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Teddy Bear and Friends
So, you know how New York has world-famous restaurants and all sorts of cuisine? You can’t prove it by Kellie and me today. For breakfast, we had free bagels and coffee in the press center. For lunch, we had free cookies and diet Coke from the Folkmanis hospitality room. And right now, I’m munching a roll leftover from dinner night before last. Fortunately, we’ve got a great dinner planned (Italian with the Wilsons and McKays). I’d kill for a vegetable right now!
What did we do that kept us so busy we couldn’t eat? We started the day in the toy district at North American Bear Company’s workshop. Then we took the bus to Javits to celebrate anniversaries with Douglas Cuddle Company (50 years) and Folkmanis Puppets (30 years). [TY is celebrating their 20th anniversary, too.] We chatted with some artists and retailers, learned how Hansa makes their amazing, lifelike animals, checked out some new bear-related activity books for kids, got the skinny on the new Maryland show this fall, then headed back here to collapse for a bit before dinner.
At NABCO, Barbara Isenberg shared the Muffy line with us, including the new “Iris” bear that’s pictured in the March/April issue of TBF. We learned that the line of Muffy minis—plush, not mohair—will be expanding in a “Muffy of the Month” line, most of which are new designs. These $10 items are aimed at kids, not collectors, though I’m sure that more than one will find their ways into collectors’ hands. On the collector end, in addition to NABCO’s Couture line, Steiff is doing another Muffy—Barbara said that partnership has been successful for both companies—but the prototype is with Steiff, not NABCO, so we will see it tomorrow. She mentioned a travel trunk and outfits representing the countries where Muffy is sold. Of course, we also petted the super-soft plush baby toys and hugged the squishy bears. Little kids today have it good!
- Barbara Isenberg with Muffy “Iris”.
Past Time BearsAaaaaacccckkk . . hope you get to eat some real food SOON, Mindy! Thanks for keeping us up to date on the bear industry's cutting edge!
Kiprie BearsOh boy Mindy , you sound so busy !
Thanks for writing post and the pics !!! 
Please eat little more for you ! :pray:
Hugs/Marie
Posts: 3,540
Oh my! Don't faint from low blood sugar out there! I'm amazed at how much you're able to cover...I'd be wimping and looking for a cozy nook to cuddle with a bear for a nap 
I'm truly glad Muffy's continued. I remember being stunned when they mentioned discontinuing her, but I think the collectors have persueded them to do otherwise 
And its so nice (if a bit shocking over the TY's 20th!) to see the anniversaries 
Budd Bears BoutiqueSounds like a busy and exciting time.
DoodlebearsWhat a fantastic but exhausting time you have experienced Mindy. Please be sure have your meals and take care of yourself. Really good reports Mindy, thank you!
Hugs Jane 
