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Shari Apr 10, 2006

Well, I'm a bit disappointed and frustrated. After attempts to sell my poor Ory on eBay and Bid4Bears , he has gone unsold. I know it is near Easter and tax time but I am looking for some real constructive criticism and advice. I have never been able to build up a following and seem to appeal to only a handful of people on ebay. One collector even told me once that although she adored my bears, she would never buy from Canada. I'm not trying to be a complainer , I just want some ideas about how I can improve and what I can change. I love all the wonderful support that you girls give but I really need to know what's wrong. Do I need a new style? Do my bears not stand out enough? Are they too much like someone or everyone else?
I am currently developing a few new techniques for my eyes and eyelids to make them "not like anyone elses and new body designs but I still must stay true to my love of a beautiful, sweet face. I very much admire the artists who design "outside the box" but it just isn't me.
  I hope I'm not wasting your time or being an annoyance but my family just gives loving,supportive praise. I really need to know!!

  Thanks in advance for your help. If you are not comfortable giving criticism on here, you can "pm " me .    :hug:

rufnut Apr 10, 2006

Shari, I love your bears too, and your not wasting anyone's time. 

I think we all go through this form of self questioning, me included.   I think advertising and getting yourself out there  in magazines and with collectors may be the key, sorry I am no expert either.  I think Ebay is great but you need to form your collector base in my opinion for it to work.

But I don't see anything wrong with your style and designs, I am being very honest,  keep going. This bear is gorgeous and should have sold. :hug:

kathytaylor Apr 10, 2006

Don't even feel bad. Ebay always goes in spurts, my last two bears on ebay didn't sell either, the three before that I couldn't ship fast enough. Your bears are just wonderful. I love ory. I wouldn't change anything. I think you have a great style and they are wonderful bears. Don't be downhearted!~ you do great art!
hugs, Kathy

psichick78 Apr 10, 2006

Shari, you know I love your bears. I think you are a very talented bear maker.

I love this bear, and I really wanted him, as I do with all your bears. I can only tell you why he's not mine.

I don't have the money. It sucks! I think he is very much worth what you are asking, no question in my mind. But I sat there at the computer, wishing I could bid, but just can't justify spending that much, when we need so much for the house etc. You understand.

I'm not saying lower your prices, but at least its feedback from someone who wanted that bear.

It's a tough world out there, when it comes to selling bears. I can't believe someone wouldn't buy from you, just bec. you were in canada. Geez!

Shari Apr 10, 2006

Thanks so much girls, I admire and love all of you and very much respect your opinions. I was really hoping someone could tell me what I can fix. I do plan on submitting some pictures to magazines to "get out there" so thanks for the reminder Karen , you are so right  :hug:

Heather,   :hug:   :hug: 
I do totally understand and to be honest , I cannot afford me. I cannot buy the bears I see and drool over on ebay because I simply cannot afford them. My income is unstable at best. I get teaching days in  and sell a few bears and believe me I am very good at saving and paying bills but that is all I can afford. I wish I could lower my prices but I am barely making anything from the bears because it takes me soooo long to finish one. I work hours and hours and I am just now finding a few things I can change to help me finish a bear faster. I feel really bad about the prices but many artist sell for way more than I do and my family tells me that mine deserve to as well. Then they are family so what else can they say. I hope my prices don't make me seem greedy  
Thanks again girls  :hug:   :hug:

zemeski Apr 10, 2006

Shari - ebay has slowed down and this month is harder on us teddy bear artist. Don't take it personal because I love that little guy!! If I had any extra money right now I would buy him. He is perfect in everyway!! I wouldn't change a thing!! Hang in their!!! This to shall pass!!  :hug:

MerBear Apr 10, 2006

Shari - I wanted him too but just couldn't justify the expense at this time. It was getting him or bear-making supplies and unfortunately - you lost. Although I think I lost too cause I really liked him.   

Marion

Tammy Apr 10, 2006

Shari, I emailed you.   :hug:

gotobedbears Apr 10, 2006

Shari honey, this bear is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS as are all your bears and i agree with everyone else here when they say eBay is slow at the moment. And even if it was'nt slow and Ory did'nt sell it is no reflection on your work, style or price it has to do with whether or not the right buyer was in hte right place at the right time or not.
How many times do we see beautiful bears go unsold on eBay? You just need to keep slogging away and put him on your website and wait - i bet he will sell very soon!
    :hug:

Don't get downhearted and PLEASE don't change your style, it's wonderful

Penny

nettie Apr 10, 2006

I don't have the answer to this one.I think your bears look very skillfully made and have great faces.I think the main thing is to stick to making what you like not what you think will sell.Your heart has to be in it to make beautiful bears.I have no idea if ebay is a good judge or not.I am often surprised by what sells and waht does not!!!Spread yourself about and get more exposure.I think your idea about making the eyes etc unlike anyone elses is the way to go as long as you are making them as you want them to be.
Best of luck and don;t give up
Diane xxx

Daphne Apr 10, 2006

Shari,
Had to pop on to say if I'd been paying more attention to the Bears For Sale page and ebay auctions I'd have been bidding!! Though not sure I'd be able to afford your reserve.

I understand wanting to get a premium price for your bears but that usually only comes as you develop a presence and name for yourself and that can take a long time. I STILL don't get my 'ideal' price when I list on eBay. At shows and in private sales I do get my price.

So, eBay bidders just may not be willing to pay top dollar, expecially if they aren't familiar with your work. AND, as everyone has said, eBay is quirky, slow at times and totally inpredictable ALL the time!

Chin up my dear!!! You'll get to where you want to be with bear sales with patience!!

Ory is just wonderful! Love his face! 

Wisdom Bears Apr 10, 2006

Hi Shari,
               Your bears looks absolutely wonderful to me ,but then I am one of the many artists who cannot seem to sell on e-bay either. I have been making bears for 9 years and I have only sold one bear on e-bay in all that time. Mind you I got fed up trying after about 8 or 9 attempts I lost the plot I,m afraid. So you are not to think that it is your bears that is the problem  because they are wonderful bears.  Chin Up Girl, best foot forward .Hugs Rita xxxxx

Acipenser Apr 10, 2006

Shari, I love your style too and this bear's face is simply adorable. I had a look at the completed auction and for my personal taste his body is too skinny. Its not so obvious with his pants on, but without them it looks skinny. I prefer bears with big tummies or maybe the head looks too big in proportion to his body. That's just me, but you wanted an honest answer. I don't buy bears, because I prefer to make them and I could never afford your price, although I agree that a bear this size and quality should be worth that much.
Don't give up, perhaps the right person missed him. Try again. Particularly bid4bears is still small, but growing. Good luck  :hug:

lapousmor Apr 10, 2006

I am searching, searching, searching what could be wrong with that bear, but cannot find anything, because he is so cute!

I would say you could just try to add some bright colour accessories like a pendant or anything else (but would that really be useful?) and see if he would look more appealing.

Maybe you could try to take pics of him with other colours of background... i am not a specialist but maybe just have a look if it looks better.

But honnestly, this bear is adorable. I would love to hug him!

As a collector, i don't mind buying bears from Canada, Oz or any far country. I already did and will probably do again!

Beary hugs and please please please, don't give up.

Malko too said this bear is lovely.

Sophie.

bearsbybeesley Apr 10, 2006

Hi Shari! There is not one thing wrong with your bear. He is absolutely perfect in every way. I find EBAY a hit and miss venture as well. I used to be so hurt if a bear did not sell. Now I just hang on to it and try again a bit later. Love this bear and keep it on your web site. Trust me, he will go to a wonderful Mom or Dad! He is gorgeous!

Many Hugs Louise

Sandi.S. Apr 10, 2006

Shari, I think your bears are beautiful and I can't see anything you should change. Maybe it's just not a great time on ebay like the others said. And Bid4Bears is still very new.

I really love Ory and admired him several times while he was on Bid4Bears. I'm sure he'll find a loving home when the time is right. :hug:  :hug:

Pijangibears Apr 10, 2006

Hi Shari

I think he is gorgeous. Don't change your stile.
I too don't sell any bears, and rigth now thinking of
stopping participate in bearshows. It is very expensive to go on and on without selling.

I, like you, wondering what's wrong with the stile.

The bears is you, don't change them.

Many hugs Birgitte

:hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Shari Apr 10, 2006

Girls, thanks for your input and advice. Please don't feel that I am ready to give up, bearmaking is in my heart, I just wondered if fresh eyes could point out what I could work on and change.
Melissa, back at you, I wish I could bid on yours right now too.     
Marion , thanks for your bid , I wish you were his new Mom too.  :hug:
Thanks Pen, Diane , Daphne , Rita ,Sandi  for your support     :hug:
Sabine, I think your advice about the body is very valid. Thank-you!!  :hug:
Thanks for your suggestions also Sophie and Malko     :hug:   :hug:
Louise, thank-you and so nice to see you back  :hug:   :hug:
Birgitte, I love your avatar bear and can't imagine why you would have trouble selling your bears. I can't afford to do bear shows either but I think getting pictures in the bear magazines is a wonderful idea.
Thanks also to the girls who PM"D.

kbonsall Apr 10, 2006

He is GORGEOUS, Shari... There is nothing, in my eyes, that you can improve or change, he is outstanding... I think it is the tax time thing too...

Pijangibears Apr 10, 2006

Hi Shari

Thank you for the kind words

Can you tell me, how do you get your bears in a bearmagazine.
We don't have those here in Denmark.

Hugs Birgitte

Shari Apr 10, 2006

There is a topic on here where they give the address to submit pictures. I'm sure they get lots od pictures but I think you just have to keep sending. I'm going to try it. I'll go look for the topic and link 

I think this is one: http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=5265

Maybe someone else knows more 

Densteds Apr 10, 2006

Shari,
I agree with the other girls, I saw your fabulous bear listed and couldn't believe he didn't sell, he's outstanding I adore his face so please don't change your style...I'm having trouble selling one of mine and Shantell said in another post that her panda bear won't sell either...and he's a real sweetie too! so maybe money's a bit short or it's because Easter's coming up and people are saving money for the holiday...who knows, Ebay is so fickle and frustrating at times!!

Please don't be disheartened, he's a wonderful bear!!

Densteds Apr 10, 2006

Shari,

I just had a quick peek at your website, all your bears a fantastic, I was really impressed, I especially like the fellow on your avatar, he's amazing wow!! :clap:  :clap:
Hang in there I'm sure things will be on the "up" again soon!!

Shari Apr 11, 2006

Thanks Denise, hope it turns for all of us soon. I couldn't give up even if I tried. I just wanted to try and improve and have been trying to think of new things to create and ways to stand out a bit.I think these down times really push us to be better artists.
I did some work on my website while I've been on sick leave , do you think my backgrounds are too dark? I am not a web designer and have just basic computer skills but I'm trying to make my poor little free web page look appealing. It takes forever on dial-up to fix up a web page though 

Densteds Apr 11, 2006

Shari,
I thought your website was very well done! you've done a great job on it.... and I really liked the background, in fact it's my favourite colour, I'm always drawn to burgundy, pinks & greens even in decorating...to me they are very welcoming & warm colours....and I just had another look at more of your bears, and all I can say is that they look top quality, unique, little fellows and I love them all!!!  :clap:  :clap:

ps..hope you're feeling better now!!! take care! :hug:  :hug: