Sea mail Arrives...

 Finally, my two boxes from Japan have arrived. They had left Kawasaki, Japan on August 28. 2020, and arrived in today's mail November 3, 2020. That's about 10 weeks and 4 days later. I know Sea Mail is suppose to take long as it travels by boat. But, generally speaking, that's about a month. Even USPS's Parcel Select takes that amount of time. But, over 2 months? And Japan is not as far away as Hawaii is to Guam!! LOL Oh my goodnesss... After I went early to vote today, I went up to check the mail and sure enough the boxes were there. Well, I guess I better get used to this new norm... double ugh!

 So, here is what made it to me...

 I found this lovely vintage frosted fur kit unopened via Japan. The kit includes all that you need to make the lovely shaggy dog in red. It even comes with the chain collar and brush. Just look at the accessories, and I love the example on the front cover. How cool is that?!! Next, I won this lovely rubber doll lady in red dress sitting from Yahoo Japan. She needed a bit of a touch up and I will be adding her to my shop soon. So be checking my Etsy shop often, as many of these items will be up for grabs!!

I was able to get my friend to buy this vintage Columbia toy plush pink and white lamb. I've seen her via Ebay before and she is so adorable and small. In lovely condition, I didn't need to wash her. She is lovely as is. I may keep her. It is getting harder and harder to get plushies with rubber faces for cheap any more... Sadly, it's just getting ridiculous... 

These ceramic coin bank pig and monkey heads will be added to my Etsy shop too! I thought they were quite unique and adorable too. I also found this lovely ceramic deer, that is also a coin bank from the same online shop as the pig and monkey. I thought it was a fawn, but it's a stag with his hooves growing in. I added a blue satin bow to him. Love his eyes and he is also quite unique from the usual sought after deer.

Next, I also found this lovely Pearl doll Mermaid. I had actually tried bidding on one last year and lost the bidding frenzy on Yahoo Japan. To my surprise, while doing my usual searches, I found one from a shop and got my friend to buy her for me. She arrived safely, and I love the little details on her. She is actually a Princess Mermaid with her tiara and gold netting veil. She holds a pearl and I love the way they made her tail. She sits atop a sea shell and is great for display. I will be adding her to my Etsy shop soon as well.

 

 

 

Then, I adopted this cutie from Australia! Sadly, he took a month to get to me also. I had ordered him and he was sent to me. But after two weeks, the seller had messaged me that he was returned and that Guam had refused to accept it. So, I had to buy him again and sent him to my son in the States. I'm so confused as to why Guam didn't accept the box? Another thing I guess, I need to get used too? Guam not accepting mail from Australia? Weird... Cause, I got 2 items last month from Australia and they made it to me with no issues... Oh well. He arrived in lovely condition with very minor issues. I did add the pink fur hair, since his original hair was missing. He's so cute beside his copycat rubber version! I can't keep both, decisions, decisions... Haha!

Early last week, I won this sad cutie via Ebay. She was marked by the previous owner in blue permanent ink. I tried to take it off with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, nope. I know I will have to use Oxy 10 instead and it will take a few weeks to get it off. So, because I was in a rush and didn't want to wait. I decided to paint over the markings, and here she is... I may keep her! I also received another Perfekta platinum doll I bought via Ebay. My last one, I keep telling myself. Haha! I will keep them for now or I may let go the others and just keep one or two...

Over the weekend, I received this sad vintage Gund or Knickerbocker orange sad bear. The seller on Ebay stated it was musty smelling, so I washed him. He was actually in great condition. No tag, but he does have the markings on his neck, "60s Gund" Not sure? The threads are blocking the letters. But, who can resist this sad baby and in orange too! A commission below, I'm just glad they are on their way to their new Mommy! They are little squeaks boy dolls made by Sanrio late 70s, I believe. Next, I receive my purchases from Comickitsch on IG. I bought two of her adorable art works in their colored frames, and she even added a few goodies for me. I love them all, thank you sis!!

Then, I found this lovely Rune type soft vinyl rubber Mermaid doll with pink hair. She is in lovely condition for her age and will be added to my Etsy shop as well. I believe she is made by Sekiguchi or Iwai? Not for sure. Last, I finally figured out what to do with my bottle doll from Japan. I decided to make her into a doll with a body. I bought arms and this lovely 1950s Barbie made dress. I then, found her some plastic legs. Sacrificing a Kogei Musical doll. Tee hee! Now, to wait for a few more additions to her. More on her later...

 Be safe and well!!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls

From ggsdolls!!

 

 

To you and your family!!

Have a safe and enjoyable one!

Always, ggsdolls

Lady Prince by Iwai Co.

 Continued from my last post, here. I decided to contact, Hello Iwai, a fellow collector, from Instagram, about these Twiggy style dolls. That was Sunday, of course, it was the weekend, so the response was, that he would check their catalog and get back to me on Monday. Little did I know, I was DMing the CEO of Iwai Industrial Co. Ltd. in Japan. Oh my! Mr. Hideyasu Iwai, III, is the grandson of the creator and former CEO of Iwai Co.! He shared with me that his father took over the company at the time and now him. His father/Eddie is photographed with their most popular doll, "Hi Hi" on their Instagram page. For further information their main website for Iwai Co. Ltd. or you can also click for the English site here.

I was star struck for the moment, and had to remind myself, to be humble and show respect. Mr. Iwai was very kind and shared with me on Monday, a catalog picture of the very doll, I had shown him Sunday.

He said that my dolls were in fact, real Iwai products and that these were the dolls produced and release back in 1972. From google's translation, It says, "Ladies Fashion - Lady Prince! Ladies Fashion is a refreshing friend." Due to release in May of that year. Oh my it was just amazing and to have the information of the dolls I have admired since seeing the first one back, in 2015!! The catalog ad continues on with, "Three styles created, "Gaucho", "Midi", and "Pantalon". At the time, Gaucho's were very popular in the early 1970s, these were short pants that were originally worn by Horsemen from South America, but they became a popular style for women in the 1970's - Wikipedia/Pinterest. So, my girls Amy and Twiggy have that style, made in two colors. "Midi" style were dresses or skirts that stopped at the mid-calf, also called, "Longuettes"- Wikipedia/Pinterest . This fashion is worn on the doll, I do not own in my collection, also in two colors. Last, is "Pantalon" I think it meant, "Flared Pants" style, also known as "Bell-Bottoms"- Wikipedia/Pinterest, and that is what Cynthia and Marsha from my collection are wearing. I grew up wearing these as a child of the 70s!

Quite unique how Iwai Co. choose to use the latest fashion trends of the day! Because, I'm sure those who owned a Lady Prince, were into the stylish look and probably displayed the dolls in their homes. They probably greeted you at the door on a side counter in a shop or perhaps were decorative on the work desk at the reception, of an office or restaurant... How exciting to imagine! They were only 600yen about $6 at the time.

I truly appreciate Mr. Iwai's help and giving me the information I needed on these amazing dolls. Now, to just find the gals in the Midi dresses, and my collection will be complete! The Iwai co. has many other dolls and products that are equally desired, visit their website! The ones we collectors see often are, "The Moodies" and they are also made by Iwai Co.!!

Until next time, Cynthia, Marcia, Amy and Twiggy bid you farewell/sayonara!!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Found More Iwai Dolls!!

 Back in February 2016, I acquired these lovely vintage Iwai Co. Twiggy type mod dolls from a fellow collector in Italy. My original post here. They are marked 1972, Iwai Co. Ltd. made in Japan. I have long hoped to find the first doll I saw up for auction back in 2015, that I lost on Yahoo Japan. Fast forward to 2020, and sure enough, while doing my usual searches via Ebay... I did just that!

Acquired from California, the seller had them listed as Long Legged Mod dolls, no other information. I asked her if she could share how she came to find them. She said, she gotten them from a garage sale, and when she asked the owners where they got them, they simply shrugged their shoulders. But, the seller knew they were unusual and bought them to resell, and I'm so glad she did. When I saw them, I was in shock and made an offer right away. After the initial shock, I told myself to stay focused and wait for the seller's response. After a few hours, she accepted and they arrived to me safe and sound. I was thrilled when I opened the box... Because, I was afraid it was not true, and this was all just a dream! Nose twitch insert here. LOL

 The brown fashioned gal/Twiggy, is the one I have been searching, all this time for. She is in lovely condition with her original stand. She sports a yellow hat, with a red and yellow sweater top, under a brown jacket, and flaired matching bell-bottom shorts. Her green thigh high socks have green four-leaf clovers on the side of each sock, with a pair of brown Loafer shoes. She just needed a bit of touch ups to her paint. But otherwise gorgeous!

The blonde wavy haired gal/Marcia, I have only seen in black hair, and black sweater top with pink bell-bottoms. So, to get her in blonde, was a dream come true as well!! She wears a lovely sweater multi-colored sweater top, that reminds me of those YSL "Mondrian" style fashions, properly paired with white bell-bottom pants, and light brown boots. Also with her original stand, sadly I needed to fix the stand because it was cracked at the base, where the shoe is being held in place. She is still stunning and I'm just thrilled to have her in my collection too!

Here they are side by side with the other ladies in my collection...

Similar stances, just different colors and look, Marcia just has a sweater top, but the black haired gal/Cynthia has a long necklace painted onto her sweater top. Definitely creates a different look to each lady. My short haired gals/Twiggy and red hat/Amy, have the same molded on styles, just different colors again. I wonder what the Amy's sock color was? I don't think I've ever seen her other then the one here... Hmmm? Oh wait, I think I may have, they were white with brown shoes, I believe?! Haha, brain blast!

All my gals together... Cynthia, Marcia, Amy, and Twiggy!

A bunch of stylish ladies from 1972!!

Have a safe and well weekend my friends!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

My Finds This Week!

 It has been a slow week and I haven't really been doing much, because a few projects are on hold for now... So, has the mail. I was told it is like Christmas holiday season. Especially now, that more and more people are buying online and having things shipped in. It's been a crazy year, and I'm not depending on things to change anytime soon, unfortunately.

So, here is what did make it in! I found this lovely Vintage 50s Westinghouse aqua radio, and bought it mostly for the look. Sadly, it doesn't work, but that's okay, because I mostly planned on using it as a display piece in my collection! See the 2nd photo!

Next, I happened upon this lovely vintage Brio set of chairs and table on Etsy from YellowBirdMorning shop! I have always been on the look out for Brio pieces from the same era. Adria was so sweet and shipped my items fast. Be sure to check her shop out too for some amazing vtg dollhouse pieces! I need to take some photos of what I have thus far for my Brio collection. Sadly, the table is missing its extension piece, but that is okay. Lovely Scandinavian design too!

Then, I won this adorable and unique Oike Miko Chan Bunka Hug Doll Posedoll on Yahoo Japan. She is minty and still has her tag. She is large about 15 inches tall, with plastic baby hands and head. Her hair is fur and she kind of reminds me of those Japan made elf knee huggers, you can find easily for the holidays. If you just add a Santa hat on her, she could be an elf or baby, displayed under your Christmas tree this year. There was a larger one to her, about 18 inches tall, but I didn't want to bid on that one. Mostly because of shipping costs and her being so large!! Her hair is a light blue fur, and she wears a red onesie with white pom poms. So unique, I have offered her on my instagram page, and then I will list her on my Etsy shop if there is no interest.

Last, the lot of retro fabric with cute kitsch ceramic figurines on it. I happened upon it through Etsy, but it is actually sold on a different website. Still, I love the kitschy look of the fabric. I will make some pillows perhaps... There were also swatches you could buy, just look at the few I got below!

I don't think I could choose a fave, they are all cute! They all arrived safely, now to work on them!! Have a great weekend everyone. I hope you all are staying safe and well!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls