The Boyds Bear Facts Archives April 2005

The Boyds^TM Bear Facts Archives
Bits & pieces of information for collectors of Boyd's Bears and Friends

April 2005 Archived Information

(4/27/05) THE BOYDS COLLECTION TO WEBCAST CONFERENCE CALL ON FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2005

GETTYSBURG, PA, April 27, 2005 - The Boyds Collection, Ltd. (NYSE: FOB) will hold a webcast of its conference call on Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 9:30 am (ET) to discuss its financial results for the first quarter of 2005.

A live webcast of the call will be accessible on the Company's website, www.boydsstuff.com, via a link from the Investor Relations section. Please log on to the website approximately ten minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.

A replay of the conference will be archived on the site through 8:00 pm (ET) on Thursday, May 28, 2005.

(4/24/05) Boyds Fall 2005 Sneak Peak

Many thanks to Robin L. for this recap of the Gettysburg Sneak Peak of the Boyds Fall line.

There were five small, naked resin bears in cute poses (the Warm-Hearted Bears).

The Americana group (Strike up the Band) was awesome! The largest was a 16" bear in a layered, flounced dress (like the one on the recent QVC exclusive who waves the flag and plays Yankee Doodle--Dolly?), but with a jacket and floppy hat added. The fabrics were a dusty red denim with a flocked fleur di lis pattern, an off-white corduroy, and a faded blue denim star print. The blue fabric was quilted with red stitching. I think the jacket and hat were solid blue denim. Next was my single favorite bear of the whole Sneak Peek--a simple 14" brown plush bear in a navy sweater appliqued on the front with a heart-shaped flag. Then there was a solid dusty red bear with a navy star-print pointed hat, like the hats we used to make out of newpaper when we were kids. Next was a star peeker bear, striped like the flag--similar to the one from Fall 2003. To complete this group there were two little hat girls. One's hat was made from the dusty red print, and the other's hat was the navy star print. There was also a new set of flag baskets to go with this group. Can you tell I really liked this group?? LOL!!

There was also a set of Americana kitchen accessories, such as a utensil holder and recipe box (?), and some others I can't remember. That slide went by too quickly while I was trying to take notes in the dark!

There was a bearstone of a little bear trying on his dad's military uniform (much too big for him, of course!).

There were five resin M&M peekers, each a different color. Three were round, and two were like peanut M&Ms. We didn't see them, but there are apparently plush to match. And we learned that the exclusive piece that will be given to Jamboree attendees in June is a variation of the resin red M&M peeker!

There were two Dollstones--a ballerina, and a girl kneeling by her bed to pray.

There was a bearstone of a beautician working on a client.

There were two new Rassbearies (the resin bears in teacups). One said, "I'm still hot--it just comes in flashes now", and the other said, "You can cancel my subscription--I have enough issues now." And there was a new Razzbeary plush holding a stuffed crab, and the message was something about being crabby--can't remember exactly!

One of the more interesting new lines will little purses, made from plush, each with a 6" bear hanging from it. We saw a slide of one that looked pink, and a brown one in person. These would be good for a little girl, or maybe an evening bag, if you like to take a bear along on your formal evenings out!

There was a new line of fairies, called Faeriesprites, smaller than the previous fairies, and with translucent wings made to resemble stained glass.

There was a bearstone of a couple sitting facing each other rowing a boat.

We saw only one treaure box--a red apple. The tray inside resembled an apple pie.

There was a resin set of Shoebox bears from the Wizard of Oz, exactly like the plush set from last year.

We saw the Fall Event pieces. The plush looks a lot like the Pigeon Forge exclusive, except in browns instead of black. It has a leatherette color with a large bell dangling from it. The resin was the same bear sitting in a field of sunflowers.

There was a resin of a bear in a tree swing.

There was a white resin bear holding a pumpkin.

I have in my notes something about three bears on a large pumpkin--can't remember if that was resin or plush!

There was a candy corn peeker and a black cat wearing an orange witch's cap, along with three plush mini bears, each sitting in their own little trick-or-treat bag.

The Bear of the Month for October is dressed in an elaborate ghost costume.

You've all seen pictures of the plush pilgrims--they were awesome in person! There was also a little Master of Disguise bear dressed as a turkey, and a coordinating set of baskets that had muslin liners appliqued on the top edge with vegetables.

Speaking of vegetables, there was an amazing, large (10-12"?) resin cornucopia, made to resemble a woven basket, that lights up!

Bailey and friend were dressed in harvest colors. Can't remember which was which, but one of them had a celery green sweater, one had a cinammon-colored sweater, and one had a black sweater, all coordinating with a plaid fabric that I think might have been flannel. They all coordinated with some other harvest bears, that I can't remember much about, except that one was holding a little quilt embroidered with a scarecrow. There was also a very large chenille scarecrow that reminded me a lot of one from several years ago, except that it's torso was green plush.

There was a little bear popping out of a stuffed cake.

There was an awesome, incredibly realistic plush dog.

There will be a reissue of the old Ace Bruin bear, this one called Ace Bruin II. The reason for the remake is that the original Ace Bruin appeared (will appear?) in the Jodie Foster movie "Flight Plan" (not sure if the movie is out yet or not), and so Boyds figures everyone will want to go out and buy one after seeing the old one in the movie!

There was a really cute naked moose in a variegated plush that had many different shades.

There was an ADORABLE white plush mouse with HUGE ears and feet!

There were two Steve Shutte bears, one plain brown, and the other a panda that I think was originally supposed to come out in mohair? But it's going to be chenille instead.

There was a plush gray elephant with a tremendous trunk.

A new line will be introduced this Fall (and will apparently continue each season) called the Signature Series. Each member of the design team designed their own special bear (instead of collaborating as they usually do) and named it. Each bear will have the designer's signature embroidered on the paw pad. Liz' bear was named Tristan, of course! It was a dark gray bear in an off-white fisherman's knit sweater.

There was a set of three smaller-than-usual Charming Angels in a Christmas theme. They were meant to be displayed together.

There was an angel bearstone practicing the violin.

There was a really wonderful winter group (the Crystalfrosts? Can't remember for sure!). They were all dressed in lavender velour. There was a white peeker bear in a lavender snowflake, and a white moose in lavender earmuffs! There was a 16" bear in a lavender long coat and hat, and a bear in a lavender sweater with a Nordic design knitted in. These bears were displayed on a white sled that had a white basket on the back, trimmed with a lavender bow. I think there was also some pottery to coordinate with this group.

You've already seen pictures of the plush nativity set, which was very cute! It has seven pieces in all, and the bears were 8" tall, to give you some idea of the scale.

There was a Country Lodge plush group, all dressed in red-and-white buffalo plaid outfits with green trim. I remember one had a plaid hooded jacket and green pants; not sure of what the other outfits looked like!

The Decemeber Bear of the Month bear will be a huge (maybe 18-19") white bear, very soft and squishy, dressed in a red and white knitted stocking cap and scarf.

There was also a large, squishy Santa bear (plush), and a resin of a skinny Santa whose pants were falling down.

There was a large ceramic musical carousel for Christmas (larger than the Americana one from a couple of years ago). The top of it had red and white swirls to resemble a peppermint candy.

There was also a large resin piece of Santa in his sleigh and the eight reindeer, who are all misbehaving in some way!

Finally, we saw a picture of the 2006 FoB kit, which will feature bears wearing yellow and black striped sweaters with a patch that says. "Bee happy....making memories." The kit will have a scrapbooking theme.

Phew!! I think I made it! Better hit send before I lose this one, too! I'm afraid to even try to proofread, so please forgive any mistakes!