Theodore Society Blog

Have you given any thought to the future of your bear collection?  It seems that many collectors are from an older generation, and that younger people today are not given to collect things like teddy bears or teapots – that clutter is uncool, and collections of anything are just clutter.  How many of you have large collections but no one in your family is as enthralled about them as you are?  I often get questions from people who inherit bear collections from their mothers, aunts, or grandmothers, and have no idea what to do with the bears, and are not interested or do not have the room to keep them.  Even those who keep the bears often do not know enough about what they have collected to know what may be of value or where they came from.

There are two very important concepts that “bear” repeating over and over to collectors.  One; document your collection.  Do a database or a scrapbook or a journal, online or in a simple book, but write down what you have, where and when you purchased, the purchase price, and if possible, a picture of the bear.  If you get into the habit of updating this information each time you make a purchase, it will be a simple job.  This is so important for a couple of reasons – for insurance purposes, but also for historical reference.  If you have a written record of your bear collection, it will make life SO much easier for whoever must take it on after you.  Although we don’t like to anticipate the worst, remember things like accidents, heart attacks, and strokes can change our lives, literally in a heart beat.  If you were to go live with someone else, or in a nursing home, and needed to sell your collection, it would make a huge difference to the success of your sales if you already had this information written down for an auction house, relative, or friend.

The second suggestion is to make a decision now about what you want to do with your bear collection, and make sure that information is communicated to the executor of your estate, your spouse, your children, and even your friends.  Let them honor you by disposing of your collection in a way that pleases you.  For example, I have no children.  My brothers I know would not be interested in my bears.  I would love to create a list of friends that would be allowed to take any of the bears that pleases them – perhaps you would set a limit on the maximum number, or just let your friends take what they please with no limit.  Extend the offer to family members, anyone you know that might truly enjoy having one or more of your bears.  If there is a friend or relative who has specifically admired or coveted a specific bear in your collection, be sure to make a note of that, in your will or directives, and make sure that wish is fulfilled.  Write a note to put with the bear, expressing your feelings about the friendship, and you will leave a memory of incalculable worth.

Any bears that remain will be donated to one or more charities of my choice.  Good Bears of the World is one organization that I donate to regularly, and I expect they will be the main beneficiaries of my collection.  Other choices might include children’s hospitals, nursing homes, shelters for abused or homeless women and children, Salvation Army or Goodwill.  I intend to write down this information and have already verbally expressed my feelings to my family.

If you leave your bear collection to a friend or relative who may sell them, be sure to let them know you are okay with that.  Don’t burden them with things they may not care about as much as you do.  Help them by providing the documentation that will help them get fair prices.  If you have someone in your life who has been a caregiver or big help, this may be a way to thank them; just don’t it a big pain in the behind for them!  Receiving a large collection of teds might be a blessing, or a curse – it depends on you, the giver, to make it truly a gift of joy and love.  Plan ahead, make decisions that are practical, and leave written information and directions – your bears will thank you for it!

Sorry to have missed a week, my computer has been giving me fits and I hate it when that happens!

Normally I would not try to promote a product or website that is a commercial venture, but this particular site is so much fun and offers so much to teddy bear lovers that I have to clue you in, or suggest some ideas if you have been to the site previously.  Zazzle offers the opportunity to create custom made items with artwork that you choose – and the scope of those items is hard to imagine!

Now why does this matter to a teddy bear lover?  Glad you asked!

 Zazzle makes, on demand, within 24 hours, just about anything you can imagine.  So let’s say you have a bear that is your very favorite, whether it is an artist bear, a vintage or antique bear, or manufactured bear.  Take a picture and you can create coffee mugs, T-shirts, greeting cards, postage stamps – yes postage stamps! Personalize shoes, ties, mouse pads, calendars – create your own calendar with different bears from your collection for every month!  You can make tote bags, hats, aprons, stickers and more.  In fact, the web site mentions 17 BILLION different products for sale!

Did you have a great time at a bear show and have a picture of yourself with your friends?  Make Zazzle T-shirts for everyone for Christmas, or make special tote bags for the next bear show.  Do a Christmas display, take a picture, and make Christmas cards with your own display, and mail them with coordinating stamps that feature the same picture!  Have a picture of your grandchild hugging a bear?  How about a picture of you as a child with your favorite ted?  You can make just about anything truly special with a picture that means something to you, and the products make fabulous gifts for any occasion.

The items created can also be shared with others, so perhaps you have a group picture taken at a bear event.  Your friends can then order their own items with the picture on it, giving everyone the opportunity to get exactly what they want.  The variety of shirts alone is staggering – you can get just about any neckline or fit, with sizes going up to 6XL in the basic T.  Dozens of color choices, fits, materials and styles allow you to create just the perfect T-shirt for yourself or a friend.

For bear artists, Zazzle offers unique opportunities for advertising.  With discounts for multiple purchases, artists can order items like mugs, mouse pads, pins, hats and shirts emblazoned with one of their “signature” bears or their logo.  Selling these at bear shows or through your web site offer great ways to get your name out in the public.  Steve Schutt has an avid “groupie” clan who have designed a variety of shirts for collectors of his bears – click on this link to see the selection -

http://www.zazzle.com/steve%27s+groupies+tshirts

Now doesn’t that just get your brain working overtime?  Think of the possibilities – and you can order 1 or 100!  Click here -

http://www.zazzle.com/

Boyds has announced their Summer Daze event,  click here for information on activities and prices -

http://www.boydsstuff.com/fob_club/Jamboree2009.html

This summer, think of some fun things to do with your bear collection.  Talk to the local library to see if they have a display case and would like to showcase your bears for a while with teddy bear books.  Set up a show and tell for children if they have a regular reading group or activity time.  Create some summer themed displays, like a Memorial Day Parade or Fourth of July picnic.  Build a Bear and stores carry play food items that can make some very fun bear displays!  Use checked place mats or napkins for blankets, fill a little basket with play fruits, and pose the bears as though they are watching the stars or telling stories.  If you do, send me your pictures and I will put them here.  I would love to see your ideas!