Remember this painting? I made it in exchange for the She-Ra Crystal Castle and a whole bunch of the dolls. I never had any She-Ra toys growing up but I’m a huge fan. When I was a kid I cut out the Crystal Castle, dolls and horses from a toy catalogue and played with them like teeny tiny paper dolls.

I did a huge, amazing toy trade with Nathalie, who I got this from, many years ago when I was still living at home, but I turned down the She-Ra stuff because I simply didn’t have room. It’s been nagging me ever since so about seven years later I finally asked if she still had it and would be willing to trade, and now it’s mine! I still want some more dolls and horses, especially my favourite Catra, but I’m so happy I have all this.

I’ve been cleaning and fixing everything up and now it’s all done. There are few things I like as much as cleaning and restoring toys.

Bow, Starburst She-Ra and Double Trouble.

You can rotate her head to change to a cool evil face, but I forgot to take a picture of that.

Perfuma.

Glimmer, one of my favourites.

Also some of my favourites: Entrapta with her chrome body and great hair, and Peekablue who I didn’t expect to love but I think she’s just beautiful.

The horse is Crystal Sundancer, faded from pink to yellow.

I already had Panthor and Battlecat, both flea market finds, but I had to take some photos of them as well.

Panthor’s flocking is severely worn, but I actually think he looks better this way, with the black showing through.

The green horse is from a toy line similar to She-Ra called Goddess of the Ultra Cosmos. I got it at a flea market when I was about 13. I think it’s just so cool with the green marbled body, copper details and the wild eyes.