|
December 2011
Members
Christmas
Newsletter
Merry Christmas Bear Club Members,
Only a few more weeks until Santa comes and we get to enjoy the traditions of Christmas morning and see the excitement on the faces of the children of all ages as they unwrap the lovely gifts left by “Santa”.
 This months news is a really packed edition with lots of Christmas bargains and quite a bit of news that is affecting the teddy bear industry, some good news and sadly some bad that we would rather not have to pass on but it has always been our policy to try and keep our members as up to date as we possibly can on events in the industry that have an impact on their passion for collecting teddies.
I also love doing the December newsletter the most as I get to dress it up with lots of happy Christmas images, a bit like decorating the showroom so we can share the Christmas excitement with all our valued club members both old and new.
 I am particularly looking forward to Christmas, after a very trying year in many respects I need the comfort and escape from reality that the festive season brings.
Business has been quite tough as many collectors have tightened their belts a little, we are fortunate enough to have a really big customer base so the general retail downturn has not had the same drastic impact on us as it has on many other retailers.
We are also in strong position to ride out the economic slow down as we own our teddy showroom and don’t have to struggle with a mortgage and we are extremely well stocked up.
Who ever said that working with teddies was a safe job?
While rearranging a high shelf in our store room about 6 weeks ago I dropped a box of teddies on my head and compressed a couple of discs in my neck pinching a nerve, not an experience I would like to repeat, the pain has been excruciating and the visits to the physiotherapist every second day for neck traction and manipulation has also been quite painful, the upside is I can move again and am almost back to normal.
Not being able to sleep properly for almost two weeks has also taken a toll.
 To top off a year of events that we would rather forget, the sad passing in March of Jan’s Mum Gwen who many of you knew quite well, the loss of several family & business friends, we also lost our little dog on Monday, I went home to find him in a coma, rushed him to the vet who discovered he had suffered a heart attack which had badly damaged his heart.
The vets prognosis was not very positive and I had to make the shattering decision to put him to rest, one of the toughest things I have had to do for many years.
As most of our members are also pet lovers you will understand just how attached we become to our furry “children”, Woofles has been a part of our family for 13 years and already I miss him terribly.
So as you can imagine I am really looking forward to pushing 2011 into the past and moving on to a better brighter 2012.
Jan and I particularly enjoy Christmas as it is the only time of the year when we actually close the shop for two days and our entire family congregates at our house to spend time together along with a constant stream of valued friends coming to spend a few hours and enjoy all the traditional festivities.
This is a rare two day treat for us as being in business for ourselves we do not get the luxury of being able to all spend family time together very often.
 We are blessed that our family all lives locally and that they all can come home for Christmas, we really treasure being able to be there each year when the grandchildren wake up on Christmas morning, they are still young enough to believe in the magic of Santa Claus, a tradition we dearly long to hold on to for as long as possible.
And of course there is the joy of seeing the expressions on Jan’s face as she opens the packages of teddy bears I have secreted away for her all year, it’s really great to have a partner who is so passionate about teddy bears as it is never difficult to select presents that I can be confident she will enjoy.
Any way the scene is set for the Robertson family to have another memorable Christmas.
I hope all your plans and wishes for Christmas come to pass and that you too get to enjoy the wonderful special moments that spending time with family can bring, also that you have avoided Santa’s Naughty List and he brings you something wonderful.
If you are still needing some gifting inspiration then maybe I can help, I have packed this newsletter with lots of great specials and offers that will hopefully appeal to all our members.
As well as a great Christmas event on Tuesday night being hosted by Russ Bears we have some excellent offers on lots of teddy bears & plush animals, porcelain dolls, Cherished Teddies, Collectable Bears, Pooh & Friends Figurines and the very rustic Boyds Bearstone Characters, so read on to see what we have put together to help make Santa’s job a little easier this year.
Great Gift Ideas Store Wide
in all categories
 This Month’s Teddies on Parade in store Event on Tuesday 13th of December is also our MEMBERS CHRISTMAS PARTY
So if you can make it we would love to see you for a Festive drink or two and some Chrissy nibbles.
We are also expecting a visit from Santa Claus for those that have been good all year.
Get into the Christmas Spirit come dressed up - Prizes will be awarded for the best Christmas Hats and Outfits.
Our Christmas Party Event is definitely our Gala event of the year, If you haven’t been to one of our nights then this is the one to make an appearance at, I guarantee you a lot of fun, sensational prizes, Christmas nibblies and a drink or two and every member attending will receive a Christmas present.
Sadly a lot of our members live too far away to come to the party but we will be thinking of you on Tuesday night, maybe you too will think of us and raise a toast to teddy collectors everywhere.
QUICK LINKS:
 Teddies on Parade Special Event featuring Russ Bears & Animals
This Months Super Specials
This Months Prize Draw
Click this direct link to the Russ Bears catalogue section
Plus look in all the animal categories for a very comprehensive selection of Russ animals
To limit the number of searches needed to see all the Russ designs in the various categories
here is a little TIP, just go to any where in the online catalogue and type RUSS into the search bar
Then press search, this will then give you a selection of all the Russ designs we have available
Select all the designs you would like and submit your wish list, I will then confirm availability and your discounted price
 LOCAL & GLOBAL TEDDY NEWS
The good, the bad and the cuddly!
FAREWELL TO RUSS
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first then we can get on with some positive news and then go to the great specials we have for you this month.
A few months ago I reported to members that Russ Berrie USA had folded and gone into receivership, the liquidators have been busy trying to find a buyer for the Australian and English divisions of the company with out success.
 Russ has been at the forefront of great teddy bears for over 50 years and I would be quite surprised if there was a home in Australia that at some point did not have a Russ teddy or animal in the family.
Russ Berrie’s motto was “Make Someone Happy” and his delightful bears and plush animals certainly have done that over the years.
Sadly when Russ passed away a few years back the company lost it’s clear direction and the passion that Russ put into all his designs seems to have been lost as well, the company being bought out by the Encore Gift Group a couple of years back and this groups control has lead to the demise of one of the most loved teddy bear manufactures the world has seen.
Due to the failure to attract a buyer for the remaining divisions the liquidators have decided to close all remaining divisions of Russ and Australia ceases business on Friday 9th December 2011, a date that will be long remembered with sadness by many Russ fans and collectors.
We at Nana’s Teddies are quite shattered that we will be losing one of our best selling product ranges, we have always supported the Russ bears and animals ranges as we feel the designs, quality and value for money were among the best available.
 We struck a last minute deal with the receivers to buy up quite a lot of the more popular designs and will have Russ products available for quite some time however once designs sell out we will never see them again.
Many of their teddy bears will join the ranks of collectables and will in time become quite valuable, in fact even in the immediate future collectors will be scrambling to finish some of the series that Russ has produced over the years.
So if you are a Russ Collector or even would like a few Russ designs in your collection or if you have children whose favourite companion is a Russ animal you would be well advised to get in now while there are still a few available.
Although Russ have officially closed as of today we will still be presenting them as the “sponsor” of this month’s Teddies on Parade event in a final farewell to this amazing brand.
We will have a special guest from Russ, Helen who has looked after us since we first started selling Russ Bears will be coming to say farewell to all the friends she has made through her involvement with our teddy nights.
All Russ designs including Tatty Teddy will be on sale until Christmas Eve
ALL TATTY TEDDY DESIGNS ARE INCLUDED IN OUR RUSS SALE
CHARLIE BEARS UPDATE
We have good news on Charlie Bears, I have been advised that the factories are starting to catch up on the back log of orders and that Australia will receive 3 more containers this month.
The first shipment will arrive in our store early next week with quite a lot of the plush designs we have been waiting on. As soon as it arrives we will be dispatching any members orders and will advise you if you have any bears in this shipment
 The second shipment is due in the week before Christmas and has most of the outstanding designs from the Isabelle NON UK exclusives that were released late last year, I know many members have been extremely patient and will be pleased to see these bears finally arrive.
The last shipment will arrive in Australia just before Christmas but may not clear customs before they close for the holidays, this large shipment of plush designs will be delivered to us as soon as possible after Christmas.
I do not have details at this stage exactly which bears will be in the 2nd and 3rd shipments but be assured as soon as we receive them we will be in touch with all members who have designs coming to organise getting them to you ASAP.
Finally the Charlie Annual Bear “Hug #4” which normally is released in December each year for pre-orders has been delayed.
We do not have any information that we are allowed to release or any pictures to show at the moment but will get them to you when we get the all clear from Charlie Bears UK.
If you have been collecting the annual “Charlie” and would like to ensure you don’t miss out we can take a pre-order for you now, we will be offering her at the same price as the 2009 edition @ $99.95
NEW ARRIVALS
SONNEBURG MUSEUM EDITION 2011
 We are pleased to advise that the Hermann Sonneburg Museum bear for 2011 has just been announced and that we will have limited stock available in the next couple of weeks.
This year we believe that Hermann are again not doing the 500 piece American Edition and we have no news on the 250 piece UK edition either, I am trying to confirm if this is going ahead.
The good news for our members is that again I have been able to tap into the 100 piece Museums exclusive edition and will have a limited amount of these available for Australia.
This will be the 18th Sonneburg Museums bear to date.
The 2011 bear is again made of high quality German Mohair and filled with Excelsior, he also has a growler voice.
He holds in his paw a hand made punch puppet
The punch puppet is decorated on a traditional woodstick which the bear has fixed to his paw
He is 38 cm or 15 inch like all his previous Sonneburg cousins and this year due to the great exchange rate and better pricing from Germany he will be the cheapest that we have been able to offer a Sonneburg edition ever at only $399
Remember, this is the official Museums Edition of only 100 pieces so in my opinion is even more collectable than the much larger US & UK editions of recent years.
Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
 This is a very special collectable bear made to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II of England.
She will be celebrating her Diamond Jubilee next year 2012
This special bear is again made of high quality German Mohair and filled with Excelsior, she also has a growler voice.
She is decorated with SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL ELEMENTS
As it is the Diamond Jubilee the bear is full of SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS
As this is a 60th anniversary bear Hermann have designed all the crystals in groups of 6, one stone for each decade.
She has 6 SWAROVSKIs on the collar and additional 6 SWAROVSKIs on the silver-coloured amulet
The Tiara is also decorated the SWAROVSKI Elements
She is 37 cm or 14.5” and is in a limited edition of only 500 pieces world-wide.
The official Jubilee Weekend celebrations will be held on 2nd to the 5th of June 2012
The Queen came to her throne on 6th February 1952 and her official Coronation took place on 2nd June 1953
This is a bear of truly historical significance and will be a very good investment in years to come.
Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II will be available for delivery in the next couple of weeks for only $399
PRE-ORDERS FOR EITHER OF THESE HIGHLY COLLECTABLE BEARS CAN BE PLACED NOW
LIMITED EDITION DISNEY COOKIE JAR
 This very unique Mickey Mouse Cookie Jar was created by world famous Pop Artist Romero Britto and is a truly unique collectors piece.
Each one of the 2000 pieces in the edition is individually hand numbered and comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity that corresponds with the number on the bottom of the cookie jar.
The Cookie Jar is 29cm high and will make an amazingly different gift this Christmas.
The Limited Edition Cookie Jar is only $199
As well as this fantastic Cookie Jar Britto has created a series of bright and colourful collectable Disney figurines and unusual fun key rings.
You can see them all in the figurines section of our catalogue starting at only $9.95 for the key rings and $34.95 for the figurines
Characters include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Tinker Bell, Donald Duck, Goofy, Cheshire Cat, Grumpy and Jiminy Cricket
To see our full range of Disney by Britto click here
Disney by Britto captures the fun and whimsy of Disney in the iconic bold and colourful designs of Romero Britto.
Romero Britto breathes new life into these classic Disney characters, as they take on his signature iconographic pop art twist.
Britto uses vibrant colours and bold patterns as a visual language of hope and happiness.
He has been credited with the worlds largest public Art installation at Hyde Park and has created a huge Britto Pepsi soft drink can as well as a hand painted Britto Mini Cooper Car for BMW.
THIS MONTHS
SUPER SPECIALS
 These featured bears and animals will only be offered at these special prices until 24th December unless sold out sooner
As these designs are in our online catalogue at regular prices please do not
use the normal enquiry cart system to order these specials, simply
send me an e-mail to bears@teddys.com.au with the subject line as
SELECTED TEDDIES SALE requesting the ones you would like to adopt, or if you prefer you can call me on 0247 390677 to secure the ones you want.
 Very Limited Edition
Tatty Teddy
Little Drummer Boy
Tatty Teddy looks so cute dressed up in a Drummer Boy outfit.
Each Tatty Teddy is handmade
Dressed in velour feel black pants and a red top
with gold trim complete with a drummer boy hat.
Comes in a limited edition gift box.
26 cm #15034
Normally $61.95 Sale Price $45
Be Quick only 8 still available
 Little Peeper Dragons
A collection of very cute colourful 12cm dragons
Normally $15.95 each Sale price $10 each
Buy all 3 together for only $20
 CHARLIE BEARS
LIMITED EDITION
WILLIAM IV
William IV is the fourth Charlie Bear to proudly wear the name William in honour of the Director of Charlie Bears and Charlie’s husband Will, he is a very handsome fully jointed teddy with an amazing soft plush fur that gives a really huggable feel to him.
He is one of the few designs in the Plumo range that is made as a Limited Edition design with only 4000 created.
Plumo is a plush bear with Mohair used to better sculpt his features on his snout and ears.
Each one comes with an individually numbered certificate.
Normally $129
Sale Price $99
Exclusive members only Christmas special
Be Quick we only have a limited number available
He is now retired and when our existing stock is gone we will not be able get any more
Ganz Cottage
Collectable
Hayley
#4096 30cm
Normally $72.95
Sale price $35
Ganz Cottage
Collectable
Custard
#12407 23cm
Normally $49.95
Sale price $20
Ganz Cottage
Collectable
Valentina
#2840 23cm
Normally $45.95
Sale price $20
 Beanie Kids
Special
Buy any 4 Beanie Kids Designs
for only $40
Normally $11.95 each
Click here to go to our Beanie Kids catalogue
 Webkinz
Special
 Buy any 2 Webkinz Designs
for only $30
Normally $19.95 each
Click here to go to our Webkinz catalogue
 As well as the bears featured above we have in stock ready for this great event 100’s of fantastic designs from Russ Bears plus the best range of Russ plush animals for you to select from.
You can see all our RUSS BEARS in our on-line catalogue RUSS section, click here and still get the 20% discount off all prices shown if you order by using the enquiry cart and typing
RUSS BEARS SALE in the general comments box when you submit your internet enquiry
before 4pm on Christmas Eve the 24th December.
ALL TATTY TEDDY DESIGNS ARE INCLUDED IN OUR RUSS SALE
Plus look in all the animal categories for a very comprehensive selection of Russ animals
To limit the number of searches needed to see all the Russ designs in the various categories
here is a little TIP, just go to any where in the online catalogue and type RUSS into the search bar
Then press search, this will then give you a selection of all the Russ designs we have available
Select all the designs you would like and submit your wish list, I will then confirm availability and your discounted price
 TO ENSURE DELIVERY FOR CHRISTMAS PLEASE PLACE YOUR ORDERS THIS WEEK
THIS MONTHS
SPECIAL EVENT
FAREWELL TO RUSS
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Teddies on Parade Event
7 pm Tuesday 13th December 2011.
to assist with catering for the party please RSVP by 3 pm Monday the 12th
Internet & Phone orders can be placed until 4pm on Saturday the 24th December
HUGE DISCOUNTS & SPECIALS 
20%
OFF ALL RUSS BEARS & ANIMALS
ALL TATTY TEDDY DESIGNS ARE INCLUDED IN OUR RUSS SALE
DRINKS, CHRISTMAS NIBBLES
AND GIFTS FOR ALL MEMBERS
You can win one of
several great door prizes if you attend
our fun Teddies on Parade Event
 As a member you can get 20% off
all Russ Bears & Animals when you attend this months
TEDDIES on PARADE event or order by using the enquiry cart in our online catalogue and typing RUSS SALE into
the general comments box when you submit your
internet enquiry before 4pm Saturday the 24th December.
Click this direct link to the Russ Bears catalogue section
Plus look in all the animal categories for a very comprehensive selection of Russ animals
To limit the number of searches needed to see all the Russ designs in the various categories
here is a little TIP, just go to any where in the online catalogue and type RUSS into the search bar
Then press search, this will then give you a selection of all the Russ designs we have available
Select all the designs you would like and submit your wish list, I will then confirm availability and your discounted price
 Free Gift with purchase
We have reserved a special MYSTERY Gift for all members either purchasing any
Russ Bears or Animals at this months TEDDIES on PARADE event or ordering online
or by phone any Russ Bears or Animals before 4pm Saturday the 24th December.
INTERNET OR PHONE ORDER MEMBERS
 If you live too far away to attend the TEDDIES on PARADE night you can see all
our RUSS BEARS in our on-line catalogue Russ section, click here and still get
the 20% discount off all prices shown if you order by using the enquiry cart and typing RUSS SALE in the general comments box when you submit your internet enquiry before 4pm Saturday the 24th December.
THIS MONTHS PRIZE DRAW
All Members either attending our
TEDDIES on PARADE event
or ordering online or by phone
will get an entry in the draw
to win this months great prize.
Nana’s Teddies & Toys
Gift Certificate
Valued at $50
Gift Certificates can be used for any purchases in our huge product range but cannot be used
for any existing orders or lay-bys or for any postage costs in delivering your purchases to you
 WINNERS ARE GRINNERS
 November’s
Teddies on Parade Event
lucky prize winners
Congratulations to last months winners
1st Prize - A Korimco Washington jointed bear valued at $69.95
Margaret Gibson of Glenbrook NSW.
2nd Prize - A Korimco Ted Bear valued at $54.95
Jackie Anstis of Cambridge Park NSW.
3rd Prize - A Korimco Edward Bear valued at $34.95
Rita Charteris of Weatherill Park NSW
$100 Members Super Draw
Hanne Lewis of Queanbeyan NSW who correctly identified the saving on Big Max as being $24.95
 Will you be this month’s $100 Gift Certificate Winner?
You have to be in it to win it!!!!
Enter this months draw for a $100 gift voucher now by answering this simple question, nothing to buy, entry is free, just correctly answer the question to be entered in the draw!
How many years have Hermann produced an annual Sonneburg Museum bear?
You can find the answer in this newsletter.
E-mail your answer now and don’t forget your membership number.
Event information for new members:
- Teddies nights start at 7pm sharp and generally run till around 9pm but this depends on how much fun our members are having.
- It is essential to RSVP so that we can organise catering and gifts.
- Our TEDDIES on PARADE nights are young children free events so that you and other members can relax and enjoy the bears and the company.
- Well behaved teenagers are most welcome to attend.
So why not mark your diary, RSVP now and come along and have a relaxing fun night out with a great bunch of people that share your passion for collecting Teddies.
 That’s it for this months newsletter but before I sign off for this issue I wish to remind you of the following dates:
TEDDIES on PARADE
CHRISTMAS PARTY
7pm 13th December.
RUSS BEARS & ANIMALS SALE
Starts today
Ends Saturday the 24th December.
Merry Christmas from us all
Dave, Jan, Troy, Marilyn and the Bears
FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR NEWER MEMBERS THAT HAVE JOINED
US RECENTLY I WILL CONTINUE TO REPEAT EACH MONTH THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON MEMBERS DISCOUNTS AND BENEFITS
MEMBERS DISCOUNTS.
 For the benefit of members old and new I would like to clarify the importance of making it known to us when you are ordering that you are in fact a member, if you cant find your number we can look it up on our computer system for you.
As we have now over 27000 customers on our lists it is hard for us to keep track of every ones status so we ask your help in providing your membership number with all inquires and orders, this way we can ensure you get the discounts or specials you are entitled to as a member of our club.
MEMBERSHIP NUMBER IS DISPLAYED AT THE TOP OF EVERY NEWSLETTER, just above your name.
- Your membership entitles you to a minimum of 5% off all regularly priced products that are not already reduced.
- All prices in our on-line catalogue are our normal retail prices and members discounts will be deducted from these retail prices.
- Discounts are not available for lay-bys as we incur additional costs in providing lay-by services.
- Members discount also applies to Pre-orders placed with payment in full at the time of placing your orders.
- Discounts do not apply to postage costs.
- Special offers are made to members from time to time at up to 80% off retail, further discounts do not apply to these offers.
- We always strive to offer our members the best possible value on all our teddy bears and other products, as such we are always happy to match or better any genuine advertised competitors prices. As it is impossible for us to monitor all available offers please bring it to our attention and we will see what we can do.
 CHANGED E-MAIL ADDRESSES
Many members are changing their e-mail providers or going to broadband which changes their e-mail addresses.
It is imperative that you advise us of any change in your E-mail address if you wish to continue to receive your newsletters.
We would hate to lose contact with you.
I hope you enjoy this months news and all the additions to our on-line catalogue ranges, please check back frequently for new additions that will be uploaded as they arrive.
Regards and bear hugs from all of us,
Dave, Jan, Troy, Marilyn & the Bears.
|
