Glass Mini Destroyer: Toygodd dives into alternative medium

You might remember the Destroyer figure- it was a 5" resin figure produced not long ago by Argonaut Resins for an emerging artist named Oh Negative. Oh Negative turned out to be none other than the Almighty Toygodd- Eric Frank, editor and writer of the Toygodd, Hangar 3A and Vinyl Shack columns on Action Figure Times. If there's anyone who covers as many different topics in the toy industry as I do, it's Toygodd. I hang out with him several times a year when he comes to town for the Toy Fair and NYCC.

When Toygodd was here a couple weeks ago, he showed me his latest creation: a mini 2" version of his Destroyer figure, but this time in glass! Glass is a medium that is being used a little bit these days, but no one is making figures as detailed as Toygodd. They are super heavy, and cool to the touch. Such a fun medium! He even melted GID powder into a few of them and I can personally sttest to the fact that once you charge the GID ones up, they glow INSANELY bright. They even have an inner glow visible in a lit room- it looks like a tiny lightbulb. Watch for more info on the evolution of these figures, both on Toygodd's blog and mine.

SNEAK PEEK: Secret project teaser!

Teaser! We're partnering with Brian Ahlbeck to put together a secret project. This piece, by Rich Page of Ume Toys, is one of the first pieces we got back. 

More teasers and more info on this project coming soon. 

(I will entertain guesses in the comments section of this blog post.)

Coming soon: Misfit Monsters Dunny series by UNCLE Studio

 

Arriving any day now is this sweet 3" Dunny series by UNCLE Studio: the Misfit Monsters! This crazy series will be for sale on our new UNCLE Studio page on our site. Full reveal once they arrive.

In the meantime, you can follow UNCLE Studio here:

Website: www.unclestudio.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/unclestudios
Facebook: www.facebook.com/unclestudio
Store: www.unclestudio.storenvy.com

The third of NEMOs 3 Tribesmen: the Mad Guru Bud

 

NEMO has released the third of his 3 Tribesmen series of Doodle Budz figures- this one is the Mad Guru Bud. The previous two were the Blue Bud and the Voodoo Bud.

You can buy all three customs here.

Also make sure to check out NEMO's Bad Applez custom show that just sent live on the Bad Applez site. Bad Applez is the company NEMO started with OsirisOrion.

The Battle of the Wordsmiths app and figure series

Quite a long time ago, a gentleman named Tunde contacted me and asked me if I knew of a good sculptor who could help him with a project he was creating.

Why yes, I replied, in fact I do know a very talented sculptor: Mike "NEMO" Mendez.

I hooked Tunde up with NEMO by way of email, and that was that. I have kept in touch with Tunde, off and on, over the past couple years as he got his vision off the ground. Tunde is of African descent, and he had an idea for a series of action figures utilizing the cultural archetypes present in the collective unconscious of the African diaspora. In layman's terms, that means in many African cultures there exist certain characters- whether they be mythological or real- that are common threads amongst the many different cultures. Tunde envisioned a series of action figures based on these characters.

NEMO's job was to sculpt the heads of some of the figures so that Tunde could get them produced by a factory. Tunde wanted fabric clothing and accessories for these characters, and he showed me some illustrations at one point which were fascinating and of course fundamentally different from anything coming out of the Americas, or Europe, or Asia. In short, a very cool project idea.

Well, as many of you know, getting toys made, especially by factories, is no easy task. And it doesn't happen overnight. I do not know Tunde- I've never met him personally, I mean- but I know he is passionate about this idea and wherever he is, he is most likely doing what so many of us are: working trying to survive in the "normal" way, while also pursuing our passion on the side. Getting very little sleep, having very little extra money, and very excited about our next big creative project.

In Tunde's project evolution, he has created an iPad app, whose intro video is below:





Tunde's project is called The Battle of the Wordsmiths. Honestly, from the video, the graphics look pretty cool. Tunde tells me that the iPad app will be released this month and the limited-edition figure series will begin to be released later this year. Please support Tunde by visiting TBOTW's Facebook page and Liking it. Also, go download the iPad game in the iTunes store here. It's free!



Here's a description of the game:

THE BATTLE OF THE WORDSMITHS is an epic multiplayer role playing card game set in the Yoruba kingdoms. Using cards you build armies of creatures, shape landscapes, control forces of nature, and use magical charms in a war against your opponents. THE BATTLE OF THE WORDSMITHS combines beautiful graphics, original gameplay and fast paced strategy.

WIN the El Cucuy 7" Munny custom from JFury

We are teaming up with artist Justin "JFury" Phillips to help give away this awesome 7" custom Munny he titled "El Cucuy". Entering to win is easy:

1. Go to the JFury Facebook page.
2. Click on LIKE at the top.
3. Scroll down and leave a comment under the picture of the El Cucuy custom.

Contest ends Friday night so click though now!

Gregory Lee's cutaway Raffy custom

Our advertiser Gregory Lee of Greg Loves Toast posted a few pics of this work in progress to his Facebook page. A simple idea that Greg has been pursuing, but executed with unmatched care and precision, and especially, accuracy. The horse skull is a complicated object which Greg has painstakingly carved into the vinyl head of a 4" tall Kidrobot Raffy figure. Looks like he has sketched out more carvings on the body. Killer work. Can't wait to see the finished product. I could see him selling tons of these. Check out his shop!

Breeanzz x TOYSREVIL presents the "Black Valentine" Edition of The BEATUP BOXER

Our friend Andy, the mastermind blogging genius behind TOYSREVIL, has teamed up with Breeanzz and My Tummy Toys to release a special Valentine's Day colorway of the Beat Up Boxer figure! This thing looks so sick. 10 pieces, don't sleep!

Featuring a glossy-black boots, boxing shorts, gloves and hat on a matte-black boxer-body in 10-inches of resin from Indonesian producer My Tummy Toys (http://www.mytummytoys.com), the character wears a tailored fabric-hooded robe with a embroidered TOYSREVIL-logo in white at the back. Never has the figurine look so fierce, and ready to take home the trophy!

The box housing the champ itself is no pushover too - featuring a "croc textured box" with a laser die cut box cover! To complete this ultimate lush package is a Giclee print (limited to 10 pieces signed & numbered) from with artwork from Breeanzz (http://www.breeanzz.com), and a Signed and Numbered Certificate of Authenticity Card for that knockout punch!

Priced at $180 US Dollars (price inclusive Shipping & Handling), the Black Valentine-Edition BEATUP BOXER is limited to only 10 units produced, and will be available for sales online via http://bit.ly/yKaWZ5 - from February 14th, 2012 @ 12 noon (+8 GMT / Singapore-time). First Come First Served, No Reservations. Have a great Black Valentines', Folks!

JellyBot Valentine's Day Collection for sale Feb 14th

Are you seriously still trying to figure out what to get your sweetheart for Valentine's Day?

Shame on you.

Thankfully, Selina Briggs from the Jelly Empire has you covered: these sweet Valentine's Day JellyBots will be available in the Jelly Empire shop tomorrow, Feb 14th. 

That's Valentine's Day, you clod. Try to keep up.

Help put the Lil'G Mini Boombox into production!

The Lil’G portable speaker system blends an 80s hip-hop vibe with the millennium’s urban, vinyl-toy look. 

It's always fascinating to watch a passionate artist/creator go through the entire life cycle of conception, prototyping, pitching, promoting selling, funding and finally manufacturing a brand-new product. This is a long-ass process, no matter how you cut it. Just ask Steve Talkowski about his Sketchbot figure, or try preordering a ThreeA toy. You're gonna have to be patient, no matter what kind of toy or product you are waiting on.

I first covered Jason Dollin and his Lil'G Boombox two years ago (February of 2010) when he teamed up with Mini at the Canadian International Auto Show. His Lil'G was but a prototype back then, and the Lil'G product helped jazz up the display that Mini had at the show.

Jason shared with us the trials and tribulations of having to have this brand-new prototype ready for public display. Luckily, he's a resourceful guy and the show went off really well for him.

Now, Jason and his Lil'G are in, perhaps, an even more vital part of the development process: funding and preorders! Jason has teamed up with Ideacious to set up preorders for the Lil'G Mini Boombox. The final product costs $95, and a $5 deposit secures your preorder. Go here to preorder your own Lil'G!

Ideacious is a little different than Kickstarter: Buy now & Make Money Later!
The idea is simple, by pre-ordering a product on Ideacious– that is, putting your money down on an item before it has begun production. Once Lil'G has met it's quote for units, things roll into manufacture. Pre-ordering rewards early buyers with more than just heart-warming feelings – you’ll also earn revenue on every production run after the initial one for the next 10 years!

Here are the stats on the Lil'G Mini Boombox:

- Portable carrying case so you can take it to the BBQ, beach, park or party!
- Device cradle in back to safely hold your music player while you're in motion.
- DIY white so you can express yourself and personalize with your own style!
- Durable retro boombox styled body.
- Dual speakers with great sound. (paper cones *3.600 Ohm / 149.762 Hz)
- Works with any digital audio device equipped with either bluetooth or headphone (AUX) jack. Bluetooth Activation: Double-tap the power button to put it in pairing mode with desired electronic device. 2.0 wireless connectivity Daisy chain capability for wireless stereo.
- Protective and removable speaker grills.
- Lithium-ion battery that lasts around 6-10 hours play time (depending on volume levels). Capacity: 900mAh
- Versatile charging (USB/mini USB).
- Free range controlling, to control Lil'G you use your MP3 device via bluetooth (or) while plugged in using the 8" AUX jack (3.5mm).
- Supporting independent designers. Buying from ideacious supports independent designers and injects fresh ideas and designs into the world. 

I highly recommend supporting Jason in his project- the satisfaction from playing a part in the funding of another person's dream is really tangible and it's one of the main reasons why I've helped fund several such projects. To place a preorder on a Lil'G, click here. 

Crowd-funding is the wave of the future!

If you want to learn more about Jason Dollin, go check out his website here.

In case you missed it: CTU interviews Ian Ziobrowksi

The Nuggy Growstation (version 1) by Ian Ziobrowski

Click here to read Ian's interview on the Custom Toy Union site.

Rsin customs: Nerviswr3k collab, Skullhead, Rebel Ink, Whisper Bee & Little Lotus project contribution

I love getting emails from my friend Rsin. They're usually dealing with some business or project we have planned, or NYCC, or something. He's always super friendly and asks about my wife and all the usual pleasantries... and then there's "oh by the way, here are some things I've been working on, maybe you can blog some of them" and he'll attach like 6 pictures of some of the most amazing and sought-after custom toys ever made... 

Above we have his contribution to the Army of Snipers / Little Lotus Project, which was funded in part by contributions from artists like the above 10" custom Rsin MadL.

 Next we have a collab piece between Rsin and Nerviswr3k: I think Nervis did the sculpt here, and he sent it to Rsin to paint. Sick.

 Next is a custom Rebel Ink figure, which I happen to know is one of Rsin's favorite sculpts to customize.

 ... and a riff on Rsin's Whispers style, the Whisper Bee, done on an 8" Kidrobot Dunny.

... and finally, as if you weren't feeling faint with envy already, someone somewhere owns this fucking absurd custom 8" Huck Gee Skullhead Dunny. So insane, it's wrong...  well, it's only wrong because that person isn't me. 

Anyway, there ya have it. Drool away at the Rsin awesomeness. 

I happen to know that 2012 is going to be an EVEN BIGGER year for Rsin. Plus he'll be at our NYCC booth again in October. With more space. And doing live art. So maybe, if you are real nice, and real lucky, you'll watch Rsin paint up a figure like one of these in person, in front of your own eyes. Bring your video camera and a wad of cash because there's going to be a lot of cool stuff to buy.

Go follow Rsin on Facebook. He also has a blog and a Flickr page.

Bad Applez Online Group Show Opens February 14

Bad Applez Inc, a company cooked up by Rob "OsirisOrion" Ingellis and Mike "NEMO" Mendez, is having its first group show featuring dozens of apples customized by artists around the world. You are invited to drop by the Bad Applez website tomorrow, February 14th, to view the custom show when it goes live. Be there, no matter what your girlfriend says. She might even like it. I guarantee you will see funny videos by some of your favorite artists, as well as a whole big mess of awesome custom applez. Yes, that is the new, accepted way of spelling the plural of "apple". Deal with it.

wHATS UP eVERYONE,
Come and be a little BADD on Valentines Day!!.. be sure to come join Bad Applez inc and friends in celebrating our first ONLINE custom show "I'm a Baaad Apple"!

All customs will be for sale on that day, so be ready to pick up a sweet custom by one of your favorite artists! We wold like to thank each and every artist who took the time to participate in this event and to all those who have supported! You ROCK!! The show wIll be up till MAY !...so don't be shy, breeze through and say hello! Thank you again people for all your support! 

Rob and Mike, http://www.badapplezinc.com/

Love is Dead custom Munny by JFury

JFury send us this sweet custom 7" Munny he's calling "Love is Dead":

My favorite part of this custom is the skull taking the place of the heart says Justin

This custom is for the I Love Munny Show at the Rusted Nail Gallery in Mesa, AZ.

If you like JFury's customs, why not enter to win one? 

How? 

It's easy:

Click here and go to his Facebook page and LIKE the page. Find the post I posted there- the picture of his El Cucuy custom Munny- and leave a comment under on the pic of El Cucuy. 

That's it! You're entered to win! 

We'll allow comments all week until Friday night, at which point Justin will tally all the comments/entrants and pick a winner! 

(One entry per person- multiple comments are appreciated but won't get you multiple entries)

Don P Buzz and Guzz King Ken customs

Don P sends us images of his latest commission set: Buzz and Guzz, two customs based on the 3" King Ken mini figures.

Made these two Mini King Kens for a private collector. He wanted an evil Buzz and a custom with my style. This is the result: Buzz and Guzz.

You can follow Don P on Facebook and his blog, and definitely visit his shop.

Mr. Bad Banana by Headplay Toys

I feel simultaneously blessed and cursed to get emails which show me new products before the rest of the collector world... here is a blessing and a curse, rolled into one: Mr. Bad Banana! I must say, aside from the questionable sexual overtones of this character, the detail is amazing. You can see all the pics here. Mr. Bad Banana is made by Headplay Toys, a company you can follow on Facebook.

Color Ink Book Volume 14

Color Ink Book Volume 14 is now available for preorder- only $10 each, arriving in a couple days! Color Ink Book is a series of coloring books with illustrations by some of our favorite toy artists. Volume 14 features artwork by: 64 Colors, Bob Harper, The Chung!!, Dacosta!, Gary Fields, Gary Ham, Jason, Maloney, Kat Brunnegraff, Scribe, Simone Legno (Tokidoki) Steve Talkowski and Tharp. Preorder a copy now for endless fun!

DeeTen Exhibit 13 Munny for Rusted Nail Gallery

This creepy custom Munny by DeeTen was created for an upcoming show at the Rusted Nail Gallery in Mesa, AZ. Here's the backstory:

"This is Exhibit 13, the example of what happens when a robot breaks the Law of Emotion. Her failure was developing feelings to the point were she fell in love. She was tried before the court and found guilty of breaking the law. As you can see she was sentenced to death, so set her remains be a reminder to all robots." - Supreme Chancellor

Thundercats Munnyworld customs by Jeff Beck available now

We're excited to begin supporting another artist: Jeff Beck created these Thundercats customs just for Tenacious Toys! You can buy them, and see many more images, on our new Jeff Beck Customs page. Mumm-Ra, Lion-O and Panthro were created from Kidrobot's 4" Munnyworld figures, with detailed sculpting and painting by Jeff. To see more of Jeff's work, follow him on Facebook here. He does abstract painting in addition to his pop-culture-character-driven toy customizing.