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Hi everyone,
As I get closer to selling some of my bears, the teddy bear collector is on my mind.
My question is: What do you, as a collector, look for in a teddy bear? I know that the variations in bears are almost endless, but I think it would be interesting to hear what people like and dislike.
For example, I like it when the mohair (my favorite fabric type) "fits" the style and personality of the bear really well. I also look for a very well-made bear - nicely finished seams, well-embroidered nose, etc.
I don't buy any miniatures because my cat thinks they're toys for her. And the feel of ultrasuede doesn't appeal to me, so I prefer wool felt paw pads.
Other thoughts on what moves you to buy a bear, and what makes you decide against one?
With my best,
Becky
Hi everyone,
As I get closer to selling some of my bears, the teddy bear collector is on my mind.
Oh good! I am going to be keeping a very close on on your work for sure!
My question is: What do you, as a collector, look for in a teddy bear? I know that the variations in bears are almost endless, but I think it would be interesting to hear what people like and dislike.
Well, that's really dependant on the person to be honest. When you consider that the teddy bear is inanimate, what brings it to life for a collector will be his initial appearance, the "personality" that person looking at him might conjure up, also, his provenance; who made him, etc., and if he has a history, that will also add to his personality as well. :)
What I look for in a teddy bear is varying -- although I have to admit, my tastes are well and truly rooted in the traditional bear. What I like about those goes along these lines:
* The teddy is jointed, so his head, arms and legs can be moved around to place him in different positions. Great for arranging one's hug.
* The teddy's head is a nice triangular shape which fits in well with other teddy bears.
* The hands and feet all have nice velvet pads which are nice for hugging. :)
* Most mohair bears look great in this style.
For example, I like it when the mohair (my favorite fabric type) "fits" the style and personality of the bear really well. I also look for a very well-made bear - nicely finished seams, well-embroidered nose, etc.
I don't buy any miniatures because my cat thinks they're toys for her. And the feel of ultrasuede doesn't appeal to me, so I prefer wool felt paw pads.
Well, miniature bears tend to be niche anyway -- and whilst I admire the amount of effort one has to go through to make them, I prefer something a little larger, personally.
Other thoughts on what moves you to buy a bear, and what makes you decide against one?
Well, since I am drawn to one style, that tends to be the main filter. There's many different styles of teddy bears here on these forums, some of them I like, some I don't --- but then there'll always be people who like something someone else does not. :) To give an example, I really dislike the cheeky bears Merrythought produced -- yet they're really popular with the Japanese, for instance. Guess there's no accounting for taste. :)
-- Thomas Adam
Boechout, AntwerpHi Becky,
That's a very difficult question you ask and I'm afraid that if you ask 10 arctophiles, you'll get 10 different replies.
If you are thinking of selling your teddy bears, here's an idea that Paula Carter thought of, during her last teddy web-show.
She asked the people who visited her site to vote which bear they found the most appealing.
So maybe you could post some photos of yours bears on this site and ask people to choose one (or a top 3). That way you will know what bears appeal most to the good people on this forum 
.
The most important thing though is that you make teddies you like yourself. I don't think that there are many artists here who make bears that they don't like
themselves, but that sell well. (Correct me if I'm wrong, artists :doh: )
Good luck,
Hugs,
Peter 
Thank you for your thoughtful answers, Thomas and Peter! I'm glad I heard from both of you.
I think you're right, and all the answers to this question will be very different. (That's what will make them great fun to read, I hope:)
Best,
Becky
Thank you for your thoughtful answers, Thomas and Peter! I'm glad I heard from both of you.
I think you're right, and all the answers to this question will be very different. (That's what will make them great fun to read, I hope:)
Best,
Becky
Please tell me you're getting closer to revealing a website and some teddies for adoption? :) :)
-- Thomas Adam
It's so nice of you to ask - really encouraging. I'm currently making a couple of bears for a consignment shop that a group of artists have opened near Washington D.C. Then it's definitely on to inventory for my website and an Etsy e-store.
I'll keep you posted and will have links here. And again - your interest in my bears has given me a big smile. (I'll be sure to make some with velvet paw pads:)
Becky
It's so nice of you to ask - really encouraging. I'm currently making a couple of bears for a consignment shop that a group of artists have opened near Washington D.C. Then it's definitely on to inventory for my website and an Etsy e-store.
I'll keep you posted and will have links here. And again - your interest in my bears has given me a big smile. (I'll be sure to make some with velvet paw pads:)
Becky
Oh goody -- well, all in good time and I can't wait to hear from you as and when. :)
-- Thomas Adam
PennsylvaniaWhen you consider that the teddy bear is inanimate...
That kind of talk will get you into trouble in these parts!
Remember what happened to Gulliver?
(Ummm.... Pudge... He didn't mean it! Go easy on him. He's just a silly human!)
Sorry about that, folks. Pudge gets a little testy sometimes.
Typically we like traditional Bears. We do have some character Bears and non-traditional Bears. Melanie's mom knits and crochets. She made us a few felted Bears and some crocheted ones.
We have seen some Bears that look like they could have come straight out of a Tim Burton movie.
As nice as the are, in terms of being well-made, we are just not turned on by Bears that make us feel creepy.
We prefer Bears who have happy expressions. Bears with dignified looks are good, too.
We have a few that look pensive or thoughtful but we don't really go for Bears with soulful or sad looks. Bears are supposed to help you feel happier when you need a lift. A Bear who looks empathetic might be nice to talk to when you are down.
Bears whose faces are in good proportion are most desirable. We don't necessarily mean they all have to be based on the Golden Section but "roughly" proporioned, at least.
Other than that, we can't give you really specific likes or dislikes.
If you showed us a picture or two of Bears you make (or drawings) we could tell you what we think.
Bear-HandsHi everyone, this is a good post Becky. It is difficult to know what people like but you have to go with your heart and just design. one thing i have learnt is how much your work changes over time and how particular you get about your work. i think this is a good thing.
1. we are always learning
2. always trying to get better
3. we wont everyone one to love the bear you create as the are all so special with there own little personalities.
4. we want them all to go to good homes :)
i'll keep heading back here to see what people say.
good one Becky bearhugs
susan x
More great answers! Thank you for taking the time. (You, too, Pudge:)
As for my own designs, I'll keep making bears that appeal to me and hope that other people like them, too. But there's such a knowledge base here on TT that every collector is likely to mention something I hadn't thought of.
So I'll keep checking back, too. This seems to be a great way to get to know some of the TT members a little better.
Best to all,
Becky
Back Road BearsI have to agree with Peter on this. Everyone has different taste. For example, contrary to you and Thomas I love ultrasuede pads, don't like wool felt and rarely buy a bear with felt pads. I absolutely love minis as much as bigger bears and collect both.
Paula's idea was a great one. It helped her to learn which of HER styles collectors liked best. If you try to chase after making the "universally ideal" bear you'll never find it because there is no such thing. Everyone likes something different. You have to make what YOU enjoy making AND what sells for YOU... and that all comes from experience - in both making and selling your work... getting feedback on your bears by showing them to folks in person is the best way. Put 3 or more different bears in front of someone and carefully listen and observe... which do they verbally comment on and what are those comments? Which one do they hardly look at or ignore completely? This is how you can best determine which direction to go in with your work. And because your work will hopefully continue to evolve as you gain more experience, your look will keep changing and you will be forever seeking feedback from others on the direction you go.
I agree with Susan that you need to go with your heart and design... design what you enjoy making... it will show in the finished bear. If you are making say mini bears from synthetic and ultrasuede because every one here said that's what they liked best you'd be miserable and your work would be sub-par as a result!
So the more important question when trying to learn what collectors do and don't like is to ask what they do and don't like about YOUR STYLE... the ones you have designed and enjoy making. Their answers will help you then to simply fine tune your design choices.
