Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

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Luxembears
Luxemburg, Wisconsin
Posts: 7,379

Judi Jan 18, 2006

The only words I can add here are...when I am not happy with something I take it apart and redo it. Otherwise it will bug me, and bug me, and bug me. bear_wacko It does not have to be perfect to be loved...it just has to "feel "right. Your bear will tell you when he feels right. bear_wub

Jare Hares & Bears
Polo, IL
Posts: 983

Jare Hares & Bears Jan 18, 2006

Yeah well I just ripped out a nose that was bothering me. I just can't get the face to by even.
I want to get this piece complete and out the door.
So I moved on to another piece to complete its nose and will go back later and finish the first one.
so Shantell we're all in the same boat.

Apple Dumpling Designs
Willamette Valley Oregon
Posts: 3,128

shantell Jan 19, 2006

Shelli wrote:

# 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.

That's me!!! I'm just a master in the making!!! HA HA HA HA I use to get in trouble in kindergarten for throwing away my artwork and such because I made a "mistake"...my daughter did it too. And you must remember there was the bear head chopping incident that Dilu likes to remind me of every once in awhile. Poor bear....I still carry the guilt.

Interesting research Shelli...thanks!!

I'm still blaming my mom...I even called and told her so. She laughed at me...there you go "low self esteem." bear_grin

Shantell

Back Road Bears
Laconia, NH USA
Posts: 6,568

Daphne Jan 19, 2006

I'm cross-eyed at the moment as I've been sitting in front of the monitor too long and after reading Shelli's cut and paste my eyes are dry! But I had to read it as it's so good!

Thoughts that came to my mind:

Self Confidence...... have some! If you are going to make art to sell you have to have confidence in your work. It's that simple. I know..... you can't go out and buy self confidence and it's a hard thing to have for many. I'm no psychologist. I had to give myself a lot of lectures when I first started to sell my work. I'd be all embarrassed when someone praised my work and I'd say something like "Yeah, but his eyes aren't straight." or "That ear is a tad bigger than the other." or "I don't like the shape of his nose." There truly is nothing worse than meeting an artist, no matter what the medium, and hearing them insult their own creations. Drives me crazy. bear_wacko

Sabine's husband doesn't like perfection in bears. In my experience he's the majority! When I look back on some of my first bears that sold they are hideous to me now. But many of those bear's mom's tell me how much they still love their bears. I have a shelf of recent bears that look a lot better to me but that haven't sold. Some might be too symetrical thus lack character.

Those imperfctions drive us to keep trying and making more. If they came out like you wanted them to everytime you'd soon get bored! (OK, I would... I get bored easily!)

They aren't imperfections.... they are 'character'.

Shantell - you will be happy with the bears you make. Try not to be so critical and judgemental of your work. Perhaps set more realistic standards. Take a little break. Really study what you've made, what you don't like. Figure out how it might be corrected for the next bear. Take notes. If the legs are uneven, read up on other ways to measure for joint placement. If you don't like the ears once sewn on try taking them off and sewing them on a different way. If you don't like the nose and you stitched a triangular shaped one try for a rectangular one next time. Maybe you'd make better noses if they were a different shape. (There are just examples... I have no idea what it is about your bears that bothers you so just making things up here!)

I'm sure you have sympathy and complete understanding from all of us here!!

:hug: :hug:

Apple Dumpling Designs
Willamette Valley Oregon
Posts: 3,128