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Toolkit for Collectors
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www.beanwatcher.com
Bean Watcher
News and Reports for Beanbag Collectors!
This site exists for your enjoyment. My goal is to make your beanbag collecting experience more enjoyable. I focus on Ty products
-- Beanie Babies, Beanie Buddies, Beanie Boppers, and more. I do not receive any financial compensations whatsoever --
I prepare it because of the joy that it brings to me and others. I hope you'll enjoy the news, photographs, and articles that you see.
So grab a beverage, sit back, and enjoy the read! ~ Bean Watcher
Worldwide News and Reports
April 2008 Archives
Happy Collecting!
Bean Watcher
An Unannounced Breast Cancer Dora ?
California, USA
April 30, 2008
 Marlene from Canada shares news of what appears to be an unannounced Dora Beanie Baby.
To those we've lost and those we love
Our promise is to rise above
We know we'll beat this, that's for sure
Support the cause, help find a cure !
 Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thank you for sharing the news with us! (2) Of particular interest is the hang tag attached to Dora. The tag has the word Beanies (not Beanie Babies) printed on it. Such tags are characteristic of Ty, UK beanies.
Heartland is Silently Introduced
Illinois, USA
April 30, 2008
 Brendan from Massachusetts, webmaster of Sloth it Up!, shares news of a silently introduced Beanie Baby 2.0 (BB 2.0) bear.
With all my heart it's plain to see
I love this land where I am free
And no matter where I roam
The USA will be my home.
To see a picture of this bear, click here.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing the news with us!
Lefty and Righty are Officially Introduced
Illinois, USA
April 30, 2008
 Ty has officially introduced Lefty the donkey and Righty the elephant on the Beanie Babies 2.0 website. Along with Heartland, graphics, poems, and birthdays of both political-themed styles can be found. To see the graphic of Lefty, click here. To see the graphic of Righty, click here.
Japan's Golden Week Begins
Japan
April 29, 2008
 Today (April 29, 2008) begins one of the longest holiday periods in Japan.
April 29: Sho-wa Day (honors the birthday of Emperor Hirohito)
May 3: Constitution Memorial Day (celebrates the promulgation of the 1947 Constitution in Japan)
May 4: Greenery Day (a day to commune with nature, be thankful for blessings, and foster an abundant spirit).
May 5: Children's Day also known as Boys' Day
For more information about Golden Week, click here.
The Latest Japanese Beanie Baby Promotions
Tokyo, Japan
April 29, 2008
 Sakurako from Japan, webmaster of Bottega Beanies shares news of the latest promotional Beanie Babies from her country. Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing the news with us!
The Latest Videos Posted on Ty.com
Illinois, USA
April 29, 2008
 Ty has posted four new videos on Ty.com. As before, the videos feature Beanie Babies, Beanie Babies 2.0s, and/or Ty Girlz. The titles of the videos follow:
Ty Dance! -- Dreams -- Vanilla Party -- frankn monkey
To view the videos, click here.
Lefty and Righty - Cracker Barrel Exclusives?
USA
April 28, 2008
 I have been asked by a few collectors if Lefty and Righty are Cracker Barrel Old Country Store exclusives. Based on their style numbers, they likely are not.
Since Lefty and Righty have style numbers that begin with 42, it appears that they are intended to be sold as non-exclusive BB 2.0s. Hopefully, we'll know for sure in the days ahead....!
Hang Tag Information for Lefty and Righty
Massachusetts, USA
April 28, 2008
 Brendan from Massachusetts, webmaster of Sloth it Up, has posted the hang tag information and dates of birth for the unannounced Beanie Babies 2.0s styles, Lefty the donkey and Righty the elephant. Here they are....
Bean Watcher update: Please note that the official names of the two beanies above (Lefty and Righty) is in contrast to the initial report I received from the Cracker Barrel in St. Louis, MO (Lefty 2008 and Righty 2008). Bean Watcher comments:
Beanies Have Changed...
USA
April 26 - 27, 2008
 At the beginning of the year, I had great hopes for the new beanies. But instead of generating more excitement, interest appears to have waned. At times, it has been a struggle to maintain a daily (or nearly daily) column.
