October 2003 News Archives

-=October 31, 2003=-
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
I hope this is a fun and safe night for all. :oD

MORE ON SUPER SHUTO
Bean Watcher receives more info from two of his readers. This Teenie Beanie Bopper will not be available at retail. More info can be found HERE

-=October 30, 2003=-
TEENIE BEANIE BOPPER EXCLUSIVE
Introducing Super Shuto
Shimizu S-Pulse Exclusive
http://www.ty.com/Super_Shuto

LOTS OF "STARDUST" AUCTIONS
I guess this shouldn't surprise me that there are already 20 auctions for this bear. What does surprise me is that EVERY "Stardust" on auction at eBay is being sold from someone in the United States. Why wouldn't people in the UK be selling this bear? Perhaps they know it will be extremely hard to come by. The lines at Harrods on Saturday will be a nightmare. If you are in the UK and you go to Harrods.. be prepared to wait a while.

One seller from Georgia has 71 of this bear on auction!! How does this seller know they will be able to obtain so many?! This same seller has 12 sets of the UK Trio of Rose, Thistle and Daffodil on auction. Curious minds want to know... how does a U.S. seller obtain so many sets of these HTF Beanies? Leaves you wondering doesn't it? :oD Ha.. I noticed this seller lives in the town next to mine. VIEW STARDUST AUCTIONS HERE

NOVEMBER INTRODUCTIONS
http://www.ty.com/BBD2_Nov03
BEANIES: Fins, Mukluk, Star (blue star), Toboggan

(my comments: Brenda picked up on this right away - There were actually two versions of the November Introductions posted: http://www.ty.com/BBD1_Nov03 (showing the STAR with gold star - this link was posted only for a short time before being changed to the 2nd version) and http://www.ty.com/BBD2_Nov03 (showing STAR with the blue star and a link to find a retailer selling this version).

NEW CHUBBLEY BEARS ~ SELLING QUICK!!
Kansas Brass & Pewter has sold out of September Releases but will be receiving second shipment any day. This shipment will include BG (UK Exclusive), Blaze (our famous dragon), Belfry, Cha Cha, Fossil and Topper.

October Releases of Majik, Noel, Snowflake, Scuba and small Cuddleys of Black, Brown and White are ordered and delivery expected in the next two weeks.

-=October 29, 2003=-
GOD BLESS OUR CALIFORNIA FRIENDS
I'd like to take a moment to express my heartfelt concern and warm thoughts going out to our California friends. It's absolutely heartbreaking watching the TV and seeing the destruction, people losing most of their possessions, loss of life and land. On Good Morning America this morning they interviewed a number of people that were packing up to evacuate their homes. They were talking about the possessions they choose to take with them. It was so sad to watch this woman hold up one item and saying in a teary voice "this is all I could find!". My heart breaks for these people and it makes me feel that much more thankful for what I have. Please take the time today to look around you and realize the riches that surround you could be gone in a heartbeat. BE THANKFUL!! If you live in Southern California.. please be safe and know that many of your friends are praying for you.

Cute, fuzzy Beanie Babies at the center of fraud trial
A Winthrop Harbor woman collected money for hundreds of Beanie Babies she sold over the Internet but never delivered to customers, Lake County prosecutors said Tuesday.

However, Nancy McKenna's defense attorney argued the problem is due to a business partner who mishandled the payments and the disappearance of the computer containing her records.

McKenna, 47, is on trial for computer fraud, wire fraud and theft before Associate Judge John Phillips. She faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

At the center of the case are hundreds of small collectible plush dolls, many of which increase in value as people across the world attempt to buy them before they are taken off the market, or "retired."

Like many other Beanie Baby sellers, McKenna offered hers through competitive bidding on the online auction site, eBay, during 2000.

Many items paid for by customers - including dolls with names such as Cashew Bear, Pecan Bear, Lefty Bear and Righty Bear - were among those found in the home, Fix said. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

One poor guy's descent into Beanie Baby hell
All an eBay customer wanted to do was sell a box of his ex's collection, and what does he get? Accusations!
If it's not already, it's only a matter of time before eBay becomes the topic of a 200-level sociology class at your favorite institution of higher learning.

What we have here is an unhappy (but soon to be much happier) divorced man striving for "closure" after his failed marriage, which left him with bad memories and a box of 21 Beanie Babies. Bidding started at $10, and the winner (one of 15 bidders) had to shell out $860 for the stuffed treasures.

The seller, by his own admission, will spend the money on beer and at Home Depot for tools "and cool stuff." What follows is his eBay sales pitch, edited for brevity -- but not bitterness:

Let me begin by explaining some very important details, this way I do not get 100's of silly e-mails asking me to photograph the hind end of some stuffed animals. I DO NOT KNOW (a thing) about these things. These belonged to my ex-wife, who had about 1,000 of these Beanie Babies, and when she moved, this one box of these got left behind, and now I am selling the goofy little things. Whatever money I make from them will be spent at the local Home Depot on tools and other cool stuff. I do not know which of these babies is retired or new, or whatever. I will list them in no particular order. I will tell you what its name is on the tag, if it has a plastic box or something. All these critters have been stored indoors, and are from a nonsmoking home. Again, please do not send me e-mails asking me to photograph this or that. I am starting the auction at $10, and at that price I figure you all can take a chance. I understand from a friend's wife that people are afraid to get fakes. FAKES? Fake plush toys? I was amazed. I thought people forged money, not children's toys. Well, I can only say that 99 percent of these goofy toys were bought with my money, from either the local Hallmark Store or one of the dozen or so Southern craft/collectibles stores I had to go to on a weekly basis buying these ridiculous toys years ago. Happy Bidding! Please take these critters from me so I can buy tools. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=October 28, 2003=-
Bears, Beans and Collectables Show
Daphne writes: "With under two weeks to go to the second Bears, Beans and Collectables Show in Chester, England, I'm wondering where the time has gone!

It may be a bit early, on 9 November, but this time it's a Christmas themed event, with not only plenty of bears and Beanies of all kinds for sale, but also some great charity angles:

The original Ty Europe Christmas tree has, kindly, been loaned to us and we're using it to raise funds, with CHERISH, for Cancer Research UK. Also for the same excellent cause, Sue is linking up with the Chubbleys to sell limited ediiton special bears, with the extra delight for visitors of being able to have their bears signed by designer, Darren

Santa is coming, although I have to convince him that his sleigh will NOT fit through the doors (you may think I'm joking on this one, but it's true!) Thanks to generous manufacturers, who've donated a mass of toys for Santa's Show Sack, every penny will go to support the fantastic Round Table's Childrens Wish organisation. More info on this at www.rtcw.org

As well as Beanies, Chubbleys, Steiff, Russ, Gund and other bears, there are individually made artists' bears, dolls houses, handmade bear chairs, cards and candles (could you really burn those?) ... collectors cards, pins, BBCM back issues and a mass of things that I'm sure people have forgotten to mention ... even a large rocking horse - what better place than Chester Racecourse to see a horse, anyway? We've arranged for free old bear valuations and Yu-Gi-Oh duels, too ... not forgetting the spot prizes that will spring up throughout the day for no particular reason, apart from helping to make our visitors even happier

The free children's activities went down an absolute treat last time and they're back this time - with a Christmas theme, of course, which just has to include a lot of glitter and stars ... poor carpets!

The Show starts at 10.00 am and will run until 3.30. Child entry is free, whilst all adults will pay just £1.50 Sorry if I went on a bit - that's an abridged version as well! Even more detail can be found at www.chestershow.com"

Regards Daphne
www.chestershow.com
www.bearsandbeans.com

NOVEMBER BEANIES
I have received the scans of the November 2003 releases from the Beanies & More magazine. I won't, however, be posting them because they are copyrighted. All I'll say about these new releases is you will be pleased with a few of them. The Harrods Exclusive "Stardust" is a Classic and I think he's cute! There are two versions of "Star" one is an Ideations Exclusive (with a blue star) and another "Star" (with a gold star) that isn't listed as a Hallmark Exclusive as it was thought to be. Should be interesting to see if the version with the gold star is going to be an exclusive and just wasn't listed that way in Beanies & More. Look for these November 2003 releases to be announced in the next few days, and as always, I'll keep you posted! :oD If you can't wait to see the NEWBIES you can VIEW PICTURES HERE

ONE TO SHARE: TY PRODUCTS IN DISCOUNT STORES
Barb shares with Ms. Janie the following comments regarding Ty products showing up in discount stores!
As an authorized Ty retailer I too, am very concerned when I see or hear about Ty products discounted in my selling area. The Boppers and Teenies were so heavily discounted in the Greensboro, NC area that I decided to do something with mine to end the confusion and dilemma of prices and availability of product. I donated all of them to 2 local charities, one is for abused families and the other is called Christmas Cheer, which sees that underprivileged kids get a little something under the tree (although most are in situations where no tree exists). I have seen the Buddies discounted and it does concern me, but alas, my Ty rep has "no idea" how or why they show up at discount. This is the same rep who never knows much about anything new, LOL, and I don't think she is playing games, I honestly believe corporate just does not extend information at certain levels. Who knows what they do with overruns and older stock. As a retailer I know I mark mine down and try to eliminate them with sales, but there are times when it is priced lower elsewhere and then I choose a charity and donate. Hummm....is it possible Ty does the same? I just wonder why Ty does not give the opportunity to it's loyal retailers to "dump" their mistakes. Most companies sell to discounters like Big Lots, Dollar Stores, TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning etc. I have yet to have my Ty rep approach me with overstock...now that would be an interesting idea...imagine if Ty just said, ok, if you buy $1000.00 worth of product (per category of course...) well, if you buy that then we'll sell you some discounted product, but, in order to qualify, you must also buy all the new items in the discounted category at regular wholesale prices. LOL** Hummm....Gosh, I hope I haven't given them an idea...LOL** Being in retail I find a lot of times companies will sell off large lots of "mistakes" to discounters because they buy in lots and pay way below the wholesale cost, now it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that Ty could be doing that, all the large companies do...just sad when you thought Ty was so special... Take care, Barbara

-=October 27, 2003=-
AUCTION SUCCESS ~ MESSAGE FROM SUE OWEN
Sue writes: "Well, this evening saw the close of the fourth and final week of auctions to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research.

This week's auctions raised a total of £274.39, making a grand total from all four weeks' worth of auctions of £1091.28!

MANY thanks for all of your support, whether it be bidding, publicising, donating or getting items signed or simply watching and enjoying!

From now until early December CHERISH will be listing more weekly auctions (each week a different theme), this time to raise funds for research into Children's Cancer. December is Children's Cancer Awareness Month and it seems only fitting that with Christmas looming up our thoughts turn to children.

www.boglin.net has been 're-vamped' (excuse that pun!) with a Halloween theme for this week. There are links to child-friendly websites bursting with Halloween Fun, which I hope may provide a little entertainment during the Half Term holidays!

On a more serious note, there is information about Children's Cancer on the Home Page and links to further information on the website and other sites.

This week's auction theme is, of course, Halloween. Next week we will be listing Patriotic items as our thoughts turn to Remembrance Day on November 11th. Click here to view this week's auctions

-=October 26, 2003=-
REMINDER: CHERISH CHARITY AUCTIONS (ending in just under 3 hours!)
Be sure to check out this week's CHERISH charity auctions. The items up for auction include items that Karen Mercer had signed when she was on the TV show 'This Morning' a short time ago. Also on auction.. a gorgeous decorated Halo Beanie Baby. VIEW AUCTIONS HERE

Making a difference overseas
NORTHFIELD - It all started when some guys who grew up in this town got sent to Iraq and Afghanistan.

That got some slightly younger Northfield residents wondering what they could do to make things easier on their neighbors over there. And when Lauren Grabowski, Alex Durante and Liz Salvatore checked, they found out that one thing the local guys really wanted was a way to show the children in those countries that these young Americans are there "as friends, not intruders."

So the three friends back in Northfield decided they were going to make a difference in their world by collecting school supplies, toys and books for the local guys and their buddies to give out to the children in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They called their project "From Home For The Brave," and on Saturday, this small, hometown effort broke out into a growing national movement called Make a Difference Day. It was one of at least a dozen or so organized attempts scheduled around Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Ocean counties to improve the world.

For Linda Grabowski, Lauren's mother, one of the most touching parts of the collection was watching young children only somewhat reluctantly donating favorite toys - like long-beloved Beanie Babies - to other children thousands of miles away. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

NOVEMBER RELEASES
Several readers have pointed out a post on the Ty Cyberboard with information about the November releases. What to look forward to: Gold Decade, two offers from the Ty Store, a penguin, seal, husky, two Hallmark exclusives, and a Classic called Stardust for Harrods in London. For more details VIEW POSTING HERE

-=October 25, 2003=-
2003 LIMITED PEWTER CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
La Rue of Kansas Brass & Pewter has put into production their 2003 limited pewter Christmas ornament. This is the 1st in a series of "memorable items" which will be dimensional in character. I am excited about this new direction in pewter ornaments. http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/kansaspewter/kbp.html

AUCTIONS OF INTEREST

Betty writes: "Hi all...I just added 2 chubbley's to ebay,I am trying to save enough money to get my baby girl a power point eaching system for christmas....Please feel free to check them out! http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/lovabledes/ "

-=October 24, 2003=-
MORE TY TRADEMARKS
Brenda shares: "I'm just viewing your link, to the Ty Europe LTD Card on the TY HARRODS BEAR! I think; not sure...just a hunch...that I know what this bear's name will be! I found, last night, where on July 10,2003....TY filed for a new Word Mark under the heading of Goods and Services: Plush Toys. The name is "BEARON"! Only TYme will tell, just what TY will have as a name for this bear."

NEW UK BEAR?
Tina shares with Ms. Janie a scan of the card (not the bear) she received from Ty Europe about a mystery bear coming to Harrods. VIEW HERE

MORE ON THE NEW UK BEAR
Daphne shares the following: Some more information on the bear to be launched on 1 November at Harrods
He is NOT a Beanie - phew! Harrods describe him as a 'proper bear'
His name is Stardust
He's creamy, with brown bits giving a furry effect; soft fur plush
Wears a gold neck ribbon with bow
On his foot he has 'Harrods Toy Kingdom by Ty'
Retail price of £12.95
In a limited edition, we gather, with only 500 being made available on the day. The total l/e of 3000 is being quoted, but we've not had that confirmed officially. He can be ordered by phone but NOT until 1 November. Harrods will be strict on this. www.bearsandbeans.com

ASK TY
Q: In short, can you explain the process to create a Beanie? Which one took you the longest? (submitted by NoDoubtLuver)
A: Beanies begin their life as a pencil sketch, or a watercolor and sometimes even a doodle. Prototypes are made from the sketches and are tweaked until I feel they are the best they can be. Of all the Beanies introduced this month, Chillin' was my biggest challenge.

STAR BEANIE BABY
On September 16th Brenda informed me that Ty had a new trademark registered to use the word STAR on 07/25/03. It seems that this will be the name of a possible new Beanie Baby. According to Ms. Janie several of her readers have been able to confirm this and one has shared a picture of this Beanie Baby. For the picture VIEW HERE More details can be found HERE. Another picture of this Beanie can be found HERE

Sue Owen (in the middle) is presenting a cheque on behalf of CHERISH to Lizzie Melvin (regional Cancer Research UK rep) along with Darren Barker of Chubbley Limited. WTG Sue! :oD

DONATION TO CANCER RESEARCH UK
Sue writes: "I'm delighted to tell you that yesterday I was finally able to present a giant cheque for £5000 raised earlier this year, to Lizzie Melvin, my regional Cancer Research UK rep.

