A Toy a Day...

 ... "Keeps Sadness Away." ~ Unboxingtoys

      Tariffs are causing so much chaos these days. Sadly, many countries that have tariffs with the United States, have decided to stop mailing to buyers in the U.S. Ugh. I've watched the past few days on IG of other collectors and creators outside of the United States, post about this very situation. They are not sure how buyers will be expected to pay for the 10 - 50 percent tariffs depending on their country. Mind you this is just on items that cost about Eight Hundred dollars or less!! 

I've prepared myself since my last box from Japan back on August 13th. Because I knew that if I bought any other items in Japan, and when I'd be ready to ship, there might be problems arising on how the tariffs will be collected and how much that might be. Luckily, I prepared myself and stopped buying for my shop via Japan since that date. Because now, I got notices from my friend in Japan. She first told me there was going to be about forty-two dollars and fifty cent customs and clearance fees for items being shipped to the U.S. from Japan.

Than the next day, she was told that shipments to the U.S. will be temporarily suspended for now. Oh my gosh! What?! Trust me, I knew it would be crazy, but suspended?! I was not expecting that!  Today, she told me that now, a Duty Prepay will be done prior to shipments to the USA. So basically, depending on how you are shipping your items to your place in the states, there will be a twenty percent tariff rate based on the total invoice amount. So for example, you bought about a Twenty-five dollar total amount, you will pay an extra five dollars or if your total invoice is five hundred dollars, than the DDP or Duty Prepay will be one hundred dollars more! Ugh!

It will have to be the new norm. I foresee more Japanese, Korean, and Chinese items we use here on Guam costing more for all of us, and people will buy less and less except for what is needed versus what might be wanted. WELP! Thanks for listening to my rant on this chaos.

On to more positive things I guess...

Alice3 on the left and Alice1 in matching dresses.

 

Alice3 is on her way to her new Mommy! She has been the most fun to create and I love how she turned out. Below, some Story Book Nancy Ann dolls, that I will add to my shop soon! Lovely little bisque dolls. 

 Next, this adorable Pink coin purse with a Meyercord bunny on it. Just like the decal!! She was just too cute too I had to have it! Can you remember which decal it is of? 

I also bought some doll fashions for Alice1 and for some other dolls in my collection. Alice can fit the pink gingham bloomers. the striped dress and romper I have added to my shop!
 

Below, this adorable Bunka bunny! I've already added to my shop. I actually got this cutie back in early August with my last box. I just needed time to work on photos and listings. I've been sick with a cold and cough the past week and so has my grandchild. So a lot of the items you see were also from around that time frame. Haha! 

Bento box above is just too adorable as well. I also have this item available for adoption in my shop! Below, I had originally found this for my shop, but this vintage musical sewing machine is just too cute and I have some great items that I can set up with it to display in my room!! Haha! So it will stay with me for now!!

It's a rattle toy and when you turn the handle the colored balls inside the center turn and make sounds. Just too funny and cute!! Love it! Below, my last item for this post, a composition Patsy type or wood dolly just like my first Japan jointed doll in this post here. She was up for auction and I won her. She has a missing arm, but I was able to fix her and give her a somewhat temporary arm. Added the pink dress and she's ready to be adopted!!

She is a sweetheart for sure! Well, I hope you all have a lovely rest of your August and thread lightly on your thrift finds should they be from outside of the USA! See you next month!

Thank you for listening! ~ ggsdolls 

Goodbye 2023!!

 This year has had its ups and downs, but I must say, that it has been a great one either way! Here are some of the cute vintage kitschy things I've found along the way...

This adorable red bear, was in a really nice box and great condition. They are often very expensive. So I was able to snag this one for a decent price. Another Mitsukoshi ballerina doll in yellow. I love their faces most. Something about her face that screams 40's style to me. Both of them will stay with me for a bit.

This adorable Bonnie Bunny doll, made in China is a BJD! They came in blind boxes. This one is from a pajama series. Sara liked her and has her now. Haha! Below, I often see these bunny pose dolls, but they sell really fast! So to find 2 was awesome and they are in excellent condition too! Listed in my shop already!

Next, I found this amazing Camel Japan child head bust up for auction, and won her/him. She's hollow and just needed a touch up. But I love her sweet face. She was great to show off this adorable vintage cap and apron. So cute! I also found some really great anime girl cases with play jewelry and accessories. Some I listed in my shop, some items, I kept.

Like this fawn case, kind of funky the way it is depicted. Haha! The necklace, compact, and earrings are mine. Love faux jewelry from this era. They always remind me of my childhood! Adorable Licca Chan wallet, coin purse for my collection too. It was a good month for finding many things I once only dreamt of getting!! I feel the blessings for sure!

This lovely pink case with accessories is also in my shop! Just look at that cute crab pendant!! Too cute! The psychedelic purse case with vinyl dolly is also in my shop! Next, this sweet Posedoll puppet on a stick. I believe she is meant to be 'Little Red Riding Hood'! She was an interesting find for sure!!

I saw an auction of these lovely animal dollies, which are really Takara Tokotoko Chan. She is basically the Japan version of Finger Ding dolls. Tokotoko Chan really has a human head, but apparently, these cuties had theirs lost, is my guess. I've had many friends say that the animal dolls are better and I agree! Haha! I'm just missing the bear head now. Below, I got this lovely Lady Maria doll for my shop. She is in lovely condition just missing her originals shoes. She's already listed in my shop. Last another mini Twiggy head. This one is a bit larger then my other mini Twiggies. I will have to do a side by side.

Above and below, I was able to acquire this lovely Large Molly Cottontail bunny. This version has the Smiley Eyes face mold. She is all original and comes with this adorable pink bonnet with a little bee on it. She is already adopted and waiting to go to her new owner. I just wanted to showcase Peter with her so you can see the size difference. Below, is the 1970's Rushton version of Peter. Made in Taiwan. This version is just as cute, but smaller as you can see for the side by side differences. Even his fur is a different grade.

For Christmas, I got myself this amazing Monocle Bunny Rabbit also by Rushton. A fellow friend and collector Savannah, was selling. He is one of my ISOs. So to have him now is the icing on the cake for sure!! Below, these nude angel ornaments caught my eye! Made in Japan. These are quite different from the Herman Pecker ones we often see. They have wire wings in different colors. I have the extra one listed in my shop.

This Oike Co. Sunchan doll purse, I found from a seller in Canada. She is in lovely condition and available in my shop! Very mod in style and reminds me of the 60's. I was also able to snag this adorable Rushton Pink Reindeer. Often very hard to find. She arrived just before Christmas! I had her listed a bit after and she sold right away!

Here she is by my bedroom Christmas tree. Love her coloring and she is all original too! Below, our Christmas tree and decor this year, 2023. It was fun to decorate for sure. Now, to take everything down...

It has been a trying year, but we have our health and that is what's important. We still have not started construction on our ceiling at our Tongan house. But, we are just taking it one day at a time. That's all we can hope for. So far, it has been lovely living here in the village. It can be very noisy, but that is what I remember life to be like living around neighbors when I was a kid. Makes me cherish the time I was living down at Tongan Way just a bit more. Haha!

May you all have a blessed 2024!! Happy New Year to you and your family!

~ Love, ggsdolls

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

New Cuties and Finds!

 It has been a decent start to the week! A few goodies I found through out the end of December into January and her they are...

This lovely Artist Bunka doll from Japan. I found for my shop. She is a lovely version of Bunka and even has saran hair. She is already listed in my Etsy shop. I have been wanting this lovely pin caddy, mostly because of the colors. So, I found one with its original box!! It came with 3 safety pins too! I will be using mostly to display the bead pin dolls I've been making. More on the bead dolls later in this post!

Shaped like a rooster, the pin caddy is cute! You push down on his crown and his beak releases the safety pins. Its tail part can be used to undo the pin or redo the pin with one hand. Helpful when you are changing a diaper. You might've seen it often. I know I do. Haha! Next, this lovely Lucite jewelry box, I found recently, is from Japan. In Japan auctions they can cost a lot, but outside of Japan, they are very nicely priced, and it still works too! I may keep this one? Haha.

Then, this vintage Toho Bussan pink plush bunny, is similar to Sekiguchi plushies. She has sleep eyes with eyelashes and just reminds me a lot of Twin Stars or maybe Joan Anglund children? I was going to keep her, but she's big and I just don't have the room! Already listed in my Etsy shop! Back in September, I found out that a these adorable Rune Naito mascots were going to be released in December. So, I was able to preorder one set. It arrived safely and they are just like the ceramic versions!! Smaller to the ceramic ones, they can also twist their heads! A set of six and all are available in my Etsy shop!

While doing my usual searches, I found this lovely art print. The seller listed it as a silhouette of girl with bird cage. It reminded me of something whimsical. I bought it straight away! Now, to find a companion! A doll collector via IG announced the release of her porcelain doll Sleeping Sylvy!! I was fortunate to snag one and she arrived to me safely. Oh my goodness, she is just the sweetest artist doll. If you love Frozen Charlotte dolls, Leledolls are perfect! Made in S. Korea by Leledolls.

I was able to snag this rare "Ooh Bunny" girl Rushton in red and white dots. Definitely worth it. I originally got her to sell, but oh my goodness, I fell in love with her! She is just too cute! All original and still has her original tag. I only added a red ribbon, and the daisy in her hand. Back in October, I found this lovely Rushton "Crying" Kitty too! I lovely condition as well. I will add her to my Etsy shop sometime soon! So be on the look out or keep your notifications for Etsy on!

This Rushton "Cuddle" bunny needed help. I snagged her for a good price, and knew I could probably restore her. So, it took me about 2 weeks. I had to wash her twice. Sadly, the stains couldn't completely come off. But, most did get removed. Her face had caked on dirt and dust. As soon as I used the Mr. Clean eraser, I was so happy to know that it would work. Because at first, I thought I would have to repaint her whole face. But after using the eraser, I found she just needed a touch up of her eyes, eyebrows, nose, and mouth only! Yay! I found a vtg doll skirt in red and added a satin red bow. She is just too cute and would be lovely for Valentine's Day. I hope to add her to my Etsy shop soon too! Just check out the before and afters...

Okay and now to talk about my recent handmade cuties... I decided to try my hand at making bead dollies. I made them to be similar to nursery rattle dolls. But, these versions you can wear as a pin, on a necklace or even a key chain and take them anywhere with you! The first batch I made below, sold in one day!! I was thrilled and so thankful!! I decided to make more in other colors.

2nd Batch of bead dollies above, are listed in my shop! I worked on a 3rd batch, and this time used "Swarovski" crystal beads at the center of the flower. I literally paint their tiny bead faces similar to the vintage Japan wood beads you see in craft supplies, and then pick and choose certain colored beads to make them look like doll rattles. My favorite colors of course are the pastels. Haha, can't get enough of em'!! I add a colored safety pin and TADA! A brooch to wear!

Above, are flower brooches which are a work in progress. I was testing out the beads, a bit heavy so I need to figure out a way to put the pin at the back side, so that it will be stable. Sadly, my first attempt, they want to fall to one side or the other. Still needs work for sure... Last, these pics Taby sent me while she was out Thrifting. She found me a cute Posedoll. But sadly, it has stains, so I will not be able to fix her. So I told her I'll pass. It's nice to know that my local thrift might have some gems like this though! Yippee!!

I hope your January is off to a good start! Hugs all around!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls