Blue Rushton Bear Part Deux!

 Part One here...

Did I make him a new body? Nope! I decided not too after seeing him all cleaned up. I just couldn't bear to let go of his old fur. So below is how he turned out and even his mechanical arm works too!!

I stuffed him with his original stuffing, than, repainted his face and added a satin bow. His hanky cleaned up nicely still shredded but recognizable and his tag as well. I simply love him and his worn missing fur still gives him character and showcases the love he had from his previous owner.

 Below, I did a TIKTOK video if you rather see...

 

@ggsdolls_vtg Restored Rushton musical 🎶 animated crying bear 🐻 #vintagekitsch #maryrushton #htf #bear ♬ Frere Jacques (Instrumental Version) - Baby Music, Songs For Children & Lullaby Renditions Of Classic Children's Songs

 

He will stay with me for now and I may or may not sell my Valentine's Bear version. LOL

I hope that someday your dream of an ISO comes true too! Sending out good luck mojo vibes guys!

Happy Hunting!

Thank you for watching and Reading! ~ ggsdolls 

Finally, An Elusive Rushton Found!

    Since the frenzy of Mary Rushton plushies began in the early 2017 because of a resurgence of collectors following a particular singer. Seeking Rushtons these days are not as crazy for many collectors anymore. 

In fact, even for myself. I've long sold off most of my rare Rushtons and have only held onto a small few. But, recently, a Rushton I had thought was never in reach for me, finally popped up on an auction site! 

google photo of Blue Rushton Crying Bear.

 

IG Cry bear that sold.

A quick prelude, back in 2018, I found a post on IG that had a blue bear up for grabs! Sadly, someone had already claimed him! Darn. I have seen one sold fast on a Japan site as well one on ebay. I guess at the time I was just not going to acquire one and I told myself long ago, that it is, what it is... Haha! Fast forward to now...

Even the price was quite a shock! But considering it will need a lot of TLC! So I used BIN and I knew he would take a month to get to me. I finally got my hands on the elusive Blue Crying Musical Animated Rushton Bear!! When he finally arrived, I began to work on him when I wasn't babysitting my grandson. Haha! He quietly sat on my computer desk waiting. 

Poor baby, missing most of his fur, this little bear has the arm mechanism sticking straight out from his palm! I was surprised to find he still had his hanky!! Practically shredded though, and his music box key didn't wind up at all and was frozen. Most of his face paint had faded as well, and he has a few holes at the back side. He was definitely well loved and according to the seller, she found him at an estate sale. She wanted to have him restored but just never got around to it. Until I adopted him...

A positive is that he still had his original Rushton Tag! Yippee! I began with his face first and cleaned him up. While he sat a few days at my computer desk. I was trying to decide if I will use his old fur to use as a pattern to cut out from new fur and give him a new plush body? But in the end I decided to wash him first and see what he'd look like afterwards and go from there.

I began to remove all his stuffing and placed them into a bag for later. I took out his music box and began with washing him first. It took two soakings to get most of the dirt and grime off him. While he was air drying, I began to work on his music box. The music box was made of wood and tin metal. I took apart the main box. The mechanical arm stuck out of the main music box as shown below. Sadly, I forgot to take photos of me working on the innards of the music box. Ugh. The music box is made in Switzerland, and it says that it plays "Frere Jacques". 

After taking apart the music box, I began to wipe off the excess dust and stuffing particles that were caked onto to the gears and mechanics of the music box. I used alcohol wipes and than started to oil the gears up with baby oil or mineral oil. I tried to see if I could get the key turning, but no dice. Darn!! 

So than I started playing with the part that looks like a propeller or fan, and started to use my flat screwdriver to move the gear close to it and sure enough the fan started to rotate a bit! Could this be helpful?! I didn't know, but it was worth a try. As I pushed onto the roller with the musical note picks or at least tried too, it made a sound!! I was thrilled! I must be doing something right! Haha!

I worked on the gears about thirty minutes or so and slowly, the gears began to move a bit at a time. Sadly, the gears where the key was didn't budge! Ugh! No matter what I did. So I decided, if I couldn't get it to work, it was okay. At least, I had tried. I decided to pour some more oil inside the mechanism for the key. Then, I let it set. Whilst I watched Tron Ares with my family.

After the movie was over, I went back to the music box. So perhaps about an hour had past. I tried to turn the key once more... Sure enough it moved! Yay!! I began to wipe off the excess oil and clean up where I could. Now, when I turned the key the gears slowly but surely started to move. It was playing a little bit better, but still not smoothly.

I just let it set for the night and allowed the bear to continue air drying. By the next morning, the music box played and the bear was dry! Yippee!! It was a success and even the mechanical arm still moved! What?! Yup!! I was so happy. Now, I just needed to re-stuff him and do his face paint. Will I make him a new body or not?

To Be Continued... Part Deux here!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Secrets of The Rushton Company by KewtQween!!

 WATCH NOW!! 

~ ggsdolls

Mary Rushton VS Bijou and Woolworth!!

 Watch Now!!

Love, ggsdolls

Discussions on Cherub Cubs w Kewtkitsch!!

 Watch now!! ~ ggsdolls

Rare Mama Rushton Bunny Found!!

@ggsdolls_vtg Rare Mary Rushton Find…😱💘#ggsdolls_vtg #ggsdolls #maryrushton #bunny #vintagerubberface #kitsch #commissioned #restoration ♬ original sound - Gigi

 

Oh my goodness, when it rains it pours!! I was commissioned to find this amazing rare sleepy Mama bunny by Mary Rushton. Here is a catalog pic of her below. 

She was found recently and just needed a bit of a clean up and also removal of pink highlights on her eyelids, that perhaps was done by previous owner or I am told a type of mold that happens by a fellow restorationist. So, that part is what took me long to take care of as I used a method that is a slow process to remove markings. 

It took me about 2 weeks and at first, I thought it was not going to work. But whew after a week it did. Still very slight, but most of the pink marking is gone, Yay! I touched up her nose, added a bit of blush and a bow and now she is ready to go to her Daddy. She is definitely one of my ISOs. Ahhh someday!

She stands about 30 inches long and generally her paws are touching and held a baby bunny. She has felt feet and wires in her ears. Just love her so much and to be able to enjoy her for a bit is definitely a dream for sure! Also some quick finds recently, this adorable aqua lace and ruffled Valentine's chocolate box. Oh my goodness, truly gorgeous for its age. I will definitely be using these for Valentine's decor photos!!

I also got these adorable ceramic kitty pen holder vase above and this MCM wooden kitty pen decor below. Both have already been added to my shop! Just too cute! Yes, I did! I bought another Cookiegirls pillow and this time a girl hanger. Doesn't she remind you of anyone? How about Cindy Brady of the Brady Bunch!! She's so cute and currently on my wall with a cute vintage child coat!! I just love her cute face with big eyes!!

You can see my chocolates box and the pillow by Cookiegirls. I couldn't resist getting another pillow!! Last for today, is this adorable vintage Mary Poppins' charm bracelet, in decent condition with pink and blue coloring. Sadly, its chipping away, but still just adorable. I love the little Mary, umbrella and her suitcase too!

I hope you all have a great rest of your week! Happy Finds!

Thank you for looking! ~ 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

Interview with KewtKitsch!!

  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 October, my blog interview is with the gorgeous, funny, and creative human behind the best and only website for The Rushton Toy Company Rubber Faced plushies of Mary Rushton's creations, KewtKitsch on Instagram. 

When I asked KK where she was from she said this, "Living that old people, sweaty all year, Florida life!" KK works at a bakery, and she gets paid to eat sweets and punch cakes with her fist before they throw them away. She asked me if I've ever punched a cake, and said that I should try it sometime! LOL I asked her what her age was...

KK: "I'm in my flirty 30's! The first time I ever saw a Rushton toy was probably a decade ago. While browsing for my kawaii, pastel 90’s toys on eBay, I saw this really ugly, bizarre, weird looking fish. I totally didn’t want it. Little did I know what my future would hold. I think I remember watching it and it sold for around $300. That was too much for me to be spending on toys. BUT OH BOY. IF ONLY MY YOUNGER SELF KNEW WHAT I WAS GOING TO START SPENDING ON TOYS IN MY FUTURE. 

I never imagined I would now want these ugly, weird toys in my life. Staring at me at all hours of the day while I lay in bed and sleep. And that I would sell my soul and sacrifice food and water to have them. Just kidding, It’s not that extreme. I just gave up buying my 90’s toys and switched over to 50’s toys instead. Speaking of my other collections, yes, I still very much love my Japanese kawaii toys, girly 90’s toys. I also collect 50’s nursery planters, bathroom mermaid plaques, and of course, the rubber face plush toys. Can I throw in antique furniture, things with cats on them, and my cats whiskers that fall out?"

Gigi: How do you describe your relationship with your collection? What attracts you to it?

KK: "My toys and I have a pretty good relationship. As long as they do their part of the house work, which is looking cute 24/7, I don’t kick them out of the house. But no really. I actually answered the next question first, before starting this one. So I feel like the magical part of my toys is mostly described below on Mary Rushton’s amazing, realistic work. That’s the magical part of it to me. 

 

Also, I guess another thing that makes them magical is that these toys survived this long and that I have the honor to own them. When they are as original as possible (a little dirty or not) as when they first were made, is so great to me. And that, makes it special. 

 

My relationship with them has grown over the past few years. I use them in my art and use their realistic expressions to express my own struggles or joy in life. It’s like they are all a part of me. When I am sad, I am “Scrappy” bear. When I am happy, I am “Happy” bear or “Laughing Pup”. Rather than taking photos of myself, I’ll use my little, spawn, toy children to do the work for me in my art. All of us can relate to these toys and become them. But overall, I am their mother and they are all just my babies. They do as I say or else they get the hose again."

Gigi: What is it about the vintage Rushton's that distinguishes it from other Toy Companies?

KK: "I guess, to me, it’s really more about Mary Rushton’s work and talent that separates her toys from the rest of the other rubber face brand toys. Mary didn’t just make toys, she was a skilled artist. She made the faces (at times) so realistic, so human like, that they really stand out to people. People who have never seen these kind of toys before, the first time they see one, it can freak them out. It’s creepy to them. And I think a lot of that has to do with because the facial expressions are so human like, it’s just weird. 

 

You aren’t used to seeing that on an animal toy. Lots of people have smiling teddy bears and no one cares or even thinks about it. The My-Toy company and Knickerbocker made toys showing human emotions (or just anthropomorphic) but they are more cartoon-y looking. Mary’s work isn’t like a cartoon. It’s like a real, alien kind-of-creature from another world. Her work was the best when it came to her talents and especially the quality of the bodies (pre 70’s production). She was toy queen of her time and I (and others) still worship her work."

Gigi: Tell me a bit about your collection, how it started, what your first items were and how it has grown?

KK:  "I always loved toys in some way. I never grew out of them. Just what I collected would change over the years. At first, when I became a teenager and knew what I wanted to collect, it was creepy dolls, BJDs, dark, goth looking stuff. Then I wanted everything pink and Hello Kitty. THEN, Japanese modern kawaii toys + 90’s American, pastel toys. I started buying simple “soft plush” (not rubber face) vintage toys and 50’s nursery planters. THEN! That’s when I started my rubber face toy adventure and beyond! 

 

I’m fixated on having only vintage or (reproduction) vintage looking items right now. (I still make some exceptions for my kawaii stuff). But my theme and what I always look for is = pink, cats, desserts, cute, baroque, vintage, and if I can make room for it in my house. I now have to be very selective or else my room will start looking wacky."

Gigi: What has been the reaction of your family, friends and coworkers on your passion for your hobby?

KK:  "One time my sister saw my Rushton cow and said “Whoa….”  The guy I live with loves all the 50’s stuff I have. It’s probably his favorite. So, I know if I buy 50’s kitsch, he won’t be mad I spent more money on 50’s stuff, haha. 

Not many people in real life (who actually see me) know about my collections. Everyone will think it’s weird, I already know this. I try to stick to my online world when it comes to sharing my collection because I know no one in real life will really understand anyway. It’s cool. At times, I really so think I prefer to keep it a secret from anyone who isn’t connected to me online. If people want to know, I will share. Otherwise, I’m perfectly happy locking myself away in my room with everything I’m in love with."

Gigi: Tell me about your favorite item and why it is so special?

KK:  "Girl, you know I have too many. But if we have to pick, it’s my “Diaper Baby” bunny who I just call “Baby”. Because she was my first and started it all. I would be halfway in my closet putting on my “cake-punching” work clothes and shoving my fat, chocolate loving, butt in my work pants and just stare at her face while doing it. I’m sure she didn’t love that. But I would constantly think, “Her cheekies are so cute and dumb, wow, she is so cute!”  Then I bought 346843 more rubber face toys after her. But she’s still and will always be my babyyyyyy!"

 

Gigi: If any item could just land in your lap for free, what would it be and why? 

 

KK:  "For many reasons, I'll keep my wishlist a secret. I will fight amongst the many, anonymously, for what I want (So if I don’t get it, y’all don’t know I’m over here crying) But my cat lands in my lap free of charge daily. So at least I have that to enjoy."

 

Gigi: Have you seen an increase in popularity or demand for what you collect? If so, why do you think that is so?

KK:  "It’s like Voldemort, the one name we do not speak of who has brought the kitsch community more attention. If you know, you know. When you love someone influential, sometimes you want to become them and have what they have. I think that’s part of it. But it can bring in the wrong kinds of people which is something we’ve had to deal with.

 

Otherwise, some of the people who are into kitsch/rubber face toys, show it off very well with their art, aesthetic, ideas, photography, etc. And I think because of this, it brings more attention to that person and what they are showcasing because it’s all so well done. It introduces people to something they didn’t know about before. So if it’s a collection of rubber face toys in a nicely done setting of their aesthetic and style, people like that and want to replicate that in some way in their home or in their art. And it just spreads from there. 

 

I think that applies to anything, not just toys. So now we see other parts of communities (some that weren’t kitsch at all) making kitsch toy art and selling it on clothes, key chains, etc, to match their style and aiming it to their already large audience. Which then, introduces more people to these toys. It’s a chain reaction. It will probably die down eventually. That’s just my guess. Every trend dies. Rubber face toys have been around for decades and no one payed much attention to them until now. Peoples interest change. Us, more dedicated toy fans, hope that our toys will be forgotten again and we can continue to collect without having to fight with everyone and spend multiple paychecks for one toy."

 

(Above, KewtKitsch also sculpts her own adorable Rushton Style Animal wall art! 

You can find them and purchase here, KewtKitsch shop on Etsy!) 

Gigi: Is there anything else you might like to add?

KK:   "Watch out for all the fake bidders on eBay! And Rushtons that sell on eBay getting relisted on Etsy by zero feedback sellers. I see it all the time. I always report them. Rushtons are that popular right now that there are many scammers. Sometimes, if it seems too good to be true, it is.  Be careful of who you make friends with in this community as well. It’s sad to say, I don’t even want too. But some people out here are selfish and will literally steal a toy from underneath you if they can. You don’t always need to clean your toys! Sometimes we have somewhat dirty toy children and that’s okay! Not all toys will be beautiful and shiny like they used to be. Some people like that look. If you are not experienced, you can destroy the toy and an important part of history. 

But most importantly, do not forget the woman who created our toys!

! Mary Rushton !

For she, is too often lost, forgotten, and over shadowed by others in this rubber face toy world."

Well said KK! Thank you to the wonderful KewtKitsch for sharing her story and collection with us! If you want to learn more about Mary Rushton and her creations be sure to visit The Rushton Toys on wordpress. A special thanks to KewtKitsch for creating this website and providing us a place to go for the history and information of our Rushton toys!! 

See you next month when we talk with a fellow toy artist and collector from Canada!! Until next time for another installment of ggsdolls Interview with a Collector!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls