Adora Dolls Unveils New Look in 2013

We came across this news article today about the changes happening in 2013 for Adora Dolls by Charisma Brands.  Incidentally, we still plan on carrying all of the new toddlers dolls as we have in the past.

"LAGUNA HILLS, CA - Adora, manufacturer of dolls, plush toys and play accessories, will launch a new look in 2013. The company will unveil its brand with a new identity, packaging, website, and an assortment of products and price points for children of all ages.
The new brand extensions include 200 products with 70 all new dolls and accessories, which will be competitively priced. The all new offerings include: 12" FabFaries soft micro plush dolls, FlutterBabies with interchangeable wings and soft micro plush with vinyl faces, SnuggleTime Babies with removable hoodies and soft micro plush with vinyl heads and BathTime Babies with an exclusive QuikDri body, built in swimsuit and colorful robe.
Adora's current collections-PlayTime, GiggleTime, NurseryTime and Adora Friends-have also been updated and refreshed with added features and a new brand look. Adora will continue to offer a wide selection of its award winning Toddler dolls.
"We are very excited about the new direction of the Adora Brand," said Peggy Vicioso, vice president marketing and product development, Charisma Brands, in a statement. "In addition to our cornerstone toddler dolls, customers were asking for unique, quality dolls and plush items for younger children at a variety of price points. We now have a full line of product offerings for infants on up."
The debut of the all new Adora will be at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Show, in addition to the Seattle Gift Show, Dallas Gift Show, Minneapolis Gift Show and the American International Toy Fair in New York."

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

Free Shipping Extended Today, December 18th!

We have extended our free shipping day today with guaranteed delivery via UPS Ground by Christmas Eve!

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

Quote of the Day - "The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, but in which direction you are moving." - Oliver Wendall Holmes

FREE Shipping Day Today, December 17th!!!!

Don't Forget - "Free Shipping Day" is Today, December 17th!

Beacon's Glow Collectibles is participating in "FreeShippingDay today"! Get free shipping with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve.

Thank you for your business and support!

Happy Holidays!

Quote of the Day - "Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake." - Henry David Thoreau

Charlie Bears for the Holidays

Did you receive this latest edition of the teddy bear magazine Teddy Bear and Friends?  There is a lengthy article on Charlie Bears interviewing William Morris (Charlie's husband).  Additionally, we are pleased to announce that we have a full-page advertisement in this issue as well.

When you get a chance check it out - http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/98a2e97d#/98a2e97d/1.

Happy Holidays!

Quote of the Day - "There are three kinds of people in the world, the wills, the won'ts, and the can'ts.  The first accomplish everything; the second oppose everything; the third fail in everything." - Eclectic Magazine

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: Brand New! Jim Shore Wizard of Oz Figurines

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: Brand New! Jim Shore Wizard of Oz Figurines: Jim Shore's long-awaited collection of brand new Jim Shore Wizard of Oz figurines arrived today. Jim's new collection includes the foll...

Brand New! Jim Shore Wizard of Oz Figurines

Jim Shore's long-awaited collection of brand new Jim Shore Wizard of Oz figurines arrived today.

Jim's new collection includes the following:

- 2 new Dorothy with Toto figurines (1 is a Sepia color and is very nice.  It is the same as the coloring in the opening sequence of the Wizard of Oz movie).
- Glinda
- Wicked Witch of the West
- The Lollipop Guild
- Mayor of Munchkinland
- Scarecrow
- Tin Man
- Cowardly Lion
- Lullaby League

We expect that this new Jim Shore Wizard of Oz Collection will be very popular with collectors. 

Quote of the Day - "The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up." - Paul Valery

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: New! Jim Shore Pixar-Walt Disney Figurines

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: New! Jim Shore Pixar-Walt Disney Figurines: Just in time for holiday shopping, there are several Jim Shore Figurines featuring many characters from the Disney-Pixar movies. Incl...

New! Jim Shore Pixar-Walt Disney Figurines

Just in time for holiday shopping, there are several Jim Shore Figurines featuring many characters from the Disney-Pixar movies.

Included are:

- Mike Wazowski and Sully Sullivan from Monsters, Inc.
- Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story
- Nemo and Dory from Finding Nemo

We expect that all of these incredible character rendition figurines by Jim Shore will be very popular with collectors.

Which is your favorite Pixar movie?

Quote of the Day - "You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness." - Jonathan Safran Foer

More Charlie Bears Are Here!

We are always so excited to let our customers (and potential customers) know when we have received in a shipment of Charlie Bears. 

Today we received in a nice selection of bag buddies, plush bears and mohair teddy bears and minimo bears.

Bag Buddies are JoBo and Tiny.

Plush Charlie bears are Chuckles, Fuddy, Mischief, Molly, Noodle, Thingy-ma-jog, and Wostit for a total of 7 plush bears.

Four Isabelle mohair bears arrived to include Collywobble, Doolittle, Minty, and Tigerlilly.

Bella the cat and Cora the kitty cat were the two Minimo Charlie Bears that arrived in today's shipment.

As is always the case, we expect that these Charlie Bears will be ordered by customers rather quickly.

Quote of the Day - "It is a mistake to look too far ahead.  Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time." - Winston Churchill

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: A Highly Recommended Teddy Bear Appraiser

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: A Highly Recommended Teddy Bear Appraiser: We here at Beacon's Glow Collectibles subscribes to the Bears and Buds Webzine which concentrates solely on the teddy bear industry.  There...

A Highly Recommended Teddy Bear Appraiser

We here at Beacon's Glow Collectibles subscribes to the Bears and Buds Webzine which concentrates solely on the teddy bear industry.  There are many excellent articles and Bears and Buds showcases new teddy bear artists as well as promoting teddy bear shows.  Additionally, they host the annual URSA Competition and award teddy bear and soft sculpture artists from around the world.  Winners are decided upon by popular vote from site visitors, collectors and readers.  (Incidentally, URSA is a constellation of stars called "The Big Bear".)

Anyway, we were reading the Bears and Buds Webzine over the weekend and came across this excellent article on Ken Yenke who is an established teddy bear appraiser - http://www.bearsandbuds.com/KenYenke-Articles/KenYenkeIdentifiesTeddyBearsinBearsandBudsTeddyBearMagazine.asp.  (Examples of some of Ken's teddy bear appraisals are listed in the above link).

Valerie Rogers, Publisher and Executive Editor of Brightstar Promotions (as well as the Bears and Buds website) loves to post Ken's teddy bear appraisals each month on their website. And she was so kind as to allow us to post the above-mentioned link and information about Ken and his teddy bear appraisals.

 Over the years, we have gotten numerous requests from teddy bear collectors wanting to know more about their treasured (and oftentimes heirloom) teddy bears but did not know where to refer them to.

We are excited to announce the appraisal services of Ken Yenke.  Ken charges a nominal fee of $10.00 per bear and requests that a photo and all of the known information be emailed to him.  (He accepts many forms of payment to include even PayPal).

Ken will appraise your bear, tell you it's history and additionally its value via your email. 

As noted on the Bears and Buds website, they would like to publish your bear's photo and its appraisal in coming issues.  (They of course, do not proceed unless given your permission).

This is a perfect way to find out more about your teddy bear!  We are so excited to be able to pass this newfound information on to our collectors.  And we will not hesitate in the future to refer customers to Ken for his thorough teddy bear appraisals.

It's Official - 2012 TOBY Public Choice Awards Announced

If you have not received your latest Teddy Bear & Friends issue (December 2012), we will share with you the winners of this year's TOBY (Teddy of the Year) Public Choice Award winners.

The "Best in Show" and in the Large Artist bear, Dressed was "The Benevolent Benjamin" by Bev White.

Our favorite was the winner of the Manufactured "Friend" "Snoopy Flying Ace" EAN 682070 by Steiff Bears.

Miniature Artist Bear
• Pudding – Katherine Hallam
Small Artist Bear, Dressed 
• Oatman – Joanne Livingston

Small Artist Bear, Undressed
• Alpine – Joanne Livingston
Large Artist Bear, Dressed
• The Benevolent Benjamin – Bev White (BEST IN SHOW)
Large Artist Bear, Undressed
• Bruno – Heike Buchner
Artist Set or Vignette
• What Can I Do? – Byunghwa Ahn
Small Artist “Friends”
• Finery and Finesse – Shelly Allison

Large Artist “Friends”
• Azizi – Krista Griffiths
Artist Creation, Nontraditional Materials
• Three Blind Mice – Stevi T.

Manufactured Bear
• Animalcraft Standing Black Bear – Demdaco Plush
Manufactured “Friends”
• Snoopy Flying Ace – Steiff

Congratulations to All!

Quote of the Day - "The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen." - Frank Loyd Wright

Have You Heard of Small Business Saturday?

Created by American Express in 2010, this annual event is held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, and encourages holiday shoppers to patronize small, local brick and mortar businesses, as well as small eCommerce businesses. 

Small Business Saturday serves as a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which market big-box retail stores and ecommerce stores, respectively.

Beacon's Glow Collectibles participated last year but we do believe that we got the word out to our current customers a bit late.  This year we will try to remind customers of "Small Business Saturday" at an earlier time so that they can participate in this opportunity.

According to American Express, this is the reason that consumers should support small businesses on "Small Business Saturday":

"As a consumer, you are a key part in helping small businesses thrive. By shopping or dining at a small business this November 24th, you’re showing your support for all the small businesses around you. This means you could be helping local entrepreneurs offer more jobs, which in turn invigorate the economy. Last year, over 100 million people came out to shop at independently-owned small businesses on this day. This year, go out and support your favorite small business and search for savings on unique merchandise while experiencing spectacular service – a cornerstone of many small businesses."

Quote of the Day - "Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lots of New Steiff Bears 2012 Fall Collection Are In

We received in a sizable shipment from Steiff Bears late yesterday and today from their 2012 Fall Collection.  There are many wonderful pieces in this collection to include:  holiday ornaments; several teddy bears, a snow fox, and a deer from Steiff's Enchanted Forest Collection; Christmas teddies, and their long-awaited Molly Replica 1925 Dog EAN 403101. 

Anyway, it is very difficult to decide on a favorite but we are quite pleased that Steiff has introduced several Christmas teddy bears this year:
                    Christmas Teddy Bear by Steiff EAN 035333 

Romy Teddy Bear by Steiff EAN 035371 Holly Teddy Bear by Steiff EAN 035357 Angel Teddy Bear Ornament by Steiff EAN 035319 Fawn by Steiff EAN 036705 Christmas Rose Teddy Bear Ornament by Steiff EAN 035302

And as always, we offer very flexible layaway plans.  What a perfect way to get one of these incredible Steiff pieces before Christmas!

Quote of the Day - "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Anonymous

New "Deal of the Day" Format

We here at Beacon's Glow Collectibles have decided to change our format for our "Deal of the Day" and have a true Deal of the Day instead of the multiple deals for multiple days as we had previously.  We decided to go with a more recognizable format for our customers.

So, as of today (Monday, October 8) we will be sending out a "Deal of the Day" email to everyone within our customer database.  If you would prefer not to receive these daily emails, please unsubscribe at the bottom of the email.  Just to let you know, we are maintaining two customer email lists - one is for our monthly emails, and the second is specifically for the daily deal.

Thanks to those of you who participated in our poll.  Our results indicated that 80 percent of you wanted to receive an email whenever our "Deal of the Day" changed.  Unfortunately, we were unable to remove the 20 percent of you from our list as we did not have access to that information.  So sorry for any aggravation this might cause.

And thank you for your continued support, and Happy Columbus Day!

Quote of the Day - "He knows the water best who has waded through it." - Danish Proverb

Fun Halloween Stats According to the US Census Bureau

We came across an article all about Halloween and some facts from the US Census Bureau that you might find interesting:

1.  In 2011, it was estimated that the number of trick-or-treaters aged 5 to 14 was 41 million.  (This does not include those trick-or-treaters younger than 5 or older than 14 by the way).
2.  In 2011 it was estimated by the US Census Bureau that that were 115 million housing units in the US (which were all potential stops for trick-or-treaters).
3.  The highest producing pumpkin states were Illinois, California, New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan and the value of all of these pumpkins were estimated at $113 million.
4.  In 2010, there were 1155 manufacturing facilities that produced chocolate and cocoa products. Pennsylvania in the leading chocolate producer with 102 facilities, followed by California with 100 chocolate-producing facilities.
5.  For non-chocolate factories, there were 409 of them in 2010 with California leading the pack with 49 manufacturing facilities.

Our customers here at Beacon's Glow Collectibles have told us that Halloween is their second favorite holiday for displaying theme-specific dolls and teddy bears.  (Christmas is, of course, the first preferred holiday for displaying their holiday collectibles dolls, figurines, and teddy bears. . . )

Quote of the Day - "If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes." - St. Clement of Alexandra

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: Holiday Sales Increase Predicted for 2012

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: Holiday Sales Increase Predicted for 2012: According to several sources (National Retail Federation, Shop.org, & Deloitte), holiday sales for 2012 are expected to grow anywhere from 3...

Holiday Sales Increase Predicted for 2012

According to several sources (National Retail Federation, Shop.org, & Deloitte), holiday sales for 2012 are expected to grow anywhere from 3.5% to 4.1%.  Although this is a somewhat modest increase, this is fantastic news for both retailers as well as consumers.  The increase is due in most part to an improvement in consumer confidence.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) states that their 2012 holiday sales forecast is higher than the 10 year average holiday sales increase of 3.5 percent.  (It is interesting to note that actual holiday sales in 2011 grew by 5.6 percent).

Shop.org predicts, for the first time, that online holiday sales will grow 12 percent over the last holiday season in 2011. 

Although both consumers and businesses might stall a bit in their spending prior to the election, it is predicted that retailers might just benefit from a post-election consumer spending boost.

Additionally, it is predicted that retailers will hire between 585,000 and 625,000 seasonal workers this 2012 holiday season.  This number is right about the same as what occured during the 2011 holiday season.

All in all, this is good news for the US.

Quote of the Day - "Insist on yourself.  Never imitate." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Madame Alexander Dolls - Thanks for Your Patience

We greatly appreciate your patience while waiting for the latest and greatest Madame Alexander Dolls to arrive.  Come to find out a new company named KLL Dolls just recently bought the Madame Alexander Doll Company, and everything is currently in turmoil. 

Instead of shipping from New York, these collectible dolls will eventually be shipping from California.  This should not have much of an impact on Beacon's Glow Collectibles as we are located in Texas and it takes 5 business days from either US coast for shipments to get here.

And additionally, we have contacted KLL Dolls to see when their Madame Alexander Fall Catalog will be introduced but they can not give us a specific date. Hopefully it will be soon.

They say that change is a good thing, and should be embraced, but in this particular instance, we would have much preferred if things would have stayed the same at the Alexander Doll Company.

Please bear with us and we will be sure to keep you informed of any updates or changes.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support!

Quote of the Day - "The sure way to miss success is to miss the opportunity" - Victor Chasles

Reborn Dolls from Brenda's Reborn Nursery

Today we got an interesting request from a very nice man for a reborn baby doll from Brenda's Reborn Nursery.  He had indicated that he needed a reborn baby doll for a photo shoot instead of having to have a real baby. 

We had an interesting discussion and he had mentioned that it was difficult to first of all, find a newborn baby for an adverstisement.  And secondly, there is a federal law in place that limits the amount of time a newborn baby can spend on a set to be photographed.  He stated that allowable time is decremented according to the age of the child.

Anyway, we are glad that we could oblige him, and Elise is on her way.  We had additionally asked if he could email us photos of the actual photo shoot with Elise in them.  If we do receive these images, we will be sure to post them in a future blog.

Happy Fall!

Quote of the Day - "The best way out is always through". - Robert Frost

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: 2012 Part 2 Plush Charlie Bears Are In

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: 2012 Part 2 Plush Charlie Bears Are In: We were very pleased to receive in 7 brand-new plush Charlie Bears from their 2012 Part 2 Collection.  It looks like they are getting the...

2012 Part 2 Plush Charlie Bears Are In

We were very pleased to receive in 7 brand-new plush Charlie Bears from their 2012 Part 2 Collection.  It looks like they are getting their production issues from the flooding last year under control now, so hopefully, the mohair teddy bears from this collection will be arriving in the very near future.

