Brighton-based vintage shop, Take Me Home, currently has a small selection of 1960s Japanese Fashion Dolls for sale.
Like other cult dolls from that period, they have big eyes and a neutral expression (none of Barbie’s eagar to please white smile). But the most charming feature is of course their clothing. These are seriously stylish dolls.
They stand between 41 and 49 cm high and are in various conditions. Prices are between £45 and £60 per doll. Contact Take Me Home for further details.
Start your kids off in the right way – give them the Classic Racer for zipping around the house.
Based on an old sports car and suited for children aged on to three, the Classic Racer has a chrome steering wheel, radiator grill and fuel cap, as well as a heavy steel body and hard-wearing plastic seat. Which should make it solid enough for even the most energetic of kids.
Available now, you can pick one up for £79.
It’s cold outside, so a good time to sell or indeed buy a Space Invaders Scarf.
The work of Wildcat Designs (via the Etsy site), it’s made of 100 per cent Merino lambswool, mixing a dark background with large coloured aliens and measuring in at 14 x 185cm. It’s even eco-friendly – with all waste from making the scarf going into another Wildcat project.
Sold in limited quantities, you can pick one up for $50 (around £25).
Find out more at the Etsy website
Pac-man is one of those game icons that everyone knows and loves. The cream of retro arcade games, the Namco characters and their merchandise are popular with all ages.
GK World have departed from the usual merchandise we often see with this great Usual Suspects t-shirt. Featuring the infamous Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde it’s already on my wishlist.
It’s available at the bargain price of $17.95 too.
The Hot Wheels brand first hit the toy shops in 1968, with around four billion cars sold in the 40 years since. But none quite like this diamond-covered Hot Wheels car, designed by Jason of Beverly Hills.
It’s made from 18-carat white gold, has rubies for tail lights and a covering of 40 white diamonds. This 1:64 scale car has an estimated value of just over £71,000.
Fancy it? Well, it’s going up for auction later this year, with all proceeds going to the charity Big Brothers Big Sisters. Might be as well to start saving now.
Hot Wheels website
If the novelty of the Lego ice cube maker has worn off, how about the Tetrice? That’s right, this is a Tetris ice cube maker.
Just fill it up, freeze it and pull out the blocks. You’re ready to play a ‘real’ game of Tetris with a friend. Although you might need a few trays for the game to last for more than a minute – and then there’s the issue of melting.
But there is actually a more pressing issue. Tetrice was designed by Martin Zampach and right now, it is just a concept. But the designer is actively looking for a partner to put the trays into production. Is that you? Drop him a line at the website below if you’re interested.
