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Haus of Bears, Inc.Hello,
I love this board, it is fun to read and gives a lot of advice on just about every Bear "Problem".
I do have a "Problem" with my Bears also, it seems like they are missing the certain "special xtra", they all look in my opinion so plain, like something is missing
I can also not stick to one pattern, I am constantly making new ones,always trying to find "My Style".
I envy all you Bear Artist which found "Their Style" of making Bears.
I hope I am making sense to you all.
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Delartful BearsOooh Rita, your bears are ADORABLE!! I dont just say that to anyone! They really truley are! I think YOU have definatly got your own style. I think it would be easy to pick a BlackForest Bear.
It's wonderful that there are so many different styles, from Shelli's sweet soulful bears, to Judi's amazing character faces, to Dilu's cute little minis, to Daph's adorable happy teddys, to Sue Ann's sweet "melt your heart" faces. (and everyone else's amazing work!) They all have their amazing looks.
Just remember that we can't all do the same things - that would be boring. We can all appreciate everyone's work though!
Keep going and stop being so hard on yourself!
Hi Rita
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Hope this helps,
Dale
Hi Rita!!!! I also think your bears are great!! I think that we are our own worst critics.... I can tell ya that in the short time I've been on this board and another bear board that I have learned SO much... my bears are starting to show it (In my opinion anyways... 
)
And I posted this to Louise in another post... but I'll post it for you here too. I've also learned so much from Nancy Tillberg's online classes - I get SO excited about them ;). I love them and can't wait to take another. I have to say that I often don't "finish" the class with a finished bear from Nancy's patterns 
But I HAVE been applying the techniques to my own bears.
Past Time BearsRita, your bears are very sweet . . . and I definitely see a "style" there!! While my bear designs aren't all alike (I don't want each one to look like a clone), there is a family resemblance (as one customer told me). And your bears are anything but "plain"!! They are truly remarkable! Keep on keeping on!! 
Winneybears and FriendsRita..I took a quick look at your bears and I am amazed that you think they are plain ? They are anything but plain...and you have made 3000 so far !!! That's alot ! I love your little Bullies and the bears are very cute indeed.
Your work does have a very destintive style...but you say your bears are lacking that " special extra "?
So..I am wondering , perhaps you are just sort of feeling like you have run out of ideas and need some NEW direction ? Designing some new critters or learning some new techniques may be just what you need to get your creative juices flowing ?If that's it , you have come to the right place ! Happy you found us , welcome ! ....Winney
Wisdom BearsMy goodness Rita, 3,000 Bears you have made, Gee whizz, I have been making bears for over 8 years and I don't think I've reached that target yet. But you do make great bears... Hugs Rita xxx
Miss Rita Drolet, I know your bears. I've seen your work and recognize your name... from trade magazines, I'm imagining, or perhaps at Bear Paths...? Maybe in multiple listings on eBay...?
From somewhere that I frequently haunt in my obsessive quest for devouring knowledge and images of all things bear.
And I've seen your work many times over, by the way, and those bears of yours have always made a favorable impression. They have a wonderfully sweet whimsy to them; I adore bears with that look. I'd characterize them as terribly, terrifically, totally special, and definately recognizable as one of your own.
I'm with Winney; I'm wondering if maybe you're in a slump and need to try something new. I, myself, am newly invigorated by some short, sparse, straight, mint green!, mohair in my possession. (I tend to get a little lost early summer; it coincides with the depressing realization that my kids spend more time, when school's out, with their dad... and thus, not with me.)
Sometimes a tweak here or a new twist there 's all it takes to get mentally and psychologically back on track. Maybe you could try a bigger size pattern... or a smaller one. A new kind of mohair? Larger eyes? Smaller eyes? A turned down paw? A wired limb? Lids? Shading? SOMETHING...!
But whatever you do, don't go to the place that somehow belittles or takes away from your work. The bears speak for themselves and are full of character and sweetness. Very much of the sort that "speaks" to people, in little tiny squeaky voices. Just what you, as the artist, would want. They're lovely.
Keep up the good work and know we're here to support you when you get down. It's a lovely group here. They will become your fast friends, I'm certain.
Posts: 8,574Oh Rita----Blackforest Bears?
I'm new to this world so forgive me for not knowing you or your bears, so I went and took a looksee.
Well for goodness sakes, girl, are you looking at the same teds I just looked at?
I see style galore!
My dad was an artist-he didn't paint the same scene over and over and over again- he tried everything, he experimented, he would paint Half Dome in the winter, or Half Dome at night-he would change things, mix it up a little....there is nothing wrong with that.
There is nothing wrong at all with creating differences in your bears, after all no two people are exactly the same, except for those precious few identical twins. ( and even they have subtle differences)
Soooooodo do what Shelli just recomended for Louise. I'm not in a slump, but I'm going to....the ideas sound like fun...
Glad you are here and glad you came out of hiding!
Dilu 
Posts: 8,574OH OH OH Shelli
Your new avatar- I love him, he looks so sad- Like someone told him Santa isn't real.
Wonderful!
Dily
Welcome to this site! Keep it up with the bears! You will either finf "your Style" or realize, you already have!
Haus of Bears, Inc.You are All soo nice and I do appreciate your Feedback about my Bears. I guess, after so many Years in Bearmaking, there comes a time when you are in a
"slump"
But, no matter how many Bears I make, and made, I always think, the Bears from other Artist`s look soo much better than mine.
My Confidence dropped 360 when I startet selling them on E=Bay and did not even get bids high enough to cover a fraction of the Material!!
Selling them privat, or in my Store, I get whatever I think is a fair price.
Well, I thank you all again for so much nice reply`s it did helped me.
Rita
Kiprie BearsHi Rita! Sorry, I'm little late here ;)
Your bear is cute I love the droppy eyes and little faces. :D you made 3000bears in 8years? waoooooooo. You must be the super woman's family? of super woman self???
I'm new to here and still feel new for teddy bear making too so I can't give you any
advice but I really think you already have
the style
Same as Laura, I'm taking Nancy Tillberg's online classes . I want to be a teddy bear
artist some day
Past Time BearsMarie, that's a really sweet bear you have for your avatar. Looks to me like you're already a bear artist!
Kiprie BearsThank you Sue Ann :lol::lol::lol:
You are soooooooo sweet
Fool's Gold BearsMarie,
Your bear is darling. I agree with Sue Ann, you ARE an artist. Keep creating. Soon you will begin to recognize your own style emerging. (It's already there, but soon, YOU will see it.)
Hugs,
Back Road BearsRita,
I've often felt as you do. HOWEVER, I have to agree with everyone else here that your bears definitely have a special "Rita" look to them that is all your own.
We can't force our art to be what it isn't. Open up those flood gates and let your heart and soul into the whole design process. Perhaps try something you've never dared try before. You may find a new look you like or you may begin to appreciate your existing style more.
But put those concerns aside about not having that special look..... your bears most definitely do! I recognize your bears - I've seen them in print. Leo, in particular I think! So your bears do have a look of distinction.
Hugs to you and thank you for joining in here!
Daphne
Posts: 3,177Hellooo Rita
You have a style all of your own. I think everyone goes through a stage of not knowing if they've reached their perfect style or not. You just keep on making the bears the way you are Rita, they look toooo cute to me;)
Penny
