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Apple Dumpling DesignsI realize that many, if not all, of us are our own worst critics but I absolutely can NOT make a bear that I am 100% happy with. I just finished (photos later) another panda (I know I know I said never again...don't remind me) and I'm unhappy with him...this times he doesn't sit kerplunkity (thanks for the word Shelli) like I like and one of his legs just isn't right...not sure why but it isn't.
AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhh!!!! 
P.S. Obviously I need to go back to English class...that has got to be the longest and worst sentence structure ever.
Bears-a-Bruin!It's frustrating Shantell, I know from experience! There's something that could be improved with each of my bears...I'm never 100% happy either. I look at it as a learning curve, one that will probably continue for a very long time and perhaps for as long as i make bears!
Perhaps these little imperfections or annoyances are only really obvious to us???!
bears by beesley TMShantell you little cutie you! Your bears are absolutely darling and YES you are your own worst critic! I love your wee ones! 
Many Hugs Louise
Posts: 2,203Shantell, No matter what we do there is always room for improvement. This is always the case even with the most talented person. :hug:
Bine-TeddiesMy hubby says that perfect bears, absolutely symmetric and flawless bears are boring. He loves the ones with just slightly asymmetric faces, legs pointing a little in different directions and so on. Gives them character he says. I have learned to see it his way, else I would throw away all my bears 
Kim-Bee BearsHow boring would the world be if everything and everyone was perfect???
Shantell, you are your worst critic... if you would show your bear to someone else, they probably would never see a problem.. it is kind of like when you have a spot on your shirt, you know it is there and no one else see it until you tell them 
Shantell...the day you, I ...or anyone else.. makes the 100% perfect bear is the a day we stop trying...and heaven help us all if that happens..I sincerely hope I never make one..!!
Posts: 8,574Honey Child,
Have you looked in the mirror?
Have you looked at your kids?
Last time I checked not a one of us is perfect!
And those imperfections are what make us special.
How boring if we were all perfect and looked exactly alike.
You make artist bears...not maufactured bears....
And artist bears are not cookie cutter bears.
Shantell, my sweet, just embrace the differances and love that little guy before he devlopes a complex and needs therapy! TeddyBear therapy is hard to come by.
I am betting he is absolutely adorable
just like you
hugs
dilu
Delartful BearsYeah, if you thought your bears were perfect, and was 100% happy with them, it would probably mean that your work would get sloopy, you would stop trying different things..
I don't think anyone is ever, 100% happy with a bear... just please that they have improved on something???
Just be glad - it means you care!
Danni
Apple Dumpling Designs
I'm not looking for perfection...I just wish I could make ONE bear that I'm happy with. I always feel like the person who buys my bear will pick it apart and find every little thing wrong with it. And if there were such a buyer who would nitpick...oh my you have three nose hairs going in the wrong direction...I would end up with them. 
Shantell
I have found that the person who buys a bear, does so because it speaks to them. They wouldn't DARE to criticize it like we (makers) do. I had a bear that I thought was the absolute ugliest, worst looking bear that I ever saw. A 10 year old girl saw it and begged, pleaded, wheeled and dealed with Mom to get the money to buy it! I was so happy that the girl got a bear she thought was the best, and I sold that Ugly awful looking critter! ( she wanted it so much, I even gave a slight discount to get rid of it! 
)
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we are our own worst critics......and we get too picky about what we do..........
:hug: Ellen
Posts: 8,574Awww Ellen thank you for sharing your story! It is a great example !!!
Shantell, you are too hard on yourself, and darling lady, life is just too short~!
dilu
Upstate New YorkIs it possible to be TOO picky?
Yes. Maybe Shantell you are demanding more of your results than your experience to date will allow. These things take time. I think it's good to be able to look at something and desire to do better on this or that next time; that's healthy. I'm not sure that beating yourself up is. Your craft(s) should bring you joy and inspire you to improve .... whether you are Shantell or Deb ... or whether you're Mary Whatsername or SueAnn or Judi or Michele Lamb. Just my opinion.
