For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
I recently began to enter bear competitions in order to receive feedback about my bear making skills. I also enjoy going along and seeing all the entries. I am planning to enter some bears in shows later this year and now will be in the open section. I went to a show recently and noticed that people were entering in both the open and artist bear sections. Obviously this competition allowed that. Is this generally the case?? I always thought that the professional/artist bear section was the top level - for those people who have achieved mastery of the art. Is it then OK for those bear artists to enter in a section with people who aren't up to there level? I am just curious to the general rules for bear making competitions.
You can download an entry form for the Woodend Teddy Bear Show which will give you all the categories.
The local shows I have entered have NOT allowed that. If you have won an award or ribbon in the open then you are encouraged to move up to the next level at the next competition.
You may wish to look at what categories these straddlers are entered into. They may have just learned a new technique. Which would be only fare to allow them entry into the open field.