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BrisbaneHI I am hoping some of you better established, more successful bear artists with more experience may be able to help me. 
I am trying to sell my bears with little success so far and am wondering how you all got started and when do I throw in the towel and decide that no-one likes the stuff I do?
Also where and how do I go about making some kind of a name for myself, I am at a bit of a loss with that kind of stuff and don't really know how to begin.
I've only really tried ebay so far and aside from costing myself fees that I can't really afford I have had not much success, I am assuming you have to be quite well known to do well there or is it just a matter of keep listing until such time as you sell or go broke (whichever comes first!! 
) I am sure that the technical aspects of my bears are up to scratch so perhaps it's just that there is no market for the new artist at the moment?
What do you think, any ideas or information would be appreciated
PijangibearsHi Sarahjane
I can't help you, sorry. I am in the same stage as you are, where it only cost a lot
of money. I participate in Bearshows in Denmark, and I have a website.
I saw somewhere here on this board, to try and inter a Bear magazine. It should
be a good start. But we haven't any magazines in Denmark, so I will try the worldwide
Bear magazines. ( If I can find out how )
Good luck, Sarahjane. 
Hugs Birgitte :hug:
Baird'sBearsHi SarahJane,
The bear in your avatar is wonderful, and has a very distinctive look--the problem is certainly not your work!
I'm at the same stage you are, probably some distance behind where you are. I don't yet have a website, and I'm far from ready for the shows, but I've been watching and studying the eBay market for some time.
The best advice I've heard about selling on eBay was to establish a presence with weekly auctions, if you can produce at that rate, or if you can stockpile some bears to release at that rate. You might not sell anything for a while, or you might sell some bears for prices way below what you'd like to get, but you can always relist, and people will get used to seeing your name week after week. Becoming a familiar name or a regular presence is doubtless the first step toward eBay 'fame'.
I've heard that people tend to vote for familiar names when they know nothing much about the list of candidates! Similar.
Another alternative--check out Nancy Tillberg's North Country Teddy Bears site. You can list your bears there without paying a fee. If you join for a very reasonable monthly fee, you can participate in more selling options. The audience is smaller than eBay's, but more specialized. Many or most of TT's top Artists list there.
Eileen
BrisbaneThank you for your helpful comments
Melanie Jayne said
think if you love bear making nothing in the world would make you throw the towel in, but I can completely understand your situation
I just wanted to clear up the fact that when I said throw the towel in I meant the selling not the bear making (I don't think I could ever do that!!!) :)
The problem I'm having with Ebay is affording to keep paying the fees week after week if they don't sell, I'm not sure if it would be worth listing without the featured item (which costs me about $30.00 when converted to Au dollars) as I would have thought that they would get lost in such a big list of bears.
Melanie there's another place where you can list your bears for free and only pay IF and when you sell... that's www.bearpile.com Also... for EVERYONE who does not yet have a website.... you also get your own gallery for free with your own address! Here's what mine looks like: http://teddiesbylauralynn.bearpile.com/
You can have a bunch of different catagories if you want... I used to divide mine up but just recently changed it to just "For Adoption" and "Adopted". I think it's a GREAT site... and there's no limit to the # of bears you have in your gallery. It's especially great if you don't have a website yet.... as you have a free place to post pictures of both your bears for adoption and also past work.
Also..... I would suggest for eBay... instead of always using the featured gallery.... try just listing on a regular basis just a regular listing?? Just to start creating a presence... you don't ALWAYS have to do the featured gallery 
Hi Sarah jane,
Your bears are cute and original.
I really feel for you......
Let me pass on my bit of learned advice...
If you find a bear does'nt sell put it too one side and make another of a different design colour or fabric, Eventually you will find out what sells for you and what doesnt... This process is soooo frustrating. But im sure i'm not the only artist that started out in this postition... I have a shelf of cast offs at home.... I LOVE THEM BUT THEY DIDNT SELL... Always bear in mind that what you like is not neccessarily what the customer likes. I am constantly striving to improve on everything designs, materials, quality really does count.....Selling bears is really not a light undertaking....
EBAY
DONT USE THE FEATURED ITEM ON EBAY UNLESS YOUR BEARS SELL FOR $100'S OF DOLLARS
ALWAYS START YOUR BEARS AT THE MINIMUM PRICE YOU WANT TO ACHEIVE.
DONT SELL THEM TO CHEAPLY, IT JUST ATTRACTS BARGAIN HUNTERS... You wont make any money!
ALWAYS LIST YOUR BEARS WITH MULTIPLE VERY GOOD PHOTOS.
INVESTMENT IN A NEW CAMERA AND EDITING SOFTWARE
LIST YOUR NEXT BEAR JUST BEFORE THE CURRENT AUCTION ENDS
ALWAYS NOTE EVERYONES EMAIL ADDRESSES
EMAIL THEM REGULARY WITH ANY NEW BEAR DETAILS.
WHEN A BEAR SELLS WITH LOTS OF BIDS MAKE ANOTHER SIMILAR THIS BEAR IS NOW A WINNER.
LIST YOUR OWN AND YOUR WEBSITES DETAILS ON YOUR EBAY ABOUT ME PAGE.
IF YOU SELL LOTS OF BEARS IT IS WORTH CONSIDERING A BASIC EBAY SHOP.
WEBSITE
GET ONE UP AND RUNNING THERE ARE MANY FREE SUPPLIERS OUT THERE SUCH AS
http://www.bearpile.com
http://www.wanadoo.co.uk (This is the one i use)
MAKE YOUR WEBSITE FRIENDLY AND LINKS EASY TO FOLLOW
CONSTANTLY PROMOTE YOUR WEBSITE ON EVERYTHING
OTHER PLACES TO SELL
POST ALL NEW BEARS ON TEDDY TALK
YOU CAN ALSO SELL ON ; http://www.bid4bears.com
BEAR PILE
LOCAL CRAFT FAIRS
BEAR FAIRS
SCHOOL FETES
ADVERTISEMENTS
BEAR MAGAZINES
LOCAL MAGAZINES AT CHRISTMAS TIME
LOCAL PAPERS AT CHRISTMAS TIME
CHURCH MAGAZINES
LOCAL NEWSLETTERS
PROFESSIONALLY MADE POSTERS
EDITORIALS
LOCAL NEWSPAPERS MAGAZINES CONTACT THEM TO DO A REPORT ABOUT YOUR NEW VENTURE
CONTACT ALL THE BEAR MAGAZINES YOU CAN FIND SEND IN YOUR BEAR PHOTOGRAPHS
BUSINESS CARDS
DETAIL WITH YOUR NAME, TELEPHONE NUMBER, DETAILS OF YOUR BEARS, WEBSITE...
JUST HAND THEM OUT THESE SELL FOR YOU
GET FREE CARDS FROM; http://www.vistaprint.co.uk
I sincerely hope this all helps Sarah Jane...
Dont hesitate to keep in touch...
Warm regards
Lanie x
Back Road BearsLots of great advice here! Lanie... great post!
I have nothing to add!
But do know it's a tough market to crack!!! And you have a lot of competition as there are tons of bear artists out there and not enough buyers with deep pockets. It takes a LONG time to get a name for yourself. But don't give up. Keep at it, you'll find an avenue that works for you!!! Your bears are adorable!
Daphne :hug:
BrisbaneThank you all so much for taking the time to answer me...There is some great advice here .
I don't have a website yet (with 6 kids one bear a week is all I can manage!) I'll have to work on that.
I'll spend some time mulling it over before I decide what to do. Although I think for now I may try to run regular auctions without the featured listing.
Once again thanks to all who took the time for me.
Kind regards...Sarah :hug:
Baird'sBears
Sarah,
If you can make one bear a week with six kids to look after, you're a WonderWoman! :hug:
Eileen
BrisbaneEileen said
If you can make one bear a week with six kids to look after, you're a WonderWoman!
Ther's no such thing as housework round here though!!!
Dear Sarah, I am new to the group and to selling my bears on eBay, I can understand getting the feeling your bears will be lost in the normal section. I have listed some bears in the featured section but unless you are getting very high bids the fees cut into your profit so much. It is very disappointing when a bear doesn't sell, you wonder if you are doing something wrong. I treasure each sale I get as it is a person who has one of my bears and may some day want another. I have listed my bears in the artist section and in the second caterogy of other, coming from Australia some how this lists my bear in the artist section in the Us and also in Australia. It costs me about $15.00 Au to do it this way, but it is an option for the people who visit the Australian site.
Cheers
Susan from Australia
Just Us BearsHi Susan and Sarahjane and welcome to two more Aussies!
My understanding is that if you list on ebay.com.au and tick 'will ship worldwide' then your listing will automatically be shown on ebay.com too. That's what's happened the few times I have listed on ebay.
'Bear' Bottoms OriginalsHi Sarahjane,
I am in the same boat as you as far as having time to spend on bears. Myself, I have 2 kids, 2 jobs outside the home, plus my online business at home and of course the bears! I manage about 1 bear a week as well! lol
What I did with eBay is started all of my bears out low, about $7. I felt this kept out those who 'would buy a bear for a buck' and it encouraged people to bid more. I also never use featured listing, no matter how much my bears go for. That's just me though... There are a couple, less expensive features if you don't want you bears to get lost in the shuffle. Try the BOLD listing option or the Border option. Those are only a couple of dollars (US). Also, just like several other people gave the good advice of, keep your listings running. don't let time go between listings if possible. I maybe wrong, but I don't think it's a good idea to flood eBay with your listings either... I kind of think people would think that you just crank out your bears... again, I could be wrong!
Also, make sure you let us know when you list, in Bears & Friends! I don't have much time to get on here with everything, but I don't think I've ever seen one of your bears in Bear & Friends.
I hope this helped... if not, just tell me to go back to work... lol!
Kimberly W.
I know what you mean Kids, Housework, HUSBANDS arrrghhhh
Sarah check out Wannadoo's free Build A Website...
It only takes minutes to set one up.
http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/
Good luck whatever you decide to do
Lanie :hug:
BrisbaneI just wanted to let everyone who posted here for me how much I appreciate the time taken by you all. There are some very informative posts here with lots of helpful information and I am overwhelmed at the kindness of everybody to take the time to help me out.
I will certainly be taking the time to implement many of the suggestions made, but first I'm going to take a month to make and stockpile a few bears before I start listing again so that I have enough to list every week without having to put myself under too much time pressure. When I start selling again I'll be sure to post the bears here as well.(and anywhere else I can find )
once again thank you all you've given me the boost that I needed to keep going.
LuxembearsSarahjane, All I can add is this: Know that you are not defined by ebay. Get as much exposure as you can. It takes time and perseverence. Never give up what you love. :hug:
Jellybelly BearsSarahjane, don't give up, it happens, just takes time, patience and lots of love. Wonderful advice already, I agree, don't let ebay define you. And if you can get into magazines do it! That is where I've had my biggest break from. Oh and enter shows! The magazines photograph your bears and that is also where I was noticed. Ebay is a great way to get people to look at your site and to get a mailing list up and running, but it isn't always a true refletion of your work.
Good luck!!
xox Sarah
Posts: 1,153Hi Sarah Jane...
First my hat is off to you with all those children and you still find time for yourself...wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!
It has been my personal experience that you must keep things out there at all times. When you lag...buyers get disinterested. They love to see a 'shelf full'...so to speak.
Also, I NEVER use the featured item. I see there are lots and lots of people who do, but I can't justify the cost. Once you get established, I think buyers will seek you out and if not, as the auction nears the end, they will find you anyway...and that is ususally when they bid, right at the very end. Can't say as I blame them either.
To get started, I would suggest, keep lots of bears out there...make the prices as reasonable as you can, don't bother with the featured item thing, and above all be consistent.
It takes people a while to find you...but if your work is good, your price is right...they will find you!
I also have found that I like the 5 day auction best. Sometimes if I need time but want to keep something 'on stage'...I will run a 7 day auction, but that is rare. Only I have one running for 7 days right now :crackup: ...that's because I need time to finish an order.
Good luck...your bears are wonderful, it is only a matter of time.
Nanc....
