Steiff Bears Purity Law and other awards of outstanding quality

"Only the best is good enough for our children" was the personal credo of Steiff Bears company founder, Margarete Steiff, more than one hundred years ago. Over the years, Steiff has applied this basic principle to all areas of the company.

It is their goal to create not only the most beautiful and best toy animals and teddy bears in the world, but also the safest. In order to live up to this high standard, Steiff Bears has developed a special quality control system to supervise the entire creative development and production process: from the initial idea for the product until the moment when a Steiff animal leaves the factory in Giengen, Germany.

Steiff stands behind their 'Steiff Purity Law'. This involves the voluntary examination of all of their products - not those imposed by any standards - because harmful substances of any type have absolutely no place in Steiff Bears products. This 'law' is comprised of ten rules from avoiding physiologically harmful colors for all dying and coloring processes to maintaining higher requirements for the workmanship of seams and applications than required by all international standards, to name just a few.

Quote of the Day - "Make up your mind to act decidedly and take the consequences. No good is every done in this world by hesitation." - Thomas H. Huxley

Marie Osmond Dolls on QVC in August

Marie Osmond will be presenting her August 2009 Marie Osmond Dolls on both Monday, August 24 and Tuesday, August 25.

Those time are as follows:
August 24 - (All times are Eastern Time (ET)).
4:00 - 6:00 am
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
11:00 pm - 12:00 am
August 25 -
2:00 am - 3:00 am

Marie will be celebrating her 18th anniversary on QVC during this time.

Please take a look at our previous post to get a sneek peek at the incredible collectibles dolls that Marie will be presenting during these QVC show times.

As always, we will meet or beat QVC prices on all MOD dolls.

Quote of the Day - "Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working." - Pablo Picasso

Marie Osmond August 2009 Dolls - Sneak Peek

We have been informed by Charisma Brands, distributors of Marie Osmond Dolls, that we will be receiving in late August (August 24th most probably) Marie Osmond's August 2009 dolls.

There will be at least 10 new Marie Osmond dolls being introduced and here is a brief highlight of those dolls that we believe will be very popular with doll collectors:

1. Goldilocks (with James) - this incredible 22-inch porcelain doll is from Marie's "Quite a Pair" Collection. Marie pairs up with another successful collectible company and this doll pair features a Steiff Bear names James. This vintage beauty has been created by doll sculptor Monica Reo and is sure to become a timeless classic. She wears a floral print peach dress with lace and ribbon trim, organza underskirt and a coordinating headpiece. Goldilocks is hallmarked with Marie's signature logo and is hand-numbered. James comes with the famous Steiff Bears "Button in Ear" tag. This set comes from a limited edition of only 250 pieces.

2. Baby Aisyha is a beautiful African American doll dressed in a cream faux silk dress adorned with beaded accents. She comes from an edition size of 300 collectible dolls.

3. Catherine Elizabeth is quite unique in that she is a rare wax over porcelain collectible doll. This classic and timeless reproduction inspired by turn-of-the-century clothing from a bygone era. She comes from a limited edition of only 200 pieces, and wears an incredible ivory satin dress adorned with multiple layers of lace and roses.

4. Katelyn is an irresistible toddler doll that is 12-inches seated. She wears a gorgeous blush peach faux silk dress with fabric flower rosettes, sage green tulle underskirt and coordinated shoes and headband. She has curly reddish brown hair and just a faint hint of freckles across her adorable face. Comes from a limited edition of 500 pieces.

Quote of the Day - "If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor." - Albert Einstein

Jim Shore Figurines Introduces John Deere Collection

New for 2009, Jim Shore has created the John Deere Traditions Collection. These iconic John Deere tractors are designed in the best-selling Jim Shore style and each piece captures the history and quality of what has become an American tradition in farm equipment.

This new line includes the following:

1. John Deere Tractor Jim Shore Figurine (4013408)
2. John Deere Pumpkin Jim Shore Figurine (4013406
3. John Deere Bucket Jim Shore Figurine (4013407)
4. John Deere Barn Jim Shore Figurine (4013409)

Quote of the Day - "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." - Oprah Winfrey

Flexible Layaway Plans Available at Beacons Glow Collectibles

For those of you who are not aware, we here at Beacons Glow Collectibles offer flexible layaway plans that appeal to several of our customers. In fact, we have several customers with layaways at the current time.

We have always had layaway plans available to customers since our inception in 2003, and have recently been reading that the concept of layaways for consumers has become extremely popular with the current state of the economy.

A summary of our liberal layaway plans as taken from the site:

"Layaway plans are available for orders greater than $100.00, but we do make exceptions to this. Two possible available options are as follows: 1) upon your authorization, we would charge a pre-determined amount for your purchase each month automatically to your VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express charge card on the same date, or 2) you may send a series of personal checks or money orders instead of using a charge card."

If you are interested in setting up a layaway plans for that special doll(s) or bear(s), please either email us at requests@beaconsglow.com or give us a call at (512) 990-9881 (Monday through Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm CST), and we can work out a custom layaway plan that fits your needs.

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

Madame Alexander Dolls Favorite Friends

Expected to start shipping October 15th, we are expecting in the full line of Madame Alexander Doll's new line of 18-inch play dolls named 'Favorite Friends'. These 18-inch fashion play dolls are predicted to be a significant introduction for the Alexander Doll Company.

At half the price of competitor's similar dolls, these dolls have the finest fun-to-style Kanekalon hair, trendy outfits, and very cool shoes. Incidentally all clothing fits similar 18-inch play dolls.

Available only to specialty retailers such as ourselves, this new line will consist of 6 different dolls.

1. Party Perfect (brunette hair with blue eyes)
2. Urban Cowgirl (brunette hair with brown eyes)
3. Spring Fling Dance (light brown hair with blue eyes)
4. Turning Heads (blonde hair with blue eyes)
5. After School Cool (warm auburn hair with brown eyes)
6. Oh So Groovy (African American with black hair and brown eyes)

Additionally, six different Favorite Friends outfits will be arriving mid-October. Each outfit, with shoes included, will be sold individually.

The pricing is quite simple and tailored for these challenging economic and financial times: $39.95 per doll and $19.95 per outfit. As previously stated, these items will be in stock mid-October which will allow plenty of time for holiday purchasing.

Quote of the Day - "If you can laugh at it, you can live with it." - Erma Bombeck

Madame Alexander Dolls Fall Preview 2009

We have recently received from Madame Alexander Dolls our Fall Preview 2009 catalog.

At this point in time, we are unsure as to whether we will be carrying the new 18" fashion play dolls that Madame Alexander dolls is introducing for the Fall. This collection is called "Favorite Friends" and these play dolls are very well made and competitively priced against competitors such as American Girl and other 18 inch play dolls. Beacons Glow Collectibles does not feel that these dolls fit into the collectible mix of items that we currently carry. If you are interested in this new line of 18 inch fashion play dolls and would like us to start carrying them, please let us know.

As is always the case with Madame Alexander's Fall preview of dolls, there are many adorable holiday-inspired dolls that will be available in the months to come.

In the Christmas collection lineup, new introductions will include Yuletide Shopper, Holiday Parade Ballerina, Santa's Surprise, and Christmas Dinner with Scarlett from 'Gone with the Wind'. (Incidentally, this year marks the 70th Anniversary of that epic Civil War movie 'Gone with the Wind'). Also included will be an 8-inch Wendy doll named "Dorothy and Me" and she is pictured above left.

For Halloween, Boo-rific Wendy is sure to be popular with her cute witch's outfit and plush black cat.

Madame Alexander Dolls are well-known for their holiday dolls and this Fall's introductions should be very popular for doll collectors young and old.

Quote of the Day - "When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. I have several stands." - James Brady

Fall and Holiday Bearington Bears

It is hard to believe it but we have received in Bearington Bear's new Fall and Holiday 2009 bears and accessories already. The Bearington Collection is like clock-work each year with the delivery of their orders. (We sure wish that other vendors would be on this stringent a schedule).

As always, their Fall and Holiday lineup is great.

For Fall they have introduced a cute bumblebee theme, the ever popular red plaid terrier theme, and a pumpkin theme, and, of course, a great Halloween lineup of bears. Incidentally, we have 4 Halloween bears that are on backorder and we hope to be receiving those bears shortly.

For the Holidays a cute set of mice are included as well as a Christmas pajama themed set, peppermint candy bears, classic Santa (Nicholas Northpole) and Mrs. Santa (Noelle Northpole), a penguin-themed set, and popular gingerbread themed baker collection, to name just a few.

In addition, five new Bearington Bears miniature ornaments are now available.

We are sure that bear collectors will be very pleased with this new lineup and as in always the case, these bears are reasonably priced.

Quote of the Day - "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." - Thomas Edison

Fall and Holiday Jim Shore Figurines

It seems a bit early but we here at Beacon's Glow Collectibles have been receiving in several shipments of Jim Shore Figurines, specifically Jim Shore Christmas and Jim Shore Halloween & Fall figurines.

Jim Shore has introduced a wonderful collection of Christmas items to include many holiday ornaments that are miniature versions of some of his most popular pieces. These include: Black Cat hanging ornament; Pink flamingo ornament; Pineapple hanging ornament; and Santa with Baby Jesus ornament to name just a few.

In regards to Jim Shore's Halloween pieces he has introduced 2 new pieces from the ever popular Walt Disney 'Nightmare Before Christmas' to include Sally, and Jack. These pieces would be appropriate for either Halloween or Christmas display.

And as is usually the case, several new Disney Traditions figurines have been added to both the Christmas and Halloween collections. Both Mickey Mouse and Tinkerbell continue to delight collectors with Jim Shore's wonderful depictions of both of these infamous characters.

Quote of the Day - "Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on." - Bob Newhart

New Additions to the Boyds Jim Shore Plush Bears

The Boyds Bears Jim Shore Teddy Bears have overwhelmingly proven to be popular items with bear collectors.

The Jim Shore Collection from Boyd's Bears combines Jim's truly unique and inspirational use of color and folk art imagery with the unmistakable 'heartcrafted' style of Boyds Bears that we have all come to know and love. Each unique creation is a treasured keepsake with their elaborate designs, hand-crafted embellishments and whimsical charm.

We have received in 6 of these incredible Boyds Jim Shore Teddy Bears:
1. A Winter's Day Snowman
2. Bearing Gifts
3. Down by the Sea
4. Heaven's Harmony
5. Peace on Earth
6. Purrfect Friends

Each plush bear is incredible detailed with embroidery and various accents and are of the highest quality.

In addition, we should be receiving in shortly Boyd's Jim Shore miniature plush ornaments.

Quote of the Day - 'Having a dream is what keeps you alive. Overcoming the challenges makes life work living.' - Mary Tyler Moore