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Just wondering.......what do you call yourselves....when asked the question..."And what do you do for a living"
In my experience to date, it seem to cause much confusion!!
When first asked this question at a social gathering, I replied in my wisdom, "oh I'm a bear artist"..........shock,
horror, spread across this persons face.....obviously having lurid visions of myself, in a state of undress!!! :crackup:
So next time I changed tactics, and played safe, and replied....."I'm a bearmaker"....to which came an influx
of questions......eg. which factory do you work in?..and...do you all sit at a conveyer belt? :doh:
In a recent conversation with a friend who I had not seen for a while.......I replied.."oh I'm a teddy bear artist,
I design and make teddy bears,....to which she just smirked,....and said....really...you make fluffy teddies!!! :redface:
So I would be really interested to know girls, when posed with this question, what do you say?......and what
responses do you get?
Yvonne.
I think most of us are used to either blank stares of disinterest or subtle judgement when we say we make teddy bears, Yvonne, so if it helps any, know that you're not alone! It can sound so... precious... to say, "I'm a teddy bear maker!" We are most of us, after all, grownups. I'd guess that most people don't understand the "artist" or the creative/challenging, exciting part of what we do, and instead focus on the "teddy bear" part of our job description ... which is the part most of them left in their childhood.
I don't like feeling misunderstood or subtly judged so I take the huge step of just saying, "I work at home as an artist, creating high-end, one of a kind teddy bears for the adult market." That somehow puts just the right spin on things and people then ask me questions like, "Oh, is there a market for that?" Or, "What do you mean?" Rather than just staring all cow-eyed (no offense to cows intended, Judi) and then walking away. I try to keep a picture or two of my work in my wallet so I can show people that I'm talking about something entirely other than a $9.99 plushie one could buy at WalMart.
I don't want to start up the age-old "What makes an artist/crafter/hobbyist?... Who decides?" debate with my comment, by the way. I choose to call myself an artist because I like the feel of it; it makes me proud to wear it, and it seems like a suitable career path descriptor. Since bearmaking is my full time job, I chose that word to describe myself just as a full time painter or sculptor would. Simple as that.
Apple Dumpling DesignsIn addition to what Shelli stated...I think some individuals use the term "soft sculpture" artist to encompass other critters in their resume. I think you just have to find the terminology that feels right coming from your own lips and own it.
What do I say....I'm the one with the big brown cows eyes standing there going "oh, uh...I..." when asked what I do. :crackup: :crackup:
Posts: 1,836I just had a similar thing happen. I needed to get to the eye doctor for new glasses; my prescription is too old and my contacts get to dry during late night studio time. So I go to the eye doctor and I let them know that I'm no longer at a desk job, and I have recently focused all of my attention to my arts. "Oh, what do you do" is asked, probably expecting painting, sculpting, photography, or basket weaving. When I said I create one of a kind artist teddy bears, the facial expressions and heads tilt in a near pity fashion to say, oh cute like beanie babies, you do that all day. Like my professional life has gone from socially acceptable and upstanding to teetering just above sidewalk minstrel with a smooshed change hat.
Knowing that simply telling an eye doctor that I'm doing small detailed handwork wouldn't do it alone and wanting my prescription to fully benefit my work I went in armed with one of my mini's. That helped them get it. (I'm just having photos and business cards made now) A brief 1 minute explanation of the market as they held my little bear dude and they were actually very impressed. I dont' take offense at all, I look at it as recruiting possible new customers 
Getting them interested just enough so they want to go look at ebay and an artist website.
Plus you get to do what you love, how many of your friends get to say that without going Pinocchio right in front of you?? :crackup:
~Chrissi 
I always say 'I have my own business' ..and if they ask what it is..I say ' I design, make and sell collectable teddy bears' ..To which I either get the blank expression or an interested look ...in which case I elaborate more.
And when one of my clients..( who I can't stand, by the way, and the day I give up hairdressing I am going to seriously cut her ear off with the thinning scissors..aaaaagh..she's in tomorrow at 8.00am ..can you tell I hate her?) said to another client loudly..'You can never get in with her these days ever since she started making them cuddly toys' I was lost for words..
There's a first time for everything...Now, I am of to sharpen my thinning scissors!!
HA! :crackup:
Remind me to never let you cut my hair...
Teddy Bear and FriendsWhen people ask me, I tell them I'm a magazine editor. They usually ask what magazine. I say, "Teddy Bear and Friends. It's an art magazine for adult teddy bear collectors." A few brave souls will venture beyond that -- usually the ones who know someone who collects. But most sort of glaze over and change the subject. There are too many words that don't, in their minds, go together (art, adult, teddy bear) for them to even know what to ask.
If someone's snarky about it, which does happen occasionally, I very sweetly bury them in facts about the number of artists, dollars spent, conventions, recognizable auction houses, and most expensive bears until they admit it's a legitimate business. And I add another notch to our collective belt. ;)
Mindy
I recently applied for a new mortgage with my other half. My partner gave all his financial particulars first and when asked what I do for a living, I told the mortgage guy the truth. He looked bemused and scanned his computer lists for something 'appropriate'. "Tell you what love, we don't really need your income for this anyway, what say we just list you as a 'house person'?"
Six years of struggling independently to keep the roof over my head as a full time teddy bear designer after my husband left, six painful years of hard graft and determination to succeed at keeping my business afloat despite the odds being stacked against me, were dismissed in the single click of a mortgage consultant's mouse.
I didn't say a word. I stood, turned on my heel and left feeling humiliated, angry and useless.
The lesson I learned? Unless you earn significant bucks, you ain't never gonna be taken seriously when it really counts. So I guess the sensible thing to do, is not to take yourself too seriously. That's a whole lot easier than it sounds though. 
Laurie Lou BearsI went to the dentist the other day and had to fill in the occupation bit on the form but I took the easier option and put housewife. :redface:
It is awkward to describe what you do though as the only people that understand the time ,effort and skill involved in designing your own bears are those that are artists themselves or that collect artist bears.You know that whatever way you try to describe yourself people just look at you and see £2.99 plush toy as many are horrified that you could spend so much money on making or buying a bear.Of course they are worth every penny as so much time and effort goes into making them.
Laurie :hug:
Paula... :hug::rose:
Mindy... You go, girl! 
Posts: 8,574 
But I say "Oh I'm retired from nursing and now amuse myself by making and playing with Teddybears and dolls" 
Apple Dumpling DesignsPaula...perhaps you should take one of your gorgeous big ol' bears with a copy of a check or payment and plop it right down in the middle of his desk. 
Jenny....remind me never to get on your BAD side when I need a haircut!!! I probably would have said something equally as loud like..."well, you could find someone else then." But, I tend to speak sometimes when I should just be quiet. There needs to be a delete button for my mouth!!!
Pumpkin & Pickle BearsI call myself a Bear Artist, but usually when someone asks what I do I say 'I make collector's bears'. People usually look at me like I'm mad, but occasionally I'll come across someone who is really interested and then I go and bore them half to death with teddy facts!!!
They do say don't they..'It's best to insult the hairdresser after they've cut your hair and not before'....
I usually show my clients a picture of a teddy and ask them if they want their hair like that...it makes them smile anyway!!
It's just that some people are not clever enough to think outside the box..
which is why they don't understand what we do...but to be honest I think the people that matter take us seriously...that's the most important thing.
I had a hard enough time explaining to my mother why ,after going to university,I ended up a hairdresser...but she is very proud of my teddies and that's all I care about....
Wow!.............this is really interesting...thanks girls I really appreciate all your comments, as although I posted
this in a humorous way. I have to say at times it really angers and frustrates me. I'm enormously proud of what I do
........as I know all of you are......so I'll take all your good advice on board.
Shelli i will remember your quote, Shantell, soft sculpture sounds good!....Chrissi, glad you educated your eye doc,
Jenny.......go cut off that clients ear,(but leave those thinning scissors blunt)!.......Mindy..you tell them girl! thanks Paula,Laurie,and Gemma.
Dilu.......ARTIST..that's the word!!!
Hugs,
Yvonne :hug:
Back Road BearsI often use the "soft sculpture artist" thing. That get's their attention so I know they are listening, they know this is an 'art thing' I do and they often then have a bit more of an open mind when they ask, oh, what do you make? Very rarely do I ever have any one outwardly dismiss what I do or insult it by comparing it to Beanie Babies. Words like 'adult', 'collectible', 'fully jointed', 'heirloom quality', 'similar to the German Steiff bears in basic design', etc. flow from my lips during my short description of my work. They are usually impressed (or just respectful) at this point and realize this is serious business. "Where do you sell them?" comes next usually. I ALWAYS have a ton of business cards on hand and am getting to redesign them so that there is a photo of one of my bears on it. I just never have room in my purse for photographs!
There are indeed times when "housewife" is easiest.... depends on the audience and reason for the question!! I've used that answer a few times!!!
Posts: 1,836I recently applied for a new mortgage with my other half. My partner gave all his financial particulars first and when asked what I do for a living, I told the mortgage guy the truth. He looked bemused and scanned his computer lists for something 'appropriate'. "Tell you what love, we don't really need your income for this anyway, what say we just list you as a 'house person'?" :(
Paula never ever ever take what a mortgage loan officer says to heart, many are rejected used car salesmen. :twisted: :crackup: And how funny that my posting above where I mentioned my former "socially acceptable and upstanding " position....it was in mortgages SO I know those guys
"tell yah what hon, I'm as close to a "house person" as you are to prime minister so how 'bout you rescan that list for my title"
Your bears "seriously" rock Paula, so take it seriously!!!
~Chrissi
dusty attic bearshiya, thanks everyone, i have found this so interesting to read,i hate telling people what i do,(even though i`m really proud of what i`ve achieved in a short time)because people just look at me blankly,i now just give people a bis card and tell them to look at my web site.i used to find myself trying to explain that, yes adults do collect teddy bears and yes there is a market for that and no you can`t buy them in woolworths.ahhhhhhh i ended up feeling stupid.now i just say "i make bears have a card" is that to pushy????? :crackup: :crackup:
hugs chloe.xx
Posts: 8,574Our lovely Paula said:
So I guess the sensible thing to do, is not to take yourself too seriously.
Truer words never typed on TT, my love! Words to live by.
I try to.... 
Cleathero CreationsI say I am an artist specialising in soft sculpture. People usually look blankly or ask for elaboration I do. I have only had 2 snide comments made and I just smile sweetly, shake my head and laugh. For some reason that stops them dead as they look confused wondering what the hell they missed!
:twisted:
evil I am evil
Past Time Bearsnow i just say "i make bears have a card" is that to pushy????? :crackup: :crackup:
hugs chloe.xx
Nope, that's not pushy at all. In my purse, I carry a small 4 x 6 photo album with some of my bear photos . . . most of the pics are of the award winning stuff. If some unfortunate person happens to ask what I do, I just say that I'm a teddy bear artist and whip out my little "book". I do have a pocket of business cards at the back of the album and the person usually takes one after perusing the photos. Now THAT'S pushy! :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
This was so interesting to hear all your stories about revealing your profession to enquiries. So many people out there don't even know that artist bears exist, and only assume that all teddy bears are produced in mass quantities in factories. In one way, if you do have the time and patience to explain the craft to them, it is only positive promotion of our "business", not always easy though if you have some cynical character making the enquiry.
Paula, your story about the mortgage application made me feel so sad for you. To be treated in such a "dismissive" way after so many years of hard, hard work in perfecting your craft and artist skills, well I could quite easily have socked him one. Paula, as a very proud owner of one of your beautiful bears, I consider the title "Professional Bear Artist" officially bestowed on you.
The one good affirmation for all us girls is that on these discussion boards, other like minded artists can certainly appreciate all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into every design, and appreciate everyones work for what it is - pieces of art.
Please be proud of calling yourself a bear artist - we do need to educate those unfortunates that have no idea.
You never know where it may lead. Over the years I have found a few closet collectors out there and created a few new collectors by just introducing the concept of bears as art.
hugs Lisa
Posts: 434Do what makes you happy!! Sometimes people can't understand that special glow we as teddy bear artist have. They don't see what makes us happy and satisfied in our work as a bear artist. A lot of people misinterpret what a job should be. A job or career should be fun, exciting, rewarding, etc.. I know people close to me that focus more on how they are going to make a lot of money or the most money they can at a job. Not really trying to find what they enjoy or like doing. So many end up doing things just for money and have so much unhappiness in their life. I'm not rich and I don't have a bunch of money. I can tell you that God has never stopped providing for me and my family. He has always been gracious and loving to me and my family. I love doing the teddy bears. I don't do them to get rich. I do them because I love to work with my hands and create things. I love the time to relax and just enjoy what makes me happy and eventually someone else.
Yvonne - The next time someone ask you what you do for a living and they look at you funny. Just remember the stress they my have in their job compared to yours. We are so blessed to be able to enjoy our jobs from home and not have to go into the world and work day in and day out of stressful jobs. I can't image having to go back out into the world and punching a clock. Or, even working for someone. I love being my own boss. If your happy and satisfied who cares what anyone else thinks!!!
I love doing the teddy bears. I don't do them to get rich. I do them because I love to work with my hands and create things.
You and me both Melissa. Whenever someone asks me if there is good money to be made from designing teddy bears, I always tell them they will never be rich! Yes, running a business is about covering overheads and making profit, but for me, as long as the profit is enough to scrape by, it's enough to convince me to carry on.
Thanks everyone for your kind comments. I do take my work very seriously, but I guess the lesson learned is not to take myself quite so seriously! I've been independent for a long time and so moving forwards into a new partnership is proving to be a real learning curve! 
