Bring on the New Year!!

 Wishing you all a Happy New Year's 2023!!

Love, ggsdolls

Interview with Rushton Barbie!

Interview with a Collector - ggsdolls blog Series

Here's my monthly series on my blog where I share some of the most amazing collectors, sellers, and creatives, that have become friends of mine and what they collect and why?

    For the month of December, my blog interview is with the gorgeous, talented, and pinkalicious collector I know, Peter Pratts also known as rushtonbarbie on Instagram.

 Photographed by Nelson Pereira @Aiiirmoon

Peter, is originally from Long Island, New York, but is currently residing between Las Vegas, Nevada and Orlando, Florida at this time. At 29 years of age, he is was born on June 8th and is also a Gemini.

    What do you do for a living?

Peter, "I'm a Social Media manager! I manage influencers, local businesses, cosmetologists and more! I can’t say I have one specific job as I do many things! I am a graphic designer, web designer, content creator, makeup artist and even influencer myself. However I’ve taken a break from beauty influencing as I don’t have the same passion for it as I used to. I’ve worked with many of the biggest brands like Mac, Sephora, Urban Decay, etc."

    When and how did you first encounter vintage rubber face stuffed animals or Rushtons, and do you collect anything else?

Peter, "I know some collectors in the community like to shame people because of this but I discovered Rushtons after watching a Melanie Martinez music video last year (2021). I literally was like WHAT is that and the research commenced. I already loved 80s/90s Barbies, however I didn’t have a collection. I also loved Kewpie tattoo art. For whatever, I just became obsessed with Rushton rubber face plushies and wanted them all.  I currently only collect Rushton plushies & some Edward Mobley squeaks. I’d like to start a Barbie collection in time."

    How do you describe your relationship with your collection; what is that magical thing that attracts you to these items and keeps you interested?

Peter, "I started collecting Rushtons at a time where I was pretty bored with life. It's in a way sad to say but makeup became less of a passion for me the more it felt like work.. Eventually LITERALLY hating it. I still do it occasionally however for a while I didn't have something that genuinely excited me. I've really come to love this hobby of mine. I hope to keep my Rustons with me through life. Collecting these dolls has pushed me to start practicing on many things I've in a sense, always wanted to! I'm learning how to sew and create clothing. I'm also learning to paint! Retouching their faces requires precision as there are a lot of fine lines…. I've always been insecure about my drawing/painting abilities. But, I'm just happy to finally be learning! I also get to create the cutest photos. I’ve always loved photography and creation. With these dolls I combine so many things I love into one. It’s quite hard to say exactly what I feel with them."

    What is it about the vintage cute kitsch aesthetic that distinguishes it from other novelties of the same era?

Peter, "For me it’s the rubber faces of Rushton plushies. They stand out and are much more expressive than other dolls in my opinion. I may sound like a snob but I don’t really care, I also like how rare they are. I think it’s cool having something quite unique that not many people own." 

 

Not Peter Rabbit, I feel like we all know what he looks like. 

This is my 30 inch self standing white bunny.

    Tell me a bit more about your collection, how it started, what your first items were, and how it has evolved?

Peter, "My collection started because of my extreme urge to own a Peter Rabbit. I realized getting one on eBay was going to be quite hard after being outbid several times. I purchased a random bunny rubber face who was missing an ear and had no brand. After receiving it I was like, 'Haha… Nice… But it’s not a damn Rushton!!' I took the plunge and splurged on a Tuffy duck (there were no Peter Rabbits online at the time) and the rest is history. I currently have 30 Rushtons and am always looking for more bunny friends."

    What has been the reaction of your family/friends/colleagues to your passion for cute kitsch?

Peter, "Honestly I don’t think anyone was surprised. A few of my best friends said they were scary. However, they expected nothing less from me (lol). I am always doing quite 'out of the norm' things so suddenly collecting these dolls was just something else to add to my list." 

    Tell me about your favorite item and why it’s so special?

Peter, "I’d have to say my favorite item is my Peter Rabbit. I love all of my other Rushtons but honestly, I was just like 'Oh! Okay I’ll get it.' Peter Rabbit was so hard for me personally to get! Mine is in pretty mint condition. I also didn’t want to get completely ripped off. The whole process took months until finding my perfect baby." 

Me as a Rushton posing with many of my babies.

 

    Is there anything else about your personal experiences that you would like to add?

 

Peter, "Through joining this community I’ve come across many people who also enjoy my particular style. It’s really pushed me to open my own shop/brand. Which I’ve been wanting to do for years now. However, it’s just been something on the back of my mind. I’ve decided to launch Madame Rushton and am so excited for what’s to come with it. I’ll be focusing on handmade original pieces. Clothing, accessories and more!"

Thank you so much Peter for the opportunity to share your story. I look forward to what your shop Madame Rushton has to offer!!

Please check out Peter's shop Madame Rushton on IG coming soon, and Peter's rushtonbarbie IG collection for his adorable content and love of Mary Rushton plushies!

Until next year folks for my next installment! Happy Collecting!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Rare Blue Mini Chubby Tubby Cherub Cub!!

 Oh my gawd guys!! He's here!! Just look at this freakin' chubby cutie pie!!

@ggsdolls_vtg Omg 😱 my rare mini blue Rushton Chubby Cherub is here!! 👼🏻🧸💙💛💙💛 He’s so little! Only 9.5 inches tall. 💖😍✨ #ggsdolls_vtg #ggsdolls #mycollection #maryrushton #rushton #vintageplush #vintagerubberface #kitsch #kitschycute #nfs ♬ Sky Aesthetic - Tollan Kim

 I gifted myself this cutie that popped up on the fave site for finding vintage plushies, and when he listed, it took only one second, to know, what I was seeing and that I needed him in my life!! If you recall my post here about Chubby Tubbies from a 50s ad, and here about the Chubby Tubby I restored. Last, my ultimate love this small white Chubster here! I have been wanting a blue chubby cherub since seeing the ad! But, to have one in person is a whole nother' level guys!! I'm shaking with excitement here!!

This adorable Chubby Cherub is the mini version standing at only 9.5 inches tall!! What?! Yup, he's even smaller than my white Chubby! In the standing position, this Cub, has rubber wings and vinyl paws and feet. He came with his original bow as well. To find one is next to none these days!! So I'm just thrilled he is mine! Squee!

Above and below the blue version in the advertisement.

Just look at his chubby behind, and in a lovely blue color too! Sadly, he no longer has his tag, but that doesn't take away from his rarity. Many of us know how hard it is to be able to afford a Rushton these days and to find a Rushton like this one and not in the thousands?!! What no way dude?! Was definitely a blessing in disguise! My Christmas is complete with him in it for sure!

Here he is with my white Chubby. Sadly, he does have a darker face, but who cares! I will get to enjoy him for a long time or at least until I am ready to let him move on and be enjoyed by someone else...

I hope your Christmas dreams come true this Christmas... Sending positive vibes out there to all of you!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls

Love the Giver More Than The Gift...

 15 more days til' Christmas! Here's what I've found recently...

This adorable rare Macoto Journal or "Free Diary" is in used condition, but just simply lovely. I was very surprised to find it. I love Macoto's artwork and his ladies are always surrounded by flowers. This book will be treasured for sure! One of my favorite finds last month or so. Next, while do my usual searches, I found a MaWaPhil doll with her original tag. This is Little Miss Muffet by Mary Rushton. She is in beautiful condition and her tag is just too cute. One of Mary's earlier works for sure. She is already listed in my shop!

Next, I found this lovely musical record player and coin bank. I added the blue bear decal by Meyercord on the front. Just adorable! Now, to decide if I will keep or sell... Haha! I also won this lot of 2 baby doll fashions via Ebay. One fits my tiny Rushton Baby and I am hoping the other will fit my Sekiguchi baby!

Just having fun with tiny Rushton baby in her walker. She is truly special to me and just had to share... Than, I was able to snag this Rushton Box from Japan. Just look at all the adorable art work on it. This one is definitely an earlier Rushton box because it mostly features plush animals, and only one rubber face. Yup, you guessed it "Chubby Tubby" so probably about 1950s or so. Just look at each of the plushies represented...

Also, I did a few restorations and upcycled this adorable Rushton kitty. I gave her blue eye shadow and eyelashes. She sold in my shop last month and I'm so happy she has a forever home. She is quite unique and still had her original Rushton tag. Then, I restored this lovely curly haired 'Happy' bear for a collector in Japan. Her 2nd time utilizing my service. Thank you dear Satoko! He turned out lovely as well and I'm so please she was happy with him too!

This adorable Sun Rubber, yup you heard me right, Sun Rubber tin baby doll crib! It is a doll bed and if you flip it, a doll rocking bed. I couldn't resist getting it. Mostly for the color and graphics on it. Just too freakin' cute for sure! I believe it fits any of the Sun Rubber squeak dolls perhaps. I have not found any information on it. It sits underneath my pink Christmas tree this year! Eek, so cute!

I also received a care package from one of my dearest friends! Thank you Alvina! I love the Johanna Parker creamer and sugar bowl she sent me. We do get some J. Parker items, but only through Ross on Guam. So they can be hard to find if you don't catch them when Ross stocks up their shelves. LOL So many cute things she sent, like a tin filled with yummy snacks, and lip balm and lotion. I just love everything. I truly appreciate you dear!

Lastly, this adorable artist made rubber face, "Scrappy" bear purse by the talented, Bluu.squeaks on Instagram! I bought one of her purses to go with my blue dress. And just look it is perfect!! The quality and cuteness is just amazing. I love the pompoms most, so colorful too! Can't wait to wear my dress and get out there for photos!!

Bluu has other styles available. Be sure to check her out on Instagram or tiktok! Definitely worth getting and affordable as well!

Hope you've gotten your Christmas shopping started?

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

He Spoke Not a Word, But Went Straight to His Work...

 Tis' the season folks!! Here are some unique finds the past few weeks into December!

I received a lot of items from Japan, that was sitting in a warehouse since 2020!!! Yup, 2020. When the pandemic began, I was still getting my boxes via EMS Japan, but by that summer, all flights stopped coming out of Japan into Guam. So, I had a lot sitting for over 2 years, because it was filled with ceramics that could not be sent in a cheaper way besides EMS, ugh. Oh well, so my loss is your gain. Many of these cute ceramic coin banks, etc. are listed in my shop!!

Can you imagine even this cutie who is the largest I've found, was stuck in Japan for that long as well. He is now safely with me and will be added to my shop as well!! Adorable Fujika flocked bear holding an ear of corn! Haha! Below, I also won this lot of anime girl toy jewelry sets. They are already listed in my Etsy shop!!

This 'smexy' and not a typo, Ado Mizumori Bouffant lady reading news ashtray? Not sure, perhaps just a figurine. Was listed in my shop and sold. I've only seen one other from a friends collection too! Below, a tiny tin canister by Chocoholic!! I fell in love with it and its so cute and tiny too! It now sits on my dresser for display.

I also adopted another vtg Japan dakin plush tiger. This one is just too funny and cute. I couldn't resist him! Both tigers are unique and remind me of 50s Japan. I also got this adorable new to me vtg rattle doll that stands upright. She has a wood body and rest of her is plastic or celluloid like my other cuties. I love her so much and she is quite unique for sure!

I also won this lot of plushies below. Most were in beautiful condition, no issues or flaws. My favorite is the Ideal pink Piggy. She will live with me for a bit. The others are up for grabs in my Etsy shop!! There is a Knickbocker Pouty baby in blue, a fabric face sleeping baby in amazing condition and so nice and soft too, and a Chubby Tubby the small size!! Trust me I so want to keep him!! Ugh! Or all of them, but I can't!

This adorable child's suitcase, I could not pass up on... It is definitely made in Japan and possibly by Rune Naito, because of the art work on the front of the case. Inside it is lined in a lovely pink color. Still in pretty decent condition for its age. I did have to reglue the mirror and I need to figure out what to use to take away the glue residue along the edges of the vinyl on the outside of the bag. It is a gross orange color.... Hmmm. What to do...

Next, I purchased this adorable miniature porcelain doll made by a S. Korean doll artist NursingU. She arrived safely to me and is just the cutest tiny little thing! Very well made and truly the sweetest thing ever! I hope to get another doll by her. I also bought a lovely plush side sleeping bear by Icecreambearshop. He arrived safely and so soft and just too cute!! So many cuties by Icecreambearshop are selling out!! Be sure to snag yours before they are all gone!! Available in my Etsy shop!

This posedoll I found in a Lot, I have one doll listed, but this one I will keep perhaps. She reminds me of Junichi Nakahara's 50s style art. Her face and eyes are just dreamy, and she's a whopping 24 inches tall!! She came with her original box as well. Just look at how adorable it is. I can imagine a Dad buying his daughter this doll to bring back to the States... How sweet!

Last, this adorable Macoto paint palette. It too was in a lot that I purchased from Yahoo Japan. Lovely artwork of Macoto T. girls and this one is my fave for sure. It also came with its original box. Made by the Japanese company Venice for school supplies.

It opens up like so. Truly adorable for sure!!

Well, that's all for now. I hope your holidays are shiny and bright this year! Until next time...

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls