Untitled Document

Ty Memories

The following notes have been shared from collectors with Ty Memories!

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Janie... WOW! What can I say?! Congrats on 10 years. Not only have you poured your heart and soul into helping to keep this collectible alive, you have also been a great friend to many. From one webmistress to another, THANK YOU for all that you do and thank you for being a great friend. I've enjoyed our conversations over the years, our collaborations and our laughs. Fun times and great memories.

So many people don't realize what it takes to keep up with the running of a successful website, respond to emails and tend to life and family. You have done it so well for the past 10 years. I admire your strength, your desire to keep going when you don't have the energy or time, and the wonderful person you are. I hope that Ty realizes how important Ms. Janie is to help keep people interested in collecting his products. I really believe that things would be different if you weren't doing what you do.

Ty Warner has created products that have brought people together from all walks of life and all parts of the world. So much more than other hobbies and collectibles have. I don't recall the pet rock having quite the same impact. <grins>

Do you remember those days when we would stand outside of Hallmark stores and such waiting for the store to open or waiting for that UPS delivery from Oakbrook, Illinois? We formed friendships on the sidewalk with complete strangers who had one thing in common.. BEANIES! I remember times when some people weren't so nice inside the stores because they had their eyes on a particular "newbie" and would push through the crowds to grab that last one. Too funny when you think about it. How can anyone forget how much they paid for Beanies like Princess or exclusives like Germania? How many people are STILL kicking themselves for not being patient? LOL

I've always said that Beanie people are the kindest, and most caring people around. You don't have to look any further than the news. Beanies are collected for soldiers in Iraq, natural disasters, children in need, various charities and so many other needs. Ty Warner has done a wonderful job with giving to various charities, both big and small over the years. Sometimes people sit back and complain because they think he should do more.. but do we REALLY know how much he does or gives of himself and his stuffed animals? I'm sure there are many more things going on behind the scenes and I believe that Ty Warner is a remarkable person with a great heart. One thing that always comes to mind when I think of Ty.. you can't please all of the people all of the time but he sure tries!

Boy this is long winded and probably has a ton of grammatical errors. LOL In closing, I'd like to once again thank you, Janie Daniels, for all of your incredible work these past 10 years. You are loved and appreciated by so many people. Take good care...

Lisa
http://www.planetbeans.com

Bracelets, anklets, and necklaces which are handcrafted with the finest Swarovski crystals, Swarovski pearls, Bali sterling, sterling silver beads, letter blocks, and clasps. Cat's eye beads, Japanese Miyuki beads, various semi-precious beads. All bracelets are made to order and I send pictures of the finished product for your approval before you pay! http://www.planetbeans.com/BraceletsByLisa.htm

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Hi Ms Janie-
Thanks for allowing us to post this message about our Ty memories. We have been collectors since 1997. A friend of mine worked at Nordstrom's and brought us a Peace bear as a gift. I had heard about the beanie craze but never had really seen one. They were so nicely made and cute, we were hooked. We collected more for the kids in the coming years but eventually they lost interest but we did not. Our hunts have taken us to many a place at 5am or running across a mall or store. We have bought beanies all over the US & Canada as well as UK, Ireland, Germany. When we travel we take extra tag protectors just in case! The greatest thing I look forward to is giving my collection to my grandchildren when they come into this world. Their first beanie will be one that shares their birthday. My greatest Ty memory is receiving an autographed Ty Mastercard I beanie in the mail from Ty himself when they first started the MC promotion. I dont even know how many of these exist. I still read your newsletter everyday and it keeps me upto date on all the happenings in the Ty world. Thank you and all the subscribers who post and send in pictures.
All the best,
J&R
Atlanta, GA

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Hey Ms. Janie!

It's been 10 whole years! You've been beanie - tastic since July 1996! That is a long time! It is about when I started to collect beanie babies. My first beanie baby was chocolate, given to me as a birthday present. A week or so after, I had to go to my cousin's birthday! I went to Hallmark to get a card, and found a few more beanies on the shelves! I saw some VERY cute ones, so as well as buying another Chocolate, I bought Pinchers, Stilts, and many more. Soon enough, I was 'Hooked on Beanies'. I have over 500 in my collection by now.

One of my best memories was when I went on a trip with my friends to a ranch, and the gift shop had beanie babies! As well as I love New York, New York Rose, and The Big Apple, they had a peace bear, ratzo, and I love Yokohama. I wondered what happened there! I bought them all!

Miss Janie, your site has kept me up with beanies, so thanks. :) Ty, as you can see, has been there for almost 10 years now. I'm off to look for my newest wanted beanie, #1 Bear. :)

-From the concrete jungle of NYC, -the shanesta-

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First of all, Congratulations Miss Janie,on 10 years. You are the greatest! I collected my first beanie when Doby came out. I bought Doby or my husband from a gift shop here in Warren,Pa. One of the salespeople who knew that Dobermans were my favorite breed of dogs and that we had 2 Dobermans showed me Doby. I was so impressed that Ty didn't give Doby the cropped ears, which we still feel is cruel, I bought 2 right on the spot, 1 for my husband to put in his big truck, he's a truck driver, and 1 for my truck. Then. I went back and bought 1 for our Doby Jett's breeder. By then I was hooked and still am. I've made many friends because of beanies and have bought many as gifts, including many for our 9 grandchildren, also Baby Girl for our KayLeigh Gene, born May 18th of this year!We lost our Jett and it was very hard because he was our 4 footed child for almost 11 years and parting was so sad but thru the Jamestown Humane Society and Doberman Rescue we were
able to give Thunder an abused and abandoned Doby a good home. He truly is a wonderful little guy and beanies are wonderful hobby. I hope Ty keeps on making them and you keep on for many more years, and I hope your health is
better. I pray for you every night, and I hope you realize how much happiness you bring into people's lives, mine included! Have a great contest! Nana Anderson

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Dear msjanie,

When I think of my beanie baby bunch, I see a lot of love. My first beanie was Bucky. I found him at a local Hallmark store in a basket for $2.99 plus tax. This was just one birthday gift to my husband. As a Boy Scout woodbadger of the beaver patrol, this seemed fitting. I took a dark brown pipe cleaner; attached two wooden “woodbadge” beads on to the two ends; wrapped around the beaver’s neck and twisted once about one inch above the end beads. This little beaver has been to a lot of Woodbadge Scout dinners. At the time of purchase I had no idea what beanie babies were!!

About a year later, I got hooked. That little beaver got a lot of attention. I started buying tye-dye and white beanies. Then as would happen, I loved error beanies. Remember Iggy and rainbow mix-up? I still have two complete sets!! That set off my Noah’s complex (at least that’s what I call it). Until a year ago I have purchased all my beanies by twos. Yes. I buy two of every one. I reasoned one for me and one for giving. If I really liked one for giving I usually bought many more. Halo and Halo II and Herald have been favorites of mine for family and friends who lost a love one. Even the jingle Halo beanie got a lot of giving love from me as a Christmas remembrance to my senior friends. I’ve given many of the birthday bears to my elderly clients when I have been in their home as a home health aide.

One day my avid hunting husband compared my beanies to his guns, “she has as much face value in them as I do with my hunting guns. “ It’s a great party conversation! I’ve lost count but never the memories. The long line early in the morning at Hudson’s hoping Princess didn’t sell out before I got one. Mine had PVC pellets, hurray. I remember the introduction of Clubby I at your local store selling Ty beanies. I gained some new friends while waiting in those lines. My best story is about my husband finding a store in Edmonton Canada that sold beanies. I always sent him with a list of beanies I wanted while traveling to and from his hunting trips. Remember, Beanie runs? Well, he found a store and brought some beanies back to me. I corresponded / ordering beanies from this store for almost a year, this was the time when someone got the idea no one could bring across the Canadian border more than ten beanies. Well, my order was usually more than 10. Never had any problems until one day my beanies were late. I called the store and they had been shipped. Then came a letter from the Detroit border control saying they were holding my beanies until I could explain. It was an interesting two weeks. I called Detroit border control and explained they were personal purchases for my use only. That was okay. The Guard said if I haven’t heard from the lawyers in a reasonable time call back. I waited a week and called back. He couldn’t figure why I hadn’t received them. He said he would call me back. At the time I was working as a travel agent in Troy Michigan. He called back, asked me some travel information which I mailed to him, and 4 days later my beanies arrived safely. To this day we laugh thinking about my beanies being held for ransom at the border.

My sister and I have had some wonderful conversations over the beanies across the miles between New Hampshire and Michigan. I make sure my mother receives the BBOM since they started the club. I’m always near but far.

Beanies mean love to me.

Lorena

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Ms Janie,

It all started in 1996 with a lion named Roary. I was ten at the time, and just had my birthday. As a gift, I recieved some money and I was eager to spend it. So my family and I went to the local mall here in Pasadena, Maryland. I walked into this Country Attic store, and saw for the first time "Beanie Babies." At that time I had no idea what they were, all I knew was I was spending my money. I picked up a few, like radar and spinner, but none seemed to fit me right. Then I saw Roary. Knowing istantly this was what I wanted, I ran to the counter andbought him. It's funny writing this done now, since I just went through
my beanies with a bunch of kids (two were about my age when I bought my first beanie) and saw Roary sitting there with his other Ty friends. To think 10 years later I would have a collection as big as I do know is just unbelieve. I convience myself I by them for the collecting value, but in reality I know I buy them for the memories each carry insides.
Thanks for listening. Matthew

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Dear Ms. Janie,
Your not going to believe this but, the only reason I purchased my computer was for your site and of course TY's. I never thought I would receive so much happiness and joy from a website, but yours did just that. It opened a doorway for so many individuals to see what's new, update us on upcoming events/shows and the news of the day.
But I have to share with you the most important and moving part for me was:
a good friend of mine was deployed to Iraq and frequently he would email me with the day events and pictures of the poor children. I and some of my cohorts decided to send him a care package. They needed baby wipes, candy, coffee, etc., and I also included a couple large bags full of Beanies for the children.
The day I received his email, with the pictures, of him handing out the Beanies to all the children was priceless, their faces glowed and their eyes were large and full of anticipation.
I got this from reading your website, of the many ideas and suggestions that you and your readers have shared with me and the world. Your website has given me links to other sites, Harrods, PFC, Jennie in Padstow and Marilyn in Canada. With their assistance, helped me acquire some of the county exclusive, Starlight, Kernow U.K., just to name a few. I basically got to travel the world because of you. And I just wanted to say "Thank You". Dianna

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Ty products have put a greater impact on me than I can imagine. I remember my first Ty product, Lawrence the camel, an Attic Treasure. At the time, I was in Pre-K, and I was reading a book about the desert. (No lie there. I've always loved to read.) Anyway, I was thrilled with the beautiful toy, a big grin covered my face. I walked into the classroom proud, clutching my book and my camel.
I also remember the small store in our mall, the Fabric Hutch. It has long since closed, but I will never forget the memories it has given me. I'd run into the store, dragging my mom along with me, and run to grab Sara, the Attic bunny with my namesake. I'd hug her as I wondered through the isles, peering up at the then huge shelfs. They were filled with Attic Treasures. I would wander over the the glass counter, and peer at the Beanies inside of it.
6 years later, I can still say that I'm a collector. Not a huge one, but maybe that's a good thing. Ms. Janie's has helped me a lot. I can see the beanies I'm interested in without dragging someone to the store first, which is a plus. I will stand by Ty as long as he is in business, and I will promise to use your site.

Happy Hunting!,
Sarah

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Wow. I remember getting my first beanie. I believe I was six or seven (I'm now fourteen... wow a teenager collects beanies!) and I was going to have my tonsils taken out. Boy was I scared! I remember my grandma bought me the cutest little beanie cat in the world. Her name was Amber. I remember taking Amber into the hospital with me. When the doctor was going to take me into the operating room I wouldn't go in unless Amber was with me. I remember screaming and crying " I need Amber! I can't go without her!" So finally the doctor let me take her in there with me. I remember the doctor putting the mask on me that contained the gas stuff that would make me fall asleep. I was really scared. I remember holding Amber tight and that was it. When I woke up I was in the hospital room and Amber was right there with me. We ate ice cream and jello together since my throat was so soar that's all I could eat. I remember being so scared. But when Amber was with me I felt safe. The day I received Amber was the happiest day of my life. Ever since then I've been hooked on beanies. I have over 300. But Amber remains my favorite. We've been through it all together.

Kristen Wright
Bakersfield, CA

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Miss. Janie. Congratulations on your ten year milestone. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and I personally want to Thank You for this labor of love. It is much appreciated.
I started collecting Beanies about 8 years ago. My first purchase was Curly, which I still have. Some days I think, "what is a 60 plus" year old person doing collecting these toys. All I have to do is take a moment and look into their little faces, and then I know why I collect.
Hope the next ten years is a fulling as the last has been.
Donna Griese

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I have a few great memories dealing with beanies. The first one I ever got was Early from an elderly lady that I used to drive around shopping. I then got a Schweetheart and I was hooked, I also dragged my mom around with me beanie
hunting.

Before I really knew what beanies were I was in my local drugstore and picked up a yellow duck that looked sort of funny and showed it to my mom, she thought the same thing, it looked weird! I put it back on the shelf and we left without,
horrors when I looked on the computer when I got home to find out that it was a WINGLESS QUACKERS!!! I did call the store and asked them to put it aside for me but they had just sold it!

I was able to return the beanie favor to the lady that started me by giving her an Amber beanie when she was in hospital. That little beanie gave her great pleasure in her last few days, it was never out of her reach!

I still do a little collecting but have had to be choosy as I have run out of display space. I have met alot of wonderful people over the computer and also in person due to collecting. I like to think of my beanie friends as my extended family!!

Thanks for letting us share our memories and also for being there with your newletters, I save them all on disk and go back occasionally just to read them!
Beanie Hugs, Andrea Brook

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After reading most of the other memories, I don't have any famous people I've met memories, but the people I have met through beanies are famouse in my book.
I started collecting in 1996 for my daughter and son-in-law, but I quickly came under the influence of the adorable little stuffed animals too.

I can remember standing in lines in the Houston's humid heat in the middle of summer just hoping your number would be pulled, so you could buy a Glory or another hard-to-find beanie. I met many good friends over the next few years, but the truest friends I made were those I met over the internet.
Since I began collecting, I have met 4 of them in person as well. Some have lived as far away as California and Alaska, and some have been from Texas. My husband used to worry that these people couldn't be trusted because I met them on the internet. After he met them, he realized the bond formed by beanie collectors. Some of my friends still collect, and some do not, but the friendships still remain. We pray for each other and our families in times of need, and we comfort each other in times of loss. I wouldn't trade my beanie friends for anything in the world.
My three grandchildren, 2 of whom were born the year I started collecting, grew up with beanies. I can remember my grandson who had trouble concentrating being completely enthralled with beanies, beanie books and cards. They held his attention for long periods of time and were a lot healthier than cartoons.
I did write a few articles for one of the beanie sites for awhile, and I did get a brief mention from Sue from Cherish in the UK Beanie magazine. A friend in the UK sent me the magazine. I didn't even know about it, so that was one of the high points of my collecting.
My collection became so large that I couldn't display all the beanies, so last year I donated over 500 to a Thanksgiving dinner held locally where children could choose their own beanie. I also gave several hundred to our local police and fire departments to give to young children in emotional distress.
Now I only collect bears, but I will never stop collecting friends who will always be my favorite memory of beanie collecting.
Beverley Rankin
Humble, TX

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Wow..when I read your request a flood of memories rushed through my head. My very first beanie was slippery the seal in 1999. I loved seals and saw him in a gift shop at the hospital where my grandma volunteers. My second beanie was pugsly which my mom bought. After that..who knows. I actually bonded with my best friend due to our mutual interest in beanies, then we were just acquaintances. We have now been best friends for 9 years!! I have so many great memories because of Ty products. Lottery drawing at the Cracker Barrel where I was lucky enough to be able to buy Millenium Buddy. Calling the 2 local stores everyday after school hoping a new shipment had come in. Monthly trips to Spring and Woodlands, TX to find beanies we couldn't find in our small town. Driving an hour and half with my family to Trudy's Hallmark in Houston, TX early in the morning for the launch of the Beanie Kid line, anxiously waiting for my ticket number to be called and once again being fortunate and choosing to buy Chipper. Going to the Houston Astros Game in August of 2002 so I could get the exclusive Home Run Harry Beanie Bopper. The unexplainable thrill of walking into my local giftshop and finding a plethora of the elusive Black Batty buddies!!! Getting up early with my mom and my best friend to wait in front of mcdonalds at 5 a.m. on the first day of the teenie beanies. Opening countless packs of beanie cards with a thundering heart and nervousness praying I'll get something rare!! Receiving Seamore the Seal (a then expensive beanie) for christmas, the only beanie that shares my birthday. Waiting expectantly by the mail box for a special beanie that just couldn't be found in the stores. I stopped collecting after 4 years in 2002, after the thrill of the hunt was no more. But I still keep up with the news, via your website of course, I buy maybe 5 beanies a year for myself, and many more for gifts, some of them are still irresistible. I will always treasure the memories and friendships that I have gained solely because of Ty products. Thank you Ty for all the fun, and thankyou Mrs. Janie for all your hard work. Your request brought back a lot of good memories. Price of a beanie: $6.00 Memories made collecting beanies: PRICELESS
KT in TX

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Hi Miss Janie,

Thank You for your wonderful Website. Here is my story, My memories of Ty.

It was in 1997 when my nephew introduced me to this precious little creature (a siamse) Beanie Baby. It was the first time I had touched or even heard of these adorable little Beanies. I feel in love immediately. The material was the most sensational feeling I had ever felt, being a daughter of clothing factory workers, my mother a marker and inspector and father presser, I had unlimited access to fine materials. However, when I touched the Ty Beanie and felt that material I had to have A BEANIE. And from that moment on my heart has been for Ty products, especially Beanie Babies.

Thank you Miss Janies for giving me the opportunity to share my love for this Beanie Hobby and enjoyment in life.

I am so grateful for Ty and his family of Beanies, may the King (TY) continue to make the fine little friends for all of the kids in the world, both young and old. Toni Marie from Millville NJ.

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Hi Ms. Janie,

I actually didn't get hooked onto Beanies and other Ty Products until the 1st Mcdonalds Teenie Beanie Promo. I saw a TV like QVC show late at night selling beanies. It said how much Seamore the seal was worth like $40 (boy how the tymes have changed lol) and I picked up my Teenie Beanie Seamore and thought I think I'll start collecting Beanies. I remember My dad would get in line at 7 am in morning around December 1st for the local Hospital Bazaar which had loads of new beanies. Anyway and my dad would get them for Christmas for me. Now for a few years I kinda put on hold collecting Beanies and Ty products and went with the fad of collecting Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game right when it was pretty new. I remember getting the flyer in the mail though while i was collecting and playing Yu-gi-oh about the Clubby trio and those were the only beanies I really got while I was hard core on Yu-Gi-Oh. One day I went on the Ty site again and noticed how many new beanies and differ variety there was. So then I got back inton Beanies ( I still collect and play Yu-gi-oh but I now collect more Ty Beanies than Yu-gi-oh.) I also remember when they quit making the Ty Magazine recently. I was going to be in the March/April Issue for finding a Ratzo Beanie in a small town away from here since now the Local hospital gift shop doesn't get beanies. Now a days to save on gas I just order them online but I still buy a few from my favorite retailer in Edwardsville, IL and the store is called Hangin' by a Thread. I remember I was so bummed that they quit the magazine before my picture and article made it in. I remember you Ms. Janie offered to post the article which cheered me up. I'd also say my most treasured Beanie is my Color Me Beanie autographed by Jay Leno, Kevin Eubanks who is the leader of the Tonight Show Band and John Melendez who is the announcer for the Tonight Show. For those of your new readers who would like to know how I got such a beanie please post the link below this article. Well I better go and here's to Ty's Future and to the future of your website Ms. Janie.

Michael

http://www.planetbeans.com/MichaelsTonightShowDebut.htm

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Thank you Ms. Janie for all you do for us beanie collectors. In my area there aren't too many of us left, so being able to visit your site everyday makes me feel like I'm still part of the fun. I have so many wonderful beanie memories. I made many new friends through beanies. Unfortunately my very best beanie friend passed away on June 5. My dear friend Wanda was 71...I am 48. Our lives would never have touched if it weren't for beanies. We had many wild adventures back in the "good ole days". We would meet in the mall parking lot at 5:00 a.m. to get in line hoping there would be something new. We helped each other fill in holes in our collections. Wanda was a wiz on the computer and found many Ty things on ebay for us both.
Wanda was sick for 6 months and couldn't do beanies anymore but we still talked about them and I would tell her what I had added to my collection. I had just gotten the new beanie greeting bear "forever friends". Unfortunately Wanda died before I could give it to her. I asked her daughters to please put it in her coffin with her. They gladly did, knowing how much beanies meant to their mom. I'm so glad I got to have Wanda in my life, she was a great lady and beanies brought us together.
I'm sorry Ms. Janie, I didn't sign my name to my beanie memory about my friend wanda.

Thanks again for all you do.

Claudia
Johnstown, PA.

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Hi, Ms. Janie!

This is really a "touching" memory. I lived in Danville, Illinois..the year was 1996..I came down to Sarasota, Florida to visit my parents..the scene is a local drug store not far from my parents' home. I was there to pick up a prescription for my mom and was standing at the counter about to pay for it when out of nowhere came this tiny, little, elderly lady. She rammed me, shouting "That's my beanie! You can't have it! IT'S MINE!" She promptly grabbed this little bear off the counter beside me and proceeded to the back of the store. I didn't see her again. I had no idea what had just taken place because I hadn't heard the word "beanie" even though I lived in Illinois. I learned later that "her" bear's name was Garcia. That night I went back to the drug store and purchased a Garcia for myself. I thought if that little lady was that determined to have a beanbag toy named Garcia, there must be something special about it. From that moment on, I was hooked............on all beanies!

It's been a wonderful 10 years of meeting hundreds of interesting people all with the same agenda...."The thrill of the hunt!" We buy at ridiculous prices, sell at even more ridiculous prices, buy pins, calendars, posters, books, we copy hundreds of pages of e-mails and pictures and information, save little squares of paper that come in the Ty store boxes, try to get all the different variations of one beanie, wonder where we're going to put them all, cry if we can't find that special one....but in the end, it's the joy and laughter that sum up beanie baby collectors.

Without the joy and laughter our beanies bring us, where would we be? (Probably a lot richer but certainly not happier!) Thank you Ms Janie for all your hard work. I wait to read your e-mails and I treasure your web site.

Diane Johnston
Sarasota, Florida

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HI ms janie,

I read your news letters and greatly enjoy them since my involvement in the beanie world is greatly diminished with having a full time job. I use to be a stay at home mom watching kids when I found beanies I just loved them the first ones we got were flash and bubbles which are still my favorite ones, I have a several beanie stories but will keep it to two!
the first is I took 9 kids with their own $$ to stand in line at 7 am at the very best beanie shop where he had all the beanies in one room and let them go in one at a time and pick what they wanted not what their moms wanted them to have! which I loved! back then there were some outrageous mothers standing in line, everyone came home happy and thrilled that they were able to get beanies just for themselves and for the $5 they were suppose to cost I had never seen 9 happier kids in a very long while!

My second story involves lots of beanie friends which we have all made over the years about oh a ton of years ago I joined a group called momsunited these are lifelong friendships and there are several of us still emailing daily :-) I have never made so many new friends around the country as with this group of wonderful ladies, I have met most of them in person and we use to have yearly get togethers with our beanies, one of the ladies made me a sig tag with a goochy on it which I have to tell you is my very favorite beanie of all I have a billion of them hanging around (well maybe not a billion but a bunch anyway!) and i got the sig tag tattooed on my arm he resides there quite happily and I have several people ask me what it is and i quite happily tell them! as beanies will always be a very special part of my life even if lines and waiting no longer are! ;-) my goochy will always be with me and it will always remind me of the special friends I have made in the world there are no one like beanie lovers they are special and caring people all around the world!

thanks for letting me share
Kris Bloom

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Good morning, Janie:
My first real memories of beanies begins with a laugh. My cousin and I (both of us in our 50's at the time) were browsing a Hallmark store when we came upon a shelf of beanie babies. We picked them up, looked at them and then with a grin started tossing them at one another and laughing. The sales people thought it was a hoot and joined in the fun. When it was over, we scooped them back up and put them back on the shelves none the worse for the wear (um, with the exception of a
few bent tags - HORRORS! lol). It was before the craze hit. My cousin asked if I wasn't going to buy any, and I said no, they were just kids toys and ugly besides. What were we playing with? All the old-faced colored teddies. If I knew then what I knew now. Anyway, it was a few months later when I got hooked on them, long after I had passed over my name sake Humphrey, the dark blue peanut, bumble and innumerable other "priceless" beanies. Ah well, live and learn. I
now have tubs of them stored and still buy an occasional one that catches my now 60 something year old eyes.
Thanks for all the info you've provided over the years. It has been a
lot of fun.
Sincerely,
Marge Humphrey (papillon D'd, butterflydog D'd, assorted sonoras D'd
and now sonora3)

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Ms Janie,
The 1998 set of TBB came out during a very crazy part of my life. I had just married my husband who is on the road 11 months out of the year and got custody of my neice and nephew on my ex-husbands side. It was very hard on them dealing with everything they were being put through, laughter had become a rare thing around our home. Meanwhile my mother was having a hard time getting the latest set of McDonalds toys and asked for my help. Since the girls and I were headed to OK city to see my nephew in the hospital we figured it would be fun to stop at several McDonalds for her. When we saw those adorable little things my daughter just had to have a Doby, my neice just had to have a Zip and I wanted Twigs. We even got a few for my nephew, which really made him smile. It did not take us long to all want a complete set. For several weeks we were able to get our minds off court dates and lawyers while we took turns calling and calling McDonalds then got up at 5am or back out at 9pm to get the next TBB. After that we began searching store after store for the big ones. My neice even got a beanie birthday cake that year. We realized how silly it was to get up hours before the store opened and stand in line but we could not resist. Beanies made us forget the bad stuff and somehow got us through. Even after they had to go back to their mom's, my neice would email me lists of beanies they wanted and I would mail them to them . We would even chat on the Ty cyberboard to stay in touch. My neice is now 18 and going into the Navy but still has all her beanies. I just got her the new cats for Easter. My nephew is 14 now and we are rebuilding his collection and our relationship since he has moved in with his dad. This Easter he finally got to paint his color me bear that has been waiting on the shelf for him, He also got the Texas flower bear he asked for.

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I began collecting Ty products in mid-2003 & have so many good memories! Even though I never attached myself to material items, I became very attracted & attached to nine Boppers! They were very special & traveled with me much of the time. I knew all by name & their heart tag information by memory. I introduced my new friends to my mother, who began laughing (roaring) & almost rolling on the floor. We both laughed so hard we cried. Had to leave six of the Boppers with mom ...which led me to hunting down those same Boppers again. I quickly fell in love with them all. My husband drove my daughter & I everywhere to find these precious little Ty friends!

My mom then gave me my first Beanie ...Gobbles. And when my daughter & I spotted a Beanie kiosk in the mall, we began choosing our favorites. It was that easy! I had to have all the turkeys (friends for Gobbles) & she wanted all the peace bears, etc. At each visit, we continued to add different Beanies to our collection. It was time well spent with my daughter ...lots of memories of smiles & hugs. They also have been the very best "therapy" for me over the years. Since I'm an incurable insomniac, many nights I sit in our Beanie room for hours sorting through them & looking at all their detail falling in love with them over & over again. They're very comforting! Thanks Ty.

Spending time on the Ty Site & Ms. Janie's has become an enjoyable pass-time. I'm equally pleased & thankful for the information I gather on both sites. Love to read about what other collectors are doing & about all the Newbies being released. I really have grown to appreciate everyone more as time goes by. Thank you Ms. Janie for your dedication.
Karen in WI

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I started collecting in 1997 and have well over 1,000 beanies. Initially, my grandsons wanted to collect and I searched, stood in lines, and all the good things we use to do to get them all. Such exciting days! Soon, I was collecting two of everything -- one for me and one for them! Seven years ago, I stopped by my favorite Ty retailer to check to see if the new beanies came in. The owner asked me if I could fill in for her one day as she was giving her daughter a baby shower and all employees were attending the shower. I was shocked that she would trust me with her store for the day as I had no experience in retail and only knew her through my visits to her store to buy beanies. I had a blast.

Three weeks later, her daughter had her baby and the owner asked me to fill in several days. Soon after, I left for my summer home for several months; when I returned in the fall, the owner asked if I could work part-time. Every year when I return after being gone for four months, I work at her shop a few days a week. My specialty is beanie inventory and arrangement (imagine that!). This has led to a great job (first choice of beanies for all those years) and a great friendship.

Lori

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Hi Ms. Janie. I, started collecting Ty, back in 97. Ty, has meant many things to me. First the many friends, I, would have never knew if it was not for collecting Ty. The fun we had sleeping in our cars, all night by a store, waiting for a shippment of beanies, hoping to get one. Also going on a trip, and making my husband, stop at every store, that looked like there might be a beanie, in it. Getting emails, from all over the world, tradeing beanies. What other product has done so much, for so many? Thanks to you, and Thanks to Ty, for doing so much. Sharon. Arizona U.S.A.

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My memories of Ty Beanies go way back to just after they first appeared. I thought how cute but sort of let that be it. Who would have guessed that a couple of years later I would be travelling miles in the "Great Beanie Hunt"! What a blast! I met so many nice people, on and off line. All too soon though like many before me "Beanies" filled every available nook and cranny in my house. Something had to be done!
Quite by accident I discovered computer animation so decided to try animating my favorite bean filled collectibles and sure enough I did! What fun. This was a deciding factor in my future and after years of having fun with it "Beaniemotion" was born.
The wonderful e-mails I receive from all over the world make the whole project worthwhile and even though my "Beanie Collection" is thinning my animated beanie collection is ever expanding.
The friendships, the animations and the I'll just get this last one times make Ty and me great memories.
Regards,
Darlene Wilkinson
Huntsville, Ontario
http://www.beaniemotion.com

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Hello Ms. Janie!

I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your website and newsletter, it has to be one of my most favorite places to visit on the internet. I enjoy looking at all the pictures your readers send in, epsecially the ones from Marilyn, she fabulous! Also, your counterfeit beanie page has come in good use for me many times, and thanks to it I have learned what to look for when shopping for older beanies. Congrats on your first ten years and may you have many more years of success!

I've been collecting Beanies since the summer of 1998, about 7 years now, and not only has collecting Ty been a very fun hobby of mine it also brought me closer with my family, especially my Mom. From the time I first saw a Beanie in a local florist to her driving me over to McDonalds in 2004 to get the latest Teenie Beanie available, she was always there helping me secure
another "newbie" for my collection. A few months after that trip to McDonalds, we lost her unexpectedly. Although I miss her very much, I will always keep memories like that very close to me for comfort. They wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for Ty. Thank you for all you've done Ty!

Best Wishes,
Danny

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Good Afternoon Ms. Janie,
I can't believe it's been 10 years! I know that I have enjoyed so much the opportunity to read all about the beanie news that you have allowed us to enjoy. I sure thank you for your time and efforts, even the viruses and your illness you have gone through the years with. I have used your site to educate myself on beanie info and find you still are doing a great job. I and my children have collected beanies since the 90's and before the mania started. My kids have fond memories of the chase that later occurred and excitement of new releases. We have collected so many, hundreds of beanies, buddies, attics and beanie cards. What a thrill and sorry it had to end, but I still find myself getting beanies for one reason or another. I love to collect the oddities and rare ones. I traded all over the world and collected my rare ones through trades. I've met so many helpful and exciting traders and the wait in lines, small talk that took place. Well, like I said, my children have fond memories and my son being an adult now, still won't part with his rare beanies. Thanks Ms Janie for the newsletters!! Baggygal

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Dear Ms Janie,
Where does one begin on what Ty has meant to someone! It has helped me make friends, building customer relationships where I work. I have helped my in-laws get interested in beanies and they still today get excited about them. I still enjoy
purchasing and displaying them throughout my home. (makes my husband a bit nuts!)
The most important part was my parents every year would travel to New York in the Catskills for my fathers annual Army buddies reunion. They started out with so many couples and they would always have such a wonderful time seeing everyone and sharing stories. I always had them on the hunt for beanie babies! Because, you never know what they would find for me. I gave them my most current list and then added the ones that I was still looking for. Well, the years went by quickly and as folks get older more and more either left this earth or just couldn't go anymore. My parents last trip was in September of 2002. I of course, gave them my list and what I still was looking for. Well, my Mom called me to tell me that my Dad had found some beanie for me and he was soooo happy about his purchase. Well, I was ever so anxious to see what he had picked out. I got to their home and my Dad was so excited when he showed me two " Attic Treasures" that he had found for me. He saw the TY tag and bought the Crawly Crow and the Feline Cat. I of course, knew these weren't beanie babies as I knew the difference but I never let on to Dad that I knew this.
I actually treasure these more than my Beanie Babies. Dad passed away that same year November 24,2002. I made sure that he went to heaven with a few of the Beanies that I had given him over the years. I am sure that he was pleased!
As for Ms Janies website, I think its just great! I feel like I know her and her family and all of the issues throughout her life that she has experienced.
I always pray that she will be well and that her family is also well.
May God Bless Her and her family and the extended family of all of the wonderful beanie collectors still out there!!
Sincerely,
Myra

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Beanie babies have been there for me so long! I have a collection of over 300 and really love collecting. Anyways, I'd like to share my memory. :)

8 or 9 years ago, I had gotten a beanie baby, Chocolate The Moose as a present. I thought he was very cute. I didn't think I'd get collecting them. Then, I went to the store and they had a few bear beanies, and they were SO CUTE! So, then I had gotten Valentino and Valentina. That got me hooked for life! I love beanie babies!

Ty means a lot to me because collecting beanies is my favorite hobby! :D

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Hi Ms. Janie
Wow 10 years!!! Congrats to you and your wonderful site-I do appreciate all the time and effort you put into it for all of us to enjoy.
I started collecting in late 1997. I have met so many wonderful traders and beanie friends throughout the world. If it wasn't for beanies-I would have never met them. I started out buying them for my 3 kids, as other kids started getting them, and my kids were smitten. So they asked if they received a good report card could they get a beanie..this is how it started. I got more hooked in the end-then them! The fun time, though-was the chase, and I took my kids with me. I learned about your site through the aol search on beanies. I loved all the info and always passed it on to my friends (who didn't have computers) and all my beanie friends-online. I also posted an ad on the ty board as I felt bad because in the beginning of collecting, I could not get beanies anywhere, but a neighbor of mine always had them for sale-$10-$15 and $20 dollars a beanie. Well my kids wanted certain ones and this was the only way I could reward them at first for those great report cards. So I told them if we were going to collect them I would have to get them at retail. So this is what I did-started calling different places and got ideas about shipments so the chase began!

Now the beanies, I paid the $10, $15 and $20 dollars for I put the post on the Ty board and try to sell them for what I paid for them. This is how I met a very special person, I adored for a long time, and finally got to meet him and his wife-as she collected and he wanted to get them for her. He is a famous Hockey person, and he also gave my Maple beanie. He came over my house, several times, and met my family-my husband was floored as we are such Hockey fans, and here a legend was in our home. Thanks to beanies!! We still keep in touch, from time to time.

Thanks again Ms Janie, as I was reading all the many memories of different collectors and it has been a great time!! I just wish it would have lasted longer, as I see there aren't many traders anymore, like before. Take care, Laura-MI

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Hi Ms Janie,

I know I'm abit late... But better late than never... :P
Happy 10 years old!!!
Thanks for all the wonderful news and updates!!!
You have done a WONDERFUL job!!!

Here's my share for the memories....
Back then, Ty was not release in Singapore and I fell in love the bears, dogs and cats...
In 1999, some toys shop in Singapore were selling Ty from the Secondary market...
My 1st bear was Fuzz, which cost S$60 then and Husky was my 1st dog, cost abt S$45... ouch!!!
Every month I will go down to that toy shop to do my monthly shopping to get my Ty...
Till Ty steps into Asia... All the beanies are selling at S$10... Sad and slowly, all the toy shop in Singapore started to stop selling secondary Ty products... but now I can afford more beanies now... LOL!!!

Beanie hunting was not really a must, as Singapore is very small... 1 end to the other just take abt 1 hour if you speed across and without any traffic jam...
But over the years, there are getting lesser and lesser shops that hold a Ty account...
So I gotta start hunting for a shop that selling Ty all over again...

I met a 2 local friends on the web back in 2003 and they intro me to my current group... And suddenly, instead of collecting Ty alone, I got a whole new family from all over the world collects beanies with me... They are really a big help to my collection as well as they are a bunch of great listening ears to my problems... my collection bloom with all the exclusives that I thought I can NEVER get them here in Singapore at a cheaper price...

Going to a few beanie site, including yours is a must everyday... As there are things that always suddenly happened... and I gotta keep my eyes peel for any sudden intro, so I can call my retailer... Most of the time, my
retailer does not know what going on in the Ty world... As they are not Ty collector themselves... I need the updates from your web site to update them... LOL...

My friends always call me mad for beening so crazy abt beanies... total of about 900++ Ty products now... Best part is, according to them, TY = Terry Yeo!!! LOL!!!

I really enjoy collecting beanies over the years, as I found an 'on-line' family to share my love for beanies with... without them, I don't think I will ever enjoy collecting beanies...

TRADEFAIR RULES!!!

Cheers,
Terry Yeo
From the other side of the world's pond
Singapore
:P

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Ms.Janie,

I wrote sometime ago, how I became a beanie collector. What I failed to do, was to tell you what your website has meant to me in these past years. I thank you for the time you have given, to make beanie collecting so enjoyable.

Rosa Herod

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It all started for me at a football game in 1997 when the booster club gave away the black panther Velvet. I started looking for other beanies, and quite frankly, it became my passion to search for new ones. I never bought them for an investment, I just bought them because I liked them. Here it is 2006, and I have no idea how many I have, or how many I gave away. I just know that no matter how chaotic things got, the one stable thing was a beanie to hold. It has been a great hobby. I have met many other collectors. Thank you for letting me share. Rita

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My first beanie was Tuffy the terrier. Over the years beanies have helped me make friends, dried young ones tears, over come shyness and on one particular occasion.....I was in traffic court with many other people. Among us was a young woman and her 6 year old son. This little boy was trying to behave but let's face it, he was very bored. He had nothing to do! So he fidgetted, whined, ran up and down the aisles and nagged his mom. I went to my car and brought back Iggy the cameleon. I gave it to the little boy and there was peace in the court room! When it was my turn to face the judge, he was so appreciative of my solution that he only charged me for court costs and suspended my fine! : )

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Hi Ms. Janie,

My favorite Ty memory is how close it brought my daugher, granddaughter and I. We had sooo much fun chasing the elusive beanie we didn't have. I treasure the pictures I have of my granddaughter lying on the bed completely covered with beanies. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!! We always checked your site for the clue to the one we couldn't live without. I apologize for not thanking you enough for all the work you do for us beanieacholics.

Donna
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Hi Ms. Janie

First of all thank you so much for all you've contributed to the beanie baby world. Through your message board & newsletter, I have made so many wonderful friends & gained valuable beanie information.

I don't recall exactly when I got interested in TY Beanie Babies but I think it was about 1993. My daughter heard about the craze & we started collecting for her son (who was about 3 at the time). By the time he was 4 he was hooked on TY beanie babies. When he was about 2 someone had given him a Legs Ty Beanie baby. So he could play with it safely, we did as the tag instructed & removed the tag. Of course, this devalued the beanie, but my grandson thoroughly enjoyed playing with it -- how do you put a price on that?

In the early days of our collecting it was the "thrill of the hunt, the waiting in long lines & eventually the find" that became such fun for my grandson & me. My grandson became quite the expert at spotting a TY Beanie Baby sign in a shop window from my moving car. As you know, in the early days most dealers would not tell you whether or not they had a certain beanie baby if you telephoned them. So, we would sometimes drive over 50 miles one way in search of TY dealers & that one beanie we were looking for. Through the "hunt & find" we also made some very dear friends who were beanie baby dealers. We also visited many towns where we'd never been that had some very interesting sites which we enjoyed along during our journey. When my granddaughter was born we began collecting bears for her. As she grew older she picked right up on the beanie baby craze & branched out in her collecting to other animals.

Through all this, I began to collect beanies too -- mostly bears, rabbits & owls in the beginning. Of course, I eventually branched out & collected almost every beanie that TY released. In the beginning I didn't have a list of the beanies I already owned & couldn't always remember whether or not my grandson, my granddaughter or I had a particular beanie when I was shopping. So, many times I'd buy one, two or three and get home only to discover I already owned it as did my grandchildren.
In the last few years, I've gone through my collection & donated my extras to the local Shop With A Cop program. I've gotten such wonderful feedback about how the kids eyes lit up when they opened the plastic tub & told them to take their pick & if they wanted more than one beanie they could have it. In the spring of this year, the local Kiwanis Club conducted a collection drive for stuffed toys to be given to children coming into the hospital. I contributed to that also. So, not only have I enjoyed beanies but I've also received a lot of pleasure from making some children very happy.

Eventually, I began to purchase beanies as gifts for my niece, great-nephew & great-niece. This, of course meant buying at least 6 of every beanie. This usually involved going to several shops to obtain the quantity I needed because most places had a limit on the number you could purchase. As more and more places became dealers & more and more beanies were released we've lost the "thrill of the hunt & find" and have gotten very selective in the few beanies we still collect. All three of us really miss "the hunt & find" aspect. But, with gasoline prices soaring, we certainly couldn't drive the distances we used to in order to purchase a TY beanie baby.

All in all it was a wonderful few years, but I seriously doubt we'll ever get back into collecting the way we used to. This has been an era that has almost ended for us, but we certainly have lots of good memories from it.

I still enjoy your newsletter and message board and wish you and your family good health, happiness & prosperity in the years to come.

Again, thank you.

Gay
Kentucky
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Hi Janie,
Our children were all home for our 30 Wedding Anniv. and Reeves had gotten me 30 different Beanies. He held all thirty in a sack and brought them out one by one. We all thought they were the cutest gift and that he was so creative. We laughed each time he showed one and read the name, Weenie etc. Our youngest daughter was a social worker in a middle school so I gave her a bunch of them for her underpriviledged kids. It had been hard getting them to tell her their problems. When she put the beanies out on the table, she would ask them what kind of an animal they felt like that day, to choose one and tell her. They responded so well,"I feel like a skunk, my Mom hasn't let me take a bath in a week." Many had rarely had birthday gifts and were thrilled. Years later, she said, they still had their beanies in their back packs and would show them to her and smile in the hall at school. When my husband told his dealer about her kids, he would send her all the bent tag ones and ke pt her supplied.

