We Made It To Nakano, Tokyo For The Day!

Okay, why did it take this long... convincing myself that I could do it! Ha. Gosh, its probably been more than 8 years since Leo of Poupee Mechanique told me I should go to Nakano Broadway... What?! Yup, he shared with me back then when we emailed each other often, that I should check it out. It is now, Saturday, November 11, 2017 and I finally took his advice. There is a shop there, that I've found some of my best vintage goodies, online now! But, I figured I could convince myself, that if I could make it to Nakano, then maybe going their myself and picking up merch for my shop, will be less expensive, etc. Right? Read on to find out my discovery.

I told my husband, that since it was a 3 day weekend for most of us here in the US. I decided to take the girls and try for a quick visit to Nakano Broadway. A shopping plaza in Nakano, Tokyo area. He agreed to it and the girls and I packed super light, backpacks and extra change of clothes. We slept early and made out way to the Airport at 3am...

 After check in and TSA, we got to the gate and sat, as per usual, and waited. Our flight left a bit late and we got to Narita, Japan by 10am. Okay, now to make our way to Nakano. We got our tickets for the Skyliner into Shinjuku Station. We sat and ate a quick snack, before heading to the platform.

 It was pretty quick too, by way of Nippori train station. Then, on the Yamanote Line to Nakano. We arrived at about 12:45pm or so. The girls wanted to eat lunch. We left out of the North Exit and there was Nakano Street. We saw a KFC just to the right and decided to have lunch there.

 We all got meals, and what was very nice, was that each of our meals even had a little dessert. I got a chicken sandwich, wedge fries, a drink, and dessert. The cream dessert was like a cream cheese flaky pie, yum!

 I shared it with Sara. Very light and fluffy too. They don't have this on Guam.

 We sat for awhile, just to get our plan of action set. We decided to walk down Nakano and see what we could find...

 Once you enter, this is what you see, basically a street of shops, and very festive with holiday decor. It was very busy, lots of people.

 The girls spotted this pet shop, "P's first". They decided to go in and see all the cute pets. Kittens at the window and some really cute puppies too! A lot of people were going in to adopt pets. I know Taby wanted to get one, but seeing the prices made her freak out a bit. LOLs

 I didn't go in, sadly my allergies might go haywire. When they got done we started walking further into the street and sure enough at the end, was the infamous sign for "Nakano Broadway"! Yesss, we made it.

 It was just like walking into a dream, but this time it was real! I was giddy like a child. Then, Taby noticed as soon as we walked in... "Mom, isn't that, that girl from Galaxy 999?!" I turned to the right and sure enough, it was Maetel, life size too. OMG, "Quick Taby, take a photo of her for me!" She asked if I wanted to stand next to her. I was like, no, just take her photo. Sorry, I'm just not a selfie person. Hehe.

 It was awesome. They were selling her costume for cosplay, or eyelashes, etc. I think?! I didn't go over to look closely. My plan was to find this famous place where all the vintage dolls and toys were!?

It was four floors of retro and modern anime, games, gatcha, etc.!!! Oh snap! From the 1st floor we could see a game room, and lots of manga or book sales. So, we decided to head up to the 4th floor and make our way down. From the 4th floor, we found this one store as I turned the corner from the steps, Candy Candy in the window!

 A man was standing in front of this display looking at the dolls. Beside him was the entrance to a shop, that had a lot of "Sofubi" or "Soft Vinyl" vintage toys. I made sure to take a quick photo of the girls by the red temple makeshift gates. So cool!

 Mostly, guys in this shop, checking out all the vintage sofubi toys. I loved the light up floors. Very space like feeling too!

 It was just one of the small shops inside. We walked around and then headed back out. When I turned left, I was floored...

 ...drooling, it was vintage Mattel Barbie dolls and some rare ones made in Japan!! A Japanese Francie version mint in box, Japanese Midge loose, Ike Ike Eli just to name a few! Holy moly! I hit the jackpot!!

 I had died and gone to Dolly Heaven, seriously! Just as Leo had told me!!!

I turned around and across from the Mattel section, was a little nook and there was vintage 1st generation Licca chan!! I just died!

I had always wanted to be here to see all the goodies. Finally, let's mark this place off my "Bucket List" please! Yippee! I took a moment to look around at everything as quickly, but yet ever so slowly, and there was Rune Naito dolls in another section...

 Then, Sailormoon everything section, Ball-jointed dolls section, Blythe, Momoko... Oh my gosh people!

 Kewpies, cute big tan dolls... cute little dolls, Monchichi plushies...

 Rune Naito ceramic coin banks, etc...

 This one shop, had glass cases through out, and I saw a lot of very rare dolls, toys, even Alice Tears by Sekiguchi, Miss Take, and a Miss Nancy, still mint in box!

 I told Taby, that I would try to buy something to commemorate this joyous day!! Sadly, I left the place with nothing. What?!!!! Yup, not because I didn't have money with me, only because, I felt bad for Sara. She was not happy to be there, she was bored, and tired and her feet hurt. Sara just isn't a shopper like Taby and I. So, I felt it was okay, besides, I could always try to get something another time, in the future, when I come to visit this place again. We worked out way down to 1st floor, and with all our feet in pain, we went back out into the street of store, and found a restaurant with desserts. I even forgot to take a photo of the name of the dessert place.

 We sat and rested our tootsies. I said to the girls okay, let's have dessert then. We got served nice hot tea. The smell of the tea, reminded me of "Ahu" a coconut dessert on Guam. Delicious too! We also got iced water. There was ice cream on the menu. Taby got two scoops of vanilla ice cream with a waffle cookie, Sara had one scoop with two waffle cookies and sweet red bean paste and mochi. Mine, was the smorgasbord of fruit, mochi, sweet red bean paste, vanilla ice cream, and clear jells. It was definitely an interesting combination.

We finished, and decided we'd better head back to the airport. It was nice outside, but the wind was a bit chilly. We sat for a bit to rest our feet more and decided what to do to get back to the airport. We just worked out way backwards and this time we paid for the cheaper fare, and it took us a bit over 2 hours to get back to Narita Airport. This left us not much time to do any shopping. So, it was not a promising day for buying any goodies. We got through customs, and TSA, by the time we got to our gate, there was just 45 mins. before pre boarding. We made it on the 9:30pm flight back to Guam. We also noticed that we were not the only passengers that took a day trip. There were other United employees and their families taking a day trip like we were. Nice!

We got into Guam about 1am. Exhausted and please with myself for having made it to Nakano, we drove home, got there by 2am, and just took a quick shower, then, went to bed. It was awesome! Definitely a goal completed. But, I must admit, with all the food and train tickets purchased. We spent about $160 US dollars, mind you that was for three people. It was not worth me going there physically, unless I went alone. Having the items shipped to me, is more feasible, at this time. An experience learned.

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Fun with Shrink Plastic!

I found a shrink plastic sheets at my local Goody Store/Daiso! I decided to give it a go, and had to do some tweaking here, and there to get it to where I am happy with my creation...

This was late October, of course, it looked pretty easy, right?! Not quite. LOL

 My first attempt above, was pure luck! I can print the images I would like to create. I wanted to try the cute ceramic Unicorns, I had photographed. First, I used an translator app to figure out what the directions at the back said or how too.

First step: after choosing the image you would like to print on the shrink plastic, you have to tell your printer the size of the shrink plastic that will be printed on. Luckily, our HP ink jet printer had the "small photo" size, which is the closest to the size of the shrink plastic. Make sure the shrink plastic has the shiny side faced up, so that the side to be printed on, will be on the rough side. You can choose to print two on one sheet, etc. I did two of the same image.

Second step: once the image is printed. Be sure not to smudge or smear the image on the rough side. Now, its ready to be cut. I like to cut around the image and depending on whether you are going to make a pin brooch or pendant, will determine if you need to put a hole in it or not. At this point, if it is a pendant, you can use a hole punch tool to make the hole.

Third step: You will need foil about the size of the flat pan you will use to bake on. Take the foil and wrinkle it up. Why? not sure. It helps the shrink plastic perhaps not to stick to it or the pan, is what I'm guessing. I used my toaster oven to do this. I set the toaster oven to Bake at 350 degrees, and on toast or about 7 minutes or less. Be sure to place the rough side of the shrink plastic down on the foil, with the glossy side up on the pan.

(Time Lapsed video of the process.)

Fourth step: Once you see the image shrink, it may curl up, don't be alarmed, just allow it to happen, eventually, it will straighten itself out in a bit. Watch it carefully, because it sometimes happens pretty quickly. After that, with a baking mit, remove the pan, and try to slid the images onto a book that is opened, allow the images to drop into that page and quickly close the book. Use your weight to press on the book as it is closed, then put or apply another book or something with weight onto the book. This process allows the shrink wrap to set straight and flat. After about a minute, open the book and slowly remove the shrink plastic. It should be set and cooled off by now. (Note: sometimes it sticks to the pages of the book, slowly remove it.)

Last step: You will need to seal the image. You can use several items to seal the rough side of the image. I used Mr. Super Clear UV Gloss spray to seal. Here is a video to show you examples of the other sealants, thanks to Lorien's Craft Box. After it is dried and sealed, you can create your cute jewelry pendants, pin brooches, or key chains!

 After my first attempt, the unicorns turned out nicely. I was surprised. So cute. But, sadly, they were too tiny, and I wanted to make pins out of these, but didn't have the glue for the pin backs. Ugh.

 When, I printed and made others, I didn't place them correctly in the pan and yup, they curled and didn't go straight, trial and error. This is why its important to have them placed on the rough side, with the glossy side up.

 Today's attempt much better. I made pendants and upcycled the necklaces that haven't sold in my shop. Now, you can have a ggsdolls creation pendant along with the original vintage pendant. These will be added to the shop soon.

Thanks for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Vinyl Artists Gatcha!

As of late, many of my fellow collectors via IG are smitten by the latest release of "Vinyl Artist Gatcha" or VAG by Hinatique called, "Morris, The Cat with Antlers". Too funny. I was thinking they were just cute deer. But, literally it says, the cat with antlers! Ha. Cat lovers and Deer lovers will smitten too!

 I saw them earlier in October, and then many on instagram are posting their cuties that they got. So, I decided to track some down. Sadly, no one online has them, they all sold out! Even the one's released in the States. I was able to snag this one, a blind box through an online shop in California. It arrived to me and I got the blue coat version.

 He/she is adorable. You can't really tell if they are boy or girl cats. I really wanted the pink coat and cream coat version. I know if I look carefully they will show up via Yahoo Japan. Sadly, they can cost a lot more than buying them straight from the Gatcha machine, darn. Oh well.

 I am hoping to get a set in and for any who might be interested, email me. I may have extras I can let go of. Three are already claimed.

 I got these yummy cookies via Goody Store. I've seen them before, but this time decided to get a box and try em' out. Yum too! Furuta Blueberry yogurt cookies. The cookie parts are like those Butter cookies in the blue tin. They just melt in your mouth, and the blueberry cream inside is just delish.

 I may have to get another box next time! I also got these gummies, actually, a few weeks ago. Kabaya Pureral Peach Gummi. They are different. I love the smell, they really do smell of peaches. But, not so much the taste. Definitely interesting, that's for sure.

 Warning if you visit Afrocat.com often, you'll be in trouble. Yup, I went back to the online shop and found more goodies to buy. Tee hee!

 I ordered this cute Sally book style purse case, and an iphone 6 case. They added a gift, little stationary again! Thank you Afrocat!

 I opened the iphone case, and didn't realize, it was the wrong size! What?! Yup, my iphone is a 6s not the 6+/6s+. Ugh NOooooo! Yup. I immediately put it back into the plastic. Oh well, I had to write Afrocat. I messaged them through the website asking to exchange. But, next day no answer. So, I went in and wrote through the contact email they have. That same day, I got a faster response. Basically, I had ordered the correct size for my phone, but who ever packed my stuff, put in an iphone 6+ instead of the iphone 6s. So, Afrocat emailed me that it was their mistake and I would have the correct one shipped out and they already gave me tracking for it. Awesome! They even allowed me to keep the iphone 6+ case. Anyone interested? Thank you Afrocat for the quick fix on this. I can't wait. I really wanted the papermate doll holding a dolly or bear. But sadly, they sold out. This is still nice and I will have a case to change out too.

Now, onto this lovely Sally's Nurse Play purse case. I fell in love with the look and design. They are like children's golden books, with an adjustable strap and you can have it hang like a clutch, do a wrist strap, or hand bag. Awesome!

 There are two other designs. Can't wait to use this for those quick trips to the store or to pick up the girls. I'm trying not to go back to Afrocat's website for a bit... I'll end up being tempted to buy something else! LOL

Thanks for looking! ~ ggsdolls

ggsdolls Blog Giveaway Two for 2017 WINNERS!

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS FOR MY

ggsdolls BLOG GIVEAWAY PART TWO FOR 2017...

Giveaway rules, etc. were posted here.

Thanks to all who participated, 

I truly appreciate that you commented 

and shared your thoughts with me. 

Who are the winners already Gigi?!!!

 AND THE WINNERS ARE...

 ONE MORE LOOK AT THE THREE PRIZES 

TO BE GIVEN AWAY...

 WAIT... ALMOST... LOL!

 WINNERS ARE...

EVES APPLE, LEONOR, AND PENNY!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!!

EACH OF YOU WILL RECEIVE A RANDOM GATCHA OF ONE OF THE PRIZES ABOVE, 

YOU WON'T KNOW WHICH ONE YOU'LL GET, 

UNTIL IT ARRIVES TO YOU! 

ENJOY! 

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR PARTICIPATING!

 MUCH LOVE,

ggsdolls 

WINNERS PLEASE CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL

WITH MAILING ADDRESSES AT

ggsdolls@gmail.com