They say that harsh times create great art. This particular case might not be exactly what they were talking about, but it’s still be pretty wonderful. Tonya Ruiz is a miniature artist who creates a lot of beautiful little things which she then posts to her Instagram account @grandmagetsreal (Grandma Gets Real). One of her main mediums to work with is none other than the iconic Barbie doll – a toy she feels a special connection to. In a Q & A, Ruiz said “I grew up in Barbie’s shapely shadow. I followed in her tiny footprints and became a teenage fashion model.”
“I started at 15 and quit at 18,” she writes, “It was a tough business for a teenager.” Now a grandmother in her senior years, Tonya has taken the internet by storm with her Barbie tinkering. And it’s pretty detailed! Here’s a sort of self portrait of her in her element.
Her rise in popularity this year stemmed mainly from her series of faux Barbie sets with more realistic depictions of the kinds of situations people find themselves in in 2020. Far from the glamorous ideals that the toy generally markets, these packets are comically raw and relatable. Here are just a few.
11. Essential Worker barbie
A salute to those working the checkout lines everywhere!
10. Health Care Worker Barbie
Not too much to joke about here, just genuinely nice.
9. Quarantine Starter Pack
Get comfortable and grab some snacks, Barbie. We’re gonna be here a while.
8. What Time is It? Edition
Even Barbie has lost all sense of chronology.
7. New Hobby Edition
Time to pick up a bunch of stuff you’ll drop in a week!
6. Bread Baking Barbie
Remember when we all decided to do this for like 4 days? What was that, exactly?
5. Zoom Ken
Business on the top, party on the bottom.
4. Binge Watching Barbie
I love how this comes complete with a TV that’s at least 40 years old.
3. Home Salon Edition
“Do it yourself” doesn’t necessarily mean “do it well.”
2. Quarreling Couple
We need a special kit for people who *just* moved in together before quarantine hit.
1. My Plans vs 2020
She even got in on the latest meme. Nice.
Unfortunately, these kits are just made individually for fun and aren’t for sale. But I think Mattel should call her up and make a deal. These could be the gift of the year!
Would you buy one? If so, which?
Tell us in the comments.