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Laniebears Jun 14, 2006

Hi all you seasoned makers...

After a year of participating in this dream of a job.  

I'VE NOT DONE ANY BEAR FAIRS YET...

Im a little bit shy and very confused. :redface:

Is it worth doing?

I don't know which are the best fairs to choose.

What costs are involved?

Who to contact?

How many bears id need to make?

How to display?

HOW MUCH TO CHARGE?

Its all a wee bit scary...  :redface:

PLEASE HELP.... IM SITUATED IN SHROPSHIRE THE UK.....

jenny Jun 14, 2006

Hi Lanie..the NEC is great ( www.miniatura.com    or .co.uk I can't ever remember which it is) ..and nearby for you....it's big and busy. So too is the one in Telford (even nearer) for that one contact Bernie Beech at Bears on the Square Ironbridge.
Send some photos to Hugglets..and you may be lucky enough to get asked to go..but my advice is steer clear of the small ones..they are as costly in terms of expenses and time as the big ones..and while the table may be cheaper..the punters in through the doors are inevitably less and so you may come home out of pocket at worst and with a lot of bears for your website at best!!! I have given up on the small ones..they are too risky!!!

Good luck...

clare14 Jun 17, 2006

Hi Lanie!!

I agree with Jenny, go do the big fairs!!   The NEC is great.   I wanted to go to Hugglets in Sept, but I'm away on hols so can't but will definitely go next year.   I've heard nothing but great reports on Hugglets, it sounds huge too, keep me occupied!!   :dance:   

I did my first and last fair (our local one) last October, disaster, put me off for life.       But you're going to be great!!   :hug:

I don't know how much your stand will cost at these bigger shows, but I'm sure Jenny or Vicky or Paula will be able to advise!  If you look up show tables and how many bears, we've discussed these before, there's some great advice, I'll see if I can find the topics and pop back with the links.   And how much to charge, well I always find that the million dollar question!!    

Hey Lanie, take a look at these links I found for you:

http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=1758
http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=741
http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=7860
http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=7085
http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=5144

I'm sure there's tons more, but it's a start!!   All the best!! 

Let us know which ones you do, and we'll try to pop along to see you!!

All Bear Jun 19, 2006

Hiya,

I've just had my invite for the Winter Bearfest in Kensington next February and the stand cost is £175.00 (ouch!) That said, the prices do vary depending on which hall you are put into (there are five) and whether you are allocated a wall stand (more expensive) or a centre stand.

Over the years, I've done smaller local shows and London/NEC shows.  As Jenny says, I too have found the smaller shows to be less worthwhile than the more expensive shows.  Now I only do three shows ... two at Kensington and this year, I've added 'The London Bear Fair' which is run by Warners Group Publications (Teddy Bear Scene) and held at Alexandra Palace.  I don't know how I'll get on there, but I'm looking forward to it as it's a lovely venue.

Good luck Lanie!  Just bear in mind that wherever you exhibit, nothing is guaranteed other than experience, and all experience is good! 

Laniebears Jun 19, 2006

Thanks all for your valued help and tips. :hug:

HOW DO YOU PRICE YOUR BEARS?

Do they sell for more than on Ebay...

jenny Jun 20, 2006

I price my bears exactly as I would for my website...you can't go by ebay prices...I have had bears rocket on there and then some make the reserve only..I always set my reserve at about my retail anyway...I just couldn't let them go for less.

Ebay prices are a reflection of your work's real value...but often people who visit shows don't tend to buy on-line..so it's academic.

I work out my prices by the overall cost of making the bear taking into account a proportion of advertising, show fees, tax and other expenses..then I work out what I need to earn in terms of time spent making ...then I put on my profit margin ...which means I can sell to shops without being too grumpy about the discount. It's the only way it works for me...if I didn't make a profit I couldn't affford to make them. If people don't like my prices then they won't buy my bears...but to be honest I'd rather give up than give away my work!!!

Fortunately for me people seem keen to buy my bears...and I do try to make a couple of simpler , less expensive entry level bears for shows..so that I have something that those governed by the price can opt for..I try to keep everyone happy!!!!

All Bear Jun 20, 2006

I keep a spreadsheet for pricing Lanie.  I list absolutely everything down to the last button or hangtag, to add the cost of materials.  Then I add the time the bear has taken me to make and how much per hour I'm prepared to work for ... usually 10/12 hours ... once I have all that down, I add in my profit margin which has to cover everything else to do with bear selling! 

The 'profit' margin is a percentage designed to calculate the cost of admin, promotion, car expenses ... that kind of thing.  So the basic forumla is: materials + labour + profit. 

As Jenny says, when dealing with trade it's usually the profit that takes a hit!  So always decide in advance just how advantageous dealing with trade may be to you. 

When you are starting out, it's hard to come out in profit at the end of the tax year, but it can be done with careful book-keeping and forward planning.

nettie Jun 20, 2006

I don't have many collectors in the U.K but always sold out at Ali Pali.It was more fun than Hugglets in my opinion.
I would give it a go.
I am thinking of going back this year.I have said no thanks to Hugglets too many times to get an invite there ever again!!!
A wee local show can be fun and you make friends there .I think they are fine if you don't have too high expectations.
Diane xxx