If you love teddy bears, Beanie Babies deliver.
Several years ago, my city undertook a public art project. A local sculptor created a couple of basic fish designs, and dozens of local artists decorated them in vastly different and creative ways. It was amazing how unique each fish ended up being, with everything from a metallic-looking gray fish dressed up like an airplane to a green fish resembling Sherlock Holmes. Other fish merely served as a canvas, with the side playing host to a gorgeous painting. It was a great success, certainly something the locals enjoyed and could take pride in. I’m reminded of this project when I think about the Beanie Baby teddy bears created by Ty. There is just one basic design, but there are dozens of bears, each with some distinguishing feature.
Wallace the Bear - Wallace has the same type of fur, and it fits wonderfully with his pine-colored fur. Wallace is a Scottish bear, and he wears a red plaid scarf to emphasize the point. Named after William Wallace, the Scottish hero who was the subject of the Mel Gibson movie Braveheart, he is thoroughly adorable, and his coloration also makes him an ideal candidate for a Christmas gift. If you’re more into Ireland than Scotland, check out Erin the Bear. I love this bright green Beanie Baby for a number of reasons, not least of which is because my name is Erin, and when I was little, Erin Bear was one of my nicknames. I’m also Irish, so I love that aspect of it as well, especially the white shamrock embroidered on the upper left side of the chest. There are several Beanie Babies for England as well; my favorite is Princess, the regal purple bear with a white rose on its chest created to commemorate Princess Diana.
Kicks the Soccer Bear - This olive green Beanie Baby comes with a soccer ball emblem stitched over his heart, so he’s ideal for a youngster who loves to get out on the field and kick that ball around. Ty has produced themed bears for several different sports, as well as specific teams. Some come with emblems like Kicks does, while others hold plush versions of a football, basketball or whatever the appropriate ball may be. Probably the cutest of the sports bears is the PGA bear, which comes all dressed up in a plaid vest and golf cap.