:hug:
Kim-Bee BearsShantell, I am overly critical of my work too… I can pick everything out that I think is wrong… but look how far you have come since your first bear??? I can see you learning more and your skills being better, much like mine… I try to look at my bear after it is off to a new adventure to its new owner and think to myself “what can I improve on my next bear” and “what did I learn from making that bear”… it would be BORING to make a perfect bear, even manufactured bears aren’t perfect…. And, as was said before, WE aren’t perfect… for myself, my one ear is a little different than the other, I have a birthmark on my leg that is about 1 ½” by 2 ½” and I have had people when I was younger ask what that “spot” on my leg was and I use to get upset, it isn’t strange shaped or a funny color or anything… my grandmother use to call it my “beauty mark” and my mom thought it was unique… I use to hate it but it is part of me… if we were to be perfect, we would have been made that way I think a bear would be BORING if it was perfect… I am sure we can all pick out every little thing wrong with our bears but I don’t think collectors are that way… when I just collected and didn’t create bears, I would never have said “oh, the ears are lopsided” or “the nose isn’t completely perfect” or “the seams aren’t picked out”… that has come with creating bears…. I love all the bears I have from other artists… none of them are completely perfect but I don’t think I would love them if they were… they all have their own little personalities
I am sure even our pro bear artists here on TT have somethings that they don’t like about a bear that they have done… If we ever get to the point of perfection, I think that would make life boring and what would be the point of creating, it would be pointless
Apple Dumpling DesignsI'm not beating myself up. I will always be a perfectionist and well it's just something I can't help. I just always stress that when someone adopts one of my creations they will pick it apart and find everything wrong with it. Does it keep me from making more and trying new things and improving...."HECK NO!!!"
I do get frustrated that I'm never completely happy with anything that I finish. I can always find something wrong or something I should have done better. I think I'll blame it on my mother....she use to say to me..."first place is better than second..." I can't seem to shake that from my psychy....even though logically I know she's WRONG.
Thanks for the encouragement. The question was more just curiosity than feeling like I'm not being successful.
Jellybelly BearsShantell, I know just what you mean! Never good enough lol. I do exactly the same thing and when I sell a bear am sure I will receive an email saying how disappointed they are! Seriously I worry that much. I never have and in fact get the opposite. And if you are like me, no matter how much praise you get, you always doubt yourself..arghh. lol. I wonder where it stems from...perfectionism, mothers lol. I have favourite bears, but always pick and could change something.
One tip that I have learnt that makes it a little easier for people like us is if there is ever something I am unhappy with as I am creating, I go back and fix it...no matter how difficult...I have a box full of heads from fixing lol. If I don't it always sticks out and it is all I see and wish I would have changed it.
Big hugs
Sarah
Matilda Huggington-beare
I'm not looking for perfection...I just wish I could make ONE bear that I'm happy with. I always feel like the person who buys my bear will pick it apart and find every little thing wrong with it. And if there were such a buyer who would nitpick...oh my you have three nose hairs going in the wrong direction...I would end up with them.
Shantell
Is it any wonder I havent been game enough to put any of mine up for sale yet. I said to myself that once I get good I will sell them .I'm still waiting......... Matilda
Posts: 3,540:hug: Shantell I'm the same way, and have been over every piece of art I create, be it drawing, rock painting, sculpting teds....whatever! There are very few pieces of my art that I can tolerate having about, because I always sit there and go..."the nose is wrong, or .....fill in whatever blanks your heart desires".
I too think it stems from perfectionism as a child...always striving to be RIGHT for mummy n duddy. I can't blame them, I brought it on board myself, but I realize what I do, and keep any remaining art objects strictly behind glass. 
In fact I shall never forget a splendid drawing I did when I was around 10 of a horse. It was gorgeous, but I couldn't get the ears just right. So I erased, drew, erased, drew, and was in the process of erasing when the eraser went through the paper!!! Oh I was gutted!
I can't remember who's quote it is on here, but one of our clever girlies has a quote on creationism, and art.... is knowing when to stop ! No matter what you think, if a bear collector has bought your bear, they will only see it as absolutely beautiful and will adore it to the ends of the Earth. They see it through totally different eyes than you :hug:
Raccoon Creek BearsMany people will go out to eat in a restaurant and spend the same amount of money-or more- that a bear costs and frequently the meal might not be perfect. Yet they will go out again because the overall experience was good. Some people ARE attracted by the quirks, the head on the side, the eyes not perfect, the nose not exactly the way you wanted. My family's faces (and my own) aren't perfect but I wouldn't change them for anything and I think they are beautiful. Enjoy what you make and don't stress over it!
Just Us BearsMatilda! So THAT'S the reason we aren't seeing your gorgeous creations for sale????? GOOD GRIEF WOMAN THEY ARE WONDERFUL....get 'em out there quick smart! They are WAY good enough! Y'hear!!!!! 
Jare Hares & BearsShantell -
I think that perfection is what we try to achieve, but if you maintain or improve the quality of your work then you are on the right path.
I am never complete satisfied, I think that is what drives us as artists to create new and better bears, etc.
I adore my big head pattern but there are some things that I would like to change about it.
I have a wonderful idea for a realistic rabbit, but have never had the time to complete the pattern.
I think Judi's signature says something like "shoot for the moon," and that is what we need to do.
You go girl! Rock On!
Posts: 8,574I think that by virtue of being here and learning from those who are more experienced, and also learning how to do things we never even dreamed about we are cutting years off our learning curves.
That realization keeps me going....
dilu
Upstate New York... cutting years off our learning curves.
That realization keeps me going....
Amen!
I find this thread absolutely fascinating, and so I did a little research on the web, looking up terms like "excellence" and "perfectionism" and "artist." Some of what I found, below, you may find of intense interest. Do you recognize yourself in any of these things, as I did...???
PS This is NOT a long "Shelli-post!" It's copy and paste!
PERFECTIONISM VS. EXCELLENCE
Perfectionism is not a healthy pursuit of excellence. There are big differences between perfectionists and healthy achievers. Perfectionists believe that mistakes must never be made and that the highest standards of performance must always be achieved.
Those who strive for excellence in a healthy way take genuine pleasure in trying to meet high standards. Perfectionists on the other hand are full of self-doubts and fears of disapproval, ridicule and rejection. The healthy striver has drive, while the perfectionist is driven.
from: http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/book … rfect.html
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From a site discussing the "issues" surrounding gifted, creative, artistic children.
The following is a summary of some of the special physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs and characteristics of the artistically and creatively gifted.
# 1. INTENSE NEED FOR SELF EXPRESSION: Expressing their feelings, thoughts, and indeed their very souls through their art is essential for their survival. One individual said, "My creativity cries to be let out." The primary or in some cases only way they can express their emotions, they will become extremely upset if opportunities are denied. This intense need for self-expression, sometimes called a passion, is what distinguishes the true artist from the person who simply has some artistic ability. The ability to express the very essence of their being is what makes them great; the inability to always fulfill the need is what often makes them unhappy. This double edged sword is described quite vividly in the story of Michaelangelo, "The Agony and the Ecstacy".
# 2. EGO IDENTIFICATION WITH THEIR ART: "The art and the artist are one." For most artists, their art expresses the totality of who and what they are. It's not just a job; it's not even a career. It's not just what they do, it's what they ARE. Hundreds of individuals "parkin' cars and pumpin' gas" still are actors; what they do to earn money is irrelevant to them. Because of this, they take any criticism of their work very personally; to criticize their work is to criticize them.
# 3. THE ART PERMEATES ALMOST EVERY AREA OF THEIR EXISTENCE: They have the ability to express themselves physically, emotionally, psychologically, socially and spiritually through the medium, and usually do. For example, a musician would probably get her exercise by aerobic dancing, deal with depression or stress by listening to music, comfort her children by singing to them, and worship God by playing the organ at church.
# 4. EMOTIONAL SATISFACTION THROUGH THEIR ART: In addition to their ability to express their feelings through their art, they obtain tremendous satisfaction from doing so. For many, it's what makes life worth living, their primary source of love and pleasure. Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones told 20/20 correspondents in their September 22nd interview, "Friends and family are important, but if I was stuck alone, I could stop myself from going mad so long as I had a guitar." Many artists say the "high" they get from of the creative process or its end result is better than sex or any drug.
# 5. HEALING THROUGH THE ART: "Music is the doctor of my soul" is a line from a song by the Doobie Brothers. The dancer expresses her despair and finds hope through her ballet; the comic heals his broken heart by creating and telling a new joke; the author deals with her anger toward injustice by writing a powerful novel; the filmmaker questions the meaning of life through his films; the actor searchs for self identity by giving a brilliant presentation of Jim's speech in REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, "If I had one day when I didn't have to be all confused and didn't have to feel ashamed of everything; if I felt that I belonged someplace. . . " . And like Tommy, the more wounded or stressed the individual, the more time needs to be spent in the art.
# 6. HYPERSENSITIVITY TO THE ENVIRONMENT: Many have highly developed senses of smell, taste, and touch, as well as vision and hearing. They can derive intense pleasure from such simple tactile acts as stroking a kitten. They may also be offended by odors, sounds, color combinations and intensities, shapes and forms no one else notices. Designers and painters are often extremely uncomfortable if forced to spend time in a room with clashing colors or unbalanced furniture. For musicians and singers, having perfect pitch can be as much a curse as a blessing, especially if accompanied by a slightly-out-of-tune piano. When J.S. Bach's wife was angry with him, she would pound a dissonant chord on the piano, knowing it would drive her husband crazy!
# 7. EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: Whether it's fear, anger, sorrow, jealously, satisfaction, love, hope or joy, creatively and artistically gifted people tend to experience it deeply, passionately, and intensely. A good general guideline is to take however a "normal" person would react emotionally to an event, and multiply it by three.
# 8. INTENSE IDEALISTS: Like other gifted kids, artists are often concerned about humanitarian and social causes, and feel them with the very fiber of their being. They can see how things could or should be and often become very frustrated with the way things are. Because of this intense idealism, around Junior or Senior High age, many turn from idealism to intense cynicism. This cynicism plus feeling "out of sinc" with the world often leads to depression and thoughts of suicide. They get depressed thinking of all there is to do in the world, all that needs to be accomplished, and how little they really can do to change things.
# 9. PERFECTIONISM: They pay close attention to even the tiniest details in their work and are often their own worst critics. Painters and sculpters have been know to destroy beautiful masterpieces because of a tiny flaw no one else would even notice. Many actors insist a scene be shot again and again, long after the director is satisfied. One creative individual said, "My prison is imposed by own standards, yet it's a prison just the same." Expecting never to make mistakes, they tend to expect others to share their high standards and get very frustrated when reminded that society rewards mediocrity and conformity.
# 10. LOW SELF ESTEEM: Some kids think TAG means "terrible and guilty" because that's how they feel. Being critical of as well as different than others tends to alienate them socially and lower their self esteem. This combined with their perfectionism, emotional intensity and intense idealism causes many to suffer from low self esteem.
# 11. PERCEPTUAL DIFFERENCES: Most gifted kids see the world differently than other kids, but the creatively gifted do so even more. They are often unaware that others don't see things the way they do. Many who "don't fit in" with other kids are oblivious to it.
# 12. INDEPENDENT: They are able to and usually prefer working alone. Being forced to work in a group is often very uncomfortable. They not only enjoy, but need solitude. Creative children seem to need more "quiet time" than other children.
# 13. THEY GROW THORNS & SHELLS: What Barbara Clark, Ph.D., wrote in her book, "Smart Girls/Gifted Women", also applies to the artistically and creatively gifted, "They grow thorns because of their perfectionism and impatience with and bias against the ordinary and mediocre. Their intensity often expresses itself as intolerance, self-righteousness, or arbitrary insistence. Their view that many of society's expectations of them are illogical, unfair, and degrading often makes them appear rude, curt, or 'sharp- tongued'. Their intolerance and ridicule of 'social niceties' that they see as shallow and redundant often makes them appear rebellious, unmannerly, or socially inept. Those that don't grow thorns seem to grow shells instead. They retreat inside themselves and are uncomfortable around most people."
# 14. UNCONCERNED WITH THE PRAGMATIC: When Bob Hope received a standing ovation at the 1989 Emmy Awards, he commented, "Thank you. That's better than money." Most artists place an emotional, psychological and spiritual value on their art that goes far beyond "worldly" matters. Because of this, they are often viewed as irresponsible, impractical, "lacking in common sense", or "airheads." I have known brilliant film editers who could not manage to arrive at a job on time and musicians who could transpose extremely complicated pieces of music in their heads, yet were unable (or unwilling) to keep track of a checking account. Pragmatic things like time, money, credit, and possessions simply aren't important to them. They are more concerned with the aesthetic, the abstract, the theoretical and the creative. Thomas Edison would go for days without food while in the middle of a project, and his wife would have to interrupt and make him eat. Many artists live in abject poverty in the pursuit of their art, and the stereotype of the "starving artist" is quite true. Most of the artists who become financially successful have a good business manager who handles all the money, public relations, marketing, and other practical matters. Some artists feel trading their work for money is a form of prostitution; after all, to them it's like selling not only their bodies, but also their hearts, minds and souls.
from: http://www.angelfire.com/ne/cre8vityunltd/agnyxtsy.html
Upstate New YorkPS This is NOT a long "Shelli-post!" It's copy and paste!
It's a good post just the same.
:hug:
I've had some trouble lately with cut and paste posts. They cut and they paste, but won't post. Ever had that happen?
