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

New Nightmare Before Christmas Lock, Stock, and Barrel Jim Shore Figurines

How many of you have seen Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas"?  Believe it or not, it was introduced way back in 1993.  And to this day, still is very popular.

Jim Shore Figurines has introduced 3 new NBC figurines -
Lock 4023549
Shock 4023550 (Pictured Left)
Barrel 4023551

If the past NBR Jim Shore Figurines were any indication, these will be popular items also.

Quote of the Day - "Dreams are the touchstones of our character." - Henry David Thoreau