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Hi Ms. Janie:

I got into Beanie collecting in February 1998. By that time the craze was in full swing. I was lucky to be a part of the 2nd Ty/McDonald's Teenie Beanie promotion and had a grand time chasing down 2 complete sets while filling up on hamburgers, chicken nuggets, fries, and enough soda to drown a ... Trap. LOL The excitment and anticipation in the lines and the friendly conversations between collectors was wonderful. It was amazing to me that these little stuffed toys could bring so many people of all types and ages together to form such a common bond.

Over the years as my Beanie addiction grew, I found myself acquiring quite a few items from the personal collections of Mary Beth Sobolewski, Karen Gomes, and Jackie La Berg. Through those purchases I was asked to be featured in the Premier edition of MB's Beanies and More Magazine in 2000. That was exciting to do and I am still friends with Jackie who did the interview. She is a delight.

I met many e-friends through Beanie collecting and I cherish them all. I have a collection of pewter items given to the reps in Germany that I won on eBay. Shortly afterward, I was contacted through email and then by telephone from someone else who won another set of these same pewter items. She was adventuresome and wanted to learn about my collection and interests in Ty products and she shared her collecting experiences with me as well. This person turned out to be KarenBrit; and from that first contact, we became fast friends.

It was through my friendship with KarenBrit that I was able to get to know Marilyn, our famous photographer, and also to join a group of fantastic people from around the world who not only help each other add to their collection but give each other support in our everyday lives. I've since met Karen and Marilyn in person last year and we are closer than ever.

I was also very fortunate to meet you, Ms. Janie, as well. You are so much a part of our everyday lives that we all think of you as a close family member. Thank you for all that you do for us. You bring us closer to your own family. You share your happinesses, your sadnesses, your good times, and the difficlt times. You are always in our heart.

If it weren't for Beanie Babies, I would never have gotten to know so many nice people. And I never met a Beanie collector I didn't like!

Kathy Evans
Newark, Delaware

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Dear Janie-

While the thrill of the hunt has been a big part of why I collect beanie babies, what has also become special to me is the impact they have on the kids that I've given many of them to. I used to carry around beanie magazines with me and one night my nephew looked in one and, for the first time, saw beanie baby Glory. He asked if I could get that one for him and I said I would. When I gave it to him he was thrilled! He carried Glory with him everywhere! I would have to say that Glory wasn't only his favorite beanie, but his favorite toy, period! I felt so sorry for him when his older brother broke Glory's nose and I didn't know how to repair it. He broke down in tears, and I asked him if he would like one of mine. He said yes, and was so happy to get a nice new one! My mom repaired the original with fabric glue and I asked that we keep it with us-just in case! Even though he's now thirteen I still keep extra around-also, just in case!

Another story that I have involves a coworker of mine. Her son had been premature and when he was in his incubator, the doctors had put beanie babies in with him. In particular, she had been impressed with Inch who was just the right size for his little arm to get around. She told me that she felt that Inch had helped her son survive and that she would really like to have one. Even though Inch had retired, I knew of a store that still sold many older beanies. I went there on my lunch break and found him! When I gave him to her she was thrilled and gave me a big hug!

I also have a story from my Mom who is a retired teacher. Toward the end of her final year she wanted to give a special reward to the kids who hadn't scratched they're math tables off of the top of their desks. She asked if I had x-amount of beanies that I'd be willing to donate and I, of course, said yes. I picked out the beanies, gave them to her and went to work. When I got home, she said the beanies had been a big hit! One boy was especially thrilled to get American Hero!

In a final note, I've given many beanies to my nieces and nephews and I always try to give them ones that share their birthday. A few days ago, my youngest niece graduated from pre-school-and she gave her older sister's beanie Pecan to her teacher as a gift. Bridget(the older sister) was in tears-Pecan is her birthday beanie! I promised Bridget that I'd try to get her another. Pecan is not in any store around here so, as a last resort, I went to the bay to see if I could make a bid on one. I'm happy to say that I bid on a lot of both Pecan and Almond and won! I'm going to give them both to Bridget when they arrive-I can't wait to see the look on her face!

I have to tell you that I have hit your website many times to read the current news and try to get a jump on what's coming out. It's good that so many people send you such great information.

Keep up the good work!-Kathleen McCarthy

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(SORRY – FAR TOO WORDY BUT I AM USELESS AT KEEPING IT SHORT WHERE BEANIES ARE CONCERNED!)

The first I heard of Ty Beanies was when we were living in Germany from 1997-1999. We found them in a shop on a military base and my two boys loved them. We used to rummage through and just buy what we liked – we never saw any bears so at first I did not even know that there WERE bears!

We came across a British run secondary shop in our local village and the owner told us about the craze that had taken Britain and North America by storm. Now it had spread to Germany and people were advertising in the Forces newspaper for Germania. During our two and a half years in Germany I never saw that bear! Indeed, the only bears that I bought at that time were Erin (because I worked in St Patrick’s School) and Halo, who I thought was very pretty.

So we returned to UK with some Beanie animals and two bears…seven years later I have lost count of the Ty products in this house! Although my sons stopped collecting I have continued and indeed found just how much difference these wonderful collectables can make to so many people. Forgetting, just for the moment, the personal joy that collecting has brought me, I am proud to be able to say that through the use of Ty products and other brands of collectables I have been able to raise over £40,000 for charities, mainly Cancer Research UK.

Going back to 2002, I used to buy the UK Beanie collectors’ magazine that was brought out after Mary Beth’s magazine finished in UK. This magazine went through a few name changes but one thing that remained the same was the editor: Daphne Roberts. My son won a Halloween contest in the magazine and I was so thrilled for him that I posted on the Ty Talk boards. Daphne replied and later made contact with me and so a friendship began. I had already raised small amounts of money for charities through using Beanies as draw prizes in my local shop. I planned to use Ty Beanies to raise sponsorship for the women-only event ‘Race for Life’ that I was entering for the first time. I worked in a school and offered the children entry into a huge Beanie draw each time they sponsored me. Beanie friends from all over the world had responded to my request and mailed me large quantities of Beanies. The children loved the idea and over £1000 was raised. I was hooked!

Daphne asked me to send photos and write about the event for the magazine. Readers seemed to enjoy hearing about this and I started to contribute regularly to the magazine. I coined the acronym ‘CHERISH’, which stands for ‘Creating Hope, Enabling Research, Informing, Supporting, Helping’.

I made contacts with many people who wanted to help, including Ty Europe, who donated prizes for competitions. Eventually Daphne’s partner set up a website for me and I was able to share news and information more readily with people all over the world. Webmasters of Beanie sites were so kind in sharing my news and so the stone gathered moss!

I started selling special Beanies on eBay, some signed by celebrities. Imagine my excitement when I was able to add Ty Warner to that list! When I heard about the launch of a special Harrods exclusive bear in November 2004 I determined to be there. I had narrowly missed Ty Warner at the NEC show earlier in the year, to my great disappointment. This seemed like a second chance! Although it was only rumoured that Ty would be attending the event, I had been given hints that this was likely.

On the morning of the Stardust launch my family set off early in the car and drove into London, where we waited outside Harrods for the Christmas Parade to begin. This was a magical experience and the atmosphere was fun! I was thrilled to be standing right by the VIP entrance to the store and just next to where the Ty Europe entourage was watching the parade. I asked Patricia Roache, Head of Ty Europe, if she would consider asking Ty Warner to sign Cure Beanie, who I had taken along ‘just in case’. She took the bear but made no promise. Ty was nowhere to be seen.

Later, after we were inside the Toy Kingdom and had bought the lovely new bear and taken photos, many people had given up hope of Ty actually turning up. Eventually I was persuaded by my long-suffering family to leave the department and we made our way to the Food Hall. Imagine my surprise to see three familiar faces through the crowd, taking a shortcut through the Food Hall! There was Patricia Roache, Mohamed Al Fayed and Ty Warner! Luckily for me Patricia introduced me to the two gentlemen and suggested that I explain my request. They could not have been nicer and agreed to sign bears for CHERISH: Ty signed Cure and Mr Al Fayed signed Stardust. They then posed for photos. I remembered to pull out of my handbag the little Peace sweater that I had brought to give Ty, and which he had accepted so graciously. What a magical moment!

I floated out of the store to tell my husband, who had missed all of this. All the way home I was shaking and crying with the sheer excitement of it all. I didn’t need a signed Beanie for myself to remember the feeling of meeting the man who had created Beanies and all the excitement and friendships generated by collecting them.
The photos are much treasured mementoes of that moment.

Patricia helped further by signing a certificate of authenticity to accompany Cure Beanie, which sold for almost £1500 on eBay in aid of research into breast cancer.

Since then I have been privileged to have many famous people sign bears and Beanies for CHERISH, including Bill Gates, Sir Richard Branson and Sean Bean. Wonderful people from all over the world have sent Ty Beanies for me to use in fundraising. Some have been auctioned, some used as prizes and some dressed in little ‘Boglin’s Knitwear’ sweaters or printed tee shirts and sold from the CHERISH website.

My own collecting has become secondary to the fundraising; however, it still brings me joy to look at my many bears, each with its own tale to tell of how it came to be sitting on my shelf, thanks to a friend or indeed a stranger – or in the case of my treasured signed Little Feather won in the Halloween Draw, to Ty Inc!

How differently would my past few years have been if Ty had not created Beanies? What would I have done with all my time, my money and my houseroom? One thing is for sure; my life is much richer because of Beanies. I have made so many friendships and ‘met’ so many people from other countries and cultures. I am very proud of what we as collectors have been able to do for charities through our mutual love of Beanies.

Congratulations to Ty on keeping up with the changing market and to Ms Janie on this special anniversary of her collecting, with thanks for her superb website and newsletter, so much appreciated by collectors all over the world.

Sue Owen
Please visit my website at
http://www.cherishonline.co.uk/
Raising funds & awareness for Cancer Research UK with collectable bears

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She became "Nana" when her wonderful grandson was born and that is the beginning of their beanie story. Alex was pure joy to this grandma. He named her Nana and she loved that too! He lived with her for about a year in 1995 and she became so attached to him that Nana was crushed when he and his mom moved away from Texas to Virginia when he was 5 years old.

To keep their relationship familiar over long distance, Nana sent weekly hand-decorated packages of love to her adorable grandson. They were filled with books and treasures, which a little boy would enjoy. They also contained simple, colorful hand-printed letters, which Mommy would encourage young Alex to read aloud to sharpen his phonics and reading skills.

One day, in early February 1997, Alex called Nana and they chatted for a while. Alex rarely asked Nana for anything so his request was sort of special to her. "Nana, would you help me find Beanie Babies", asked Alex? "Sure!" Nana replied. Before the phone call ended, Alex's Mom, Laura explained that Beanie Babies were very popular with school children and could be found at Hallmark stores.

The next day, Nana searched several Hallmark stores for Beanies, and over the next 8 years included one of these lovely animals inside of her weekly packages of love to her only grandson.

That next summer began one of many wonderful traditions that is full of beautiful memories that will be with Alex, Nana and Papa forever. Alex began to visit for two weeks each summer. That summer Nana created the Beanie Box. The box was wrapped with the poster from the very first BBOC Beanie Baby kit. The box was made with a hole in the end with a cloth sleeve built into it. Nana spent two weeks hunting for each of the most recently announced Beanies to fill the box so that there would be a Beanie for each day of Alex's visit. When Alex arrived, he covered the whole outside of the poster-wrapped box with Beanie Baby stickers. Each morning, Alex was so excited to reach into the Beanie box and pull out a surprise Beanie. He would race in from his bed to ask permission to pull a beanie from the box. When Alex returned home, he told his classmates about the most special thing that happened during his summer vacation. Nana was overwhelmed to learn that the beanie box was more fun for a six-year-old than all the places they went and things they did together that summer. This beanie box will continue to be a part of Alex's visits to see his Nana, FOREVER. No matter how old Alex becomes, there will always be special treats inside the beanie box during Alex's visits to see his Nana.

Over the next 9 months, Beanie Nana was buying extra Beanies to trade to get harder-to-find Beanies. By late 1977, Nana discovered that she had so many extras there was a pretty good collection for herself as well as Alex.
During the early days of beanie collecting, Ty Inc. announced new beanies on their website using games. One in particular has fond memories for Nana. Nana printed the background nature picture from the website and Nana and Papa colored it in bright green and brown nature colors. They left the beanies that were hidden in the picture white. Nana created a poster with this beanie picture in the center. During Alex's summer visit, each day he pulled a beanie from the beanie box and colored in the homemade poster to match the surprise beanie. Still, today Nana has that beanie poster hanging in her beanie room along with other special posters she made for Alex's summer visits. Nana created posters from such announcements to play with Alex. This was the beginning of the "Beanie Room" Nana has today.

Beanie Nana has made the most special friends collecting Beanies. She has met the kindest and friendliest people over the Internet collecting Beanies. She has many fond memories from standing in beanie lines with Papa all night long. Alex's Papa, Tim, is called the Beanie "Seeker" because he has a special knack for seeking out new beanie information.

With the help of her family and friends, Beanie Nana has collected Beanie Babies, Beanie Buddies, Jingle Beanies, Teenie Beanies, Basket Beanies, and Pillow Pals, with their matching Beanie Babies, and Pluffies. There is currently a grand total of 2425 Ty products in our Beanie Room. The Beanie Room houses other Ty and Beanie memorabilia. The sign on the door of the Beanie room says,

"Nana's Beanie Store, Nothing for Sale!"
As a special tradition, every year during Alex's summer visit they take a look-alike T-shirt picture of Nana, Papa and Alex together. There have been 10 years and 10 different T-shirt pictures. I am sure that you can guess the one that is Nana's favorite is the look-a-like beanie shirt picture.

Alex is older and doesn't collect Beanie Babies any more. Of course, Alex will receive all of Nana's Beanies someday if he likes. Of all the special Beanies that Nana has collected, two are precious to her; the color-me-beanie named "Forever" and the color-me-bunny named "Special" which Alex colored especially for his Nana.

We lost Alex's Mother last fall. She was our only child. Nana will always treasure every TY Beanie and TY Buddy and the many TY Pluffies that she gave her. And, we will treasure her exquisite gift of Alex.

Alex is turning 15 next month, and Nana is now sending monthly packages, in which a special beanie slips in now and then. He still draws treasures from the beanie box during every summer visit.

(Ann & Tim from Texas) Allen, Texas June 2006
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Dear Ms. Janie,

Personally, I would like to thank you for your heart. You have provided a decade of information, a decade of love and the ability of people to meet other people with not only the love of TY products, but hearts to go with them.

My life of beanies began because I had 4 children, was married to an enlisted Navy man, and they were adorable inexpensive gifts for the kids. My life with beanies changed as the kids grew.

We gave the beanies as gifts to kids in trouble. We brought them to the hospital to anyone we knew who was there. We traded them and made little lives and stories with them. And I began to collect them myself, the bears, elephants, international, and patriotic beanies. Of course that meant finding the best information which meant Ms. Janie. Although the past couple years I haven't been able to indulge my love of them, the beanies I have give me a smile every day.

Then my youngest daughter, at age 10, had something horrible happen to her. We gave her the pink poodle buddy. She took it everywhere for the next year. To the prosecutor, doctors, therapists, even to court. It slept with her, was in the bathroom when she showered, was at the table when she ate, and was there when she cried. The pink poodle gave her love when people weren't wanted by her. The people on Ms. Janie's site kept me sane through it all. The pouring of love and the emails I got, and saved for my daughter to read in the years to come when she's ready, saved my emotional life.

I can't thank Ty enough for the small life savers with little hearts that he makes. And I can't thank Ms. Janie enough for the link to other people with huge hearts that she provides.

Congratulations and many years to come I hope.
With heartfelt gratitude, hugs, and love,
Libby

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Ms. Janie,
Initially I was not going to share my Ty memories as I truly felt very few collectors were left, so why bother. Once again you and your site have proved me wrong. I can not tell you how many times I have visited this page to read the wonderful heartfelt stories posted. Some of the stories actually made me cry. I was ashamed of myself for thinking so little about fulfilling your request to share with others as you very rarely ask for anything, and if you do, its always for other collectors.

Now that I have had time to gather my thoughts I would like to share my story about Ty Memories.

My collecting days started in 1999 and I found out about your site through Joe at cToys. I recall an interview he did on you and how I immediately felt comfortable e-mailing you and looking forward to your responses. You were always very kind and I really did view you as a friend. From that day forward I have visited your site every single day. Unfortunately I had difficulty getting your newsletter because Topica kept dropping me from the list. But when I did get it I enjoyed it.

I have had a lot of tragedy in my life and Ty products have brought me a tremendous about of comfort. I have given Ty products as gifts, put them in coffins and even used them with poems I have written to special people. Ty may have made these for kids but as an adult I have found many uses for them.

Some of my friends would tease me and question my collecting, they simply never got it. They did not understand the connection I had with Beanie collectors and Ty. I feel sorry for them because they truly have missed out. I will remain a viewer of your site and a Ty collector until the end of time. I would never want to dismiss the other webmasters of other Beanie sites because they do a fine job and I visit many of their sites as well. But there will never be another msjanie. You and Ty are a winning combination, you have a kind spirit and Ty manufactures products I love.

Thanks for the memories and for making me realize that many Ty collectors still exist.

Stay well and God Bless,
Becky from South Hampton
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Hi Ms Janie,

I do have lots of memories of beanie babies, the first time I saw a beanie was in the mall, they were not all that popular at the time, they were being sold in a kiosh and I saw Bucky the Beaver and thought he was so cute so I bought him, If only I had known then that Beanie's were about to explode and I would end up being a maniac about them. ha

When I moved to Washington State I did not know anyone and had no family here, my husband and I needed to get out of the heat of Arizona..anyway I called Avon looking for an Avon Lady they sent me a gal that soon became a very good friend, the first time Shanay and I met she came into my house and saw Bucky, she asked if I collected Beanie Babies I told her I just had him she said well we are going hunting..I thought okay what have I gotten myself into..that weekend I found out..I met her at a little gift shop at 5am I thought well this is nuts but I have to tell you as soon as I got in line I was hooked..I met the nicest people and there were a lot of people there and as soon as they handed out tickets I was just as excited as the rest waiting and hoping my number was called so I could get in and buy my second Beanie ever, it was wild and I had a blast and came away with peace after that I was unstoppable, we went constantly to different places and met new and old friends alike. I now have several hundred little furry friends all over the place.

A few years back Shanay became ill and spent 6 months in a coma, she has since come home but in ways she is not the same but she still loves her beanies, and even though they are not as popular and the early morning hunts are a good memory we still go out occasionally, to see what is new. So not only did I get new friends from my collecting experiences I also now sell Avon. haha.

Thank you Ms. Janie for all your updates and stories I always look forward to your newsletter in the morning while having my cup of coffee.

Kennie. Vancouver, Wa.

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Ms Janie

Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary. Thank you for starting the website and bringing many years of information and having all of us in your life. You have done such a terrific job.

My first encounter with Ty was in 1997 (at the time I didn't know anything about Ty) I was with a friend doing some shopping. We stopped into a store and I was looking at the plush they had. I came across a cat named Boots. I fell in love with this kitty. So I bought her. Then a year later I was going through a bad time. The Fall of 1998 I stopped in the same store and their
were these little animals displayed in front of the store (with a huge sign that said Ty) as you walked in. I noticed many kitties, bears and other animals. I ended up buying Pounce, Prance, Scat and Chip. After that everytime I went out I stopped in that store and picked up a few more beanies. (still I didn't know anything about Ty) I just loved the critters. That's when I became a official beanie collector.

Then in 1999 my friend who I was with when I got Boots told me that her sister collects beanies. As we talked that is when I found out a little about Ty. At time I had webtv (on computer now) and I came across Ty information sites. The first link I clicked on was Ms Janie's website. Since then I have come back to read the news and read the Ty information on
intros, retirements and fakes etc. I found out that Attic Treasures and Classics were Ty. In 2000 I was surprised to learn that Boots was a Ty Classic. So Boots was my very first Ty product.

Collecting has made my life better and through Ty I have met many people who became friends and I treasure every one of them. Ty collectors are the most kind and generous people. Ms Janie you have bought many great years of
collecting informative and interesting. Thank you for being there.

Nancy
MA.

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I got hooked on beanies back in 97, when my son's girlfriend started to bring beanies with her when she visited. Then we went to Tennessee on vacation. and we liked going to flea markets and saw lots of beanies. They were so cute and just the right size. My husband and I would go get beanies when they came in. We have been known to wait for the UPS truck, just so we could get beanies before they were gone. I really like the drawings , where you wait for your number to be callled, then you could buy beanies. Fentons would have the biggest crowd. I would say around 500 or more. That is where my husband got me the 98 holiday teddy. My husband and I would drop everything and rush to the stores if they got beanies in , I really miss that. I enjoy making displays of beanies for the different holidays each year. Thanks TY
Joetta Vannoy

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Hi Ms. Janie,
As a seller I have a lot of memories to share, but here is one of my favorites. Almost three years ago, when my daughter (& only child) was born, I was just home from the hospital when a man called me and said that he was from New Jersey and would be in town the next day on business. He said that he wanted to purchase many of the beanies I had on my auctions, but he wanted to do the transaction in person, because when spending that much money, he wants to know that he can trust the seller & see the beanies. Well, he came over and met me & my family and ended up buying several of my beanies that day, including a #1 Bear. When all was said and done, he wrote me a check for $11,500 and told me to ship the beanies to him when the check cleared. I'm pretty sure that was my best single sale ever in a day's work. It was exciting & fun to say the least. Plus, it afforded me the ability to take a little "maternity leave" and to enjoy my little baby girl! To this day he remains a good customer and friend. His collection is pretty much complete now . . . and since he owns two of everything he intends on having me sell 1 of his complete collections as a whole in the near future. Ty products have allowed me to work from home, and
Thanks for letting us share our beanie memories Ms. Janie. I've met a lot of wonderful collectors and friends in this business!
Sincerely,
Jenny Borman
JennyBeanie on eBay

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Your site has been a constant source of information and love shared between collectors for me.

Many years ago there was a Beanie board with members who chatted about beanies and did lots of trading. Very much like Beanie Friends Worldwide.

There were two gals on the board who lived near each other and were friends.

One of the gals was abused by her husband and finally took her children and left home. Unfortunately her husband kept her computer so she could no longer keep up with us.

We all donated Beanie Babies to be sold on ebay and bought her a computer.

It took about 2 months but we did it.

I'll never forget how a group of strangers pulled together to help someone in need.

I love Beanie Collectors and hope to stay part of the movement forever.

Maida Belove
Simple Bookkeeping for Beanbag Collectors

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ms janie, I have enjoyed reading your site for many years and commend you for all the heartfelt, hard work you have put into making your site a household word.
Thank You.

My walk down Ty Memory Lane is a long and wonderful walk. My first encounter with Ty products was at a Trade Show at McCormick Place in Chicago. From across the room I spotted the most fantastic plush dog. I forgot all the rules I had been raised with, like, Walk don't Run. I ran to the booth, bumping into a nice man. Over my shoulder I said 'Sorry' and continued until I had Winston in my hands. My friend nudged me, and told me the man I had bumped into was Ty Warner, the owner of the company. For me, it was love at first sight. Not with Ty, lol, but with his
creations.

Through the years, the Ty booth at trade shows grew, along with my admiration for the plush. Then along came Beanies. There was a toy for my toddler customers to hold in their little hands. Little did I know what was to follow.

For a few months I tried to separate my Retailer and Collector personalities. I soon realized that was an impossible task. My love for the products and my respect for the creator were what enabled me to sing silly songs and Happy Dance my way into every day.

I remember the trade show where the Large, Extra Large and Jumbo Schweethearts were introduced. I was talking to some of the reps from Ty's Headquarters, when I spotted the Schweethearts out of the corner of my eye. As a retailer, we were always thrilled when we could ask questions of someone from the corporate office. I squirmed for a moment, then as politely as
possible said something foolish like, 'Nice talking to you, but I have to go hug someone'. I ran and scooped up Jumbo. From day one, nothing had changed.

As a collector, I've made friends all over the world. I happy danced over Newbies with other retailers, friends and most important, my mother, my children and my grandchildren.

One of my daughters went through a couple of frustrating years, with declining health, cause unknown. We finally packed and went to Mayo Clinic.
As we walked around, from time to time, I would see her in deep thought with a clenched fist in her pocket. This played again and again with future visits to Rochester. I finally asked to see what she had. With a smile on her face and a tear in her eye, out of her pocket came a well squeezed Halo Jingle Beanie.

For a long time after that, I always had an angel Jingle Beanie in my purse or car. I never knew when I would spot a stranger that I would feel needed to be touched by an angel. They never knew my name, but the response was always the same. They would clutch that angel and from their heart, say thank you.

What does a trip down Ty Memory Lane mean to me? It means Love and all the emotions that are wrapped up in that word and in the creations produced by Ty.

Lena

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Dear Ms Janie,

"Thanks for the MEMORIES". I have so many lasting memories connected to my Beanie Baby Collecting days that I can't begin to list them all. You asked for a brief message... I will try. I did not start collecting until the summer of 1998 when, while on an overseas trip, I was snared by the Princess beanie baby and received Curly and Quackers as bonuses. That same year, I discovered the TY web site. It wasn't too long before I found MsJanie, signed up for your wonderful newsletter and exchanged warm and friendly emails with you. Over the years, I made so many wonderful acquaintances while standing in long lines at 7 a.m. outside a nearby Cracker Barrel on their shipment day, chasing the UPS trucks to the numerous retailers in my town, or when spying a Beanie Babies perched on someone's computer monitor. I knew where every retailer in town was located and frequented them regularly. All of the store clerks were nice and knew me by name when I entered the store; some even telephoned me when my long sought after Beanie arrived at their place. I gained a very good friendship with a co-worker when, quite by accident, I discovered that she was as avid a collector as I was. TY Talk was alive and kicking in those days. Exciting and interesting postings filled several pages morning, noon and night. Everyone was so informative, friendly and helpful on the Boards. How can I ever forget the Beanie Baby contest and the humorous campaigning everyone engaged in for their favorite choice. What wonderful memories. Now, I have a modest collection of 530 Beanie Babies, 100 Buddies and 100 Attic Treasures to give me lasting "warm and fuzzy" memories.

PHOEBE
Kansas City, MO

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I've been collecting for about 8 years and I love it. My first was Valentino Bear and I did not even know I had a Ty bear until I saw it on a home shopping channel & how much they wanted for it. Since then, I have gone wild & bought everythibg that came out. In the last 2 or 3 years, I have settled down some & only collect what I really love (that's still a lot.) Our kids & grandkids have got more Ty products than you can imagine & ask me for more.
I love them & your website has been great & I love getting info from it.
Thanks to you & other info sights for great info, stories & everything.
Mary Burkett

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Ms. Janie,
I have enjoyed and learned from your site for several years. I was a retailer and as another retailer said learned more from your site than my rep!! I told her things before she knew them, just by reading your site faithfully.
I was in the retailer business at the very best of the beanie baby frenzy!! I had to have my UPS driver sneak in the back door before he would get attacked!!! Then I would have to go back to the store at night and get them on display and ready for sale.
People would line up at the door hours before opening time. One morning it was so cold they had sleeping bags, lawn chairs and blankets. I don't know how long some of them had been there!!!!

We had to pass out numbers and line them up to prevent panic from some of them!
I guess the best thing is, that it kept a small gift shop in a small town,going as well as showing us some good times. Also made a lot of friends as well as enemies.. I did not save, it was first come, first served. Some did not agree with that.
I could go on and on but you get the picture, it was fun while it lasted!!!!

Your friend, and thank you for all your all work and keeping everyone informed.
Gail May
Wellsville, Mo.
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Hi Ms. Janie

I have so many memorable moments, but my first ‘online memory’ came after discovering the AOL Beanie chat room. I met wonderful people there, and 32 of us met in Las Vegas in person. Anyway, Vera (name’s been changed) was looking for a Bongo teenie beanie and I had an extra she was welcome to. She insisted on sending something for the postage, and the nicest gifts followed for my children. We stayed in touch, and I found out that Vera had attempted suicide a month earlier. She has constant pain following an accident. However, through the simple kind gestures of beanie people she met, and the fun of collecting, her whole outlook on life changed. It had a big impact on me, how these Beanies could be shared with others and mean so much. You never know when you do something, just how much it means to the other person.

Love: Karen

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Hi, collecting beanies was a passion for some years. Ate so many happy meals!!! LOL husband won't eat at mcd's anymore. just a shame the fun and value of these cute lil bears has diminished. only collect the bears now. hope to find another collectable soon. thanks for the newsletter still keeps me posted as to the news, Zel

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Ty has meant to me... More and More beanies which I love to collect! Poems I love for each!
A Logo of Quality and Quantity!
Ms Janies, is my favorite site to keep me informed for my collection hobby!
Its a friendly positive site, I almost feel like its a personal friend!
Gail Watland

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I had a very serious illness in Oct. 1997, and faced my own mortality. A friend brought a giant Panda Bear to the hospital as a gift. I've always loved Pandas. Just looking, touching the bear made me smile, feel better. After I recovered, I started rescuing stuffed animals from Garage sales, cleaning, repairing, etc. Soon my studio was covered with them. During this time, I found Ty Beanies and Attics, I was a goner! Fell in love with them, started collecting, of course was never able to get the older ones, but really got serious as a collector. Why? They make me feel good. They make me smile.

So, to make room for my Beanies and Attics, as well as a lot of Buddies, Classics, Punkies, Pluffies, Pinkys and other items (pins, catalogues), I donated four very large plastic bags full of my rescued animals to our local police for children involved in domestic problems.

My husband built shelves floor to ceiling on two walls in my studio, just high enough to hold an 8" display case, and deep enough for 3, I have to alternate them to get to enjoy the ones I have on the shelves, but need a lot more shelving, as I have many in Rubbermaid tubs I'd like to put out.

It seems once you start, it is hard to stop, and Ty gets better and better all the time.

This is how I became a collector.
Rosa Herod

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Ms. Janie and Ty,
Has it been 10 years already? How time flies when you are having fun.

Beanies have captured just about every emotion I have. I have cried when I got a piece I never thought I would own. I found myself smiling most of the time when new releases came out and I was able to get them. I will admit that the anger emotion hit me as well. I know msjanie likes to be positive but the end bear was almost the end of me and collecting. I got tired of waiting to see what would happen next and then when the beginning bear came out I about had a fit. Boy had Ty got us all good. I do believe the long wait, rumors and Ty games had a big effect on the market.

I still collect Ty products and enjoy giving them as gifts. I visit a few websites but am loyal to MsJanie because she has never left the building. She has stuck through this hobby even through her illness. Thanks Ty and MsJanie for the memories.
Katie in Maine

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Ms Janie,
As a retailer of Ty products it has been a wonderful ride with the entire line. I started carrying the line in 1997. Boy, those were the days. Ordering and then waiting patiently (not) for the order to come in. Then when it did--people galore--seemed like they were coming from the woodwork. Boxes and boxes to go through to find that beanie the customer was looking for. Boy I miss those days.

Your website was and is wonderful. I read it faithfully to find out news. It's amazing how the collectors know more than the retailers. It was nice to know about something that the collector knew about when they came in. In fact, the customer tried to "pull something over one us"--except thanks to your website (and the others) we already knew about it.

I do have to admit though. The best thing to come out of this Ty experience is my first rep I had. He has since moved to a different territory--still with Ty--but we are still friends. It is rare to find someone so genuine and caring and to nurture a friendship that is enduring--especially with a rep that we see so infrequently.

