TOY FANS FLOCK TO COLLECTORS GATHERING; BEANIES, HOT WHEELS FEATURED AT SIMI SHOW.

Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer

Beanie Baby collector Irma Padilla of Simi Valley has a simple explanation for why she has some 600 of the stuffed animals in her collection: She's infatuated.

``It's called Beanie mania,'' Padilla said. ``It just gets into your blood. Once you get one, you have to have them all.''

Padilla was one of 30 vendors at a show of collectible toys Sunday in the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center.

Padilla's obsession began three years ago when her husband bought her a stuffed, wrinkled dog as a gift. Was he upset that his gift sparked a collection that can cost thousands of dollars? No.

``He's worse than I am,'' she said, and keeps buying her more.

Padilla, one of 30 vendors at the event, had dozens of dolls spread across her table. Her collection included bears Erin and Princess, which she was offering for sale at $15 each. At the height of their popularity, Erin sold for $300 and Princess sold for $500, Padilla said.

Popularity is determined by prices at shows and rumors about how few of the dolls will be produced, she said.

``When they first come out with new ones, everybody wants them,'' Padilla said.

The love for the dolls will likely continue, she said.

``It won't fade away,'' Padilla said. ``I hope that they keep making new ones because that's what keeps the mania up.''

A few tables over, Todd Bennaton of Simi Valley and Dan Carrera of West Hills had Hot Wheels miniature cars for sale. The cars cost from $1 to $100.

``Every little boy in town played with these,'' Bennaton said.

The two jumped into the Hot Wheels craze earlier in the 1990s, when many in their 30s were becoming nostalgic for the cars they played with as kids. At first the two were only collectors, but then they also became sellers.

``You've got to feed your own habit,'' Bennaton said.

The Internet has really helped boost the interest in collecting, Carrera said.

``People have certain liking for certain cars,'' Carrera said about some Hot Wheels collectors, while others ``need to have everything on the table.''

Similar shows are held every four to six weeks at the community center.

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3 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) From children to adults, collectors look at toys and model cars at a show Sunday in the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center.

(2--Color) Irma Padilla of Simi Valley, both a collector and a seller, sits among her Beanie Babies.

(3--Color) Hot Wheels collector Mark Mainer, 11, checks the price on a Red Baron.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News