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I'm thinking of doing a Series and wanted to know how everyone deals with this.
Do you have a set number that you are going to make and then number them 1 of 10 or do you have an unlimited number and just say this is #1 in ___ Series?
Bears by EdieHi Jane,
To my way of thinking deciding how many you are making and then making them #1/ 20, #2/20 and so on is a limited edition where they would all be the same bear. I consider a series to be bears made on a particular theme but with each a little different and then I would likely not state ahead of time how many I was making but number them #1, #2, etc in the series - and make it very clear that each one in the series would be different.
Back Road BearsWell, I decided to make a series of 12 of my 18 inch Heart & Sole bears. Now I've just finished the 12th one and want to make more. 
I'm making 3 sizes in that pattern and have decided NOT to limit the number of bears I make in the smaller sizes. That way if I get to 8 and decided I don't want to make any more I don't have to or if I want to make 25 I can! One of the things I hate in the bear making business is limitations! Custom orders present limits, Limited Editions present limits, a numbered series presents limits. Hate 'em!! 
Past Time BearsVery early in my bear career, I thought I would make limited editions of the bears that I particularly liked. I decided on LEs of 5, but after making 5 of one design, I said forget it. Remaking the same bear - even if it's only 5 times - did not suit my personality, so I make OOAK only these days. An exception to that was when I made the LE of my breast cancer bear honoring my sister who had just been diagnosed (back in 2000). It was an LE of 25 with the proceeds going to the Susan Komen Foundation. I really, REALLY got tired of making that one - even if it was for a good cause. Now when I want to produce several creations with a similar theme or look, I call that series a "collection" and don't limit the individual pieces by numbering. Like my "As Time Goes By" collection. Good luck with your LEs, Jane.
Thanks Ladies. What great advice. I never though about if you limited the number and you wanted to do more then there would be a problem. Well my Series will not be limited and I will number them 1 of ____ Series!
Well,
I have to say 
It depends on your audience. It is VERY important, if you are selling to collectors, to be exact in your series. There must be a beginning and an end. I know we don't want to think about this, but the value of a series is that an artist creates only so many pieces. It is misleading to create a series and then extend it. Many collectors buy from a limited series because they know it will be a rare piece. We have to understand the collector market and respect their collections.
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
BruinwerksI sometimes like to do OOAK based on a theme. My tags say..."NAME".... OOAK in the "name of series" series.
That way the collector gets a OOAK and I get to explore an idea as long as it interests me.
Its a Win/Win for everybody!
Cheryl 