Thank you Ty and thank you Ms Janie for bringing all of us a genuinely wonderful and loving product. Yes, it has had its ups and downs but I think EVERYONE has at least one cherishable memory they will not forget.
Joann G Ready

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Dear Ms. Janie,
Gee, I've been collecting Ty since Dec. 1997 when I received two beanies from one of my students in my Pre-K class. So now 3000+ Ty products to current date, I have made so many friends all over the globe through trades and purchases. I have met wonderful people while standing in long lines bright and early in the morning waiting for those Ty delivers at our local shops.

Gosh I miss those days, what fun! The thrill of the hunt and getting that special beanie to add to my collection before the shops ran out or the beanie retired. The fun of sharing with folks how many and which beanies we had in our collections, that common bond...Beanies.

I'm still collecting and make trades with fellow beanie collectors across the globe and we not only trade beanies, but share about our families (Photo's) and daily happenings although we have never met personally. I check my favorite beanie web sites Ty, Ms Janie, Beanwatcher, just to name a few and my trade boards often throughout the day to keep updated. When vacationing I'm still shopping for beanies looking for some that my friends may need, or finding that Royal Blue Peanut in a small town shop.lol

My family thinks I'm crazy and say I need to join beanie rehab, but yet they search for them for me as well. During the McDoanlds Teenie Promo my kids and I were going crazy trying to get them all, it was fun and brought us together! The highlight for me was being in the December 2003 issue of TY Beanies & More magazine showing some of my collection. I felt like a celebrity signing some of the magazines for my friends that collected beanies and the magazine at our local beanie shop.

I feel Ty beanies have given me not only a hobby that will be everlasting, but friendships also.

I don't think The End will come because for me it's always The Beginning of looking for a Beanie!

Take Care and Thanks for the Memories TY and Ms. Janie!
Diana in CA

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Here are my thoughts:
Ty has created the means to cherish something lovable, to give a gift of a smile, and to develop friendships around the world.

Ms. Janie has provided us with the knowledge of the Beanie world without leaving our computer chair.

We are so appreciative of you both and thank you both.
God Bless,
Sallie in Maryland

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Ty beanies have made it big in my life. I started collecting dogs...just dogs! Then I saw a few others I liked and was 'bitten by the bug'...the beanie bug that is. From then on I tried to buy all the newbies.

Several years passed...during this time I started to write to a beanie magazine editor by the name of Daphne Roberts. We became good friends and even chatted by phone several times a month.

Bob and I were about to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Our daughter Susan had a great idea...send our parents to Wales and the UK for their special anniversary trip! She told Bob of her idea and then wrote a letter and sent it to all our friends and relatives. On Thanksgiving...three years back...I was presented with a box that contained details of this surprise trip. Was I ever surprised! A trip to Europe had never been something I thought would become real!

Bob and I left Virginia the end of January...three years ago...and flew to Heathrow Airport in the UK. The weather was lovely...but within the hour snow started and we ended up staying there for nine hours! Poor Daphne, I thought, she doesn't know what happened to us and I know she's waiting at the Manchester Airport for us. We were able to get a message to her...through the airport personal. After so long await...they finally boarded us...de-iced the plane and away we went!

We met Daphne and her family and were taken to a B & B in Wales.
Saturday, Feb. 1st...we went to Chester, England and met up with many of the folks from the beanie board that Daphne ran. We had a lovely time and exchanged many presents with each other. The next day we went to Birmingham to the trade fair there. Of course seeing the TY booth was high on our list of things to do. Mr. Ty was to be there...and I was excited about that. I did get to see him...he was standing apart...no one around him and casually dressed. I did get to talk to him for a few minutes...and never thought to ask him to sign something! I did give him a tiny clay bear that my daughter made...she had made 25 of them for me to pass out to folks I met while on our trip. He thanked me and put it in his pocket. Mr. Ty is a very nice man and was kind to me.
I also met the designers of the Chubbley bears...which sadly are no longer made. Darren and Susan Barker are dear friends to this day. Meeting Sue Owen of Cherish was another highlight of our trip. Sue too is still a close friend.

Daphne took us to the flower shop that Paul Burrells owns...in Wales. Paul kindly signed a beanie for me! We also had our picture taken together and Daphne used it in her magazine! Paul truly is a gentleman.

I still collect beanies...but...have tried to only buy those I really like. Ian Davidson and his family see that I get all the European ones...and I try and send his children the ones I can get . They too are dear friends.

As you can see collecting beanies have expanded my world and giving me some wonderful experiences and dear friends...all of whom I wouldn't have met otherwise. I'm thankful to Ms.Janie for all the time and effort she puts into helping collectors. I'm sure children still appreciate beanies...and after all isn't that what they were made for to begin with...little stuffed toys that children could afford to buy with their pocket money! Thanks Ty! Cathie;)

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Hi Ms. Janie,

When I was growing up, I loved collecting stuffed animals. . I can still remember the happiness of walking into a store and looking for a special little animal to take home. . After I was grown, I passed along some of my stuffed animals to younger cousins and kept a few favorites.

However my world was turned upside down when almost ten years ago I spotted my first beanie baby. . It was love at first sight -- Bruno, Hoot, Peace, and Ringo went home with me that day.

As I became a beanie baby collector, I knew that I had to find a web site for news. . Happily I quickly discovered MsJanie.com and became a regular visitor. . I look forward to my daily visits for updates and photos and comraderie with other beanie lovers.

There's still excitement with the latest announcement and fun to be had tracking down the latest beanie babies.

Very best wishes on your Tenth Anniversary, Darlene

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Ms Janie
Ty beanies have brought a lot of fun and excitement to me and I have made a lot of new friends through the experiences of hunting for beanies. I have been collecting since 1997 and treasure all my bears. I have them displayed and enjoy looking at them and using them as centerpieces during the different holidays. Ms Janie website was my lifeline to all that was happening in the beanie world. I have gone there almost everyday to look up something or just to browse. I really appreciate all you have
done for this great hobby of Ty beanies.
Thanks
Judy J

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Ty has meant a lot to me....I started with just a few bears.....one day I ran into a man who also collects Ty bears and we became very close friends and now we go together and collect all bears when they come out...if it wasn't for him collecting bears I never would of meet him and his collection...which is the largest collection next to Karen H's collection...only missing 3 top bears to have them all.....loves the bears and so do I.

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Hi Ms Janie, What Ty has meant to me has been the people I have met. I have worked at a Hallmark store and the wonderful collectors that come in, have become friends because of our shared loved of the little plush Beanie. Plus the times you inform us of up to date new Beanies has made it possible for me to be able to buy them just before they would be sold-out or retired. Thank you Ms Janie for all your hard work. Mary Ann

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I have only been a TY Collector since 2000. I missed getting on the frenzy wagon. I remember it as I had friends that drove all over to find beanie babies and stood in looooong lines to buy them. My brother worked at a store that sold them and bought me Princess and Echo. A lot of people had a hard time finding Princess but thanks to my brother I had one. Then in 2000 I got 4 beanie babies for Christmas and got bit by the TY bug. I now have over 600 TY products, mostly beanie babies. I found out about MS Janie website from the TY talk board. I have learned so much there and even though I've never met Ms Janie, I feel like she is a good friend. I have prayed for her because of her Graves disease and look forward to the emails with the latest updates. Congratulations and PLEASE keep up the great work.
Sherry Reid

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Ms.Janie,
I adore Ty products and started collecting in 1998. A friend of mine told me about your site, she said you were positive and worked hard not to take sides on important issues. She said you had a great writing style that attracted her and I would enjoy your site.

I thank her to this day because she was correct. I have been a reader for many years and hope that you will never close your site. When you told us you had taken ill. My thoughts and prayers went out to you but I also wondered how you would continue with the site. Thank God you managed to get your illness under control and continue to live a normal life. I could not imagine not getting your newsletter, I would be lost.

I remember one newsletter in particular, I laugh out loud every time I think about it. Ty had just released the Zodiac line and you announced, Ms. Janie is a pig! Of course you were referring to your Zodiac Beanie but it just struck me so funny. My friends and I laughed about that for ever.
I have never had the pleasure of meeting you but some how feel as if we are already friends. Your personal touch with the site and your style of writing along with introducing us to your family makes me feel like family.

In closing, while I will continue to collect Ty products for years to come, I will always read, enjoy and support Ms. Janie. She has been there for me for years and I will always be there for her. After all, she is just like family.

Martha Reins

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When I read your proposal and stopped to think about what beanies have meant to me, like most of us, I had to go back a few years to my beginning. The very first beanie that I received was one of the McDonald’s teenies in 1997. I received Chops and fell in love with that very cute little lamb. The next contact must have been 97, too. I was in a toy shop and they had just received a shipment. There were beanies all over the counter. There was a gentleman there who bought 50 (!!!!) of them. I really couldn’t believe that anyone would purchase that many of a child’s TOY!! I looked them over and bought a Curly because I loved Teddy Bears, Mystic for my daughter who collected unicorns, Magic because I thought that he was just too cute to give to my other daughter and a Bucky the Beaver for me (because I am Canadian). I brought them home and put them into the Linen Closet. Our first granddaughter was born in late 96. I was looking for an Easter gift for her and remembered those beanies. I went back to the toy shop but they had quit carrying them. (I wonder if they had ever regretted that decision). I headed for a bigger town about 40 miles away and found Beanies in a Gift Shop. I bought several of the dogs. I could really feel the "pull" this time!! I will put it this way: Monica didn’t get any of those dogs!! And I quickly traveled near and far to buy any and all beanies who were out at the time—often in triplicate!! I often say that "My kids moved out and the beanies moved in!!".

I still love them and enjoy each and every one but there is much more to it, I had a life-threatening seizure in the early 90s. In fact my youngest daughter came home and found me not breathing and almost dead. I have been on seizure meds since that time and find that my memory, both because of the meds and age (grrrrrrr) my memory is not what it used to be. I might forget what I had for lunch yesterday but I can remember beanie names. LOL I consider it my "mind exercise"!! I think that it is a case of "using it or losing it" and keeping track of beanies makes me use my mind.

We now have six granddaughters and one grandson. After Monica, they have been welcomed into the world with beanies. One of them was even born with her birthday bear in the delivery room. Her first picture was taken with August birthday bear with no hat!! They each get a beanie/buddy for Christmas, for Valentine’s Day, for Easter and for Birthdays. If they break an arm, another beanie makes its way to her house. I think they just mean "Grandma" to them. They take it a bit for granted but their friends think that they are so lucky!!!!!

I have met so many people because of beanies—both in my area and across the world!! I miss the ones who have stopped collecting for whatever reasons but I welcome the new friends that are still active in the hobby. I even have taken a job working at a Flea Market which is about 45 minutes from my home. I do make a little money which is rolled back into my own collection but I mostly love to talk to "beanie people". I think that we are all the same—kind, caring and kids at heart!! Could there possibly be a better activity????

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