Toy Fair in New York Showcases New Products
During the cold month of February, with threats of snowstorms to come, Bill and Elizabeth hopped on the train and went to the Big Apple to see what new friends we could locate and bring back to the shop. Shipments are now arriving at the store and we are having fun unpacking. We are adding to the website every week.
In This IssueCollectible Bears - Steiff, Bear StudioMiniature Bears - Deb Canham, World of Miniature Bears Plush Animals - Hansa, Douglas, Cabin Critters, Second Nature Design Fun Stuff - Schleich Animals & Knights, Zim's Elves
All New Steiff - Lower Prices
Steiff introduced at Toy Fair their new line of Cosy Friends - developed for children and babies, this line includes unjointed teddies, floppy & traditional plush animals, baby products, keychains and more. Because some of the production work was moved to China, the prices on these products are much lower than past items completely made in Germany. We have in stock now some of the plush teddy bears ($16-40), floppy animals (hippo, mammoth, giraffe, dog, pig - $22-25), and assorted keychains ($10.00). These items are still of the highest quality and all are marked with the Steiff "Button in Ear". Great for baby gifts and to introduce young collectors to the best in plush. This link will take you there.
Steiff continues to produce the best in heirloom mohair collectibles. On order are the new limited editions Celebration Teddy Bear for Steiff's 125th year ($135.00), Annabelle - a 16" reproduction of a 1915 Steiff ($295), Louis the Cardinal ($120.00), Oriole Bird ($95.00), Teddy Skater Ornament - last in the ornament series collection ($115.00), First American Teddy Ornament ($115.00), Christmas Mouse ornament ($99.00) and Christmas Moose ornament ($110.00). All of these items are mohair limited editions.
Bear Studio - Affordable Artist Designs
Bear Studio is a line of collectible jointed mohair teddy bears, bunnies and animals designed by Isabelle Lee. The sizes of pieces range from 5.5" to 15" and include traditional teddy bears, teddy angels, realistic bears, cute puppies, sweet bunnies and more. See our new Bear Studio Web pages here.
Deb Canham Releases the Old Friends Collection
Deb Canham has released a new series called the Old Friends Collection.
Five bears in an antique style, each with a vintage type cloth toy and one Golly in Americana red, white and blue make up this exciting new release. New mini mices are Aster, Primula and Viola. With their petal outfits and leafy wings, they are ready to tiptoe through the tulips (I know - bad joke).
Don't forget to pre-order your Hot Editions. Just in is Pip n' Squeak - a bunny and duck set. We still have just a few remaining of the first 3 Hot Editions - Little Miss Proper, Little Miss Primm and North Pole.
Un-boxed World of Miniature Bears now available on-line at a substantial discount
World of Miniature Bears has a few new releases - Marty and Punky are fall themed bears with pumpkin accessories, and Sabrine, Wilhelm, Coffee Bean and Choco Chip are new shaggy mohair bears. Agape Bears is now carrying the loose miniature teddy bears and animals. These are priced at $8.00 and $10.00 - they do not come with the little plastic collector cases. These are great items to place in a dollhouse, with a teddy or doll, or just to tuck in anywhere!
Hansa Toy International is now on the Site
Hansa Toy International creates probably the most realistic animals available on the market today. Made of high quality plush, many of the animals have internal wire "skeletons" to support the structure and allow for posablility. From the familiar chipmunks, squirrels, hamsters and rabbits to exotic wild elephants, rhinos, and penguins, to the most unusual creatures like meerkats, potaroos, echidna, platypus, and wombats, you'll find a large variety in our shop. Don't skip the aviary with budgies, macaws, cockatoos and parrots.
Douglas Expands their Kohair Line
The softest kohair and plush fabrics combined with lifelike stylings make Douglas animals nearly impossible to resist. Breed specific dogs in 5 sizes, sweet kittens and cats and a whole range of farm and wild animals as well as a few fantasy creatures can be found in our Douglas section. Newest realeases include long-maned horses, ferret, artic fox, and mountain goat. New dog breeds coming soon are plush daschunds, yorkies and pekinese (new styles), black and cream pugs, australian shepherd, and pomeranian; and kohair papillon, springer spaniel, collie, and bernese mountain dog. Look for these on our website as they arrive.
Our Fresh Catch!
Looking as if they were just pulled from the water, Cabin Critters 17" long fresh and saltwater fish are accurately portrayals in plush. Perfect for the outdoor enthusiast, these fish look good enough to fry - but they won't rot and stink like the real ones. (They won't sing either, like the infamous bass of recent years!). Cabin Critters also makes realistic woodland plush, waterfowl and marine animals.
Softest Plush on the Planet
Second Nature has probably found the softest plush on the planet for their Simply Irresitible line of teddy bears, cats and dogs. From 6" kittens to 24" teddy bears in black or caramel, once you pick one of these up, you won't want to let it go.
Recreate a Medieval World or Build Your Own Zoo
We have expanded the range of Schleich Knights and Animals that we are carrying. We are stocking the complete line of knights, including the castle and all accessories. Look for new knights, castle extras and fantasy figures in the fall. We have also brought in a larger selection of the Schleich animal figurines. From farmyard to woodland to jungle animals, they are very detailed, durable, and priced at $1.99, $3.49 and $4.99.
News from the North Pole
Although we don't have any information yet on new releases this year, we did want to announce that Zim's has lowered our cost on the Elves Themselves and we will be passing these savings on to you. The prices will be going down by 20-25%. We expect the updating of our inventory and web pages to be complete by the end of April. Zim's will not be releasing a new catalog but we will keep adding to our site as new pieces are released. If you are looking for a special elf that we don't normally stock, please ask us to order it for you.
Finally, we are happy to welcome Elizabeth Jane Kirkwood as our new part-time employee. Elizabeth has been working with us for a few months. Please bear with her as she learns the inventory and systems. In order to avoid confuision, Elizabeth would like us to use her nickname Ouisi (pronounced Wheezy).
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