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peterbear Aug 19, 2009

Hi everyone,

I posted this message under the show and travel section, but, judging by the response (one : thank you Maria from Puca Bears), I guess not many of you read that section, so I hope you don't mind if I post it again under the general section.  I am certain that many of you have visited the Hugglets (or similar) show and can give me lots of good advice.

Here's what I wrote :

On September the 13th I will be visiting the Hugglets show in Kensington (London) for the very first time !

I have never been to a teddy bear event of this size and I am very much afraid that

I will lose my head

  when I see all those gorgeous teddies    !

Even thinking about the event already makes me nervous    !

So have you got any advice to give me on how :
- to stay calm and collected when seeing hundreds of teddy bears I would love to take home ?
- to keep me from ruining myself financially ?
- to decide which bear(s) I definitely want to adopt ?
- to remember to keep breathing 
- ...   

All suggestions are welcome.

Hugs     :hug:

Peterbear

katiecountrymouse1 Aug 19, 2009

Hi Peter,

I've been having a think on what to do on the day, and truthfully I'd just go and enjoy! :dance:  :dance:
Don't panic!
Go all around firstly and take all the bears in, then on the second round you then can natter to anyone whose bear was waving at you on the first round. It's then, that you can start to see which bears are going back to Belgium with you.
Maybe...... put a limit down on each bear that you want to spend or a limit on the whole day.

You will have a wonderful time, and any bear that you do decide to adopt, you know is going to have a fantastic time with you and all your bears.

Love Kayx.    

baggaley bears Aug 19, 2009

I 2nd what Kay said 
I felt the same on my first visit to Hugglets
Dont buy on your first time round, take your time but most of all just have fun and enjoy seeing all the beautiful bears 

I will be on the other said so to speak, this will be my 2nd time doing Hugglets and i am working like a mad woman  :crackup:

Hugs  :hug:
Vicki xx

Yvonne Aug 19, 2009

Hi Peter - It is a busy show..especially at the start..when collectors rush to their chosen artists stands...so be prepared for that rush..if you are going to be there early. It might be a good idea to take a look at the floor plan on the Hugglets website...if there is an artist whose work you really like..and aim to visit them first. Make sure you have comfy footwear..and dress as for a warm day..as it does get quite hot in the halls!!

I remember my first visit to Hugglets as a collector...and have to say I was totally in awe...and a little bewildered by the sheer scale of the event...so try and pace yourself...and take time out for drink and a think.. ..but most of all..just enjoy yourself..I'm certain you will find that special bear..or bears!!!!! !!

One things for sure..you will have a wonderful day!! :dance:

Hugs Yvonne 

doodlebears Celebration AmbassadorAug 19, 2009

Hi Peter, One thing that the others haven't yet said is to do what I did from the start as a visitor and still do today as an exhibitor is keep the money that you can afford to spend separate from your other money and stick to it, don't spend one penny over what you have budgeted. The show is always very busy and as Yvonne said it does get a bit warm in the halls. Plan out who you want to visit to maybe adopt one of their bears and head over to them at the start as you may be disappointed later in the day, although I have never seen anyone leaving Hugglets unhappy. It's a wonderful show and I am sure you will have a fantastic day seeing all the wonderful creations and meeting some of your Teddy Talk family, me for one. I look forwards to meeting you soon.

Hugs, Jane.       

Barling Bears Aug 19, 2009

Hi there Peter,

I can remember chatting to you about this a little while ago and probably all the right answers have already been given to you here but, you know me and my loony sense of humour, so,  I'd say,

no-one is calm at a bear fair, we all rush around like headless chickens, but still enjoy ourselves,  
as far as ruining yourself financially, ...  well, ...  we're all stuffed in that department,
no-one can tell you how to decide on which bears to adopt, the bears will tell you immediately and so will your heart,  

..... and as far as you remembering to breathe is concerned, if we find that your face has turned blue, we'll sew on some fluffy ears,
put a bell around your neck, pop you on a stand and see if we can get a good price for you!!!!!!!    

Looking forward to meeting you at long last, though you probably won't want to talk to me now!!!!!! ;o)

big hugs

Marilyn x

Linda Aug 20, 2009

Hi Peter, as I said elsewhere, try to get to the town hall early as the show is very big, and if you want to get around the entire venue you'll need all the time available to you! This is only my second time exhibiting at Hugglets, I found it very overwhelming last year, but everyone around me was friendly so I was soon put at ease. We only have pretty small shows here in Oz, so hugglets was a real eye opener for me. I guess I'll be more prepared this year 
Above all, enjoy the experience and please remember to breathe, I'll check in on Marilyn's table, and if I see a large blue bear there with a bell around his neck I'll give him a good prod!  :P
Looking forward to meeting you,
Bear Hugs
Linda 

Woodbury Park Bears Aug 20, 2009

I'm just jealous I want to go to    I have always found that the anticipation waiting for a show nearly drives me to distraction both from collecting and selling sides but what a rush when you enter and the bears do take your breath away !   I often find if there is a long period between shows I start to twitch because I need my fix    Have a lovely time just pinch yourself every so often  :crackup: so you know your not dreaming.

Hugs
Raewyn

suejennings Aug 20, 2009

Hi Peter

My advice would be:
wear comfortable shoes
wear light clothes (heat in the halls has already been mentioned)
I take the amount I have budgeted to spend in cash...and stick to my limit. A few artists only accept cash.  If all else fails and you want to exceed your limit, there is a cash machine about 100m from the entrance to the hall.
prepare yourself for very crowded aisles between tables around midday
if you want to take photos, ask the artist first
At the end of the day, the number of fabulous bears will be overwelming...if your head overruled your heart, you probably wouldn't be a teddy collector!

Hope to see you on the day

Sue

peterbear Aug 20, 2009

Thank you all for your great advice  .

Apparently everyone feels overwhelmed the first time they visit or exhibit, so I guess I won't be the only one.
I will certainly try to just take a leisurely stroll through the halls the first time and see which bears were waving at me  .

Many of you advised me to stick to a fixed budget.  Well I have taken care of that : I have appointed a "treasurer" for the day, who will accompany me to Kensington and who will be in charge of the amount I can spend.  Here he is, scrupulously guarding the budget    :

Kay,
you will certainly recognize "Toast" : ever since he knows he is treasurer, he looks very stern  !

Sue,
I loved your comment "If your head overruled your heart, you probably wouldn't be a teddy collector" : so so true  !!  I hope I will meet you there.

Marilyn,
I'm trying to think of a very witty reply to your suggestion to put me up for adoption (as a big blue Smurf ??), but my brain seems to be melting right now (temperatures of 35° C / 95° F).  But don't worry I will think of something  .

I'm sure I will have a great time once I'm there  .

Hugs,  :hug:

Peterbear

All Bear Aug 21, 2009

You and Toast will love it Peter!  Just have fun and the rest will take care of itself! :dance:

matilda Aug 22, 2009

I've been reading all this advice avidly because next year I do the TeddyBear Total in Germany for the first time and I hope to visit Hugglets on my next trip after that...... I know I am in for a surprise and am all excited and terrified ........... :crackup:

Carolynn Aug 22, 2009

Please take pics for us... Jane always does wonderful pics of the show but no one takes pics of Jane  :photo: hope you and Toast have a wonderful time.

doodlebears Celebration AmbassadorAug 22, 2009

Hey Carolynn, don't you go getting them breaking their cameras by pointing them at me, there's some much to photograph at Hugglets without me in the frame.           

Hugs, Jane.  :crackup:

peterbear Aug 22, 2009

Please take pics for us... Jane always does wonderful pics of the show but no one takes pics of Jane.

Carolynn, don't you worry : I have bought a pocket camera just for the occasion and I know that it's common courtesy to aks permission before you take photos of the teddies; but I don't think that applies to photos of teddy bear artists  :crackup: .   So be warned, Jane, Marilyn, and other bear-makers, no hiding under the tables  !

I hope you and all the artists and collectors have a wonderful day also some of the TTers who are visiting often meet up maybe it is something you could arrange.

Melanie, I was thinking the same thing : maybe it would be nice for some of the TT'ers to organize a little gettogether; although most of the artists probably know each other already, I really would like to meet some of the people "in the flesh".   We could all wear a badge with TT on it, or something like that  .
PS. Your latest bear "Lewis" is fabulous; so sorry that by the time I got to read your mail, he was already adopted  .

Hugs,  :hug:

Peterbear

Barling Bears Aug 22, 2009

Hi Peter,

Peter wrote:

So be warned, Jane, Marilyn, and other bear-makers, no hiding under the tables   !

I'll be fine - I'll be wearing my usual bag over my head so as not to frighten anyone!!

Peter also wrote:

We could all wear a badge with TT on it, or something like that

I have often wondered about this, particularly at fairs, it would be brilliant if there was a Teddy Talk badge that we could wear, instantly recognisable and an instant conversation opener!!  Who could we ask about that???  Anyone have any ideas??

Will chat soon.

Hugs

Marilyn

Laurie Aug 22, 2009

I am in the basement this time so if I see you Peter I will say hello but if I see you coming my way with a camera I will be under the table    
I am sure you will have a lovely day.I would try and stick to your budget but as for the credit cards if it were me I would always bring one in case there is something that you really really really want as you would be so fed up if you couldn't buy it.I think that you would know if that special bear was worth overspending for.
Laurie :hug:

peterbear Aug 22, 2009

I have often wondered about this, particularly at fairs, it would be brilliant if there was a Teddy Talk badge that we could wear, instantly recognisable and an instant conversation opener!!  Who could we ask about that???  Anyone have any ideas??

Marilyn,

Here is what I thought : you can copy the TEDDY TALK.COM logo from the flyer and paste it into Photoshop or Word or any other document.  Print it out, stick it onto a piece cardboard or plastic and attach a safety pin .

You know me; I always want to do something more elaborate : so I took the logo, added a few photos and am going to print it on a T-shirt.  Here is what it will look like :

You will see me coming from a mile away, so you can get your bag ready  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup: .

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorAug 22, 2009

Don't forget that TT has a pin available for purchase at Cafe Press.  Also a T-shirt that is on sale at the moment.
Scroll down to the "MarketPlace Forum" and you will see thumbnails of current bears for sale.  At the end of that row you will see 'T-shirt' and 'Pin' buttons.  Just click on one and go from there.  Also, at the top of the page on the TT banner, there is a "flyer" category button (toward the right of your screen).  You are welcome to print that and display on your table.  Just some ideas.  Wish I were going to Hugglets . . . what a dream come true!

Barling Bears Aug 22, 2009

Hi Peter,

What!!!!!  No Piccs or Twinks???????????   Ha!

Must remember to put some eyeholes in the bag!!!!! :crackup:  :crackup:

It's going to be a fun day!!! :dance:  :dance:

Hugs

Marilyn x

Sue Ann,

Whoops, nearly forgot,  thank you for the info,  and yes I had thought of using the logo and printing it out to go on my table, maybe all TT-ers exhibiting could do that!!  I have never noticed the "Flyer" either, such a nice idea so I think I will print some of those too. 

Many thanks Sue Ann,

Hugs

Marilyn  

ThomasAdam Aug 22, 2009

Well, I will be going and can't wait.  It should be better than last year.  ;)

-- Thomas Adam

karenaus Aug 22, 2009

I've been reading all this advice avidly because next year I do the TeddyBear Total in Germany for the first time and I hope to visit Hugglets on my next trip after that...... I know I am in for a surprise and am all excited and terrified ........... :crackup:

Matilda you lucky bunny! I would love to go to Teddybear Total!
   It's bad- I am thinking more about seeing other people's stuff at Hugglets, and sightseeing, than I am about actually *doing* the show myself   Worried about how I am going to get around and look? I hate leaving my table at a show even when I have people to look after it for me- but I want to see the bears!  And its extremely rare that I actually get set up in time to look before the show opens.. tho fingers crossed the jet lag will work in my favour this time

DebbieD Aug 23, 2009

Hi there Peter,

I can remember chatting to you about this a little while ago and probably all the right answers have already been given to you here but, you know me and my loony sense of humour, so,  I'd say,

no-one is calm at a bear fair, we all rush around like headless chickens, but still enjoy ourselves,  
as far as ruining yourself financially, ...  well, ...  we're all stuffed in that department,
no-one can tell you how to decide on which bears to adopt, the bears will tell you immediately and so will your heart,  

..... and as far as you remembering to breathe is concerned, if we find that your face has turned blue, we'll sew on some fluffy ears,
put a bell around your neck, pop you on a stand and see if we can get a good price for you!!!!!!!    

Looking forward to meeting you at long last, though you probably won't want to talk to me now!!!!!! ;o)

big hugs

Marilyn x

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:   This left me laughing so hard I could barely read the replies!!

All I can say is go with your first impulse regarding bear adoption.  I rarely find the first impulses are wrong.      Even if you're overwhelmed, if you feel its the correct one to bring home, buy it!  No matter who you bring home, or if your guard bear says bring no none home (impossible!!!) you will come away with some of the best times of your life!  :bday:   

bearsbyTracey Aug 24, 2009

hi Peter and all the other TTs that have added coments.

Reading through this thread has made me quite nervous!!!!!!

Travellling all the way from New Zealand, I am hoping the jet lag will not affect me.

I am showing my bears for the first time at the Hugglets Show. I am in Hall 2 stand 81A and right next to one of my idols in bear making
I am so excited to be meeting so many great bear artists. I think it will be quite overwelming
Please come and visit me Peter.

To everyone else I am looking forward to meeting you
Hugs
Tracey
Bears By Tracey

peterbear Aug 24, 2009

Travellling all the way from New Zealand, I am hoping the jet lag will not affect me.  I think it will be quite overwelming
Please come and visit me Peter.

Wow Tracey : coming all the way from New Zealand, that is fantastic. 
I have heard from artists who have done several of the Hugglets shows that they still get nervous, so you will certainly not be the only one finding it overwhelming.
I will certainly stop by and say hello (unless I have fainted from seeing all those lovely bears  ).

Hugs,  :hug:

Peterbear