by Rehg | Aug 18, 2014 | Blog
Tin toys are very desirable as collectables currently thou most do not meet safety standards for toys so are no longer labeled “toys” but “collectables” and this is usually accompanied by 14 years and up. Prior to the mid-seventies tin toy...
by Rehg | Aug 15, 2014 | Blog
Drug Dealer Barbie I just read the funniest Barbie story on the internet in awhile “Drug Dealer Barbie”… poor Barbie cannot get a break. I was going to put the link to the Daily Mail but my computer alerted me to virus ad ware so I will cut and paste...
by Rehg | Aug 12, 2014 | Blog
I have always loved this line and am proud to have their wonderful products online and in the gallery. It is wonderful to still see a toy line made in the USA! Other than the silly-yet-sophisticated mascot, no one at Uncle Goose wears a suit to work. It’s not...
by Rehg | Aug 9, 2014 | Blog
The Treasures of Childhood -“Struwwelpeter” When looking for inspiration and or themes for the blog I often go to my collection of toy reference books. This morning I rediscovered the book “The Treasures of Childhood” by Iona Robert Opie and Brian Alderson. This is a...
by Rehg | Aug 8, 2014 | Blog
Google Words Have you ever used the wonderful tool Google Words from Google where you can choose key words for Google to send you info on what is happening with that word in the current news! Wow what a help and yet I cannot decide if there truly is no news in the...
by Rehg | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog
Thinking Toy – Erector Sets The holidays will be on us before you know it and a great toy for all ages is a thinking toy – Erector Sets. Take a toy that is timeless fun and requires a child or adult to put some thought into planning and construction. The...
by Rehg | Jul 30, 2014 | Blog
How Condition affects value for collectables Well the obvious answer is the better the condition the more value. In these days of ebay and shows like Antique Roadshow and American Pickers thou many are buying toys and just leaving them in the package so this is about...
by Rehg | Jul 29, 2014 | Blog
Christmas in July…ho ho ho It is hot outside, 104 today, and it is hard to think about the holidays but this is the time of year when retailers have to start making commitments to manufacturers and artists for the holiday season. Every year it is a guessing game...
by Rehg | Jul 23, 2014 | Blog
Sorry to have missed a few days but the site was hit with a explosion of SPAM (not the food) …drove me nuts! We were so excited to finally get the Review tab functioning correctly so you could start listing your wonderful reviews and comments directly but...
by Rehg | Jul 18, 2014 | Blog
Paper Toys Paper toys have been around since the mid-1600s when they were called Pantins. Almost every toy can be found in a paper or cardboard version. American companies began turning out paper toys by the thousands around 1900. McLoughlin/Milton Bradley, the most...
by Rehg | Jul 15, 2014 | Blog
Art Copyright – Who Retains the Rights? Art Copyright is the right to copy or reproduce an artwork and consequently sell, exhibit, etc. If you are an artist who has created an original work of art (it could be a drawing, an oil painting, a photograph, a digital...
by Rehg | Jul 11, 2014 | Blog
Monsters are wonderful for the artist for there are no boundaries in creativity… anything goes! T. Oliver Kopian of Creatures Delight has been creating cute monsters for years but since Disney did the Monster. Inc. movies I hear oh that is just like...
by Rehg | Jul 9, 2014 | Blog
Collecting Toy Reference Books I love buying old toy reference books at the local used book store…I guess I have started a collection of toy reference books…help me! Yes I know there is the internet but guess what someone has to put it on the internet...
by Rehg | Jul 8, 2014 | Blog
Toy Blocks Blocks the universal toy that are a treasure in the simple lines of design that can be discovered by all ages and cultures. I was surprised to find that, according to Wiki, the first historic mention of blocks was not until 1693 by English philosopher John...
by Rehg | Jul 7, 2014 | Blog
Who is Monster Painter Jared Konopitski? This month at Art Of Toys in the Sacramento Gallery it has added the creative work of local artist Jared Konopitski in a series of fun monster paintings. We first met Jared thru in house artist Chris Cinder who suggested we try...
by Rehg | Jul 2, 2014 | Blog
8 Peeks into Dragon & Monster Show! As most of you know in the Sacramento gallery we feature a different theme show every month. The theme show includes wall art as well as art that is created from toys or is a toy. This month we have Dragons & Monsters which...
by Rehg | Jul 1, 2014 | Blog
Have you ever wondered why some collections look so great in a store or a friends home or office? It might be a fantastic collection but it could be how it is displayed! Toy display or any collection can benefit from “The Power of Three”. For an example I...
by Rehg | Jun 27, 2014 | Blog
Kaleidoscope Event Project Here is a fun kaleidoscope event project for your next party or event that we used this month during kaleidoscope show at Art Of Toys! 1. Take 3 door mirrors with narrow frame. We used 3 white framed mirrors from Home Depot. 2. Lay one...
by Rehg | Jun 26, 2014 | Blog
I just read thru a blog by Robert Hutchins on Hamley’s Christmas selection in toys. Thou the blog started out with “Tech toys are leading the way this year with My Friend Cayla, Teksta T-Rex and LeapTV all featuring.” I was happy to see that the list finished...
by Rehg | Jun 25, 2014 | Blog
What Makes Disneyana So Collectible? I have always LOVED the magic of Disney and it’s toys so the gallery usually has a small section always of Disney… Disneyana items are particularly attractive as collectibles. Some of the reasons are as follows:...
by Rehg | Jun 24, 2014 | Blog
Exhibit Title: Monsters & Dragons Participating Artists: Jared Konopitski, Dan Crowley, T. Oliver Kopian, and more Exhibit Dates: July 1st-31st Closed on July 4th Featured Art: Jared Konopitski monster paintings, Dan Crowley puppets, T. Oliver Kopian creatures and...
by Rehg | Jun 20, 2014 | Blog
Assemblage is an artistic process. In the visual arts, it consists of making three-dimensional or two-dimensional artistic compositions by putting together found objects. (Wikipedia) In this case, using toys. August 2014 Art Of Toys will host Assemblage Show featuring...
by Rehg | May 30, 2014 | Blog
This weekend is the annual Brewster Kaleidoscope Society Convention in Sacramento CA! This is where artists and collectors come together to share in their love of the kaleidoscope as an art form. The convention moves each year coast to coast and is in the process of...
by Rehg | May 21, 2014 | Blog
What is a “Google Partner”? At least 3 times a week different people, from all over the world call me and want to sell me “?” …because they are a “Google Partner”! Now if you are doing anything on the internet you don’t want to miff Google so you think you...
by Rehg | May 13, 2014 | Blog
To continue with a peek at Art Of Toys Robot artists participating in May show …today is CyberCraft day! We have been following CyberCraft for some time on facebook and are so proud to include some of Sarah’s creative and beautifully executed metal robot...
by Rehg | May 11, 2014 | Blog
In the California gallery this month we are featuring some wonderful robot artists! Due to how fast the art at the favorite Robot Show moves we tend to post on facebook quick shots first under Robot Album...
by Rehg | May 6, 2014 | Blog
As a general rule I like to leave toys in “as found or played with” condition for my customers to make the decision on to “fix” old toys or not. One thing I do believe in is cleaning the toy when possible for usually dirt and grime will only...
by Rehg | May 5, 2014 | Blog
Thou the show is now open the official opening night is the Thursday before 2nd Saturday at 6 pm! Sacramento artist Chris Cinder will be there to backsign any of his artwork. We are looking forward to a fun evening with refreshments and lots of robots! Not only do we...
by Rehg | Apr 25, 2014 | Blog
Aloha! Nothing stimulates the mind more than slowing down and doing nothing… take on a new perspective… is that day to day grind worth it?… When is the last time you discovered new art, artists, toys, far off lands? I love to travel and find new art...
by Rehg | Apr 19, 2014 | Blog
Looking for blog ideas I came across this quote “Happiness is a by-product of creativity!” which made me stop and think. I always am happy when I can create anything new from a simple new concept or art or even just doing for the sake of doing it. I always...
by Rehg | Apr 18, 2014 | Blog
I love to see kids that have started collecting…anything! When kids are taught to collect, document and preserve they learn a lot more than just getting more stuff. When children come into the gallery and share their collections it is always a treat, especially...
by Rehg | Apr 18, 2014 | Blog
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers warn that rising numbers of children are unable to perform simple tasks such as using building blocks because of overexposure to iPads…ok this could be picking on ipads for I’m sure all computers are having the...
by Rehg | Apr 16, 2014 | Blog
Getting ready for the upcoming ROBOT SHOW I started unpacking the robot boxes ordered this year at Toy Fair and this is one of my favorite new toys…an old concept reworked! Matryoshkas, or nesting dolls, first appeared in Russia during the 19th Century, and were...
by Rehg | Apr 16, 2014 | Blog
Oh Spring has sprung in California and it is wonderful! Art Of Toys is always looking for some fun toys to add to our shows and seasonal fun so this year some of our favorites are pinwheels, windmills, (which I’m still trying to get online before they disappear...
by Rehg | Apr 13, 2014 | Blog
Midtown Sacramento has a long established Artwalk on the 2nd Saturday of each month…officially it is April to October but not everyone follows that rule. Today is the day and Art Of Toy participates as far as we are open til the first drunk comes in or dark...
by Rehg | Apr 11, 2014 | Blog
Storybook Show 2014 Opening Going with the Sacramento art community we once again hosted opening night the Thursday before 2nd Saturday…this is still a pretty well kept secret but most of the Midtown and Downtown galleries host this night. Mark your calendar...
by Rehg | Apr 10, 2014 | Blog
Hello well Facebook has just made changes where only 13-20 people get to see a post unless you Boost (pay) so forgive me if you were one of the 20 that already saw this on Art Of Toys facebook page….I’m coming back to this blog and will try to post here...
by Rehg | Mar 13, 2014 | Blog
First I define a”Heritage Toy” as a toy that is so well made with timeless design lines that if you give to a child they will still have as an adult. The majority of toys I find in this category are great toys for kids but the adults feel comfortable buying for...
by Rehg | Mar 12, 2014 | Blog
It is March and that means FAIRIES at Art Of Toys in the gallery! This year we have some real beauties with quite a collection of artists from all over! Stephanie Blythe is known for her porcelain Teacup Fairies that many have copied since their origination and I am a...
by Rehg | Jan 31, 2014 | Blog
It is such a pleasure to see all the creative ideas and art that the wonderful Art of Toys artists come up with for the different theme shows. Everyday it is a adventure in Toy Art! Sharing and selling the art is definitely my dream job come true. Today: I got...
by Rehg | Jan 22, 2014 | Blog
This week have been working on refilling Vintage in gallery and online. I started with a bunch of Barclay army figures and thought I would share a few tidbits! Barclay Mfg. was the largest manufacturer of toy soldiers in the United States prior to World War II....
by Rehg | Jan 15, 2014 | Blog
Last night walking home from the gallery I spied through the window of a resteraunt a young girl with her head on her fathers shoulder, which I thought how sweet… as I walked a few more steps I realized the father actually was texting or surfing and the child...
by Rehg | Jan 8, 2014 | Blog
It’s the new year which means the trade shows are up and in gear! The concept of the trade show where you can touch, see and experience new art, product and concepts is quickly diminishing to be a thing of the past… I hope not but based on last years shows...
by Rehg | Jan 3, 2014 | Blog
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...
by Rehg | Dec 17, 2013 | Blog
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...
