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Baird'sBearsHi all :D
I'm making my first child-safe bear for one of the kids at Penny's Progeria Gala, and started wondering.
Does anyone make and sell high-end bears for children? Is there a market for them anymore?
Parents seem to spend a lot of money on toys (remember Elmo?) but I don't recall seeing any jointed bears at all!
Eileen
Pandy Potter BearsI will have finished my bear soon and will post it on the showcase section. It was weird putting in eyes first and other things I had to consider. I was well impressed with the plastic saftey eyes I bought. They were only 20p (about 33cents?) and really nice too.
Could be a market there. I'm thinking for newborns or babies first christmas. You can only give it a try.
Past Time BearsEileen . . . is that avatar photo your pup? Beautiful!!
Baird'sBearsSue Ann,
Yes that's my beloved Lucy. 
She's and old bird of 14.5, but going strong. I can't bear the thought of ever losing her, and I do all I can to keep her going. Her mother was a sable collie and her father a german shepherd. Isn't she beautiful? With her ears back, the kids say she looks like Audrey Hepburn! :/
Amanda,
The child-safe variation does seem strangely backward, but I was pleasantly surprised too! I'm using inexpensive solid black safety eyes from DiscoJoints&Teddies, and they look good! I haven't jointed yet, so the plastic lock joints will be completely new to me. Then again, just about everything is.
I love the idea of teddies for kids. Why not nice, jointed mohair teddies, instead of crummy ones? After all, what higher calling could a teddy ask for, than to comfort a child?
Eileen
Baird'sBears
I fogot to add that I was so unsure of the safety eyes that I did a light 'trial stuffing' before I marked their locations, just to be certain I didn't produce a gargoyle!
Eileen
Posts: 2,203I would buy a child safe bear in a heart beat. Jenn
Jellybelly BearsMy first bear that I sold was for a child. A newborn. She wanted it to be made normally tho, not child safe. But I think the idea of bears for kids isn't out there enough.
hugs sarah
Posts: 2,203My daycare kids LOVE teddys. Jenn
Rufnut Teddy'sJust my 2 cents worth. I think the manufactured bears like Russ, Gund are too competitve with their prices, especially bears suitable for kids.
My daughter loves my mohair bears too, I think the price would put people off, as some kids can be rough with their toys, and lose them.
I have to agree with Karen. There are also companies like Robin Rive Country Life who make artist style bears with some targeted specifically to babies. I have made a few but not for a few years now. I did create a niche market a few years ago teaching expectant mums to create their own heirloom bears for their babies. The best one was a hairdresser who did the most amazing face trimming/sclupturing on her bear.
Delartful BearsOooh hair dressers seem to be great with bears ;)
Danni
Baird'sBears My bears sure do need a hairdresser!:D
Eileen
