My Favorite Dream

Probably a lesser-known Disney character that is still one I hold dearly is the Golden (or Singing) Harp from Disney's Fun and Fancy Free, the 1947 animation 'package' features, which was a collection of shorts. The big piece of trivia from this movie is it the last time Walt Disney himself would voice Mickey Mouse.

A few years ago, a few dear friends gave me the Walt Disney Classics Collection version of the Golden Harp. I just love her!

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine at Disneyland told me about pieces of his artwork that are being sold. When I saw his version of the Golden Harp, I knew I had found the backdrop to match the WDCC piece!

Happy 60th Birthday, Disneyland!

Today is a very special day for many of us. Or I should say, many of us Disney fanatics. Today is the 60th Birthday of the Happiest Place on Earth - Disneyland.

I wish you could see my Facebook feed. It's burning up with so many wonderful memories! I've been seeing so many posts on social media, and I'm adding mine to the mix. Many people have asked me why or how I became such a big Disney fan.  Well, one of my first childhood memories was being in a stroller and see the characters as we were riding the monorail. I really do remember that.

Growing up, we would go as a family. It was much easier back then. You could walk around the Park without having to pay admission. Later when I was older, we had a family friend who worked there, and I would get to go with my friend. I learned so much about the Park.

Then in college, I saw a sign that said, 'Work at Disneyland as you put yourself through school!' And I thought to myself, "Why not?" So in 1984, I became an official Disneyland Cast Member. I was an Attractions Host in Tomorrowland. It was the perfect place to not only work, but also launched a 26+ year career for me. If I can make the first Disney/Pixar reference, if you've seen Inside Out, Joy would have had to handle a Core Memory for me.

Of course there's no perfect dream job. Even some days at the Happiest Place on Earth weren't all that happy. It happens. However, looking back, oh so fondly, the friendships I would make have lasted a lifetime. So many of my friends back then still are in my life, and I'm so blessed for that. They are family to me.

It's funny how a common thing like a job, or the love of something fun, can bring people together. But it's those special bonds that keep us together through time and as we've scattered all over the world. I would be remiss if I don't mention our friends who no longer are with us. We still love them and think about them. We know they are smiling today as we all celebrate a very special place in our hearts.

And it doesn't stop there. There's another ring of Disney friends who, while I never worked with them at the Parks, are lifelong friends due to the common love of Disney. These would be my circle of friends who collect Walt Disney Classics Collection, Grand Jester Studios, pins and more. They are just as much part of my Disney family as any one of those Cast Members.

I'll borrow the title of a song Kala sings in Tarzan to tell all my Disney friends, "You'll Be In My Heart", and so will Disneyland.

And since our favorite mice, Mickey and Minnie, love cheese, here's one more big piece of cheese I'll leave with you today.

Happy 60th, my dear friend!

Spring Cleaning-WDCC Style

Why is it that we are compelled to do some extra cleaning when it's spring? I'm not a slob by any means. But I think after the long winter, and the sun starting have some extra time to shine through the windows, you see what having a fireplace does to one's home.

Then I look at the curios. My goodness! I used all my energy to decorate for the holidays. Now it's time to sing a happy tune and clean all that glass!

I don't have woodland friends to help me, nor would I want that for this task. I'm always fearful when I clean my eight curios that I'm going to break something. But then another feeling starts to permeate me: nostalgia.

When I look at my Walt Disney Classics Collection (and those with a sharp eye will see Grand Jester Studios and Robert Olszewski pieces), I see not only the piece, but so many fond memories of friends, conventions, trips, exciting conversations of anticipated pieces, the thrill of the hunt finding that lowest number of the numbered limited edition (NLE) piece. I think about the detailing. The hours of craftmanship and research that went into every piece. And of course, I think about the animated feature or short that inspired the piece.

WDCC is more than about the piece. It's about the community, the friendships, the lifelong bonds it created. That's why the line was is so special to my friends who collect it and me. 

Oh, and if you're going to ask if those eight curios showcase my entire collection, the answer is no. I could fill at least another 10 curios. No lie.

Grand Jester Studios - January, 2015 Introductions

Just announced are the January, 2015 introductions of the new Grand Jester Studios pieces. As usual, there are several 'must-haves' that I 'need'. Let me start of with the crown jewel of the set: Mulan. I just love her in this outfit and that they used the stone dragon as the base.

 

The details always amazes me. While not the quality of the Walt Disney Classics Collection (nothing ever will be again since that's the gold standard), it's still pretty good and a great value.

The next piece that I just love is Stitch.

He's spot on, and I think what does it for me is the Hawaiian shirt as well as the base. 

The next piece will accompany my Jiminy and Pinocchio very well, and that is the Blue Fairy.

Look at the detail in her face! And as I keep saying, the bases they make are as great as the subject matter itself. Actually, it is part of the subject matter. I bet they debated using the 'Official Conscience' badge as a base for the Jiminy piece, but the book was a brilliant base, too.

This next piece would probably appeal to our resident Duckman. That is if he collects Grand Jester Studios. Need I mention the awesome base again?

 Finally, I believe this is a first for GJS. They are offering a set! But really, you can't just do Lock, Shock or Barrel by themselves, can you? Looks like I have to go back and pick up Sally and Jack now! Hope they do Oogie Boogie. 

I hesitate to put this in print, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention there's one more piece: Olaf. However, I am not an Olaf fan. I know. It's sacrilege even saying that I didn't care all that much for Frozen. I'm probably the only one in the entire world who feels that way. But to see Olaf and pricing for these pieces, please click here.  These pieces will be released in May, 2015.

A Queen That's Pure Evil

Snow White is my favorite Disney princess, but I think that the Evil Queen is probably one of favorite Disney villains too. Perhaps because both set the tone for all the Disney princesses and villains who would follow after them.

The Evil Queen also inspired non-Disney villains. Her regal beauty is shadowed by her hatred and jealously.

If you frequent any Disney Park, you know it's always the 'good' characters who get the limelight. That's why it's refreshing to see a pure villain getting some well-deserved face time.

Take a look at the link below that a friend sent to me. You'll view it from an adult's perspective, and think it's hilarious. But when you look at it from a child's point-of-view, it's, well, take a look for yourself.
 


Dedicated Disneyland Employee Owns Her Role as the Park's Evil Queen

#DisneyHoarders

Any Disney collector will tell you that one of the biggest challenges to collecting is when to stop storage.

Fortunately for me, there was a storage unit near the apartment complex where I used to live. I started out by renting a 5' x 10', which was 50 square feet, as extra storage.

I moved out of this unit because I was able to get a garage at the apartment complex. But when I moved around the block to a condo that had even less storage, I came back to the storage facility, which had been bought out by a national company by this point.

Because I had even less storage space, I opted for the 5' x 15', which is 75 square feet. I need a place for extra Disney art, cels, and over course, all those Walt Disney Classics Collections green boxes.

After being in this space for over three years, this weekend I decided it was time to move into the 10' x 10', which is 100 square feet. The problem was I had transfer units by the end of the day. It took me over six hours to move from one unit to the other. I'm sore all over.

Now, I've discovered it's time to start purging some stuff I really don't need. I have so many Christmas ornaments, I could decorate several trees. It doesn't help I already have two Christmas trees. I won't be getting rid of any of my Walt Disney Classics Collection pieces, to be sure. And something else I learned, was that Grand Jester Studio boxes multiple as fast as WDCC green boxes. Every time I turned around,  a black box popped up.

Time to reorganize and purge!

PS: Of course this isn't all of my stuff. I still have a closet full of green boxes at home!

#DisneyHoarders

Grand Jester Studios 2013 Fall Releases

Wow!

Grand Jester Studios has done it again! I thought the last batch of releases were great. They've outdone themselves again. I'll always be loyal to the Walt Disney Classics Collection, but since their fate is in limbo, GJS helps fill the need to collect. It probably helps that many of the same WDCC sculptors sculpt for GJS. Below are the prototypes and details on each. (The only new release not pictured is Kermit, because while I like him, I have to draw that collectible line somewhere!)

First up is Cinderella. I really love the added touches of Jaq and Gus on the base.

The Details:

Bippity-Boppity-Boo! With a wave of her magic wand, Cinderella's Fairy Godmother has transformed the broken-hearted maiden into a vision of breath-taking grace and loveliness.  Amazed and delighted by this unexpected turn, Cinderella realizes that her dreams of ballroom splendor and romance are once more within reach.  But the clock is ticking, and midnight is looming.  The base features Jaq, Gus, and the magical pumpkin.  This character-authentic polystone mini-bust is designed by Patrick Romandy-Simmons and sculpted by Jacqueline Perrault Gonzales and stands 7" tall. 

Numbered, Limited Edition of 3,000
$70.00

Then we have a piece I knew was coming, only because Princess Minnie was released last time.

                                                                                   The Details:

"Seven with one blow!"  The little tailor known as Mickey trumpets his successful slaying of seven flies for all to hear, but the townsfolk misunderstand his triumphant cry and presume he's killed seven giants, instead.  now the unassuming Mickey, by royal decree, has to confront--and slay--an actual giant.  If successful, he wins the hand of the beautiful Princess Minnie.  But if he should fail, the legend of the Brave Little Tailor will be over before it begins.  This character-authentic polystone mini-bust is designed by Patrick Romandy-Simmons and sculpted by Bruce Lau and stands 8 1/2" tall. 

Numbered, Limited Edition of 3,000

$60.00

Here is my favorite out of the new releases, Briar Rose. Absolutely stunning!

The Details:

Deep in the forest, far from malevolent eyes, lives a fair damsel of unsurpassed beauty.  Raised by three wise women who fiercely guard her true identity, the young maiden spends her days communing with her only friends, the small, woodland creatures whom she adores.  Her name (so far as she knows) is simply Briar Rose.  But unbeknownst to her, she is actually the long-lost Princess Aurora.  And when her secluded sanctuary is discovered by a questing prince, events conspire to bestow upon her an even more famous title:  Sleeping Beauty.  This character-authentic polystone mini-bust is designed and sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons and stands 7" tall. 

Numbered, Limited Edition of 3,000
$70.00


Finally, this piece makes a great accompanying piece for the above: Maleficent as the Dragon.

The Details:

Consumed by rage and poisonous spite, the black-robed sorceress transforms herself into a creature out of darkest nightmare to do battle with the noble Prince Phillip.  With beating wings and snapping jaw, the serpentine dragon rears up and bellows a fiery challenge.  Evil is on the rise, and her name is Maleficent!  Ringed by thorns and emerald-hued flames, this character-authentic polystone min-bust is designed and sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons and stands 8 1/2" tall.

Numbered, Limited Edition of 3,000
$95.00

All edition sizes are less one, because I've already reserved mine. They are scheduled to be released in October. 

If you want to reserve yours, please contact one of the following dealers who can help you out!

Kenneth at Enchanted Gardens Florist and Gifts

http://www.enchantedgardensflorist.com/

Febra at The Gift House

http://the-gifthouse.blogspot.com/