Competitive conclusions

It will soon be time to consider whether or not to scrape together the courage and commitment to present my entries to the international teddy bear design competitions for 2009. As ever, my views on the subject are mixed to the point of confusion and all I will say on the subject is 2008 brought me both extreme highs and a couple of confusing lows. Nothing however, can impinge upon my personal sense of achievement at being honoured with a 2008 TOBY Industry's Choice Award, which in my view is the ultimate international competition professionally judged by those 'in the teddy bear know'. I still feel a thrill every time I see the sun shining through that beautiful crystal award on my workroom window sill!

23" Billy Buttons WINNER 2008 TOBY Industrys' Choice Award and also 2008 'READERS CHOICE AWARDS' FINALIST

I think I will reconsider my competition entries next year, withdrawing from those whose voting procedures baffle me and instead working towards those I consider a professional representation of true teddy bear artistry.

23" Raffles 2008 URSA AWARDS finalist

So, now I have my thoughts on this subject a little more shipshape, I am going to take the bull by the horns and share my existing competition entries past and present; including of course, my dear old hopefuls who didn't quite make it to the finals. As you will see, there can be plenty of ups and downs when it comes to participating in the competitive side of the bear world!

20" 'Victor' originally created at the kind invitation of Teddy Bear Scene magazine to represent the United Kingdom in their '2008 Olympic Challenge'. Sadly the magazine ceased publication before the competition could be published and Victor was asked instead to participate in the Taiwan Teddy Bear Association's Olympic Challenge. He was also featured in the US Teddy Bear and Friends magazine.

22" 'Gorgeous George' was my 2008 hopeful in the international GOLDEN TEDDY AWARDS, sadly he failed to be nominated. GG also failed to achieve nomination in the 2008 URSA Awards, leaving me to wonder whether traditional bears are suited to competition work? Whatever the case, George remains to this day, one of my most favourite bears.

14" 'Florrie' - I rarely put forward smaller bears, so thought I would give little Florrie her chance in the 2008 URSA Awards, but she wasn't nominated.

20" 'Sunny Jim' was entered into the 2006 GOLDEN TEDDY Awards but failed to receive a nomination, despite being a very golden teddy bear!

20" Bisto was my 2007 hopeful for the GOLDEN TEDDY Awards, but guess what? He failed to receive a nomination too!

20" 'Crocus' was my first ever entry into the URSA Awards in 2007, but to no avail - she didn't manage a nomination.

32" 'Himself', my 1998 BRITISH BEAR ARTIST AWARD WINNER!

26" 'My Indulgence', 2000 BRITISH BEAR ARTIST AWARDS FINALIST

20" 'The Lynx Effect', 2003 BRITISH BEAR ARTIST AWARDS FINALIST

24" 'PaZaZZ', won SECOND PLACE in the 1999 BRITISH BEAR ARTIST AWARDS

24" 'Bon-Bon, won SECOND PLACE in the 1997 BRITISH BEAR ARTISTS AWARDS - my first ever teddy bear award winner!

If you would like to read my other posts about teddy bear competitions,
please click this link:
http://allbear.blogspot.com/search/label/Teddy%20Bear%20competition