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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
February 2008 Archives
2008 Winter Trade Show Schedule
Introducing Two Mother's Day Bears
Illinois, USA
February 29, 2008
 Today, Ty officially introduces two Mother's Day-themed bears.
Latest Ask Ty Response Posted
Illinois, USA
February 29, 2008
 Ty has posted his response to this week's winning Ask Ty question. Will Ty see Echo, Flash, and Starboard in the near future? Just ask Ty!
Q: Do you sometimes visit the dolphins at the Ty Warner Sea Park? (submitted by puppykins)
A: I haven't visited the Sea Center in awhile. I've been traveling extensively this winter, but I'm looking forward to spring and hoping I can take some time to visit soon !
Silent Retirements for February 2008
Illinois and Maryland, USA
February 28, 2008
 Daniel from Maryland, webmaster of Beanie Universe, shares news of the following silent retirements for February 2008:  Bean Watcher comment: Daniel also mentions that Li Mei and Spongebob Frankenteddy Beanie Buddies have retired. The exact dates of their retirements are not known.
The February 2008 Retirements
Illinois, USA
February 28, 2008
 Today, Ty announces the February 2008 Beanie Babies retirements. All four retired styles are original Beanie Babies. One is licensed. Three are Japan exclusives. Here they are:
Will we see more retirements in the near future? We'll have to wait and see....
Another Way to Protect BB 2.0 Hang Tags
Canada
February 28, 2008
 A reader from Canada shares her method of protecting the hang tags attached to Ty's latest product line -- Beanie Babies 2.0. Here is her method: Bean Watcher comment: The reader states that attaching two tag protectors to the tags of a BB 2.0 bear will cause its head to tilt because of the weight of the protected tags.
A Game - Exclusive Dora the Explorer?
Illinois, USA
February 27, 2008
 Dan from California shares an interesting find ... a possible game-exclusive Dora the Explorer Beanie Baby. Bean Watcher comment: If / when I receive more information about this plush toy, I will certainly share the news with you.
White the Bear Available on eBay
Japan and USA
February 26, 2008
 White the bear, a Club Hawks exclusive, can now be found in current eBay auctions.
Orion's Latest Pictures from China
China and Japan
February 25, 2008
 Orion from China (previously from Japan), webmaster of Beanie Tenjishitsu, shares her beautiful pictures of some of the Beanie Babies 2.0(BB 2.0s) styles and special days in and around China. Her pictures include:
To see Orion's pictures, click here.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing the news with us!
Blaze Burns Billionaire Beanie Baby Baron’s Bedroom
Montecito, USA
February 25, 2008
 The Santa Barbara Independent, a California-based news source, reports that Ty Warner's home caught fire last Thursday (February 21, 2008). According to the report:
In Hand Pictures of the 2008 SoftBank Hawks Exclusive
Tokyo, Japan
February 23 - 24, 2008
 Sakurako from Japan, webmaster of Bottega Beanies, shares her in-hand pictures of White the bear, a Club Hawks exclusive Beanie Baby.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
From the Email Bag: Ty Beanies Tracker Available in Japan
Japan
February 23-24, 2008
 An anonymous reader shares that the latest version of the Ty Beanies Tracker is available for purchase at Amazon Japan (amazon.co.jp). It is the same third edition that is available in the USA. For readers in Japan, here is your chance to order The World's Most Complete Ty Guide in your home country (and save on shipping costs). For more information, click here. Bean Watcher response: Thank you for sharing the news with us!
Latest Ask Ty Response Posted
Illinois, USA
February 22, 2008
Ty has posted his response to this week's winning Ask Ty question. Does Ty have any puppies? Are they real? Just ask Ty!
Q: If you could have a puppy right now, which kind would you like? (submitted by puppykins)
A: Actually, I just got three new puppies . . . Rascal, Pico and Duchess !
From the Email Bag: The First Beatrix Potter Trio
USA
February 22, 2008
A reader from the USA asks a question about the threads used with the first Beatrix Potter Trio. He writes:
I bought a set of Beatrix Potter beanies, which have blue lettering. While two had blue, the third (Jeremy Fisher) had green lettering (not gold, as I have the gold ones and this is much darker). Have you heard of this?
Bean Watcher response: Thank you for your question. The first three Beatrix Potter beanies (Beatrix Potter, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Pigling Bland) come in two general versions:
The "retail" versions of Beatrix Potter and Pigling Bland come with blue (bluish) colored thread. The "retail" version of Jeremy Fisher comes with green (greenish) colored thread. Click here to see a picture of all three "retail" versions.
Two Dora-themed Beanie Babies in the USA
USA
February 21, 2008
  On February 1, 2008, Ty introduced two new original Beanie Babies: Dora Fairytale and Swiper the fox.
A Beanie Babies 2.0s Site
Illinois, USA
February 21, 2008
 Daniel from Maryland, webmaster of Beanie Universe, shares that Ty has removed all Beanie Babies 2.0 (BB 2.0) plush toys from the "original" Beanie Babies site and placed them on a site of their own. To view a list of all current or retired styles, click here. Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing the news with us.
A New Beanie Baby 2.0 Video
England, UK
February 20, 2008
 A new Beanie Babies 2.0 (BB 2.0) - themed video, featuring a full-length UK commercial, has been posted on YouTube.
Ty Welcomes Beanie Babies 2.0
Louisiana, USA
February 20, 2008
 Joyce from Louisiana shares an email that Your Friends at Ty has sent to those on its mailing list.
From the Email Bag: Another Way to Protect BB 2.0 Tags
South Carolina, USA
February 20, 2008
A reader from South Carolina shares her idea on how to protect Beanie Baby 2.0 tags. She writes:
For people who want to put a tag protector over the 2 tags for the "new with tags" look, there are big rectangular sleeve-type tag protectors that you could cut a hole out for the tag part that sticks up. Ty should have provided this with just like Ganz does for the Webkinz tag and code.
What Ty did that is strange is puts the style name, date of birth, and poem all in a heart tag that you don't see unless you open the tag, for which you have to disconnect it from the toy. There is also a code in the upper right of the tag that might indicate a batch number or who knows.
I took the tag off to scratch off the code, then put the tag in a sleeve-like protector, punched a hole in the top of the protector, and used a twistum to attach it to the wrist of the toy to keep it there so you don't lose it.
The bottom line is, if you ever did want to sell it, you would want to prove the code is unused. You can't prove that unless you can open the tag and see that it hasn't been scratched off. So the benefit of keeping the tag attached to the BB2 the way it originally comes seems dubious anyway.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Let's hope that plastic tag protectors will soon be available for the new BB 2.0 tags.
Dora Dress-Up & Go Beanie, Extras, and Magazines
Wisconsin, USA
February 19, 2008
 Marilyn from Wisconsin shares her beautiful pictures of her Dora Dress Up & Go! beanie, free gifts (wipeboard and pen), and the first two issues of the magazine. To see her pictures, click on the links in the table below.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
Sold Out and Retirement Dates of Phil 2008
Illinois, USA
February 19, 2008
 A reader from Oregon sent me an email, asking when Punxsutawn-e Phil 2008 the groundhog sold out and retired from Ty Store. I wrote to Ty Store and received the following response:
We appreciate your interest in the Ty Store. PUNXSUTAWN-e PHIL 2008 sold out in the Ty Store on 02/10/2008. This Beanie Baby retired on 02/15/2008 and [is] no longer available for purchase. Ty Store items are limited and occasionally sell out quickly.
Bean Watcher comment: There you have it. Thank you for your question!
The 2008 SoftBank Hawks Exclusive Bear
Fukoka, Japan
February 18, 2008
 A reader from the UK asked for more information about White the bear, a SoftBank Hawks exclusive Beanie Baby. In my October 9, 2007 column, I posted a report about this exclusive bear. For those of you who missed it, I have posted an updated version below:
Report from the New York Toy Fair
New York, USA
February 18, 2008
 A reader from the USA shares his report and pictures from this year's New York Toy Fair. Here is his report (slightly edited):
The Ty booth had several areas set up with computer monitors showing either the BB2.0 site or the Ty Girlz site. There were no show giveaways as in the past several years, but it was still nice to visit some of the Ty Reps and check out a few things. No unannounced Beanies were on display, so I can't provide any information on upcoming releases.
For those wondering, yes...Ty Warner was there. I was able to speak with him only briefly as his time was being devoted almost exclusively to business. As usual, he was very polite and seemed to be in a jovial mood. Ty UK was also represented at the booth with the presence of the Swallow brothers.
As typical in the past, Ty had several large banners advertising both Ty Girlz and BB 2.0 hanging in the Jacob Javits Center. Ty also utilized a set of stairs to showcase the BB2.0. I tried as hard as I could to get a picture of the steps while empty but I finally gave up.
I had the good fortune of speaking with one of the BB2.0 website programmers. I asked several questions regarding the subtle references to "jungle", "ice" and a few other things. He would not commit to a specific answer other than to say that there are many things under consideration and the site was designed with future expansion in mind. So, to all those wondering...have patience!
I also commented to the programmer about the new Ty home page. I saw it last night for the first time and wasn't sure when it changed. He said it was put in place yesterday but didn't know what time. I'm sure that those who logged onto the site today were surprised to see the changes. With the recent Ty Store cleanup and the revamped home page, it looks like Ty has been busy indeed!
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your report and pictures with us!
Marilyn's Pictures of Hutches
Wisconsin, USA
February 18, 2008
 Marilyn from Wisconsin shares her beautiful pictures of Hutches the bunny. |
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your report with us! 
