Art vs Toy

Art vs Toy

A new year is on us and the question has once again been broached is it art or a toy? I assure you the artist that labors over creating that one of a kind doll, marble, kaleidoscope etc would respond with a definite yes so the battle is with the misconceptions of the...
Anorexia vs Obesity

Anorexia vs Obesity

A photo of a hypothetical plus-sized Barbie doll has ignited a heated debate over body image, anorexia and obesity. What do you think? Is this a positive image for large girls or does it promote obesity? Is 3 chins too many? Poor Barbie has been the subject of many...
Christmas traditions are changing due to the electronic age!

Christmas traditions are changing due to the electronic age!

People keep popping into the gallery looking for a place to buy Christmas cards. Some might think the Grinch got to the stores but apparently this is a tradition that few retailers supported this year most likely based on last year’s sales. There was an article...
Are consumers idiots?

Are consumers idiots?

This morning I watched my favorite Sunday Morning show (which I record to zip thru the commercials and watch when I can) and there was this (grrr it makes me angry even to come up with a term for him) a guy who was basically selling his book that Sunday Morning was...
Decorate with your toys!

Decorate with your toys!

Every Christmas holiday I have toys that come out to visit and then go back with the Christmas decorations! Alot of my art has to pack up for the month of December to make room for the 30 or so crates of holiday decorations I have accumulated but then it is wonderful...
Top Ten Myths Collectibles Value

Top Ten Myths Collectibles Value

1. Myth: Items sold as “collectibles” have more value than play toys. Fact: Often items sold as collectibles have been treated with care and thus more are available in early markets- turn around is much longer to see value increase unless it is in the fury of the...
Tis the Season

Tis the Season

Today is the kick off of the December  holiday season at Art Of Toys with Midtown Business Association 12 Days and Art Of Toys is day 3! Should be a fun day with hot cider, cookies and a vintage toy to first 100 people! It even feels like winter with the first cold...
Support Small Business  or Shop Small

Support Small Business or Shop Small

Yesterday was the official “Shop Small” or “Support Small Business Day” ( that we have to have an official day should be a statement in itself but none the less) consumers were wonderful and came into Midtown small business in the droves. THANK YOU! My...
10 simple ways to research vintage toys

10 simple ways to research vintage toys

Look at eBay and see if you can find the toy or any general information. DO NOT TAKE INFORMATION AS THE RULE! I find about 85% of listing info is incorrect or evasive on eBay but it is a good start. Look for multiple listing of same item for clues. Go old school and...
Document your Art Collection

Document your Art Collection

You go to an art auction and pick up a nice little painting from a young unknown artist, take it home and hang it and there it is… you think you will remember the where, when and who of the artwork but life moves on or worse a tragedy strikes and what did you...