I had planned to permanently retire this site because of time commitments. But it seems that when I am away from the hobby I love, I miss it. So I have decided (at least for the time being) to update this site on an as-needed basis. There will be times when you will see daily updates, and times when you may not see any updates for days.
Things have certainly changed this year. Let's hope that the changes ahead are positive and will bring back the fun, excitement, and magic of days gone by....
The Latest Videos Posted on Ty.com
Illinois, USA
April 26 - 27, 2008
Ty recently posted five new videos on Ty.com. The videos feature Beanie Babies (both original and the 2.0 versions) and Ty Girlz. The titles of the videos follow:
Girls Day -- Raven -- Goodnight Garfields -- Purrys Tea -- Singing Contest
Of particular note is that the video, Goodnight Garfields, was created by Daniel from Maryland, webmaster of Beanie Universe.
To view the videos, click here.
Latest Ask Ty Response Posted
Illinois, USA
April 25, 2008
 Ty has posted his response to this week's winning Ask Ty question. Beanies: a hobby or a passion? Just ask Ty!
Q: Ty, what is your number one hobby? (submitted by puppykins)
A: Well that's easy . . . making the best plush around, of course !
In-hand Pictures of Lefty and Righty Surface
USA
April 25, 2008
Marlene from Canada and a reader from the USA both share the news that an in-hand picture of Lefty and Righty has surfaced in an eBay (US) auction. These unannounced Beanie Babies 2.0 plush toys are intended to recognize the 2008 Presidential election year in the USA. To see the picture, click here. Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing the news with us!
From the Email Bag: What's Going on with Ty.com?
USA
April 25, 2008
 A reader from California points out that there appear to be automation issues with Ty.com. He writes:
What's going on with the TY Web site, for the last 2 days it appears the video player is corrupted.
Then a warning window pops up and says "player 9 is running slow and it can damage your computer. Do you want to end this video? Plus everything else on the home page is jumping around.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your observation. I noticed the same thing on my computer. Let's hope Ty, inc. resolves the problem soon.
The Chicago Cubs Exclusive Dora
Illinois, USA
April 24, 2008
 In my February 27, 2008 column, I posted a report about a possible game-exclusive Dora the Explorer. The main section of the report stated:
It has come to my attention that the plush toy is indeed, a Ty collectible. Several pictures of the exclusive Dora, found in eBay (US) auctions, can be seen with the Ty hang tag and a Chicago Cubs jersey. One particular auction reveals the Chicago Cubs logo on the front of the jersey and Dora 08 printed on the back. To see the auction, click here.
Update on Lefty 2008 and Righty 2008
Missouri, USA
April 24, 2008
The Cracker Barrel in St. Louis, Missouri, one of the sources of my report on the two unannounced beanies (see my April 22 - 23, 2008 column), re-confirmed that its two plush toys are currently in-hand, are Beanie Babies 2.0s (based on the 2.0 printed on their hang tags), and are named Lefty 2008 and Righty 2008. They are selling for $5.99 (US) each.
For more information about the Cracker Barrel in St. Louis, MO, you may call (314) 416-8880 .
Two Unannounced Beanie Babies (BB 2.0s) Surface
USA
April 22 - 23, 2008
Deborah from the USA has posted a report on Addies Attic, a popular trading board, stating that she located two unannounced BB 2.0s -- Lefty and Righty -- at a local establishment.
Lefty the donkey -- Righty the elephant
Lefty 2000 the donkey -- Righty 2000 the elephant
Lefty 2004 the donkey -- Righty 2004 the elephant
Bean Watcher comments: (1) These two beanies do not appear to be Cracker Barrel exclusives. (2) It will be interesting to see if and when Ty officially announces this pair of political-themed beanies.
The Latest Videos Posted on Ty.com
Illinois, USA
April 22 - 23, 2008
Ty recently posted five new videos on Ty.com. The videos feature Beanie Babies (both original and the 2.0 versions) and Ty Girlz. The titles of the videos follow:
The Savior -- Dream of Flying -- Choose a Pet -- Early in the Morning -- Gloria and Friends
To view the videos, click here.
Ty Girlz Buy One Get One Free Offer
Illinois, USA
April 22 - 23, 2008
A few days ago, Ty posted news of an offer about a Ty Girlz. The offer is available at participating Ty retailers in the USA and Canada.
A New Hallmark Exclusive Bear for Halloween
Illinois, USA
April 21, 2008
 A source shares the news that a Hallmark exclusive Beanie Baby with a Halloween theme will be introduced. Bean Watcher comments: (1) What a refreshing change! Carvers will certainly appeal to long-time Beanie Baby collectors seeking an original design. (2) An introduction date has not been identified, but this bear likely will appear weeks before October 31, 2008.
Motherly in Hallmark's Mother's Day Catalog
USA
April 21, 2008
 Motherly the bear, the Hallmark Gold Crown Exclusive Beanie Baby 2.0 bear, has surfaced in the latest Hallmark Gold Crown catalog.
Hallmark Gold Crown Exclusive
Motherly (TM) Ty Beanie Babies 2.0(TM) 8" H.
Log on to ty.com to begin your Beanie Land
adventure with Mom at Mother's Day!
Barnes & Noble's Linny and Tuck
USA
April 19 - 20, 2008
 Rose from Pennsylvania shares the news that Beanie Babies, based on the two remaining Wonder Pets to be available for sale, will soon be coming to Barnes & Noble. Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thank you for sharing the news with us! (2) Ming Ming the duckling has not yet been officially announced on Ty.com. Let's hope it will soon....
The Latest Videos Posted on Ty.com
Illinois, USA
April 18, 2008
Ty has posted three new videos on Ty.com. One video features two Beanie Babies and two video feature Ty Girlz. The titles of the videos follow:
The Four Ty Girls Friends -- Tiny and Scaley Show -- In the Morning
To view the videos, click here.
Latest Ask Ty Response Posted
Illinois, USA
April 18, 2008
Ty has posted his response to this week's winning Ask Ty question. Was that Ty Warner in a black vehicle? Just ask Ty!
Q: Ty, what color is your car or vehicle? (submitted by puppykins)
A: I wish I could tell you it was something with a fun name, but my vehicle is basic black.
More Videos Posted on Ty.com
Illinois, USA
April 17, 2008
Ty has posted three new videos on Ty.com. The videos prominently feature a Beanie Baby 2.0 plush toy or a Ty Girlz doll. The titles of the videos follow:
Dog Chases Addy -- Hamster Clean Up -- Early in the Morning
To view the videos, click here.
Reader's Pictures of Shampoodle
USA
April 16, 2008
 A reader from the USA shares his pictures of the Beanie Baby called Shampoodle. He writes:
I finally added the infamous Shampoodle Beanie Baby to my collection (I got a pretty good price....they usually go for around $500 and I got mine MWMT for half that). I'm attaching some pictures for you to see.... As previously noted, Shampoodle does "shed it's fur". It's not like it just falls out, but there is a shedding issue for sure.
This one was pretty tough to find as Ty, Inc. has been trying to stop anyone from selling these Shampoodles. It is my understanding that Ty, Inc. has been stopping eBay auctions for these as well.
To see the reader's pictures, click on the links in the table below.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your report and pictures with us!
Update on the Nessie Beanies
Scotland, UK
April 15, 2008
 Linda from Scotland, an employee at the Nessie Shop, shares the following updates about the plush toys her store will be selling in the months ahead. She writes:
There will be a beanie that is NOT a 2.0 version (originally I had been told so). There will be a key ring and a Classic (a bigger one - that is for my Nessie Shop tourists - children like a bigger toy to hug).
Production of these beanies is scheduled to take place during May 2008. So they will likely be available for sale in the months ahead.
The 2008 Japan Rugby Football Union Promotions
Tokyo, Japan
April 14, 2008
 Sakurako from Japan, webmaster of Bottega Beanies shares news of a set of recently-introduced promotional Beanie Baby bears.  Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
From the Email Bag: Limited Editions of UK Exclusives
Missouri, USA
April 14, 2008
Mary from Missouri asks about the number of Ebony the bear, Ivory the bear, and Gold-thread versions of the first Beatrix Potter trios that were produced. She writes:
Is the Hamleys exclusive set Ebony and Ivory a limited edition of 4000? This was implied when the Hamley site stated "only 4000 have been made." But it is listed as a current beanie on the Ty site. You would expect a limited edition to be retired. I asked Hamleys Customer Service twice but didn't get an answer.
On the same vein, is the Beatrice Potter exclusive UK set with gold threads a limited |
