Arrival Date: 8/7/23
Size: 15.5"
Year: 2023
Designer: Isabelle Lee
Purchased From: BAMS
Cost: $126
Thoughts: So Mighty makes three mammoths in my CB collection. Never thought I'd say that. He's the most realistic of the three and he's pretty spectacular. He has a tiny tail in the back. He wouldn't sit on the back of the couch and I was too lazy to move him to the chair where I usually photograph the big guys.
Arrival Date: 7/22/23
Size: 10"
Year: 2023 Cuddle Time Exclusive
Designer: Charlie
Purchased From: CB Direct
Cost: $63
Thoughts: An unplanned tiny purchase. And I do mean tiny. Hog is only 10" and fits right in the palm of my hand. I wasn't going to get him, but then I saw the video and the scoopy snout won me over. Hog is unusual in that he only has four joints (shoulders and hips). His neck is not jointed. He also has these neat paws that are unique. I've never seen paws like this on a CB before. He's sitting with Bristle right now. Bristle is still my fave hedgehog, but Hog was worth getting. He's adorable.
Arrival Date: 7/13/23
Size: 18"
Year: 2016
Designer: Isabelle Lee
Purchased From: ebay
Cost: About $42
Thoughts: I've wanted Leeds for years and finally got this one from ebay. He needed some cleaning but seems to have turned out nicely. I love that I can put the Bearhouse line into the washing machine without worry. Leeds is a pretty tall guy and he's super soft and cuddly.
Arrival Date: 7/13/23
Size: 19"
Year: 2023
Designer: Isabelle Lee
Purchased From: BAMS
Cost: $188.95
Thoughts: Carnival was on my "maybe" list for the year. Bears I didn't preorder, but who had a good chance of being added to the collection if I liked them "in the fur." I wasn't 100% sold on Carnival even after seeing people's photos. He was nice, but let's face it, these guys are more expensive than ever and I need to be more choosy. Then my stockist got hers in and I saw this guy. Every single other Carnival had a grumpy old man face, as one of my friends put it, yet one by one, other bears got chosen and this beauty was left behind. I couldn't believe it when Valerie said preorders were done and he was still there. So I snatched him right up. His colors are even more lovely in person. Very vibrant, very fall. His fur is soft and silky. He's tall at 19", but he's one of those that's mostly leg and he's slim, so he'll go nicely exactly in the spot I have planned for him. Definitely glad everyone left him for me, otherwise I probably would never have tried this bear out.
Arrival Date: 6/24/23
Size: 16"
Year: 2023 Secret Collection
Designer: Isabelle Lee
Purchased From: CB Direct
Cost: $140
Thoughts: Dana in real life looks a lot different than promo photo Dana. The promo bear had a head that looked really round and the hair didn't come down as long onto her shoulders. It was like a puffball. She was also a few shades darker than this. I think she's gorgeous as is, so I'm not exactly disappointed, but I do wish they'd try a little harder to make the final product look like the prototype. Take photos again if the colors aren't being captured right. If I can take a picture with my basic digital camera and get the right shades, why was their picture so dark? She's still a beautiful bear with amusingly stubbly little legs, but if you want exactly what's in the photo, you're not going to get it.
Arrival Date: 6/13/23
Size: 13.5"
Year: 2015
Designer: Isabelle Lee
Purchased From: ebay
Cost: About $12.50 before shipping from the UK ($51 total)
Thoughts: I believe the Bearhouse line began in 2013, so Chiswick is from one of the earlier collections. They used to be a bit more basic like this and I think the quality started amping up around 2017. But the early ones are still plenty cute. I've always been drawn to Chiswick, though it's taken me this long to buy one. He's large and very soft, definitely cuddly. He is permanently seated, though that doesn't bother me a bit. I like the contrast of the curlier tan fur on his sleek black fur. He's very cute.
Arrival Date: 6/5/23
Size: 14.5"
Year: 2023
Designer: Isabelle Lee
Purchased From: BAMS
Cost: $119
Thoughts: Cave! I really expected this guy to be my first of the 2023 collection, but third isn't too far behind. He's simply darling. Such a sweet face and I love the shape of him and how he sits in various positions. He feels the most bear-like of anything they've ever done. His fur is soft, too, so he's going to be super great at...bear hugs.
Arrival Date: 6/5/23
Size: 15"
Year: 2022
Designer: Isabelle Lee
Purchased From: BAMS
Cost: $110
Thoughts: Perth's height is officially listed at 15", which is probably accurate, but his length with that tail has got to be almost double that! Perth is a coatimundi. He's my second last arrival from the 2022 collection. I'm only waiting on Sydney the long-awaited echidna now and I hope they're working hard on him. A lot of people keep asking. Anyway, Perth is adorable. I think they did well with the resemblance, unlike some others in the Bearhouse endangered species collection. He's very detail and soft, so I think he'll be a good cuddler.
