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edmondnutmeg Feb 19, 2014

I have just finished making a range of 6 bears (in the showcase if you are interested) and am planning to start listing them on bearpile from tomorrow. But in the add a bear section it says OOAK is 5 or less.  I must admit I haven't really paid much attention to this before as this is the first time I have made more than one bear from the same pattern. I checked the wise and wonderful library on here and found a few different threads, the upshot of my research being it means different things to different people ie clear as mud! Now I don't want to upset or misrepresent in any way so I suppose what I am hoping for is some advice at what others do when listing? My bears are the same pattern (my intention was to make them similar) but are all from different furs and have slightly different rompers in different fabrics so in that respect are not repeatable. In my mind they form an edition of one of my OOAK designs if that makes any sense  Help!
michelle

desertmountainbear Feb 19, 2014

One of a kind in a series? I have seen that term used.  Do you need to use that label at all? I try to use unique and individual, rather than one of a kind, unless I am sure that there will never be one that is close.
I do not understand how an OOAK can be five or less, OOAK means one.

edmondnutmeg Feb 19, 2014

That is good advice Joanne and I don't feel that I can class my 6 as OOAK but here is the choice I have in listing on Bearpile:- 
" Be accurate selecting this next option or risk upsetting other members and/or getting in trouble with Bear Pile.
OOAK (One-Of-A-Kind) stuffed bear creation that has already been made and is an edition of 5 or less
       (Types listed under Animal Type below also qualify as a stuffed bear creation. Please use the OTHER option below for all other types/items.)
Non-OOAK/OTHER: I'm listing something other then what qualifies as OOAK stuffed bear creation as defined above.
        (Charlie Bears, Steiff, Isabelle Bears, other manufactured bears/items, fabrics, furs, kits, patterns, pins, plates, parts, paintings, drawings,
       books, clothes, accessories, items not yet made, etc.) "
I don't understand how a OOAK can 5 or less does that mean 5 all exactly the same (pattern, materials, name, finishing but only 5 ever made) or 5 from the same pattern but in different materials. To be honest I don't think my range of bears fits into either category really.
I see a lot of bears that look like the same pattern to me but repeated in different materials but then again I don't count them so maybe there are only 5. This is my dilemma - think I might put a post up on Bearpile and see what response I get back.

clwilmot Feb 19, 2014

there gorgeous!!! that's all that I know!! 

2 users like this: edmondnutmeg, tcfolk

Mo Beary Feb 19, 2014

First of all they are all wonderful!! 

My opinion is that they are all different in their own way ie material used and their outfits.  For me personally I would think that they can be listed as OOAK because of this.  If they were the same material and outfits then I would look at saying number 1 or 2 in a series!

I too see Artists using the same or very similar pattern but different material and I'm sure the creations are listed as OOAK. 

Just my opinion but I don't think you have to worry about listing them as OOAK because I think all have their own look.

Hope that helps and that I didn't talk in circles!!

1 user likes this: edmondnutmeg

desertmountainbear Feb 19, 2014

If they are your two choices you have to go with OOAK. I would not want to be listed with any manufactured bears.

peterbear Feb 20, 2014

Michelle,

I would definitely list them as one of a kind.  The basic pattern is the same, but the colours of the fur are different, the expression of the bears are different (due to the colours, the shading, the trimming) and the accessories are different.  If you compare Penny with Rose with Carl, I don't think anybody would disagree that they are different bears with different personalities.  :love:
I would certainly not feel "tricked" by an artist who would sell these bears as OOAK's.    :teddybear:
For me a limited edition consists of bears made from the same pattern, the same fabric and the same edition.

2 users like this: desertmountainbear, edmondnutmeg

edmondnutmeg Feb 20, 2014

Thank you for the lovely comments and helpful advice. I had 3 replies on bear pile one for Non OOAK and two for OOAK so I have gone ahead and listed my first bear in the OOAK section. It seems it is a subjective debate. I should have just gone ahead and done it and then I don't suppose any body would have even have noticed but I 'm afraid I am just too damn honest for my own good and hould have just done 5! Etsy was a whole lot easier I just put them in a separate section and like Joanne suggested called them unique. Think I will get back to doing just one bear it's a lot less trouble - like I keep saying still a lot to learn
michelle

tcfolk Feb 20, 2014

I agree with Peter.  I use the same pattern in many different ways, but the pattern is the only constant there is. Every bear has everything different, including personality.  I like to look at a bear and say, " that bear is by so and so" because we all have our unique look on the very different bears we create.  I think you have to look at your creations and ask yourself if you think they are one of a kind or not, as it seems there is more than one answer.  In my humble opinion the 6 in question are all OOAK!   

1 user likes this: peterbear