Sweet Kitsch Finds!!

 I received some adorable finds the last few weeks... So here's what came in!

I found this adorable furry ceramic pup in the wider version I was told and she is in lovely condition for her age. I have already listed her in my shop! I generally find the skinnier neck version, so to find this one was a joy! I also won this lovely vintage 1972 Rushton Toy Catalog. Some great colored pages inside too! I am deciding if I want to sell scans of it or not... Hmmmm!

I also adopted this adorable Japan Bisque doll jointed. The original owner, added a wig in blonde with curls and the dress and bows. I couldn't resist. She is just too cute and miniature!! Next, this lovely bright pink Columbia Toys plush poodle! She's huge! But so light. The seller even drew me a little note, how sweet of him!! I am deciding if I will sell her or not... Haha!

This adorable Ideal side laying bunny had a plastic film on her face and I removed it, now she is ready to be loved. I already have her listed in my shop! She is lovely and minty too! Even these sweet bunny tin tea tray and plates were added to my shop! Just so many cute goodies to choose from!!

A dear friend of mine, Savannah sent me a cutie I adopted from her along with several adorable vintage hankies, most I have listed already in my shop! Just look at these lovely hankies. My fave are the blue and pastel pinks! The cutie I got from her! Love this precious vinyl oil cloth bear doll. She is just the sweetest! Thank you Savannah!

Next, I happened upon this yearbook or catalog while searching up Rushton ads and this is basically the next best thing! It's a catalog of toys chosen by the Guidance Council of the USA. Inside, filled with toys, dolls, etc. that were in competition. Rushton's are featured inside as well! Just love the colored pages. Especially to see the Rushton's available prior to the ones we know!

Last, is this adorable Japan made Bunka Doll sign. I bought from an online shop in Thailand. Of course I fell in love with the adorable dolly sign and it used to say, "Sweet Country". See 2nd photo below. But I took my business card and now it says my shop name!! Haha!

Well, April is on its way out! My how time flies! I also had my annual mammogram and the results came in this past Monday. I'm Cancer Free!! Yippee!! Please be sure to get your annual mammogram done. It saves lives, and it saved mine!! Early detection saved me!!

Happy Thrifting Guys!!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

Interview with Paterphobia

 Interview with a Collector - A ggsdolls blog Series

A monthly series on my blog where I feature some of the most amazing collectors, sellers, and content creators that have become really good friends of mine and what they collect and why? Read on to learn more...

    For the month of April, my blog interview is with a lovely toy collector of squeaks and Rushtons, paterphobia on Instagram, also known as Lana!

Lana, was born in the Pacific North West of the United States, and is nearly 29 years old. What do you do for a living Lana? I work as a Mental Health Counselor! I love my job. It's very rewarding.

Tell us more about your collection? I've always been into vintage items and in college I started going to antique stores and browsing eBay. This was back before they were very well-known and prices were so reasonable that I was able to grow my collection rather quickly! I eventually branched out into everything from vintage nursery planters to clothing. One of my favorite non-toy collections is my vintage t-shirt collection. Mostly band tees and rare TV and film collectibles. 

The toys' little faces always put a smile on my face. It's so fun to have so many colorful, bright, expressive little faces in my house! I also really enjoy the restoration aspect of toy collecting and it's so satisfying seeing a toy go from "well-loved" back to fluffy and fresh looking. The process is super fun too.

I started following some "creepy cute" accounts on Tumblr way back in the day. There was just something about the toys, the way they are so well made and expressive. I've always been a bit strange, haha! While many found them creepy, I was drawn to them. I started by finding Kewpie dolls at antique stores. I purchased my first Rushtons on eBay over a decade ago now and the rest is history! I'm mostly focused on getting an entire rainbow of toys now. I'm always still on the hunt for more "rare" Rushtons and rubber faced toys.

What has been the reaction of your family, friends and coworkers about your hobby? Everyone is super supportive and I've even received them as gifts! I know some of them secretly find them a bit creepy, but what's not to love about that? Haha!

Which one is your favorite and why? That's a tough one, but I would have to say my "Chiltern" bunny rabbit. He's BIG and in such great condition and I found him for a reasonable price! He's special to me because I haven't seen too many like him. 

I once had a Rushton rubber faced goose! I honestly miss her very much and it's one reason I think I will be keeping more than I sell in the future.

What would be your ISO? Definitely a fluffy orange Rushton fox. Orange is one of the harder colors to find with Rushtons and they always get snatched up before I get a chance to grab them! One of my wish list items for sure. I also just love their big smiling faces.

Have you noticed and increase in popularity? Definitely! I love to see one of my favorite things get so much love, but it's for sure more of a seller's market now. I think a lot of people found out about them through Melanie Martinez and just appreciate how eccentric and unique they are. 

Is there anything else you would like to add? Thank you so much, I am honored to be included. Cheers to toy collecting! - Lana

Thank you so much Lana for sharing your love of vintage toys with us! Be sure to check out my blog interview next month when we meet a dear sweet collector and friend from my Flickr days. All the way from Europe!! Until, next month, Happy Collecting!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

4TH Restoration Attempt...

 Back in October last year, I shared with you all my bad experience with trying to restore a rare kitty plush by Rushton. Here is the post, "To Restore or Not to Restore, That is the Question?" It has been 4 months since that post and since I have tried to work on this little cutie. Today, I began my fourth attempt to restore her...

Here she is!! This time, I had to use a donor body, also a Rushton plush and vintage about 1950s as well. The body was a perfect match. No tag on the body, but still her rubber face has her stamp and the body of course is definitely Mary's signature style. She has a golden furry body with pink felt paws. I also restuffed her with Rushton cotton stuffing.

I added a pink satin bow. Now, she is as lovely as I remember. The fur has some missing patches, and that's okay too. Just glad this cutie looks way better than her original body. Which I still kept by the way. Nothing will be wasted! Whew, always happy when things work out in the end...

Thank you for Reading! ~ ggsdolls

Vintage Thrifts Along The Way!

 Some finds along the way...

Last week I received some Yahoo Japan goodies that I was able to snag! This lot above, included so many vintage anime goodies like, Chieko Hosokawa shoe bags, hair clips still mint in package, Yukiko T. word cards, a rubber ball, bento totes, and a cute bag with anime girl. Most of the items are already listed in my shop!! I kept a few clips for myself, and the pink rubber ball. Below, some vintage dollies! Mostly because if you look carefully I found a "Chiko-Chan" doll in it. Just too cute. Most of the dolls have been cleaned and everything is already added to my Etsy shop, with the exception of the dolly sitting on a stool. I had to keep one! Ha!

A bunch of my postcards are also listed in my shop, great for any occasion!! I was lucky enough to snag this adorable "Bumpkin" bear by Rushton from a fellow collector. He just needed a good cleaning. Sadly, filled with the orange sponge stuffing. I removed and refilled with vintage cotton batting! Now, he is ready to be loved again!

I added a purple satin bow and he is just so cute and little! I found this adorable and unique ceramic striped puppy planter!! I fell in love with his adorable face!! In amazing condition too! He came all the way from Canada. Who could resist that face!! I was also able to find myself a loose Toku-chan friend of Chi-chan. He was wearing a girls fashion and no shoes. Probably why he was still available. I was able to find him some clothes I had from those mini Bratz boy dolls. Haha! He fits them! Until I can find him an original fashion and shoes...

Next, this adorable Mimi pet made in Japan! I have a yellow one and this adorable blue furry pup also has the bobble head feature. It's a nice smaller version to the Bandai plush puppies also from Japan. These types are small enough to display in your cabinets. I also caved and got this mini ceramic head vase lady. My mother used to have a few that I believe were either hers or my grandmother's. Small and cute, she will be something treasured and to remind me of my Mom.

I won a lot of 2 patterned pillow pets this adorable pink gingham bunny and the purple kangaroo. I could not help but adopt them. Perfect for an Easter decor prop too! Their colors are quite unique to me! Oh, the pink Rushton lamb below, I adopted along with the Bumpkin bear. I've found a white lamb and now I have a pink one! Just too sweet. She is definitely a 70s version with the nappier fur.

Last for today's post, this adorable Rushton 70s bunny in white sheer ballet skirt and card tag! She popped up on Ebay and I just had to adopt her! In lovely condition, as shown on her tag "Tween-Stuff" haha! She will live with me for a bit.

I hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend! From my family to yours! ~ ggsdolls