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Toolkit for Collectors
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www.beanwatcher.com
Bean Watcher
News and Reports for Beanbag Collectors!
This site exists for your enjoyment. My goal is to make your beanbag collecting experience more enjoyable. I focus on Ty products
-- Beanie Babies, Beanie Buddies, Beanie Boppers, and more. I do not receive any financial compensations whatsoever --
I prepare it because of the joy that it brings to me and others. I hope you'll enjoy the news, photographs, and articles that you see.
So grab a beverage, sit back, and enjoy the read! ~ Bean Watcher
Worldwide News and Reports
December 2007 Archives
Countdown Clock to 2008
To view the amount of time left before
the arrival of 2008 in your time zone, click here.
2007 Zodiac Pig Retires
Illinois, USA
December 31, 2007
 Today, Ty retires the Beanie Baby, 2007 Zodiac Pig. This Asian exclusive was officially introduced on November 30, 2007 (click here). To see its retirement on Ty.com, click here.
Ty Warner's Appearance on the Ty Talk Cyberboard
Illinois, USA
December 31, 2007
 In recent years, Ty Warner has posted comments on the Ty Talk Cyberboard during the evening hours (Central Standard Time, e.g., Chicago, Illinois and Toronto, Canada) of New Year's Eve. Last year, Ty appeared on the message board (but did not sponsor a poem contest). Ty has yet to confirm his appearance this year. To see if he does and to join in the festivities, click here.
The Countdown to 2008
Illinois, USA
December 31, 2007
 Depending on when and where you read this column, January 1, 2008 will have arrived or will soon arrive (especially if you live in Asia or Australia/New Zealand). For readers who live in North America or Europe, the new year is just hours away. Check out the Countdown Clock to 2008 to find out if the new year has arrived in your part of the world.
One of my goals has been to give you a greater appreciation of beanbag collecting throughout the world. Why? Because Ty collectors can be found worldwide. Another goal has been to inform and educate. Why? To enhance your enjoyment of the beanies you collect. If I have attained these goals, then updating this site has been worth my time. Thanks again to all who made 2007 a year to remember.
 Bean Watcher notes: (1) Hogmanay is celebrated in Scotland on December 31 of every year. What is Hogmanay? It is the Scottish New Year and it is celebrated heartily. To read more about it, click here. (2) The celebration of "Sylvester" in Germany also takes place today, December 31. The change of the year is celebrated noisily and merrily. To read more about this festive occasion, click here.
From the Email Bag: Beanie News at 7 Signs Off
Maryland, USA
December 31, 2007
 Daniel from Maryland, webmaster of Beanie Universe, shares that his last Beanie News at 7 will be broadcast on January 1, 2008. He will share an important message for his fans. To view his final broadcast, click here.
Ty Retailer's List of Current Beanie Babies
USA
December 29-30, 2007
 Ty retired more than 200 Beanie Babies on December 27, 2007. Many beanies still remain current and can be ordered by Ty retailers in the USA.
Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thank you for sharing the news with us! (2) Company exclusives (Hallmark, Bob Evans, Walgreens, etc.) are not available to all Ty retailers.
Another Leaked BB2.0 YouTube Video
USA
December 28, 2007
 It has been brought to my attention that a second "leaked" Beanie Babies 2.0 video has been posted on YouTube.
To view the video and find out more about the next generation of beanies, click here.
Silent Retirements of Ty Classics and Pinkys
Illinois and New Jersey, USA
December 28, 2007
 Daniel from Maryland, webmaster of Beanie Universe, and Jennifer from New Jersey both share news of this month's silent retirements of Ty Classics. Daniel also shares news of the silent retirements of several Pinkys. Here they are: Bean Watcher comments: (1) Thank you for sharing the news with us! (2) A reader from the USA shares that the licensed Beanie Buddy, Pooky the bear, has silently retired with the above group.
Latest Ask Ty Response Posted
Illinois, USA
December 28, 2007
 Ty has posted his response to this week's winning Ask Ty question. Does Ty plan to surprise us next year? Just ask Ty!
Q: Got any surprises for 2008 that you would care to share? (submitted by happydancerqueen)
A: I sure do ! Have you seen the special announcement on Ty.com yet ?
Massive Beanie Babies Retirement Announced
Illinois, USA
December 27, 2007
 Ty has announced the retirement of a significant number of beanies today.
Beanie Babies 2.0 Coming January 2008
Illinois, USA
December 27, 2007
Today, Ty has posted an important message on the Ty.com homepage.
Introducing Beanie Babies 2.0
The next generation is here!
We're retiring all other Beanie Babies
to make way for...
Beanie Babies 2.0
January 2nd, 2008
Bean Watcher comment: You may have to REFRESH the Ty.com home page to see the message.
In Hand Pictures of Biscuit and Gravy
California and Maryland, USA
December 27, 2007
 In-hand pictures of Biscuit the dog and Gravy the dog have surfaced on the internet. Bean Watcher comment: An eBay (US) auction states that Bob Evans Restaurant previously introduced plush toys named Biscuit and Gravy during 1998. Click here to see the picture.
The Day After Christmas....
Worldwide
December 26, 2007
 The day after Christmas is significant to many people in different corners of the world. 
Merry Christmas to All !
Worldwide
December 25, 2007
Christmas Celebrations Throughout the World
Santa's Net contains information on how Christmas is celebrated throughout the world. There are currently songs, recipes, articles, and other items of interest posted on the site. To see how Christmas is celebrated in your country, click here.
A Modern Twelve Days of Christmas
There is an interesting version of the popular Christmas carol called "The Twelve Days of Christmas" that is posted on the internet. Can you believe that Beanie Babies are mentioned in it? See for yourself by clicking here.
A Beanie Baby Christmas Tree
Bob and Alberta Geiger of Cape Coral used some old Beanie Babies to decorate their tree this Christmas. Their pictures show several old friends. You can see their pictures by clicking here.
A Link to the BB2.0 YouTube Video
USA
December 24, 2007
Click on the images above
to see the "leaked" BB 2.0 video on YouTube
The BB2.0 YouTube Video
USA
December 24, 2007
I received several emails about a "leaked" video, posted on You Tube, about Ty's new product line, BB2.0.
For more information about the "leaked video," please visit the Ty Talk Cyberboard (click here).
Bean Watcher comment: A reader writes, (I) thought it odd the way it just happened to "leak out." The YouTube video has been posted for three days and It is indeed odd that Ty, Inc. has not taken steps to have the video removed.
Tracking Santa Claus and More
Worldwide
December 24, 2007
 For more than 50 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its predecessor (Continental Air Defense Command) have tracked the whereabouts of Santa Claus. Bean Watcher comment: This year, Google is participating in NORAD's efforts to track Santa. You may want to track Santa though iGoogle or by downloading Google Earth. More information can be found on the NORAD site.
2004 Holiday Greetings from Ty
Illinois, USA
December 24, 2007
 The day before Christmas... I thought I would share a link to Ty's Holiday Card from 2004.  Bean Watcher comment: The 2004 Holiday Card was the last animated greeting posted on Ty.com.
Christmas Greetings from the UK
England, UK
December 24, 2007
 John from the UK (co-manager of Beanie UK), shares his 2007 Holiday Greetings with us. The picture features three bears facing a bright star in the sky that provides illumination and dispels the darkness. To see John's picture, click here. Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your picture with us!
Photographs of Shampoodle
USA
December 22-23, 2007
 Three readers from the USA wrote to me during the past three months, sharing reports and pictures of the Beanie Baby called Shampoodle. Bean Watcher comment: Thanks to all three readers for sharing your report and pictures with us!
2003 Holiday Greetings from Ty
Illinois, USA
December 22-23, 2007
 A few days before Christmas...! I thought I would share a link to Ty's Holiday Card from 2003. Bean Watcher comment: In the next column, I will post a link to Ty's Holiday Card from 2004.
From the Email Bag: A Christmas to Remember
USA
December 22-23, 2007
Ann from Texas USA shares a message about her recent beanie sale (see my November 29, 2007 column):
I want to give you my personal thank you for posting my notice (about her beanie sale) on your website. During the last 2 weeks, over 30 collectors have been able to get many of the hard to find beanies that they did not have. One collector in Dallas came to my house, with his family, four times to pick out beanies. I am shipping 352 items to a woman in Alaska this week, for craft fairs that they have in the summertime there. Because you chose to share this with the Beanie community, we have happy collectors across the world this Christmas. I sincerely appreciate your willingness to help everyone.
The garage sale was a huge success. We sold lots of beanies, buddies, Pluffies, teenies, jingles, etc. at very low prices. The best part of the garage sale was we sold 11 wood cabinets with glass doors and five TY cabinets, mostly to gentlemen intended for a variety of uses.
The Marines have picked up over 2000 items for Toys for Tots. It is a very gratifying feeling to know that about 2000 kids will receive a soft cuddly friend from Santa this year. I found my self putting one or two or three items back in the house during the garage sale. My husband is teasing me that I failed step four of the recovery program!
Thank you again for your website and everything that you do for the beanie community. The beanie lovers everywhere are richer in information and enjoyment because you participate. I will keep an eye on your website just for fun in the future too.
Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing your message with us. And I'm certain that because of your sale and donations, many collectors and children will have a Christmas they will remember!
Latest Ask Ty Response Posted
Illinois, USA
December 21, 2007
Ty has posted his response to this week's winning Ask Ty question. Did Ty ever see one of wishes come true? Just ask Ty!
Q: What was your biggest wish for Christmas when you were a kid? (submitted by 1blessed)
A: I remember one year I really wanted a new bicycle. I must have been good that year because Santa came through !
Introducing Punxsutawn-e Phil 2008
Illinois, USA
December 20, 2007
 Deb from Virginia shares the news that yesterday, Ty introduced Punxsutawn-e Phil 2008 the groundhog. Bean Watcher comment: Thank you for sharing the news with us! |
