I know I’m Not The Only One To Love Miniature Bears

Something has just happened to affirm my belief in that age old saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Let me explain.

For years I’ve striven to make my bears as small as possible and yet still keep character and cuteness in their little faces. I guess because I’ve always had a fascination and love of all things miniature.  I want to make the sort of bears that give me pleasure and that I can be proud of.  The sort of bears that I secretly want to stash away in my own private hug!

One of my first miniature bears Doodle.

I know I’m not the only one to love miniatures.  I’ve recently been commissioned to make a bear for a collector who knew exactly what she wanted and what the bear should look like down to the exact size she wanted, 6cm.  I said I was happy to make a bear of this size but it’s about as small as I like to work.  I’m full of admiration for artists who work even smaller than this.  I have one in my own collection that is a tiny 3cm, amazing!  I duly designed a pattern and made the bear and I have to say I was very pleased with the result and my collector said she was delighted.  However something happened to make me think about where I’m going with my designs and if in fact I should rethink my preoccupation with size.

A new shop approached me with a view to stocking Sambrook Bears, having seen my work on my website and in “Teddy Bear Times” magazine.  We discussed details and the dreaded “M” word! And I sent a collection of bears ranging in size from 10cm to 6cm.  Although the feedback was that the bears are lovely, I was surprised however to be told that the smaller bears are a little too small to be priced at the level we had previously agreed.  I have to admit to being a little taken aback.  While I’m perfectly aware that large bears can command much higher prices due to the amount of materials needed to create them, it’s the first time someone has suggested in the world of miniatures that a bear is too small.

All this has opened the question, should we as artists make bears that satisfy our creativity or should we make bears that satisfy our bank balance?  Also should we create bears that give us the most pleasure or should we concentrate on making for the wider audience?  Given the  current economic climate we all need to wear our business hat far more that perhaps we would like, but does that mean we should compromise our artistic integrity?  I have to admit I did momentarily think along the lines of “I will have to design a collection of larger bears”, but I have to say that the thought was only fleeting!  For me it’s about far more than money.  I have to make bears that make me happy and give me a sense of pride and achievement, even though collectors who love the miniatures may only be a small corner of the market.  Oh and there’s the minor point that I’ve got enough miniature fabric to keep me going for the next 100 years at least!  I wonder, what do you think?