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Jare Hares & BearsFriday, March 23
Geneva, NY
I was invited by Ann Goldfarb, principal of Geneva Middle School, to talk to the 6th thru 8th students at her school. I had a wonderful time talking to the kids and answering questions. The most popular question was... "How long does it take you to make a bear?" The second most popluar question was... "How much do you sell your bears for?" I answered all of their questions and spoke in detail of the bear making process. Each student was given a copy of my Brewster pattern. I know that one student was going to make it up.
I am talking to a group of 7th graders.
Here the students are listening to me and Axel Bunny, is checking them out!
More 7th grade students.
I am pictured here with Jeri & Molly, the consumer and domestic science teachers.
The purpose of my trip was to expose the students to the fact that I was using my sewing skills to make a living.
I explained a little of the history of teddy bears. Explained about the tools and materials used to make bears. I brought poly fil, excelsior, mohair, leather, felt, and a few oher items to share with the students. The students had never before seen or felt mohair. They liked feeling the different styles of mohair that I passed around.
I also brought several bears and bunnies with me. The finished products caught their attention and they looked them over and checked out the details as I explained the creation of the bunnies.
I discussed basic business practices and touched on the use of computers. I also gave them a resource sheet that listed US suppliers of mohair, online materials (teddy-talk.com), and the magazines. I am hoping that few of them will pop on and check us out.
I also talked with them about the different types of shows that I do. I explained the differences between trade only shows and retail shows. I also chatted for a little bit about Toy Fair and a shared a few pictures that I took. I also talked about a movie that was coming out... The Last Mimzy and that I knew the artist who made the bunnies that were used in the movie... I had them with that. A gasp of excitment when through the room. (Thanks Daphne!)
I chatted to several groups through out the day. And by days end I was ready to go home.
The school picked me up and dropped me off, which was nice. I didn't really care to rent a car and drive to someplace that I had never been to before. I ended up waiting at the airport for several hours due to bad weather in Chicago. But the airport was nice and I was able to do some shopping and get dinner before flying home.
Past Time BearsHey, Jared . . . that sounds like a terrific time! It's great that you were able to teach so many of the young ones about the teddy industry. Maybe we'll get a fresh, new crop of collectors and/or bear artists because you took the time to share your knowledge. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: 
Jared,
Really professional! Have you thought of going on the lecture circuit? Boy, could the teddy bear world use a spokesman like you.
Karen
P.S. Kids are the toughest audience and you seemed to get their attention.
That's really awesome. The arts are dying out in school here and it's such a shame. It's nice to see all is not lost! Not everybody in life is going to be an accountant. We need to feed the arts so much. Good for you!
That is wonderful Jared - how neat that you were able to educate the students, maybe new collectors or Bear Artists.
Hugs
Carolyn
Jare Hares & Bears
Really professional! Have you thought of going on the lecture circuit? Boy, could the teddy bear world use a spokesman like you.
Karen
P.S. Kids are the toughest audience and you seemed to get their attention.
I might have had their attention because I am such a big guy... LOL! :crackup:
I am going to put together a packet of information and send it out to some school districts after we get done with Schaumburg.
Who knows maybe I'll make my fortune by flapping my jaws...
Bears by Jodi
Chaska, MinnesotaOh Jared: what a wonderful thing you did educating young people about the teddy bear industry and teddy bear making. I bet you have inspired many creative souls when you were done.
BrisbaneWow that is so cool! I wish someone had come to my school, I may have taken up bear making a lot earlier. I think its great that you share your experience with others. Somethings can only be learned face to face. Reading it from a pattern or a book just isn't the same.
p.s. I love your bunnies. I just bought your Brewster pattern of ebay, and I am eagerly awaiting its arrival!! :dance: :dance:
Posts: 3,540:dance: :clap: Way to go Jare!!! :clap: :dance:
Very cool, Jared... and what a great community service. Thanks so much for posting pics!
Oh WOW Jared!!! How cool!!! THey flew you to NY from IL so you could talk creating bears (and bunnies!).... how awesome is THAT??!!!
And you namedropper. 
... mentioning that you know who created the actual Mimzy! Well, I have to say... I do the same thing :crackup: LOVE how the kids were so impressed with that!
