Interview with Cutthroat_cuddle!

  Interview with a Collector - A ggsdolls blog Series

A monthly series on my blog where I feature some of the most amazing collectors, sellers, and content creators that have become really good friends of mine and what they collect and why? Read on to learn more...

    For the month of November, my blog interview is with an awesome collector, seller, and fellow restorer, Jillian or cutthroat_cuddle on Instagram and shop shheathhshop and on Etsy an IG!!

Jillian and her Rushtons.

    Jillian is from Los Angeles, California and worked in the film industry in LA doing a variety of things. But mainly props and production design on the side. She sells vintage toys and housewares and has worked at a vintage store. Where she designed and hand made custom upholstery and drapery. She is definitely a busy lady!!

Giga Pets

Jillian's Living Room.

     Now onto the fun stuff!! When and under what circumstances did you encounter vintage rubber face stuff animals or Rushtons and do you collect anything else?

    Jillian:  I have honestly been collecting toys since childhood. In elementary school I was essentially "army building" digital pets and Polly Pockets. I still have my original collection of this massive wad of 30 something Tomagotchis and Giga Pets I'd carry around with me everywhere. I meticulously organized my Polly Pocket compacts in what I thought were their most ideal configurations along the floor of my bedroom. I would get hyper focused on one type of toy and for years any time I could get a new toy I'd just pick a variant version of something I already had to "complete the collection."

Living room display.

    Similarly, I've been into vintage for as long as I can remember. I have early memories of going to thrift stores with my mom. As I moved in high school I got more and more wild with my fashion. I've always been really tiny and struggled to find clothes off the rack that fit me so I got really into shopping for clothes at the thrift store and taught myself how to sew by tailoring them to fit me. Eventually when I was in college I was able to support myself by selling clothing I found at the thrift on eBay. Needless to say I was also finding a ton of vintage toys in all my thrift adventures! And let me tell you the abundance at the thrift stores in those days was absolutely GLORIOUS. Even in the middle of San Francisco where I was living at the time. I collected then and I still do collect vintage clothing, housewares, furniture, appliances, you name it. So naturally the toys fit right in. I tend to gravitate toward whatever catches my eye as unique or interesting so my toy collection is pretty varied but is all vintage, primarily 1950s-1980s.

A closer look, left side.

A closer look, center.

A closer look, right side.

    So one day on my vintage journey I was shopping around at an antique mall and this little stuffed animal with a rubber face that I could only describe as a human-animal hybrid caught my eye. It was the Rushton baby Maizie cow and I was literally floored by the design of this toy. I had never seen anything like it! I wasn't super into girls toys at the time but the unique strangeness of this toy coupled with how undeniably cute and well crafted it was completely stole my heart and the rest is history!

    How do you describe your relationship to your collection; what is the magical thing that attracts you and keep you interested?

     Jillian:  Definitely overall  design integrity. I've always been an arts and design person, as a kid and throughout high school the only classes I ever felt engaged in and excelled at were art classes. I got a degree in History of Art, and a minor in Art Practice while doing my vintage hustling on the side. One of my early jobs was as a toy buyer for a designer toy store/art gallery. I had my own clothing line for several years, and to this day the work I do is very design focused whether that be for commercial product, film, display or literally designing and fabricating abstract upholstery.

    Unique, deliberate, thoughtful design sensibility is very important to me and I think that is very much reflected throughout my collection as a whole. It feels like the outward expression of who I am as a person, and at the end of the day I just collect and surround myself with what I like! In my collection you'll see a super cute 1950s doll next to a 1980s bootleg devil action figure, displayed over a designer Mid Century accent table and Space Age lamp, next to my antique sofa with my custom handmade abstract upholstery. For me the through line for all of this is the intriguing, creative, quality design and I absolutely love it. My collection is my happy place.

Another look at display.

Jillian's Sewing Area display.

A closer view of left side lower shelf display from right...

... to left side.

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

    Jillian:  Over the years vintage collecting has grown to encapsulate every aspect of my life. Every piece in my house is either second hand or handmade by me. For me vintage is something I am extremely passionate about not just from an aesthetic point of view, but and ethical one as well. It literally keeps me up at night thinking of all the perfectly good vintage sitting in landfills right now, entombed there forever because landfills never biodegrade. So vintage shopping and resale has become a really important part of my life because I want to save as many things from the landfill as possible, and in the process maybe help shift the culture away from fast, planned obsolescence, to the importance of vintage and sustainability. For me vintage represents design that was not only aesthetic but quality and built to last.

    I think that's a big part of what attracts me so much to the Rushtons. These pieces perfectly represent everything I was just talking about. All the mid century design principles applied to toys! They're over 70 years old and many of them are still in exquisite condition. The pieces from the 1950s and 1960s are extremely well made, are all hand painted, they used the highest quality plush and decorative accents, the stuffing is all super soft high density recycled cotton, the overall design is exquisite. You can really tell these were envisioned and created by a true artist.

    My Rushton collection has definitely grown A LOT since that first baby cow I found all those years ago. At this point the Rushtons take up about 50% of my entire toy collection and I think part of this is the sheer volume of designs available, they're all so amazing! I do have to set limits with myself on collecting though. One of the ways I've done that is with my displays. I designed and hand made all of my display shelving and have made those the physical barriers of my collection. This has honestly helped me a lot to keep my space looking nice and cohesive because otherwise I'd be reaching hoarder levels with my collecting, haha! So when I add a new piece to the collection that typically means it's time for another one to find a new home.

Upper shelves on left side.

Lower right side shelf.

A closer view of lower right side shelf, further right.

     What has been your family/friends/colleagues to your passion for cute kitsch?

     Jillian:  My non collector friends tend to think it's overwhelming the first time they come over, haha! I do talk about my collection a lot so people usually aren't totally caught off guard but I think when they see it in person it is still a little shocking for most people. I do try to keep everything very organized and well displayed so once the shock is over I feel like most of my non collector friends enjoy looking at all the curiosities. Luckily, I do live in LA and there is a a pretty big community of toy collectors out here. and we all see each other at least every weekend at the fleas or at various other toy events and shops in town. It's a super cute, fun, and supportive community. So for all my toy friends I think my collection is a welcome sight! Collector or not, it's always so fun to see what people gravitate too when they are interacting with the collection.

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

    Jillian:  Oooh, this honestly changes depending on my mood, and what part of my collection we're talking about, but I'm still going to have to cheat and pick two ~ my jumbo blue Rushton lamb and early Rushton kitty. The kitty I think is one of the first kitties the company made and the paint and posture on her is absolutely perfect her lashes are to die for and she's got the cutest little face. I honestly love all of my kitties so much but there's something so special and charming about this one in particular. She's literally sitting on my lap as I write this. And my jumbo lamb was always a grail piece for me, so to find her in this vibrant blue color with pink accents was over the top perfect for me! Blue Rushtons are my favorite. Both of these pieces have their original ribbons and are in exquisite condition. I could stare at them all day, I'm absolutely in love.

    If you run a shop selling vintage kitsch, how did that start and what has been your experience? Has there been surprises and is it sometimes hard to let go of a vintage item or really great piece?

    Jillian:  I am a shopper at heart so selling was born out of the overflow of my personal collection, and has grown to be a bit more than that! It brings me tremendous joy to rescue and consciously revive vintage pieces and deliver them to loving homes. I do however struggle with letting go of toys. I tend to over empathize and anthropomorphize everything, so the fact that most of my toys have a face makes it really hard for me to part with them. Lucky for me I also collect and sell vintage housewares. Haha!

    If someone didn't have access to the internet, how would you describe the items you sell?

    Jillian:  I describe my shop as stylized vintage from a curated collector.

    If an item could just fall on your lap for free! What would that be and why?

    Jillian:  An untouched 1920s storybook style house in my neighborhood in Los Angeles ~ I literally have nightmares that when it comes time for me to buy a house that everything available will have renovated kitchens and bathrooms. To be completely honest - I absolutely loathe modern renovations in vintage house.

Top right shelf view.

Jillian's cherished Rushtons.

    Have you noticed the increase in popularity/demand for vintage rubber face stuffed animals in the last few years? If so, why do you think this aesthetic is appealing to more people right now?

    Jillian:  Oh definitely! I think the internet popularity of these has drawn on a really vast audience since 2020. Honestly, I think good quality design is easily communicable to anyone, even if the person has no idea what they're looking at, and as I've discussed earlier these pieces possess really exemplary quality and design.

    So true Jillian, so very true! I'd like to thank Jillian for participating in my blog interview with a collector, it was truly a joy to read her answers and learn a bit more about her and her collection!

Until next month's interview guys! Happy Thrifting!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls

On a Treasure Hunt...

 

@ggsdolls_vtg Thrifting w my daughters… I never thought I’d see some really cool vintage at our local thrift shop, but I was wrong!! 😱😂 Guam does have some surprisingly!! 😍💘🫶🏼🌺 it was a fun day!! Thx to my fellow thrifter Tabytha for joining us😘 #ggsdolls #ggsdollsshop #thrifting #vintage #kitsch #guam #thriftshop ♬ Classic Jazz Piano - Relaxed and bright(1016589) - Ponetto

Restorations and More!

 Here are my recent finds and restorations...

I found some replacement ballerina dolls for music boxes. I made sure to get at least 2 and the seller was so kind enough to give me a gift! One with a pink polka dot skirt. Just awesome and will be great for any jewelry box that may be missing a ballerina. I finally found myself a 3 headed rattle in white and blue. I sold my red and white one last month. So this cutie will stay with me for now.

I also made this adorable bonnet for a Rushton Ballerina Pink Toes that I sold last month and made one for my own Bunny as well. It was fun to try to figure out how to create it too. Now, the bunny has a new home with a sweet birthday girl.

Next, I found this adorable Fluffy by Rushton. The seller said she was owned by her grandma, how sweet! She needed a bit of help and was missing her hat. I was able to wash and restore her and source a place to find a replacement hat too! I was very happy with the end result. Here she is with her book. Now, she just needs her twin brother.

I was able to acquire these adorable craft blocks with lettering and made myself some shop logo blocks. I love the way they turned out too. Definitely an easier way to include your watermark in pics too! Haha! This adorable Krueger head rattle doll on a plush clown body. I also made this one myself repurposing a vintage rattle head. Happy with the way she turned out too!

I'm not sure if I told you guys, but I found this adorable Giggles by Ideal in Japan. She still works and has her original Ideal tag in English and Japanese. I've always wanted one, but just never really got around to locating one until now. This adorable huge Easter Rushton plush bunny. He needed a lot of washing and I just returned his stuffing inside him. Then replaced the ribbons and added a hat to him.

Now, he is ready for Easter. I will list him in my shop soon! I also found this adorable Hallmark Birthday invitation cards and envelopes set, mint in package too. I am trying to convince myself to open them. Haha!

This awesome book of vintage Japan kitsch toys. It's a newly released book of Retro Toy collections. Thank you to Tomoko for letting me know the title! Definitely a good source for vintage Japan kitsch. Below, an adorable Chick Rooster vinyl plush. He needed a bit of paint and also some sewing. Just too cute!

My latest rattle doll find. I love the pastel colors. He will live with me for a bit. Look at this adorable Teach a Tot clock below. There is just something about anthropomorphic toys. Their faces are just the sweetest not to want them! Great additions to my kitsch nursery collection too!

Lastly, for today... This amazing vintage Yukiko Tani Sunstar compact with memo and coin holder. When you open it, there's a mirror and the memo booklet inside. 

On the back is where you can put your coins inside the slot and turn it to add more coins into it. This was great for school kids that needed to ride the train or subway to get back home. Just amazing to me and to find it in such lovely condition. 

Well that's all for today. Happy Thrifting!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Interview with pop_pop.smile!!

 Interview with a Collector - A ggsdolls blog Series

A monthly series on my blog where I feature some of the most amazing collectors, sellers, and content creators that have become really good friends of mine and what they collect and why? Read on to learn more...

    For the month of October, my blog interview is with an amazing collector of kitsch, vintage Americana, and author of "Colorful! American Junk Catalog", released back in 2006 by Tomoko Nakamura or  pop_pop.smile on Instagram! 

Tomoko Nakamura

Tomoko:  I was born in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, a town near the sea. I got married at the age of twenty five and have lived in Tokyo ever since. When I was young, my family was a little complicated, and my grandmother's second husband was American. The only grandfather I knew is my American grandfather! As a young child, I was fascinated by colorful American toys and sweets that were completely different from Japanese ones. My grandfather bought me many souvenirs every time he returned to America. My aunt was also working at the US military base in Yokosuka at the time, and our family always used tableware from Fire King and Pyrex. Also my grandmother collects Japanese antiques, and I think I inherited my collector's spirit from her! It's no wonder that I later opened my own store and started selling vintage American products.

Vintage Disney Shelf Display.

Q:  Encounter with vintage kitsch~

Tomoko:  I first encountered vintage kitsch over 30 years ago. It's history began with an old Disney doll that I encountered at a domestic vintage shop or antique event. I've loved Disney movies and music since I was little, but I never got around to collecting merchandise. I was fascinated by the slightly creepy face of Plane Crazy and Steamboat Willie, which was completely different from the big-eyed Mickey Mouse of today. However, the Disney dolls of ancient times had completely different faces than they do now, and before I knew it, I was completely absorbed in their charm. At the same time, I also collect old American tableware and kitchen goods. At that time, British and French antiques were popular in Japan.

Tomoko's Rushton Plush and Toy Collection.

Vintage Kitsch Ceramics and Brach's display Cabinet.

Q:  What is your relationship with your collection?

Tomoko:  My collection and I are inseparable. "Cute" is justice (LOL), it is the power to live, and it is indispensable. The bond between us will never be severed and until someday when we become stars in the sky. 

When it comes to American vintage, there is a strong image of masculine things like American cars and Coca-Cola, and there were very few stores that carried cute American junk. Our store was very new at the time, so right after we opened, we were interviewed by many magazines about miscellaneous goods and interior design, and thanks to that, we quickly became famous. It only started to happen much later. I called it, "Lovely Junk." I secretly think that this is the spark that started the boom in Japan (Customers also have expressed this).

Q:  Vintage cute and kitschy aesthetic~

Ever since I was a child, I have never been attracted to things that are just beautiful. The important thing is to be cute and have a charm that makes you laugh. I have always loved American tableware (Fire King), and on holidays, my husband and I would go to vintage shops and antique events in Japan. Meanwhile, I started to pay attention to vintage dolls and toys. I think the first doll I got was either an old stuffed Pluto or a wooden Pinocchio. From then on, there was no stopping it. My husband and I loved vintage so much that we later opened a store. 

When I see the rooms of overseas collectors on Instagram, I don't think my collection is that big of a deal. But my friends are always surprised. I was also attracted to dolls with slightly unique faces. American toys are unique, and many have bold designs that would never be commercialized in Japan, which was interesting. I also liked the fact that they put a face on everything (I love anthropomorphic things). Even if I want to get something, I rarely search for it desperately. This is because I believe that if we have a relationship, we will naturally meet each other. 

Variety of Rushton, Roly Poly dolls N Ceramics.

 

Q:  Reactions from family and friends~

Tomoko:  My husband and I used to run a vintage shop together, so he understands. He discovered Rushton and Sun Rubber Toys even before they became popular in Japan and started buying them all by himself. I respect you (LOL). My husband loves natural beauty, and has been buying ceramics by Lefton and rubber face dolls by Rushton since the time when most people didn't know about their existence. Since my son was born and raised in the house, he has grown up to be a great collector (Star Wars). He understands what I like better than anyone else, so he always gives me breathtaking gifts!

Most of my close friends aren't interested in vintage or kitsch, so they can't understand why someone would want a dirty doll (LOL). My partner was very understanding and enjoyed collecting as well. On holidays, the two of us went to vintage shops, antique festivals, flea markets, etc., but domestic content was no longer enough for us, so we started going to America. So we decided to open our own shop, and so we opened an antique shop in Tokyo.

Tomoko's gift from her son's first paycheck.

Q:  Favorite Item~

Tomoko:  It's hard to choose just one favorite item. However, the first thing that came to my mind was the Showa retro tin rabbit that I remember my son gave to me as a gift with his first salary.

Q:  Do you run a store?

Tomoko:  I ran a vintage shop in Tokyo for about 12 years starting back in 1997. This store mainly sold American kitchen goods and toys. At the time, there were almost no similar stores, so it became a hot topic and was loved by many customers. Many people lined up early in the morning for events at Shibuya Parco, and it was a wonderful memory that I will never forget. (Currently closed). Even when I was running my own shop, I was happiest when I could make a customer happy with such a special encounter. 

I collected things that I think are good without being particular about them, just based on my sensibilities, so the dolls in my shop come from a variety of ages and countries. Even if it's not vintage, if I like it, I'll buy it. It's exciting to think that it will eventually become vintage and be cherished by new people. 

Tomoko and her Giant Rushton "Stinky" Skunk Plush.

 

Q:  The most unusual item I've ever come across~

Tomoko:  It's hard to choose one too. It may not be that rare, but what about the extra large size of my Rushton skunk? I often see small ones, but I've never seen anything this size in Japan other than the ones at my house. 

Q:  If you could get it for free~

Tomoko:  A Rushton Octopus! Many of other overseas collectors have them, but none have come to our house yet (I'm the type of person who doesn't search desperately for something even if I want it, so I value spontaneous encounters).

Vtg Squeak and Little Sophisticate Doll.

 

Q:  The popularity of vintage kitsch has increased in recent years.

Tomoko:  There has been a retro boom in Japan for the past few years. Showa retro dolls and toys are popular items among overseas collectors. When I was running the store, there were still not many people using the Internet (which is why the store was flooded with customers from all over the country). With the development of social media, it has become easier to find vintage items, and as more discerning people seek out rare items, I think kitschy items will also catch their eye. 

Young people probably don't know about that era, but for some reason they feel nostalgic about it (as I once did). There is a lot of competition for popular items because everyone wants them, but I really liked it when people noticed the unique child I had chosen and happily took it home.

Lefton ceramics, cookie jar, and gatcha toys.

Q:  About your past experience~

Tomoko:  I am currently retired and living a leisurely life, but I am glad that I was able to work to introduce Rushton and Fire King at a time when their names were not yet well known, and that after the store closed, I was able to work related to miscellaneous goods in Japan. I feel very blessed.

Although they are not vintage, "gacha gacha" (capsule toys) are currently very poplar in Japan, and I collect them as well. Japanese people love miniature things, and women especially love small and cute things no matter how old they are. Japanese miniature toys are of high quality, and I think they are popular with people overseas as well. I have been interested in these items for decades and have been collecting them, but I regret letting go of many of them because they were new to me. 

These items seem to be selling at high prices now. I love beautiful, cute things. I like girls with charming faces more then beautiful dolls. I love dolls and toys that make me laugh and feel happy every time I see their faces. I'm already 55 years old, but this aspect hasn't changed since I was a child. Even if I become a grandma in the future, this will never change.

Tomoko's display shelf of ceramics, toys, and wall decor.

 

Tomoko continued:  I have no plans to open my own store again in the future. Now, as a customer myself, I am very happy to be able to find what I like. When you're in business, you have to sell something even if you don't want to let it go. When I see something I want being sold right in front of my eyes, I feel both grateful and a little conflicted. My son, who started working this year, knows all about my tastes and often give me cute things as gifts. That's the happiest thing right now for me.

Tomoko Nakamura's Book, 2006.

 

It was a pleasure to interview Tomoko and have her share her story and collection. I must admit I am 'Star' struck to meet the first collector who began the Rushton Toy Company popularity in Japan! "Domo Arigato Gozaimasu" Tomoko. I hope one day soon to meet you in Japan!

Until next month's Interview with a Collector! Happy Hunting!

Thanks for reading! ~ ggsdolls

My Little Space...

 Since my island was hit with a Super Typhoon back in May of this year. My family and I have been living in one of our properties temporarily. So I'm finally please with the way my bedroom and personal space is set up. Though I don't really work from here, and instead I go to my house for restorations and my shop work. All my materials and tools are there. Haha!

But, I've been wanting to share with you my little happy space in the mean time...

As you enter, I've hung my favorite door curtain on the door for now and my shop sign! You will see my new dresser first and then as you pan around my decor and bed...

I brought to this space my little mid century vintage cabinet with blue and yellow drawers, my white metal lawn chair with pillows and added the 50s stand up wire laundry basket. Along with a few of my wall prints, and new ones as well.

 

I added a few things here and there to utilize the fact that this bedroom is pink. I've always wanted a pink bedroom and it was nice that this space was already in pink. Thanks to grandma. Haha! 

So much natural light as well. It's simple and less cluttered than my bedroom at home. So I will enjoy it for now. I do miss my home though. There no place like home. Also, I am able to bring things I want here to be displayed and and remove others to change out the display. It is definitely a place for me to enjoy and mediate in. Ahhh....

October is almost here! Have a lovely weekend friends!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

Interview with AlexDalton!

 Interview with a Collector - A ggsdolls blog Series

    A monthly series on my blog where I feature some of the most amazing collectors, sellers, and content creators that have become really good friends of mine and what they collect and why? Read on to learn more...

    For the month of September, my blog interview is with a talented artist, doll customizer and collector, Alexander D. or alexdaltonart and amadalton on Instagram! His shop can be found on Etsy at alexdaltonart and or on Redbubble here.

    Alex is from UK and living in London, England. He is an Events Coordinator and sometimes Artist. Alex began his collecting journey from art college when he started gathering bits from charity shops. He also collects, customizes and creates dolls. As an artist the customization aspect is the big draw he says. He began by making replicas of pop culture characters but more recently he has been drawn to create his own characters. He mentioned that looking for vintage has become harder as most of the vintage shops have closed down since the lock down.

     What is it about the cute kitsch aesthetic and what distinguishes it from others eras?   Alex: "The big eyes and the bright colors are the obvious draw I think, especially when they are unique to the time period. The 60s/70s period really appeals to me and the quality was much higher back then."

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

     "I collected the usually nerdy action figures as a teenager but my love for vintage came later. One of our life models at college had a 1963 Skipper doll and I was just obsessed with it. Around the same time I began picking up little vintage figures from charity shops."

    "These days I collect a mixture of modern and vintage but I'm always trying to sell as well as buy to keep things manageable."

     What has been the reaction of your family/friends/colleagues to your passion for your collection? "Mostly, I think people enjoy seeing our collection when they visit, the only difficulty is keeping small hands away from fragile items."

    Tell us about your favorite item and why it is so special? "That's a hard but one of our favorites is, "Pigs in Space" Miss Piggy doll because I was such a huge fan and she was a gift. Also a vintage Blythe doll I've wanted for so long."

    Tell us about the most unique or unusual items you have come across? "My rarest is probably a vintage redhead Blythe doll, she came from New York and was something I've wanted for years. Prices dropped for a while so I seized the moment!"

    If any item could just fall on your lap free of charge, what would that be and why? "Hmm, that's hard, it was always the Blythe doll as the holy grail. I'm always keeping an eye out for the Ideal Super Queen dolls from the 60s though."

    Have you noticed an increase in popularity/demand for vintage kitsch the last few years? If so, why do you think the aesthetic is appealing to most now?  "Since I've been collecting I've seen prices drop then get super high again which is interesting. There was a brief period where I saw some great items for low prices and now I wish I'd grab them. I did get my Blythe though while prices were low."

    Is there anything else about your experience that you would like to add?  "When you discover the vintage world you start off loving everything, and it's hard to know when to draw the line sometimes. What I've learned through is to really hone in on certain items, and also accept the tastes change from time to time and it's okay to let go. Collecting should always be fun and if it becomes a bit overwhelming, I try to have little culls."

Very good advice dear Alex and thank you so very much for sharing your love of vintage and your collection with us. Truly enjoyed reading your take on Kitsch. Well guys until our next Interview with ggsdolls, happy hunting!

Thank you for stopping by! ~ ggsdolls