you make him/her … then why would I save pattern pieces?  And more importantly, if I am saving an arm, leg, etc. to use again, what should I call the bear?  I really just want to understand … so that if I’m reusing a pattern or pattern piece, I’m not incorrectly calling a bear a OOAK.

Thoughts gals?

kbonsall Sep 28, 2005

Do all OOAK bear artist destroy their patterns? or is this just that the dont make two of the same bear?  Sorry to answer your question with a question (or two) I would like to know the answers myself

psichick78 Sep 28, 2005

Good question, and I don't really have the answer. Although OOAK means, one-of-a-kind. So as we are seeing with Nancy's bear pattern being made by so many different people, they all look different.
So, in my humble opinion, I think that as long as we're not doing a series of bears and trying to make them all look the same, than they are ooak.
Heather

kbonsall Sep 28, 2005

that is what I thought but deb made me wonder ...

Laura Lynn Banner SponsorSep 28, 2005

I think this can vary from person to person... but for me my bear is one of a kind when I use a certain pattern with a certain fur. 

I used to put something like this in my listings....(for some reason I took it out a while ago... not sure why?  But thanks for the reminder so I'll put it back in :))

"Although I do re-use my patterns, this is the only bear that will be created with this pattern and mohair combination"

kbonsall Sep 28, 2005

I remembered someone posting something a while ago

hi- I'll keep most of my option to my self - but I love all your creations & think everyone on this form has the right to call themselves artist.
(I personally like to describe myself as a bear maker)
I wanted to share the info. in Nancy Tillberg's book "101 Bears To Make". The book states the definitions are open to interpretation & not carved in teddy bear stone. ( I thought it was interesting, so maybe you will too)   
Artist Bear: a bear conceived, designed & created by an individual.
Artist Designed Bear: the pattern was conceived & designed by one person, but created by others.
Bear Crafter: one who makes bears using patterns they have not created themselves.
Bear Maker: Anyone who makes a teddy bear- artist, crafters or manufacture
Edition: The number of bears made from a pattern before the pattern is discarded.
Exclusive: A bear that's only offered in a specific place & time.
Handmade Bear: A bear made by a person using various tool rather then by a commercial manufacturing company.
Limited Edition: The bears made from a pattern are limited to a certain number. A small edition could be 3 or 10.
One of A Kind: A bear is created once from a pattern & then the pattern is discarded.
One Of A Kind In A Series: A bear is created from a pattern with a unique appearance. The pattern is re-used, but each bear is finished differently.
OOAK: One of a kind.
Open Edition: Bears are made from a pattern until the creator decides to stop using it & retires the design.
Prototype: sample bear from a new design to test over all proportions & aesthetic appeal of the pattern.

Last edited by love Bud Bears (Aug 30, 2005 09:42:25 PM)

Deb Sep 28, 2005

I read the following definitions in my recently procured book by Nancy Tillberg.

One-of-a-Kind:  A bear is created once from a pattern and then the pattern is discarded.

One-of-a-Kinda in a Series:  A bear is created from a pattern with a unique appearance.  The pattern is then re-used, but each bear is finished differently.

Open Edition: Bears are made from the pattern until the creator decides to stop using it and retires the design.

With the second item, do you need to decide in advance how many there will be in the series?

kbonsall Sep 28, 2005

But you know what... who would know what Open Edition? I doubt anyone on ebay would search those specific words...

Deb Sep 28, 2005

I hear ya.  Just don't want to mislead anyone who would.

kbonsall Sep 28, 2005

I just always assumed that ooak was one of a kind meaning there is only one of one....

Kirsten Sep 28, 2005

If you really think about it, most artist bears should be OOAK unless we are trying to make exact copies. Everytime I use a pattern, it looks different because of mohair choice, eye and ear placement and sculpting. I can't replicate a bear exactly, I've tried. In my opinion all my bears are unique, thus OOAK.

gotobedbears Sep 28, 2005

Sounds like a whole lotta red tape to me Girls
Can there be rules when there is'nt a governing body to police them?

I dunno about all this chucking the pattern away only to have to redraw it - don't most people just photocopy it, throw the original one away and then re-use it in it's photocopy form - this would technically be a 'new' pattern would'nt it? How many variations on a theme can there be anyway?

I've seen trillions of bears made by artists that must surely have come from the same pattern because they are all the same shape, size and style yet the bears are still described as being one of a kind.

I'm not dissing Nancy Tilburg or anyone else but just HOW do you keep coming up with totally new designs for every bear you produce - does it count as a completely new pattern if you just twiddle with the arm/leg length etc etc?

How can a bear artist develop a 'style' if they have to keep changing their patterns with every bear they produce?

Penny - confused

clare14 Sep 28, 2005

I use my patterns again and again.   I use different fabrics and different accessories, no 2 bears are ever 'the same' (unless they are meant to be) and I know other artists who do this too.   I do perhaps change things as I go if I want, but mostly, no,  they are the same.

Helena Sep 28, 2005

Discarding the pattern seems pretty extreme to me! I wish I had the confidence to know I could draw another successful design from scratch :lol:. My patterns 'evolve' over time, are made bigger or smaller, have darts added or taken away.... I have two or three patterns I'm working with right now, and they are constantly changing. I couldn't dream of binning any though - I might need them for reference at some stage even if I don't use them again :).

Just a thought: am I interpreting the word 'discard' too literally?!

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorSep 28, 2005

I do re-use my patterns, but the bears will look different because I've used different fur and different placement of eyes, ears, etc.  If I do throw away a pattern piece or even a whole pattern, it's because I've re-worked it, trying to improve the design, and when it's the way I want it . . . THEN the original gets the "file 13".  When I come up with a design I really like, I sometimes enlarge or decrease the size, add bent arms and/or legs to vary it a little, maybe fool with the width of the gusset . . . any of that, in my opinion, makes it a completely different pattern and I don't have a problem calling my bears OOAK.

Pipa Sep 28, 2005

i dont know about anyone else but i have trouble trying to make two bears look the same on PURPOSE! I cant do it LOL!!!!

Deb Sep 28, 2005

Thanks everybody ... I think I try to over-analyze sometimes. :redface:

Dilu Sep 28, 2005

The gollies want to volunteer as OOAK POLICE

Actually, wouldn't the fact that I can't follow my own directions let alone anyone elses and therefore everyone comes out looking differant, is dressed differently, have different expressions etc etc make my gollies an OOAK.....Haven't I heard all of you say you never make the same bear twice?  Doesn't that make each bear you do make an OOAK?

Golly- I just wanta make my little gollydollies and enjoy life.

:P

PS sorry about original syntax.  OR is that sintax.....no that's what they pay in Las Vegas. 

I am getting so very confused...

Deb Sep 28, 2005

OH ... because THEY'D make good police ... good grief! :)

Thanks for the chuckle about following your own directions.  I can't either most of the time.

heartsez Sep 28, 2005

boy am i a ditz..i didnt even realize what ooak stood fro ! i thought it was a tag related to a particular artist!  duh..deb

Marie_ Sep 29, 2005

Wow, this is exactly what I need to know ! I just found out that
OOAK means One Of A Kind not One Of Artist Kind....
he he :redface: 

Sue-Ann, thank you for your word. I think I got an Idea about OOAK
now. :clap:   

Hugs/Marie

kbonsall Sep 29, 2005

Good now that we are all in agreement LOL

Jellybelly Bears Sep 29, 2005

I'm a bit late to this discussion, but I keep my patterns even if they are OOAK and I only make one from that pattern and no more.  I don't know, but I would hate to throw it away after all that work ..and even tho I know I can't make aother, I hate to have that option taken away...know what I mean?

Also like someone mentioned, my patterns evolve too..I would probably use the same sort of pattern with differences to make the bear look like I imagine it too...does that make sense...They aren't all the same but still look the same...even when I set out with pencil and paper to draw my next design from scratch, it comes out similar to my others coz that is my own artistic personality showing through..so it is really hard to get bears all looking very different..

I used to be very strict on the only use one pattern and then change, but now I'm making more it's getting more difficult and I'm beginning to get to the stage where I like my patterns and don't see much that I want to change besides size or positioning of limbs etc.
I've made my flutter bears from the same pattern...I haven't called them OOAK coz I felt a bit funny doing it coz the pattern is the same...but I may add one of a kind in a series???  I don't know...  I've put them as an open edition at the moment coz I have been unsure of what to do...

All very interesting tho and is something I think about...I suppose everyone does what she believes is right and that should be okay with eveyone (without meaning any disrespect) Even bears that you can tell are exactly the same have different themes or fur and they look different...and like someone already mentioned, its hard enough making two identical bears lol

oh well, that is enough of my ramble lol

hugs sarah

Dilu Sep 29, 2005

Deb and Marie, bless your hearts....You don't know how much better I feel; I had to ask not to long ago, and when it was explained I felt silly.  But that's ok for a golly maker :D

Sarah et al:

I don't know, I haven't been at this nearly long enough to have an opinion, but as you all know, that has never stopped me.  So here's my 2 dollars worth....

How many different ways can we draw a bear or golly pattern?  Really? 
So rather than redraw the whole thing.....time is money?....why can't it be considered OOAK if minor variaitions are made?

If this keeps up my next golly will have foot-in-mouth disease...:lol::lol::lol:

Is there a definitive rule somewhere?  Is there a governing organization that has determined all this stuff?  How did this evolve?  What's the history of OOAK?

Does anyone know?

Dillyoop

Judi Sep 29, 2005

I am late posting here too....better late than never!

Technically Nancy's definitions would get my vote for being correct.:teddybear::teddybear::teddybear::teddybear::teddybear::teddybear:(love this icon by the way)

I think sometimes artists feel they may be giving a buyer/collector something special by calling it OOAK, or the buyer may really like the idea of having the "only one" like it.  EVen if it is not technically OOAK, it can still be very unique  to the particular artist.  Unique to the artist (UTA) maybe a better way to think of it. ..hhhhhhhmmmmmmm

Dilu..."sintax"....hilarious:lol::lol::lol::lol: