Doll sized... Gas Pump!?

     This weekend I visited a small town with my family. We stayed at our friends little cottage, and I spent my days filming and roaming the little stores on the downtown street. On a particular window shopping excursion, I came across an eclectic gift shop, with windows boasting vintage lace and woven baskets, old fashioned clocks, trinkets, jewelry and.... a doll sized gas pump.
I was just casually strolling by, absent mindedly surveying the window display when it caught my eye. I stopped in my tracks. Coming closer, I took in the details of this strange object. It was about as tall as an American Girl doll, vintage and chipped, but surprisingly realistic.
Immediately, stop-motion ideas began to swim in my head. City scenes, driving scenes, backgrounds for my sets-- It was PERFECT.
     Unfortunately, I didn't have any money with me (I had chosen to come without money to prevent myself from buying random trinkets that I don't need!) so I couldn't purchase it right then on the spot. By the time I got home, everyone was sitting down for dinner, so I couldn't go back to the shop. I ate dinner, filmed a little, and then went to bed.
     The gas pump was in my dreams all night.
     Weird, I know.
     I think it's just the fact that it's SO unusual-- I have never seen a doll sized gas pump before! It was so detailed, and so perfectly sized... And I had fallen in love.

     The next day, I went back to the shop. I brought my doll with me, just to measure the gas pump against her and make sure it was the right size. I was ushered to the lower floor, where they were stashed, and a nice lady got one out for me. I took Felicity out of my bag and stood her up next to the gas pump. It was the perfect size!

     At this point, I only had one thing to fear.

     The price.

     My dad and I had discussed it earlier in the afternoon: he figured it would cost $100, and I was estimating $65. It is a vintage looking thing, and we both assumed that it was a rare collectors item, which would most likely result in a hefty price. Though I wanted it DESPERATELY, I decided that if it cost over $50, I would not buy it. I mean, it's a doll sized gas pump. Do I really need a doll sized gas pump? I wasn't willing to spend any ridiculous amount, but it was so cute...

     Thank goodness. It was my lucky day.

     The strange, doll sized, vintage gas pump that I had drooled over for the past 2 days cost me $30.

     $30!

     I was ecstatic.


     So, at last, the moment you have all been waiting for.
You may now witness the beauty of a very strange phenomenon-- a doll sized gas pump.

Full view: it is the perfect size for an American Girl doll!

A spinning decoration on top, can be removed by unscrewing from the inside.

A glimpse at the bottom of the gas pump-- You can see how the paint is worn down for a "vintage" look.

This may be my favorite part: The little... errr... I don't know what you call it. The thing that shows the numbers as you are pumping gas! It is so detailed! 

I am so excited to use this treasure in some of my upcoming stopmotions! I am not sure how I will use it-- yet! ;)

Stay tuned! And thanks for reading!