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Teddybears SwedenIt would be fun to hear if any of you has an own company and actually lives on making teddybears, selling supplies or other things concerning teddybears?
Come on, tell me! 
Flying Fur StudiosLisa, that was very well said. What a treat to read!
I have no advice, nothing like lisa could say anyway! LOL
I'm lucky/unlucky that my full-time job real job pays alot. I'm lucky becuase big paycheques are nice, but how could I ever replace that income with my art.
I struggle with that everyday, and I just don't think I could be brave as Lisa.
Flying Fur StudiosOH lisa, that's amazing!
It just proves that you can do anything, you just have to be willing to sacrifice and work hard for it. I wish....I wish..............I wish......
What fun! Bathing outside! LOL For sure you don't live in canada! LOL
I would be happy doing what you've done. I've always wanted some land to have a few animals, ones that need rescuing. I would work hard and can live without 'things'
Problem is, I'm in love with a city boy! LOL He loves his comforts too much. But I admire you greatly! I really, really do! I would love to visit one day. Get a taste of your world.
For now, I'm happy I have a hobby and a passion. I see soo many people who seem lost. There is no passion in their lives. I see retired people wishing they had a hobby or a creative side. So even though I have to work at a 'real' job, at least I have something else to think about. It brings some exrta money in and IF I have kids one day, it'll help me only work part time, and still make some extra money on the side.
Posts: 3,177I have found that you can only live on teddybears if you cut them up in to VERY small pieces and ration them out daily - but i would prefer to live on pizza and chips!!!
Sorry - i'm in a very silly mood today 
Penny :hug: 
Posts: 3,177No i was thinking of the little savoury teddybear crisps (chips) that we get over here but the biscuits sound good too Lisa ha ha ha
Penny :hug:
Teddybears SwedenWow Lisa, your story is amazing! Reading your story makes me think "what the heck, If I want to I can do it!" You have a very positive attitude!
Penny, I think I rather live on chips too as I don't eat meat... not even teddymeat!
I have been a full time bear maker for nearly ten years now.I worked in a bank before this but wanted to be a stay at home mum.I am divorced and my daughter ,now 16,and I have lived on teddies all this time.I get no maintenance so it has been hard at times.I work long hours making my wee scones and break up my day with an hour gardening,a two hour walk with the dogs and an hour of weights and step.Other than that and being a mum I pretty much sew and design bears all day long.I get up at five so I can fit it all in.I have bought an old house that I am renovating and have a big garden(big for scotland anyhow) which I have built from scratch.I am lucky to sell every bear I make and don't take this for granted.I could probably have made more money if I was able to make editions but I can only work this hard if I don't get bored.All my bears are one off and I buy materials in small amounts to keep me interested.
Diane xx
Past Time BearsGood on you folks that make a living with your creations . . . I LOVE THAT!! You have the kind of personality that gives you the motivation and drive to do it and I applaud loudly and sincerely your ability!
We are retired and fortunately have my husband's and my benefits from working in the marketplace for eons. Then we have Social Security from the government, but how long will that last?? What I make with Past Time Bears isn't crucial, but every little bit helps when one is retired . . . so I want to make as much as I can. As we are both 65 and are beginning to have health problems, I count on selling bears to provide much needed extra funds. But there is the problem of MY inability to discipline myself to work steadily on bears/friends - so, I am my own worst enemy at times! Kudos to you who have 'made it' with your talent!
Lisa......you are my newest hero...heroine!! What a completely inspiring story......one that I will remember when ever I feel down about my bears! This is my dream.....to someday be able to make a living with them, and have people respect that too. 
:hug:
Tracy
Diane, I missed your post a minute ago......you're my other newest heroine!! I am in awe of you!
:hug:
Tracy
PijangibearsLisa - you are looking for a seamstress full time. 
When can I start?
Hugs Birgitte :hug:
PijangibearsWell Lisa - I can move to Astralia, and work for you, so you don't need to
send the things to Denmark.
I can lieve in a camper.
Hugs Birgitte :hug:
PijangibearsRent free -hmm - no, I have my Camper.
Hugs Birgitte :hug:
PijangibearsLisa - I think, that I will sell the one, I've got here, take a plane and fly Down Under.
Then buy a camper there, and come and work for you.
Okay?
I would really want to move to Australia, and when my husband and I are retirering, we are
going to live in a camper in Australia, and travel througth the hole country. :dance: :dance:
Hugs Birgitte
PijangibearsYou sure are welcome onboard. 
We can allways work, when we take a break from travelling.
Hugs Birgitte
Lisa,
IM IN AWE.....
What a fantastic living the dream tale you have to tell your family maybe grandchildren...
You need to get it all down on paper and publish it as a very inspiring book...
I did get your message about our kids yesterday... thanks for the understanding...
Dianne your an inspiration too, a similar sort of story, but a triumph to all women on there own. I was widowed in my early twenties and spent many years alone so i understand all that. Boy how proud your daughter must be of you...
Me well i've only been bear making for about a year. I'm now a stay at home mum. I do try to work hard at my bears. I choose to make OOAK bears like Dianne, i can only work hard if im not bored, i too only buy small amounts of fabrics, this keeps it all interesting. I'm constantly designing new bears. I do think im very lucky, as I do seem to sell most of them. When i started i didnt get very much for them, but they seem to be fetching a little more, i hope this trend continues, as every penny i earn is soooo appreciated in our house, hubby now not working & growing kids an all...
Im sooo inspired by you all...
Laniex
Teddybears SwedenYour storys are so interesting to read, thank you for sharing! I guess we all have a dream to be able to live on making bears. Hopefully many of you will make it out there, I believe in you guys!
Jellybelly BearsLisa and Diane, you are both inspirational to living the teddy dream! I belive in thinking positively too and am a firm believer of following your dreams...do what makes you feel happy and if you can make money or a living out of it, how wonderful!!
As many of you know, I became seriously ill at 17. Up until around 25 I thought my life was over...now my bear biz is my life and I have a social life too (online of course ) all through this little hobby I wanted to be a uni student, career and mummy before, now I can think of nothing better than this...my dream is this. With a little work over the last few years and not giving up in spite of all personal setbacks I can say I am so happy with what I have accomplished when I thought I had nothing else to work with.
To all those starting out, just remember...no matter how small your beginnings or the limits on your work, you can get so far in this business. Really. Just try and keep on trying and never give up...Be happy with small accomplishments, be proud of yourself! I did it all without looking at making profit, just for the love of it and needing to do something. Slowly things are falling into place. I love it...wish I could spend much more time on it, but it is a focus...and something to live for. I certainly couldn't make a living out of it now, but definitely would try to if I had the strength...I would probably open my own shop or something...now wouldn't that be fun!! :dance:
xox Sarah
Winneybears and FriendsI enjoy this discussion...I am like Sue...65 and trying to make bear monies and do hav ehealth problems.I just need to get my schedule and things organized then DO IT !!!!!.........Winney
Cleathero CreationsI am tossing between the work at home job I have and the fact I would like to spend more time on my craft.
I make jewellery and bears but the fear is just too great for me.
All the what ifs drive me up the wall.
What if I'm really a fraud? What if no one likes what I make? Being creative is very hard for me. And although I try not to i compare myself to other fabulous artists I still find myself feeling not good enough at all. I see so many new bear makers just do it so easily and I have to fight for it every step of the way I tend to believe I'm not good enough.
Lots of people say otherwise and my bears do sell but it is the fear in me. How do you overcome it.
BrisbaneBronwen you said it exactly how I feel 
the what ifs will paralyse you if you let them.
Your bears are great!!!! Keep telling yourself that!
But if nothing else take comfort in the fact that I think a lot of us feel the same way. :hug:
bears by beesley TMLisa, what a beautiful and inspiring story you have given us. I make bears full time as well but certainly cannot feed our family on the income. However the income does allow us to keep a very healthy stock of mohair and other needed items and allows both of us to continue to do what we love and that is making bears. I was a Human Resouces Manager for a large Canadian Bank for many years and do not miss the nine to five at all. I do miss the friendships one tends to make in an office setting however but TT has become my second family.
We have only been in busines for one year and and have loved every minute of it. We did incorporate our Company and have trade marked our name and logo to allow us better tax cuts as you had mentioned.
Many Hugs Louise
Teddybears SwedenBronwen and sarahjane, I fell just like you! It's soooooo hard to be able to think "my bears are ok"! I guess we just have to try to believe in ourself and be proud over what we do. YOU are both great artists!! :cake:
Cleathero Creations:hug:
Yes jennie and I feel the same way about your bears, just beautiful. May we should take the [SPAM] slogan and 'JUST DO IT'
Winneybears and FriendsBronwen...How do we do it???? ........Make more bears.....actually go dream about your ideas first...your fabulous ideas...that are yours and your alone...ideas take some time to ferment...like good wine....lay on the grass,look up at the clouds ...dont you see things in those clouds?
I love laces, fabrics, colors, childrens illustrations...they give me ideas I cant stop them from popping out at me...I must go grab a paper and sketch , take notes ...then it all starts going faster and faster so fast I fill up darn near the whole page with little notes...sketches...wow...thats how you can do it....and it is ALL YOURS !!!
It can be done in many different ways....these are only a few...Say...maybe we should have a place in the index on "How to tap into and expand your creativity"???.........Winney
