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www.beanwatcher.com
Bean Watcher
News and Reports for Beanbag Collectors!
This site exists for your enjoyment. My goal is to make your beanbag collecting experience more enjoyable. I focus on Ty products
-- Beanie Babies, Beanie Buddies, Beanie Boppers, and more. I do not receive any financial compensations whatsoever --
I prepare it because of the joy that it brings to me and others. I hope you'll enjoy the news, photographs, and articles that you see.
So grab a beverage, sit back, and enjoy the read! ~ Bean Watcher
Worldwide News and Reports
July 16 - 31, 2007 Archives
Announcing the August 2007 Introductions
Illinois, USA
July 31, 2007
 Today, Ty announces the August 2007 introductions. There are 18 new styles in three different product lines. Here they are:
Whiffles, Giving, Giving Key Clip; Slush Key Clip, Stripey Key Clip, Twitch Key Clip, Swinger Key Clip
More About M.C. Beanie VII
Illinois, USA
July 31, 2007
 Today, Ty posted M.C. Beanie VII the bear in its list of current Beanie Babies. Its birthday, like M.C. Anniversary 6th Edition the bear, is August 1, 2007. The bear's poem follows:
Great looks and tons of charm to spare
He's really quite a lucky bear
And so here's your small piece of heaven
It's M.C. Beanie number seven !
To see the post online, click here.
More About M.C. Anniversary 6th Edition
Illinois, USA
July 31, 2007
 Ty posted M.C Anniversary 6th Edition the bear yesterday (July 30, 2007) in its list of current Beanie Babies. Its birthday is August 1, 2007. The bear's poem follows:
To mark your anniversary
A little gift, what could it be ?
For you, a very special prize
It's our latest Beanie surprise !
To see the post online, click here.
 Bean Watcher comment: What is likely an oversight, Ty has not yet posted M.C. Beanie VII the bear, as of this writing, on its list of current Beanie Babies. However, the Ty Rewards site shows this credit card exclusive is now available. Click here to see the updated site.
From the Email Bag -- Coco Presley and More
China
July 31, 2007
 Orion from Japan (currently in China), webmaster of Beanie Tenjishitsu, has updated her site with pictures of Coco Presley (and the four different hang tag versions). Further, she shares pictures from her temporary home in China, featuring scenes from a beach, the downtown area of a city, and a local restaurant. Click here to see her pictures.
Introducing Two Master Card Exclusive Bears
Illinois, USA
July 30, 2007
 Today, Ty introduces the latest Ty Master Card exclusives, M.C. Beanie VII the bear and M.C. Anniversary 6th Edition the bear. Click here to see the announcement.
The Week Ahead
Worldwide
July 30, 2007
 This week, the month of July will come to a close and August will come upon us. Expect a flurry of activity. Here is what to look for:
Also, we can anticipate the following introductions (either silent or announced on Ty.com):
Finally, other surprises will likely surface. What will it (they) be? We will know in the days and weeks to come!
Simple Heart's Raijin Promotional Bears
Japan
July 30, 2007
 Sakurako from Japan, webmaster of Bottega Beanies, shares her report and pictures of two recent Ty Japan retailer Beanie Babies.  To see pictures of all four promotional bears (the two versions of Fujin and two versions of Raijin), click here. To see a close up view of the two versions of Raijin, click here. Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your report and pictures with us !
From the Email Bag -- Beanie Sizes
USA
July 30, 2007
Laurie from the USA sent me an email about the size of some Beanie Baby bears. She writes:
I'm greatly disappointed in the size reduction of the non-bear Beanie's! Have other collectors noticed this and commented as well? What has Ty done? I myself collect the bears only, but my children collect other animals and are very disappointed with the noticeable smaller sizes of the animals. Any light you can shed on this matter will be great appreciated.
Bean Watcher response: I noticed the size reduction as well, initially when the Beanie Greetings series began. I suspect that the smaller size is a cost-cutting measure. I have also noticed a decline in quality of the fabrics used in some beanies. This change would also reduce manufacturing costs.
However, not all recent beanies are smaller or use inexpensive fabrics. The NASCAR-themed bears, Leopold, and the 2007 Summer Trade Show (Ice) bears prove this point.
Early Reports of the August 2007 Introductions
USA
July 29, 2007
Here are two reports about the upcoming August 2007 Ty product introductions. The reports are slightly different. We'll know what Ty will offer sometime this week.
There will be 11 New Beanies, 5 New Keyclips, 1 Buddy, and 1 Classic. I know one of them looks like the Ty Store panda [Dancy], but it is Pink and one will look like Twitch the Guinea Pig. Also there will be a new Odie from Garfield in this mix. [Note: click here to contact Tim by email].
Bean Watcher note: The white bear with pink ribbons on its coat is intended to promote Breast Cancer awareness.
Coco Presley on Sale this Week
USA
July 29, 2007
 Walgreens has posted an advertisement for its exclusive bear, Coco Presley, in its local weekly ads. Bean Watcher comment: This special sale may or may not be available in your area. Be sure to check your local ad to see if your Walgreens store is participating in the offer.
Koowee the Koala Key Clip Coming Soon
Australia
July 29, 2007
 A reliable source shares that a key clip version of Ty Australia's most popular Beanie Baby to date, Koowee the koala, will be introduced next month (August 2007). The key clip is said to be an Australia and New Zealand exclusive. Expect to see this plush toy introduced on Ty.com in the near future, perhaps as early as this week. Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing the news with us!
Softbank Hawks Sells for $2,551 (US) !
Japan
July 29, 2007
 An eBay (US) auction for a hard-to-find Softbank Hawks the bear has closed with an incredible winning bid of $2,551.00 (US)!
Dancy's Style Number on its Tush Tag
USA
July 29, 2007
 Ruth from Ohio and Daniel from Maryland, webmaster of Beanie Universe, both share the news that Dancy the panda's style number can be found on its tush tag. Daniel shares a picture of this find, which you can view by clicking here. Bean Watcher comment: Many thanks to Ruth and Daniel for sharing the news with us. The appearance of the style number on Dancy's tush tag could be the start of a regular practice. We'll see in the months ahead....
From the Email Bag -- Another Report from the Chicago Gift Show
Wisconsin, USA
July 29, 2007
John from Wisconsin shares the following report from the Chicago Market: Living & Giving Show (which ran from July 21 - 24, 2007). He writes:
I have been reading your site for some time now and have never really had a reason to write in, until now....
I spent two days at the show, Saturday and Sunday and both days the Ty booth was packed. They had the Ty Girlz site up and running live and there always seemed to be a crowd standing around the computer. A lot of excitement and a lot of hurried sales people. I had to wait for a sales person, seems like old times.
They have a sample area on the site where you can play a few games, very cool, you should check it out.
Bean Watcher comment: Many thanks for your report. It's always enlightening to hear from different readers and reading their views.
More About the Retired Softbank Hawks
Japan, Canada, and USA
July 28, 2007
Regular Bean Watcher readers know by now that the retired Softbank Hawks the bear, a Club Hawks exclusive, is one hard-to-find Beanie Baby. Here are some of the reasons why: Bean Watcher comment: Many thanks to all who contributed to this report!
Latest Ask Ty Response Posted
Illinois, USA
June 27, 2007
 Ty has posted his response to this week's winning Ask Ty question. Rocky road or butter pecan? Just ask Ty!
Q: Each July there is national ice cream day, what is your favorite flavor? (submitted by beaniesrightnow)
A: Wow, that's a tough one. Fudge Ripple? Rocky Road? I know! Butter Pecan!
Two Ty Master Card Exclusives Retire
Illinois, USA
July 27, 2007
 Today, Ty announces the retirement of MC Beanie VI the bear and M.C. Anniversary 5th Edition the bear. These two Beanie Babies are Ty Master card exclusives. To view their retirements, click here. For additional information about the availability of M.C. Beanie VI, click here. For more information about the availability of M.C. Anniversary 5th edition, click here. Bean Watcher comment: Last year, Ty retired MC Beanie V the bear and M.C. Anniversary 4th Edition the bear on August 26, 2006.
The July 2007 Retirements
Illinois, USA
July 27, 2007
 Today, Ty announces the July 2007 retirements. Ten total styles within two product lines say "farewell." Here they are:
Marilyn's Pictures of Dancy and Tiggs
Wisconsin, USA
July 27, 2007
 Marilyn from Wisconsin shares her beautiful pictures of Dancy the panda bear and Tiggs the tiger.
To see Marilyn's pictures, click on the thumbnails and links below.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
From the Email Bag -- Do I Have an Oddity?
Canada
July 27, 2007
Anne from Canada sent me an email, asking if she has an oddity Beanie Baby. She writes:
This morning I was checking out my #3 NASCAR beanies. I had two arrive in a sealed bag, and I took them out, checked them out, and when I was looking at the back of them I discovered that the registered mark that is an "R" in a little circle was fine on one but the other one has a "P" in the circle. There is clearly no "R". I am inserting pictures for you to look at and I am wondering, would this be called an oddity?
Bean Watcher comments: Thank you for your email. Although very minor, the missing "leg" in the "R" can be considered a manufacturing oddity. What is its value? Just remember the primary rule: A beanie is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
Two More Beanie Babies Have Sold Out
Illinois, USA
July 26, 2007
 Joe from the USA shares that Ty has announced that two more Beanie Babies have sold out: Thunderbolt the horse and Stargazer the unicorn. To view the announcement, posted on Ty.com, click here. Bean Watcher comments: Thank you for sharing the news with us!
Marilyn's Pictures of Niklas
Wisconsin, USA
July 26, 2007
 Marilyn shares her beautiful pictures of Niklas the bear.
Bean Watcher comments: Thank you for sharing your pictures with us!
Just for Fun: Jennifer's Picture of Leopold
New Jersey, USA
July 26, 2007
 Jennifer from New Jersey (aka Patti Buddy), shares her picture of Leopold the bear. She writes:
I know Leopold is old news by now, but I decided to have a little fun with pictures anyhow. Earlier this month I stayed at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City (New Jersey) and was pleased to discover Rainforest Cafe was right downstairs on the Boardwalk. So I took some pics and decided to imagine what it would look like if Leopold grew really huge and decided to venture outside haha.
To see Jennifer's picture, click here.
Bean Watcher comments: Thank you for sharing your picture with us!
From the Email Bag -- Another Report of Coco Presley Bears and Tags
California, USA
July 26, 2007
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