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Fairy Blossom heads new releases
Sunday, June 24, 2001
Five new Beanie Kids headline the month of June. The 'Limited Edition' Fairy Blossom actually turned out to be really
limited! Unlike the previously titled Limited Edition, Daddy the bear, Fairy Blossom was produced in numbers similiar to
Herb. They were strictly divided amongst Premier Stockists, with most places barely able to cover standing orders. Many
collectors will be disappointed in missing this one at the normal $9.95 however they can't have it both ways. We wrote
about 6 weeks ago about the dismal performance of so called exclsuive releases and now we have a genuine rare piece. Collectors
like to see the value of their Beanies go up and this only happens because of a strong secondary market with some Beanie Kids
whose demand outweighs supply.
So how can you guarantee not to miss out? The only way is to have a permanent standing order with your local stockist. That is
you commit to buying one of EVERY Beanie Kid that comes out. We've had collectors who have had such standing orders with us for
two years and even though I didn't get enough Fairy Blossoms to cover these orders from Skansen none of my collectors missed out.
No doubt Fairy Blossoms will start appearing on the secondary market and on SOLD.com.au very soon. If Herb is to be used as a
guide then expect to pay between $60 and $80 on the open market.The rumour is that these Limited Beanie Kids may become a
regular occurence. Only time will tell.
Fairy Blossom the bear (Limited Edition)
Molly Rose the baby bear (Premier Exclusive)
Boomer the basset hound
Fantasy the unicorn bear
Frosty the winter bear
Giant Herb?
Got room for a one metre high Beanie Kid? A giant Beanie Kid is set to be unveiled at the August Gift Fair in Melbourne (trade only).
Apparently they are deciding which one to make, from three of the six Cuddly Kids, Herb is believed to the favourite
choice at this stage. Expect a retail price of about $80.00.
New Beanie Kids
Monday, May 7, 2001
May Releases
Purr the cat
Postie the bear (Premier Exclusive)
Shaggy the bear
Vincent the bear
Premier Exclusives - are they that special?
In an effort to generate loyalty amongst its major stockists, about 9 months ago Skansen introduced its Premier
Stockist program. The idea was to pinpoint such stockists with a special window sticker and to enable them to carry
a special Beanie Kid each month. I think around 20% stockists were accorded this 'honour' but this should be put into
some perspective by the fact that these 20% probably sell 80%+ of all Beanie Kids anyway. These limited Premier Stockist
Beanie Kids were supposedly a one off order, that is a pre-determined number are automatically sent to these sellers each
month, and no more could be supplied, thus enhancing their collectable value. So is this program working - in terms of the
secondary market? Well let's look at some facts.
Firstly these are the Beanie Kids in question.
Pierre the chef bear ($14.95)
Surprise the party bear ($19.95)
Surf the rescue bear ($9.95)
Wish the genie bear ($9.95)
Fall the autumn bear ($9.95)
Ahoy the pirate bear ($9.95)
Postie the bear (yet to be released)
The prices in brackets are Beanie Kingdom's and reflect the impact or lack of that these special releases have had on the
secondary market. Interestingly in a stockist newsletter I just received most of these can STILL be ordered, which obviously
contradicts Skansens initial mission statement for Premier Exclusives. In a word Premier Exclusives have failed to make the
impression on the hobby that Skansen had hoped. This is not to say that sometime down the track that they may become extra
hard to find and thus more valuable but probably no more or less likely to than certain regular releases. Skansen have been quite
responsive to collector feedback and with a bit of tweaking the Premier Exclusives program could still cause big waves rather
than the ripple it does at the moment.
Auction Results
Monday, April 16, 2001
Thanks to all those who bid on the five auctions in aid of the Royal Children's Hospital Appeal. The
five auctions raised a total of $1047.00.
Sunbeam & Moonbeam #1 Pair $440.50
Sunbeam & Moonbeam #2 Pair $165.00
Sunbeam & Moonbeam #3 Pair $150.50
Sunbeam & Moonbeam #4 Pair $140.50
Sunbeam & Moonbeam #5 Pair $150.50
Aboriginal trio head new releases
Wednesday, April 11, 2001
This months new releases are leads by three special designs from the traditional Aboriginal artist, John
Smith Gumbula. The Skansen press release reads as follows:
John Smith Gumbula has the unique ability as an artist to work in both traditional and contemporary art forms and materials
while using a variety of artistic media, including paint on canvas, walls/floors and glass. This creative flexibility allows
John to create and interpret traditional ideas, spiritual meaning and stories into contemporary designs and media while displaying
appropriate cultural respect and integrity.
Ahoy the pirate bear
Mummy the bear
Cori the corroboree bear
Elder the story telling bear
Murri the indigenous bear
Auction Update
Competition is heating up for the fisrt five numbered Sunbeam/Moonbeam pairs. Number one is already heading towards $500, with the other
four holding very respectable bids of $165, $111, $140 & $110 respectively. Still a couple of days to go so if you've been procrastinating
then get to it. Remember it's a great cause and you can help to build on the $1000 already raised for the Royal Children's Hospital Appeal.
Bid on Sunbeam & Moonbeam pair #1 !!
Tuesday, March 27, 2001
Like to be the proud owner of the #1 pair of Sunbeam & Moonbeam? Well you can and also help the Royal
Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Beanie World is auctioning numbers #1 to #5 on
SOLD.com.au and the auctions have just started! To bid on any of these five just click below.
We'll keep you informed as to the progress of the auctions. We have a limited number of numbered pairs
available for sale, as well as unnumbered versions, for more info go here.
Sunbeam & Moonbeam #1 pair (Finishes 13th April @ 6.40pm)
The bid on the number #1 pair is CURRENTLY $440.50
Sunbeam & Moonbeam #2 pair (Finishes 13th April @ 6.50pm)
Sunbeam & Moonbeam #3 pair (Finishes 13th April @ 7.00pm)
Sunbeam & Moonbeam #4 pair (Finishes 13th April @ 7.10pm)
Sunbeam & Moonbeam #5 pair (Finishes 13th April @ 7.20pm)
The March Beanie Kids
Wednesday, March 21, 2001
The Beanie Master (from Skansen) tonite unveiled the March Beanie Kids, they should start arriving at your
favourite stockists within days. It seems as if Skansen dramatically underestimated the popularity of
Cuddly Kids from retailers. Most stockists will now get them early May. Unbeknown to most retailers they
were allocated on a first come basis at a recent Sydney Toy Trade Fair. A case of being extra timid with their
projections, in my opinion. Skansen has tried to align guessing the demand for Cuddly Kids with guessing the
demand for Beanie Kid Slippers..pleeeese!! Cuddly Kids are a natural extension of the Beanie Kid range, heck they
are large Herbs, Twinkles etc!
Candy the sweet bear
Eggbert the easter bear
Pixie the tooth fairy bear
Tricks the magician bear - Premier Exclusive, Immediate Retiree
Hoppity the bunny - Cardeaux & Rip It Up Exclusive
Moonbeam the bear - Beanie World Exclusive
Sunbeam the bear - Beanie World Exclusive
Sunbeam & Moonbeam Limited Edition Card (500 cards only)
Beanie Chat Blast!
Thanks to all particpated in the first SOLD.com.au / Skansen sponsored Beanie Kid chat last nite. We had many
participants from all over Australia, even a handful from overseas. The Beanie Master unveiled for the first time
the March releases and was put under the microscope from information hungry collectors! The Beanie Master also
revealed that there is definitely NO such thing as a Smiley without ears. The one you have seen as in the guides
was a prototype only. Look out the for the next chat, who knows what you'll find out next time!
Chat Live with the Beanie Master!
Saturday, March 16, 2001
Mark down this date and time: Wednesday 21st March at 5.00pm (Melbourne time). Just go to
this link to find out more
and also go there on Wednesday to particpate. Ask the Beanie Master ( from Skansen) absolutely
anything about Beanie Kids. Tell him what you like about the hobby and give him suggestions on
how to improve it. Give him your ideas for new Beanies - who knows your idea may one day become
actual Beanie Kid! Chat with others and compare collections, perhaps arrange a swap or two.
As this is a first the time and day is an experiment, depending on the response they may hold future
chats at differnt times.This event is brought to you by SOLD.com.au and Skansen.
Four new Beanie Kids
Early next week we'll be able to tell you of the new March releases, including showing you some
images. Hoppity the bunny from Cardeaux & Rip It Up should also hit the shelves next week.
Order Beanies Quickly & Safely!
