Finds of Early March!

 Time sure flies... Here's what I found recently!

This adorable plush sleeping kitty, I found and when I received her. I searched through my Rushton Catalogs and sure enough she is made by Rushton Toy Co. A lovely pajama bag too. She is in almost minty condition.

Next, I found another Clover Fresh Ichigo Chan. This time she wears a jumper dress. I got this one as a commission for a collector. She is already on her way to her new Mom. Below some Retro Ayumi Uyama posedoll miniatures. I have them listed in my shop and sold two already! Yay! I also got the Retro vintage colors Roly Poly dolls by Ken Elephant. There are five styles. All of them are listed in my shop as well.

A few pins I got for myself. The one in the center is by Fiona H. I've always wanted one too. Above that pin are brooches by Junichi N. and Rune N. Lovely cute girls. Below, a unique bonnet My Toy plush bunny! She will be great in someone's Easter basket! Also listed in my shop!

The adorable plush above by my dear friend Anna of Amanitarium. She listed this cutie and I couldn't resist. Late birthday gifts to myself. I also found these adorable vintage vanity sets. I just love the mirrors and they are wearing dresses too! Haha! I may list the blue one in my shop...

Lastly, this adorable clown rattle doll by Waggie Wheels. I have been searching for one for some time now. He was up for auction, and I won. I needed to repaint his eyes a bit. Just so cute and I added a ruffled collar to him as well. Definitely a keeper.

I hope your week has some amazing vintage finds. Happy thrifting!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls

Interview with Amanitarium

 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 July, my blog interview is with the amazing and talented artist, designer and seller, Anna of Amaniterium on Instagram. On Tiktok you can find her under the name amanitarium_arts, and her shop on Etsy! Anna resides in England for the last 8 years. 

How did you encounter Kitsch and do you collect anything else?  

Anna:   I used to collect different kinds of dolls such as BJDs, Monster High, Licca and bisque dolls. I often came across some pictures online of how various arts were changing their make-up, hair and even body parts and this is something I got really into, which eventually led me to creating my own dolls and accessories with doll parts. I discovered vintage kitsch later on as there has often been an overlap with doll collectors community and it has become one of my biggest sources of inspiration for up until today.

How do you describe your relationship with your art and what keep you interested or inspired by it?

Anna:   In my work, I combine nostalgia, retro, childhood memories, as well as references to Shoujo and Kawaii culture with all it's dreaminess and charm! The quality of materials I use is very important to me and I spend a tremendous amount of time looking through fabric stores and online shops to find the softest and fluffiest fur fabrics which are nice to the touch, making my plushies not just decorative pieces of art but also comfort items.

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

Anna:   It's the combination of cute whimsical features and sometimes a tiny drop of uncanniness, which I absolutely love. Mary Rushton's toys especially, since they are particularly different and tend to stand out a lot from other mass produced toys with their expressive sentimental faces, making them so special and darling.

Tell me a bit about your art, how it started, and how it has evolved?

Anna:   I've always enjoyed drawing, painting and decorative crafts, however my passion for dolls has really pushed me to take my art to the sculpture medium. At first, my dolls and accessories were only human-like but later on, as I evolved as an artist and started learning more about vintage kitsch, I started making work inspired by vintage toys, too.

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

Anna:   At first, they were pretty confused. The reaction wasn't negative, but perhaps not as supporting as I'd hope. My parents just couldn't take this idea seriously and insisted that I should find a job in the industry I got my degree in. The concept of managing your own small business as an artist, especially in a pretty unconventional niche, seemed like a strange idea to them. Perhaps because of the culture as well as the times they grew in. Over the time, however they became very open to it and now they feel so happy about me. Seeing how well this is going and how thriving our community is! When I get to see my Mom, she even helps me sometimes with things like tack stitching and fabric cutting.

Tell me about your favorite project and why is it so special to you?

Anna:   There isn't one, as I put lots of love into every piece I make. As an artist, it's very important to do it for the process and not just the outcome. This is why I don't get attached to any particular pieces and feel really happy when my little creations find their loving homes. There are some aspects of my work which are my favorite, such as adding shine/gloss and assembling the plush parts together seeing them come to life!

As a seller, how do you describe your items to someone who doesn't shop online?

Anna:    Dolls and accessories inspired by vintage kitsch, childhood memories, as well as 'kawaii' and other alternative styles.

Tell me about the most unique item you have made?

Anna:    Most of my plushies are bunnies, bears, and lambs. However I've had some pretty unusual custom orders too, such as monkeys and even a caterpillar!

 Have you noticed an increase in demand for the vintage kitsch in the last few years, why do you think that is so?

Anna:   The raise of different aesthetics on social media has definitely played a big part in their popularity. Especially among the younger people. I've also noticed a particular increase during COVID outbreak. Since collecting is a perfect hobby if you stay home a lot.

Is there anything else about your experience that you'd like to add?

Anna:   I'm very happy to be a part of such a wonderful community of plush artists and collectors who truly appreciate items that are rare, unique or custom made, and I'm forever grateful to my friends and customers for the opportunity to do what I truly love doing most!

@amanitarium_arts made a new melanie martinez doll! @Melanie Martinez 🖤✨ #melaniemartinez #mm3 #portals #melaniemartinezdoll #handmadeplush #melaniemartinezportals #earthlingsmelaniemartinez ♬ VOID - 𝕷•𝖊•𝖓•𝖏•𝖆🎶

A beautiful segue into concluding this lovely interview with a beautiful person and artist! We love you Anna! Until next month when we head back to USA with another dear collector!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

March is on its way out!

 My how time flies... It's been a busy month. Sam and I got our first dose of the vaccine, been doing some commissions, some decent finds online, and had my annual mammogram done, whew!! Here's what I found online...

This lovely Mizpah vtg Easter bunny plush, I was able to adopt from on Ebay. I don't own any yellow plush bunnies, so this will be a nice one in my Easter bunny collection. Filled with foam, she is a sweet googly eyed cutie. Washed and ready to be displayed. I also found a vtg blue Easter plush, cleaned him up, and added him to my shop last week. He was immediately adopted by a woman, in UK. A sweet nurse who decided to treat herself. I truly appreciated her sharing her story with me. I made sure to add a little gift!

I also, found two items via an online shop in Japan. This lovely plastic pencil case, with an adorable bunka pose doll and her baby dolly. Made by Eagle brand. I have already listed it in my Etsy shop! In lovely used condition. In the same shop, I found this lovely wind up green smoking robot. Though he doesn't let out any smoke, but he does walk towards you and that is just too cute! I don't believe he's that old, probably a repro about early 2000s. I got him for a friend in Germany!!

Next, these lovely items from one shop! I have been searching for these lovely vtg beaded coin purses for years! I had the very same ones as a kid growing up. They are nice and minty too. I don't believe they are vtg, but rather repros perhaps. Still, they look just like the ones I had as a kid. And, I wouldn't have found them if I hadn't been searching for these adorable musical bell crib toys! I have seen them in an ad for a Japanese manga, back in early 2000s, and have never found any similar until now!! They often have Meyercord decal animals on them and are just too cute!! You hang them on a crib or your bed post and pull the ring and they play music. The blue has a fox on it and it plays, "It's a Small World." The pink has a lamb on it and it plays, "Rockabye Baby." I've also added the Japanese manga ad below them so you can see! Almost similar too!

Then, I was able to use Buy It Now, on  Ebay for this lovely Gund plush chick. She is so festive in her bonnet and not a full rubber face plush. So, it's nice to have something different! I also was able to purchase three adorable handmade needle felted creations by the lovely Alvina of Lepetitcherie shop on Etsy. She started making these truly adorable needle felted bunnies, similar to the vtg Easter plush ones with long ears. I just had to snag three in my fave colors. They arrived super fast from Canada too!! Just look at her packaging, with little gifts! I was swooning over everything! Thank you Alvina!! Each bunny came with a tag, miniature sweet treats for their travel to me, and their boxes make great storage for them too! Alvina, even gave me the cutest stand up mirror!! Oh my goodness, it has cute fawns too on it!

