Beanie Kids/Bean Bag Mates News
June 2000
*Urgent message from Angie, a big UK Beanie Kids collector who is campaigning to get Beanie Kids sold in the UK!!!*
"I would like all collectors of these super beanies to email me. This is a serious matter that might (hopefully) will be for your benefit. Email me, I will fill you in on the info, especially looking for people in the north but all email me ASAP! This could be worth your while in the long run. I am working (voluntary) in conjunction with Skansen UK. Please contact me to learn more and see how you can help get them in to the UK!!"
Email: angekahl@breathemail.net
June 2000
New Release BK's are:
Slip the Snail
Slide the Snail
Crawly the Caterpillar
Otto the German Bear
The first three are limited releases.
As at 13 June, Skansen has not put up pictures of the new releases on their website.
Skansen 's beanie kids website has got a new look.... check it out at www.beaniekids.com.
Skansen's Bean Bag Mate website does not appear to be in operation at the moment.
www.beanbagmates.com
May 2000
Skansen announces new Beanie Kid releases:
Guiseppe the Italian Bear
Champagne the French Bear
Islington the English Bear
Independence the American Bear
Retirements:
Jerome the Giraffe
Wyatt the Y2K Bear
Honey the Bee
In November 1999, Skansen stopped shipping Twinkle the Fairy Bear for manufacturing reasons. There are only 5040 Twinkles in circulation. Twinkle is now retired but as far as I know, is still currently available for sale as a Bean Bag Mate.
Skansen released a new limited version of Ruby the Red Bear (Beanie Kid). It has a white sash with the word "Mother" on it.
March 2000
Skansen Giftware Australia announced the retirements of Star the Bear and Twinkle the Fairy Bear.
February 2000
Bean Bag Mates were exhibited at the New York Gift Show and the Ohio Gift Show. Skansen Giftware Australia announced the release of seven new Beanie Kids with two more to be released at the end of Feb/early March. To find out more, go to Skansen's site at www.beaniekids.com
January 2000
Clash of the Titles
Kathy Flood from www.collectingchannel.com reported that last year Ty Inc (TM) announced that it would no longer create bean bag toys, but after an on-line public ballot which voted for Ty to continue its operations, Ty announced a new range. Their new line of beanie toys is called... guess??!!... the same name as Skansen Giftware's line of bean bag toys in Australia... that's right, Beanie Kids! Rumours from Mary Beth's collectors magazine before the launch of Ty's new line speculated that it would not be logical for Ty's new line to be called Beanie Kids because of Skansen's use of the name, but also that Ty was able to use the trademark name. Hmmm... it will be interesting to see what happens next with the clash of the titles!
Bean Bag Mates were exhibited at the LA Gift Show and the San Fransisco Gift Show.
On 20 January, Skansen announced the retirements of Hippy the Bear, Zelda the Witch Halloween and Daisy the Guernsey Cow. Long live Hippy, Zelda and Daisy!
BeansTalk, 2000