Not long ago I had a conversation with a collector who was surprised to learn that some of her favorite teddy bear artists also hold down a full-time job. She said to me “I thought all you artists did was just make wonderful !”
I wish I could make wonderful all the time! But, a lot of us have decided we need the security of a regular income and benefits that a full time job provides. For me, it was fine to supplement our income with my teddy bear sales when my kids were young and I wanted to be home with them, but when it came time for college, it was time for Mom to go back to the office.
Now, I do happen to know a bunch of teddy bear artists who have been able to support themselves and sometimes even a family, with their teddy bear businesses. It was a lot easier to make money 10-15 years ago when the industry was at its height. There were lots of collectors who would come to a show and buy from several artists. The economy was doing well and there were lots of shows and conventions to attend. Classes and seminars on making and collecting were filled. Ah, for the good old days!
In these economic times, though, fewer people are spending a lot of money on collectibles. Shops have closed, shows have disappeared. A lot of the collectors who used to buy lots of bears have just gotten older, downsized their collections, and, in some cases, have died. And the Internet has changed the way people sell and shop for bears.
I think it would be really hard to start a full-time teddy bear business right now.
What do you think?
I think it would be terribly difficult to start a full-time teddy bear business right now. Those who are working at it full-time have my admiration and my best wishes.
Even when I was making bears full-time, it was never a particularly profitable venture. There are so many costs that go unnoticed by most folks. The cost of travel and the cost of registration for shows, alone was enough to make a person take a pause or two. There came a time when it made more sense to work full-time in a job with benefits and a 401K, than continue the bears full-time. I have never stopped making bears. I continue to make things for certain customers who email on occasion asking for something special.
I have found the need for that creative outlet increasing. I am working on new designs, new ideas…having fun. I am lucky to have a partner and friends who encourage me, as I try to encourage them.
But back to the question….full-time? I am not sure this is the right time. I am happy with it being my part-time job.