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March 31, 2005
LAST
DAY OF MARCH...
It's
hard to believe that this year is 1/4 over all ready!! I hope it's
beautiful where you are.. it's nasty here today. Enjoy your Spring Break
whenever you have yours. Ours is next week and the kids are looking
forward to a week off of school. LOL
Soldier
brings message of gratitude back from Iraq
NEW CASTLE -
The students at Maude H. Trefethen Elementary School had the pleasure of
dining with one of America’s finest Tuesday morning.
While the children were eating lunch, Terran Windham, a petty officer third class with the Navy, took time out of her short stay home to thank the kids for their efforts in getting donations of Beanie Babies sent to the children of Iraq.
Windham has been in the Navy for the last three years and was stationed in Iraq for nine months as a medical corpsman assisting the Marines.
"College just wasn’t working for me," said Windham on her choice to join the Navy at that time. "I joined to be a medic."
It was in Iraq, through a humanitarian assistance program, that she and the other corpsmen would go out into the country on a weekly basis for the purpose of visiting children. According to Windham, the average household had eight to 15 kids, and most families were struggling for basic supplies. Toys were not a priority.
At the same time, back in New Castle, volunteer firefighter Peter Rice, with the help of the New Castle Fire Department and the elementary school, was shipping much-needed supplies to Marines when he heard Windham was there.
"I got in touch with Terran’s mom in North Berwick, and she said Terran wanted nothing for herself except for Marshmallow fluff," Rice said. "All she wanted was toys for the kids in Iraq."
Rice pulled together all the help he could to make Terran’s wish come true.
"This turned out to be a great partnership between the Fire Department and the school," Rice said. "They really came together."
That "great partnership" sent more than 600 Beanie Babies to Windham to distribute to Iraqi children. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PICTURE HERE
Con man charged in $255G Super scamAPRIL
INTRODUCTIONS http://www.ty.com/April05Intro
BEANIE
BABIES: Baby Boy, Baby Girl, Bandage (get well soon), Happy Birthday (new
smaller size), Hobo, Smarty (Class of 2005), We Do (bride & groom)
BEANIE BUDDIES: Delilah, Fritz, Mom, Top Dog
PINKYS: Frilly
HAPPY
WINNER
I received this email from Tony Harbin to share with my readers. Tony
writes: "To
Beanies 4 You: Your
e-mail today informing me of the win of the three Libearty Bears is
OUTSTANDING news! I appreciate the way you offer the opportunity to
win extremely rare Ty Beanies by purchasing a ticket at a very reasonable
price. As a longtime customer of Beanies 4 You, I
continue to have confidence in conducting business with you.
Your fairness and professionalism is something many dealers could, and
should, incorporate into their business.
Once again, thank you Mark and Michelle for the welcomed news. I (really my wife Joan) look forward to receiving the Libearty Beanies. Tony Harbin"
March 30, 2005
Carpinteria
man appeals extension of permits, building rights on Miramar
(Santa Barbara News-Press, Calif.)
Mar. 29--A
Carpinteria man on Monday appealed a recent decision that gave Beanie
Baby creator Ty Warner an extension on permits and building rights that
he needs to buy and renovate the Miramar Hotel.
On March 16, the Montecito Planning Commission granted Mr. Warner a one-year extension on the permits that are due to expire on May 3. However, Stephan Tomkins, who lives on Ocean View Drive, has appealed that decision to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.
Officials said paperwork they received from Mr. Tomkins gave no reason for the appeal, but they expected to receive supplemental documentation. Mr. Tomkins did not return a call seeking comment.
Mr. Warner is buying the hotel from Ian Schrager. A source close to the deal told the News-Press that Mr. Warner has pledged to pay $45 million upfront -- and he could spend another $70 million on renovations -- for the 17-acre Miramar spread near San Ysidro Road and Highway 101.
A representative for Mr. Warner on Monday said he was discouraged but hopeful the appeal will fail before escrow is supposed to close.
"It is not a surprise
to us," said Greg Rice, executive vice president of development for
Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts. "Everything in this community is
geared to the lowest common denominator of one. Everybody but one person
can be for something; however, that one person can stop everything that
the community wants in its tracks no matter the validity or seriousness
of the complaint." VIEW
FULL ARTICLE HERE
Post
office promotes its eBay connection
Russ Bornstein
has some lamps, tables, tools and electrical equipment he'd like to
sell, but the 87-year-old isn't planning a yard sale.
Bornstein, of Portland, plans to sell those items on eBay after attending a recent hourlong workshop on the online auction site conducted by the U.S. Postal Service.
Why does the post office want people like Bornstein to use eBay? Because after the auction, any items sold have to be shipped - and the post office wants to maintain as much of that business as possible in the face of stiff competition from Federal Express, UPS and other shippers.
The post office's bread-and-butter - first-class mail - is beset by rising costs and falling use. E-mail and faxes have cut into the amount of mail sent each day, but the post office still has to bear the cost of delivering to every business and home, six days a week.
Package shipping, however, remains a profitable and booming business, as evidenced by the number and earnings of private shippers in the market.
So the post office's "eBay Days" are equal parts a primer on how to sell and buy - mostly sell - online and a sales pitch for using the Postal Service to complete the transaction.
"Competition is increasing for us," said Leanne Payeur, a local post office spokeswoman. "In the past, we were a monopoly and that's not the case anymore, but we believe we do it best, frankly."
Payeur points out that the post office will deliver just about anywhere - "we're coming to your house anyway" - and offers free boxes and heavy-duty envelopes for those using overnight or Priority mail. And, to make it easier for those in the vanguard of the new, digital economy, the post office will pick up shipments at home and its Web site sells mailing labels with postage included that can be printed out from a home computer.
That's especially important for heavy-duty eBay users who wouldn't want to leave the house and possibly miss the last few minutes of an auction of a porcelain doll or Beanie Baby. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
MARCH
RETIREMENTS
March 29, 2005
TO
OUR INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS...
Our
hearts go out to you as you experience the effects of the devastating
8.7 magnitude earthquake. Prayers and thoughts are with you.
Beanie
babies donated to help soldiers in Iraq
An idea from a
10-year-old girl may help save soldiers’ lives.
Beanie babies can save a soldier’s life. In fact, they can save a
number of them, said Denise Rozell and her 10-year-old daughter, Destiny
Fulsom.
A few weeks ago, Rozell and Fulsom, a fifth grader at Westwood
Elementary, were watching the evening news when they saw an interview
with a soldier in Iraq.
The soldier told how their convoy spotted an Iraqi girl on the side of
the road and they recognized the girl because one of the soldiers had
given her a Beanie Baby a few days earlier.
The Iraqi girl proceeded to point out to the soldiers where all the land
mines were located, Rozell said.
The news sparked an idea in both Rozell and Fulsom’s minds.
“We started thinking about all the beanies in the house and thought
‘Why don’t we send them to soldiers,’” Rozell said. Rozell got
in touch with Barbara Luttmer, who works at the Morrison American Legion
Auxiliary. Luttmer knew how to send the beanies to the soldiers because
the auxiliary had sent supplies to troops in the past.
Starting March 21, Rozell and Fulsom began to collect the Beanie Babies
by putting a drop-off point at Westwood Elementary. A mother of three
children, Rozell has also received help from co-workers who have
volunteered to help with the process. VIEW
FULL ARTICLE & PICTURE HERE
IRS May View EBay
Profits Taxable Income
WASHINGTON — Hawking
baby and children's clothes — along with some garage sale and thrift
store bargains — on eBay (EBAY) helps Sunni Wojnarowsky bring in some
extra money so she can afford to stay home with her two young boys. The
additional dollars are great, but does she really need to hassle with
the paperwork and report her small profit to the Internal Revenue
Service (search)? Her question, posed to the online auction site's
discussion board for sellers, generated much advice — and more
confusion.
In tax law, there is no clear, bright line that separates fun from profit, or a hobby from a business. But IRS instructions make it clear that all income — a category that includes bribes, gambling winnings, kickbacks and money made in illegal activities — can be taxed.
"You can't get an answer from anybody," Wojnarowsky said in an interview from her home in Brunswick, Ohio. "It would be nice to have a straightforward answer of yes, you file taxes, or no, you don't."
More than 135 million people have registered to use the auction site that calls itself "the world's online marketplace." Buyers bought more than $34 billion worth of merchandise there last year.
Some people make money by cleaning out items from their closets; others use the site to run small businesses.
"When you're working on the Internet, it's kind of a gray issue," said Bart Fooden, a certified public accountant in Woodbury, N.Y., who advises small businesses and individuals. "The big issue is whether you're doing it as a business or not." VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
March 28, 2005
Fallen
soldier's mission continues
Toy
donations started in McGowan's name
Steve McGowan was a tough guy with a soft spot in his heart for
children.
On patrol in Iraq, the rugby player turned Army paratrooper carried Beanie Babies with him to hand out to kids in the villages and towns his unit passed through. Last Christmas, he asked his family not for presents but for more of the floppy little plush animals so he could spread a little joy in a land where children often find joy in short supply.
McGowan, 26, was killed in a roadside explosion near Ramadi earlier this month. Delaware State Police and board members of the RGW Foundation, seeking to ensure that his memory and his legacy of reaching out to the innocent victims of war continues, have started collecting Beanie Babies and other similar toys in his name. The toys will be delivered to children in Iraq and Afghanistan.
State police Cpl. Michelle Foraker said fate played a role in the project.
"I received a call from students at St. Mark's High School about two weeks before Stephen died asking if I would take some Beanie Babies and other dolls they had collected," Foraker said. "They knew I work with victims' services and thought I was the best person to call. I told them I'd find some use for them and made arrangements to pick them up."
On the morning she was scheduled to pick up the toys, Foraker read that McGowan, a Newark resident who had graduated from St. Mark's, was killed. She read, too, that he had passed out toys to Iraqi kids while on patrol. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PICTURE HERE
AUCTIONS
OF INTEREST
=RARE
- Ty Employee Only - Wine Glasses with Pewter dec.
Only Given To Ty Europe Ltd Employee's - VERY RARE. Ending today
with a high bid of only $147.75 USD! VIEW
AUCTION HERE
=AUTHENTICATED Ty Signed MILLENNIUM Rep Buddy MWMTS MQ! - BIN $399.99 VIEW AUCTION HERE
March 27, 2005
HAPPY
EASTER!
I hope each of
you enjoys a beautiful day with family and friends. If you are having
Easter egg hunts I hope the weather is clear. It looks like ours will
have to be indoors today. Brandon woke up this morning and he found a
big Easter bowl filled with many goodies. He came in and woke me up and
said "Mom.. the Easter bunny did come and guess what?! There are
two Beanie Babies in my bowl. I'm soooo excited!!" He still loves
his Beanies. He received Eggbeart and Harrison.
KIDS
& MONEY
The law that rules
Understanding economics means grasping supply and
demand
Grab your kids' Beanie
Babies and scoop up the YuGiOh cards. We're about to tackle a big
economics lesson head on.
The topic is supply and demand, and I can think of no better way to introduce kids to this concept than through the stuffed animals, dolls, trading cards, plastic wristbands, coins and whatever else they collect. After all, if there's anything kids like to spend money on, it's collectibles.
If you have younger children, you can turn this concept into child's play by asking your kids questions about the stuff they collect. For example, ask what makes certain Beanie Babies more valuable than others. The answer might be that certain products might have been produced in limited numbers or have an unusual design or flaw.
Then ask your kids what they would do if all of their friends owned the same popular Beanie Baby. Would they want to trade for it? For how much and why? On the other hand, what if only one friend owned that Beanie Baby? Would that increase the demand? Would your kids trade for it, and how much would it be worth? VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
March 26, 2005
GOOD
NEWS FROM BEANIES 4 YOU!
Beanies 4 You has
been unable to fill our presale orders for the 2nd Edition Ty Beanie Tracker
Book and Software because the publisher at Bangzoom (company that makes the
book and software) decided to cancel our order over a month after we placed
it - Without warning and without an explanation that made any sense.
BUT ... We have been able to secure a new source for the books and
software and will be able to fill our presale orders, and continue to sell
the book and software for the price of $10.00 each.
Go to: http://www.beanies4you.com/pages/BOOKSSOFTWARE1.html
to see these and other Ty Collecting Books and Software.
March 25, 2005
Play
Dead
SANTA BARBOPOLY: When in doubt, root for the
frogs. Not only is it always the right thing to do, you’d be shocked
how many times they come out on top. I mention this because Tuesday
night I was privileged to enjoy the unique music created whenever a
choir of male frogs announced their amorous intentions to the world. At
the time, I was strolling past Black Hole number three on lowest State
Street where bad boy developer Bill Levy hopes to construct roughly
three blocks of Ritz Carlton time-share condos. The recent rains had
chased a number of homeless people under the eaves of the California
Hotel, where the bright glare of the anti-homeless security lights gave
the whole tableau the feel of some socially perverse art installation.
Across from the hotel, the frogs were jamming behind the vast fenced-off
area where bulldozers had recently scraped away the petrochemical
pollutants deposited by the myriad car dealerships that once dominated
the site. The winter storms transformed this once vacant lot into a
shimmering urban rice paddy, and the frogs wasted no time colonizing the
new habitat. One can only hope some of them hopped there from the
federal Endangered Species list. It would only add to the mess.
BYE
BYE BEANIE BABIES
'Just one more
hug,' Jordon Brown said as he tossed his Beanie Baby into a box Thursday
at Ponderosa Elementary School. The students at the school collected all
their unwanted Beanie Babies and put them in boxes to be sent to Iraq
and Afghanistan. The stuffed animals will be sent to Sgt. Jeff Lindell
of the 163rd Montana Army National Guard in Iraq and Sgt. Jason Ludwig
of the 190th Montana Army National Guard in Afghanistan. The toys will
then be distributed to children in schools and orphanages in those
countries. VIEW
PHOTO HERE
ASK
TY
Q: What
was your inspiration for the Pinkys? (submitted by AToynut)
A: Pink always has been extremely fashionable and a popular color
for Beanies. I also happen to know a very special little girl who loves
pink. http://www.ty.com/askty_home
March 24, 2005
LACK
OF NEWS…
After
LOTS of Ty news last week this week has been VERY slow. I do my normal
searches for news and have come up with nothing other than the
retirement listed below. If you have news to share please send to Lisa@planetbeans.com.
Do you decorate with your Ty items for Easter? We’d love to see your
displays!
WOOLINS
IS NOW RETIRED
Woolins was
listed as SOLD OUT on 3-18-05 and is now (3-23-05) listed as retired at
the Ty Store and all other retired Beanies have been removed from there.
http://www.tytrade.com/TyStore
MARCH
RETIREMENTS http://www.ty.com/Mar05_MainRet
BEANIES: Aria, Crinkles, Eggs 2005, Fairytale, Mardi Gras, Winksy
BUDDIES: Kirby, Scoop, Zeus
BASKET BEANIES: Baashful, Baskets, Candies, Duckling
March 23, 2005
NEW
TY TRADEMARKS
Sly shares
the following info with Ms. Janie: On March 14,2005 Ty applied to
register trademarks on the following...
1) The Silly Sidekicks
Collection
2) Silly Sidekicks
3) The Sophisticats Collection
4) Sophisticats
all 4 of these new Ty Trademarks have "plush Toys" listed as their goods and services.
Golfer, 14, has natural talent, passion for game
March 22, 2005
EARLY
ASK TY
Michael
writes: "Ok Ty
Warner just answered a new Ask Ty question TODAY ON A MONDAY....this is
beyond unusual...i always thought they were answered Thursday or Friday
Afternoons...very odd. Anyway below is a link to the newly surprised
answered Ask Ty question.. Michael"
Q: Beanie Babies
have brought smiles to people, especially children all over the world.
Did you ever think they would bring smiles to so many when you created
them? (submitted by Chocolvr)
A: I created Beanies as an affordable, high quality plush item
that children could play with and use their imaginations. I feel very
fortunate that part of this phenomenon were all those sweet smiles ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home
March 21, 2005
CHERISH
GLOBAL BREAKFAST & AUCTION UPDATE
http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm
March 20, 2005
HAPPY
SPRING!
Well
it's official.. today is the first day of Spring! I hope it's gorgeous
where you are. We are going to enjoy the mid 60's and lots of sun here
in Georgia today. :o)
SPECIAL
OLYMPICS ERIN
Susan writes: "Dear Lisa,
I
need some help from your readers. I moved recently and my
Beanies are still in the packing boxes, as well as all my reference
material.
I need to know what year the Canadian Special Olympics Erin was released. If I could get to my Mary Beth magazines I would be able to research this myself. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Susan" If you can help Susan please email me at Lisa@planetbeans.com.
March 19, 2005
CHERISH
AUCTION REMINDER
Sue
writes: "Hi,
Just a reminder to pop in to www.cherishonline.co.uk
tomorrow (Saturday) to join in the fun and games taking place for the
CHERISH Global Breakfast. Although the intention is to raise as much
as possible for Cancer Research UK I do want my guests to enjoy
themselves and you are encouraged to pull up a comfy chair, settle
down with a hot beverage and breakfast, of course! This is one
occasion when you need NOT feel bad about still wearing your pyjamas
at the computer!
As you can read on the website, there will be 100 special Breakfast Beanie Packages on sale from 8am GMT - 50 of each of 2 varieties. Thanks to Jennifer aka PattiBuddyFerociousPlatypus it is a lovely home-made breakfast on the menu - she has worked so hard to make all the wonderful salt dough fried egg ornaments, hand-paint the CHERISH breakfast logo on each (she even designed the logo!) and add some sparkle and vanilla scent to them. Not content with that Jennifer went on to crochet 50 wonderful muffins and frosted cup cakes of different 'flavours'! Wait till you see the special luxury breakfast auctions appearing later on tomorrow on eBay under seller ID sue_owen - more of Jennifer's handiwork and some of my own. I don't have to ask you to bid generously - you always do!
I am looking forward to welcoming you to the CHERISH breakfast tomorrow and hope that you will spare the time to read the breakfast pages created especially for the event - facts and fun - and try the puzzles and challenges that await. I do have some breakfast-themed prizes to award. Let's have fun trying to beat last year's total of almost £2000! Best wishes, Sue"
Adrian High School students donate 'hugs' for childrenStudents who participate in the Peer Listener Program help other students at Adrian High School with problems in their lives by having fellow teenagers listen and offer support, Molter said. She said the group participates in community service projects at least once a semester. Last semester the Peer Listeners donated more than 200 personal items to the Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence Shelter and provided shoe boxes full of gifts for art teacher Tom Thiery's Overlanders trip to Mexico. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PICTURE HERE
FAIR TRADE?
Michael asks the following: "Someone has offered me the following
for my Rare Mcdonalds Convention Roary and need your advice whether or
not i should trade it.
For more information and
pictures of the RARE ROARY BEANIE: http://www.planetbeans.com/MichaelsFinds.htm
Please email your comments to me at Lisa@planetbeans.com
March 18, 2005
ASK
TY
Q: How
do you decide what each Beanie's tag will say? (submitted by iloveeeyore)
A: First, let me say Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Now, let's answer this week's question. As I'm creating a Beanie, a
unique personality develops from the different features, colors and
style. This personality helps me choose the names and each special poem.
http://www.ty.com/askty_home
Babies,
babies, babies
Iraqi children
don't know Patti the Platypus from Flash the Dolphin, but they will
soon.
KOA 850-AM finishing up today a drive to collect Beanie Babies for kids in the war-torn country. Already have bagged more than 10,000 of the little fuzzies.
It's the idea of "Gunny Bob," the soldier with a heart of gold and late-night talk-show host on KOA. Once they're gathered up from drop-offs at area Grease Monkey stores and at the station, they'll be shipped to Marines and soldiers in Iraq for distribution. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
THE TY STORE HAS RETIRED AND SOLD OUT...
SOLD OUT: WOOLINS
RETIRED: Adore Beanie, Secret Buddy, PUNX-e 2005, Nami
http://www.tytrade.com/TyStore
March 17, 2005
HAPPY
ST. PATRICKS DAY!
May the luck of
the Irish be with you today. ;o)
Girl
Scouts and Boy Scouts Pack Teddy Bears for Peace for Iraqi Orphans
The American
Health Association, an award winning non-profit community service
organization, through its "American Volunteer Corps" has
collected 25,000 beanie babies, Teddy Bears, dolls and stuffed animals
for the Orphans of War Campaign in Iraq. On Saturday, March 19, 2005 at
Heritage Park West in Delray Beach, Florida, the Girl Scouts and Boy
Scouts will roll up their sleeves and pack the stuffed toys for
shipment.
(PRWEB) March 17, 2005 -- "These Teddy Bears are symbols of
that love, compassion and hope of the American people for a better
tomorrow from all Americans", said Lt. Colonel Bob Weinstein,
Chairman for the Orphans of War Campaign and a member of the American
Health Association. "I believe that Americans have the best
interest in mind for the Iraqi people and really want to address their
legitimate needs. There is a connection between a better tomorrow for
Iraq and a better tomorrow for America."
"It makes sense to build on the generosity of the Americans and attempt to give the orphans of Iraq a sense of hope and love that there is a better future ahead," said Rob Gordon, Executive Director of American Health Association. " VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
HOW
MANY SETS OF ASIA-PACIFIC BEANIES ARE THERE?
Cindy from
Cindy’s Beans writes: “Each country was only able to order 216
sets making a total of 1296 complete sets to go along with the
respective countries beanie 3704 pc making the total production run 5000
units per countrry & that is it .We were told also that these sets
WILL NOT be shipping again at all as complete sets anywhere only the
respective countries will be able to order there own exclusive bear
& when the remaining quantities have evaporated these will not be
able to be ordered any more.Very short production run.Maybe this is why
you only see 3 sells on e-bay.”
BEANIE
PETITION
Michael
writes: “There is a link to a petition that Hayley Mitchel who is
webmaster of www.beanzaddiction.com
on her site to sign a petition so that it would be a law or it for
larger chains of stores that sell Ty Products or other collectables to
STOP putting those sticky price tags on the back or whereever on a hang
tag. This is many reasons why at some stores Beanies and other
collectables are shelf sitting because people like Hallmark or espically
Cracker Barrel put those aggrivating price tags on the hang tag of
Beanies and other collectables. So go to her site and sign it and get
your readers to as well so we can all fight for this common cause and
injustice to our precious collectibles. Michael” VIEW
& SIGN PETITION HERE
BUILD-A-BEAR
COMMENTS
Michael
writes: “I just read your article on your site
about Build-A-Bear and i remember going to the very 1st store in saint
louis MO or Brentwood Missouri in the Galleria Mall. I went there
quite a few times because the mall the Galleria which the first
Build-a-Bear workshop was started was right accross the street from an
office building where my orthodontist. I still have my bear i made. I
know they even haven now a days Build your own Elmo from Sesame
Street. Also did you know my birthday was last week on March 10th
Lisa? I turned the big 18.
Michael”
March
16, 2005
Medic
Who Twice Dodged Death Is Buried
Del. Soldier Sought
Perilous Iraq Tour
Not everyone in Iraq is the enemy, Cpl. Stephen Michael McGowan used
to say. Especially the kids. But his bright words were little
consolation to his mother, Bobbie, who cradled the American flag that
had draped his coffin at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday, stroked
it against her cheek and, with eyes closed, gently kissed it.
"We fought and continue to fight so that one day there may be peace," he wrote. "Because we are here to help. And make friends -- I really like the kids here. So that they can have a bright future -- just like you."
Build-A-Bear's
Fuzzy Future
Visit one of
the 170 Build-A-Bear Workshops in the U.S. and Canada and you'll see how
kids can barely contain their excitement. That's got bullish investors
turning "bearish," too.
The latest retail trend is to create your own stuffed toy. Build-A-Bear lets you choose an animal "skin" (anything from a bear to a cat to a zebra), watch as it is filled and dressed, and then sign the birth certificate. "Shopping will be more fun if there are more interactive places like Build-A-Bear Workshop," says Maxine Clark, the firm's "chief executive bear."
Build-A-Bear, based in St. Louis, launched its first store seven years ago. Clark, a former executive with May Department Stores, was inspired by a child who couldn't understand why Beanie Babies were so hard to find when they looked so easy to make.
The stock of Build-A-Bear debuted at $20 in October and recently traded at $35. But will interest in do-it-yourself bears fade, as it did with Beanie Babies? "We're not like some companies that have only one leg to stand on," Clark argues. The company plans to roll out make-your-own-doll stores, bulk up to 350 locations worldwide (25 to 30 more in 2005), and expand licensing and franchising. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
CHERISH
GLOBAL BREAKFAST & AUCTION UPDATE
http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm
March
15, 2005
TY
WARNER POSTS ABOUT AUTHENTICATORS
Thanks to Michael
for pointing out the following: “Ty
Warner himself just posted some info about the dissucusion about him and
authenticators. Below is what he post says and a link to the post:
Michael”
Authenticators
Ty Warner (Mar
14, 2005, 06:01 PM)
Message Id: 949767
Ty Warner writes: Allow me to clear up any confusion regarding the endorsement of authentication services. I personally have not endorsed any specific authenticators. However, I feel they offer a valuable service in providing expert information on the purchase of collectable items. VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE
Macomb
Township company creates innovative storage system
They are also counting on their customers wanting to figure out a new way to store and organize all that stuff.
"Every time we turn around, someone has another idea of how we can use it," said Paul LaMarche, who invented the Sky-Rail storage system. "We've almost had to stop looking at different ideas and focus on getting out the product."
LaMarche and his daughter, Elaine LaMarche, and a third partner, Ron Ptaszek, first began marketing the Sky-Rail system about three years ago by attending an inventors' trade show in Pittsburgh. Since then, they've been marketing the product through a Web site, www.neatandniftystorage.com, other trade shows and appearances on television shopping networks. Last year, the company sold about 4 million pieces of its Sky-Rail system.
So what is Sky-Rail? It is a series of plastic containers, of various shapes and sizes, that fit together using a special rail system. Once a bank of the Sky-Rail containers are put together, individual storage boxes can be slid in and out of the system without disrupting the other pieces.
The boxes are made of clear plastic, allowing the items inside the boxes to be plainly visible.
"If you can see it, you can find it. If you can find it, you can use it," Ptaszek said.
Because of the rail system, the storage boxes can be added to or subtracted from at anytime to make a larger or smaller system.
A 15-piece starter kit of the system sells for $30 on the Web site.
LaMarche originally developed the system as a way to store Beanie Babies. He developed his rail system just as the Beanie Baby craze ended. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
Business
of books
A
Williamsburg couple discovered their niche in writing and marketing
books to businesses.
There are days when Theodore Kinni says he doesn't
change out of his pajamas, because he's a home-based
business-to-business book dealer and writer of business books.
Kinni and his wife, Donna, are living out their dream of owning a
bookstore - a dream that changed as the couple realized they would have
to find a niche to survive competition from Internet-based sellers and
giant chain stores.
The Kinnis were living in Cleveland, Ohio, when they decided to get into
the book business in the early 1990s. Theodore Kinni had worked as a
business consultant, and owned a finish carpentry subcontracting
business. Donna was a financial services executive with a brokerage
firm.
"We had talked about what we wanted to do with our future, and we
were both readers," Theodore Kinni said. "We thought having a
bookstore would be the greatest thing, so I took a job working downtown
at an independently owned bookstore."
Another of the couple's titles is "1,001 Ways to Keep
Customers Coming Back." In its 263 pages are 1,001 short anecdotes
showing innovative ways businesses have catered to customers. For
example, the book cites a Williamsburg floral shop that held a drawing
for a collectible Beanie Baby commemorating Princess Diana - a toy that
cost the shop $6.99 but was valued at $350 on the collector's market.
The tactic resulted in long lines and media attention for the store. VIEW
FULL ARTICLE HERE
March
14, 2005
BEAUTIFUL
PICTURES
Orion and
Mana of "The Beanie Tenjishitsu" have some really nice
photographs of the latest Asia-Pacific Beanies as well as other types of
Beanies. VIEW
HERE
Securing
Company Assets
While the
unauthorized use of another company's trademark can cause a business
serious headaches, a federal appeals court decision indicates that those
involved in "secondary market" businesses can safely use such
trademarks, at least within certain limits.
The case in question arose when Ty Inc., the manufacturer of Beanie Babies, brought suit for trademark infringement against Ruth Perryman, the owner of an Internet-based business that sells second- hand beanbag stuffed animals. Perryman's business primarily sold Ty’s popular Beanie Babies, but also has other brands of bean bag toys.
Ty's primary concern was with the name of Perryman's business and its Web site bargainbeanies.com. The suit was brought under a federal statute, which protects famous trademarks from commercial uses that cause dilution of the mark's value.
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals spent little time determining that indeed Beanie was just the type of famous trademark the statute was designed to protect. The court noted, however, that this was not a case where consumer confusion was an issue. Perryman was not a maker of beanbag toys and had placed a disclaimer on her Web site making it clear that her business was in no way affiliated with Ty, Inc.
Further, the court pointed out that Perryman was a seller in a "secondary market," that existed in part because of Ty's own marketing strategies. Ty sells Beanie Babies in small quantities so that the demand for the items at "retail price" is never met. This strategy leads to a secondary market in Beanie Babies a market where collectors have been know to pay exorbitant sums to obtain one of the scarce toys. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
March
13, 2005
CHERISH
AUCTION UPDATES FROM SUE
Now up on auction.. An
exclusive HARRODS Bonnet Beanie Baby: http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm
HOW
RARE IS DEARLY THE HALLMARK GOLD CROWN EXCLUSIVE BEANIE BABY?
Laura writes: “Hi
Lisa, I went to my local Hallmark last night-they called me to tell me
Dearly was in, (Last week when I went in to ask if they had them they
told me-now I don't know if this is true-but they would take my name
down and call me when they come in because they are only going to get so
many and that's it-and it will be a hot item...well we will see it that
is true or not) when I got there the also got in the Pinkys-($6.00 ea)
they are cute!! I did not buy any though as I am trying to cut down on
collecting ALL the beanies!! But the purses they are sooo cute-the
poodle much more than the dog-they are selling for $11.99--I didn't buy
those either since I can't use them!! lol but I did come home with
Dearly and MOM as I thought she was also cute. Take care and have a
great weekend. Laura”
March
12, 2005
A JOKESTER
QUESTION
Since this
didn't get posted on the Cyberboard yesterday I wondered if anyone has
an answer... Have you ordered "both" versions of Jokester and
aren't all to happy to know that you've just ordered extras of the one
style? Have you then tried to cancel one of your orders? If so.. were
you able to? Are you happy with having to pay for 2 separate shipping
charges (within 2 days time) now that you are going to end up with the
SAME bear? Lisa@planetbeans.com.
My post to the Cyberboard wasn't worded like this it was actually worded carefully so I don't have a clue why it wasn't posted and I never received an email stating it was denied. Collecting variations is one thing but being led to believe you are ordering variations is quite another.
NOT MUCH OF A RESPONSE -
THE FOLLOWING READERS SENT IN A REPLY
Theresa writes: “Hi
Lisa, I placed 2 separate orders for jokester, and I canceled my second
order with no problems. I didn't want 2 identical beanies. Hope this
helps. Theresa”
Susan writes: “Dear Lisa, I am not thrilled about being mislead. I didn't try to cancel the 2nd order...will just give it away, but I am less than happy about it. I'm sure I'm not the only one that is angry, but emailing back and forth to TY for $8. just doesn't seem worth the aggravation. Susan”
Dotti writes: “I did order Jokester twice because of the different pictures. I contacted Ty immediately thereafter and was able to cancel the second order. One of my stipulations was that if there were indeed two versions that I did want them both. Obviously, there is only one version since they cancelled my second order. Dotti”
Toys
for Troops: Sending smiles across the miles
GAUTIER -- What
began with a simple box of Mardi Gras beads and a tender in-spiration
from her husband, has quickly become an outpour from the community and
turned Brandi Kinsey's house upside down.
"We just have toys everywhere now," said Kinsey as she stepped over a shoebox full of race cars. "Everywhere I go people are handing me toys."
In January, Kinsey's husband, Gary, was deployed to Iraq with the 150th Combat Engineering Battalion and he knew as second in command of the unit, he needed to set a good example for his troops. The first lieutenant immediately befriended the nearby and neighboring children of the Iraqi towns and when care packages from home arrived, he was always willing to share.
"I guess you could say Mardi Gras beads are what started this all," said Kinsey as she sat among a pile of scattered Beanie Babies. "Gary's brother, Johnny, sent him a box of beads and when he received it, he gave the beads to some children playing nearby. It just broke his heart to see how grateful those kids were to have them. They were just regular Mardi Gras beads, but to those children, they were everything. And now, it's started a toy drive right here in my living room."
Toys for Troops is the toy drive Kinsey is referring to and in just a week and a half, she and longtime friend, Lynn Burns, have collected enough stuffed animals, trucks and dolls for at least a half-dozen Iraqi villages. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
He's
The World's Wealthiest Person...Again
He's been given
the title of the richest man in the world, for the 11th year in a row,
with a net worth of $46.5 billion. It should come as no surprise that
Bill Gates tops the list on Forbes magazine's 2005 list of the world's
wealthiest people.
Investor Warren Buffett ran a close second, with a net worth of $44
billion.
The number of billionaires grew to a record 691 from 587 last year, with
a total net worth of $2.2 trillion.
Other notables on the list, Oprah Winfrey at 507; William Wrigley Jr.of
chewing gum fame at 122 and H. Ty Warner, Beanie Babies guru at 94.
For the first time, Martha Stewart, the homemaking maven has landed on
the list with a net worth of $1 billion, based mostly on the value of
stock in her company. VIEW
ARTICLE HERE
March
11, 2005
A JOKESTER
QUESTION
Since this
didn't get posted on the Cyberboard yesterday I wondered if anyone has
an answer... Have you ordered "both" versions of Jokester and
aren't all to happy to know that you've just ordered extras of the one
style? Have you then tried to cancel one of your orders? If so.. were
you able to? Are you happy with having to pay for 2 separate shipping
charges (within 2 days time) now that you are going to end up with the
SAME bear? Lisa@planetbeans.com.
My post to the Cyberboard wasn't worded like this it was actually worded carefully so I don't have a clue why it wasn't posted and I never received an email stating it was denied. Collecting variations is one thing but being led to believe you are ordering variations is quite another.
AUTHENTIC BEANIE BABY
QUESTION
Karen sent the
following message to Peggy Gallagher over a week ago and has yet to get
a response so I’m asking you, my readers, to see if anyone has any
info about this situation to share.
Karen writes: “My husband was recently traveling through Midway airport and stopped at the Hallmark store in the airport. He discovered among their beanie selection two beanies that he had not seen before. They were identical to "Gift" the Hallmark exclusive beanie that was part of a trio form this past Christmas. Only these did not have the same ribbons around their necks...one had a white ribbon with red hearts and one had red ribbon with white hearts. Not knowing whether I already had these in my collection...he bought one of each bear. Upon looking at them closer, we realized that it was indeed the same bear for Hallmark's exclusive trio from Christmas....names are the same ("Gift") and the poem is the same....however it looks like the original ribbons around the neck were removed and replaced with ribbon with hearts on it....We have now concluded that perhaps the store was trying to get rid of the "leftovers" from Christmas and attempted to sell them for Valentine's Day.....Before we take them back....and complain, can someone there verify whether or not there was ever such bear Ty produced !
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions/clarifications.”
---------------------
3/3 Karen writes: “Lisa, Have you ever heard of anything like this happening ??? We are quite angry at the possibility of this Hallmark store trying to sell something that is not authentic.”
If you have any information for Karen please send to Lisa@planetbeans.com.
DISABLED FROM THE
CYBERBOARD?
Michael
writes: “I forgot that they gave out penalty points and i didnt
mean to get into trouble but I have a feeling my account has been
DISABLED because i tried to post a quote of the day just now. I did try
to answer some1 about my Roary and what they would want to trade for it
and i wish i wouldn't have now... If my account was disabled do you know
for how long its disabled or is it disabled for GOOD. I Hope not....
Please email me as soon as you have some info”
Can you help Michael with his question? I've never been disable.. my posts just don't get posted and I keep receiving the dreaded "denial" email from the moderators stating that it's a duplicate entry and that it's been posted, which is has NOT! LOL Lisa@planetbeans.com.
Beanie Babies still outrank miners on wealth
RENO--(Mineweb.com)
Who are the real moguls, the über mining shareholders, the Big
Kahunas, the Grand High Poobahs of today's mining industry?
According to Forbes' just published list of the world's richest people, the wealthiest miners alive hail from Chile, India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the Ukraine and the United States.
The first family of mining, financially speaking, is really not a surprise, DeBeers' Nicky Oppenheimer and family at $6 billion, who headed the mining representatives featured on the list. The Oppenheimers were ranked 72nd on the list. Nevertheless, they can't hold a candle, financially speaking, to Microsoft mogul Bill Gates, who--once again--topped the list at Number One for $46.5 billion.
Chile's Andronico Luksic and family landed in the 132nd spot on the list with their $4.2 billion mining empire. Mexico's Alberto Bailleres ranked 219th with $2.7 million.
The Ukraine's Rinat Akhmetov came in at 258th on the list with his $2.4 billion in steel and coal mines. He also proved to be the youngest mining mogul at age 38.
Russia's Alexander Abramov ranked 272nd with $2.3 billion. His countryman Iskander Makhmudov claimed the 413th spot with his $1.6 billion holdings in mining and metals. Russia's Vladimir Iorich ranked 437th on the list with $1.5 billion in mining and steel.
India's Anil Agarwal came in at number 488 with $1.4 billion.
Mining promoter and U.S. citizen Robert Friedland was the sole American mining billionaire represented on the list, coming in at the 584th with $1.1 billion. Forbes also revealed that the former boy wonder of mining--despite his youthful appearance--is now a middle-aged 54 year-old.
It pays to mine in Kazakhstan as Patokh Cohdiev, Alijan Ibragimov, and Alexander Masklevich can attest. The trio all ranked 620nd on the list, each with $1 billion.
To put it all into perspective, however, the mining moguls have tough competition to overcome as they claw their way up the Forbes list. The guys who invented Beanie Babies and Red Bull still far outrank most of the mining sector billionaires. VIEW ARTICLE HERE
Warner's
World
Beanie
Baby Mogul Ty Warner Buys Miramar Hotel
In a move that promises to deliver far more in political dividends
than financial, Montecito billionaire and Beanie Baby mogul Ty Warner
announced he has purchased Montecito's once blue-roofed Miramar Hotel
from hotelier Ian Schrager. The Miramar - which for the past several
years has languished unhappily as an unfinished construction site - is
another in a series of high-profile Santa Barbara landmarks purchased
by the acquisitive Warner, including the Four Seasons Biltmore, the
Coral Casino, San Ysidro Ranch, and Sandpiper Golf Course. Famous for
being secretive in his business dealings, Warner has declined to
disclose the purchase price.
Warner
has proposed many changes for the Coral Casino, a private membership
club that happens to be located on Warner's Biltmore Hotel property.
Among the members - who include some of Santa Barbara's oldest
families - Warner's proposals have generated intense and bitter
disagreements. Warner's supporters insist his plans will only make the
club better, and have praised Warner as a visionary philanthropist for
all seasons; his detractors claim Warner's true agenda is to open up
the private club, not just to hotel guests - already allowed under
limited circumstances - but to the public at large. Further, opponents
claim Warner and his supporters have sought to intimidate any dissent
by threatening to increase member dues and to expel or sue those
members expressing contrary views.
March
10, 2005
JOKESTER
IS PLAYING A JOKE
Have you
noticed that Jokester is now sporting a ribbon around his neck and a
joker hat? http://www.ty.com/Jokester_Intro
|
|
|
...Some
notes about Jokesters changes from Ty's Cyberboard...
What colors have
the Jokesters been so far?
weeze13 (Mar 09, 2005, 09:36 PM)
Message Id: 947312
weeze13 writes: What I saw yesterday was a green one. Today it is
purple/pink? Are these the only two?
VIEW
POSTING & REPLIES HERE
just checked the
order I placed yesterday
tyladydi (Mar 09, 2005, 07:31 PM)
Message Id: 947263
tyladydi writes: of the Jokester with no hat or ribbon, it says
PROCESSING. Order I just placed for the 1 with the hat and ribbon says
SUBMITTED, Hopefully tomorrow it will ship and by next week I will know
what I got on the first order. LOL I expect TY is having fun with us and
expect the unexpected. He did do this before with the White America. In
that case you got the beanie that was on the screen at the time you
placed your order.There is a place you can click on in the ordering
process, I believe it says "confirm order" near the top in a
blue button on the screen where you enter your credit card information.
It shows the item ordered. That is where the reversed eared White
America showed up when you ordered that time. Hope this helps, Dianne
VIEW
POSTING & REPLIES HERE
<< my comments: I wonder how much money collectors are going to have to spend to get one of each Jokester?! There's no telling how many variations there will be and which will be the hardest to come by. Remember you have to pay shipping on each order so this can become quite costly. Good luck! >>
THERE IS TO BE ONLY ONE VERSION OF JOKESTER
It seems that someone posted the plain picture prematurely and made many people think there were two versions and maybe more.
A posting by "Your Friends at Ty" has clarified this.
Jokester
Your Friends at Ty (Mar 10, 2005, 09:35 AM)
Message Id: 947437
Your Friends at Ty writes: Rest assured, there is only one version of Jokester the Bear. Customers who place an order for Jokester will receive the version with the hat and ribbon that is currently pictured on the Ty Store.
As always, expect the unexpected . . . and April Fools ! Your Friends at
Ty VIEW POSTING & REPLIES HERE
Baptist youth happy to
improve smiles
Helping others
is nothing new for
high school students in the "High Adventure Class" at De Soto
Baptist Church.
"We've always just done this stuff," said 17-year-old member Lucas Walker, ticking off a list of fund-raisers, improvement projects and service stints the group performed during the past year. "We never really think about it. We just do it."
In addition to providing local helping hands, the youths' latest project was completed this week, when they sent boxes full of "help" to an area dental student completing her residency in an impoverished part of New Mexico.
In a Christmastime phone conversation with Anita Woywod, mother of 16-year-old youth group member Matt Woywod, former church member and Eudora resident Wendy Harless described some of the challenges of serving her new community.
"The adults, because they have no money, were just coming in with these terrible teeth problems," Woywod recounted.
And the children, also in need of dental care, didn't have any fun incentives like most children were accustomed to in better-off areas.
Harless saved up McDonald's Happy Meal toys and dug deep into her own purse for Tylenol to give to grown-ups with aching teeth who couldn't afford even generic over-the-counter medication. But it wasn't long before Harless' own stock ran out, and she couldn't buy enough to fill the void, Woywod said.
That's where the De Soto youth stepped in.
"The kids' Sunday school class just took it over and ran with it," Woywod said. "The kids made an announcement in church one Sunday that they wanted to take this on as a mission project."
Three Sundays later, members of the congregation had donated more than 700 Beanie Babies, hundreds of doses of Tylenol and about $500 to boot. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
PINKY
POO NEW YORK TOY FAIR 2005 ADDED
Thanks to
Michael for pointing this out. The Pinky Poo that was given out to
retailers at the New York 2005 Toy Fair ha been silently introduced on
Ty.com. http://www.planetbeans.com/Pinkys.htm
INTERESTING
ASK TY
Q:
I'm
very confused; do you endorse any of the Beanie Baby authentication
services? (submitted by grovershoulders)
A: No, I do not endorse any authentication service. Maybe if I
did, we wouldn't have all these problems with the prototypes ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home
BLACK
STARLIGHT AVAILABLE
Thank you to
Michael for sharing the following: "The Starlight Black bear
version that was an exclusive to Harrods is now available on their website.
Below is a link to the website in which he is featured in. Michael" ORDER
HERE
INTRODUCING
BAY STARS BRUTH
Yokohama Bay Stars
Exclusive Teenie Beanie Bopper
http://www.ty.com/Bruth_Intro
FORBES
LIST 2005
Forbes List - Part
One of Two
The ranking of the world's richest people as estimated by Forbes magazine.
Listings include rank, name, home country or state, age where known, wealth
in billions of dollars and source of the money.
Listings where the home country
is United States are for American citizens living abroad.
1. William Gates III, Washington, 49, $46.5, Microsoft
2. Warren Buffett (news
- web
sites), Nebraska, 74, $44, Berkshire Hathaway
3. Lakshmi Mittal, India, 54, $25, steel
4. Carlos Slim Helu, Mexico, 65, $23.8, telecom
5. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, Saudi Arabia, 48, $23.7, investments
94. H. Ty Warner, Illinois, 61, $5, Beanie Babies
VIEW
FULL BILLIONAIRE'S LISTING HERE
March 9, 2005
MISSING
PINKYS?
Michael
shares the following with BeanWatcher:
"Two days ago, on March 7th, Ty posted a heart-shaped link to
the Pinkys on Ty.com. Clicking on the link led to a list of 22
current styles in the product line. However, collectors who click
on the link now will find only 16 current styles listed (click
here). Which styles can no longer be seen? The five
Pinkys found only in the UK right now (Ratzo, Taffeta, Frilly, Glitters,
and Sparkles) and the mysterious style called Chiffon."
<< my comments: Interesting.. I wonder why they would have been added then deleted from the list. Perhaps someone introduced them sooner than they were supposed to since they weren't on the official introduction notice. I have included them in my PINKYS page: http://www.planetbeans.com/Pinkys.htm. I have updated these 5 styles with the status of UNKNOWN until they are added back. >>
4 in unit bound for Carson die
March 8, 2005
WELCOME JOKESTER
(Ty Store)
http://www.ty.com/Jokester_Intro
PINKYS PAGE NOW UP
http://www.planetbeans.com/Pinkys.htm
I will fill in the info I'm missing as I'm able to obtain it. If you have any of the missing Pinkys info please email me at
Lisa@planetbeans.com
Rainbow
Rowell: Iraqi outreach are Beanies' new fad
The Iraqi child who receives Bandito the Raccoon or Zero the Holiday
Penguin won't know how Americans lost their minds to Beanie Babies.
Can you imagine explaining how we used to stand in line for these things? How we spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on them?
How we bought special tag protectors and special display cases, how we thought someday we could cash them in and take a trip to Aruba?
You couldn't explain the Beanie Baby craze of the mid- to late '90s to anybody who didn't live through it.
Better that the Iraqi child not understand the history of her gift. Better that she see the Beanie Baby for what it is: a child's toy given to her by a kind American.
That's what Kelley Horrigan is hoping for.
Kelley is collecting Beanie Babies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and sending the stuffed animals to a soldier in Iraq to give out to the children he and his comrades meet.
The project started when Kelley, secretary for women's and infants' services, heard about something similar happening in other states.
She was talking about the idea at work and a doctor told her "he would be willing to give up at least 100 of the 200 to 300 he's got."
"If he'd be willing to do it and I'd be willing to do it . . ."
Maybe other people would be willing to part with their collections. I mean, let's face it, Beanie Baby collecting hasn't turned out to be as lucrative as many people hoped.
Kelley, 44 and normally immune to collectibles, couldn't resist Beanies.
She bought somewhere between 100 and 150 Beanie Babies from 1997 to 1999.
Some people themed their collections. (Beanie bears were especially popular.) Kelley wasn't so picky.
"If it felt soft to me, I bought it."
She bought it, snapped on a tag protector and put the Beanie in a storage box. She truly believed her Beanies might be worth something someday.
Now . . .
She's ready to get them out of her basement.
"I checked a couple that I thought might be worth something. They're not."
They aren't worth any more than she paid for them, $6 or $7. (Take that price by 100 . . .)
"I kind of cringe to think of the money I spent collecting them." VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
Teens
donate Beanie Babies to be given to Iraqi children
The
girls collected the stuffed toys as youngsters and now want Iraqi
youngsters to have them.
Like
millions of other little girls, Shealyn and Shelby Minney of Monroe
collected dozens of Beanie Babies when the tiny stuffed animals were all
the rage.
But the craze died down, the girls got older and the pocket-sized toys ended up stored in plastic trash bags. The sisters thought about selling them, but that didn't work out.
"We got lazy," said Shelby, 13.
So when their mother brought home a flier stating that U.S. soldiers in Iraq want Beanie Babies to hand out to Iraqi children, the girls decided to donate the plush little animals.
"Since they're for the kids in Iraq, and since they don't have as much as us, I figured let's give them away," said 16-year-old Shealyn. "It's something to make them happy."
Across the United States, children are gathering up their old Beanie Babies and donating them for the children in Iraq. In Monroe County, the drive has begun thanks to Richard Hanes of Lambertville. VIEW FULL ARTICLE & PICTURE HEREThe
World According to eBay
"If you
post it, they will come." That's the kind of thinking that has made
eBay a mega hit. From beanie babies to baccarat crystal, you can find it
on eBay, and you can sell it on eBay, too.
The company has grown leaps and bounds and keeps expanding its customer
base. But its new fees have angered some sellers, who say the company is
getting a bit too greedy.
But whether you've ever bought, sold, or just looked, all can agree that
eBay has changed commerce. The old yard sale is now online, and who
knows what people will able to buy or sell on the internet in the
future. VIEW
FULL ARTICLE HERE
PINKYS
ARE NOW LISTED
Finally.. they
now have their own heart on Ty.com. Those 'missing' Pinkys are also
posted - there is one Pinky that hasn't yet been discovered, Chiffon the
long-haired cat. http://www.ty.com/Pinkys_home
March 7, 2005
Army paratrooper who handed out Beanie Babies in Iraq is killed
Roadside bomb claims life of combat medic from Delaware
NEWARK, Del. -- An Army paratrooper from Newark who handed out
Beanie Baby dolls to Iraqi children was killed Friday when a roadside
bomb exploded near Ramadi, family members said.
Stephen McGowan, 26, is the seventh soldier from Delaware to be killed
in operations in Iraq.
A combat medic attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in Iraq, McGowan
previously served 15 months in South Korea with the Army's 2nd Infantry
Division. He volunteered to go to Iraq last summer, relatives said.
"He felt that, as a single person with no children, he could go and
take someone else's spot," said his father, psychologist Fran
DiDomenicis. "He was just that kind of guy."
In one e-mail, he said that Iraqi girls had become entranced by the
sight of some Beanie Baby dolls the soldiers handed out. The story so
touched his mother, Bobbie McGowan, that she organized a Beanie Baby
drive at the Charter School of Wilmington, where she is dean of
humanities.
Students donated so many dolls that Bobbie McGowan had to send them to
her son in small lots because he did not have room to store them all,
she said in December.
McGowan had been due to come home for leave around Easter, his father
said. VIEW
FULL ARTICLE HERE
March 6, 2005
FRITTERS
Marilyn
shares a beautiful picture with Ms. Janie: http://www.msjanie.com/2005photos/Marilyn_Fritters.html
Sly
shares with Ms. Janie
Ty's Score
Creator of
Beanie Babies has become a hotel magnate on South Coast Ty Warner and
his plush toy company, Ty Inc., exude an intentional air of whimsy and
mystery, much like Willy Wonka, who owned the chocolate factory in the
famous children's book. And the 60-year-old, self-made billionaire seems
to enjoy playing games like hide-and-seek and scavenger hunt when anyone
inquires about him or his fabulously successful Chicago-based toy
empire.
There's no company history or biographical information on the official Ty Web site and none available on request. The elusive Mr. Warner has given just a handful of personal interviews since those tiny pellet-filled Beanie Babies first gained star-status in the mid 1990s.
Few locals know much about
the man, although he has lived part time in Montecito since 1999 and has
steadily purchased Montecito's most exclusive hotel properties,
including the Four Seasons Biltmore and Coral Casino, the San Ysidro
Ranch and the Montecito Country Club, plus Goleta's Sandpiper Golf
Course.
Now Mr. Warner has announced his intention to buy the long-neglected
Miramar Hotel and remodel it to new heights of luxury. When the sale is
completed, it will give him a near monopoly on the ritziest lodgings and
clubs on the South Coast to add to his four-star holdings in New York,
Hawaii and Mexico. Much like the fans of the plush toy that made him
rich, it seems, Mr. Warner is a collector.
Despite Mr. Warner's reluctance to tell his own story, Beanie Baby fans and journalists over the years have pieced together a history that tracks his path from toy salesman to tycoon. Forbes magazine estimated his worth at $6 billion, and ranked him the 65th richest person in the world last year. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
PINKYS
NOT YET ANNOUNCED
Lynne shares
pictures with Ms. Janie of some Pinkys she picked up that have yet to be
announced on Ty.com. http://www.msjanie.com/2005photos/Lynne_PINKYS.html
March 5, 2005
BEANIES
TO SELL
Diana
writes: “Lisa and Ms. Janie, If at all possible, can you post a
link to the list of beanies I'd like to sell? My move is coming up next
month and I need to sell some if at all possible. I haven't been
organized in the past, but this time I made a list, although it was very
hard! If anyone has trouble viewing the list, tell them to let me know - dianacurtis@yahoo.com.
Sometimes Yahoo! Geocities blocks users if there are too many looking at
one time. I can send it someone personally. Thanks!” VIEW
FULL LISTING HERE
March 4, 2005
CHERISH
UPDATES
http://www.planetbeans.com/SuesCharityAuctions.htm
MUM GOES
DOWN UNDER & MORE
Michael shares the following: "According to a post on the Ty Talk Cyberboard Mum
is no longer listed as a UK exclusive but rather as a Europe, Australia, New
Zealand exclusive while there seems to be no region exclusive for the US
counterpart of Mum called Mom. After reading this post i checked it out and
the post is correct. Below is a link to the post and what the post says.
Michael"
http://www.ty.com/tytalk_Message_Display/1,1581,1_19-943777-0-1,00.html
Mum Adds More Regions to exclusivity...
thunderroadrider
(Mar 03, 2005, 02:09 PM)
Message Id: 943777
thunderroadrider writes: Previously, Mum was listed as a U.K.
exclusive but I looked today and the site now lists Mum as Europe, Australia,
New Zealand Exclusive!
But Mom is still listed without a region.
I do so hope exclusivity is a real word...
http://www.ty.com/3_detail?id=6228
Orono native develops award-winning WibblesJacquin compares the toys to Beanie Babies, except that unlike those cute collectibles, Wibbles are meant to be shared, a concept not often inherent in the development of toys.
In addition to besting Beanie Babies by promoting sharing, Jacquin said they may also be even cuter, because of their size. The one-inch by two-and-a-half-inch, fuzzy plush animals – everything from Hoppity the bunny to Rangey the grizzly bear – come in packages of two. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE
<< my comments: I wonder if there will be another copyright dispute over the name “Hoppity the bunny”. I guess tyme will tell! >>
ASK
TY
Q:
Do you like to draw and paint pictures of Beanies? (sub