I was joined by Darren Barker of Chubbley Ltd, who has done so much to help the fund raising, both in terms of donations of products and of support and time.

The presentation took place outside of my local toy shop Bagatelle Toys of Marlow where the owner has helped me with prize draws and charity sales and who is currently donating £2 profit from each Ty 'Cure' sold to the charity

£500 of the amount handed over yesterday has gone specifically to Breast Cancer Research. There will be around £1500 added to that at a later date, resulting from the sponsorship for Stride for Life and the October auctions on eBay.

As the final set of auctions in aid of Breast Cancer Research close this Sunday at & pm GMT (remember the clocks go back this Sunday) a new set of spooky items will start.

All auctions in November and December, along with other fund rasisers during that period, will be raising funds for Children's Cancer Research.

For photos of yesterday's presentation, please click here"

SHOW BEANIES SHELF SITTING
Gwyn writes: "Hi Lisa! It's Gwyn from Virginia -- I got my shipped confirmation on my BBOC stuff this morning! :) My husband has been spending a lot of time in hospitals lately, blah. The Fairfax Hospital gift shop has a giant bin of Fizz, Toast and Bravo Buddy just sitting. They also stock a LOT of Classics, I noticed, more than Beanies or Buddies in fact."

<my comments: It's interesting that the show Beanies are now shelf sitters in some areas when people were scrambling to find them a short time ago. This often happens after a desired Beanie has been out for a bit. Patience is the key to Beanie hunting so you don't stress yourself out trying to find that certain Beanie or go broke in the process. LOL>

-=October 23, 2003=-
BBOC ITEMS SHIPPING
Marc, Connie, and Sandy have emailed stating their BBOC items have been shipped. Look for them to start arriving very soon! :oD

ORDERING CORNBREAD BY MAIL
Daphne writes: "hi lisa, i received my ty cornbread tuesday late afternoon, i was expecting them in the mail and was surprised when ups delivered them to my apt. they are so cute, it only took 4 days from the time cracker barrel emailed me to receiving them. this was definitely an easy way for anyone who cannot get to a cracker barrel or who do not have a cracker barrel in there state. thanks daphne:)"

REMINDER: CHERISH CHARITY AUCTIONS
Be sure to check out this week's CHERISH charity auctions. The items up for auction include items that Karen Mercer had signed when she was on the TV show 'This Morning' a short time ago. Also on auction.. a gorgeous decorated Halo Beanie Baby. VIEW AUCTIONS HERE

Questions We'd Never Ask a Real Lady
What year would you visit if you could travel back in time and why?
1998. I would stop myself from investing my life's savings on Beanie Babies.

<I thought it best not to share the link to this article/website since there is inappropriate things for younger aged people to view! I did, however, want to share this question and answer with you because I know many of you can relate. LOL>

Omaha Team Taking Hope To Iraq
OMAHA, Neb. -- A group of Omaha nurses and volunteers is headed to Iraq in November. It will be their second trip in less than six months.

The group is the Omaha Disaster Relief Fund and its goal is to bring both medical and emotional assistance to the Iraqi people and the American troops in the country. The Rapid Response team leaves for Iraq Nov. 8.

On their first trip to Iraq, the nurses said the conditions in the hospitals and clinics were like nothing they had ever seen before. There was no electricity, no water, no way to feed the patients and very little medication.

"They are very anxious for us to come back and bring more supplies for them because the need is so great," said Kris Donlan, a registered nurse on the Rapid Response team. "Anything that anyone can give, as far as medical supplies, we will gladly take."

The team is looking for any kind of donations: money, medical supplies, stuffed animals -- preferably Beanie Babies because of their size -- and a digital camera. Donations can be made to Trinity Church at 15555 West Dodge Rodd. The phone number is (402) 330-5724, and you should ask for the missions department. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

CLUBBY VI TRIO ARRIVES...
These are the first pictures that have surfaced so far of the newest Clubby Bears. A special thanks to Linda from the UK for sharing her great picture! :oD Gorgeous bears! VIEW HERE

-=October 22, 2003=-
Beanie Babies sale benefits United Way
Palm Beach County Bank of America banking centers are currently selling Beanie Babies as a fund-raiser for its United Way campaign.

Eleven different styles of collectible Beanie Babies will be on sale for $6 apiece at all bank branches through Nov. 24. Some of the styles available include 2003 Holiday Bear, Mistletoe Holiday Bear, Halo the Angel Bear, Kicks the Soccer Bear and Fortune the Panda Bear.

For more information about the campaign, stop by any Bank of America branch, or contact the United Way of Palm Beach County at 375-6624. VIEW STORY HERE

-=October 21, 2003=-
CHERISH CHARITY AUCTIONS
Be sure to check out this week's CHERISH charity auctions. The items up for auction include items that Karen Mercer had signed when she was on the TV show 'This Morning' a short time ago. Also on auction.. a gorgeous decorated Halo Beanie Baby. VIEW AUCTIONS HERE

Stuffed friends teach kids worldly lessons
WASHINGTON TWP. -- Bon Voyage, Beanie Babies.

Thanks to a warm send-off from Birches Elementary School third-graders, over 125 stuffed animals are going to see supermarkets, shopping malls, cities and the world.

On Friday, an assortment of Beanie Babies, teddy bears and other stuffed creatures became "travel mates," as they were handed off to parents, who will in turn hand them off to a well-traveled friend or family member for the next six months. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Paybacks Ordered In Beanie Baby Hoax
PITTSBURGH -- A Tarentum man who allegedly bilked more than $18,000 from people using the Internet must refund his victims' money, but he won't go to jail.

Federal prosecutors say Jeffrey Diller claimed to be selling Beanie Babies and Rolex watches on auction sites, but he never sent the promised goods to the buyers.

Diller, 34, will spend six months on house arrest and serve five years of probation. VIEW STORY HERE

-=October 20, 2003=-
CHERISH AUCTIONS ~ MESSAGE FROM SUE OWEN
Sue writes: "Good evening, I wanted to share with you the great news that tonight's auctions closed with a grand total of £377.50!

There was some frantic last-minute bidding which saw the main rises in closing price of the special Cure Ty Beanie donated by Ellen Nuebel, with custom-made necklace donated by Lisa LaMoy of www.planetbeans.com (£83) and the plush Tatty Teddy donated and signed by its designer Mike Payne aka 'Miranda' (£82). As well as two very excited new owners I suspect that there will also be some disappointed people out there tonight!

The good news is that Marie Dyson of www.aboutbeanies.com has donated a wonderful decorated Breast Cancer Awareness Halo I Ty Beanie for auction, starting tonight. The artist was featured in Mary Beth's Beanies and More magazine in the May - June 2002 issue.

The rest of the auctions are all for items which 'Princess' Karen Mercer had signed for CHERISH when she appeared on the ITV1 TV show 'This Morning' a few weeks ago. She won herself a Billionaire 5 Ty Beanie in the process and took the time to get some appropriate beanies signed by the celebrities on the show. These include Joseph Peace Bear donated by the UK Queen of Peace Bears - Daphne Roberts (!) - signed by the star of the UK stage production, Philip Schofield and Ferny Beanie donated by The In Thing, signed by Fern Britton, the co-host of the show. There is also a Ty tee shirt which was donated by Ty Europe for Karen to have signed.

Many thanks for your support and interest - without that this would be impossible! Best wishes, Sue Owen"

COLLECTING BEANIES FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Marie from About Beanies writes: "We are collecting Beanies & Buddies for Children in need for the The Dr. Laura Schlessinger Foundation My Stuff Bags Program. They collect items to add to goodie bags for children in need all around the USA, and what could be better then a Beanie?"

For more details I have a website set up here: http://www.aboutbeanies.com/Collecting_Beanies.html

CORNBREAD ~ ONLINE ORDERING
Daphne writes: "hi lisa, just an update on the crackle barrel cornbread beanie, i received an email on wed. from customer relations saying they were in the process of packing up my beanie babies to be sent to me, the cost for 2 beanies plus shipping and handling came to $17.93. they should be here hopefully by monday, will let you know. thanks, daphne (vancouver, wa.)"

-=October 19, 2003=-
CHERISH AUCTION REMINDER (ending in just under THREE hours!)
The auctions started with a BANG but have since slowed to a crawl! Check out what Sue has on auction now and be sure to take a peek at the auction with the one-of-a-kind "Beanie necklace" I made with Swarovski Pearls and sterling silver to go on CURE. This "Beanie necklace" can be taken off the bear and worn as a bracelet because I included an extender chain on it so it will fit most wrists. Sue made a gorgeous "Beanie sweater" for CURE. There are lots of other items to choose from including autographed Tatty Teddies and autographed Ty Beanies. View the full list of auctions at: http://cgi6.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=sue_owen&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50

Rocca: Red Sox hangover makes for queasy start
NEW YORK -- The TV broadcast says it's the World Series. The ticket prices say it's the World Series. The fancy logos on the field say it's the World Series. But it sure doesn't feel like the World Series, at least not after one game.

Last night at the Stadium felt a lot more like an interleague game with more media, a regular-season game with a Beanie Baby giveaway crowd, anything but a World Series game. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=October 18, 2003=-
NO NEWSLETTER TODAY
Topica is performing system maintenance so I am unable to send out a newsletter today.

CHERISH AUCTION REMINDER (ending in just over ONE day!)
The auctions started with a BANG but have since slowed to a crawl! Check out what Sue has on auction now and be sure to take a peek at the auction with the one-of-a-kind "Beanie necklace" I made with Swarovski Pearls and sterling silver to go on CURE. This "Beanie necklace" can be taken off the bear and worn as a bracelet because I included an extender chain on it so it will fit most wrists. Sue made a gorgeous "Beanie sweater" for CURE. There are lots of other items to choose from including autographed Tatty Teddies and autographed Ty Beanies. View the full list of auctions at: http://cgi6.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=sue_owen&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50

NOTE FROM SUE OWEN: "The current CHERISH auctions will close tomorrow evening at 8 pm British Summer Time

The two special Cure Beanies are currently fetching a total of £100 between them but it would be great if the bidding pushed that total still further!

There are still some amazing bargains to be picked up - it makes me want to weep when I see how little the Tatty Teddy items are currently sitting at! The chance to buy one of these items signed by its designer is rare indeed! I was asked about the plush bear having the signature 'Miranda' on its paw instead of 'Mike Payne' - that is Mike's pen name, taken after a favourite boat! It would probably cost you more to buy a similar-size unsigned bear in the shops at retail, so do take a look at it - all proceeds to Breast Cancer Research, don't forget!

Tomorrow the items will go on auction that Karen Mercer had signed when she appeared as a guest on the ITV show 'This Morning' and famously won herself the Billionaire 5 Beanie! These include a Joseph Peace Beanie with memorabilia from the UK stage production of Joseph in which Philip Schofield starred. All of the Beanies on auction will come displayed in a case with a special card inside with the relevant information. As well as the Beanies there is the chance to own a wonderful
Ty Tee Shirt signed by Fern Britton and Philip Schofield! The Tee Shirt was donated by Ty Europe and is great quality
It would be a fantastic item to display in a frame!

Also listed will be a beautiful decorated Halo donated by Marie Dyson of www.aboutbeanies.com This bear was decorated for Breast Cancer Awareness by Dawn Frank of Southern Ohio. She and her Beanies were featured in the May-June 2002 issue of Mary Beth's Beanies and More magazine

Have a great weekend and don't forget to come and watch the auctions close tomorrow! Sue Owen"

Tarentum man sentenced
PITTSBURGH: A Tarentum man was sentenced Friday in federal court on a mail fraud conviction.

Jeffrey Alan Diller, 34, of East Seventh Avenue was sentenced by District Judge Donetta Ambrose to six months of home detention and five years of probation.

Diller was accused of selling items on the Internet and accepting money for them, but never mailing the merchandise to customers, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's office in Pittsburgh.

Diller allegedly sold the items, including Beanie Babies and Rolex watches, from September 1999 to December 2000, prosecutors said. He reportedly pleaded guilty before Ambrose in July. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

The ho-hum World Series
Yanks vs. Marlins not the same as Cubs facing Sox

Florida's youth gives them edge over New York
NEW YORK—Not since the value of Beanie Babies crashed through the floor have major league baseball fans felt so ripped off.

It's World Series time again and baseball denizens are flocking to coffee shops everywhere to ply themselves with enough caffeine to get through tonight's Game 1. Not that the New York Yankees versus the Florida Marlins at Yankee Stadium isn't a great draw for folks living in the Big Apple and the retirees who used to reside here but have since moved to Miami Beach.

For everyone else in North America, the fact neither of these teams is the Chicago Cubs or Boston Red Sox makes this Fall Classic at best a so-so way to kill three hours of tube time until Saturday Night Live kicks in. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=October 17, 2003=-
COLORFUL DECORATING
Kim writes: "Lisa-- I saw the article about the 'colorful couple' that has spent hours decorating...I too am one of those...if you're interested...here is a link to my page...you already have a picture of my beanie display (Kim). http://webpages.charter.net/kbrayton/decopant.html

The Armchair Millionaire Guild to Investing in Collectibles
Risk. Collectibles are among the riskiest of all investments. While they can go up in value, they can also drop. If you buy at the peak of a collectable's popularity (remember Beanie Babies?), it will probably end up being worth less than you paid for it.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The chances of Grandpa's antique fishing lure funding your retirement years are slim. While investing in collectibles might be fun, it's likely to be highly profitable only if you're an expert and you use the same discipline to make those investments as you would any other. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

ASK TY
Q: Do you design all the Beanies for the whole year at one time or do you plan just a few? (submitted by galute)
A: Beanie Baby design and creation is done almost every day of the year. I find that the more spontaneous my thoughts and ideas are, the better the designs are. There is rarely a day that goes by that I'm not sketching something ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

-=October 16, 2003=-
NEWSLETTER NOTE
I've just checked with Topica and have noticed that there were a LOT of hotmail.com newsletter bounces today. If you don't receive your newsletter... please just come to this page to catch up and if this problem continues you may want to check with your email provider.

Textured painting adds unique designer look to home
Wendy and Duane Wagner have put hours of decorating time into their modular home using many unique painting techniques to give their walls an "other than white paint" look. Their living room is done with four coats of cornflower blue, then softened with a lime wash in an "x" pattern.

Each room was decorated to match the family member's personality. Nicole, who is eight, loves garden flowers, whimsical fairies and Beanie Babies. Her room is done in shades of lavender and sage then decorated with a white painted garden fence around the room that has little gold dusted fairies and morning glories peeking through the pickets. (Bottom) Wendy's office is painted a deep burgundy then accented with dramatic seven inch, metallic silver paint stripes. Chrome strip bar lighting aimed strategically at the stripes make the silver metallic even more dimensional.

"I wanted something really special for our youngest child, Nicole, who is eight. She loves fairies and loves her huge collection of Beanie Babies. So we began to incorporate both into decorating her room. I painted the walls a soft, shimmery lavender and the carpet is a complimentary soft, sage green. Then, I asked an artist friend of mine to help me paint a picket fence around the bottom of the entire room. Intertwined in the pickets are vines of morning glories and here and there is a garden fairy peeking out from behind a picket or a flower. The whole fence decoration was slightly dusted with gold fairy dust. VIEW FULL STORY & PICTURES HERE

-=October 15, 2003=-
INVITATION TO JOIN
Steve writes: "hi lisa, this is steve writing to let you know that i am currently hosting a contest in my group, always beanies trade and sell on yahoo. i am asking for your help to help get my members excited and start posting in our little group and maybe muster up some excitement and maybe a few new members in the process. i have randomly selected 10 post numbers and am giving them to you to hold for safe keeping so noone can call foul later in the game. i am also asking for your help by maybe mentioning this contest in your newsletter and asking folks to come over and take a look at our group and possibly join. we have lots of fun with games, contest, chats, gift exchanges on holidays, birthday and anniversary announcements and lots more. we are a close group that has a common intrest in one thing.....ALL THINGS TY. i believe you have the link to our little group, as sandy is advertising your bracelets in our group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ABtradeandsell/

For some, Beanie Baby hunt is still on
Erin, Maple, Valentine, Peace and Glory.

If you recognize those names as famous Beanie Babies, you probably were on the hunt six years ago, during the height of the craze, for the beloved stuffed creatures. If you recognize Angeline, Baby Camper and Beasley, perhaps you are still collecting the critters.

As a person out of the original Beanie loop, I wondered what ever happened to all of those obsessed shoppers and their loot. I knew they still sold Beanie Babies, but you don't have to line up to get them.

MaryLynne Barber, owner of Abby's Cards and Gifts in Edmonds, no longer has to keep Beanie Babies under cover until they make it to the display shelf.

"I was one of those who stood in line," Sherman said. "Now I'm trying to fill in the collection."

If you ever drove by a store those years ago and saw all ages lined up at 6 a.m., it was a Beanie crowd. They followed tips hither and yon, traveled in secret packs to potential locations, trying to secure new issues from Ty. There was an underground railroad of rumors. VIEW FULL STORY & PICTURE HERE

-=October 14, 2003=-
News briefs from California's Central Coast
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) - Rehabilitation of the historic Coral Casino in Montecito has detractors unhappy over plans for a third story on the beachfront structure.

Beanie Babies mogul Ty Warner's three-year, $30 million proposal to bring the weathered Coral Casino to its 1937 glory got an overwhelming endorsement from the club's 1,600 members. The county is reviewing the proposal and it's heading for a hearing before the Montecito Planning Commission.

Three county-approved historians hired by Warner to review the project have given their OK after three years of often contentious meetings between members, architects, historians, residents and the owner.

But a small but vocal group of preservation advocates doesn't like the plan, saying it is an affront to architect Gardner Dailey's original design of what he called his "gem of the Pacific."

The main issue is a proposal to raise La Perla restaurant from the first floor to the second, where a members-only deck with 360-degree views would be added to the roof. They argue that the addition of a third-story creates a dramatic imbalance to the structure.

"While a lot of time and hard work went into this plan, the essence of it is actually very pure and simple (and loyal to Dailey's design)," Warner said. "We want to improve services, re-engage the club with the spectacular surrounding views of the ocean and mountains, and return some of the historic beauty that has been lost over the years."

The Coral Casino serves guests at the adjacent Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel, also owned by Warner. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

No room for homework in backpacks
The education wing of The Brookings Institution think tank in D.C. is telling us to throw out any mistaken images that the kids are coming home lugging backpacks loaded down with weighty tomes to do endless, excessive homework.

The education wing of The Brookings Institution think tank in D.C. is telling us to throw out any mistaken images that the kids are coming home lugging backpacks loaded down with weighty tomes to do endless, excessive homework.

"Whatever we buy has to fit into my backpack to take to school so I can play with my friends at recess."

Books? What books? They bring home almost weightless worksheets. So parents don't have to worry about their kids injuring their backs by carrying big and heavy tomes. The backpacks don't have room for them.

Granddaughter Kate, also a third-grader, opens up her backpack and pulls out a collection of Beanie Babies, including one on lend-lease from a friend. The animals are swapped at lunch time for sleepovers. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

<my comments: It amazes me how heavy kids backpacks are these days. There have been numerous studies done on the harm heavy backpacks will cause to your children. My kids use the rolling backpacks now although many of the students they go to school with think those are "un-cool". LOL Here's part of an article that will give you more background on how harmful those heavy backpacks can be: "Repeatedly carrying a backpack weighing over 10-15 percent of bodyweight may lead to back problems," Bloom continues. "Also wearing the backpack for extended periods of time such as walking home from school or around campus may increase the risk of injury. READ MORE HERE>

HALLOWEEN PETS... I received some really amusing pictures of animals dressed up for Halloween so I placed them on a page for all to see. :oD http://www.planetbeans.com/HalloweenPets.htm

-=October 13, 2003=-
CHERISH AUCTION REMINDER
The auctions started yesterday with a BANG! Check out what Sue has on auction now and be sure to take a peek at the auction with the one-of-a-kind "Beanie necklace" I made with Swarovski Pearls and sterling silver to go on CURE. This "Beanie necklace" can be taken off the bear and worn as a bracelet because I included an extender chain on it so it will fit most wrists. Sue made a gorgeous "Beanie sweater" for CURE. There are lots of other items to choose from including autographed Tatty Teddies and autographed Ty Beanies. View the full list of auctions at: http://cgi6.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=sue_owen&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50

Colorful characters leap onto the list of kids' must-haves
Nothing sells like word of mouth, especially when the mouth belongs to a kid and the word is about a hot new toy.

With TV commercials timed to the start of school and the supernatural power of kid-to-kid marketing, the popularity of a product called Mighty Beanz is in overdrive.

If eBay is a measure of hotness, consider this: Bids for a re cent offer of all 60 of the collectible's first series opened at $49.99. By late last week, the top offer hit $252.49 with 31 hours left to bid.

"Any time we get them, they're gone in a day," said Johanna Markko , manager of KB Toys at Westfield Shoppingtown Midway in Elyria.

If Pet Rocks, Mood Rings, Cabbage Patch Dolls, Tamagotchis, Beanie Babies, Pogs, Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles taught us anything, it's not to ignore those flashes of brilliance we routinely dismiss as silly.

Mighty Beanz are shaped like a pill capsule the size of a thumb joint, with a ball bearing inside. When a bean is flicked, the bearing shifts, making the bean move a bit awkwardly. They're promoted as a 21st-century Mexican jumping bean.

"All they do is kind of, like, flip," said Mandy Pavlik, a sales associate at Wal-Mart in Brooklyn, where Mighty Beanz were sold out at the moment. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=October 12, 2003=-
CHUBBLEY BEARS ~ "CLEANING HOUSE"
SALE "Cleaning House" at Kansas Brass & Pewter until October 31 on Retired Chubbley, Exclusives and Cubs. Making room for the coming new Chubbley Ltd items which will be arriving this coming week. http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/kansaspewter/cb.html

K-9 dogs ‘turn it off’ when they go off duty
If you watch the TV show "Cops" regularly, you might think the dogs are downright mean. They bark real loud as they chase suspects through fields and alleys, and they don't hesitate to use their teeth as they trap their "prey."

But TV only shows one side of it. The use of vicious dogs in police work went out of fashion decades ago. In their place are highly trained canines that might attack someone on command one minute and lick the same person's hand 15 minutes later. They are always under control when on the job. But when the shift is over, most go home with their handlers and act like regular dogs.

K-9 officers from all over the country talked about their dogs last week when they came to Atlantic County for the United States Police Canine Association's national-level competitions. Most said their dogs live at home with them and get along fine with the family's pet dogs. Don't even mention cats in front of them. These guys are definitely dog people.

Sonic, a Belgian Malinois who works with Officer Dale Briggs on the streets of Algona, Iowa, sleeps in a kennel in the back yard. But the dog does come inside in bad weather, Briggs said.

"When we first brought him in as a puppy, some Beanie Babies didn't quite make it," Briggs said. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

A unique and beautiful duo Cure Ty Beanie Baby with a Swarovski pearl and sterling silver Cancer Awareness necklace
Cure has been donated by Ellen Nuebel
The necklace has been donated by its designer and creator, Lisa LaMoy of www.planetbeans.com

This beautiful necklace is a ‘one-off’ and will never be repeated Made from tiny pink and white Swarovski pearls with sterling silver beads in between Hanging from the necklace is a sterling silver cancer awareness ribbon charm The beanie necklace has been made with silver extender chain so that it can be removed from the Beanie and worn as a bracelet - if you can bear to remove it!

This special bear and necklace will be available on auction on eBay from this Sunday - don't miss it!

I am taking part in the Stride for Life this Sunday Details are on the Home Page of www.boglin.net I'm sure that a Cure will be coming along too! Photos and updates will be posted after the event I will be presenting the giant cheque for the £5000 already raised by CHERISH this year and raising over £200 in sponsorship during the event To sponsor me in the Stride for Life please click here

Best wishes, Sue

ASK TY (sorry forgot to add in yesterday!)
Q: Would you ever consider making a museum to display all your products? (submitted by huetrang)
A: Last year we celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the teddy bear. I believe there are many historical and wonderful pieces of plush that could fill a museum. Would I ever consider building this museum? . . . . Yes! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

-=October 10, 2003=-
NEWSLETTER PROBLEMS
I've seen many "bounced" newsletters and have recently noticed a big group of them bouncing from ntlworld.com. If you are subscribed with the ntlworld.com ISP you may want to contact them to find out what the problem may be. I would also like to suggest to those of you that are having problems receiving your daily newsletters... consider signing up for a free, Internet-based email address, whether it be with planetbeans.com, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc. etc. I have rarely noticed problems with these free email accounts. I have noticed that AOL, MSN, and some of the other pay service accounts are the main problems. If you are having problems with your newsletter subscription.. please let me know. Lisa@planetbeans.com

PHONE ORDERING CORNBREAD
Daphne J wrote in yesterday with the following: "hi lisa, since i live in washington state i found there are no cracker barrels in the state or in oregon either. so i emailed cracker barrel to see how i could get my hands on cornbread. i received a very nice email from jason hill from guest relations he said to call customer service at 1 800 333 9566 and i could order the beanie, i was not sure this would work as i could not order herschel this way and had to get my sister who at the time was able to get him for me but cannot now. anyway i called and spoke to a very nice lady who told me i could order as many as 4 they are $5.99 each with shipping at around $5.00 she said she would have to check on that as i was the first to call an order in, she said they were expecting them after oct 15th and will send an email to let me know when shipped and full price. anyway i will let you know when i hear more. thanks daphne :)"

EBay's shares reach high set during Internet-bubble
Shares of EBay Inc. closed at their highest level since the record set during the height of the Internet bubble, boosted by investors clamoring to own one of the few profitable online companies to survive that mania.

The Web auctioneer's shares rose $1.78 to $60.25 at 4:30 p.m. New York time on the Nasdaq Stock Market, just below the $60.94 closing high set on March 24, 2000. The San Jose, California-based company's stock has more than doubled in the past year, pushing its market value to $38.6 billion, more than Nike Inc. and AT&T Corp. combined.

"EBay has done as well or better than was expected of it at the height of the bubble, and there aren't many -- if any -- other examples of that," said Marc Klee, manager of the $500 million John Hancock Technology Fund, which owns shares of EBay and Amazon.com Inc.

The stock is at a much lower valuation than in March 2000, when shares traded for more than 2,800 times profit. EBay has become more mainstream, evolving from a site for collectibles like Beanie Babies, to a marketplace where people can shop for items ranging from baseball cards to jet aircraft. The company has even become a fixture in popular culture, popping up in jokes on late-night television shows and as the subject of a parody in a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic. VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

-=October 9, 2003=-
WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT COLLECTING BEANIE BABIES?
I know a number of people have stopped collecting and others that used to buy every Beanie made are only picking one up here and there. I don't purchase near as many as I used to. I'm in the group of people that may pick one up from time to time but it has to be one that I really really want. I've been using my money for more important things such as buying things for my kids and bracelet supplies.. both of which I enjoy doing so much more than collecting.

ome of you have tried to sell your collections and are finding you would be lucky to even get $2 a piece out of your Beanies and the exclusives.. forget those! Remember when you had to pay a lot for the elusive exclusive? Well they are barely worth retail these days and if you try and sell them as part of a collection.. you won't get much for them. If you have Beanies to sell.. I'd suggest you don't try and sell as a complete set but break them up into groups to make more money. If you have comments to share please email me at Lisa@planetbeans.com with "thoughts on collecting" in the subject line

*BRENDA'S CURE PICTURES* Brenda writes: "Hi, Lisa! Stopped in at the local Pharmacy, today; to pick up a newspaper for my hubby, on my way to an appointment. When I walked into the store; on my left was their display of TY Producuts, there setting on the top shelf was CURE. I had to pick one up. Thought you would like to see my scans of her. She is a pretty light pink. And; I like her ribbon, that TY had attached in place of the usual button."

Communities still healing from terror of snipers' gun
An angel in a pouch
ROCKVILLE -- The teddy bear is weathered and forlorn, its red-and-green scarf testament to the season it was placed on the pole. A plastic wreath with a rust-orange bow hangs over the bear, just over the plain wooden cross with the letters C.J. nailed on it.On a side street off Nicholson Lane just south of bustling Rockville Pike, the memory of James L. "Sonny" Buchanan lives on. On a neatly mowed narrow strip of lawn, a telephone pole has become an unlikely memorial. Strapped to its side is a pink flamingo Beanie Baby and a tan Gaithersburg High School pennant. Dangling from the other side is a gray suede pouch with a silver angel tucked inside. A bouquet of flowers wrapped in lavender cellophane and tied to the pole has dried and turned dark -- much like Oct. 3, 2002, turned out to be. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Ty name? Super mascot Scoop, Beanie Baby Scoop the Pelican
From: Ms. Janie
The Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee may have been scooped on the name of its new mascot. The committee unveiled the new mascot -- Scoop, a pelican -- during Sunday's Jaguars game. Jacksonville will host the Super Bowl in 2005. But Ty Inc., makers of the Beanie Babies plush toy line, created Scoop the Pelican in 1996. Now the question is: Is there enough room in this world for two Scoops? Committee spokeswoman Heather Surface said she doesn't think there's a problem, in part because the Super Bowl mascot is Scoop -- not Scoop the Pelican -- as it was listed in a first reference on a committee news release. "It's an original character created by the Dalton Agency, starting with a blank sheet of paper," Surface said. Ty's company Web site, Ty.com, refers to "Scoop the Pelican." However, the actual tags on the toy say "Scoop" -- with no mention of "the Pelican" -- followed by the trademark symbol. Ty's director of marketing, Scott Wehrs, said he couldn't answer questions about the name until next week. "I guess we probably can't comment on this right now," he said. But an Orlando attorney who specializes in intellectual property issues said Ty is known for enthusiastically safeguarding its creations. "Ty is, at least they have been, very aggressive in protecting their rights,"Ava Doppelt said. "Is there a likelihood of confusion? That's the legal standard." The company's Web site mentions trademark and copyright infringement. "Ty inc. has taken and will continue to take vigorous legal action against those who have participated directly or indirectly in intellectual property infringement," the Web site says. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

CHECKLISTS & INFO PAGES UPDATED
The checklists and various info pages have been updated as new releases and retirements occur. For the most updated information I invite you to visit: http://www.planetbeans.com/beanie_info.htm

-=October 8, 2003=-
It tastes like chicken: Ripon's nugget craze
While mainstream society has recently been obsessed with things as random as pet rocks, Beanie Babies and Furbies, small-town Ripon currently has its own inexplicable obsession: chicken nuggets.

"Chicken Nugget Day has become an obsession around the Ripon campus," says sophomore Zena Bauer. "Although I am not as insanely intrigued by this Thursday specialty as many other students, I definitely appreciate the enthusiasm that prevails when those chicken nuggets hit the menu." VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Couple urge against riding in reclined car seat
She did it all the time.

Three years ago, on a clear September afternoon, 11-year-old Jamie Pannebecker, tired after a long day in sixth grade, decided to take a nap on the way home.

She reclined the front passenger seat and quickly fell asleep. Jamie's older brother was driving and at some point on Shackleford Road near Florissant, he fell asleep. The car ran off the road and slammed into a utility pole.

She made up elaborate, imaginary stories with her scores of Beanie Baby stuffed animals, and read for hours perched in a maple tree in the front yard. If an unsuspecting person walked by below, she'd call out and make them jump.

"She called herself Joyful Jamie," her mother says. "Because she was such a good kid, that makes things all the harder." VIEW FULL STORY HERE

BILLY 6
Billionaire 6 is now listed in the CURRENTS section of Ty.com. VIEW HERE
On eBay there are 10 auctions currently for this gorgeous bear. VIEW AUCTIONS HERE

RETIREMENTS
http://www.ty.com/Oct03_ret
BEANIES: Bonzer, Nutty, Snocap, Tabs
BUDDIES: Beanie, Cheery, Clover, Knuckles, Matti
TEENIE BEANIE BOPPERS: Sailor Sam
BEANIE BOPPERS: Silly Sara

-=October 7, 2003=-
Curious girl rarely bored
ELKHART -- Skipping by their mom's box of recyclables, most children would see a bin of garbage. Not Ashley Wine. She sees a toy chest.

The 11-year-old has been known to dig through the plastics and cans, down deep for the cardboard paper towel and toilet paper tubes.

"Yeah, I made a telescope from a paper towel roll once," she said, "and a guitar with a Lunchables box, some string and a paper towel roll."

<in the pic> Ashley Wine, 11, holds 17 of her almost 30 Beanie Babies. She's turned them into a "community" in her room, something typical of her imagination. The fifth-grader is rarely bored.x

FAREWELL MY ANGEL TWIN
Kayleigh Forte died holding hands with her 17-year-old twin Kim and cousin Matthew, also 17.

The Teignmouth teenager, who fought a lifelong battle with the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis, will be buried in a coffin full of her Beanie Baby soft toy collection. Prayer services for the tiny teenager with the big personality were said by all 40 forms at her former school, St Cuthbert Mayne, in Torquay, yesterday.

Kayleigh's mum Sue, of Beechwood Court, Teignmouth, said: "She died at 3.20pm on Saturday after a long, hard battle. She went peacefully in her sleep." VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Profiting From Online Auction Sites
You can create a bidding frenzy and sell more products on large online auction sites if you follow this eight-step plan from our Internet marketing expert.

What's all the hype about online auctions? Why are we hearing so much about them? Are they really profitable? And how can you get involved?

Online auctions have effectively created a giant virtual marketplace where people can gather to buy, sell, trade and check out the goods of the day. They're enormously popular, high-traffic venues where start-ups and auctioneers alike can begin selling product almost immediately, with...

"Fad items" are where you can really cash in quickly. Remember the Beanie Baby phenomenon? People went nuts and bid literally thousands of dollars on them! It would be difficult to build a site and try to generate traffic around a fad item--by the time you were done, the fad might already be old news. But auction sites give you an instant audience at a low cost, so if you spot a trend, you can hop on the wagon as quickly as possible. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

-=October 6, 2003=-
UPDATE ON SUE'S AUCTIONS
Sue writes: "I just wanted to let you know that the first week's auctions of Pink Items in aid of Breast Cancer Research will close this evening at 20.00 British Summer Time. As these close, another set of auctions will begin under the theme of 'Peace and Love'.

Once again, these auctions will include some interesting and unique Ty collectible items as well as some other special items signed by the designers: 'Sending you my Love' Tatty Teddy (Mike Payne) 'Blaze' the newly-released Chubbley Dragon and George the retired Chubbley Bear (Darren Barker)

There is also a 'Honey' Chubbley Bear which was signed by 'Sweet' Lou Dunbar at the induction of the Harlem Globetrotters into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in Idaho in April 2003. The commemorative programme is included.

As with all of the items on sale by CHERISH during October, these auctions will specifically benefit research by Cancer Research UK into Breast Cancer

BEANIES AT CRACKER BARREL
Fonda writes: "Lisa, I just thought I'd let you know how terrific the employees at Cracker Barrel here in Missouri are. Every time a new shipment of beanies come thue (thats about once a week) They but the newbees' as they call'em up front easy for us collectors to find. Then I'm in there so often they meet me at the door with an update as to the new ones. Cornbread is supose to be in the 9th. Fonda"

-=October 5, 2003=-
Medical mission
PORTSMOUTH - Alesandra Pisarno is Dr. James Wilton’s favorite patient.

The Ecuadorian girl had club feet, a condition in which her feet were twisted inward, her heels drawn up and pointed away from her body. She was also born with spina bifida and had been abandoned by her mother, who didn’t want to keep an ill child.

Children from Immaculate Conception Church in Portsmouth collected 458 Beanie Babies for the young Ecuadorian patients, said Wilton. He took half of them in May and will take the rest on the upcoming trip. VIEW FULL STORY & PIC HERE

Andre Agassi's Eighth All-Star Celebrity Gala Raises $12.6 Million for At-Promise Children
Agassi Continues His Commitment To Assisting Youth In Need
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Andre Agassi and a superstar lineup of entertainers took the stage Saturday evening at the Grand Slam for Children presented by Aramis and Designer Fragrances to benefit at-promise youth organizations in Southern Nevada. The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF) raised $12.6 million during the weekend benefit, which featured a black-tie VIP dinner, live auction and sold-out concert held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

More than 6,300 fans crowded the facility Saturday night to see Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Dennis Miller, Robin Williams, along with surprise appearances by Sarah McLachlan and Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal of the legendary musical group, Tears for Fears. Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster served as the musical coordinator for the eighth year.

The evening was highlighted by the unexpected donation by Ty Warner, the mastermind behind the Beanie Babies' phenomenon. Warner, the founder and chairman of Ty, Inc., matched the initial $6.3 million raised earlier in the evening, bringing the total fundraising efforts to $12.6 million. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Corporations want you to think pink
Cause-related marketing is selling the fight against breast cancer
The pretty little packages of pink and white M&M's that suddenly appeared on grocery shelves last month aren't just confectionary curiosities.

They say to American consumers, "You probably don't know a T-cell from a T-square, but you can help cure breast cancer."

Indeed you can — provided you eat the right candy, drink the right tea, wear the right jeans and test-drive the right luxury automobile.

Why, you can even cuddle for the cure. On Wednesday, Ty Inc. announced the "birth" of a new beanie baby, a pink bear with a pink ribbon named — what else? — Cure.

Is there a danger of oversaturating the market to the point where Americans grow sick of consuming for the cure?

"That's a good question," said Cindy Schneible, the Komen Foundation's vice president for cause marketing and sponsorship. "Based on the support for programs to date, we haven't seen any evidence that it's too much, but it is something that bears watching." VIEW FULL STORY HERE

Trading Spaces Goes Beanie
From: Beanieholics
Tonight's episode of Trading Spaces is supposed to feature a room filled with Beanie Babies. Will Frank let them stay or will they go? And what is carpenter Ty Pennington going to do with that hockey stick and that cuddly purple Beanie Baby? Check your local listing to find out. The link below provides more info on tonight's episode. Click Here For More

Mindy writes: "Hi Lisa, Just was reading your newsletter on your site and it said that Trading spaces was having beanies on it today, it was on yesterday and I thought it was very distasteful. They took a torch to his (teal teddy buddy) nose and they even have a picture added to their site if you want to see it after they were done. Its not that it was a TY buddy, but that they could destroy someone elses stuff that was so distasteful in my view. Just my opinion. Mindy"

<my comments: I looked on the website and found the picture which describes what Minday saw. This was done in very poor taste in my opinion and like Mindy stated " Its not that it was a TY buddy, but that they could destroy someone elses stuff that was so distasteful in my view." I agree wholeheartedly!>

-=October 4, 2003=-
SOS FROM SUE OWEN
Sue writes: "I need a Cure (TM) Beanie Baby® as soon as possible to enable me to launch an extra-special fundraiser! When you see the finished item you will love it! I am aware that is has reached some parts of the USA but not UK - yet! I would be very grateful to anyone who can obtain one and send it to me here in UK - I am happy to pay for it. Please click here to send me an email

A reminder that this week's auctions 'In the Pink' themed will close tomorrow at 8 pm UK time and another set of auctions on the theme of 'Peace and Love' (also in aid of Breast Cancer Research) will start at the same time. There are some great gift ideas up for sale as well as collectable items that you are unlikely to add to your collection from anywhere else! Many thanks for all of the support and bids that have been placed so far! Click here to view my auctions for CHERISH Don't forget to keep checking the Home Page for updates! Click here Best wishes, Sue Owen

Versailles woman offers troops touch of home
VERSAILLES - Local military personnel stationed overseas are promised a little touch of home thanks to a Versailles woman.

Mary Poor started her troop support six or seven years ago, she said, when she joined a national group called Friends of Our Troops.

Poor found a couple of Ty Beanie Baby bears dressed in military fatigues to send overseas and went on a quest to find more of the elusive collectibles. VIEW PIC & FULL STORY HERE

-=October 3, 2003=-
Back through the years, 10/2/03
Cousins Veronica Valenzuela of Toltec, Stephanie Ramirez of Arizona City and Mindi Cabello of Casa Grande made history on Sept. 19 when they celebrated what is believed to be a first ever triple Quinceanera in Eloy. Veronica is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Armando Valenzuela, Stephanie is the daughter of Elvira Cabello and Aurelio Quintero and Arnold Ramirez Sr., and Mindi is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Cabello.

The Eloy Public Library is sponsoring a Beanie Baby celebration for kids of all ages. Come see what the craze is all about. Beanie Baby talk, Beanie Baby storytime, and refreshments. Feel free to bring your own Beanie Babies to show. VIEW FULL STORY HERE

THE SAGA CONTINUES
D writes: "Ah, the saga of Bubbly, Fizz, and Toast. Remember all my complaining
(and I won't hold it against you since you listen to all of us beanie "nuts" every day) about not being able to find Fizz and Toast? Well, last month, what a month and a half after the fact, I found Toast at Cracker Barrel of all places! They usually don't have one month's newbies for sale until the next month's are getting ready to hit the shelves (but I understand if their priority is their food and not ordering beanies, of course!).
And guess what, I wanted to check on Cornbread yesterday and they had Fizz, so now they have all three! Well, I don't understand what Hallmark's deal is in my area if THEY can't get them of all stores, but if Cracker Barrel can... I'm IMPRESSED and more power to them!!!!!!!!!!!! D in NC

True blue Cubs better be ready at Wrigley
CHICAGO - (KRT) - OK, you Prior-Maniacs, get fired up.
Here is what I want from you on Friday night at Wrigley Field, you true-blue Cub-lovin' brothers and sisters:

(And this also goes for all of you Tele-Cubbies who will watch the game on TV.)
2. No tomahawks.

If you should spot an Indian-imitating, hatchet-wielding, warpaint-wearing, war-chanting Dancing With Atlanta Braves yahoo here on the native soil of our proud and noble Chief Illiniwek, be sure to send up a smoke signal and send for help.

No violence or actual smoke, please. Other than that, be sure to convey to these Dixie chicks and dudes that if they want to continue to chop at the air with tiny toy tomahawks and make "hay-yo" noises like a party of 40,000 Ed McMahons, we may be forced to retaliate by pelting them with hundreds of Dusty Baker Beanie Babies. <I had to laugh at this one!> VIEW FULL ARTICLE HERE

ASK TY
Q: What do you do with the Beanie Babies that do not get picked to be the next Beanie Baby? (submitted by dymples)
A: Beanie Baby designs can go through many revisions. If a Beanie isn't ready to be introduced to the world this month . . . they stay in the nursery ! http://www.ty.com/askty_home

OUTRAGEOUS SHIPPING
Tina shares with Ms. Janie: "Hi Ms. Janie, I thought your readers might be interested in the price that beanie collectors in the UK have to pay to order the Clubby VI sets and the Decade Jingles. I read on your site that someone in the USA had ordered 2 sets of each of these and the total price was $60.50 Well, ordering from the UK gives these prices: 2 x Decade Jingles = £24 2 x Clubby IV sets = £30 Mailing = £4.60 Total price: = £58.60 At an exchange rate of $1.60 this means that people in the UK have to pay a STAGGERING $93.76. A difference of $33.26. I hope beanie collectors in the USA realize how lucky they are! Best wishes Tina (UK)"

<my comments: I find this totally unacceptable and don't blame people in the UK for NOT ordering anything from the Ty Store. You should get your American friends to do the ordering for you to save some major bucks!!>

-=October 2, 2003=-
Ty to Support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation by Donating 100% of Profits from the Sales of Its New Cure(TM) The Beanie Baby
OAK BROOK, Ill., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Cure(TM) the Beanie Baby® has been created by Ty to lend its support to the fight against breast cancer by donating 100% of the profits from the original sale of this piece to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Cure(TM) the Beanie Baby, a pink bear wearing a pink ribbon on its chest, will be available in stores nationwide the week of October 6, 2003. The poem written on its tag reads:
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021118/TYLOGO)

"We are proud to join with the Komen Foundation to help raise both awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer," said Ty Warner, CEO/Chairman of Ty Inc. and Beanie Baby creator. "So many families are affected by breast cancer and we all need to work together to find a cure for this devastating disease." VIEW FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

WILL VALOR BE IN RETAIL STORES
Toni writes: "Hi Lisa I talked to my ty retailer and she said Valor was not on this order form. She said it might be on the next one that she gets in the middle of the month. she gets one on the last day of the month and then in the middle of the month for updated beanies that wasn't on the first order form i hope that makes since lol"

< my comments: Since Valor isn't listed as a Ty Store Exclusive one can only assume this Eagle will be flying into Ty Retailers in the near future. If you have spoken to a Ty Retailer that knows if Valor will be on the order form.. please let me know. Lisa@planetbeans.com >

WINNER OF THE "JADE CHRISTMAS" BRACELET
Congrats to JEN BURLEIGH for winning the "JADE CHRISTMAS" bracelet in the draw from everyone that purchased bracelets from me in the month of September. Please email your address to me!

OCTOBER BOTM ALREADY SHIPPING!
Donna writes: "LISA, to my great surprise i got an email saying my bbom was shipped yesterday. wow !!! its an ivory bear named popcorn. donna, cookieo1"