A Thrifting We May Go...

 ... "A thrifting we may go, hi-ho the dairy-oh, a thrifting we may go!" ~ ggsdolls

May this month bring us all some kind of relief. Here's what finds I've acquired...

I've seen these little trinket boxes at my local "Goody Store" before, but never paid any attention to them, until I saw them on IG!! I didn't even realize they were trinket boxes with key rings to lock them, how cute! So I got two and sure enough they are cute and even better to hold more of my vintage toy jewelry accessories collection too! As of late, I've been bitten by the toy jewelry bug and wanting to find more jewelry with gems! Haha!

The rings are the keys to lock and unlock the cases. I've seen pink, blue and I believe there is a purple one. Just too cute and great additions to my little trinket box collection.

Next, I won this lot of over 20 pieces of vintage toy jewelry necklaces and key chains or pins from Yahoo Japan. I kept a few and have listed a few on my Etsy or Instagram up for grabs. Lovely vintage Idols from Japan too! Those sold will come with an extra pendant!! Like I said, I've been on the hunt for toy jewelry these days. Haha!

Then, I won this lovely vintage Takara Pico-Chan doll wearing a lovely fashion made for Dawn dolls also from the 70s. Mint in box too. I listed her in my shop and it sold fast! The doll is so sweet and when you move her arm up or down, her head twists left or right! How cool!! she is a lovely version too!

I also found this adorable Pink Rushton Molly Rabbit 70s version with her original bonnet. She is simply gorgeous and I love her coloring. She is up for grabs in my shop as well. I have listed a few of my Rushtons in the shop that are available. Below, are two lovely Swimmer brand totes!

This adorable brown Princess bear has blue gems for eyes, a pink gem nose and beaded crown. I will keep for now. Below, the pink sleepy bear tote is reversible and so cute. The pink bear tote is listed in my shop as well! She will make a great tote for travel or while you are thrifting!

Well, that's all for now. I hope you find a lot of lovely things too! May the thrifting Gods be with you!

Thank you for swinging by! ~ ggsdolls

New Beginnings... 2025

 ... Well, technically with every New Year, some may want to think we can start anew! So let's just go with that! Haha!

Oh my goodness, it's 2025! If I recall right as a kid probably around 10 years old, I remember I imagined 2025 to look very different. Back then, I pictured peace in the world, our planet with no pollution, and we all drove flying cars like in the cartoon 'The Jetsons'. I wondered if our homes and apartments would be in the sky and how that may happen. Haha! In reality, we are far from it. So now, in my Fifties, I wonder what 2055 may look like?! I won't be here, but one can still imagine.

We all can hope and look forward to a good year. I've been mostly busy being a doting grandmother to my youngest grandson! While his parents are at work, I babysit a few days out of the week. So it has been quite busy here with a baby.

First, here's a lovely tea bowl I got from Swimmer Japan. I love the design and the cute animals on them. The color combination along with the retro look of the animals and design is just so adorable! Reminds me of the good ole' days very kitschy cute for sure! I also got myself the bento tin Swimmer released with sweet retro animals on it! It even came with the elastic to keep the tin securely closed. I will more than likely use it for storage.

Below, I also found another Swimmer retro bear plush. I listed it and immediately it sold, thanks to a fellow collector and friend who also bought the first bear I listed! Thank you Linda!! She wanted a partner for her pink bear! Awww!

Lastly, just a quick snap of my Rushtons in a Basket! These are the plushies that I have displayed in my room. Mr. Monocle is just so dapper! I love seeing his creepy face! Haha!

I hope you all have a great start to your New Year! Let's strive for a great 2025! Happy Thrifting!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

Sears Christmas Catalog Pages!!

 I've recently come across a website that has scans of the Sears, Montgomery Ward, and JCPenney catalogs for your viewing pleasure! christmasmusetechnical.com. I was so thrilled to come across this because, they can offer a lot of information on vintage dolls and toys that were released through the years. Sadly, only scans of the books from 1940 up until 2017 are available. So, here's what I found using the scans...

A foreword, Sears and Roebuck Stores released their first mail-order catalog in 1888, which sold jewelry and watches. Each year their catalogs added more and more products to them and it was easy to order from. You can read more here on how Sears catalogs became a household name.

While searching through and looking for rubber face plush toys... Sadly, they were not featured in the catalogs until about 1945 in a Sears Christmas Catalog. The first fabric face bear plush was named, "Windsome Bear". He was a 'lovable, huggable little fellow for little tots'. He stood about 15 inches tall, and made of rayon, and a mask face with hand painted features. He was sold at the time for about $1.96! How cool is that?! Though it would've been nice to find an earlier catalogs to see if there were other rubber face plushies. But because some catalog years are not listed, he will be considered first, at least in a Sears catalog. The other issue is that the listing doesn't show the company names who made them. So we can only guess or if we already know from what the plush or item is.

By about 1946, the catalog featured another fabric face plush, a bunny named, "Oswald the Rabbit". He stood about 19" tall, and had rayon fabric body with 'magic skin' synthetic hands. A first, to mention rubber features and not a fabric face. His original price was $3.89. Around 1950s, it was Ideal's musical bear and cat that are featured in the catalog that year, with its first, 'vinyl face' plush bear and cat. "Music Box Bear", was about 15" tall and cost about $5.89, whereas, the "Kitten with Squeaker Tail" was also 15" tall and priced at $2.79.

By 1952, the catalog finally featured a Rushton Toy Co. plush, "Buddy Bearkins" and "Sleeping-eye Bear". Buddy, is a happy two-some of a brother and little brother bears. Buddy being 15 1/2" tall, and sold at $4.79. The Sleep-eye bear was about 13 1/2" tall and cost only $3.69 each. It wasn't until the 1953 Sears Christmas catalog when Rushton's popular "Chubby Tubby" was introduced. See next catalog page after.

His, "Pert little face, shaped hands, feet are made of soft vinyl plastic. Chubby was about 12" tall, and about $4.79 back then. Others followed in 1956 and 1957's Sears Christmas catalogs. Daisy Bell at 10" tall, and priced at $5.49. In 1957, "Zippy the Chimp", "Social Skunk" instead of "Stinky Skunk" LOL, and "Puss in Boots" are seen along with a non-rubber face, "French Poodle" all by Rushton!

What I've also found is that Zippy, is a constant plush pal offered through out the years since his first print back in 1957. In fact, he is still offered in the catalogs all the way up until early 80s prior to Rushton Toy Company closing down by 1984. I've only seen him in the catalogs up until the 1980's Sears Christmas Catalog. It's no wonder you can find Zippy a lot when you search for Rushton plushies. It's because he was the plush they kept offering until the Rushton Co. closed it doors.

Yes, you will find colored catalog pages as well on the website!! Haha! It's really nice to see the toys in color too! Just look at the lovely Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme Rushton plushies offered!! It makes us collectors drool and wish it was 1964 again and selling at $4.97!! Oh my!!

By 1970, you can see the adorable "Caterpillar" plush and there's Zippy again too! By 1970 Sear's catalog, we see the very sought after "Happy Bear" and "Crying Bear" too! Each only $4.99!! Haha, so awesome!

By 1979, you can see the adorable "Mouse" with big ears in the Christmas Book. Called, "Novelty Mouse" here and sold at $9.99 back then. Well, that's it for now. I am sure there will be other things we can find out. But, those are the things that stood out for me. It is amazing that the website shared the books and each scanned page in detail for us to peruse drool over and enjoy for free too! 

Enjoy, while you can! These are amazing pieces of history and a wealth of information that we can get from these catalogs scans. Thanks to christmas.musetechnical.com for sharing the catalogs! We truly do appreciate the site.

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

Interview with bluu.squeaks!!

 

 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 July we are back in the United States, and my blog interview is with the extremely talented bluu.squeaks, on Instagram or commonly known as Bee.   

    My name is Baylee, but I go by Bee on my socials bluu.squeaks on Instagram and tiktok. I am 23 years old and from a small town in Michigan called, Fowlerville. I work from home and I am so blessed to have a supportive family that lets me do so. I help care for my handicap sister who has CP (Cerebral Palsy) and I babysit on the side when I can. I love spending time with the people, and staying close to my family and friends. As a teen I loved old Hollywood so much my room was Marilyn Monroe and I collected vintage cameras, clothes, jewelry, and paper dolls. Around that time I was 14 years old, and was introduced to vintage toys. My first vintage toy was a Sun Rubber Co Chubby doll. I wasn’t all up on research at the time and didn’t know where to start. But at 15, shortly after I had come across Bitter Squeaks Instagram and went down this little rabbit hole of Mobley and Kate Harts creations. I was a huge fan of the squeaks! 

 

    I was always blown away at their details and the animal figures I fell in love with. They’re so nostalgic and remind me of characters you would see in an old Disney cartoon! As for Rushton I was introduced to them by various artists such as Mark Ryden and Melanie Martinez. I became quite obsessed. I loved the variety of different animals, colors, clothing, and the creepy cuteness about them. They definitely are pretty iconic and hold a big place in my heart. I value the detail, quality, and love put into these items. Sadly, you can’t get toys with this much quality in my opinion. They are exceptional to competing toy brands from that time like My Toy and Gund. Don’t get me wrong the quality is there but the whimsical and fairy tale aspect of them is so strongly and perfectly illustrated by Rushton, to me! 

    My art is incredibly influenced by Rushton and Disney! My mind is constantly blooming with ideas on how to blend the two together! I’ve always imagined a place like Disney where you’d get to take photos with life sized Rushtons and just have everything Rushton! The rides, food, merchandise, toys! I love getting creative and trying to bring these ideas to life with my art. My collection has definitely evolved! I started out with squeaks and ceramics like Lefton and Napco. I gradually started my collection with the rubber faced toys and has continued strong to this day. My family and friends are very supportive with my hobby and my love for the kitschy cuteness of vintage toys and ceramics. I’m incredibly blessed for their support and watchful eye on things I may be looking for or might want to add to my collection. 

    When I was starting out, I was scared to be judged or made fun of. But, I have to say I’m incredibly grateful to have such loving and supportive family and friends that love seeing me happy. My favorite item of my collection would have to be my Molly Cottontail. She reminds me of myself in a weird way. (Not to mention my love for bunnies) I’ve always thought that if I had to choose an item or character from my collection that best described me in my own silly little whimsical way would have to be her. I’d say she’s my Toysona HAHA! I have no idea how to put it into words, but it just makes sense to me. 

 

    An item I would love to own would have to be the Rushton Omar Octopus. I think he is just so cute and incredibly unique! I know he’s a big ISO for so many people. His charm has just captured so many hearts and I certainly hope someday I’ll at least get to see one in person. Oh goodness! I have seen a huge increase in popularity and demand for Rushton, Lefton, Edward Mobley or pretty much anything kitschy vintage! It’s becoming so trendy and it’s a HUGE craze! I’ve seen people recreate Rushton like handmade faces onto teddy bears! It’s crazy how inspirational Mary Rushton and her creations have become! I feel it’s appealing to so many today because of the creepy cute aesthetic of them. Some have this soft cute vibe to them, and others look kind of like a toy like Chuckie… waiting for you to turn the lights off and become sinister! But also I feel that’s another reason for popularity. Of course you have famous people posting about them as well and that has most certainly boomed the popularity of vintage kitsch. But, who can blame em’? Kitschy items have definitely stolen my heart and wallet! Haha! Not to mention my house as well! 

    My experience in collecting and sharing my collection with others has been a bumpy road. I feel like every collector can somewhat agree it sometimes gets too much. I feel people lately have gotten so caught up in this ideology with some collectors trying to one up each other or fighting over items that so many people are commonly on the search for and going as far as blackmail. I have also had experience with some people who try to cancel each other over jealousy. It hurts my heart to see people fight or jealousy driven people bring down good people over these items. 

    I always try to pop in on my friends in the community to see how they’re doing and how they feel about life and what not. But what outweighs the bad is getting comments and messages of love and support on my content and art! Comments like, “your posts make me smile!” Or “Your photos/art make me so happy!” I cherish the feeling of knowing my photos and art inspire others and make people smile! I am so incredibly blessed for the kindness spread with my close friends and followers in the community and being able to root for one another with our accomplishments. There’s trolls from time to time. But what I do makes me so happy and brings me incredible joy! And if I can help others feel that way then, I’m glad I’m doing something that makes people happy.

 

Thank you so much Baylee for allowing me to interview you and you sharing your collection with us! A few months ago I had commissioned Bee create a lovely digital art piece for me above, the sleepy kitty. This was before I was able to acquire a sleepy kitty, and Bee did an amazing job of capturing how I wanted to see my kitty too! 

 

If you'd like to have her do an art piece for you, just contact her through Instagram for a commissioned piece. You won't be disappointed. I love her other original Rushton digital art pieces as well!

 

Until next month guys, for another interview! Happy Collecting!

 

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls 

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 

Check This Out!!

 My dear friend Kewtkitsch on IG was interviewed by Themothballpropheciess!! Yeah, don't ask, just listen!! You're welcome! Haha ~ ggsdolls

Life Is...

 ...What you make of it." And to that note, it is so true. If you choose to be bitter, then life, seems bitter. If you choose to be angry, well then, Life seems more angry. Just live and make the most of what you have, then life will be content. That is what we can all hope for... Right!

Enough of the boring stuff, here's what I've been up to the past week!

First, this absolutely amazing antique piece I found!! All the way from France, arrived to me safely. It is quite heavy and made of bronze, I believe. From the late 1800s to early 1900s, these gilded jewelry boxes have lovely silk tufted interiors with tiny buttons, and lovely accents to them. This one has a heart-shape. I first saw it while doing my usual searches, and was stunned by the pale pink silk. These amazing pieces are very much sought after, even in France. I will try my best not to begin a new collection, as they can run from $200 to $1000 even in the secondary markets. Darn! But, this will look so lovely atop my dresser. Shabby Chic ain't got nothing on this one!! Sadly, no key, but that is okay, and the back hinge will need fixing.

I'm amazed that the inside is still in this condition!! Whoa! A quick break, with this fun photo of my Chubby Cherub outside with Lulu playing with this adorable ring toss game! The game is already listed in my Etsy shop! Quite fun too, from what I can tell with Lulu and friend!! Haha. I found this lovely vtg dolly with bear brooch in gold tone. A great addition to my dolly pins. Next, I am in awe of this lovely Holiday Fair Ballerina Pose doll, I adopted from my soul sister, Blaire of ComicKitsch on IG. This swan princess even has a name, Monique!! Thank you Blaire and for the lovely gifts too, you spoil me!!

Another break, Happy with Chubby Cherub outside. I just love these two cuties!! They are always up to no good though!! LOL I found this Proctor & Gamble blue canister, with lovely mod apple design. There are two others in this series, a red apple, and yellow apple design. I am sure there are others. This canister will hold some of my toy jewelry which are overflowing at the moment. Ha! A Vtg Rushton plush Mouse, I rescued, gave a spa and touched up his cheeks. He is already listed in my shop! All original too! Then, these colorful mod resin flowers from IG, a fellow friend and collector in Florida makes these and I was able to snag a few bouquets. Now, her flowers are so popular, it's even harder to get any. LOL

This specialty kit for making an Easter Bunny basket, I may decide to add into my shop... It's hard because I am so tempted to make it into a plush instead! Haha! After seeing this Lovely Cragstan poodle from a fellow collector's stream. I had to get one. Creepy cute is what this poodle looks like, but when you wind her up, she plays a Lullaby and you can see her yawn and go to sleep! Just too cute for words! I picked up this lovely, red furry Frederick's of Hollywood style bedroom slipper ornament. It reminds me of Marilyn Monroe and similar actresses, in their nighties wearing these types of slippers and looking sexy...

This lovely Ice Follies 1957, bear pin. I recall a time when Ice Follies, was something many wanted to go see. This adorable bear pin, reminds me of that time. I have seen other animals, I believe there was a penguin, and an elephant. I wonder what other animals there were? Hmm. Some more millinery flowers for my Rushton collection and spa customers. I've been on the hunt for white daises with pink or hot pink centers to replace the one on Daisy cow... some day I will find the correct ones! The ring toss toy, by Koide. Is NOS in my shop!! I also got a lot of ceramics from Japan, most have been listed in my shop already. A few have sold. There are some rare ones in there still, so be sure to stop by!!

Then, I found this lovely My Toy bunny, she needed a good wash, and face touch up. Same face mold as my bear, now to decide which one to keep?!! I love them both so much! I also was able to find this lovely minty vtg Rushton sleeping baby pajama bag with rattle. She is so cute and in lovely condition, I didn't have to give her a spa. Yay!

I adopted this lovely vtg Rushton yellow sad bear from Japan. She was filthy... She smelled of gasoline, and I had to wash her twice. I repainted her face and added a purple satin ribbon to her. I may or may not keep her... A lot of 3 Sankyo music boxes, I bought to replace a music box in an old plush I am currently working on. Sadly, these play for only a few seconds, maybe not good for a plushie. I will have to see... The one song, "Memory", from "Cats" the Broadway musical, brings back a lot of memories for me. When I was in Jr High for Music Class, for try-outs to get into the Honor Choir, we had to sing this very song, and alone. I did it and was told by my Music teacher, I did a splendid job! I made it into Honor Choir of course, and it was one of my best school years too! I loved Honor Choir!

Last, for today, is this cute Woolikin plush baby duckie, I've already listed him in my shop. She just has the most surprised look on her face! I added the bib and daisy to her head. Sadly her original felt flower, was all gone, so the daisy was a good replacement.

Summer is here for most of the school kids on Guam. I hope you all have a relaxing week!

Thank you for taking a look at my blog! ~ ggsdolls