More Bear Woes ???

[Ruth]

I just heard through TediBach Hug that the Alexandra Palace show will not be taking place this year - yet another show hit :6021: :6021: That's so sad, Teddy Bear Scene usually uses this venue to showcase its Readers' Choice winners-I was going to enter again this year,hope the comp' will still run ??
Big sigh to start the year :6091: I'm so hoping the NEC one gets rescued (I've applied :p )Ruth

[shelly]

Do you mean you've applied for a stand?
If you have, well done that's a positive start to the new year!
:6084:

[Jenny]

Yes I am afraid internet sales are really damaging fairs. I momentarily toyed with the notion that I might not do Hugglets this year...then stopped myself from thinking such a thing. It's all such hard work though...with more expense involved and not necessarily any more sales.

That said I shan't stop doing the fairs I am committed to...I just wish I could make more bears in less time.........

See you at the NEC (fingers crossed) then Ruth!!!!!

[Ruth]

Yes Shelly --- Jenny you'll hear the sound of my knees knocking from the other end of the hall :6086: If I do get the stand etc,you'll all know 'cos I'll have to plague you with my newbie questions !!!:rolleyes:
Ruth

[All Bear]

Yep, Ally Pally RIP. It's sad because the venue is so beautiful, but having said that, the particular hall we were in, was gloomy this year. No decent lighting, the stands set out miles apart from each other and a general sense of uninspired (the show, not the bears!) dingy doom... not to mention a horrible unloading system. This show needed a significant injection of all things relevant to making bear selling a pleasure in my view, so I'm not surprised it's time for it to close its doors. I was very despondent about the show even though I sold out completely at the last one! So that says quite a lot I think!

Like Jenny, I've toyed with the concept of abandoning Hugglets and in fact, have missed the odd show here and there in the past because I've been unable to juggle earning a living, with setting bears aside for a show. It's really hard to find that balance and make it work.

However, now there are so few quality shows in the UK, I really believe we need to support the shows which are working well for us, if we possibly can. Hugglets does a good job for the teddy bear scene in the UK. The fact that it offers stands by selective invitation ensures quality work is on show to a very good cross section of interested people.

I think it's still important we work hard to broaden interest in the UK teddy bear. To achieve that, I believe we need to ensure we make inviting opportunities for people new to collecting, to come and visit us. There's nothing quite like introducing people to your work in person. It is frustrating when you know you can sell all your bears on the internet without having to set foot outside and without having to set large amounts of cash to one side to furnish a show, but if we don't look at the wider picture of what's happening to our bear industry from all angles, complacency may mean we inadvertently help to kill off the best of our shows/shops etc if we rely purely on internet sales and this could well backfire on us on time, simply because it limits access to the best of British teddy bears. After all, there are many collectors who don't have internet access and there are many people with, for example, a love of fine crafts, who maybe haven't yet stumbled across a beautifully designed bespoke bear, so wouldn't necessarily be out looking for one on the internet.

A shake up of the teddy bear fair system in the UK is long overdue. It doesn't represent the death of the artist bear, because as ever, there is fresh design and exciting work developing in the UK all the time, I think it simply says it's time we gave our industry a good 'ol spring clean!

[shelly]

Well I am planning to visit Hugglets this year for the first time, but only in a visitor capacity ! It would be a shame if the skill of toy making, as in bears, disappears like many other toy making skills and bears have been around for such a long time.
Maybe the whole idea of the bear making needs to be re -packaged and sold from a different angle, as a kind of traditional skill. If you look at other crafts, like jewellery, ceramics, glass,etc they are presented at shows altogether and the quality at some of the top shows is fantastic.
I'm babbling a bit but it would be a shame if it all disappeared.

To Ruth


You go girl............ I'll come and say hello !



:6086:

[Ruth]

That would be great Shelly-thanks for your encouragement !! Hey, if everybody came to say hello at the same time it would look like I had loads of interested customers !!!:D :6086:
Ruth

[shelly]

I'm sure you will anyway Ruth !

:6086: