Taking competitive chances ...

Well blow me down with a feather, I received a lovely email from the Editor of Australian Bear Creations magazine yesterday, to tell me she had featured my 'Starlight' elephant on the Editor's page in the latest issue ... I was taken by surprise because I entered Starlight in the 'Bear Friends' category of the  2010 ABC Awards' (sponsored by the magazine) and Starlight didn't receive a nomination! Which goes to show, competitions may be important, but they shouldn't be the be all and end all of a bearmaker's life!

'Starlight'

It is always a tough choice to decide which piece of work to submit to major international competitions because the artistic competition is so fierce.  This year I took a couple of chances which didn't pay off with a nomination; one of which as I said, was my elephant design 'Starlight'.  As Starlight is only the second jointed elephant I have ever made, I hadn't a clue if he would be well received but thought I'd take the chance anyway.  The other chance I took was with my very first 'careworn' style bear 'O Best Beloved', who I entered into the Golden Teddy Awards.  Sadly, he was passed by (that elusive Golden Teddy remains out of reach for another year!) but he remains one of my absolute favourite bears.

'O Best Beloved'

'Caspian' had mixed fortunes, scooping a nomination in the newer 2010 'People's Choice Awards', but missing both the prestigious TOBY Industry's Choice nomination and the ABC Awards.  I think he's a magnificent big bear but do wonder if a handsome traditional bear can realistically compete in this day and age, against contemporary bears with their broad range of modern techniques.  You know me though, I always try my utmost to champion the classics and always will!

'Caspian'

I don't usually enter my smaller bears into competitions, let alone small dressed bears, but this year I decided to give 'Little Boo' a chance and entered him into the ABC Awards where he achieved my first 'small bear - undressed' nomination, taking me completely by surprise!

'Little Boo'

My final competition entry this year will be 'Nesbit', a lovely big, careworn bear.  He's very different from my other designs but I had so much fun making him I really wanted to show him off properly.  I missed the deadlines for most of the other international competitions, so instead opted to enter him into the online URSA Awards, judged by public vote, which take place in July.  It remains to be seen how dear old Nesbit will fair in competition!

'Nesbit'

Wishing you good luck Nesbit!