A Bit About Tatty Teddy from the UK

Had heard about Tatty Teddy from the UK quite some time ago as a very sweet UK customer of ours does Tatty Teddy cross-stitch kits.  So I decided to research the background behind this cute little character from England.

Created initially in 1987 by English cartoonist and illustrator Michael Payne, these adorable little teddy bears with the classic blue noses went into production by the Carte Blanche Greetings Ltd Company.  (These Tatty Teddy bears are also known to some as Me to You Bears).

Mr. Payne recently left  his position as Tatty Teddy illustrator at Carte Blanche Greetings.  He is know drawn by a team of three very talented artists:  Steve Mort-Hill, Ceri Lewis, and Tom Barnfield.

In 2001 the US company, Douglas Company, received the rights and license to sell the brand in the US and Canada.

Currently the Tatty Teddy line includes plush toys, figurines, cards, coffee mugs, wedding accessories, and cross stitch kits as mentioned previously.

Tatty Teddys have quite a worldwide following and there exists annual Tatty Teddy national collectors events.  On occasion there have been produced several special and limited edition bears which in turn enhances the collectible nature of these teddybears.

In 2008, Carte Blanche Greetings introduced an additional line called "My Blue Nose Friends" which consisted of other animals created in the same style of Tatty Teddy.  Their plush is a different color than the traditional grey of Tatty Teddy but each one has the dark eyes in close proximity to each other, and the classic light blue nose.

It is very understandable why these adorable little teddy bears are popular in the UK.  So now whenever you see a little grey bear with blue nose you can identify him as a "Tatty Teddy" who originated in England!

Quote of the Day - "The palest ink is better than the best memory." - Chinese Proverb

Charlie Bears on QVC UK

Did you get to watch Charlie Bears (William and Charlotte (aka Charlie) on QVC UK last week?  Even though the show does not air on US television, one can watch it on their computer.

The owner of Beacon's Glow Collectibles got the opportunity to watch all except one of the shows and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

Will and Charlie make the most adorable couple as can be seen by the image above.

Here are some interesting tidbits mentioned during the shows:

- Charlie and Will's first date was at a Fish and Chips restaurant.  William took Charlie to the best Fish and Chips restaurant in the UK.  To celebrate their first date, Charlie Bears produced a wonderful trio of teddybears that each represent part of that first dinner together.  The bears are named Fish, Chips, and Mushy Peas.  Each has a unique charm that hangs around their neck.  Fish has a fish trinket, Chips a fish and chips chip, and Mushy Pea a Fish and Chips fork. 

William mentioned that there are currently 200 Charlie Bear stockists worldwide.  They are not able to let any more retailers become stockists as there are not enough Charlie Bears to go around as it is.  They will never produce a bear in a limited edition of more than 500 pieces.

William designs all of the Charlie Bear catalogs and Charlie was very pleased that her 2013 Charlie Bear was featured on the front.  She is an incredible bear and Beacon's Glow Collectibles should be receiving their allocation of these bears in the next week or two.

Charlie Bears began in 2005 and currently stockists span 30 countries.

Charlie had mentioned that she will be producing a catalog of all Charlie Bear plush bears ever produced and it should be ready in November of 2013.  We are definitely looking forward to that.

They have introduced a new line of bears called the 'Bearhouse Collection".  These bears are all 11-1/2 inches seated and have been named after famous British places and castles.  This first collection represents the first 12 produced.  Already, these bears have been quite popular.  The difference between a regular Charlie Bear and a Bearhouse Bear is that a Bearhouse bear is unjointed and is suitable for ages 18 months and up.

Charlie Bears is coming out with some adorable wooden and canvas cloth deck chairs to display your teddy bears (or dolls) in,  They were modelled after some high-end deck chairs from cruise liners.  Beacon's Glow Collectibles will also be carrying these deck chairs so please stay tuned.

Mohair Charlie Bears (mostly designed by Isabelle Lee) are appropriate for ages 14 and above.  These are the true collectible Charlie Bears, and they are made of mohair or alpaca which increases the cost of each teddy bear.

William mentioned that his grandmother's name is Brenda, and they will definitely be making a 'Brenda' Charlie Bear in the future.  Brenda, owner of Beacon's Glow Collectibles was pleased to hear this.

Hope that you find the above-mentioned items as interesting as we did.

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