Vinyl

Calliope Jackalope: An Anatomy, Pt. III

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Previously on Calliope Jackalope, An Anatomy, Pt. II: Our little lady is assessed by Obitsu and it’s determined that the figure would require five molds. The wax master is sculpted, the metal molds are forged and the first Calliope test figure is born. Now: we add a splash of color.

With the test figures pulled and green-lighted by KO, it was time to bust out the Pantones and whip up a paint master for the factory to replicate. For her debut Calliope, Kathie chose a soft robin’s egg blue:

At a glance, Calliope’s paint finish seems relatively simple; buuuut … that definitely is not the case. The spray mask alone had to be applied three times more than that of Stingy Jack’s. The figure has a total of eight masks: propeller, face, broken antlers, whites of the eyes, the pupils, lips/cheeks, belly and zipper. The lips and cheeks were the most tedious as they had to be airbrushed by hand to create a realistic ‘rosiness’.

Up next, we take a look at the completed Calliope Jackalope in all her glory. Stay tuned!

 [via the Tomeno blog]

Kathie’s Travelling Calliope: A Quick Jaunt in the City of Love

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Hanging with her pal Mr. Tentaclees at CP HQ in Albuquerque, NM.

When KO first posted this a few weeks ago on Instagram (@circusposterus), citing the Calliope handpaint was “just for fun”, I wondered if we’d ever see the little lady again. Well, it appears Kathie has found herself a new travel buddy: similar to the travelling toy photos so many of us have seen (Podgypanda’s Baman and S Fisher Williams’ Milque Toast are personal faves), Calliope’s passport is already impressive with CP’s recent tour in Paris as part of Le Carnaval des Spectres.

Shaking off the jet lag with Ms. Elemental at their villa in Paris.

With Baby Tattooville, Haunted and DesignerCon just around the corner, the rest of 2012 will be hoppin’ for the Circus. Let’s see if our little pink jet-setter makes any cameos!

Taking in the sights at the Musée des Arts Forains (Museum of Fairground Art).

Calliope Jackalope: An Anatomy, Pt. II

Previously on Calliope Jackalope, An Anatomy: Calliope is rendered in 3D and from that a prototype is made for the factory to map out the mold process. We head there now for some mold-makin’, waxin’ action!

Like Stingy Jack, the Calliope prototype was taken to Obitsu to determine how many metal molds the figure will require. Given her complexity, she, too, would require five to cover her multiple parts: head, body, legs, hat, ears and tail.

The figure is re-cast in wax and the metal molds are made. From that, we get our first test:

And from there, the header card art is submitted by Brandt and Kathie and voila! Our first packaged Calliope!

[via the Tomeno blog]

Countdown to the Carnival – Finale: Kathie & Brandt’s Batboy & Mortimer

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Debuting tomorrow evening as part of Le Carnaval des Spectres are two exciting new vinyl figures from Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters in partnership with Artoyz Paris! For the first time ever, Kathie’s Batboy makes his debut in 3D form following years of collector demand. Measuring roughly 6 inches and flanked by two bird companions, this masked mischief maker is finally ready for his grand entrance.

Following closely behind is familiar face Mortimer, from Brandt Peters. Popularized by his Carnies blind box series two years ago, Mortimer the Mortician returns at twice the size, wielding an unforgiving straight razor and potent bottle o’ Toxico. Watch your back…

Le Carnaval des Spectres opens tomorrow through Oct. 20th at Artoyz Shop + Galerie in Paris, France. The exhibition marks CP’s first group exhibition on European soil and features a collection of new two- and three-dimensional works from Kathie OlivasBrandt PetersTravis LouieChris RyniakAmanda Louise Spayd and Teodoru Badiu.

Mikee’s Mail Day: Monster Kolor!!

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Well another week has passed over here at Stranger Factory, and admittedly, it was a little slow for me mail-wise. That said, I did get one package I feel like geeking out over:

This week’s mail day is brought to us by the amazing, unstoppable beast known as Monster Kolor! Monster Kolor is a company that lives to make the best paint they can for toy customizing, be it vinyl, resin, PVC … whatever your little twisted heart desires. Recently I picked up some Monster Kolor for my airbrush gun so I could do a little recreational custom work. I’m getting the hand sharp for some projects in the works and have to be able to do “gruesome” just right! Don’t think it’s all airbrush though; they also carry brush and aerosol paints to help give your creature just the right finish or feel.

When it came in Brandt and Kathie made me promise not to sit in the house and spray it. Also they said I have to wear a mask while I do it from now on … safety first kids!

Until next time, live that 24/7 Toy Life!

Stingy Jack, An Anatomy: An Afterword by Brandt Peters

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After years of designing characters and toys brands for Slap-Happy!,The Serv-O-Matics, Dead Bunny, The Carnies, Big Sal, and other odds and ends with almost every toy company out there, I went back to the drawing board to really consider what I was trying to accomplish and say with my characters. The public only gets to see the final result in the stores or online, but each of the above projects were months and years of my time developing and it takes a lot out of me. In order to stoke and keep the creative fire going strong, I had to reach even deeper and closer to mine and my creations’ raison d’etre.

Following a month or so of scribbling, note taking, researching, talking to my colleagues and friends, reading the industry – I reached in and figured exactly what my inspirations are, who I am and precisely what I want to leave, as far as a mark on the planet and this toy world. Stingy Jack is the first project (of many in development) that hits closest to home. I guess as a growing artist, my tastes change, I get more honest with myself, I hone in closer and closer to what makes me tick and Vintage Halloween has always thrilled me… just as much as all of my other toy subject matter: Ancient Aliens (Big Sal), Coney Island and Depression era ephemera (most of my toy designs to date).

Read More »Stingy Jack, An Anatomy: An Afterword by Brandt Peters

T+CP: Brandt Peters’ Stingy Jack Sofubi Reviewed on Kaiju Korner!

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Brandt Peters’ Stingy Jack recently received a cracking review from premier Japanese toy culture site, Kaiju Korner! In-depth, charming and deeply insightful, blogger Andy B wholly captured the essence and charm of the figure and the intent of the T+CP initiative. Now sold out at Circus Posterus and Tomenosuke, the response for Stingy from collectors worldwide has been incredible. Click here to find out why!

Mikee’s Mail Day: Splurrt Usir!

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Hello CP fans! For those who don’t know, my name is Mikee and I work behind the counter at Stranger Factory. It’s an amazing job and to be honest I got it because of my one true love … Toys! Some would say I have a problem, others would exploit that problem for their entertainment! So in honor of the latter, we bring you Mikee’s Mail Day! I get a lot of packages and we are gonna start showing off some of the fun goodies I collect and why I collect them.

This week being the first, I opened a great package. Today I got in my Splurrt Usir. Usir is the third vinyl character release from rebel toy company Splurrt. Following in the footsteps of his prior releases, while still departing for a slightly different tone, the Usir is just plain evil! Not going to lie, Splurrt is one of my all time favorite toy companies and this is a prime piece of Sofubi to use as an example why. The Usir is a new head mold but the body is actually from a previous Splurrt release called the Diggler. This type of adaption through simplicity is why Kaiju and Sofubi are so amazing! Granted Mattel does this with He Man parts but it’s not because they have to and more because they prefer to cut cost. We Toy Rebels live and thrive on a budget, so finding ways to make something new out of something existing is what this is all about.

Until next time, live that 24/7 Toy Life!

Stingy Jack: An Anatomy, Pt. 5

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 Previously on Stingy Jack, An Anatomy 4: We get our first look at Stingy in coloured vinyl and apply new paint mods to help show off his assets. And then, the unthinkable: the unforgiving heat of New Mexico warps Stingy’s feet, causing him to shelf dive. So, we rebuild: his feet are remodeled and repositioned for better stability. He’s tested and stands. And now: the exciting conclusion!

After a year of planning and production, 120 Stingy Jacks arrive on Tomenosuke’s doorstep from Obitsu. Half will head to New Mexico for the North American release, while the remainder will stay back for international collectors. An overwhelming feeling of relief and pride spills over Tomenosuke store owner and T+CP partner, Shinji Nakako.

“Since it took a full year to complete, I think that’s all the more strong feelings towards this piece,” Shinji reflects on the experience.

“I assumed that I had acquired plenty of experience in toy making from the resin figure Lady Butterfly and the high-end prop replica Tomenosuke Blaster, but what awaited me were the challenges and excitements unique to vinyl.

“The task at hand was to create a model for mass production without sacrificing the nuance of the original sculpture, while clearing certain limitations involved with forming from metal mold,” Shinji continues. “I thought that I knew fully well of the material’s characteristic of being sensitive to heat, but due to the high temperatures in the summer, the base of the figure’s feet had deformed and could not support itself. As a result, We had to make the feet from scratch.

It’s only sofubi, but it’s still sofubi… not something that could be done in a brief period of time.”

Up next: Brandt Peters sits down and, in a rare afterword, explains Stingy’s creation, his passion for sofubi and what’s next for Tomenosuke + Circus Posterus.

[via the Tomeno blog]

Now Available: FERG’s Jack s003 [Fort Burnout-DSRT] Squadt

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Night vision goggles. It’s one of those choice accessories that work so well with a Squadt you wonder why it’s only now that they’re being added to the arsenal. No matter: FERG’s Jack s003 [Fort Burnout – DSRT] Squadt is packing a pretty sexy pair and the figure is now up for grabs from your favorite purveyors of toy goodness.

Tri-lens goggles aside, Jack comes with all the usual bells and whistles: modular tactical vest with assorted pouches, Fort Burnout shirt (hidden under there somewhere), bandana, sUMP w/red dot and suppressor, tanto knife with Velcro sheath, classic and 2.0 articulated arms, smoke and yellow lenses and a removable helmet. That’s a whole lotta kaboom for $95. Want one? Giddy up.