Competition poser!!

[Jenny]

Here's a poser for those of you who enter competitions..or intend entering competitions...or for those who don't enter but have an opinion!! (everybody in fact!!LOL)

Would you think it best to design a bear (or cat or whatever) especially for awards ..or..would you enter a piece you've already made..and possibly already sold?

There are lots of things to consider. I made a bear with the awards in mind..and now he's done..though I really like him, I think I can do just a bit better. So I am doing another one. If I use one I have already sold, I can enter the photo only competitions but then I can't offer the bear to collectors since he'd already be adopted..and I do think collectors like to know they've adopted an awards bear...even if it's not a nominee.

Hmmm! It's a tricky one!!

I feel it's best to design a special bear...but then again sometimes I think I am better when I am not 'trying too hard'

What do you think..I am really interested to hear your opinions!

[All Bear]

It's a tough choice isn't it? In the past I have always designed especially for the competitions I entered because the bears had to be judged 'in the fur' if nominated. I enjoyed having the freedom to create completely new designs and used competitions for that purpose. I think it pays off in terms off offering originality to the competition. After all, if no-one has seen your work before, they can't be influenced by it with their own entries ... if you see what I mean?;)

I haven't entered awards for a few years but really fancied having a go again this year. Trouble is, I haven't had the spare time to create especially for the awards and keep those bears to one side. However, I have made one-off pieces in the past few months that I've been really pleased with. They have sold but as photo entry awards don't require the bears in person, I have just made a point of thinking ahead and having my favourite bears photographed professionally and have chosen from those to enter.

As regards the collectors purchasing 'award winning' bears ... I think if your work sells well anyway, it will sell with or without that tag. I for one, don't like to raise prices just because I've had a bear nominated for/or winning an award, so it wouldn't affect whether or not I designed a competition bear from scratch or not.

Hope that helps! :6091:

[Jenny]

I am making specific bears with awards in mind..and in the past have always done that. Sometimes though, I think we all make that 'special' bear that you think...'that is so different'..or comes together in such a nice way ..that perhaps it would do well in a competition..so, like you Paula,I do take pictures which I might be able to use in a competition should I not make a better bear.

As far as selling 'award winning' pieces goes..I don't think, for me at any rate, upping prices post-nomination is the name of the game...however, in my limited experience of nominations..or indeed competitions for that matter..I have found that customers do like to know that they are adopting a piece that has been entered into an award..even if it didn't win. So it would be nice to be able to offer the pieces for adoption afterwards..whatever the outcome.

So that's what makes me make specific pieces for competitions...it's just interesting to get other folks' opinions!!:6044:

[shelly]

Hi ,
I think making a bear for a competiton would make me stretch my imagination, so I would relish the challenge, but I agree that sometimes you can be making something and it just clicks , so yes if I was happy with it I would use it.
As regards to to the collectors , I haven't really had any experience of it. If they wanted it just because it has an award then maybe they're buying it for the wrong reason. Surely they should just fall in love with the bear, which would not be very difficult with yours and Paula's bears !
I think they're your bears and therefore you can do what you like.
Can you not enter two, a new one and a sold one?

:6087:

[yvonne]

Jenny, it's a difficult one....I personally have always made the bear with the competition in mind, as it really gives me a buzz, fuels the imagination, and makes me work harder....gets the creative jucies flowing..if you know what I mean! But I do agree, sometimes I try too hard and become super critical...
...and it just doen't turn out well.

I think it all boils down to what you are pleased with......and as for collectors,
...I think if they love your bears, they buy, awards or not...:6087:

[Jenny]

Yep..I know exactly what you mean...I put pressure on myself to excell and sometimes I end up doing a worse job than if I'd just done my normal thing.

[All Bear]

You and me both. :(

[Chowlea Bears]

I'm sorry I can offer nothing constructive in reply since I have experienced neither. :6022:

BUT - (you could just tell there was a but coming couldn't you) :6086:

I appreciate you posting though because many of the points were well made and very thought provoking.

Thank You again...................

[Laurie]

I have never entered any competions as I haven't been brave enough yet but it would be nice to do a special piece for a competion so that you feel that you have tried that bit harder but as many bear makers know there is always one bear that you have made that has more appeal than your others.I think if you know when you are going to enter competions you just make your bears as normal and when that special one comes along hold that one back-mind you Paula and Jenny it would be just your luck that the special bear would be one of your commision pieces!

[Jenny]

Laurie..you are so right ...I do hold bears back if I feel they are 'Competition' standard.....

I don't do commissions so I won't fall down that particular hole but I know exactly what you mean!!

[Lorna Evett]

dont you find though that you can design a bear and make a few of that design and just one of them comes out top in how it finishes up.

But I do agree, it is a bit sad if people buy only award winners. I go to a fair and see that "buy me bear" pick him up have a cuddle, go away and look at others return and buy him, after all he chooses me in the end.

Would love to enter a competition, not got the nerve tho@

Lorna:6034:

[Steffi]

Hi

not sure if this helps but I do know of two people who have bears nominated for BBAAs this year who have also technically sold their bears. Both had the bears in Glasgow and had people fall in love with the bears. One took a deposit explained that the piece was up for an award and therefore couldn't be taken on the day. The customer wants it for a Christmas present and was happy to leave a deposit. The other took no deposit, probably because I am buying the bear for my daughter, again as a Christmas present, although my daughter has seen the bear. She fell in love with it and that was it, she is happy to wait for her bear to join her. BTW if you want to see the bear/ panda then look at Lynn Bowie's entry on page 152 of the 2007 Teddy Bear Guide.

Not sure about the other question however as I don't enter the competitions. I should say that we didn't know that Lynn's bear was nominated for an award before my daughter decided that she wanted to adopt it, so it certainly didn't influence us.

Hugs Steffi