Interview with angelsslaughter!

Interview with a Collector - ggsdolls blog Series    

    I decided to start something new on my blog and share some of the most amazing collectors, sellers, and creatives, that have become friends of mine on my blog and share with you what they collect and why?

    For my very first blog interview, I am talking with angelsslaughter on Instagram or commonly known as Alam.

    Alam is from the beautiful country of CDMX, Mexico. He is currently a student and 19 years old. His first vintage rubber face plush was found back in 2018, and it was a Mexican brown bear, lying down. He had already seen these types of bears on Tumblir and always wanted to find one, because it was an esthetic of Nicole Dollanganger and Mark Ryden. When he first looked the bear over, he realized that the bear was not a Rushton. I asked him if he collected anything else? "I also collect hair and teeth from people who are important to me, it's like having a small piece of them and a physical photograph of a special moment and their age." 

    Since Alam was very young he connected with things that were scary and at the same time things that are adorable. Stuffed animals are a mixture of both to him. This makes them more special because they represent his personality completely. What is it about the vintage cute kitsch aesthetic that distinguishes it from other novelties of the same era? "I consider it something very special and innocent, something that will never return." He first started collecting Mexican bootleg rubber faces and squeaks at the flea market in Mexico City. He loves pastel colors like pink and blue, and began surrounding himself in this color theme. He than began selling clothing on Instagram and started having enough income to purchase vintage stuffed animals and toys from the United States. These items were impossible to find in Mexico. So he was happy to be able to afford them and add them to his collection.

    It was always his dream to own an Edward Mobley sleep-eyed Bear and he was able to get one. Back then,  he thought they were uncommon and rare, but later found out they were more common than he had thought. Still, this item is very special to him and today the bear is still in his collection. What are the reactions from your parents and friends about your vintage collection? "My parents have not told me anything good or bad about it. My sister only told me that she thinks rabbits like 'Molly Cottontail' are scary because they have red eyes. In particular, I have never found them scary. My friends have not given me a concrete opinion either, only some people have told me that the Rushtons are terrifying and that they do not know how it is that I manage to sleep with all of them in my room!"

     Alam's most favorite item is Peter Cottontail by Rushton Star Creations. He says, that Peter's colors are three of his favorites, pastels blue, yellow, and pink. He loves rabbits and Peter's sick expression and adorable face is what he feels expresses him more. You run a shop selling great vintage rubber face plushies — how (and when) did that start and what have your experiences been like? Have there been many surprises? Is it sometimes hard to let go of a vintage  plush at a really great piece? "I Started in 2019 approximately, after finding several vintage stuffed animals in the flea markets. I dedicated myself to restoring and selling them. I found many and they are very similar to the Rushton. Many times it was difficult to get away from them because although they were not as expensive as the Rushtons. They are also special and were handmade by the love and talent of a Mexican housewife." 

     Describe some of your best-selling items — things you know that as soon as they hit the shop, they’ll sell straight away. "Usually they always prefer those that are in pink, also what seems more similar to what Melanie Martinez shows in her videos and photos since many users began to look for them under the influence of this singer." I asked him if he could have any Rushton for free, what would that be, and he said it would be a Rushton sleeping rabbit, because it is the cutest to him of all the Rushton creations. He believes the reasons this esthetic is so popular is not just because of a famous pop singer, but because they are easy to fall in love with and their color palette alone is a visual orgasm. Interesting way of putting it Alam! Nice! Alam's shop icecreambear10 on Instagram sells Antique-style stuffed animals with vintage rubber faces in pastel colors. You can find Alam on Instagram, TikTok, and his products at icecreambear10 and also milkbunnycult his clothing shop. You can also find his vintage rubber face plush creations in my Etsy shop!!

     Thank you so much Alam for allowing me to interview you!! Be sure to follow and check out next month's, "Interview with a Collector" Series continues!!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls 

The Journey Continues...

 

An update on my Breast Cancer journey...

I finally had my MRI done 2 weeks ago. While my husband was being seen by our physician, the doctor saw that I was in the waiting area. So he had his nurse call me in. Basically, it was for the results of my MRI. According to the Radiologist, there is still a 2.2 cm mass at the front center of my right breast. Left breast was fine. Ultimately, I will have to have another ultrasound done and then another breast needle biopsy. Since the mass is so small, they are hoping that this procedure will take all of it out, without having to go through another surgery. 

I was planning to travel for Spring Break and visit family. But, that trip will have to wait now. This needs to be done first. The good news is that it can be removed and done with out major surgery. So, I am trying to stay positive. 

Make sure to get your mammogram annually, it can save your life! Breast Cancer Sucks!!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Recent Finds Etc.

 It has been really busy and in a good way too! I had a commission for a My Toy bunny, that a collector wanted me to do a full restoration for, because it was her original plushy as a child. I was thrilled to work on this bunny, knowing that I was restoring a treasured plush.

Before and after look, the plush was already destuffed by owner. The collector wanted me to completely redo her fur and repaint the face. Sadly, this cutie had permanent marker stains on the eyebrows. So I did my best to remove most of the markings. Can you believe how well loved this guy was, the fur was faded from years of washing of course and that's just normal when loved a lot. So, it was nice to be able to make this cutie new again for her and she was pleased. The bun is already on her way back home!

Above photo not mine but from the auction I won. I didn't get a chance to take a full pic of all the plushies I got in this one box. Instead I had began working on them one at a time...

I won in the lot a Rushton monkey, Stinky Skunk, Rozel bear, My toy wolf, and a large yawning baby. I began with the baby monkey first. I knew she was a rare Rushton. I've only seen her once before. Sadly, the box was just haphazardly wrapped, but at least they were all in a bag. The Monkey had a lot of disintegrated sponge just everywhere and on everything. ugh. I immediately removed it from her and washed her. Poor baby was in poor shape too. As for Stinky, I got him washed and cleaned up, he even has a music box inside him, but missing the key to wind him up. His left arm moves as the music plays. Then, I washed the bear. He wasn't so bad and just needed cleaning. Unique too, because he can stand up, not like the others in the usual sitting position. I have 2 more to work on, but it will be on hold for now...

Both Stinky and the baby Monkey have their original Rushton tags too!

I was able to find Alice, these shoes and this adorable corduroy pink coat. It's fun to dress her up. I also bought my girl a little suitcase for all her adorable outfits... Haha! A girl's gotta travel you know! Found these ceramic wall decor ballerinas, I've already listed them in my shop!

This adorable nude at the moment ceramic pup from Japan auctions, I refurred her. Now, she's fabulous with her bouffant hair do!! I will be deciding on whether to list her in my shop!! So keep your notifications on for etsy!!

Found this dress on Ebay. I will try to altar it to fit Alice too. Love the print and reminds me of Charlie and the Chocolate factory style. Next, this adorable rattle doll to add to my collection. The seller even added a vtg baby shower card!! awwww!! Found a My Toy Reindeer, listed him in my shop and he was snatched up! Already with his new Mommy!

Last, this Dedo type doll made by Maura Italy. She is listed in my shop! Love her realistic blue sleep eyes! She also comes with her international country dress. Definitely unique!

That's all for today!

Thank you so much for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Warning Rant!!

 

Warning Rant to follow!!!  On my actual birthday, I was scrolling Rushtons on eBay… I bought this adorable cream Rushton Happy Bear for a jaw dropping price! I saw it after it listed and 5 mins in, I knew what I was looking at and hit the 'buy it now' button, and with no hesitation I completed the transaction.  About 30 minutes later, I get a dm on Instagram from 2 fellow collectors. (They know who they are… )  

One asking, "If I bought the bear and that they were going to buy it, but someone bought it already." The other asking, if I bought the bear and if, I was from Guatemala? " Why? I asked. Because they both had asked the seller, and the seller willing gave them the information!!! Wth?!!! Personal information of any kind is not supposed to be easily given. That’s why selling sites hide buyers identity or are at least are supposed too!

This insanity about Rushtons has got to stop!! I will not be guilt-tripped or bullied for buying an item that is publicly up for sale!!!! Meaning it’s available for EVERYONE to buy!!! That’s just wrong and upsetting that some collectors feel the need to bully others for beating them to the punch or are publicly complaining about it!!! I don’t care if you are considered only a child still by others, and don’t understand how to control your emotions. 

I’m a mother of 3 young adults and a teen. It’s best for you to learn right now, at this moment that what you are doing and how you are treating others makes a world of a difference to your friendships with them or at least your interactions with others. Fellow collectors of Rushtons and other rubber face plushies please do not bully these kids either! I am not publicly trying to shame anyone. 

I’m just bringing to light the obvious wrong way that some collectors are treating one another on Instagram, Facebook or any social media for that matter. Then you wonder why IG is considered not healthy for young girls in a study. Hell! This is not healthy for a fun, loving and thriving collecting community of any kind!! 

One by one many of the amazing and creative people we have come to enjoy and love are slowly just not posting or sharing their love of Rushtons and rubber face plushies anymore… Mostly for fear of retribution, judgement, etc. by a small few!! 

ENOUGH is ENOUGH!! I may get unfollowed for this post... But, I will not sit back and watch as our community of collectors for rubber face plushies get slowly bullied and guilt-tripped for it anymore!!

Thank you reading til the end. Read “What is Fair in Collecting”, in an earlier post!!

This has been a public service announcement!  Love you all, ggsdolls

  #ggsdolls #rushton #vintageplush #vintagerubberface #collectors #rant #kindnessmatters #bekind #fairincollecting #nobullying #noguilt #sorrynotsorry