Next, these amazing Mamzelle de Paris dresses by the lovely Diane of MatildaPink on Etsy!! I saw her IG post that she was going to list some dresses and I made sure to get some. They sold fast too! But, I was able to snag this lovely Cyan mod dress and a Gingham style dress. I don't own a Mamzelle doll, but that's okay cuz my Francine doll fits them!! Teehee! A bit snug, but I don't care!! LOL Diane's work is simply amazing!! I love them!! Last, is my newly adopted Amanitarium Lamb in blue!! I had Anna custom make me this lamb, similar to one she shared on IG. But, this time I asked her to not add horns. Oh my goodness, her amazing plushies, are just the Bees Knees!! So soft and adorable, I now own three of her creations!! She even added this amazing gift... A pink tote with the lamb I spoke of earlier, with horns!! Oh my gawd, I am so using this tote!! Thank you dearest Anna!

I try to support many of my dear fellow collector friends and their beautiful creations. Supporting a small business makes me happy and I hope that I can help them flourish, just as they've helped me and my small business flourish.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend Y'all!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

Cuteness Overload...

 Cuteness overload...

It has been a blah few weeks since my last post, and so I haven't felt inspired to write in my blog, since then. Although, I have been receiving finds... Sorry, don't know what's going on with me, but, hopefully I'll be inspired again....

I was able to snag these miniature fawn/Bambi cards from KitschandKawaii shop. I just had too. These cute little cards are perfect for miniature doll or toy scenes!

I decided to take a cute pic using my adorable little friends playing cards above. Like I said, perfect for little scenes. I also purchased this lovely Amanitarium choker, it was just too cute to resist and precious too! A great addition to my collection! I did find this lovely large posedoll lenticular post card, and it is already added to my Etsy shop! So be sure to check it out! In lovely condition too!

Next, I also found these lovely vintage Rosarium/terrarium globes from a store in France. They arrived safely to me and I may add some Twinkle princesses inside along with the flowers... We will see. Now, I have three styles in my collection. Then, I also found these Yum-EE-Yum shakers!!! And I was truly in shock they weren't snatched up!! Whaaaat?!! I've always wanted either the shakers or cups, not the whole set, just mostly the shakers to use in photos. They look so much like PekoChan from Japan!! Truly cute keepers for sure!

Next, I ordered another cute sad bear by a fellow collector. She shipped him so fast! He will be a lovely addition to my miniature plushies collection! I love the fabric she wrapped him in too! I also ordered a few buttons in little girl style Simplicity patterns from Sunny Day Supply. Sadly, I missed out on a few of the others she had in stock. Darn! Oh well... And Yes, I ordered from Japan the latest set of Gatcha's for Kabaya's Twinkle Princesses. At first, I wasn't going too, but I need to make something for my sister in WA. Teehee!!

I also decided to add these cute clown and dolly felt vintage ornaments made in Japan to my Christmas tree this year. Can't wait for us to put it up already!! I think they will be a lovely addition to our tree and I hope to make it a bit more whimsical. We need that Christmas spirit this year... Perhaps that is why I feel so blah...??

Last, is this amazing piece. I have been waiting for to arrive since October, but sadly, it was on a boat for realz! It arrived to me just Yesterday, in the mail. Yippee! I found this cutie via Etsy, she is a clown/doll lamp vintage of course. Sadly, her paint on the head is needing a touch up, and her original sheer collar was tattered and torn. Her buttons faded too. So, I knew I could redo the collar and perhaps touch up her face paint...

Made by Leviton USA, I used the white and pink dotted ruffles from Sunny Day Supply, and glued it to the collar area. Then, I added a pastel satin bow. I didn't realize she had purple sticker buttons on the body of the lamp? Until, I was wiping it down. So, instead I cut out three felt teal colored buttons and glued them on. I am still trying to decide if I should touch up her face paint or not too? I love her faded but clownish look, so I may not repaint. She definitely works too. I just need to find a smaller size bulb, the one I have that is LED, won't allow the head to sit properly on the collar part. She also reminds me of a hat stand too. But, not wise to put a hat if she is to be used as a light. Ha! Now, to decide if I will keep her or not... that is the question?! Oh boy!

Have a great week fellow collectors!! For those of us in the USA, Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls