The New Year is Coming...

 It has been an amazing year my dear friends! Filled with ups and downs and well mostly ups. So I wish you all a very blessed upcoming New Year and the hopes that we all have a good one, with good health, and good fortune!

Okay, on to what I wanted to share with you...

In early December, I received this huge ginormous vintage Rushton Papa bear from a fellow collector in Japan, who sent him directly to me from the seller in the States. She wanted me to restore BOB, her nickname for him. I was excited to see him. Because he was listed via Ebay and for a lot of money, but ended in whatever her offer was for him. So, honestly, I was planning on adopting him myself, but of course in the end we decided not too. Still it was nice to be able to have him with me and experience what it might be like to own him. He arrived quickly to me and I began to give him a spa while waiting for all the materials to come in that would make him the way this collector wanted him to be...

When he arrived on the left and right after work has been done...

Okay, when I started on Bob, he needed a good wash. I removed all his stuffing, which was pretty decent and no smells too. Washed him and laid him out to dry. He dried in about 2 days. Then, I began restuffing him. The first attempt, he was a bit skinny and I didn't notice it until I had began sewing his shoes. I had to wait for the felt fabric for his shoes, vest and coat to come in to begin anything. So Bob sat for 2 weeks. When the fabric came in, I had gotten a color for the jacket as close to the original jacket. But the collector wanted the jacket to be more of a mustard color or yellow. So, I had to order felt fabric in that color. While waiting for that, I had gotten the buttons to his vest and jacket also. After all the items to help restore him came in, I just simply used the original items as a pattern for the new jacket, vest and shoes.

By Friday just before Christmas day, I was done or so I thought. I sent photos and the collector, had some preferred changes in Bob's outcome. Oh my, I must admit I felt like I had done something wrong and not worthy of completing the commission. But, I listened and here is what I needed to change... 

One, he was still skinny and not chubby like the original. Two, his nose and hair was too dark. Three, his appliques for the shoes were a bit larger, and didn't quite look like the original. Four, his cheeks weren't pink enough, and I had put only 4 buttons on his vest instead of five. But in my mind it was because, there was only four to begin with. LOL I couldn't use the original buttons, because I couldn't take them off the original vest and jacket with out ruining them. The large button on the jacket were snap buttons and they are locked into the fabric, and the small buttons on the vest, had one missing and they had prongs on the other side to lock them onto the felt. If I pried them off, they may not be usable on the 2nd try. Ugh, the challenge!! Haha!

Mind you, it might have been someone else's Papa bear that she was going by. Which was fine and I completely understood why she wanted him that way. I found that I am the same, when we first see the vintage plush we fall in love with, we want them that way, because that is the one we fell in love with first. And for me, to create something she wanted, and the way she had wanted it, was a challenge I will admit. But definitely, this experience had become one that I needed to learn from. So, thank you to Alicemarket on IG for helping me to realize that challenges can be a good thing, and helpful in the long run. For myself, it was to realize what I could and couldn't do, no matter how one may try. Lesson learned.

In the end, Bob's jacket was a bit too yellow, but we had gone through 2 tries already. So I think she decided to just keep it that way. I did go back and lightened his nose and hair, and I found how to do that without using acrylic paints solely. Yay!! I learned something new!! Thank you challenges! Added more pink blush to Bob, and tried my best to add more stuffing too. It was pretty hard to do. You see, Bob was stuffed with all of his own stuffing, but he didn't look chubby. I had to massage the stuffing around his face more and head, I had to unsew one shoe to take out all the stuffing and restuff again and add more stuffing to his body. If I took a pic of him sideways you could see he was chubby, but because of the way I had massaged the stuffing into him as you see him from in front, he looked like he was still a bit skinny. LOL I couldn't add any more stuffing, mainly because his seams would start to rip, and I didn't want that.

Interesting how fabric can sort of handle some stress, but then not at all. In the end, Bob was done and I shipping him to his Mommy just yesterday. It was a great experience and definitely one I have learned from. Bob stood about 26 inches tall, and weighed about 8lbs. I added cardboard to the underside of his shoes to help him have more stability, while standing. His black tie is original to him. All the buttons and buckles matched as closely to his original ones and I also gave Alice back his original clothing as well. He will definitely be a great addition to her growing Rushton collection!!

 Whew! Is all I can say! Adios Bob! Enjoy being loved for another 50 years or so!!

 Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Christmas Eve...

 

Here's hoping your Christmas wishes come true... It's Christmas Eve here on Guam and time sure feels like it is just simply flying by.

Some adorable Kiichi Tsutaya anime paper doll girl accessories. These are Gatchas available recently in either 2 bento bags, 2 tissue box covers or 2 wash cloths. All are already listed in my shop! Be sure to check it out if you want to get yourself one! Below, I bought 2 adorable Venice Margaret "Dream" Can cans. One to open and inside, there are random goodies any gal would love. When I opened one, it was like opening a time capsule. Inside this one, was a bracelet, a pick comb, tissue, lipstick, and 2 hair clips. the pink ring, I thought was a bracelet, but instead it's a plastic ring to cover the rim of the can when you open it and you can use the can to hold your make up brushes or pencils and pens. Too cute! I've always seen the can opened already and just sold as a can. But to see the unopened product was really nice too!

I found this adorable light brown Red Star Humpty Santa and he's in perfect condition too. He's already listed in my shop! I also received via seamail this vintage Rushton Saint Patrick plush I believe? I figured he was because of his lucky hat and obvious green fashion. I don't collection Rushton humans, but this one a friend will adopt from me soon.

This adorable unopened baby squeak toy, I got as a commission for a customer. It's rare I am told and just glad I was able to make someone's Christmas dream come true! It's already on it's way to him. I also found these lovely vintage chenille dollies made in Japan. They are in wonderful condition too! I may add them to my shop soon!

Last, this adorable Gund Bumble bee plushy, he just needed his ears replaced. He may also end up in my shop as well. He arrived just in time for Christmas here...

I hope you all have a great one, no matter what may be going on. Just try to remember the real reason for Christmas... The kindness of giving to others is what matters.

Thank you for visiting! ~ ggsdolls

Feeling The Christmas Spirit...

 The holidays are here!! My how time flies. It has been a busy, and hopefully better for all. Here's what I've been up too...

I have been wanting to find a Rushton Pink Santa since about May this year. A pink Santa can be just as pricey as the other Rushton cuties sadly. So, I tried asking a seller, who had one up for auction, but they wouldn't budge on the price. I tried bidding on two that I found, but they ended high. So, I told myself, its okay. I will eventually find one, someday. Then, low and behold while doing my usual searches. One listed just before bedtime. I had to think fast if I was going to get him or not? This lovely Rushton Santa in pink is one of the rarest according to the seller's description. Why you ask? Because, he holds a Coke soda bottle! Yes, there are many Santa's with the very same soda bottle. But, not a pink Santa holding one, and it's true. I have not seen another. I wasn't really going to get one with a soda in hand, but this one had a really nice price. It was a fellow collector's Pink Santa and she was selling him because she felt it was time to let him be enjoyed by someone else. Of course, I was thrilled to see that no one had snatched him up. 

The description stated that the Pink Santa's by Rushton were only for Store displays from 1950s to 1960s, and rarer are the one's holding a Coke soda bottle. These were not available for purchase in stores, only as store displays. So, that part, decidedly made me click buy. The things I noticed on him, that had to be done, was a good cleaning, he was missing part of his coat, and his belt. I told myself, I am sure I could fix that and he'd be wonderful again...

When Santa arrived, he was wrapped in lovely pink tissue paper and packed so nicely. I almost didn't want to open the package. Inside, a sweet note from the original owner. After looking him over, I found that I just needed to wipe him down, and touch up his face paint along with what I had already knew he'd needing done. I was trying to decide how to fix the part of his missing coat and belt. After his wipe down, I realized that the half that was part of his coat was simply placed around his neck, like a cape. I was so happy to see that it wasn't missing after all, and that it was just placed somewhere else on him! Yay! I had gotten some vinyl fabric rolls at the Goody store in pearl white and thought that it would be perfect for his belt loop! Also, to my surprise, I had a gold belt bucket saved from a vintage doll fashion set meant for dolly sewing. Yippee I was so happy I had saved it all these years too! Now, it came in handy. Haha!

I touched up his face paint and I also had to add a bit of plastic glue to fill in the missing rubber from his hair at the top. In one afternoon, Santa was presentable!! He is missing his tag, but does have the Rushton Co. stamp on his boots. He turned out lovely and I was very pleased with the results. Now, he is ready to enjoy the holidays with me! Yay! The Coke soda bottle has liquid in it and looks like a real tiny soda bottle! It is definitely special!

Then, of course some vintage finds that have come and have already sold in my Etsy shop. I found a Lot of school supplies. Most are already listed in my shop and some have sold. So visit soon to see what's left! A unique Ado Mizumori ashtray of a ceramic girl sitting on a toilet. She is listed in my shop and great for your kitsch decor. I won this tan pose doll lady with hat. She is quite unique and also in my shop as well.

Next, this adorable person of color boy Oni or demon baby. I added some fur to him and now, he's similar to those adorable Japan ceramic furry dogs and cats. He's a huge figurine too and would be great on your dresser or desk! I also found another Chocoholic placemat. this time in pink with Koi fish on it, and it came with a coaster too! Just unique and cute too!

I also found these adorable big headed shakers kids. I love their colors of course! I was able to help a friend, find his dream plushies. So that felt nice too! This adorable Pouty blue baby just needed a good washing and touch up on his cheeks. He will live with me for a bit.

These amazing Flossie dolls, I acquired from a friend in Japan! She was selling a few goodies in her collection. I have been on the hunt for these for a few years now. So to be able to snag them was awesome!! Sadly, they don't talk when you pull the string. But, that's okay. Another Furry cutie that I found below and I also listed in my shop. It sold a few days later. She was in amazing condition too!

Update on the Rushton boy bun, I was able to get some matching felt and redid his feet. Now, he is ready to be adopted! Last, item is this lovely long legged zebra figurine, I found earlier this month. I know of a few collectors who have him as an ISO. So glad he will be adopted by a good friend too! He is perfect for the holidays!

Wishing you all a Happy Holidays and I hope you enjoy what the Christmas spirit has to bring!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

Restoration Abound!!

 The past few weeks, I have been working mostly on restorations that were commissioned. And it has been a labor of love, honestly! I feel so honored, that these fellow collectors, want little old me, to bring life back into their beloved plushies, and for that, I thank you so very much for choosing me to do them!!

Now, onto the restorations...

First, this well loved and much soiled Rushton Happy Bear! Believe it or not, he was pink and white before, and as my customer said, you could see it from his tail. His face was oily and grubby, there was practically nothing left of his fur. So, I knew my work was cut out for me for sure!! I began with a good wash. I removed his stuffing as you can see on the before shot, washed him and laid him out to dry. After a few days, I had to wait for the fur in the post to replace him with came in. When it did, I began work on him. After, replacing his fur with bubble gum pink and white. I began working on his face.

I used the Mr. Clean eraser and carefully cleaned his face. I tried to remove as much of the caked on dirt as I could. But his face was still tan, at least not grubby as before. I touched up his face paint, trimmed his fur and added a blue satin bow. He turned out amazing and now has many more years of enjoyment to come! I have already sent him home to his Mommy! He was definitely a challenge, but I am so happy with how he turned out!! Very much worth the effort. Thank you dear Britecoolvintage for thinking of me to restore him for you!!

A pic of him beside my original Happy Bear!! He is nice an fluffy again! Yippee!! My next restoration project was this lovely My Toy Co. side laying Bunny Thumper. The owner wanted me to use another vintage bunny's ears as replacement. First, I washed both bunnies, took out stuffing and added more. I did the transplant of the ears, which by the way still had great wiring inside, Yay! Last, touched up her face paint and added a blue satin bow. Now, she is gorgeous! I love how she turned out!! She is ready to go to her Mommy in today's mail!! Yippee! I love My Toy bunnies, they are just as adorable as Rushton buns are! So far, I've seen pink, blue and now this peach version! Sara says, the contrast of the ears color makes her more cute and unique! I agree with her!

Next, I was able to snag this cutie, and decided to see if I could fix him as well! This lovely Rushton boy bunny is similar to my other costumed bunny in a pink dress, as shown in the ad later in this post. He got the full day spa treatment, and I also created his little hat and appliques myself, based on the Rushton ad. I think he turned out lovely as well. I may replace the felt on his feet, but I need to order the same or similar color. I will do that later. Now, to decide if I should sell or not?! LOL

It has been a labor of love to restore these babies!! Now, let's see what December has to offer!! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Stateside. Now on to Christmas!!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

"You Never Forget Kids..."

 "...Like Emily, or Andy, but they forget you." - Jessie, Toy Story.

Speaking of forgetting, it has been a busy month. I almost forgot I still have another surgery needed. But, because they have stopped any surgeries on island due to Covid. I guess, that is a good thing for now. 

I was playing with baby bun and decided to take a photo of her on one of the blankets I had made recently. A fellow collector shared with me a site, that I could design some cute things from somewhat similar to Society6. But, this one give me free rain to create and I can do it via their site! Yippee! So, I made this lovely baby blanket. I also made a Pouf Cube, which is like a foot stool. But, it took almost forever to get to me!! Ugh. The first blanket is this lovely vtg kitsch animals and blue plaid. This one turned out lovely. I will keep this one. When the foot stool showed up finally after a month, I used my Rushtons to create an ABC cube. You can see it further down the post. Then, about a week and a half ago, I made 2 more blankets. I have already added the ottoman to my shop on Etsy and I will add the yellow kitsch animals blanket soon!

The cube foot stool above, is large. Though in the description on the website, it is called, "a small cube". But, to me, it is not small. Still, I love how it turned out!! Below, some finds via Yahoo Japan. I received this lovely set of Kogei Bito ceramic pink Bunny couple figurines. I listed them in my shop this morning and they sold almost immediately! Yay! I also received the New Charmy Chan animals collection of miniature dolls from a Japan hobby shop site. I preordered them back in July. They are slightly larger then the set that was released last year. I already listed some in my shop. I also found another "Lucky Baby Bunting." Book. This time not by Saafield. The book is in English and is larger than my other set. I just love this book so much!! It's definitely a keeper for sure!

Above, this lovely Fable Toys plush Pajama doll bag was just too cute to not get. She is almost mint and I think her face is just the sweetest too! Ugh, now to decide to keep or sell... Haha! Next, I cleaned and restored another Rushton plush named, "Maisy" the small purple cow. I won her via an auction and she needed a bit of restoring. Now, she looks so cute along with my other Daisies. Both Daisy in purple and Maisy are on their way to their new Momma in Phoenix, AZ. I know they will be loved!! I was also able to adopt a fellow collector and friend's creation, Shevie Bear in aqua! I have been wanting Shevie's wear bear brooches for ages since learning she made them! So, this was my year, I was able to snag one!! He is truly too cute for words and small enough to take with you!! Yippee!

Then, I adopted three adorable handmade clown plushies from a fellow seller via IG. She uses vintage rubber faces and makes their bodies. Each one above is quite unique. I may sell one or two... LOL Next, this Ganz, rubber face plush raccoon. I have only seen KQ's plush just like this one. It is made in Canada and I love its coloring. I just added a bow to her. I also restored this adorable weird looking baby boy duckling by Gund. He came wearing a jumper with huge bells on the straps. I removed them and added some vintage blue buttons instead. Then, also got him a bonnet in blue with dots. He will live with me for a bit.

I also wanted to share that I didn't own any Lina dolls for a few years until this past year. LOL I found a loose Lina in my last post here. Then, found a prototype Lina? Not sure. A fellow collector shared his with me a few months back, but then in one of my usual searches I found one listed for sale. So odd, because I have never seen this type before even when I first started to collect Lina dolls. So, I honestly think either she is a prototype or a clone of sorts. As you can see above, their faces are quite different, even their hand gestures are different, and their feet. Body shape and stance are the same. Hopefully one day I will figure this one out. So far, only two have surfaced.

Last, two lovely Look and See Books by Wonder Book. I bought them as a lot. I have about 2 others in this series. They are similar to Froebel Kan books, in that they use vintage dolls and toys in their pages to tell a story. In this case, it is about, "My Dolls" and "My Toys". In the doll book, you will see many adorable Japan made and Italian made dolls from the 60s and 70s. In the toys book, there are Christmas ornaments, we often see made of felt from Japan!! That is what caught my attention and made me want to buy these books! A lovely addition to the series I do have.

I hope you all have a great rest of your week!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls