New Toys

New toys 01

 

Batch 1:

Thrift store toys 01

Rummaging through dolls in the toy section of my favourite thrift store H2O is an emotional experience. It is like going to an orphanage and wanting to take everyone home. I pick up a doll and look at the face. If she (most of them are 'she's) looks back at me, I take a moment and regard her. I ask myself if I can use the doll as a subject in a painting or other art project. Sometimes a ping of nostalgia goes off in the back of my mind. Sometimes she looks at me as if she wants to beg me to take her... if I don't... then how long will she be left there? Sometimes every fibre of my being... every string to my heart... wants to set her in my (already near full) basket. Fortunately, for the sake of my pocketbook AND my limited space at home, I have learned to harden my heart and say, “No” to most of them. I already have so many. But yet, I still feel the need to acquire 'just a few more' from time to time.

 



Thrift store toys 02

Here are today's newbies to the fold (pack, herd, ...whatever). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was quite pleased to find the troll doll. I watch for them and this one has an over-sized 5” wide head. Not crazy about the soft body so I will probably remove it. There is a mechanism inside that does something special and I will figure out what when I get a C battery for it.

Troll doll photo 02Troll doll photo 01

   

 

Flower globe 01When I was paying, the clerk asked me if I knew what the 7” glass globe was. Seems no one there knew. I already have a similar one and explained it was made for holding fresh flowers.  I also told them that this probably won't happen as I will most likely put a doll head or something similar in it. Maybe I will fill it with my army men. This one is from the 1950's. The bottom is bakelite and stamped with the name "Lewis P Weir."


Thrift store toys 03


I also watch for animal figures and these lions are wonderful. The largest one is 8” long. I am looking for a wolf for a project but may have to order on-line as they are hard to find.

 

Thrift store toys 04
Thrift store toys 04


I paid $3.50 for the lot.




Batch 2:

New toys 01

 

I have several ideas for paintings and mixed media projects that will use toy army men. I already have some small (and very cheaply made) ones and also some 4” figures. But I need more for what I want to do. I rarely look at CraigsList, but late last night was looking at toys and dolls to see what was available in my area. I got lucky! I found a two week old listing for four boxes of all kinds of small figures for $5.00. The seller was in the same town as the thrift store so I contacted, went, and bought them today.


Army men 01

I now am the proud owner of four boxes full of violence and destruction. There are (have not counted) 'tons' of high quality army men of different sizes and colours of greens, browns, and blues. 

 

Army men 02

 


Jousting knights 01

Jousting knights 02

There is a box of jousting knights. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Toy men 01

Another box is full of politically incorrect cowboys and Indians along with a large handful of what I think might be firemen.


Toy men 02

Toy men 03

I found a few tiny treasures among them... a couple of miniature cowboys are barely an inch high. Very cool! There are also two 'camo' men!

Comments

  1. Unfortunately, your photos did not load. I think it's awesome that you are fascinated by dolls, restore them, search them out. I never played with dolls growing up, didn't introduce many to my daughter & still can't get into them. I think the cost of The American Girl doll, her clothes & the entire commercialism around it is outrageous & I would not indulge my granddaughter.

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    1. I think I am having more fun with them now in my studio than as a child. This interest in using dolls began with a couple that are over 50 years old. It amazes me I still have them. I agree about the commercialism. When I was young, we bought into the Barbie scene. Did not realize the social damage our society, at the urging of the media, was doing to our self image and self esteem.

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    2. Also, I am sorry the photos didn't load. I try to make them small enough.

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  2. Well, the troll brought back so many memories, as I have to admit that I actually have a few (from my sweet sixteen days way back when) in my "can't let go of", collection of stuff. Mine don't have batteries though. It is very interesting to see what we are drawn to in life and how we turn items that fascinate us into other things...like art. I can only imagine how much fun you will have creating new pieces incorporating your newest additions to your collections. Do share once you have. Fun to follow you on your search for new objects and then to see what that search uncovered.

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    1. I got one at 16 also. Wish I still had it. I was researching... if it is a "Dam" troll, it is original and precious.

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  3. UPDATE: I put a battery in the troll and one eye lit up. I am sure they both used to. Now I know... and
    doll has been taken apart.

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  4. I love the black horse with the golden mane, looks so majestic! I think it's great that you make art with these little toys, Kathryn! Most would consider them just trinkets. Makes you really think there are always different ways of looking at everything,

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    1. The horse is only a few inches high. I will probably put a small rider on it. I am enjoying how people have different favourites.

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  5. I love the shot of the three lions! The first looks like one that my grandma had when I was a little girl. Thanks for bringing back memories!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I appreciate I am stirring up fond memories. Fun for all!

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