Interview with The Vintage Unicorn!!

 

 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 the month of May, this blog interview is with the gorgeous, the_vintage_unicorn on Instagram or commonly known as Jess.

     Jess and her favorite fake Rushton Bunny.

     Jess is from the Midwest area of the United States. She used to be a sales 

associate at a  department store before she became a stay at home mom. How 

long have you been selling vintage?  Jess ~ "I have been selling online since 

2001." Jess started her vintage Instagram account back in 2014. This is where  

she sells, and shares her vintage collection. Jess, first encountered a rubber 

face bear in 2015 while antiquing in Oklahoma. "He was huge! I bought him  

for seventeen dollars, and I still have him in my collection. The following year I 

came across two bunnies. One was a Rushton bunny that I purchased 

at an estate sale for one hundred dollars." ~ Jess

    Jess, "I made this custom for myself using a rubber face that was sold for crafting and painted 

the face.  The expressions on their face is what I love about them. They are so sweet and adorable. 

Even thought they are a bit creepy, I still love them."

This bunny above is one of Jess' favorites.    

     Jess ~ "I was skeptical to purchase at first as I thought it was expensive at the time. 

 But this bunny was in pristine condition. I fell in love with her adorable face & honestly 

I rarely saw them for sale.  So I purchased her. I thought about selling them at one point,  

but then I thought if I let them go I probably won't come across more. So in my collection 

they stayed."  

 Her biggest Rushton Bear.

      "I have always collected vintage toys & plushes. Mostly from the 80s and early 90s. 

I felt collecting rubber faces would fit in with my aesthetic. Bunnies, kitties and bears are 

my favorites. It's hard to pick only one because I love them all just as much!" ~ Jess

   She found these two in amazing condition just before the craze.

     Jess ~ "The expression on their face is what draws my attention. They are all so 

sweet, unique and beautifully painted. I didn't know much about them until I met friends 

on Instagram who also collect them. I am thankful for them sharing their knowledge & 

their collection. Now I'm always searching for more rubber faces mostly at estate sales 

& antique stores." 

 She thinks this is one of her most unique rubber face plush.

     

     "I will sometimes sell them but usually end up keeping them. They are truly difficult to 

let go and there are so many different ones. I always get asked, 'If I would sell?' But, as 

their popularity has grown so much these last couple of years. I think it's nice to see that 

they are loved again by many more." ~ Jess

A photo of her first rubber faces.  

 Jess ~ "A mix of different rubber faces as my collection grew. 

Even though some are not real Rushtons these "fakie" bears are still among my favorites."

 "My biggest & most expensive bear I purchased she is like new." ~ Jess

 One of my favorite fake Rushton bears.

      

    Jess ~ "I even love the 'fakie' handmade rubber faces. I find them so unique and just 

as adorable. I'm not sure how many I have but I am happy to say my collection continues 

to grow." I truly enjoyed interviewing Jess, and learning more about her collection and 

how it all started. Give the_vintage_unicorn a follow on instagram, you won't be 

disappointed. Jess often finds rare items to sell and share! Her instagram account 

is one of my faves to follow!

 

Until next month y'all for our next interview with a collector! 

 

 Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Let your past make you...

 ...a better person, not a bitter one.

 

 Just a thought to share... The past week, I have slowly received some lovely vintage finds. Here is what has arrived... Barbie type profile art above, by piccrew app.

This Lot of 41 vintage rubber faces arrived. All the way from Mexico! Many have already been listed in my Etsy shop and a few I will keep for myself. There are two of the same panda bear face, I've used before in my furry plushies I've made, a dog face, Mrs. Claus, Baby faces...

...a Cow with udders, a dear, cat and more. I'll be keeping the bunny and cat head. I still have yet to be inspired to make more of my plushies... It's been kinda still blah, for me. But, we did enjoy Thanksgiving with our immediately family and all were safe and well. Inside the box was also this unique cat jewelry hanger? She has a celluloid type face. I added the black satin ribbon hanger, and the green sheer bow to her. A lovely kitty too!

Next, this Columbia toy plush rubber face duck. He was a delightful find while doing my usual searches. I decided to get him to add him to my shop soon. Just wanted to take my time listing some of these goodies. He is all original too! I also decided to get this vintage Pose doll head with the plastic or vinyl face. She is lovely and I may use her on a doll body or craft something, at some point. Haha!

This lovely vintage toy kitchen sink, comes with its original box, I found in an online shop in Japan. It doesn't have any toy dishes etc. so I will add the toy sushi, desserts and food set that I already have in my shop together with this. I have already listed it too! Pretend play fun for kids. You can even add water into the sink to pretend wash dishes! I also found this lovely vintage Glico dresser. I have the white with red version. But, this is the version I fell in love with, back in 2007 from a fellow collector Superjunk, here. She had come back from a trip to Japan and brought some miniature glico toys and her dresser, and the pink closet have been on my wish list since then. Today, I am happy to announce, I finally found this dresser and the closet, all within this year! Yay! It has been a long time coming too! Ha!

I decided to buy this gal to sell in my Etsy shop. She has cute glasses and comes with her original box. Just an adorable face too! The vintage ceramic soldier cookie jar, was another unique find. He has the cutest face and is in amazing condition. Also already listed in my shop. The bear is a handmade cutie by a Japanese artist, Pinocosmile. She makes many adorable cuties in felt. This one is made to look like a Rushton "Happy Bear". She too is already listed in my shop and has been set on reserve, because a customer will adopt her later this week.

I found the partner to my other Mr. Joe cup, in pink via Ebay! I was so happy, and the price wasn't so bad either. Now, I own the blue and pink cup. They will make great silly photos... more on them soon! Then, this lovely vintage flocked tiger was up for auction via Yahoo Japan. In beautiful mint condition too. He has already been listed in my Etsy shop as well. You can hang him up on your wall or desk!

Last, this lovely vintage cutie I adopted from Kewtkitsch on IG. She had her Mexican clone 'Happy Bear' on her story up for offers, I made an offer, and was sure that someone else did better then I did. But low and behold, she messaged me and said, I was the highest. LOL I was able to adopt her and she arrived safely to me the other day. She is the closest I have to a real Rushton Happy Bear version. I regret selling the one I had, but I did have a good reason. I want the larger version! Haha! One can wish right?! This cutie is the next best thing, and at a way better price. I will cherish her, thank you dearest KQ!

A sweet baby for sure! This year has come so fast, and will go out, whew! It has been surreal. But, I am glad that there is a lot more hope now... for many things.

Until next post, stay safe and well!

Don't be bitter, be better!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls