Teddy Hugs & Things

2011-07-06T09:05:00.001-07:00

2011-07-06T09:04:00.002-07:00

been awhile but

2011-06-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

it is back to the bears

2011-06-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

2010-12-19T10:19:00.000-08:00

a good thing and. . . uhm, maybe not so much

2010-12-09T10:21:00.001-08:00

I am down to ten bears.

I had to go buy more tags and I used the last receipt from the book, so I need to go grab another one of those. Means the bears are selling.

That's good.

Five more days of the Market before this buying season comes to a close.

I've only got ten bears.

That's not so good.

Quote for 11-27-10

2010-11-27T15:56:00.004-08:00

The Teddy Bear is the last toy that we part with. He is all that is left of that lost world where solutions seemed possible and a friend who saw no fault and made no reproach, waited forever in the old armchair.

--Pam Brown

2010-11-27T15:56:00.003-08:00

I made these two bears that were really cute but I forgot to get a picture of either before I sold them :(

Sew it and sell it

2010-11-27T15:49:00.000-08:00

On a mission to get rid of all the fur and material I have. I have a deadline of Valentine's 2011 'cause between Christmas and Valentine's, there is a much greater demand for bears.

A problem, however, is that I loooooooooooooooooove miniature bears and have a lot of material for miniature bears and they take so much longer to create. But I'm gonna have to do what I have to do.

Had not been able to get around to the little bears with football helmets until this past week. A sample out today at the Farmer's Market netted four orders. So I know what I am really pushing and making a priority this week.

Quote for 11-12-10

2010-11-12T14:34:00.001-08:00

A Teddy bear will always care. When all else fails hug your teddy. A teddy's heart is as big as his smile.

--Tess

2010-11-12T14:31:00.000-08:00

Found a disc from last year with some photos on it. I was working at Vanderbilt and I was featured in a university publication-- me and the bears.

That yellow one is a cutie, if I say so myself .

We were all photographed in the Civil Rights Room in the Nashville Public Library 'cause the story was also about my writing about the Civil Rights Movement in Nashville.

(photo bySteve Green)

Farmer's Market

2010-10-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

Last two weeks have been nice. Sold a giant bear today. Hope to make several more, especially child-proof ones. Other stuff as in 'my writing' needing my time and attention. But the bears make me cash, so, well . . .

Next Saturday is a special event day; I do need to get sewing 'cause I've not been as productive as I'd hoped to be.

Quote for 10-11-10

2010-10-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

Long before I grew up, my teddy bear taught me what love really meant--being there when you're needed.

--Jim Nelson

Saturday-Farmer's Market

2010-10-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

Bears flying off the table. Was thinking it would be a slow day because I hadn't been there for awhile but, nope, it was a very good day.

I was asked to make a dog (Sandy) for this little girl who loved the musical "Annie." Met her on Saturday and she sang "Tomorrow." It was so delightful; she's three and uninhibited. Made my day.

back to the Farmer's Market Saturday

2010-10-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

can't wait.

Teddy bear quote for 9-28-10

2010-09-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

You really don't have to be young to find a friend in a teddy bear.

--Rachel Newman.

Business equipment

2010-09-28T08:32:00.001-07:00

I'm getting a serger and possibly a small silk screen machine. Would love to get the embroidery machine as well (while shipping on sewing items is free) but no go.

Teddy quote for 9-17-10

2010-09-17T10:13:00.001-07:00

Teddy bears don’t need hearts as they are already stuffed with love.

- -Unknown

bears bears and more bears

2010-09-12T18:21:00.001-07:00

have a basketful that need to be stuffed and another basket that are "in-process."

Haven't been to the Farmer's Market on a regular basis. Hope to rectify that and make every Saturday in October, November and December.

Not much else going on; all quiet on the bear front.

Quote for 9-12-10

2010-09-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

Bears sleep by day. At night they stay awake to chase away bad dreams.

-Jesse O'Neil

TODAY!

2010-09-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

is National Teddy Bear Day.

Hug your teddy.

Teddy bear quote for 8-24-10

2010-08-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Love me. Love my teddy bear.

-- Samantha Armstrong

Moving this along

2010-08-24T09:00:00.001-07:00

Wrote Etsy to see about closing the current shop and reopening. Have bears now to sell.

Hopefully by the end of the month, I will have a STOCKED online teddy bear store.

Teddy Bear Quote for 8-22-10

2010-08-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

A bear remains a bear –even when most of him has fallen off or worn away.

–Charlotte Gray

becoming a wholesaler

2010-08-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

Have opened two accounts to be a wholesaler for some products that are bear-related. An online store? Sell through this blog?

There was a time when I wanted to open a teddy bear gift shop and I bought all kinds of bear merchandise. Had an acct with a teddy bear magazine and with the stuffed toy manufacturer Russ Berrie, and I was talking to some teddy bears artists about carrying their bears.

I never was able to find a place so I gave up the idea. Incorporated a lot of the merchandise into my personal bear collection, sold some things, gave some away.

I really need to decide what I want to do with this business. Make/set some boundaries and stick to them so I don't get all carried away.

Teddy quote for 8-18-10

2010-08-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Age simply doesn't enter into it! The older the friend, the more he is valued, particularly when he shows so visibly the characteristics that we all look for in friends. You have only to look at a genuine teddy's face to see at once the loyalty, common sense, and above all, dependability behind it.

--Peter Bull

bears bears bears and more bears

2010-08-18T13:01:00.001-07:00

been sewing like crazy. Several I want to keep but alas, I am running a business here and so they are for sale.

Photos to follow but this time I will use a camera and not a camera phone. Makes a difference, I'm sure.

Teddy quote for 8-17-10

2010-08-17T08:11:00.001-07:00

Everything in life I share, except of course my teddy bear!

- -Unknown

Teddy bear quote for Sunday, August 8th

2010-08-08T16:37:00.001-07:00

Once a bear has been loved by a human being, its expression is forever marked.

--Jama Kim Rattigan

2010-08-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

2010-08-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

2010-08-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

2010-08-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

2010-08-05T11:21:00.002-07:00

2010-08-05T11:21:00.001-07:00

2010-08-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

2010-08-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

2010-08-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

clear plastic bottles shaped like bears -- fill with lotion, liquid soap, bath beads-- and I've got another product to offer.

saturday sales

2010-07-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

my best day yet being back at the Farmer's Market. Two little girls whose mother bought them bears last week came by my table to tell me how much they're enjoying their bears. Their mother said they dress them up and play with them all the time. Way cool. I used to dress some of my bears, maybe it's time again.

I really worked at production this week-- my shoulder and wrist ache but I got 40 new bears done and I had to take another table and I'm probably going to buy a larger table altogether this week 'cause yeah I've got stock. Deciding to use up the fur I have was a great idea.

Sat next to a man selling stuff with football logos. This coming week it is the Steeler material ('cause there are a heck of a lot of Steelers fans in this town evidently) and the tiny bears and the football helmets. Also pandas and koalas, for something new.

Got the dog done. And I made a bunny. Two people asked for lambs and maybe I should expand my repertoire a little more 'cause the business is "Teddy Hugs & Things."

More pics will follow but I realize I suck at photographing my work which is not good 'cause if I ever get stuff on Etsy, the photography has to be good.

Got the application for the holiday bazaar. Definitely. I can easily make the vendor fee back.

Had some material that made some gorgeous bears. I got my daughter (read: paid her to) name all the bears I had for sale and she fell in love with one she named Willie. She wanted him (I was thinking of keeping him for my collection) but I gave him to her. For awhile, he'll still be in the same house so I can enjoy him that way.

2010-07-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

2010-07-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

2010-07-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

guess what I named this bear

2010-07-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

a woman with a baby in a stroller

2010-07-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

wanted to know if I made bears with the eyes sewn in.

I do those, I told her. I use fur for the nose and embroidery the eyes.

Do you have any here, she asked, looking over the bears at my table.

I shook my head. I don't.

Uhm, lost sale. So something else I need to work on this week -- childproof bears.

Used to make a gift basket with such for newborn babies, added a bottle, diapers, a blanket, etc. Even got Gerber, Parent's Magazine and some other companies to send me information to put in. Gonna do two-- a boy and girl-- and take them Saturday. Went to Walmart and priced baby stuff and it's still profitable so that means it's doable.

goals for the next week

2010-07-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

order hang tags

check to see if I can get into this holiday bazaar that's coming up in December

cut up one container of fur-- don't necessarily have to start the bears though that would be nice --the goal is to use up the fur I have so, yes, I can get more;-)

hmmm, I think I can do that

2010-07-24T14:24:00.001-07:00

Went to the Farmer's Market. Great weather though there was a 50% chance of rain; not hot and that's all that mattered.

Another good day for sales. Actually the best I've had since I've been going back but that's because today is Saturday and there's more people out.

I was asked to make a dog== actually the dog from "Annie." Found a picture of Sandy that I'm going to work from. Seems doable.

I just gotta do it.

closing up shop

2010-07-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have an account at Etsy but I'm going to have to close it so I can reopen it. I named the shop with a moniker I use often and in reading tips on opening, managing, and growing one's shop, I realized that I needed to rename it.

Do that and I think I'm almost ready to reopen. Found a place to buy boxes for mailing, have thought out what "freebies" I want to include with a bear sale and I've got merchandise!

the solution becomes the problem

2010-07-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

It's important to me that the bear's muzzle holds its shape. Fiberfill shifts and the nose can sometimes collapse. I'd found a solution by mistake and it works well except for some material.

There's something I do to insure that the eyes stay put but I'm finding that solution is turning into a problem that affects the way the bears eyes appear when it's ready to be stuffed.

Argh.

there will be no bear castle for me

2010-07-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

I ran into someone I went to school with and she works for the arts council. She invited me to consider being in the Renaissance Craftfaire and I considered it until I got the application.

Gulp.

I could probably make up the fees and costs associated ( participants have to create a medival themed sales area) but upfront, uhm no 'cause I've got to do the graduation bears loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong before graduation.

bucket o' bears

2010-07-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

bear doodle

2010-07-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

2010-07-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

discovery leads to inventory

2010-07-03T12:51:00.001-07:00

Unearthed a box of hats and flowers and wooden toys/spools and music boxes that I plan to use in the bearmaking.

Today is going to be a bearmaking day but after I complete an inventory of what I have. I was just in Hobby Lobby this morning buying doll glasses when I evidently already had some. . .

2010-07-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

Been at the Farmer's Market. Some nice sells, considering I go on Wednesdays. Saturdays, well I'm just too lazy to get up, but I plan to at some point this summer.

A few bears I wished I'd taken pictures of before they were sold, but alas, no other choice had I. My niece is going to take pictures of the remaining and I'll post soon as I can.

Am possibly ordering an embroidering machine. It's on sale and shipping is free, and I can pay it in 4 payments. That would be a boast to the graduation line--

Went to Joanne's and discovered some product ideas. Don't want to get overwhelmed and stress the bear business 'cause the writing career is more important, but still it's nice to be creative with some fur and plastic eyes and noses. It's wonderful, the smiles they bring.

Uhm, and the cash;-)

Regrouping

2010-06-15T18:09:00.001-07:00

I've got over a hundred bears to show you. Yes, I've been busy.

Photos to follow.

Sewed bears today

2009-07-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

stopped being a lazy butt. sewed till my arms hurt. got 15 bears that I'd been working on finished. yay!

Hang Tags

2009-06-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

I think I've found some that are very nicely done, priced that I can afford them AND I don't have to order a gazillion to get them at that price!

Mink

2009-06-07T17:48:00.000-07:00

I''m going to take this woman's mink coat and turn it into bears.

She saw the article about me in my hometown newspaper. She called me and we had a nice conversation. Current attitudes toward wearing fur has prompted her to this decision.

I almost did this once before, turning a fur coat into a bear. I did turn a blanket this woman's grandfather brought over from a foreign country when his family immigrated to America into bears for her adult children. They came out really nice.

And this former co-worker of mine had received a vest made of fur from someone. She gave it to me and said to turn it into a bear. I told her I'd give her the bear when I got it made but then it was too cute to give away. I told her that I couldn't part with it (and I haven't) so I gave her another bear and we were both happy:)

2009-05-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

awwwww

2009-05-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

Looking at it another way

2009-05-03T15:41:00.001-07:00

Not a total bust; just not what I was hoping for. But there are some lessons to be learned-- it's called experience and the task is to take that and use it to create what I want-- this is the EVALUATION part of the creative process-- what worked, what didn't, what do I have to do again and what do I have to do differently.

If nothing else, I now have a HUGE inventory. Moving on to what's next and that's getting bears up for sale at Etsy.

Keep moving Gwendolyn. We'll get there.

2009-05-01T17:02:00.000-07:00

Well, the email address listed at the bank where the bears were displayed was incorrect so maybe that's part of why things aren't moving as I thought they might.

oh well.

I have sold a bear for Mother's Day, though.

????

2009-04-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

My bear project is not going as well as I thought and I know that it's partially my fault. I made some bad decisions along the way, and I learned that it is true-- sometimes one has to do things oneself to make sure it gets done and done correctly. And it doesn't help that I'm trying to do some things long distance, 'cause that just makes it harder. At this point I'm not hoping for some grand profit, I just wanna make the money I invested in this back.

I think that's possible. But anyway, I just have to continue to wait to see what transpires.

Bittersweet kind of thing, you know?

Bears I'm working on

2009-04-30T07:20:00.001-07:00

They need eyes, their heads fully constructed, and a trim (once they are fully stuffed) but these are some of the bears I'm working on right now.

I'm convinced it's the eyes and nose (size and shape) which create the facial expression which gives a bear "life."

2009-04-28T07:55:00.001-07:00

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the ad=ain't it cute

2009-04-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

This is scary and fun and possible and nerve-wracking

2009-04-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

all at the same time.

If you make them, will they sell?

uhmmmm

2009-04-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

Took out an ad and requests about the graduation bears are coming in but they are for the university!!!!!!

My bears are for the high schools. Colleges and major league sports require licensing and stuff. I may be able to get around it; I know somebody who works at the university and he said he could help me 'cause we'd discussed this issue, though there may be another way around it entirely.

Put on my thinking cap. Make note to call that guy Monday morning and see if he can help me.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-12T06:35:00.000-07:00

I might really pull this off!!!!!

got to get a TN business license

2009-04-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

So I can go to the Farmer's Market here and to possibly sell bears with cowboy hats to this gift shop here. I'd met the owner and spoke to him in 2007 when I was here before and I need to follow up on that while I'm still here.

2009-04-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

Got the first bears done. Am waiting for the rest of the fur I need to arrive. I called the company I order from to find out where the heck it was, only to find that they were holding the whole order because the eyes I'd ordered were out of stock.

Oh no you didn't!

I just cancelled the eyes 'cause getting the fur cut, pinned and sewed is priority. Still since I have a general idea of what I can accomplish in a day, I'm not too distressed. I will just have to step it up.

The road to success is not without its potholes.

2009-03-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

Have found most everything I need. Fur, eyes, noses, ribbon, imprinted felt paws, clothing, mini-graduation caps, possibly big graduation caps and gowns to match (waiting to hear from the vendor regarding) even clear plastic bags to put the bear in!-- all done in the colors of the schools I'm working with. Tomorrow, I need to call about wholesale pricing for fiberfill and then I've got all the supplies I need.

I order everything Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And then it arrives and then Gwendolyn, you sew.

You build your business. You create some cash. You move to another level.

Kid of the day

2009-03-22T20:07:00.000-07:00

When I sell at craft fairs or the Farmer's Market, I always give a bear away. I call someone my "kid of the day" and sometimes it's a literal kid and sometimes it's a big kid;-) The thing is that I don't want to get caught up that I'm just doing it for the money. I like it when people respond to my bears and so I give one away to someone who seems like he/she really, really wants it.

People are always surprised and are unsure if they want to take it, but after about two or twenty "No, I'm sure. Take the bear. It really is free" they'll take it.

With children, it's usually with a small bear, one that's not expensive. One time a little girl was looking at this one bear so I told her mother (or the woman with her, we'll call her the mother) she could have it. The mother picked up the bear and told her daughter I was giving it to her. The little girl said, "I don't want that one. I want this one." She pointed to a bigger, costier bear.

"She's giving you this one, (insert child's name 'cause I don't remember it)." The mother was doing her best to get the little girl to accept the bear I offered.

The little girl was adamant about which bear she wanted and it wasn't the one in her mother's hand.

"She can have that one," I said, lifting it up and handing it to the girl.

Her mother questioned me but I assured her that she could have the bigger bear. She told her daughter to say 'thank you' and then they were off.

I'd never given away a bear with the price tag on that one. I had to have an internal talk and make myself pick up that bear and give it away. But it was good practice for me.

I'm in this for money. And I'm not. I love to create and sew but sometimes it's only love when it's given away.

But come May

2009-03-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

when I've focused and the bears are complete, I'll be able to look at other things. There's this thing called needlefelting and I've seen some bears made this way and they are soooooooo cute, so I'd like to learn that. And making bears out of clay. Have found a place with bear molds and there are pins and magnets and miniature sculpture asking to be made.

I think this is going to be my plan for 2009:

April/early May: I make graduation bears. If my projections are right, I could make in just those months what I've made in a year working for someone else, but I'd have to sew like I worked in a sweatshop. Though I may have someone to help me sew and then, yeah, I could make bank.

I set up shop at Etsy in June and have x number of bears available there for sale at any given time.

The Farmer's Market has an event in July called "Christmas In July" and I participate that one Saturday but have a gazillion bears and a brochure available.

I attend just the one bear show in MA. That's in November and then in December, I attend this event in Las Cruces which is a three-day Holiday bazaar. It is huge. And profitable. I did it years and years ago and made $5oo in two days and I didn't even have a lot of bears 'cause I'd done a craft fair just two days before it. It's a very popular social event and though it now costs $2oo for a space, it may be worth it 'cause I'm sure I could make that $2oo back.

I would have to learn to manage money. That's a good thing.

Back to work

2009-03-22T19:31:00.000-07:00

I have got to spend this week getting lots of stuff done. A brochure, biz cards ordered, a sample graduation bear for the display at the bank. Was thinking there might be a problem with the company that makes the graduation wear, well, if I'll be able to get caps and gowns is up in the air, but I got the graduation clothing item that different and cute that I wanted so I can create a sample bear to get to the school organizations involved so they can start taking orders.

Rereading a chapter in "How to Be, Do, and Have Anything" on focus. I need to FOCUS on completing this.

For one, the business counselor I was working with at the Small Business Development Center said if I could pull it off and show a profit, which I could, that that would greatly improve my chances of getting a small business loan for expansion.

For two, it would set the precedent for future sales. As long as kids keep graduating, I'd have income. And I could purchase future years' supplies at today's prices.

Finally, I would own this financial success; it would change me psychologically. I've had this idea for years and I've never done anything with it outside a few bears. Believing myself worthy of my idea, my dream of a business and fulfilling that dream would make me proud of myself.

2009-03-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

One of my creations.

busy with bunnies and bears

2009-03-06T15:14:00.000-08:00

Sewing and creating a brochure. Found a place to get business cards-- 1000 for 20 bucks and they have teddy bear clip art!

Purchased a commercial sewing machine 'cause there is no way I'm sewing an estimated 400 graduation bears by hand! And I found a business that can offer me something different in the way of graduation apparel so I'm happy about that.

I'm excited 'cause I might really pull this off! I'm proud of myself for all the setting up, now I just need to push me to follow through!

Bought a domain but I need to find someone to build the website and I need to make and take pictures of bears.

A lot to do but it's fun and educational. And I'm learning a whole new business side of me.

Score!

2009-02-20T19:13:00.000-08:00

A wonderful promotional opportunity! My credit union has a "business of the month" and today when I was opening a checking account, I asked how one became it. The representative told me she had a spot in April or June. I chose June so I could have a bit more time to make a display, but then I realized that April would be so much better 'cause I could push my graduation bear project.

Yay me!!!!!!!

Now to get a brochure, biz cards, etc together.

On the other hand

2009-02-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

There have been some serependity going on and I'm being supported toward my goal. It helps calm me when I start to worry if I can really pull this business off.

I haven't changed

2009-02-11T08:03:00.001-08:00

I haven't got my assignments done for the guy at the Small Business Development Center. My jr. high, high school and college days all over! Personal stuff keeping me occupied, but I think I'm turning a corner where I can focus on this. Have got to MAKE ,not find, the time today.

