Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

"The Ramblings of a Newbie"  (brace yourselves.... )

Realistically every single industry sees ups and downs.  If the teddy bear industry was tracked and graphed someone would see a pattern, a trend, a cyclical movement happening. It's in every single industry on the planet.  It's what we do within those trends that truly matters.  As I see it, the key to longevity is being proactive and not reactive.  Businesses that are proactive not only succeed they grow.  Businesses that react either become stale or fail. Proactive is doing all you can of yourself and not assuming all will flow as it did during the "best of times".  Having a long term plan/goal and not putting all of your bears in one basket.  Reactive business practices are a recipe for disaster. (I always called it "chickens with your heads chopped off" business.  It's unorganized, unrealistic, unstable, and just plain stress driven as folks run around trying to quickly do what should have already been in place. Consumers feel this and loose interest or respect for the business...and in turn purchase elsewhere)

If the teddy bear industry is seeing a decline unlike those of the past then it is up to those within to create a new plan for success.  If the industry requires a "rebirth" to get things rolling than how are each of us contributing to?  We can't  look back and wish for the days of long lines, high sales, and collectors galore. During the 1980s everything was booming and within a few short years everything crashed.  It was an unrealistic economy, consumer and seller.  I don't personally want that...it came quickly and it went just as quickly.  I personally want realistic longevity. Flash forward 20 years to today. People aren't spending less money.  Quite the opposite, people are spending more, but they are savvy consumers using unlimited buying resources.

I think Paula's point to creating honest quality without becoming greedy is a very good one. Realistic expectations are a must. A bear may sell for $1600 on an internet auction site, but that should not in turn create an industry marker for sales expectations or a marker for artists to measure themselves by. We should not be "reacting" to a few extreme sales trends, but instead should be focusing on realistic, positive and proactive ways to move the industry forward to see long lasting growth and sales.

Tapping new avenues. Little things we each do to help ourselves will over time assist the industry as a whole.  It's all connected. Little things..... Has anyone ever looked into popping into an art class?  I've got 2 sisters who are art teachers.  One took a few of my bears and some magazines to a graduate class.  This class was talking about "what is art".  The artists were all really impressed and respected the bears as an art form (one owns a shop and was asking about minis!). That little bit of exposure got a few new potential collectors or creators talking and interested. What about looking into hosting a "show and tell" via a local art college or at your kids schools or the schools in your neighborhood? Take tools, swatches, bears, magazines and an hour of your time. Sure a 12 year old can't afford an artisan teddy bear right now, but if we don't look beyond the "sale today" the industry wouldn't thrive.  It's about being proactive, personally working it, and opening new avenues.  Sales will follow the awareness. 

Maybe we could host a different kind of Challenge here.  An awareness challenge of sorts (??) give a set amount of time (say 6 months) and see what each of us can do to bring awareness to our business and in turn the industry.  Whether it's hosting a mini "show and tell" at a school, or getting local coverage in a newspaper, or attending a festival in your community that you may not have before.  Share pictures, share clippings, share the positive feedback for others to follow.  Could be fun 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Tracy,
If they can't find anything with the testing throw out the term "costochondritis".  The first time it happened to me they took me to the ER with heart attack symptoms..it was really really scary.  It hurt to breathe, move and the symptoms can mimic more serious conditions. My tests were all normal. It's just an inflammation of the cartilage of the chest/ribs, but holy heck does it hurt.  Stress, injury, etc can bring it on..on a viral thing, I think.  Just something I wanted to pass along.  Thinking of you and Darren :hug:  :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

Marinading in something like Italian Dressing is always easy.  If you don't have the "dressing" on hand just toss some dried seasonings (minced onion, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, etc OR an all purpose seasoning) in a bag with some olive oil, toss in the chicken, seal the bag, shake to coat, and put in the fridge for 30-45 minutes.  Take out the chicken and sear on stovetop OR if you have a grill pan/foreman grill better yet.  (this is assuming you bought "boneless")
Now I'm hungry :crackup:

:hug:
~Chrissi

PS...check out www.allrecipes.com   If it has a high rating it's a good recipe.  I've found TONS of great recipes out there

I'm sorry if it seemed like I was beating a dead horse, I honestly wasn't trying to be nitty gritty at all.  I think I took the original post piece about maybe coming up with some "ground rules" as just that.  Just some basics to make life easier. Stuff always seems more complicated when it's talked about out loud.  When you get the finished product all nice, neat and ironed out it just seems quick and simple   That's why big corps have brainstorming sessions for months prior to releasing info to the masses.

What's a "sticky thread"?!  I'm not up on the lingo!! :crackup: :doh:  ....I just looked it up. Ok,the constant threads at the top.....nope, that's not what I was talking about. 
I still talk to much :crackup:

:hug:
~Chrissi

Laughing here!! My hub will be wearing one too. I'll try to make his as basic and manly as I can!  he he he :crackup:

The last replies are exactly what every home based "show" business has to do in order to be successful.  If you're selling Silpada, Tastefully simple, Pampered Chef (to name and plug a few) YOU have to do all the work to be successful and keep the business coming!  Bringing in new hostesses, calling on past customers and dropping emails or notes in the mail, keeping everyone informed.
TALKING (like Daphne mentioned) to everyone you meet who might be a potential customer/collector/creator.  Clear window stickers for your CAR to advertise...Imagine driving behind a simple "WWW.-------" and getting home to see what it was all about. Keeping cards with you at all times and "catalogs" in your car for when a conversation strikes up while you're running around during your day. Home based businesses even have tshirts made to promote themselves! It's what they all do and it works! I'm making simple transfers using stuff from Staples and putting on Old navy black tees. Not to sell, but to wear if I'm hitting a crafts fest, the local arts festivals, or something like that.

After typing about my friends artisan jewelry in another post  it made me think about linking up to other sites outside of bear making.  We're all swapping links with each other...but what about quilters, jewelry artists, sculptors, folk arts, any number of people in OR out of the arts that we may know who we can exchange links with in order to bring in new eyes. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Tracy,
You know I'm thinking of both you and Darren and passing along positive thought and many prayers.  :hug:
I know what it's like to live with the tough guy and how scary it is when they do show you somethings wrong. Dean's recent gallbladder removal woke him up to getting on the overall "healthier" track. In 10 years I had never seen him so desperate, it was very scary. 
The positive feedback here is all so true.  And hospitals today won't let you go home if there's a chance something dangerous could be looming.  Malpractice alone has them crossing all t's and dotting all i's with testing.  Keep positive and strong.  We're all here for you  :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

Just one more opinion....
If you've fairly priced your bears on your time, materials, etc.. don't lower your prices only to make a sale.  I've got a good friend who sells her artisan jewelry via home shows and arts festivals (amazingly cool stuff..I'll have to post her link someday) and she and others advise against this for long term success.  Just one thought to pass along. 
If you feel you've honestly overpriced well then every business has periods of re-evaluation and that's not a bad thing.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Now Me again: ( I talk to much :crackup: )
Oh No, I wasn't talking about starting a designated section for swaps or anything like that.  I was referring to the actual "subject line" of a posting.  The title of the swap (am I using the right lingo?? I'm not sure :doh: ), could that be standardized to one thing or contain a standardized phrase at least for easy referencing.  I only asked because some of our titles have nothing to do with the thread itself.  If we're asking people to refer back to a list within a thread it might be nice to search and find it with ease.  That was my question. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Jennie,
I agree with so much of what is being said..your bears are really superb and original.  Hilmer and Lucas are totally adorable!  Going off of eBay and online sales alone isn't fair to yourself.  Yes, Melissa that was me  :rolleyes:.  I compared eBay to a flea market.  And just so we're all clear...that was before my little issue with them not after.  I'm not an ebay basher.  I've met very very lovely collectors via. I just hate people kicking themselves over results from a very unpredictable auction site.  I've got friends who listed a "USED" pair of nose clippers just to see if someone would buy..they sold first time out. <gross>
Where else can you sell used nose clippers and $3000 art?? I've been to flea markets where you can    People either drive buy and look..or they don't.  You can't control the bids and the buyers wants, but you can assist the traffic you see out there by all the ways given above; magazines, self promotion, advertising, mailing lists, shows, etc.
No worries, your bears are lovely  :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

I guess what I was trying to say above is I'm always trying new things...always. Sometimes to a point of having to reel myself back into focus.  But there is no sense in trying to fit a square into a circle.  Me doing animee would be painful for all involved  :crackup: 
It's obvious when an artist is passionate about their work and it's also very obvious when they are not.  If they're not passionate about it or "thriving" whilst doing it they have to ask themselves "why" am I doing this?  Try new things, push yourself to be a personal best...but don't create stress for the wrong reasons
:hug:
~Chrissi

YES! I did this a lot last year.  I know what I like, not just what I'm "good" at...but I know what inspires me, what drives me, etc..BUT I kept trying to make this other thing work.  I finally just looked at the last piece, the time it was taking and the frustration of it all and said "WHY am I doing this?".  I thought about it a lot  and came out with the simplest answer "I know what makes ME happy, what inspires me, what makes my creations mine, that's the right path"

That's not to say I don't try new things, explore new ideas, push myself to be my own personal best. Not at all...BUT I looked at myself honestly and said stop trying to fit into a mold that's not who or what you're about.  I've been so much happier since!!! 

:hug:
~Chrissi

GROUP HUGS!!!  :hug:    :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

Ps..yes I saw the movie too Instead of paying back a good deed you pay it forward (in the movie it's to 3 new people....but whatever works.. 1,2,or 3 it's all good in the end!!)

Wow Amelia I'm totally blushing over here with your description  :hug:  (but smiling ear to ear as well!  )
I'm glad you like the pictures! I'm still learning the do's and don'ts of indoor photography, so it was outdoors or nothing! After playing around with different fabrics, solid boards, etc I just found that my potting table ( ) wasn't too distracting a background.

I personally adore Paula's garden shots.  I think her bears look so happy and alive sitting on those garden stones. 
I've done a few fairy/butterfly bears pictured in plain green grass...that I thought was pretty.

I like your shot above...I like the little "wishies" above his head.  We called them "wishies" as kids becuase we would blow on them and make wishes.

:hug:
~Chrissi

This is a awesome thread to read.  There's so much here that represents what I love about the arts.  Those who understand what mentoring and kind gestures can do for the person receiving (and the pure joy felt in the giving).  I always think that one day they too will "pay it forward" and keep this awesome kinship alive with the industry. 
THIS is a heartwarming thread. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

1. YES- done 2 swaps so far and thouroughly enjoyed both. 
2. 100% agree  (no manufactured bears of course)
3. Swaps should have fun themes and could be anything from "a mini swap" where those who wished to partake could..or a"bunny swap" or a "red bear" swap or a "valentines swap"..but outside of the theme a swap shouldn't be broken done into mini-particles of "I want this or I'd prefer that".  Do private swaps at that point.
4.  N/A
5. I didn't mark that skill level applied, but this again is really tough water to tactfully wade through. There are 100 older posts in this forum where persons can't honestly say that they're newbies or seasoned based on years, etc.  Just because someone has made bears for 14 years doesn't mean that the girl next to them making for 7 months can't knock socks off with her skill level.  This is dangerous ground IMO. It's almost like we'd need to be jurored to swap  :doh:   (sorry...that's just kinda funny to me as I'm hearing Wayne's World "I'm not worthy..I'm not worthy..in my head ) If persons REALLY want to control the "skill level" or "category" of a swap they should start private swaps.  Purely Private Swaps. Email all of those you think fit the bill and host a private swap. BUT don't post a "look what I got from the highly skilled bear makers swap" so the rest of us can assume we're not "highly skilled" :doh: 
6. Time frames should be clearly set from the get go.  All swaps shipped to be received by ____.  If that date can't be met it's the responsibility (this whole thing comes down to personl responsibility) to notify their partner with an honest time frame of when the item will be shipped.  Let's face it..stuff happens and it's not a crime to be late, but it is totally wrong to take and then not fufill your end of the swap deal.
7.Well, if you bounce a check in some shops they post your check up on the wall for all to see and read. That seems a bit harsh in this case, public stoning and all. If the swaps partner who has been jilted has done all she/he can to contact, understand, and work flexibly with his/her partner and still has seen no swap item shipped then it is fair that the person in question not be allowed to partake in future swaps.  BUT and this is the BUT...it should not be aired in the public forum and it should not be used as a weapon of words against them or thier business.  This is where one person, a moderator perhaps, should be called in to assit.  The person jilted, after trying all private methods to remedy the swap, should privatly reach out to this one designated person to explain the situation.  The swap moderator's job is to only hold the name of the person who did not uphold thier end of the deal...they do not intervine, they do not assist, they simply hold the name so that future swaps will not be affected. I think the idea of being "humiliated" privately with swap organizers is enough to keep most on the up and up. 

-the spell check WON'T work for me again!!!  there are bound to be TONS of mistakes, please ignore 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Hi Natasha!

I once read, in one of the books I first bought on teddy making, that supplies do matter in avoiding frustration.  That doesn't mean you have to go out and buy Mohair at $200 a yard..not at all!!  Depending on the size of the bears you're making there are many many great resources for quality fabrics. Lower cost but high quality synthetics can be found on ebay, bearycheap, sassy, christie bears just to name a few...I know there are tons more.

Your pink panda is ADORABLE and if you used that same pattern with a sturdier mini fabric you'd be blown away by the difference. I can tell what fabric you used on her because I found the same stuff in a fabric shop when I first started out...it was beyond frustrating to use.
When you're financially able to do so just start out small... one square of a fabric from the bargain or end list bin...or a square of mini fabric.

PERSEVERE !! Look at your quilts, I'm sure it took time to achieve that skill!! 

:hug:
~Chrissi

That is so awesome Kim!  The brown is so pretty...looks like a yummy cappuccino swirl
I can't wait to see one of your lovely bears wearing.

:hug:
~Chrissi

All of the talk made me curious so I'm happily giving bearpile a whirl!  It was super easy to use and for 3 months I'm paying the same as a featured ebay listing after all of the fees.  Not too shabby!  I added 1 bear rather quickly and will add more tonight. 

Question for those who use it....I followed the picture/image size instructions, but my photos look much smaller compared to most.  What's the trick in sizing your images??

:hug:
~Chrissi

The more I see this the more I think that this is exactly why nothing legitimate from ebay/ebay related paypal should come to an email address.  It should all filter directly their message board and that's it.  Why they can't do that I don't know...maybe it's too hard to manage (doubtful)..but it would hold them responsible for any security related fraud at that point AND I would imagine it would cut down on the "spoof@ebay" forwarded emails they see each day-hour-minute 

HEY EBAY Look into that huh?? They own everything, they should be able to make it work :crackup:

:hug:
~Chrissi

This is why I decided to use the phrase "Original Design" for all of my works.  OOAK seems so abused anymore (almost worn out ....where it looses all meaning) that I just didn't want to use the phrase. That's just me and my thought process on it all.  I use a clear explanation on auction templates stating that patterns and fabrics may be used more than once but each creation takes on it's own individual look and will never be exactly duplicated unless clearly noted as a series, edition, etc.  I felt this allowed me the creative license I wanted to have in my studio 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Count me in....sending you my info now

:hug:
~Chrissi

Hi Kathleen!
I stopped using the nonstick stuff when I heard what happens to it at high temps (the fumes it can release, etc) and it can flake at times.  Years ago my hub got me a very nice set of Calphalon.  It's holding up very very well and I LOVE to cook...everyday pretty much.  But I gotta tell you one of my absolute favorite "pots" is one I found at Marshalls.  It's one of those super expensive LeCreuset Round Ovens.  I got it for a total steal (they go for something like $195 at Williams Sonoma and I found for $80!!)  So, if you have a Marshalls near you take a peak!! I still see them up here. Maybe the gradient color isn't perfect & some might be last seasons colors.....but who the heck cares about that!  I'd give up the whole  set to keep this one pot. QVC has a similar type of pot (enamel cast iron) and it's dishwasher safe. Actually, QVC has some great stuff as far as cookware goes 

:hug:
~Chrissi

I was going to ask exact question in a new thread, thank for answering Kim!  I've distressed some wee little mini's but never the bigger bears so I was wondering how folks approach.  I think I'll have to join in the challenge and make mine a well loved vintage floppy.   ( I think I have the mohair on hand... if not maybe he'll be a "scraps" bear too!! )
Thanks again for the tip!!

:hug:
~Chrissi