April 2009's new poster design for J+S by Tsubaki Studio!

Poster design for J+S April '09 by Tsubaki Studio

© Copyright reserved 2009

We change our posters every month! If you'd like to custom-design any of our monthly posters, drop a comment on this post - that simple!

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aki @ J+S

DEVILROBOTS & Kenny Wong Live in Singapore, 25-26 Apr 09

Hey, Molly fans out there!

The Devilrobots and Kenny Wong are coming down to Singapore for an autograph session of their new To-Fu Molly products!

It's the first time they've collaborated and they've come up with two fabulously cute versions of Molly and Tofu so don't miss it!

Date: 25th & 26th April 2009 (Weekend)

Time: 2-4pm & 7-9pm on both days

Venue: Liang Court Atrium

More info on To-Fu Molly Pre-Order and the autograph session, head on to http://www.playimaginative.com/mollytofu/

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avi @ J+S

What's in it for toy collectors in 2009?

Trends for the Toy Industry for 2009
By Jonathan Samet

Lower Priced Toys (i.e. Toys under $25)
In these difficult economic times and with consumers watching their disposable spending, toy manufacturers will be putting a greater emphasis on promoting their introductions with lower retails. A number of the top selling toys last holiday season were at lower price points (i.e. Bakugan and Club Penguin Plush) so all manufacturers will be putting a greater emphasis on delivering lower price products. Some early highlights are Mega Brands Battle Strikers and Season 2 Bakugan product from Spin Master.

Toys Based on Movie/Entertainment Properties
Toys based on leading movies like Iron Man, and Batman were some of the most popular in 2008 and 2009 won’t be any different. Some of the anticipated blockbusters for this year are Star Trek (Playmates for figures and others), GI Joe (Hasbro), Transformers II (Hasbro), Terminator and X-Men/Wolverine (Hasbro). The marketing budget put behind these Summer Movie intros, coupled with the built in awareness of these properties (i.e. parents growing up with Star Trek, Terminator etc.) will drive toy sales, anchored by the success of the action figure category.

Science Toys
Historically this was the “boring” aisle that a child would never walk down. But based on the success of Jakks Pacific’s Eyeclops and Discovery Kids brands, along with the Planet Earth product, science has become hipper and more fun for kids. In addition to great traditional science toys, toys with “Brainwave technology” by Companies like Uncle Milton, with their Star Wars FORCE TRAINER and Mattel with their Mindflex should be popular in 2009.

Green Toys
Focusing on Global awareness along with maintaining the earth and environment is a crucial issue with families and even more so children as they learn about this in school. Coupled with the safety issues in toys (which is an issue that has been well addressed by the industry) manufacturers are developing more and more toys that utilize organic and recycled raw materials in the products. Skewed a bit more to the specialty market, Companies like Mary Meyer and Sprig toys will be just a few that will lead the growth in this category.

About Jonathan Samet:
Jonathan Samet of Toy Insider has several years of experience in the toy industry, publishing the Toy Insider, the Toy Book and the Licensing Book each year, which are all well known publications in the toy industry. Nonetheless, this article entitled Trends for the Toy Industry for 2009 was written by Samet himself. More articles on toys and the toy industry can be found at http://toys.about.com/cs/a.htm

Bruce Lee vs. Iron Man - Battle of the Superheroes

Ever wondered how the intelligent superhero Iron Man fair with the legendary, almost undefeated Bruce Lee whn they battle it out? The result is hilarious! Watch this...



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avi @ J+S

Joujou and Shugi Toy Art Mart 21st March

Hobbies + Collectibles Bazaar on Saturdays @ The Weld

Toy Art Mart @ The Weld (Ep.6) - The Loading Bay & Outdoor Carpark

Traders can load their stuff at the loading bay and setup on Ground Floor. Maximum parking time for loading is 30 minutes. Once done, remove your car and park at the outdoor carpark not far from the building. The flat rate is RM3 per entry.

NOTE: Please be informed that the basement parking in The Weld is RM2 per entry only after 1pm. The same basement parking charges an hourly rate of RM2 for entry before 1pm.

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avi @ J+S

Star Two Feature (18.03.2009) on HOT Classroom #1 Speakers, Dweey & Urban-Cr3atures & E-Toyz

Congratulations to Luk, Chun-Woei and Nicholas from E-Toyz...you guys are on national paper! Love what you do and keep up the great work ya!

Thank you to Nasa Maria Entaban for the write-up! The 2-page spread is on The Star Newspaper's Star Two section dated 18.03.2009. Our local talents can shine.

If you haven't seen it, here's the link: http://thestar.com.my/youth2/story.asp?file=/2009/3/18/youth2/3489858&sec=youth2

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Kudos from the J+S team

Toy Art Mart @ The Weld (Ep. 5) - We're now on GROUND FLOOR!!

Just a quickie here:

We're moving from Level 2 to Ground Floor - which may bring about a change in the crowd (yeay~!). Hopefully, this would be well received by our dear traders. We're constantly improvising to give you the best of the toy art mart, that's what critics are for. So, keep your comments comin' in, people!

The Joujou & Shugi Toy Art Mart is open to all. Retailers welcome! Email joujouandshugi@gmail.com for best rates.

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avi @ J+S

Toy Art Mart @ The Weld (Ep. 4) - The Map

The location map is printer-friendly.

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J+S

J+S Week 1 // Sat.07.03.2009

The toy art mart kicked off to a great start. The crew from Joujou and Shugi would like to say a BIG thank you to... (scroll down)

1) FeedMyLamb

2) D.U.R.A.

3) Rumita K.

4) Urban-Cr3atures

5) Hot Classroom guest speakers: Chun-Woei (Urban-Cr3atures) and Luk Chee Chew (Dweey)

6) E-Toyz

7) M-Yo Club

8) T.W. Yap

9) Jaylim

10) The Other Bookstore

11) M-Yo young masters

...and the supporters

...students from Dasein College

...even all the way from LimKokWing Uni College

...our collectors

...and die-hard fans!

Also thanks to Nasa and her photographer from The Star for the field trip; Jay, Gina, Eric, Beverly, Azie and the building's security officials for the team effort. See you again Saturday 14th March 2009 - same time, same place!

Whereabout?

Level 2, The Weld, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50450 KL.

Every Saturday, 10am-6pm

For retail enquiries: joujouandshugi@gmail.com

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photography by aki & agina

compiled by avi

Prime Fighters in the Sky

1/72 Macross Frontier Messiah Super Parts

- price unavailable -

Here's a set of Super Parts for use with any one of Bandai's 1/72-scale kits of the four main VF-25 Messiah Valkyries (linked below) from "Macross Frontier."

Features: The detailed snap-fit Super Parts come molded in color on plastic runners. Missile hatches on the Super Parts are openable, and the main thruster nozzles are flexible with ball-jointed articulation.

More: Waterslide decals and marking stickers for each of the four main Messiah Valkyries are included to reproduce each pilot's custom Valkyrie equipped with Super Parts.

1/72 RVF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Luca Type

- price unavailable

Alto's custom RVF-25 Messiah Valkyrie makes its debut in kit form with the release of this exceptionally detailed snap-fit plastic model kit!

Feature: By Bandai. This top-quality offering comes molded in color with all its intricate mechanical parts, cockpit and panel lines reproduced in sharp detail. Fully transformable between its Fighter, Gerwalk, and Battroid modes, the Valkyrie can smoothly switch from any one of its three modes with the use of metal shafts in the wings and nose.

More: Its signature gunpod can slide open, and its knife can be stored in its shield. An unpainted in-scale Luca pilot figure in a sitting pose, molded in gray and designed to be placed in the cockpit, is included along with waterslide decals and marking stickers. Comes along with his Ghost unit.

