In just about every way imaginable, the last few months have been a busy, wonderful time for me. The kids are doing really well in school and are active in extracurricular activities which is great for their growth and esteem. I've had a huge load of graphic design clients -- all of them fellow bearmakers -- which is terrific fun for me; I love tinkering in Photoshop, I really do. And there's something very, VERY exciting brewing for me in the bear world which isn't yet ready to unveil publicly because there are some "i"'s to dot and some "t"'s to cross, still... but which has kept me preoccupied a bit as I work through the details, "take meetings" (really!), and imagineer new concepts. More on all that later if and when things blossom as I hope they will.
As all this other great stuff has gone on and kept me happy and occupied, though, my ability to offer bears to collectors has stalled. I try to keep a balance in my life and accept that I can't always have an artist bear ready every single week because being wife, mom, and human being sometimes take priority. Still, it bugs me enormously that I can't manage to offer bears more quickly and more regularly, because I get the most wonderful letters all the time from people saying, "Where are the bears, Shel? I want one!"
So it's with a happy (and relieved!) heart that I'm offering BUMBLE today on my website.
This is new for me; I've never sold from my website before. But I try to please my collectors and have, over the years, had many requests for bears available at a fixed price from my site, rather than on eBay. I couldn't accommodate that request for the longest time because, from a marketing standpoint, I wanted to and needed to maintain a presence on eBay (it's actually a form of advertising, if you think about it) ... AND I had obligations to several retailers, leaving zero inventory available to me, to offer from my website. Everything I made went to eBay or shops.
But over the last six months I've changed my business model and have phased out my retailers entirely. Freeing up my inventory and allowing me to offer bears directly to my collectors. Yay!
A while back I set up a "wish list" collectors could join. The idea was that I would offer them privately, in the order they appeared on the list, the chance to buy whatever bear was new. But that became awkward and uncomfortable for my collectors -- the last thing on earth I want! -- because, let's face it: certain bears appeal, and certain bears do NOT. While a few people said, "Yes, thank you, please send me your bear immediately!", still others found themselves in the VERY awkward position of saying, "I love your work, Shelli, really I do; but this one just doesn't speak to me. Is that okay?"
Well, OF COURSE that's okay!!! I understand the sentiment completely as I collect artist bears myself and not every bear from a given artist resonates with me.
Anyway, because of this unforeseen outcome, I discontinued using my wish list and looked for a different option. And with direct sale from my website, I think (hope!) I've found it.
I'm excited to try out this new concept and hope it pleases my collectors, especially those who are, for whatever reason, reluctant to use eBay, or who are early to bed -- or are international! -- and therefore aren't awake when my auctions close Sundays at 7pm, California (Pacific) time.
Please let me know what you think about this new selling option, or any other thoughts you may have, by adding your comment(s) to this blog or by emailing me directly at info@potbellybears.com.
It feels great to have your support and interest in my work, and I thank you for it!
