Jim Shore Figurines Fabrics of Faith

Jim Shore Figurines has recently introduced three wonderful angels and this new collection is called "Fabrics of Faith". This angel collection serves as a reminder of faith. Each angel features a fabric skirt with special embroidery details. The detail on each and every angel in this collection is incredible.

This new Jim Shore Collection includes:

1. Angel of Love (with a heart pattern skirt)
2. Angel of Hope (with a star pattern skirt)
3. Angel of Friendship (with a flower pattern skirt)

We expect that this new collection will be very popular and should imagine that Jim Shore will gradually add to this collection to add different faith themes.

Quote of the Day - "There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you." - David Burns

Tne Enduring Popularity of Snoopy

Have you noticed that many stores this holiday season have several Snoopy-themed Christmas decorating items? The enduring popularity of the late Charles M. Schulz beagle character, Snoopy, is quite amazing. This ever-popular character made his debut in a comic strip on October 4, 1950.

Both Steiff Bears and Madame Alexander Dolls have very special items celebrating Snoopy this year.

Steiff Bears has introduced Snoopy and Woodstock (EAN 681387) (which by the way has won the coveted Teddy Bear of the Year (TOBY) Award, and an adorable Snoopy ornament (EAN 681394).

Madame Alexander has 3 dolls this year with the Snoopy and Peanuts theme:

1. Wendy Loves Snoopy (48975)
2. Peanuts Christmas Jack (49735)
3. Peanuts Christmas Wendy (49736)

It sure does look like the popularity of Snoopy will last forever. . .

Quote of the Day - "The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without, the more significant and the higher in inspiration his life will be." - Horace Bushnell

Madame Alexander Winnie the Pooh Dolls

Better late than never as they say - we were expecting in both the "P is for Pooh" and "T is for Tigger" Madame Alexander Dolls back in June but we just recently received them in.

As is always the case with Madame Alexander Dolls, the quality and workmanship is superb in both of these dolls.

P is for Pooh is an 8-inch Wendy doll with dark hair and blue eyes and wears a very colorful pant set. An adorable miniature plush Winnie the Pooh is included with this doll.

T is for Tigger is a blond-haired, blued eyed boy doll that is also 8 inches tall. He wears a cute pair of tan cargo pants and a hooded sweatshirt. A miniature plush Tigger comes with this set.

For those of you who were waiting for the Jack Loves Toy Story, we are sorry to disappoint you but the Alexander Doll Company ran into some manufacturing issues with this doll. Therefore, this doll will not be produced but hopefully things will be straightened out next year and production will resume.

Quote of the Day - "If we could first know where we are. . . we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it." - Abraham Lincoln

Fairies by Heartwood Creek by Jim Shore

Jim Shore's long-awaited fairy figurines have finally arrived! This new collection entitled "Fairies by Heartwood Creek" includes 7 adorable resin fairies.

This new collection has been highly requested and we believe that it will be popular with both Jim Shore collectors and fairy collectors alike. Each fairy has pressed metal wings which is new to Jim's figurines.

Figurines from this collection include:

1. Cat Fairy Figurine
2. Cooking Fairy Figurine
3. Fairy Princess with Frog Figurine
4. Fairy Seahorse Figurine
5. Flower Fairy Figurine
6. Musical Fairy Figurine
7. Sewing Fairy Figurine

Additionally, a displayer base is available to display 5 of these adorable fairies.

Quote of the Day - "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers

Bearington Bears - A Family Affair

We have been carrying Bearington Bears now for at least 5 years now, and it still amazes us how Bearington can come up with new and cute themes for their teddy bears.

Bearington Bears was recently featured in the latest 'Teddy Bear & Friends" magazine and we thought we would share some highlights of this article.

Bearington Collection is truly a family-based business steeped in tradition. In existence for more than 11 years, the Stray family has worked side by side in their family business. Mother Betty and daughter Jamie Stray develop the new products and designs, and are both artists by nature. Father Jim, along with son Brad, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company.

As is popular with many manufacturers this holiday season, Bearington has designed their bears in classic Christmas reds and greens. It is their intention to exude a feeling of days gone by with their creations this holiday season and they have certainly met their goal.

Quote of the Day - "Love is the big booming beat which covers up the noise of hate." - Margaret Cho

2009 Holiday Forecast

It looks like the economy is starting to turn around as things are looking up for the 2009 Holiday Shopping Season. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) they are projecting holiday retail industry sales to decline only one percent this year to $437.6 billion. Incidentally, the NRF defines "holiday sales" as retail industry sales in the months of November and December.

While this number fails significantly below the ten-year average of 3.39 percent holiday season growth, the decline is not expected to be as dramatic as last year's 3.4 percent drop in holiday retail sales nor as severe as the 3.0 percent decline in annual retail industry sales expected for all of 2009.

In addition, we have heard that many individuals this holiday season are leaning towards holiday items that return to things that offer comfort and reflect memories. Popular Christmas themes and colors are Christmas red, greens and golds this holiday season.

Quote of the Day - "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." - Patrick Henry

New Thinkin of Ya Bearstones by Boyds Bears

Boyds Bears has always been famous for their intricately designed resin Bearstone figurines, and have recently introduced a new Bearstone Collection. This new collection is the "Thinkin of Ya Bearstone Collection". In the past, Boyds had consistently created plush bears for their "Thinkin of Ya" Collection so the introduction of resin Bearstones is quite new.

As Boyds says: "Each Thinkin of Ya Bearstone is small in stature but big in thoughtfulness!" Boyds has captured popular gift giving sentiments and themes such as: 'Sweetest Grandma'; 'Happy Birthday'; 'Moms are Angels'; 'Teachers Rule'; etc.

Perfect for any special occasion or special person in your life.

Quote of the Day - "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Henry David Thoreau

Boyds Bears Charming Angels

If you will recall, Enesco formed a partnership with Boyds Bears in the summer of last year. At that time, it was decided that one of Boyds resin Collections - Charming Angels would no longer be carried as a product line for Boyds. Both Boyds and Enesco received in many letters, calls, and emails requesting that this incredible line of resin angels be brought back. We are very pleased to announce that this line is once again being carried by Boyds by Enesco and we are pleased to say that we are now carrying this line of resin collectibles.

Boyds description of their Charming Angels Collection is as follows:

"The Charming Angels Collection. . . Guardian Angels of all that is beautiful, precious and pure in the world. Each Charming Angel captures not only the essence of true beauty but shares a feeling of comfort and grace, protectors of all things and all people that are important in our lives. Each delicately sculpted figurine shows exquisite detail and attention, from the gentleness of the face and hands to the flowing gown with embellishments fit for the most graceful of angels.

A Charming Angel is not complete until the perfect set of wings is sculpted, capturing the unique and beautiful expression found within each figurine. The wings are then cast in a translucent resin which are only enhanced when touched by sunlight.

Each Angel is gift boxed and packaged with a 24-karat gold overlay charm, symbolic of the true meaning each Charming Angel shares. Boyds Charming Angels are hand painted and sculpted by master artisans, hand numbered in 3600 piece editions and bottom stamped with an inspirational quote. "

Quote of the Day - "Give all to love; obey thy heart." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Boyds Bears 2009 O Holy Night Nativity Set

Just this past week we received in Boyds Bears latest resin Bearstone Masterpiece named 'O Holy Night" Nativity Set. This piece certainly captures the beauty and magic of the most holy of all nights.

O Holy Night Nativity Set features ten pieces - an angel-topped creche, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the Three Kings, a camel and a lamb. This set comes from a limited edition of 3600 pieces.

The bottom stamp reads 'May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace. The gladness of Christmas give you hope. The warmth of Christmas grant you love.' - Unknown

This is a perfect nativity set to add to your Christmas holiday.

Quote of the Day - 'Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.' - Robert Collier

Marie Osmond Dolls October 2009 Collection

Marie Osmond Dolls October 2009 Collection has arrived. For those of you who watched Marie Osmond on QVC on October 26th, many incredible new dolls were debuted. We here at Beacons Glow Collectibles have received in at least one of each of these dolls that was presented during the show.

These include:

Rosemary Bru (Mary Benner)
Chloe (Sonja Bryer)
Baby Abigail Blessing Day (Sonja Bryer)
Harmony What Child is This? (Karen Scott)
Soyala (Karen Scott)

Mimi (JoAnn Pohlman)
Baby Tina (Karen Scott)
Adora All You Need is Love Belle (Marie Osmond)
Adora Belle Holiday 2009 (Marie Osmond)

Marie mentioned during the QVC show that the prices for these dolls is even more reasonable than usual. This is due to the fact that Charisma Brands is acquiring additional doll manufacturers and therefore, are getting better pricing on their doll production. Just recently, Charisma Brands (Marie Osmond is part owner by the way) has acquired Adora Dolls. We expect that these dolls will be offered to retailers in the beginning of 2010.

Quote of the Day - "People fail forward to success." - May Kay Ash

Fall 2009 Charlie Bears Collection

We received in 15 new Charlie Bears from their Fall 2009 Collection, and as is usually the case, they are very, very nice teddy bears. Additionally, we have received in additional bears from Charlie Bear's Spring 2009 Collection that were very popular to include: Evie, Diesel, Jackson, and Crispin.

More deliveries of these adorable bears are to be shipped to us throughout November and December according to Lucy from the Charlie Bears Ltd. UK Bearhouse. They expect to be receiving in large shipments of new bears every 10 days and will get them shipped out to retailers as quickly as they can.

Their goal is to have all Charlie Bears shipped out to retailers by the second week of December so that will still allow for delivery in time for the Christmas holiday.

Quote of the Day - "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." - Mother Teresa