1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Aruto Type

- price unavailable -

Alto's custom VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie makes its debut in kit form with the release of this exceptionally detailed snap-fit plastic model kit!

Feature: Its signature gunpod can slide open, and its knife can be stored in its shield. An unpainted in-scale Alto pilot figure in a sitting pose, molded in gray and designed to be placed in the cockpit, is included along with waterslide decals and marking stickers.

Action Base 1.5 SMS Ver.
- price unavailable -

Molded in black, this Macross Frontier S.M.S.-version Action Base has a base in the form of the S.M.S. emblem and is designed to hold Bandai's "Macross Frontier" plastic model kit series.

Feature: No cement or paint required! The support pole has an ingenious locking mechanism that allows it to extend or retract and is strong enough to hold the main stand in place. The main stand itself can also be extended upwards to pose your kit in a much higher position. A sheet of stickers is included for use on the Action Base, and custom name stickers for Alto's VF-25F, Ozma's VF-25S, Luca's RVF-25, and Michael's VF-25G are also provided.

More: Comes with 3 different types of holders (a holder for each Valkyrie mode), as well as the standard Action Base holders consisting of 3 different sizes (8mm, 9mm, and 11mm) of U-shaped holders, a peg-type holder, and a screw-on type holder (a screw and a nut are included). (The package notes that there may be cases of a kit not able to fit.)

Note: The 1/72 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom kit shown below is not included.

1/100 00 Gundam + O riser Special Set

- price unavailable -

To go up against increasingly powerful opponents and the Innovators' highly advanced Mobile Suits, the 0 Raiser was developed to connect with 00 Gundam to form Celestial Being's most formidable mecha yet, the 00 Raiser! This special 3-in-1 set gathers the 1/100 00 Gundam and 0 Raiser, along with a limited-edition clear green version of the Celestial Being Action Base.

Feature: All parts come molded in color and easily snap together so no glue or paint is required!Upon completion, the star Mobile Suit from the second season of "Gundam 00" will feature not only polycap-jointed limbs, but also a flexible Twin Drive System (GN Drives on each shoulder) with light-up LEDs! Setsuna's personal Mobile Suit can be equipped with the included pair of GN Sword IIs that switch from Sword to Rifle Mode, a pair of GN Beam Sabers, and GN Shields. Combine 0 Raiser with 00 Gundam by folding down its main nozzle, separating its Side Binders and attaching them to the Mobile Suit's GN Drives, and then connecting the spacecraft to the back of the mecha to complete the powered-up 00 Raiser!

More: The included clear green Celestial Being Action Base can be used to set the Mobile Suit in dynamic mid-air poses. A sheet of foil stickers is provided. Two button batteries are required, not included.

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Pictures and toys courtesy of E-Toyz For sale at Joujou & Shugi Toy Art Mart @ The Weld, Every Saturday, 10am-6pm

Lesson #1: How to be a Smart Vendor

If you have something kept in your back room or under the basement, maybe joining a flea market could be a way for you to resell some of your stocks to potential buyers. Flea market are popular shopping spots for bargain-hunters to look for great buys, unusual products and antiques. If you'd like to give it a try, you need very little capital to get started. Here's how:-

1. Browse through a list of flea markets from lifestyle magazines (for example, KLue and KL Lifestyle). Or, visit flea markets around your neighbourhood and ask questions to existing traders.

2. Contact the flea market organiser. Most of these flea markets are generic, which means they allow traders to sell any kinds of products from food to fashion to beadworks. Meanwhile, bazaars like the Joujou & Shugi Toy Art Mart, which has a permanent spot at The Weld Shopping Centre, makes itself known as the collectibles and toys haven. If you're looking toward flea market as a means to expand your hobby or small craft business, this may be the place to get started.

3. Decide on the date to join the flea market and how often your stall will be open. Flea market activities are normally held on Fridays or Saturdays or throughout the weekend. Pick the one that suits your time, location and interest.

4. Set your mind on what to sell. Pack your bankable products or 'unwanted' stuff for sale at the flea market. Popular choice in flea markets are beadworks, handmade products, fashion accessories, toys, shawls, earrings, etc.

5. Enquire about the price for the booth rental in the flea market.

6. Start a blog. Write about your venture and the things about which you're going to sell in the flea market. Call your friends and peers to visit you on the day of the flea market.

7. Prepare a business card. Business cards are great hand-outs. Interested buyers will know how to contact you the next time they want to get back in business with you.

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avi @ J+S

HOT Classroom Round 1: "Dweey Meets Creature" Talk & Mini Exhibition

Guest Speakers:

Lim Chun-Woei of Urban-Cr3atures & Luk Chee Chew, creator of local toy Dweey

When: Saturday, 7th March 2009, 1.00pm

Where: Level 3, The Weld KL, Jalan Raja Chulan KL

Admission is free.

Interesting people such as seasoned collectors, craft makers, designers and entrepreneurs – will join us on every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month to share with the audience lessons and tips on their topic of interest during the “HOT Classroom” programme segment. During the first round, speakers Chun-Woei and Chee Chew will be sharing with the audience their successes as designers and toypreneurs. Especially helpful to serious collectors who'd like to venture into business with their passion. Don't miss this!

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aki @ J+S

Toy Art Mart @ The Weld (Ep.4) - About The Weld

With 6 retail floors spread over 135, 000 sq ft, The weld is a small yet cosy shopping destination with a great variety of food and beverage and all the convenience for your daily shopping needs.

Strategically located in the heart of town, The Weld is surrounded by world-class hotels and tourist attractions. Being the first full-fledged supermarket in the 60s, The Weld is in itself a landmark among many city dwellers. Its recent refurbishment gave it a new breath of life and promises many exciting things to come for shopping enthusiasts.

Our host of F&B outlets include Starbucks, McDonalds, Bistro Delifrance, Secret Recipe, O'Briens' Sandwich Bar, Old Asia, Bangkok Expresso, Dunkin Donuts, Chow Food Court and more. The Weld also houses many other interesting outlets such as Philip Wain, The Yoga Zone, Golf House Mega, Guess Accessories, Elle Boutique, World Martial Arts Centre and lots more.

Address: 76, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur

Customer Service Hotline 03-2162 3580

Website: http://www.theweld.com.my/

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(Words taken from The Weld website)

Toy Art Mart @ The Weld (Ep.3) - How to Get to The Weld by Public Transport?

By KL Monorail (MRT)

Alight at the Raja Chulan Station or the Sultan Ismail Station

By Bus
Metrobus (No. 30) - Pandan Indah & Ampang area

Metrobus (No. 191 & 49) - Genting Klang / Wangsa Maju area

All Rapid KL buses

All buses coming from Kota Raya

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avi @ J+S

Toy Art Mart @ The Weld (Ep. 2) - Where is The Weld?

To those of you who are interested to make a visit to the Joujou & Shugi Toy Art Mart this Saturday, 7th March 2009, we're in The Weld. We're located near the traffic light and is visibly seen by road users and passers-by. We are in the centre of Menara Hap Seng how to get to where Palate Palette, we're just around the corner. But don't fret. If you're still lost, here's a little map for you and some directions to get there without hassle.

Here's how to get to The Weld Shopping Centre, Jalan Raja Chulan from...

1) ...Jalan Sultan Ismail traffic light

Turn into Hard Rock Cafe & The Concorde Hotel lane, pass through the buildings then go straight until you see the first traffic light. Don't go straight. Make a right turn instead. Then, turn left when you reach the second traffic light. The Weld is on your left.

2) ...Pavilion, Bukit Bintang

As you reach the first T-junction traffic light (you can see the big Girodano billboard in front), turn right then go straight. Make a turning to the left at the second traffic light, then go straight. Drive slowly and keep to your right until you reach the third traffic light. The Weld is on your right.

If still in doubt, drop a message here.

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avi @ J+S