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just think each one you sell is precious to someone
Thats exactly it!! I always have favourite bears on my stall, and when they sell I think 'Oh! I really loved that bear', but I love fairs as I get to meet the person who is adopting the bear, and you really do realise that the person is going to get a lot of pleasure out of the bear, and cherish it, as I do with all the bears I have adopted from other people.
I may own a lot of my bears, but I did start out as a child making them for me to play with. I went to bear fairs and couldn't afford all the wonderful artist bears on display (I was only 10!), so would find inspiration in what I saw, buy a piece of fabric, and make myself a bear when I got home.
As I began to sell my bears, I always decided before I started the bear whether it was for sale or for keeps. I have always done the same since - meaning that I don't get attached to bears that are for sale. However, a couple of weeks ago, I allowed myself to keep a bear that had been made for sale. However, I was busy worrying about my husband who had gone away for a week (we have never been apart for more than one night since we were first together!), so I allowed myself to keep it, as it's face spoke to me!! Its a slippery slope though, and I will not let myself do it again!!! I promise...... 
Now I really must get off the internet and get on with sewing, as Hugglets is less than two weeks away and I still need another 10 bears!!! Eek!!
Pearl's Bears
Hi Eliza: I have an anxiety disorder too. I find making bears very relaxing and soothing as I practice alternative coping methods to help myself (breathing techniques, rest, exercise, etc.). My bears have allowed me to go to work part-time now instead of full-time (my work is not conducive to health and relaxation, lol), so selling my bears is helping to keep me in a comfortable place more. However, I will work extra hard to keep a bear as a little gift to myself. I don't keep many, perhaps 15 at most, and I only do it when I've sold an extra bear I didn't expect or done really well on Ebay. The ones that don't seem to sell and are not my personal favorites go to relatives and friends.
Some of the ones I'm keeping are for a children's story I'm writing, just like you! Every couple of months I make a new character for my book. When I'm finished the story and have made all the characters I'm going to photograph them acting out scenes from the book and then try to get it published! Whether I have success or not, it's fun working on them and I get to keep more bears! (As if we should need a reason! lol)
Sometimes I try animes or other 'strange' little bears and I end up keeping them because no one will buy them! My family look at me with that funny look that says, "Hmmm! There's that crazy lady again!" lol!
Here's a pic of my characters so far:
Burlison BearsPearl,
We seem to have a lot in common...and you're not going to believe this, but I had the same idea for a children's book...using photos of my bears on an adventure! Great minds think alike! Of course, this idea would be far in the future when I can actually keep some of my bears! 
Pearl, I just love your photo of bears. I've been to your website again and again for a whole year, always admiring your bears and looking at every auction you have on ebay. They are all so beautiful and sweet. So I've been a fan of yours for awhile now! It's great to get to know you better. And I believe we joined Teddy Talk around the same time!
Keep up the great work on your bears! 
And eventually when I have money someday I shall buy one of your teddies to keep in my bedroom. 
Drea's BearsI have only kept two of my bears, the first was my very first attempt at my first original pattern. I kept the bear and threw out the pattern 'cause I didn't like it......now 8 years later I wish I would have kept the pattern, he's grown on me. The second bear is the one in my avatar "North Paw" He was my most recent new pattern and my very first open mouth!
Hugs,
AndreaM
Pearl's BearsEliza: We have more in common than you think! I also use my middle name instead of my first, always have, parents I guess! That's neat about the book! I would love to see how your story is coming along! Hopefully you'll tell me about it one day! I think your bears are adorable too!!!! One day I will own one of yours too! And take very good care of her or him I might add!!!! Very nice to meet you! Hugs, Pearl
Burlison BearsWow, Pearl! I don't even remember mentioning that Eliza is actually my middle name! My real name is
Hayley Eliza Burlison. When I was little my family members called me "Hayley Eliza". It's a southern thing to combine first and middle names. I grew up in Tennessee! My mother called me Eliza more than she did Hayley, whereas in school and everywhere else I've only been known as Hayley. I switched to Eliza for my bearmaking for a couple reasons...it sounds more like an old-fashioned sewing kind of name and I just always have prefered it over Hayley...especially since "Hayley" is becoming very popular in America now. "Eliza" is basically unheard of in America...and I like to be unique!
As for the picture book about my bears...it's just a work in progress...no actual writing yet. Since I make minis I've been thinking of different adventures a group of my minis could go on...including trekking outdoors into the great big world! I thought it would be good to show how big the world is to them...because small children can really relate to that! As for my other picture books I have 3 really good written ones and my illustrations are in the works so I haven't yet submitted those to publishers. I also have 2 novels written for middle grade children. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that someday I will finally be a published children's book author & illustrator. I even did 4 years of schooling with The Institute of Children's Literature where you learn from other published authors and editors in the business. But getting published (at least in America) is extremely difficult...there are thousands upon thousands of people trying to compete, and the publishers can only publish a set number of books each year.
Pearl, I would be honored if you adopted one of my mini bears! Maybe eventually we can work out a swap...I'd trade you a handful of minis for one of your big beautiful bears! I revisited your website. It's been a while, and I am just in awe with your work. You are very talented.
Let's keep in touch. 
