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Ty
Chubbley
Quarry Critters
Diddl

We arrived at the NEC at about 8:30 after an hour long journey and got passes sorted at the door. While waiting for the Halls to open for 9am, we bumped into Richard and Lyndsey, owners of our favourite shop, in the entrance of Hall 5. For 20 minutes the foyer area was busy with people waiting by the doors to the home of the Toy and Gift companies, until the doors were opened and we could enter.

Our first stop was the Ty stand, which we could find our way easily to with thanks to that giant balloon hovering above the rows and rows of stands. Many other companies 'copied' Ty's idea of the inflatable attached to the stand, but none were as eye-catching or as large as that red heart balloon! The Ty stand was once again beautifully decorated with beanies clinging to metallic framing around the area, plus 'Happy Birthday' greeting cards (not made by Ty) surrounded by beanies and decoration of similar colours. As centre piece on the back wall was the Portsmouth FC football shirt framed with a magazine about the club. In the centre of the floor area was a giant Christmas tree, covered in beanies and jingles. There were a lot of current beanies to see, but the only new products on display were the Christmas Jingle beanies - Flakey with a green nose, Herald the angel bear, Roxie the Reindeer, 2000 Holiday bear, Chillin the Snowman with cute coloured buttons - red, amber and green. There were also Jingles of last years Holiday 2002, the green bear with the antlers, plus a red version of the same jingle. Maybe the red jingle is a minature of this years holiday bear? We noticed that the Color Me Birthday beanies introduced at the start of the month were not on display, but last year's Color Me bears were. Also on show was the Purple Decade. We heard that William is extremely limited, and although Premier will now be available for all retailers to order in packs of 12, he too is limited. I also 'overheard' talks of 'Sparks'. Not sure what Sparks could be but only Tyme will tell!

Next in Hall 5 were Chubbley Ltd, and I was anxious to see what big surprises they had in store for us - and was I shocked? Yep! The most noticeable feature of the stand was several 3' fuzzy bears, who were completely different to anything I have seen before. Available for order, were 22cm and 40cm versions. With their shocked expression, and their fuzzy fur, they really fit their names - the range is called Chubbley Cuddleys! The shape of their bodies are easily recognisable as Chubbleys but the eyes are very different to the original Chubbley bears. They have leathery claws and paws, and are available in 3 different colours; black, white and brown. Also on display is a sneak-preview at the pink version, Romeo who will be a Valentines bear. Although these bears are big and fuzzy, I still think the little 14cm Chubbleys will always be best!

There was a lot of new introductions to the original range, including an adorable Panda bear called Cha Cha, with his black and white body and green bamboo in his paws, Cha Cha will be a huge hit with collectors. Another which I expect will be popular will be GB, a new UK exclusive. Not only will the limited availability make him a must-have, but also the royal-blue fur and embroidered Union Jack on his right foot. Noel is the Christmas bear for this year, and to be honest, he is much cuter that last year's Jingle pair. He reminds me of Ty's 1997 Holiday beanie, with his caramel coloured fur and his little red Santa hat, but Noel carried a big sack full of goodies for his Chubbley friends. This beanie will look great in amongst Christmas decorations this December! Following the Christmas theme, Chubbleys are all ready for winter as Snowflake the Chubbley dresses up for the season. The white bear has a baby-blue ribbon with a matching hat and nose and a snowflake embroidered on his foot. An Introduction for Halloween is Belfry, an orange bear covered in bats, and Scuba is a dark blue bear decorated in star fish. A magic theme is also visible with Majik the navy bear, covered in stars, and one of my favourites, Topper the rabbit. Topper is a pure white bunny with a magicians hat and wand in her right ear. I remember seeing prototypes for a Chubbley cat last year and rumours were circulating that the cat may be called Topper back at the start of the year. Maybe Darren changed his mind? Another caramel coloured bear is fossil who is such a cutie covered in ammonite fossils. The anticipated Blaze is also on the order form, which I'm sure will be a popular hit with collectors!

Chubbley Ltd seems more professional than ever since the recent liquidation of Chubbley Bears UK but Darren and Sue are still as great as ever! We always enjoy having a chat with them! We loved Sue's Chubbley T-shirt! With many more staff on hand and even a new logo and slogan: "...collectable by design!". Goodie bags were given out, even in a special Chubbley bag. Included was a Chubbley bear and leaflet-style order form, plus a special promotional badge. If customers are lucky enough to find a signed badge, they can exchange it for a signed Chubbley bear!

The Fountasia stand was home to both plush and figurine Quarry Critters. On display were the new introductions such as my favourites, the Horses and Donkeys - Hootie, Hoola, Harley, Hawkeye, Hero and Honey, and Hannah and Harvey the horses, plus Dingo the donkey. Plus Hippo and Rhino figurines. There were also displays of the collection of soft, plush Quarry Critters.

Of all the stands we visited, the Depesche stand had to be best! We had planned to meet up with Owen, the General Sales Manager for Depesche UK, as I know him through email. Owen also introduced us to other staff, including the Managing Director, and all at the Diddl stand we so nice and really friendly! We spent a long time on the stand talking with the staff, discussing everything from the products, Diddl, to my Orly the cat greetings and Art at GCSE and A level!

We even received a free Diddlina plush keyring, in a new Diddl paper bag, plus a new leaflet with a lot of the new products in. Thanks Owen!

There are some really great products on display, guaranteed to be a big hit with collectors. My favourites were the gorgeous winter collection - Diddl, Diddlina, Pimboli and gang dressed up for winter. All the Christmas products we decorated in artificial snow and looked so Christmassy! Included in the Winter products were Pimboli with a hat and snowball ready for a snowball fight, plus Diddlina dressed up for winter with her mittens tied together and dangling around her neck. One of Depesche's best points have always been the amazing quality of their products and these Winter Introductions are no exception. The gang are dressed up in soft fleece jumpers, mittens, hats and scarves and look great! And fans of Diddl can also have their own fleece gloves and other winter accessories in the Winter Fleece box set!

Another great range of Diddly goodies, are the Diddlina Princess range. Diddlina is dressed like royalty in plush. Also available are bags, purses, fragrances, photo frames and more! This is going to be a very sought after range and I can't wait until the Royal mouse hits the shelves.

All the characters were attending the show, even the newest member of the gang, Vanillivi, the white sheep, was available in plush, keyrings and cushions! Sitting with her sheepish friend Wollywell, she looked perfect!

If you're not a collector of plush, the new mini-figurines are great. There is a winter range, including all the gang, plus many more. You can even keep your little mice in their very own piece of cheese! The cheesy shelves come complete with holes for your Diddl and co. to fit snugly inside.

The Diddl stand was jam-packed full with all sorts of products, new bags, backpacks, purses, pencil cases, stationery, plush, keyrings, and more! There is way too much for words, so take a look for yourself...

Thanks to Owen and the rest of the staff at Depesche. The stand was great, you made me feel very welcome, and I can't wait to go Diddly shopping soon! Watch out Ty Inc! LOL