2009-02-05T09:09:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, I went on a product hunt. Looked for label makers and packaging. Lots of stuff to look at and numbers to evaluate. Buying bulk, of course, is the way to go, but one label maker has a minimum order of labels (although the labels are really, really nice) of 3000!

So much to think about on the business side of this.

A bear show

2009-02-05T09:05:00.000-08:00

This morning I called to find out how one gets to be in a bear show that states 'by invitation only.' I conversed with a gentleman and got invited. I will be in Agawam, Massachusetts in November. It's a two-day event so I need to plan on making lots of bears!

Yay!

Looking for another bear show sometime in the summer. There's one in California in April but it's a three-day event and I don't know if I have the time. . . well, I might . . . hmmm. . . maybe I shouldn't say 'no' just yet.. .

2009-02-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

I have to come up with a business plan and figure the cost of a bear, materials and labor. Today I went to go file my taxes and found out that I'm responsible for a self-employment tax which can be offset by expenses but that means I would have to have receipts but I'm using the materials I purchased years ago.

Uhm, grrr. But only a little. I am not deterred.

For this time next year, though, I've decided I will keep every scrap of paper that shows I spent anything!

Starting a business

2009-01-30T11:10:00.001-08:00

There was a seminar scheduled at the Small Business Development Center, but it was cancelled though I got to set up an appointment for next week to have one-on-one business counseling. On top of that I think I got a new customer.

Got lots of information, have to start going over it and making decisions.

Still working to hunt down the seller of the mini football helmets. Have a customer for a Carolina Panthers, a helmet I do have at this moment. The guy works at a high-profile business so if I get him to keep it in view. . . I may just get me some more customers. Plenty of them.

Though people know of me and my bears 'cause of a project I used to do with the fire department here. I just need to jog their memories. When I went back to the Farmer's Market during the Christmas season, people remembered me. "You were here years ago," this other vendor told me.

I replied that I was.

"You've gotten better," he said.

And I have. I take more artistic risks with my bears, working different textures, choosing furs that aren't traditional to stuffed bears, etc.

"Your bears are interesting," a woman said as she selected the bear her husband was buying her for Christmas.

"They're like designer bears," this other man said.

The money is nice-- I've gotten good at pricing my work; in the beginning I wasn't even charging what it cost me in time/material to make them!-- but I so much enjoy the look on people's faces. That's the reward. Getting bears to people I said I would this week and next. Just this morning I dropped one off and the joy on this woman's face!

That's why I do this. That's why I intend to spend the rest of my life doing it.

Other options

2009-01-26T19:07:00.000-08:00

I can knit (when I really learn how to knit) bear clothing and sell it in bear magazines and I can sell my patterns to bear supply companies.

I can sell my patterns through my business, but either way, I will have to write a "process paper"-- ha! I hated writing those and I hated assigning them to my students 'cause I'm not one for written instructions. I learn by seeing--I follow the pictures in the bearmaking books or I cut out the pattern pieces and figure out what goes where as I sew. I will definitely have to pull something out of me as a writer for that.

2009-01-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

Making decisions as to what to offer for sale .

Going through the patterns I created and choosing patterns by others that I could use. I don't understand the copyright laws, but most patterns say that the finished product is copyrighted and can't be sold for profit. Other patterns, a person can make 25 before the pattern designer has to be mentioned and others, you have to mention the designer on those first 25.

There is a woman who designs huge bears (3' to 5') and I've always wanted to make them. Luckily, she's one who allows you to make 25 a year from each pattern as long as you note that she's the designer. More, and licensing becomes the issue. Still she has six patterns that I want to try and if you times that by 25 you get a lot of bears.

I have a book of patterns from a place in England and I had written them years ago and I was told I could sell the bears because the copyright was for the patterns exclusively.

I also got permission from a company for its patterns, again as long as I note them.

There are some products I do that will be the anchor of my business, and as long as kids are graduating from high school, as long as women are having babies and as long as men love football and their women want to gift them with a cute bear w/a football helmet (I have to contact the company that makes the NFL and college helmets and see about wholesale/bulk purchases), well as long as those three things keep happening, I might make a buck or two.