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Tatty Bears Jan 14, 2012

Hi All,
            I have a question for you all:

What kind of reactions do you get from friends family and others when you show them your creations????      

I collect reborn dolls and now make Teddy bears, I have shown girls at work my reborns and got very mixed reactions so when I showed then the bears I had made I was very surprised to get the same mixed reactions.

I foolishly thought that Teddies would have been a bit more widely accepted but I still got weird looks as if I was a nutter.

So how about you?????

Francesca Jan 14, 2012

I always got very enthusiastic reactions. I think it has to do with the fact that in Italy (I come from Italy really, even if I live in Switzerland) teddy bear making and collecting is not a common thing at all, so they are quite amazed at seeing that you can really make such a thing as a teddy by yourself. Of course some people tease me because of my 'weird' hobby, expecially friends, but they do it in a very kind and funny way. My husband has mixed feeling because he likes to see that I enjoy doing it, and he is very supportive, but sometimes he is jealous of them...

Being on Teddy Talk gave me a perspective I really needed, which is of teddy bear making from the inside, of people with the same passion, which is great!

NIKKEL Jan 14, 2012

Sheree - don't be perturbed by mixed reactions at work - for the most part, you'll find that people generally don't understand the level of work that goes into creating an artist bear, and to them a doll is just a doll or a bear is just a bear (same as store-bought), and that's probably because they haven't been exposed to and don't know the difference between manufactured and artist bears/dolls.  And what's wrong with being a 'nutter' anyway????   

I also show off my creations at work and usually get lots of 'ooohs and aahhhs' - a couple of the girls actually ask lots of questions and are genuinely interested in the craft, and the others clearly like what they see, but that's about as far as it goes.  That doesn't mean they don't appreciate your work.  I wouldn't really worry about it too much ... if you are happy with your own work, then you should be satisfied that you achieved what you set out to accomplish with that piece!

Hugs,
Marg 

HeidiBears Jan 15, 2012

I get a lot of negative reactions too... although it might just be because most kids my age aren't interested in sewing :doh:  . This year in my art class at school I was working on one of my bears and the kid sitting next to me kept saying it was "creepy".. but once it was all done he really liked it so I'm not really sure.. my art teacher called it creepy at first too but eventually loved it and even moved me into an AP art class because he was so impressed...  maybe people just don't like seeing all the body parts not put together, or when they are at the stage of missing a head or something kinda scary :crackup: . I agree with Marg, theres nothing wrong with being called a "nutter" just because not everyone has the skill or desire to make bears... really no one else can tell you how to live your life so if you love doing it and it makes you happy then by all means be proud of all the hard work and effort you put into your bears! Also look at how many members we have here on teddy talk... you can't be that weird if so many people love making bears 

1 user likes this: thondra

joibear Jan 15, 2012

A lot of the time I get a "meh" reaction. Very indifferent. If people really knew what goes into making a bear I am sure the reaction would be very different.  But I agree with Marg they just automatically think of store bought bears and don't really realize this type of bear making is an art.

Once in a while in my day to day life I will get someone who really "gets" it and appreciates it.  I really appreciate those people as much as they appreciate my bears, everyone else, , , ,  "MEH"!

Francesca Jan 15, 2012

I get a lot of negative reactions too... although it might just be because most kids my age aren't interested in sewing :doh:

Gosh, Heidi, I didn't realize you are so young! Your bears are so nice, and they show a 'maturity' that make me think people think you weird are really the weird ones! Or they are just plain jealous. You are lucky to have such a passion, and gift, for teddy bear making, and to have found it so soon.
Having a creative hobby, in my opinion, is something that makes our life rich in a way that no television, radio, videogames can do. Maybe at your age many of your classmates are interested in sports, and nobody will think them weird for that. Sport is nice....but when you are 70 years old and can't do sports like when you are a teen-ager...you can still enjoy making teddies. So, who is the smartest?
I also was a teen-ager interested in arts and crafts, I wish I learned teddy-bear making then. but it took years and Canadian friend to get there! :dance:

1 user likes this: HeidiBears

dangerbears Jan 15, 2012

I have a few friends who don't seem to get it, but they're usually polite since they know that bear-making means a lot to me. My family members have a better idea of what goes into a handmade bear, and they "ooh" and "ahh" over each one, which makes me very happy.

One of my favorite reactions came from a friend of my mom's who was visiting from out of state - like any tourist, armed with her snapshot camera. She came to my house, said she'd never seen teddy bears like mine, and wanted to take a picture. She didn't understand the bears, I'd say, but she found them interesting enough to want to snap a pic.

Becky

wubbiebear Jan 16, 2012

Usually people have a positive reaction, but I've also gotten some meh.  I've figured out that most everyone has a basic appreciation for teddy bears unless they're complete straightie heads, or arctophobes as I call them.  What bugs me is when people give me meh reactions to my collection of bears.  I hate when people say they're just bears.  No they're not and go to a cave is what I'd like to say.

DENBY30 Jan 17, 2012

  Heidi, I just went on your site to read your blog and you are one of the most talented young people I have ever met.  Not only are your bears fabulous, you time is filled with so much activities I don't know where you get the time to make bears.  I loved that mask that you made in school.  That was a masterpiece.  The bear you are making from the fur coat is so well sculped and perfect pattern.  And where did you learn to make feet like that??? You are a true bear artist.  I do not understand how anyone could look at your bears and think they are scarey.  I truly loved to hear about your trip to Pennsylvania, as I live in NJ so that was close by.  You seem to enjoy everything that you do in life and that makes you such a special person and I wish you all the luck in the world with college and the future and making those wonderful bears.
Hugs Pat

1 user likes this: dangerbears

Gabriele~GJOYfulBears Jan 18, 2012

I find from people my own age (I am a young bear artist also) reactions are much like Heidi's class-mates, however from other bear collectors and artists the reactions are either loving the bears, or if they are not bear people they are amazed that a young person would like sewing and that a bear like that could be made by hand. I find generally reactions are very positive and encouraging, but I don't take my bears to places that would likely be full of non-bear-lovers lol, so that is perhaps why....?

And Sheree don't worry about the not so good reactions, if you love your bear making that's really all that matters. And you will always get good reactions regarding your bears here!!

bearlady13 Jan 18, 2012

Most people are amazed that I can make something so small by hand. Some love them, some don't. Some say how can I have the patients to spend so much time on these little bears. Some say I am talented.  My daughter says I will never grow up. I asked ,if she would have me any other way. She said, No Way. She loves my bears. She is 42 years old and a school teacher in Indiana. She has some of my bears in her class room and the kids thinks that is great. I have a lot of sisters and my husband, all enchouraging me to make all kinds of bears.

When I got a write up in the local newspaper the county judge sent me a copy of the article and wrote; Congratulations for being feasured as "Wednesday's Woman" by The News-Enterprise!  This delightful articlae for all creative people throughtout the county. We wish you continued success with your hobby.

Things like this encourages us to do the thing we love best. MAKE BEARS. 
I have made him a judge bear and plan to take it to him in person tommorrow.

Sorry I got carried away!

2 users like this: Francesca, HeidiBears

HeidiBears Jan 18, 2012

Thank you Pat I am so glad that you liked my blog  :hug: , I learned how to make the feet from Joanne Livingston (Desertmountain Bears) she posts tons of amazingly detailed tutorials on her website (pictures and everything) which I refer to often    so the feet are most definetly hers! However I can take credit for the bear mask, it took me a very long time to design and sculpt. That makes me so happy to hear that someone appreciates my work  . It is so beautiful up North, we don't experience much of a winter or fall here in Florida.. I cannot imagine what it would be like to see that every year  . Not to long ago I faced a lot of medical problems, I was so tired of feeling sick all the time and it made me realize that theres so much more I want to learn and do.. Life is to short to try and please everyone, if you love making your bears and it makes you happy then that is all that matters  :dance: .

3 users like this: dangerbears, Francesca, peterbear