Tuesday, February 27, 2001
We have just finished installing our new secure shopping basket. At the very bottom of the legend on the left
there is an Order Beanies link. Just follow this to place your order. We had numerous problems with the previous
shopping cart freezing up regularly, but this has now been overcome. Over the next few weeks we will also be
adding various Ty products to the basket, for now you can just order Skansen Current & Retired Beanie Kids.
Please note: The old shopping cart is currently doubling as a gallery (temporarily), however please
disregard current stock & PRICES within this. For correct prices and for ordering go to ORDER BEANIES at the bottom
of the menu on your left, thanks.
New Beanie Kids in stock
Al, Bubbles, Brave, Fall, Giday & Mardi are all in stock and available for ordering.
Six New Kids plus an Easter surprise!
Thursday, February 15, 2001
The following six Beanie Kids will start appearing on shelves sometime next week.Note Mardi 'coming
out' just in time for Sydneys Mardi Gras.
Al the alien bear
Brave the fireman bear
Bubbles the bear
G'day the Aussie bear
Fall the autumn bear (Premier Exclusive)
Mardi the party bear
Also not far away will be a Cardeaux & Rip It Ip exclusive, Hoppity the bunny. We should be getting
a picture of Hoppity pretty soon.
Here Come Cuddly Kids....Extra Large Beanie Kids!
Tuesday, February 13, 2001
At the upcoming Sydney Gift Fair in March a new range of large Beanie Kids will be introduced. As far as i understand they
will be called 'Cuddly Kids'. They are actually alot plumper than their previous counterparts, the 15 inch Beanie Kids of several
years ago. The retail price will be $29.95 each. So sometime in March look for Snoozy, Jester, Herb, Star, Twinkle & Charm. Have a
look at these pictures. One of which shows clearly a size comparison with a regular Beanie Kid, the other is from this months (Feb)
Barbie Magazine, showing most of these giants. By the way the quality is top notch -
I've held one.
Cuddly Kid Charm with Flutter
Group of Cuddly Kids
RETIREMENTS
The following Beanie Kids have just retired:
Harmony the Peace Bear
Pinky the Triangle Bear
Mardi the Rainbow Bear
Freeda the Peace Bear
Listing Fees Dramatically Reduced At SOLD.Com.au!
Monday, January 29, 2001
The free listing week at SOLD.com.au was a big success with many people taking advantage. For the first year
or so of business free listings were the standard offer amongst new online auctions in an attempt to attract
new customers. As a necessary cost of business listing fees were then introduced at the end of 2000. Whilst quite
reasonable in the context of a successful auction many considered the cost too high for lower end auctions, eg, bet
$1-$15. Unusually (compared to other companies), some might say, SOLD.com.au listened and acted! So if your auction
has a starting price of less than $15.00, or a reserve less than this amount, then the listing fee has been reduced
from 25c to just 5c, a reduction of 80%!. This will come as great news to bulk listers of small value items like yowies
& many beanies.
Site Update
As of now, the following Ty Galleries are complete; Beanie Babies, Beanie Buddies, Attic Treasures, BabyTy & Pillow Pals.
The Classic & Teenie galleries are nearing completion. The remaining links for Ty Trading Cards, Smelly Bellys and other
Aussie Beanies will also not be far from being able to be accessed. Cosmetic improvements and the search for better
pictures will be an ongoing process. You can help by emailing us with any broken links or errors you come across.
Beanie Kid feast continues.
Tuesday, January 16, 2001
Another six Beanie Kids have been released, making it TWENTY TWO within 45 days! How are those credit cards
holding up since Christmas!! Let's hope Skansen can grasp the meaning of 'too much of a good thing'.
Anyway there's nothing wrong with the Beanies themselves. Although we're yet to receive our shipment a quick
glance at the pictures shows a great some pretty good looking bears (perhaps we should call them Beanie
Bears from now on!), mmmm surely someone can design them some decent animals as well as bears!
Alpha the bear
Digit the number bear
Loveheart the bear
Rose the bear (Whats New Exckusive)
Sweetheart the bear
Surf the rescue bear (Premier Exclusive)
Site update
The Ty gallery is complete. I really don't think there is anything like it on the Internet, including
ty.com! We're now working on the Ty Attic Treasures gallery. Atttics are literally the hidden
jewel of the Ty range, there are some amazing old time designs, and with their remarkable quality represent
great value. There are also only a handful of expensive styles so its quite within many collectors grasp to
piece together a complete set. It would be a challenge no doubt but very achievable. I'll be interested in
getting your feedback once the gallery is up.
Site changes, retirements and Happy New Year!
Thursday, January 4, 2001
Firstly happy new year to everyone! It's been a busy 2000 in the beanie world and 2001 is shaping up as
even bigger, particularly with Skansen's Beanie Kids. A small line of beanies, born in December 1997, introduced
as a small part of Skansen Giftwares product range, is now about to break the 200 barrier (styles) and is now the dominant
product of the company. Exciting new releases and innovations are promised for 2001 for our own Aussie beanie.
A handful of retirements to announce: Crackle, Fizz, Snap & Tingle (all fluoro bears) have now been discontinued.
Obviously you can see the new site design, hopefully you like it. Please be patient with us as we add the content over
the next few weeks (there is a HUGE amount to be added!). For example we've just about finished the Ty Beanie Baby gallery - once
completed it will be one of the most comprehenive on the web, already it's more complete than Ty's itself! When we're finished
with everything we'll invite you all to go over this site with a fine tooth comb and report any broken links, errors etc. Already
Lani from Oakleigh has provided invaluable help in making corrections for our Beanie Kid birthday board.
SOLD.com.au - our exclusive online Auction partner!
Tuesday, December 19, 2000
What does this mean? Simply it reconfirms SOLD's committment to the Beanie hobby & the collectable industry in general. Without doubt is recognised by Beanie collectors Australia wide as the only place top go and either list Beanies for sale or to bid for them.
Already SOLD.com.au has got into the Beanie spirit by producing two of their own, Holly & Sooty. Both were limited to just 1000 pieces and were distributed to bidders and those who listed auctions over the last few weeks.
New Beanie Kids available now
We have the new seven Beanie Kids in stock. Call ##TBA## to order for mailorder or simply order online with our secure shopping cart. Watch beaniekingdom.com closely over the next few weeks as there will be a number of changes, there will be heaps more general beanie info added - on both Skansen & Ty. So stay tuned!
A few days away..
Thursday, December 14, 2000
Eight new Beanie Kids should reach most stores within days. Joy the xmas bear is a Cardeaux & Rip It Up exclusive - however ring them before you turn up as we've heard reports of several of these stores not having their current exclusive even in stock weeks after its release (Daisy). Now we know these chains all like to have their exclusives around the holiday period however collectors have a different opinion. This one makes it 6 franchise store limited editions within several weeks, add the 10 regular Beanie Kids and you have collectors having to shell out about $160 within a 4 week period. Hopefully next year will see some better planning. Note Skansen:- these are collector comments!!
Stiches the rag doll bear
Tomoko the Japanese bear
Snoozy the sleepytime bear
Wish the genie bear (Premier Exclusive)
Flitter the bear
Milko the cow bear
Joy the xmas bear (Cardeaux & Rip It Up only)
Astro the astronaut bear
Some more All Star collectors!
You've seen a picture of Lana's collection several months ago. However Lana has improved on that already! Lana has now joined a select group of collectors who possess the ENTIRE Skansen Beanie Kid collection! Even as we speak Skansen themselves do not have a complete archive of every Beanie Kid! The other picture is of Tracey's collection, which has taken over the family bookshelf! Tracey,a self described 'mature collector' is about to move her prized possessions into a glass showcase. If you have a photo of your collection send us some pictures!
Lana, Oakleigh, Vic
Lana, Oakleigh, Vic (part 2)
Tracey S, WA
New Beanie Kids Here
Wednesday, December 6, 2000
Now available - but remember that Surprise & Dad are both limited and already retired! Click below for pictures. They are $9.95 each.
Surprise the party bear
Dad the beanie bear
Melody the musical bear
Next Beanie Kids - They're all bears for a change....
Tuesday, November 21, 2000
November Beanie Kids Due soon -
Surprise the party bear (Premier Exclusive)
Dad the beanie bear
Melody the musical bear
December Beanie Kids -
Stiches the rag doll bear
Tomoko the Japanese bear
Snoozy the sleepytime bear
Wish the genie bear (Premier Exclusive)
Flitter the bear
Milko the cow bear
Astro the astronaut bear
RETIREMENTS
Banjo the bear
Bewt the bear
Bill the platypus
Curly the pig
Oscar the ostrich
Pierre the chef bear
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