Fabulous Plush Pets and Beautiful Artist Dolls Brighten Toy Fair 2004

Today at toy fair I fell in love with Dream Pets, and I was mesmerized by the dolls of Annette Himstedt. I also enjoyed re-connecting with Strawberry Shortcake dolls, acquainted myself with the Neopets, and I took home a Waif doll!

It was a jam-packed offbeat day for me at Toy Fair. I started at the Toy Building, where many company show rooms are located. Some of the show rooms are a bit cloak-and-dagger. You need to be buzzed in and you have to have an appointment, or forget about seeing the top-secret product! Also, photos are generally not allowed in the show rooms.

One of my favorite stops today was at Applause. They make Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls (including a new cloth bendable, poseable one!) as well as Mickey and Minnie Mouse plush dolls. My favorite thing from Applause is their re-introduction of the Dream Pets. Do you remember the Dream Pets? If you like retro-1960s plush and dolls, you'll know them, even if you don't know them by name. Well, the Dream Pets are back, and they have kept the quality and charm of the originals. Go meet the Dream Pets at their new Dream Pets web site!

I also love the new Annette Himstedt line. I always love her dolls, but her latest dolls are so playful and mischevious looking that they really touch your heart. I'll have photos and more information on this line this week.

I also went around and visited many of the smaller doll artists. I even ordered a limited edition Waif doll, from artist A.D. Puchalski. You can see some of her very unique dolls at Angel Devil Creations.

Finally, I found out all the latest scoop on the Strawberry Shortcake line, which now comes in a huge variety of dolls and styles, and I visited the also-adorable Neopets, which tie-in to the very popular www.neopets.com web site. At Neopets, you can own a virtual pet (they, but it in plush!). As I can tell you from my family's personal experience, its very addictive. Much more to follow on Toy Fair, so stay tuned!