Vanity Smurfette, simply gorgeous

Like many Smurfs, you may call this something different such as Smurfette with Mirror or Comb and Mirror Smurfette. For this piece I am going to call her Vanity Smurfette #20182 because it was used in the The Smurfs Official Collector’s Guide, published in 2013.

We first see Vanity Smurfette in the 1985 Schleich catalogue wearing a pink nightgown while brushing her golden blonde hair and admiring herself in a purple mirror. Schleich continued to sell it for another fifteen years.

In many ways, this is a classic Smurfette worth collecting. Not only is it Smurfette’s portrayal of her admiring herself, which is the kind of thing we expect from her. But it’s the slight colour differences of the nightgown and mirror. I also like that Smurfette’s eyelashes have been hand-painted onto the figurine. I am unsure if they still do this for newer versions of Smurfette.

The Smurfette’s Bedroom playset #40602 was available for a brief period in the USA from Applause in 1985. The Applause version was also quite different from the Schleich one.

Firstly, the Applause Smurfette’s Bedroom playset had hand-painted details on the furniture that the Schleich playset does not. Applause also used Vanity Smurfette. Some would say her nightgown and mirror match with the furniture. Schleich used the Smurfette from the Super Smurf Vanity Table #40234.

Vanity Smurfette’s markings

Please let me know if I have missed any markings for Vanity Smurfette.

Lastly I wanted to share with you one of the most strangest looking Smurfette’s I owe. You will see in one of the photographs that Vanity Smurfette’s pink nightgown has faded but nothing else. How bizarre!

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Smurfette with flower

If you have got time, I recommend that you sought through your Smurf collection. I am doing this right now and though it’s a little bit overwhelming, I am rediscovering some hidden gems. Such as Smurfette with Flower #20421, sold between 1993 to 2015 by Schleich.

The first thing I noticed about with Smurfette with Flower, was the lovely colours she was painted with. Wearing white sandles with a pink bow to match with her white dress with pink polka dots. On her right arm she carries a pink bag with white polka dots. In her left hand she holds a white flower with a yellow centre out. A very cute and simple designed Smurfette.

In the beginning, the stem on the flower was longer than others produced. The stem was about 6mm long but was later changed to 4mm. I should know as I measured it after staring at two versions of Smurfette with Flower for 10 minutes.

Typical of Smurfs released in the 1990s, the blue paint can vary slightly. However, apart from this there are very little differences to be found. Though this should not put you off from adding Smurfette with Flower to your collection. Compared to the more recent versions of Smurfette, this one looks like she should be. I have found in the last few years, Smurfette has looked really strange. One only has to look at the 2017 Smurfette Bride with her arms stretched out in front of her.

It can be easy to dismiss Smurfs made in certain era’s. I don’t have the nostalgia feeling for Smurfs made in the 1990s though I do like to collect them. This is because of the variety of colours that Schleich used on the figurines, especially their clothing and shoes. Some would say, that the Smurfs were dressed up to look like us.

What markings to look out for?

Germany Schleich S © 93 Peyo CE

Made in Germany Schleich S Germany © 93 Peyo CE

Made in Germany Am Limes 69 D-73527 Schw. Gmund Schleich S © 93 Peyo CE, date stamp

It can also be found with a black or blue paint dots.

What’s your favourite Smurfette from the 1990’s? Perhaps it’s Disco Smurfette, Snowboarder or Inline Skater, there are many great ones to choose from.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

Grand Bazaar Smurf

This magical looking smurf is a promotional smurf. It was produced in one year only in 1990, exclusively for the Belgium store, Grand Bazaar. The figure wears a red hat and cape, with stars on them. Underneath his yellow shirt, he hides a red ball with “GB” (Grand Bazaar) written upon it. Grand Bazaar is a promo smurf produced as advertisement for a store.

There are other promotional smurfs that have been produced over time. Coca-cola, omo, bp, national gas, McDonalds…. and many more. These smurfs are generally produced for one year only, and available via the shop. They become rare as they are released in limited quantities.

Happy Smurf collecting!

Schleich 2021 Smurfs Surprise of the year

Schleich has released six new Smurfs for 2021 once again made in Romania. The theme of each new Smurf is nothing new but I like them. In some cases, it is nice to see a remake on certain Smurfs. I understand some collectors won’t agree though coming up with new ideas for the Smurfs would be no easy task.

#20827 Vanity Smurf with mirror

Schleich hasn’t changed the concept of this Smurf for over the last fifty years. A Smurf is admiring himself in a mirror. However, this one is slightly different to past versions because of the pink flower on his white hat.

#20828 Smurfette with Flower

Sadly this one had so much potential but it failed for the simple fact that it cannot stand up on its own. A cute looking Smurfette is standing a big lavender coloured flower. Let’s hope Schleich remake this, so it doesn’t fall over because it’s quite pretty.

#20829 Good Luck Smurf

This Smurf may look familour to those that purchased the 2020 Smurf with a Sign. Actually on closer inspection you will see that they share the same markings. One could say that the makers were short of ideas when making this Smurf. It’s pleasant enough but not amazing.

#20830 Baby Smurf

Schleich has always had a fascination with Baby Smurfs. Eversince 1984 Baby Smurfs have been a feature with a new one being created regularly. I like this one, especially with the hand covering over it’s mouth and the rattle beside him. One can only imagine why is Baby Smurf looking so guilty.

#20831 Chef Smurf

The appeal of cooking is a global thing, one only has to see how many cooking shows are on television. It has been a while since Schleich has made a Chef Smurf. Like the other Smurfs from 2021, this one is going to make a pleasant birthday present for someone. If anything, a little bit more colour on this Smurf would have been good. For example a little colour representing some food or sauce on his apron would have been a nice touch.

#20832 Handy

Another option for a birthday present, Handy Smurf will appeal to many. It is little unclear what trade is Handy Smurf representing but that’s when the imagination can come into play. All we need now are some new mushroom cottages to complement Handy.

In my opinion, I like the Schleich 2021 Smurfs as they have given a fresh lease of life to some of the more popular Smurfs from the past. The 2020 Smurfs looked a little tired and weird but I cannot say that about the 2021 Smurfs. With a little bit of tweaking of the design and colour the Schleich 2021 Smurf may just surprise you.

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B

What’s a Snik?

Help me! This week I purchased two Sniks but I have no idea what they are. The Covid-19 lockdown in Melbourne got the better of me and I thought I was being brave buying a new type of figurine. However I am now having some serious doubt as I don’t know what they are other than Sniks. Are they related to the Smurfs? Can anyone help me?

The one with the silver and red rocket on it’s back has the markings – Germany Bully 1982 CE. Snik13 under it’s feet.

The second wearing a purple tracksuit and appears to be jogging – Germany Bully 1982 CE. Snik24 under it’s feet.

I am happy to provide you with any other details about the figurines if required. Any information would be really appreciated as it may inspire me to collect more Sniks or even other different types of figurines. Who knows this could be just the beginning…….

Keep on Smurfin
Kath B