Bobby's New Junk and Blather

Hello, I'm Still Here, Or At Least, There...

2008-03-06T02:51:00.000-08:00

Everything is over here from now on. Why did I think I'd be able to maintain so many sites??? It's a mystery. So, it's all over at the Home Base. I'm sticking labels on everything so you should be able to keep track... Good idea! I should call one label 'New Junk'. Ha!

My Beautiful Spanish Darling (And Her Legless Maid)

2007-11-26T17:37:00.000-08:00

My Grandma loved these dolls... I never did particularly, not then (60's), but that's all changed. She looks like Snow White, with all of the lillte cupie's gathering around on my mantle shelf. Prince Charming would love a peek at those sexy legs.

They're almost Manganese. Manga-esque. Nice.

They wanted $10 for it and I really couldn't afford it but there you go. The nice lady threw in two Mills and Boons and two worthy books for free. Bonus!

I Bought This Awhile Ago

2007-07-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

I had to. Pretty soon you won't ever see things like this. The guy I bought it off suggested I could sand it back and paint it. Yeah right! And ruin the gorgeous patina of age and neglect? I don't think so. There is wire down the legs through the reels.

Shell Art

2007-07-02T20:29:00.000-07:00

See the shell horse in the corner...

Shell ship. It plays The Blue Danube Waltz when you open the box, strangely.

Pin Board

...with fairy lights...

Lion, Owl and Seal

The Poodle is my favourite except for the Owl

The Piper

2007-07-01T03:27:00.000-07:00

One of many shell bits and pieces we have at the van...

The New Kids On The Block

2007-06-15T01:05:00.000-07:00

Old blue eyes has a string still attached and it's eyes (his eyes I think) open and close when you lay him down and sit him upright. Mr No Eyes actually has eyes and if you wiggle him around they'll pop into place every now and then. Spooky!

My four and a half month old grand-daughter Mercedes squeaks when you lay her back in your arms and smiles when you sit her upright in much the same way. Considers it an insult to be held like a baby.

'Study Of A Psycopath' By Steven Cox

2007-06-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

It's of the guy who grew up to be the 'Moors' murderer.

What's This Called? Harlequin Ware??

2007-05-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

I bought this for $12 and everyone said 'Don't' but I did anyway because I knew it was good!

Beautiful Little Scottish Darling

2007-05-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

Yay!! This arrived today and I'm so good I'm not even opening the parcel because it's my birthday on Sunday... and,

I did this for Ross!

for me...

How utterly beautifully gorgeous is this little darling?!

Small Celluloid Doll, c1940, 15cm (6 inches) high.

Discovered In Op Shop!!

2007-05-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

It was one of those historical moments, when the discovery of an important piece of lost art is found in a chest in someone's great aunt's back room after the will reading.

My nearest and dearest found it and was so excited that he rang me expensively on the mobile phone. That's how excited he was.

It's very beautiful and excellently, deliberately painted.

$7.50 well spent!

I've Stopped Buying Now

2007-04-16T21:29:00.000-07:00

At least for a while. Perhaps a long while (It's 15cm / 6" high by the way).

The beautiful thing is, my love is very happy to not need be concerning himself about presents, so I don't have to feel guilty anymore. In fact, I think I'm proud to have made his life just that little bit easier.

He's so (laff and laff) funny. Even though we like almost everything the same... same movies, same pictures, same books, same decorations, same places, same activities, same sporty-type fun things to do, same colours, same destinations, same not-sporty-type things to do or not do, same paper, same ink, same chocolates, same couch, same bed, same people, same lots of things... he can never think of a suitable present. Ha ha ha! I used to try and get him to go it alone, but the stress, the anxiety, the hilarious non-comprehension has made me see the error of my ways.

When my Mum had a jewellery shop, you'd get little kids come in to buy the $2 diamond and precious emerald/ruby rings for their Mum's with money that was hot because they'd been holding it in their little hands for ages while they looked around for that special something. My kids bought me a beautiful diamond and amethyst $2 ring which I still have. Then you'd get the other Mums who'd come in, buy themselves something and say it was from the kids for Mother's Day or something and we thought, where's the fun in that! So you see my point.

Sweety Pie Rattle La!

2007-04-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Darling little baby rattle. 15cm (6"). I love its little saggy nappy, so boopy! Marked "Knickerbocker Plastic Co. Glendale Calif. Des Pat Pend"

Gorgeous Powder Doll

2007-04-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

Underneath this little blossom's bonnet are holes in her head to shake powder out. It apparently, or is thought to have come with powder inside and has no place to refill. She has her original pink dress. She cost too much but like I keep telling you... it's the one chance I have for guilt free shopping. 6 1/2" tall whatever that is in English. 18cm ish?

Actually I'm feeling a little bit guilty.

It's Gonna Be A Good Birthday

2007-04-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

I've always disdained the idea of buying my own... or should I say choosing my own birthday presents, but it's the only excuse I can muster for buying these dolls. I might let Sadie play with this one if she's good and sits on the couch.

The Chicken I'm Counting Before It's Hatched

2007-04-16T02:37:00.000-07:00

I didn't get it... the price went way too high and I have the other so it didn't matter too too much. You know what though... just now when I looked at her again I had a little pang. Sniff.

Just Bought This

2007-04-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

It's sortof almost nearly my birthday and it's all the excuse I need to let Ross indu;ge me in my latest indulgence. Can't help thinking the doll looks like Sadie. It's 'cuter' than usual... well... hmm.. I like cute, but not cutesy, if you get my drift. And this is borderline but I'm convinced in any case. I'm going to push for the cabinet later on in the year. Maybe I should have a go myself?

Clown's Head

2007-04-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

I scunged this off Mum too, good old Mum. I had it on top of the fridge for a while. You have to walk past that to go to the kiddies room and both my grandson, aged then about 5-6, and my beloved's daughter, aged about 15-16, didn't like it. Anna turned it's head around so it wasn't looking at you. Or, looking at her, rather. Ha ha ha!!

I'm not quite sure how to use it but I'll figure it out. May be that as is is the best way anyway.

Bust I Begged From My Mum And Picture Ross McLeod Did Of It

2007-04-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

My darling Grandma and my Mum each had one of these plaster busts. I had to beg but eventually, in her own good time, Mum gave me hers. She wouldn't give it to me unless she didn't want it anymore so don't think I bullied her or anything.

Ross McLeod drew her and I will too at some stage. I had thought to paint it fluro or something, but maybe I won't. Sometimes if a piece is bordering on cheesy it's good to give it some colour. Perhaps a pale, acrid green? Depends on where she sits and in this rented house we have onlywalls of bland, awful, buttery, creamy, yellowish horribleness.

I Made My Beloved (Try To) Buy This For Me...

2007-04-07T03:06:00.000-07:00

I had to edit the post because I was counting my chickens before they hatched and someone snuk in and bought it while I slept in! I would have bid too, because I'd grown attached and that's how it works eh? You put something on 'Watch' and go look every now and then which makes you develop a relationship with the item...

This Is The Best

2007-03-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

The very best. My nearest and dearest bought it for me for Christmas. He liked a different one but eventually caved under my persistant choice of this! Funny boy, makes me laff and laff! Should have bought both, one each. The other was Beswick and not carnival... if you were wondering. I miss it.

This beautiful thing stands 42cm high (17") and ought to be filled with Gladioli. In a perfect world.

Me And Andy Know The Score

2007-03-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

Someone saw these and told me Andy Wahol had had a collection of old bicky barrells too. Maybe it's true and maybe it's not? I've had these for years and years. Had no intention of collecting a set, they just happened by. I've seen others, different, magnificent, but expensive. One big gorgeous rabbity barrell was $120 and I nearly cracked.

Most of the stuff on this site is in the kitchen or waiting for rotation in a cupboard. I like a bit of decadence elsewhere, like the Rabbit Cushion.

And These Are The Others My Daughter Gave Me

2007-03-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure about them at first but they've grown on me tremendously.

That Ebay Again

2007-03-29T01:08:00.000-07:00

Stuck at a computer all day with nothing much to do except play on eBay... I tried not to buy it but it was too... well, you know... too right. I'm fussy though and don't you think I'm not. I don't buy stuff willy-nilly and I don't 'collect' as such, but every now and then I fall in love with an idea...

I imagined a cabinet that my beloved ought to make me. If he truly loved me he would.

Like I said I tried not to buy it. Cheap, yet, it adds up and I'm trying not to spend anything at all. But the sign said 'finishes soon', then 'sooner' and I crumbled to her obvious charms.

She's a good match to these.

And well, these little things, the ordinary, cheap toys are the one's that disappear. They rarely survive intact, loved to death and insignificant. The toys of the poor. I'm doing my bit for history. Like my old collection of aprons (now gone to a large and worthy collection owned by Wanda McPhearson). I could go on...

I've Gone Mad On Ebay

2007-01-29T03:16:00.000-08:00

And really I'm not flush at the moment. I've got a biggish collection of Bambi's. There are a few more... a lot more there but I got a bit scared of my ability to press the 'BIB' button. Sense prevailed after I'd bid on maybe ten things! I freaked... only a few dollars here and there, but... anyway, I was outbid on most of them. I'm not happy to have let them go though.

The yellow one is gorgeous. It's mine in 1hr and xminutes. It has to come from England but I like it a lot. And the Mum and Baby... so cute.

It's Been So Long But Really I've Bought Plenty Of Junk Since The Last Post

2006-10-26T02:36:00.000-07:00

I got the cat from an op shop in Box Hill. Thought it was so cute and odd. It has a surface like crushed glass. Funny thing is... spooky really... my friend Damian bought me the dog from his op shop in Malvern just about the same time! How's that hey? I'm happy. I'd never seen this style before, and since this post have found... wait for it... a Bambi! I'll photograph it maybe tomorrow,

Shary Boyle's Siamese Twin Porcelaine Statuette

2006-05-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

Shary Boyle's work is worth sharing, or at least some of it is. I would like this but it's in a collection and probably well beyond my means.

Giraffe With Diamonte Bracelet

2006-04-29T21:38:00.000-07:00

I love Giraffe. My eldest daughter does too. And over my dead body, she can have it! The bracelet belonged to my maternal grandmother, Nanna (Lucy Ellen Dickenson) who died when I was eight years old along with both of my grandfathers (not together). She and my paternal grandfather shared my birthday, or I theirs. I thought you should know.
I have another 'green ware' piece. I've given a few big beautiful vases away since I moved out of Kejoma. There, the walls were an exquisite, warm, terracotta colour. By no means over the top, and the kitchen was green, so the vases looked amazing in the lounge room (terracotta). I miss the rich beauty of the house and hope one day to replicate it.

I've Had These Gals For Ages But Thought I'd Share

2006-04-12T01:01:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty good like that.

Robot Girl (top) and Un-named Girl (above)
They came from op shops and I think, apart from the darling show dolls, that they are the best dolls ever. I decided not to crop too much around the image so you could get a glimpse of the succulent collection in the garden.

Green Vase

2006-04-05T01:21:00.000-07:00

I bought this vase from a garage sale. Supposedly it had belonged to the woman's grandmother, and maybe it did? Who am I to disbelieve?

I wasn't going to buy it because of an excellent dedication to saving money I had going on... but... my kitchen was almost the same green, and the style was too perfectly in style, in my style... and it's in such good nick. I talked her down from $25, thinking, if she doesn't take $20 I won't get it. I love green things.

Big eyed Bambi

2006-04-05T01:16:00.000-07:00

The Cat With The Long Neck.

2006-02-19T02:10:00.000-08:00

I bought this from Loch op shop. The old lady there is pretty well deaf I think. Or it might be her cover. Someone my age-ish said they knew her when they were little and she was old then.

She said she hated this cat, but still wanted $5. Op-shop, not bric-a-brac shop. I don't think they can tell the difference these days. Obviously I paid it but it was all the loose change out of the car and I had to scab a little bit for coffee. In fact, May insisted on shouting me, so I'll get her back for that next time.

It reminds me of when Alice drank the/ate the whatever it was and her neck grew long. And those boggle eyes you don't see all of the time.

I've just been looking through Misfit Toys. Some are funny and some are a bit too try-hard, I thought. Have a squiz if you feel like it.

Bought this from Loch At A Garage Sale.

2006-02-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

Turned out to have been Vicky from Quilter's Barn's garage sale.

It's such a great face! Looks just like a woman I met on a tram going up Church Street to Bridge Road in Richmond. She'd taken a lot of drugs in her day I think, or something. Anyway, we ended up talking and she did this face all of the time. Holding her mouth in at the sides and tilting her head so she looked at you out of the side of her eyes. I liked her and felt very moved by her for some reason.

She would have been extaordinarliy pretty if she'd left the cigarettes and drugs alone, or hadn't had a hard, dissapointing life, I thought. When I got out of the tram and crossed the road I looked back, and waved. She had been watching and waved too and I thought I should have had a $2 cuppa with her, which is where she was going, for a treat. By herself.

The new boyfriend had turned out to be a dud, apparently, just like the others.

The Newest Is Always The Cutest.

2006-02-18T02:27:00.000-08:00

I have a shelf of Bambi's, and this is the newest. It's gorgeous, sweet and a perfect darling. I spose I'll show you all of them, maybe tomorrow, but thought I'd put this here now.

I paid too much, as you do when it's perfect. We were wandering around a massive Antique warehousey place down Tyabb way, and I figured I'd have to buy something. Chances are if you go in you come out with something neccessary. There were stacks of things, but when I saw the Bambi my little heart went pitter patter and there was no choice.

The egg cup was only $4. Not telling how much the other was. The flower in the cup was Grandma's. I'll put Chicky Egg Cup next to my good old Puppy Egg Cup on the Cotton Reel depression display shelves in the kitchen. Suppose I should show you those too. Sometime or another.

I wish the dolls down the page were up the top. I'm more in love with them than anything (sorry Bambi). Bambi will always be good. I've had my first for about 18 years and still like it a lot, so nothing personal.

My Most Favourite Collection At The Moment.

2006-02-18T01:47:00.000-08:00

I'm in love with these little blossoms. I saw the tiny baby's in a bric-a-brac shop at Meehan, and the young girl didn't know how much so I offered her five dollars. She agreed and wrapped them carefully in tissue paper. Then I thought I'd see about selling some of my vintage fabric and patterns on eBay and bought the bigger celluloid dolls with their skinny little wobbly arms. They were only $12 too. Not bad.

You try to sell something and you buy things instead. Or as well.

The proper Show Doll still in her cello box Ross bought for me from Coldstream for $30. She was too good to refuse even though it's on the border of being too much money.

I've seen another but it looked fake. Didn't have the same charm. I don't think it was fake, and I don't know what it was, but she didn't have no mojo, so I didn't buy it.

I don't buy things because I've decided I collect them. I might have a predisposition, but they all have to earn their place. I realise that I keep saying that.

If you have a beauty and want to swap for some cards or a pattern or whatever is appropriate, give us a look and we'll sort it out.

My Fanciest Birdcage But Not My Favourite.

2006-02-18T00:20:00.000-08:00

I bought this a few years ago for far too much. But how could I resist it when it's the most unusual birdcage I'd ever seen and I had a collection? The back spins around. It's got, or had, four perches sticking out from the spinning bit...? Who knows what that's about, a bit of fun for tweetie pie?

My favourite birdcages are the old and beaten. I'll add some pictures of another couple sometime. I think I have maybe fifteen? More or less, and I don't want any more. I had this compulsion to bring them home if one had been abandoned to the kerb side garbage collection, but it seems to have subsided. I always felt uncomfortable if the doors were open, so I'd hang them about the garden with closed doors (always empty) and if anyone opened the door I'd tell them not to and close it again. Something about entrapment I suppose (I hate being a typically psycological human being).

Gelitin's 20 Year Bunny.

2006-02-16T03:53:00.000-08:00

I'll talk a lot about Rabbity things too, you'll see. I like rabbits, they are good.

This poor poor bunny's guts are falling out.
This picture was on Moco Loco and I had to save it and share. The artist, Gelitin, has done some funny stuff, so I saw when I went to look...
Here is the press release written by good old Gelitin himself:
'Rabbit
The things one finds wandering in a landscape: familiar things and utterly unknown, like a flower one has never seen before, or, as Columbus discovered, an inexplicable continent; and then, behind a hill, as if knitted by giant grandmothers, lies this vast rabbit, to make you feel as small as a daisy.

The toilet-paper-pink creature lies on its back: a rabbit-mountain like Gulliver in Lilliput. Happy you feel as you climb up along its ears, almost falling into its cavernous mouth, to the belly-summit and look out over the pink woolen landscape of the rabbitís body, a country dropped from the sky; ears and limbs sneaking into the distance; from its side flowing heart, liver and intestines.

Happily in love you step down the decaying corpse, through the wound, now small like a maggot, over woolen kidney and bowel.

Happy you leave like the larva that gets its wings from an innocent carcass at the roadside.

Such is the happiness which made this rabbit.

i love the rabbit the rabbit loves me.'