Ty News March 2006

.... PR Newswire (Press Release)
"Ty to Make Its Mark in the Pet Toy Industry With the Introduction of Bow Wow Beanies(TM)"
Friday March 31, 8:00 am ET

OAK BROOK, Ill., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Ty's newest creation, Bow Wow Beanies(TM), made its worldwide debut today, after a highly successful introduction at the American International Toy Fair this past February. This newest collection of plush toys designed exclusively for pets, has been created in both Beanie Babies® styles and as fashionable plush dog bones. Bow Wow Beanies will be available at Ty Retailers beginning in April and will be sold at a suggested retail price of about $5.

.... Ty Newsflash - April Intros
Ty has introduced new products for April, including the much discussed 'Bow Wow Beanies' as well as Beanie Babies, Classics, Pinkys, and Pluffies. (Note the 'Punkies' heart at the top of Ty's website has now been replaced with 'Bow Wow Beanies'. The Punkies can be viewed on Ty's site by clicking on the drop-down menu under each heart category.)

Bow Wow Beanies ... "A special bone for a special dog) (crinkle and squeaker inside)
Nuts, Inky, Lizzy Click here to view
Weenie, Stinky, Patti Click here to view
Prickles, Quackers, Snort Click here to view
Trap, Bones, Lil' Bones (for smaller doggies) Click here to view
Legs, Lil' Legs (for smaller doggies) Click here to view
Pink Stripe, Pink Stripe (for smaller doggies), Camouflage, Camouflage (for smaller doggies) Click here to view
Hearts, Paw Prints, Red, White and Blue Stars, Palm Trees Click here to view

.... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted on Ty's website:
Q: Which Beanie have you owned the longest, not counting the original nine? (submitted by pocketswoof)
A: Actually, the oldest piece I have isn't a Beanie at all, it's one of my creations that I've been reminiscing about lately, Angel the cat !
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

Doodle's Note: Angel was one of the first 'Classic' cats created by Ty.

.... Ty Newsflash
Today Ty has introduced a new Mother's Day Beanie Baby ... 'Mom 2006'. This Bear is a Ty Store Exclusive. It's interesting to note that the past four Ty Store Mother's Day bears was 'Mom-e' (2002-2005). Click on the link below to view and order on Ty's website.

Click here to view on Ty's website

Poem:
They come in different shapes and sizes
Full of love, laughter, surprises
So special you just have to say,
"I love you; Happy Mother's Day !"

.... Ty March Retirements
Today Ty has retired the following Beanie Babies and Beanie Buddies, as well as Angeline (Valentine versions):

Beanie Babies
Lucky O'Day, Erin (keychain), Eggs 2006 Click here to view
Veggies, Sunbonnet, 4-H Click here to view
Hobo, Patrick Star, (I Love) Ireland (UK Exclusive) Click here to view
Opie, Sweetiekins (Hallmark Exclusive) Click here to view
William (both versions) (UK Exclusive) Click here to view
Starlight (both versions) (UK Exclusive) Click here to view
P.F.C. (UK Exclusive), (I Love) London (UK Exclusive) Click here to view

Beanie Buddies
Carnation, Lullaby Click here to view
Large Diggs Click here to view

Angeline
Valentine's Angeline, Valentine's Angeline (large), Happy Valentine's Day Click here to view
(The 'Storybook Angeline is now the only Angeline listed as 'current' on Ty's website.)

.... Love U Mum and Love U Mom
If you are a collector interested in the different versions of Beanie Babies, you may want to check these out. Our friend Sakurako of Japan (Bottega Beanies) shares photos of 'Love U Mum' (UK version), 'Love U Mum' (Australia version), and 'Love U Mom' (Japan version).
... Additional photos can be viewed on her site. Thanks for sharing, Sakurako!

.... Next?
It's hard to believe the end of March is almost here! The tyme is approaching for additional retirements(?) and new Ty products for April. Of course, there is also the "expectation" of the April 'Beanie of the Month' announcement ... And the April Desktop/Wallpaper Calendar should be posted soon. Several of our readers have written with hopes of Ty announcing the new 'Bow Wow' Beanies soon. Isn't anticipation part of the fun of collecting? :)

We'll post any news we hear ... in the meantime, enjoy your weekend !

.... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted on Ty's website:
Q: Do you ever take time out to meet Beanie collectors? (submitted by MeandWaldo)
A: There isn't a week that goes by that I don't meet someone that collects Beanies !
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

.... New Beanie Website
Daniel from Beanie Universe writes:
Hi! This is Daniel from Beanie Universe (www.beanieuniverse.com). I have just recently put up my new beanie web site. ... I have a Video News Channel that comes on daily "Beanie News at 7." ... Daniel Janis, Beanie Universe

.... New Photos
Our special thanks to Marilyn, who kindly shares the following photos (including hang tags) of new March releases:

'Dora' Beanie Baby (Check out the little backpack :)

.... 'Ty Beanie Buddy Day' - NY Yankees Giveaway!
One of our readers (and an avid NY Yankees fan) writes:
Hi Deb, I thought you may want to know that the NY Yankees have just posted their 2006 promo schedule. Last on the list (October 1st) against the Toronto Blue Jays it is noted "Limited Edition Ty Beanie Buddy Day", to be given away to the first 18,000 fans 14 and under. ("All giveaways and event dates are subject to change.") Looks like I have some waiting tyme ahead, but I'm sooo excited. Thanks for keeping us collectors updated with all the news, I still visit your site every morning. Have a super week!! Robin

... Thanks for sharing the news, Robin. Collectors may want to mark that special date on their calendar. You can view the NY Yankees promo schedule by clicking here.

.... New UK Exclusive Beanie Baby
3/18 ... There seems to be quite a bit of 'chat' regarding the anticipated new UK Exclusive Beanie Baby. As you know, nothing is official until announced by Ty. But part of the fun of collecting is the anticipation of what may be next. New (country) Exclusives always create a bit of talk, including uncertainties ... until clarification from Ty.

One of our readers (who wishes to remain anonymous) writes ...
"that there are in fact LESS 'Kernows' being made than there were Harrods Bears".

3/19 ... We also received an email from a reader who writes of receiving the following info (from a company in Cornwall):
Dear customer
Thanks for your interest, we are currently reserving the bear for customers at £5.99 per bear plus £3.95 postage for under £30's worth, £6.50 postage for over. We are limiting these to a maximum of 20 per customer. Please let us know if you would like us to reserve you any and if so, how many. We are not taking payment at this time, we will contact customers when the bears are with us, to arrange payment.

I imagine within the next few weeks, we shall soon find out.

Happy St. Patrick's Day !!!

Photo shared by John ("the Phoenix")
Thank you!

.... 'Peace Mania Magazine'
David shares the following:
Hey Doodle's Page! Just wanted to let you know that the March/April issue of Peace Mania Magazine is now available! This issue is bigger and better than our first issue, and is packed with tons of pictures and articles...great information for ALL Beanie collectors. You can order the magazine at http://www.cafepress.com/peacebears.39655246.
David

.... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted on Ty's site:
Q: If you caught a leprechaun, what wish would you ask it to grant? (submitted by dietpop)
A: I would wish for everyone to have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day !
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

.... Ty Store Beanie Retirement
Today Ty has retired the Ty Store Exclusive WWF Beanie Baby 'Icepack'. This polar bear was introduced on November 2, 2005. This is the 4th Beanie in the 'WWF Series' to retire. (You can visit our WWF page on this site by clicking here.
Click here to visit Ty Store

.... New UK Exclusive Beanie Baby?
Following earlier posted news regarding an anticipated new UK Exclusive Beanie, one of our readers (who wishes to remain anonymous) writes:

There is a UK (Cornwall) exclusive to be released 1st may for Cornwall only, no other UK shops are to get them, this is exclusive to Cornwall TY account holders. It is a limited edition but NOT as the same numbers as the Harrods bears there should be enough to go round.
The Kollektor

.... 'Love U Mum' Photos
John ("the Phoenix") shares a photo of the 'Love U Mum' Beanie Baby, as well as a photo of the hang tag. This bear (a Europe, Australia, and New Zealand Exclusive) was introduced by Ty on February 24, 2006.
Click here to view the photos
... Thanks for sharing!

.... Newsflash - Retirement Tyme
Ty has announced March retirements today ... six Beanie Babies and a Teenie Beanie Bopper!

Beanie Babies ... Asia Pacific Exclusives - Nara, Ocker, Silver, Cinta, Joaquim, and Hannah
Teenie Beanie Bopper ... Baystars Bruth

.... Ty Store Beanie Retirement
Today Ty has retired the Ty Store Exclusive Beanie Baby 'Raine'. This bear was just introduced on March 2nd, making it available for ordering for only 14 days.
Click here to visit Ty Store

.... New UK Exclusive Beanie Baby?
Following news posted on Monday, here's another 'teaser' received from one of our readers today ...

Hi Doodle,
It would be great if we let your readers try and work out these teasers
NEXT TEASER……….
“Land of the Pasty, you’ll need to go there
And visit a store to get this rare bear”
More teasers to follow……………..

... Quite interesting once again! So what are your thoughts? :)

.... Ty Newsflash - New Ty Store Exclusive
Today Ty introduces 'Skips', a new Ty Store Exclusive Beanie Baby bear. (Check out those bunny slippers! :) Click on the link below to view the announcement and how you can order this Easter "bunny".

.... Ty Store Retirement
As the Easter Bear / Bunny 'Skips' into Ty Store today, out goes 'Punchline' the chihuahua. Punchline was introduced on February 23, 2006.
Click here to visit Ty Store

.... New UK Exclusive Beanie Baby?
Rumors have been 'simmering on the back burner' lately of a new upcoming UK Exclusive Beanie Baby. For instance, click here to read Ty Cyberboard postings. One of our readers also writes with a 'teaser' to get the mind bubbling a bit as well ...

Hi Doodle,
Watch out for a super rare UK Exclusive coming soon.
“Hope some of you are able to be in St. Pirans county on `Obby `Oss weekend……….
It’ll be worth it……….!??”
More teasers to follow…….

... Quite interesting! So what are your thoughts? :)

.... Bluebonnet Beanie Baby
Marilyn kindly shares photos, including the hang tag, of 'Bluebonnet'. This Beanie Baby was introduced by Ty on February 28, 2006.
Click here to view the photos

.... (Silent) Retirement
Another Ty Store Exclusive has retired. Say goodbye to 'Patty O'Lucky', the St. Patricks Day bear. This Beanie Baby was introduced on February 8, 2006. (St. Patricks Day is next Friday, March 17th.)

.... (Silent Retirement)
Ty has (silently) retired 'Shiloh' the black footed ferret Beanie Baby today. This Ty Store Exclusive was introduced on January 19, 2006. To see a list of all the WWF Beanies introduced by Ty, click here.

.... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted:
Q: Knowing what you know now, if you were just starting out with your idea for Beanie Babies, what would you do different? (submitted by bigbadwolf31)
A: Looking back, the only thing I would have done differently is . . . . . introduce Zip the cat along with the original 9 !
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

.... More on Ty MasterCard Buddy
Tammy writes:
Hi Deb, Just a note to let Ian know that I noticed a funny smell when I opened my MC Buddy as well. I just figured it was the fur which has a different feel to it! Tammy

(... See Ian's note posted Wednesday, March 8th.)

.... BBOC - Update (Silent Retirement)
Following yesterday's post, Robin now shares an update:
Hi Doodle -- It's me again. I just noticed that the nine BBOC ("original") Beanies are now listed as retired. Wonder why no announcement??? Enjoy your day! TTY soon ~~ Robin

.... Forbes List of Billionaires
Bill Gates has topped the list again the year as the World's Richest person. Listed at #140 is H Ty Warner, at $4.4 billion.
Click here to view the list

.... BBOC
One of our readers shares the following:
Hi Doodle -- I thought you might want to know that it looks like Ty's BBOC is no longer accepting orders. Check it out on the BBOC link on Ty's site. Thanks and have a great day ~~ Robin

... Thanks for sharing the news, Robin. I checked it out and found the following note posted:

.... Ty MasterCard Buddy
Ian shares the following:
Hi I now this sounds really daft but,is it just me or does this bear have a smell about it? would be interesting to see if any other collectors have noticed this (have recieved 2 fron the USA and they both have a strange smell about them) thanks ian.

... Doodle's note: If you have also noticed the same that Ian has shared, we'd like to hear from you.

.... Silent Retirements
Today Ty has (silently) retired two Ty Store Exclusives ... 'Hug Hug' Beanie Buddy and 'Lovesme' Beanie Baby.
Click here to visit Ty Store

.... Photos of 'Punchline'
On February 23rd, Ty introduced a cute lil' chihuahua named 'Punchline'. His birthday is April 1st ... and yes, a cute 'punchline' is seen in his hang tag poem. :) Marilyn kindly shares photos of this new Beanie, including the hang tag and the tissue that accompanied this Ty Store Exclusive.
Click here to view the photos

.... Beanie Babies Now Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan
Press Release / March 3, 2006

Thanks to the efforts of Spirit of America, a nonprofit, and BarrysBeanies, a retailer and wholesaler of Beanie Babies, Beanie Babies are helping to fight the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.

24-7PressRelease/ - REDMOND, WA, March 03, 2006 - Spirit of America http://www.spiritofamerica.net, a nonprofit, which is supported solely through private-sector contributions has a project that supplies Beanie Babies to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan so that they can distribute them to the children there.

The troops are handing out the Beanie Babies to the children in their daily patrols throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. This accomplishes two things.

First of all, Beanie Babies make the children happy. Which child wouldn't be happy to get one of these cute stuffed toys?

Secondly, handing out Beanie Babies gives the troops the opportunity to build goodwill with the Iraqi and Afghani children. The troops need all the friends they can make there and children can provide friendship, support and perhaps critical information that might just help to save the lives of our troops because friends look out for friends.

Click here to read the story

.... Photos of 'Billingham'
The March 2006 'Beanie Baby of the Month' ... Billingham, was introduced on March 1st. If you are a BBOM member, you should find this adorable chick in your mailbox soon. Marilyn kindly shares photos, including the hang tag and the tissue that accompanied this new Beanie.
Click here to view 'Billingham'

.... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted on Ty's website:
Q: If you are trying to get away from the cold weather, where would you go and why? (submitted by Eazy1668)
A: Well, growing up in the Midwest, I actually don't mind the cold weather. But if I was trying to get away from the cold I would be on my way to . . . . Santa Barbara, California !
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

.... Photos of 'Scrum'
Marilyn kindly shares her photos of the UK Exclusive Beanie Baby 'Scrum'. Also included is a close up of the chest emblem, as well as the hang tag.
Click here to view 'Scrum'

.... Ty Newsflash
Today Ty introduces a new Ty Store Exclusive Beanie Baby ... 'Raine'. (I wonder if this Beanie is based on the old saying ... 'April showers bring May flowers'? I know, I know ... it's only March... just a thought that ran through my mind when I saw this Bear :) After all, spring IS just around the corner! Click on the link below to view and order this bear.

Added Note: I've just added the poem that is now posted on Ty's site. Looks like perhaps our thoughts were on track.

Poem:
After the night becomes the dawn
And the spring rain has come and gone
It washed away all of the gloom
And little buds begin to bloom !
Click here to view the announcement

.... March 2006 Ty Desktop Wallpaper
Ty has posted the desktop wallpaper / calendar for March 2006.

.... March 2006 BBOTM
Ty has posted the March Beanie Baby of the Month ... 'Billingham'. If you are a BBOTM member, you may want to keep a close eye on your mailbox. ('Zoomer', February's BBOTM, is now listed as retired.)

Click here to view on Ty's website

Poem:
If you splash in the tubby
At times when you are feeling grubby
Please just keep one thing in mind
I'm a duck, but not the rubber kind !


Love U Mum (UK)	Love U Mom