The names of the 7 new plush teddy bears are as follows:

1.  Firework
2.  Inca
3.  Lawrence
4.  Milly
5.  Mischief
6.  Savoury Pudding (our personal favorite)
7.  Victoria

For the most part, these teddybears are very colorful and several have the magnetic paws which allows their arms to be posed in many ways. 

Thank you for your continued interest!

Quote of the Day - "The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery, and the countless other infinitessimals of pleasurable thought and genial feeling."- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Coming Soon - Jim Shore Department 56 Villages

For the first time ever, Jim Shore has worked in collaboration with Department 56 to create Heartwood Creek Village.  This incredible Department 56 Village includes a lighted church, lighted homestead house, lighted quilt shop, flag pole, Heartwood Creek entry sign, picket gate and fence, and wishing well.

According to Jim Shore, "Heartwood Creek is described as a beautiful area of rich rolling land flowed by a crystal clear rived called Heartwood Creek.  This area of bounty provided an ideal place for 19th century European immigrants to form a new community.  This unmistakable 'heartcrafted' place is where this artist draws his inspiration."

Each piece has Jim Shore's distinctive folk art style which includes vibrant color, quilting and rosemalling designs. 

Quote of the Day - "Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks." - Johann Gottfried Von Herder

Adora Dolls 2012 Fall-Winter Collection

Quite pleased to announce that the 2012
Adora Dolls Fall-Winter Collection has arrived.

This collection consists of 6 brand-new Adora dolls:
1.  Houndstooth and Hearts
2.  Lucky Leopard
3.  Chirp
4.  Polka Dot Doggies
5.  Ring Around the Posies
6.  Winter Wonderland

Our personal favorite is Winter Wonderland (pictured left) who comes dressed in a dark red knit dress with matching beret.  Her patent leather boots perfectly match her dress and hat.  She would be an excellent doll to display during the holidays or throughout the Winter. 

Her blue eyes are just adorable and a great contrast for her dark brown hair. She is 20 inches tall as are most Adora Dolls.

Quote of the Day - "Go back a little to leap further". - John Clarke

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: Boyd's Bears 2012 Bailey and Friends Collection

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: Boyd's Bears 2012 Bailey and Friends Collection: Yesterday we received in the 2012 Bailey and Friends Collection by Boyd's Bears .  This year's theme features a back to school theme. Ru...

Boyd's Bears 2012 Bailey and Friends Collection

Yesterday we received in the 2012 Bailey and Friends Collection by Boyd's Bears.  This year's theme features a back to school theme.

Rumour has it that the original founder of Boyd's, G.M. Lowenthal, created Bailey and Friends which consisted of Bailey, Matthew and Emily.  All three of these names were named after his own children.

To this day, Boyd's Bear collectors must add each teddy bear from the Bailey and Friends Collection.

Please do not hesitate to pick this up if you are interested as they tend to sell out rather quickly.

Quote of the Day - "The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence and educational advantages; the question is what he will do with the things he has. The moment a young man ceases to dream or to bemoan his lack of opportunities and resolutely looks his conditions in the face, and resolves to change them, he lays the corner-stone of a solid and honorable success." - Hamilton Wright Mabie

Limited Production of Steiff Plush Teddy Bears

2012 marks something new from Steiff Bears - for the first time Steiff is introducing a line of their very popular Fynn and Lotte teddy bears that will only be produced during 2012.  Each plush teddybear will have a theme (sports, student, etc.)  And as an added touch, each teddy bear has the Steiff logo embroidered somewhere on either the bear or their accessories. 

Fynn is either a tan or brown plush Steiff teddy bear who is 11 inches tall.

Lotte is a white plush Steiff teddy who is 11 inches as well.

As of this date, we have received both the Student Fynn teddy and the Athlete Fynn teddy bear.

Please stay tuned as we expect to be receiving the Lotte bears in shortly.

Both of these bears are adorable but with their outfits and/or their accesories they are even cuter!

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

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: Collectible Teddy Bears and Their Growlers

Beacon's Glow Collectibles Blog: Collectible Teddy Bears and Their Growlers: Have you ever noticed that some Steiff Bears have a growler?  That magnificent growling sound that is emitted when a collectible teddy be...

Collectible Teddy Bears and Their Growlers

Have you ever noticed that some Steiff Bears have a growler?  That magnificent growling sound that is emitted when a collectible teddy bear is turned just the right way?

We were curious as to the history and inner workings of growlers, and decided to do some research.

Prior to 1908, growlers were called punch growlers that were made of an oilcloth bag with a reed inside. When the growler was pressed, a rush of air made the reed vibrate and cause the noise.

After 1908, modified growlers were introduced and they were called tilt growlers.  A lead weight enclosed in a cardtube tube opened or closed opened the bellows when the teddy bear was tilted.  Therefore, this forced air over the reed and created the growling sound. 

Before tilt growlers squeakers were also used but most usually on smaller teddy bears.  Incidentally, squeakers also use an internal reed.

Currently both growlers and squeakers can be purchased rather inexpensively by hobbyists to include in their bear creations.  But we suspect that Steiff Bears only inserts top-of-the-line growlers in their incredible limited edition collectible teddybears.

Quote of the Day - "How much pain have cost us the evils that have never happened." - Thomas Jefferson

Doll Collecting is Really A Grown-Up Hobby

Why do adults collect dolls?  We have read several articles on this very subject and agree with many points "Not Just for Little Girls:  Doll Collecting A Grown-Up Hobby" written by JoAnn Jacobsen-Wells several years back.

Listed below are her major points in the above-mentioned article sprinkled with some of our commentary:

1.  At first doll collecting was just a fad.  It has evolved into a love and the love turned into a true doll collector.  That would be defined as the person who buys a doll because she loves it, wants it, and enjoys it.
2.  Many doll collectors look at dolls as "works of art" only buying limited editions or OOAK (one of a kind) creations.  This can therefore lend itself to be an expensive hobby but the happiness doll collecting brings is much more satisfying than the money spent to buy the doll.
3.  "I appreciate my husband, as he doesn't understand my love of dolls, but he allows me to indulge. That is how his Dad was as well.  He understood it only because he knew that we loved it."
4.  Each collectible doll has some sort of sentimental value, and each represents a cherished moment.
5.  Each person who collects dolls does it for a personal reason.  For some it fills the void in their lives.  The dolls are comforting when the children and grandchildren are gone.  Some doll collectors remember the smell of a new doll at Christmas and want to recapture that smell because it triggers the memory of a good experience in the past.
6.  Others collect dolls because it just plain makes them happy.  Dolls don't talk back, they don't require changing diapers or food, and they definitely do not require anything but me looking at them and smiling.
7. Some doll collectors claim that doll collecting is less expensive than seeing a psychiatrist.  Some women have reported that doll collecting helps her deal with her depression.  Another woman has reported that collecting dolls fills the void that she feels when she thinks of her deceased son.

Whatever the reason collectors continue to add dolls to their collections, it is a wonderful and endearing hobby.

Quote of the Day - "A light heart lives long." - William Shakespeare

The Four Psychological Powers of Teddybears

A customer sent us a very interesting article titled "Four Psychological Powers of Teddy Bears" written by Priscilla V. Marotta and we would like to share the highlights of the article with you.

"Teddy bears are a wonderful tool for psychological health. Look around your home and the home of your friends. Almost every home has a collectable teddy bear or a teddy bear figurine. What is so powerful about a teddy bear? Why does even the thought of a teddy bear bring a smile to your face? Teddy bears are cherished, many are collectable, and there are so many types of cuddly collectable teddy bears. This is understandable when you realize that there are four powerful psychological effects of teddy bears.

The four psychological powers of teddy bears are as follows:
1.  Teddy Bears are the symbol of child-like innocence.
2.  Teddybears remind us of a special person who loved us and brought us a teddy bear.
3.  Teddy bears are very often used as a gift to remember special occasions.  Therefore, teddy bears are treasured for the memory that they represent.
4.  Plush teddy bears bring the comfort of a soft touch which is a powerful need amongst humans.

It is amazing to realize that a teddy bear is a unique personalized gifts and special stuffed animals, could impart such comfort. Teddy bears are special. In today’s hectic world, a teddy bear is a proven comfort item with multiple psychological benefits. Hug a teddy bear today! "

Quote of the Day - "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Top 10 Collectible Doll Brands - Would You Agree?

We thought it would be an interesting read to do a bit of research online on the latest information we could find on the "Top 10 Collectible (Manufactured) Doll Brands".  Unfortunately, the information we did find seemed somewhat outdated and we have shared our thoughts after each listing, if applicable.

We would love to hear your thoughts - do you think that any manufactured collectible dolls have been left off of the list that should be included, or are there any manufactured doll brands that you think should be eliminated from the list?

Top 10 Manufactured Collectible Dolls:

1.  Barbie Dolls (this brand of dolls always seems to rank high on the list and we have heard that Mattel has had a very successful year in Barbie Doll sales)
2.  Madame Alexander Dolls (at the top of our favorites list, and we truly believe Madame Alexander Dolls have staying power and are heirloom quality)
3.  American Girl Dolls
4.  Marie Osmond Dolls (many of Marie Osmond's Dolls from the past are incredible, but she has really not produced much in the way of porcelain collectible dolls, or any other type of dolls, for that matter, in 2012)
5.  Robert Tonner Dolls
6.  Adora Dolls (another favorite of ours) Incidentally, Adora Dolls are now distributed by Charisma Brands, who owns Marie Osmond Dolls.
7.  Bratz Dolls (would you really consider these dolls collectible dolls?)
8.  Lee Middleton Dolls (at one time, we would agree that they should be included in the top 10 list but Lee Middleton no longer produces collectible dolls per se.  The Madame Alexander Doll Company purchased the Lee Middleton Doll Company several years ago and they primarily produce only baby dolls geared towards children at this time)
9.  Ashton-Drake Dolls
10.  Ginny Doll by Vogue (these are adorable little 8 inch dolls similar to Madame Alexander Dolls but never have had quite the following that Madame Alexander Dolls have had in our opinion).

Quote of the Day - "Inspiration and genius - one and the same." - Victor Hugo

A Classic Steiff Bear - Sunny Teddy Bear EAN 035746

2012 has been a great year for Steiff Bears!  They have introduced one incredible teddy bear after another.  Sunny Teddy Bear (EAN 035746) should definitely be included in this group.  He is a massive bear at 24 inches tall and has a deep growler.  Funny as he was growling from within his very large box as we were carrying him in after being delivered by Federal Express.

He is an old-fashioned teddy bear created from a cream yellow Schulte mohair that is a long pile and just a little bit curly, which adds to his endearing charm.  Sunny has the distinct honot of being the largest teddybear in this year's Steiff Worldwide Limited Edition Collection. 

Just to tell you a bit more about Sunny - he was designed after a mid-1920's Steiff teddy bear and he has a distinctive big round head, short muzzle, and dark brown pupil eyes.  (We have been told that this adds to his adorable childlike expression).

But nonetheless, this extra large Teddy is sure to steal your heart.  A perfect addition to any Steiff collection. . .

Quote of the Day - "A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship; and he who plants kindness gathers love." - Basil

Boyds Bears Marks 20th Anniversary of Boyds Resin

2012 marks the 29th Anniversary for Boyds Bears and their Boyds Bearstone Resin Collection.  To celebrate this very special event, they are introducint this special limited edition Bearstone named 'Winston and Buddies. . . Lifelong Friends'.  Winston and his friends pop out of a signature Boyds resin box with special 20th Anniversary insignia on the side of the toy box.  Each friend contained within the toy box represents a part of the Boyds resin line over the past twenty years.

Message on the bottom reads: "A friend is someone who is always there and will always, always care.  A friend is a feeling of forever in the heart." - Unknown

Sure to be a sellout and a must have for any Boyds collector. . . and here's to another 20 years of Boyds Bearstones!

New Shipment of Charlie Bears Have Arrived

"Good things come to those who wait" - this is a perfect phrase after receiving in a new shipment of Charlie Bears.  Today we got in several plush and mohair Charlie Bears and all that have not been previously spoken for are on the site. (The link above accesses the newest additions to our Charlie Bear inventory).

Included in this shipment are the 2012 Charlie as well as the William V - both are as stunning as ever. (Pictured left is Diddles who is a Minimo Charlie Bear.  Isn't he the cutest little puppy dog?)

And as mentioned in a previous blog post, we will be revealing further details about the 2012 Part 2 Collection of Charlie Bears on August 24.

Have yourself a fantastic summer!

Quote of the Day - "Storms make oaks take roots." - Proverb

Charlie Bears Part 2, 2012 Collection

We are excited to announce that we just got word from Charlie Bears that they are introducing their Part 2 of their 2012 Collection to retailers.  The catalog consists of an incredible collection of both plush and mohair Charlie Bears that will be available to collectors world-wide.

Please stay tuned for details as the official Launch Date has been set for Friday, August 24th.

Quote of the Day - "The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can." - Robert Cushing

Boyd's Bears "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" Collection

Boyd's Bears has an exciting, brand-new line of holiday plush teddy bears this season that features the characters of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

This collection includes Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Clarice, Hermey, Bumble, and Santa.  Each plush teddy bear is 10 inches tall and comes dressed in their respective outfit.  Additionally, each teddy bear has their name embroidered on one of their foot pads. 

Incidentally, Rudolph first appeared in a 1939 booklet written by Robert L. May and published by Montgomery Ward.  Of course, most of us remember the animated television special that was debuted in 1964. 

Anyway, this Boyd's collection is sure to be popular this holiday.  Each plush character is just adorable.

Quote of the Day - "Friends are like rainbows that brighten up our lives when we have been through a storm." - Anonymous

Madame Alexander Doll Cancellations

The following Madame Alexander Dolls will not be produced in 2012 like we had expected:

1. Pope Alexander VI (#64370)
2. Waldo (#64765)
3. Wendy Loves Puff the Magic Dragon (#64675)

We expect that the Alexander Doll Company might have run into licensing issues with producing these dolls.  This has happened in the past but thankfully, this is a rare occurrence. We were really looking forward to the Where's Waldo? doll but these things happen.

Quote of the Day - "To unpathed waters, undreamed shores." - William Shakespeare

FAO Schwarz's "A Gallery of Steiff Collectibles'

For those of you either living close to or planning to visit NYC before September 4th, we would highly recommend stopping by the FAO Schwarz Flagship Store located on 5th Avenue right in the heart of New York City.

This famous toy store is celebrating their 150th anniversary and to commemorate this event, they are exhibiting some famous vintage Steiff pieces dated anywhere from 1898 through 1932.  On display are Steiff ducks, cats, horses, rabbits, airplanes, and of course, plenty of teddy bears. 

We have been told that admission is free to the public and the display once again runs until September 4, 2012.  A perfect way to spend a hot summer's day, and enjoy Steiff's incredible past!

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

Background of Snoopy Flying Ace

Steiff  has introduced an excellent interpretation of Snoopy Flying Ace EAN 682070, and we were curious what the actual background was for this Charles Schulz wildly popular cartoon character, Snoopy.

Per Wikipedia, "Snoopy Ace is a fictional story set in 1917 Europe and northern Africa during World War 1.  Snoopy, a famous Allied fighter pilor, must comabt the Imperial German Army Air Service.  His primary target is a specialized group of pilors dubbed the Flying Circus, and its commander, Manfred con Richthofen, aka the Red Baron."

In discovering this bit of historical information, we are curious if this is how Snoopy initially got his name in the "Peanuts" cartoon series?

Anyway, we have found that this Steiff piece is in high demand, and Snoopy's popularity is here to stay.

Quote of the Day - "Faith - we are at peace with God, and all mankind when we hear the silence and do not feel alone." - Anonymous

New Enhancement - Out of Stock Email Notifications

Beacon's Glow Collectibles has recently changed their Company Pledge.We have decided to do away with only allowing items on the site that are in stock and ready to ship.  Now all items on the site are visible to include both Out of Stock items and Out of Stock items that are upcoming inventory items.

So, if you get to a page on Beacon's Glow that show that an item is out of stock, and you would like to be notified when the item is back in stock, simply perform the following:

1.  Say, for example you would like to order the Adora Doll "Violet and Velvet Adora Dolls 2021027" - http://www.beaconsglow.com/Violet-and-Velvet-Adora-Dolls-2021027-p/2021027.htm.  You notice that there are none of these dolls to order and want to be notified when she does become back in stock.

2.  Select "Email Me When Back in Stock" under "Add to Wishlist".
3.  The following screen appears:

4.  Please fill in your email address and click on "Submit".
5.  When the item is back in stock, you will receive an email similar to this one with the subject line "The product you want is in stock at www.beaconglow.com":

Hello, A product you showed interest in is now in stock. Violet and Velvet Adora Dolls 2021027 Violet and Velvet Adora Dolls 2021027 is an adorable 20-inch vinyl Adora baby doll that wears a pretty soft violet floral print dress with a gathered hemline and purple velvet details at the bodice of her dress. She wears a pair of cream colored fauc pearl earrings in her little ears. Violet and Velvet by Adora Dolls is from Adora Dolls Toddler Collection., $84.95 Read more about this product

You will even have the capability to order this product from this email if you would like.  It brings you directly to the shopping cart.

We would love to hear your comments about this new site feature.

Brand New - Minky Bears

So. what exactly is a Minky Bear?  A Minky Bear is a hand-made teddy bear made from recycled vintage mink fur that has been created by Brenda, the Owner of Beacon's Glow Collectibles.

Each Minky Bear is a precious 6-inch tall teddy bear made from vintage mink fur.  This one-of-a-kind teddy  is entirely hand-stitched and 5-way jointed using cotter pin-disc joints. Every teddy has black German glass eyes and hand-sculpted Polymer clay nose.  Faces have been carefully scissor sculpted.  Minky Bears are filled with a mix of wood wool excelsior and wool blend poly and just a touch of steel shot to give them just the right about of heft.  Each bear has been fully lined for durability. Additionally, all have ultra-suede paw pads.  These adorable Minky Bear comes with a Swarovski crystal heart with pearl accents hanging on a cord around her neck. 

Trust us - once you pick up one of these litttle cuties, it is very difficult to put them down again.

Quote of the Day - "Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm." - Anonymous

Steiff's Fall Introduction - Toto EAN 682261 from "The Wizard of Oz"

Steiff is introducing Dorothy's sidekick from 'The Wizard of Oz' this Fall.  Toto EAN 682261 will be a perfect match to go with Dorothy, EAN 681998.  He is 3-3/4 inches tall and made out of the finest Schulte mohair.  His wooden basket is also included with the classic checkered kerchief. Toto is an exclusive edition made especially for the UK, US, and Ireland.

Quote of the Day - "Trust the dreams for hidden in them is the gate to eternity." - Kahil Gibran

Update on Boyds Bears, Jim Shore, and Snowbabies by Department 56

At first we thought it was an exception but because of the timing, we can now confirm that Enesce (distributors of Boyd's Bears, Jim Shore Figurines, and Snowbabies by Department 56) ships out both Halloween and Fall, as well as Christmas holiday items in late June and early July.  We have been keeping very busy getting these items out on the site but it is a bit difficult to get in the mood, so to speak, when the holidays are months and months in the future.  This is the way that Enesco times their shipments and it does not look like that is going to change in the near future.  But anyway, for those of you early holiday shoppers, now is the time to get a head start on your shopping. 

Quote of the Day - "I have found that if you love like, life will love you back." - Arthur Rubenstein

July 4th Fireworks Celebration Austin-Style

2012 Austin, Texas Fireworks Display

We here at Beacon's Glow Collectibles hope that you and your families had a wonderful 4th of July holiday.  A perfect time to spend with family and friends. . . Austin, TX, had an incredible fireworks display and we were fortunate enough to get a perfect view of them.

Enjoy your summer, and stay cool!

Quote of the Day - "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover" – Mark Twain.

Hermann-Spielwaren GmbH Have Arrived!

Results from a recent customer survey asked if we could start carrying Hermann-Spielwaren GmbH bears handmade in Germany.  They arrived in last Friday and they are quite stunning.  The attention to detail in each bear is quite incredible.  Pictured above is the award-winning "The Queens Jubilee" commemorating Queen Elizabeth's 60th anniversary.
Quote of the Day - "Life isn't about finding yourself.  Life is about creating yourself." - George Bernard Shaw

Alice in Wonderland Snowbabies by Department 56

Snowbabies by Department 56 has introduced an "Alice In Wonderland" series to include Alice, the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, and the Queen of Hearts.  They are a really cute set and all priced reasonably at $17.95.  We have a sneaking suspicion that they will be as popular as their Wizard of Oz Snowbabies from a couple of years ago.

Quote of the Day -

People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy.
Oliver Goldsmith

2012 DOTY Award Winner OINK Adora Doll Back In STock

We are pleased to have received in yesterday the Adora Doll OINK who was on backorder.  This adorable vinyl doll has won the prestigious 2012 DOTY (Doll of the Year Award).  She is 20 inches tall and as cute as can be.  Her pink piggy shoes add the finishing touch.

Quote of the Day -

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.
Benjamin Franklin

Big News Regarding Madame Alexander Dolls

We just got word that the Madame Alexander Doll Company has been bought out by the Kahn Lucas Lancaster, Inc. out of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  We hope that this will be a positive change for both companies.

A bit of background reading on both companies taken from Yahoo!News:

About Kahn Lucas®
Kahn Lucas was founded in 1889 and still operates in Lancaster County, PA, along with design, product development, sales, and fashion showrooms in New York City. Kahn Lucas is a privately held 4^th generation family led company focused on age-appropriate girls’ fashions for sizes newborn to 16 that are sold across all tiers of retail distribution and ecommerce. The company operates under several channel-specific brands, including fashion doll brands What A Doll® and Dollie & Me®, which was awarded the Oppenheim Platinum Toy Award for Excellence, as well as the girls’ apparel brands Youngland®, Sweet Heart Rose®, and Emily West®. The company has been awarded Supplier of the Year by JCPenney, Sears, Toys R Us, and Babies R Us and Supplier of Excellence by WalMart.

About Alexander Doll
Alexander Doll was founded in 1923 by Madame Beatrice Alexander. Alexander Doll products are focused primarily on collectible, fashion, baby, and play dolls and related accessories, including brands such as Madame Alexander™, Cissy®, and Favorites Friends™, as well as various branded collections of play and collectible dolls. Alexander Doll also licenses and produces dolls and related accessories under brands that include Disney®, The Wizard of Oz™, Gone with the Wind™, Fancy Nancy™, Pinkalicious®, Angelina Ballerina™, Eloise®, American Ballet Theatre®, favorite Broadway musicals like Wicked™, classic storybook favorites, as well as the Middleton Doll™ and Newborn Nursery™ brands.The Madame Alexander trademark is also co-branded and licensed in various national programs with select retailers. Through the years, Madame Alexander has been responsible for a series of doll industry “firsts" that have shaped the doll world and defined it as a pioneer of style and quality.

Quote of the Day: 

The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success.
Henry Ward Beecher

Changes in Boyd's Bears Packaging

We received in a shipment of Boyd's Bears Uncle Beans Treasure Boxes and Boyd's Bearstones yesterday and noticed a change in the packaging of both.  In the past, when you ordered a Boyd's Bearstone there was a drawing in gold of the figurine on the front of the box.  Now there is no image on the front of the box at all.  Additionally, all Boyd's Treasure Boxes used to have a photo image of the treasure box on the front of the box and the box was an ivory color.  Now the boxes are the Boyd's hunter green color and there are no images on the front of the box.  Could this possibly be a cost-cutting measure?  We are missing the old boxes. . . but anyway, thankfully, Boyd's by Enesco has still kept the concept of the 1E limited editions.

Plumo Charlie Bears

Do you know what a Charlie Bear Plumo teddy bear is? The name "Plumo" has been coined uniquely by Charlie Bears to describe a very special fur mix.  It is a combination of plush and mohair. Dash pictured above is an example of a Plumo teddy bear. He is adorably soft and hard to put down - trust us!

 

Quote of the Day -

No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope and fear;
But grateful take the good I find,
The best of now and here.
John G. Whittier

Charlie Bears Shipment has Arrived!

Charlie Bears are definitely a perfect example of "Good things come to those who wait". We got in a large shipment of Charlie Bears late yesterday and they are a fantastic bunch as always. There are many Minimo bears, plush bears, and mohair bears.

 

 All of the Isabelle Mohair Charlie Bears that did arrive are already spoken for with the exception of a couple of Sherbert Lemon bears. As you can see, she is one fantastic mohair teddy bear! We might recommend snatching her up quickly as these bears do not stay on the shelves very long. . .

 

Quote of the Day - "It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright." - Benjamin Franklin

2012 Marks the 75th Anniversary of "Gone with the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz"

Isn't it amazing that both movies, "Gone With the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz" have had such lasting staying power over the years?  It is hard to believe that this year marks the 75th anniversary of both of these incredible movies.

To commemorate this event, there are several manufacturers who have either already introduced or will be introducing special dolls and bears to showcase both of these movies.  For example, Adora Dolls, Marie Osmond Dolls, Madame Alexander Dolls, and Steiff are some of those companies who have taken note of these anniversaries by producing special character dolls and bears from both of these movies.

Pictured above is Steiff's Dorothy The Wizard of Oz Bear EAN 681998 who came out last year.  We have gotten word from Steiff that this Fall they will be introducing a Toto dog complete in basket that looks just adorable.  This are already on order and we are looking forward to their arrival.

Quote of the Day - "Years teach us more than books." - Berthold Auerbach

Steiff Introduces Fozzie Bear EAN 681707

Steiff introduces, Fozzie Bear EAN 681707, in conjunction with Walt Disney-Muppet Studios.  According to People magazine, Fozzie is America's favorite bear.  Maybe this is because everyone loves Fozzie Bear's jokes and pranks?

Fozzie is 13 inches tall and is from a limited edition of only 1500 pieces.  He comes from Steiff's North American Exclusive Collection.  He is made from an orange-brown mohair and comes with his signature white and pink polka dot scarf and little brown hat.

Whether you are a Steiff collector, pop culture lover, or a Muppet fan, this is a must have bear.  His attention to detail is incredible.

Quote of the Day - "Ask yourself this question:  Will this matter a year from now?" - Richard Carlson

Free with Purchase - Summer Special

New Classic Snowbabies by Department 56 Have Arrived

Late yesterday we received in a partial shipment of the latest and greatest 2012 Snowbabies by Department 56  from their Classics Collection.

Thirteen different Snowbabies arrived including several ornaments and an old favorite, "A Little Pixie Dust" 4018446 which features Tinker Bell from the famous Walt Disney movie. 

All of these figurines are adorable as always. Please stay tuned as we expect to get in several more from this 2012 Collection.

Quote of the Day - "Trust the dreams for hidden in them is the gate to eternity." - Kahil Gibran