JUN Planning Steampunk Pullip dolls coming this year

We saw these at Toy Fair and we were captivated: JUN Planning, maker of high-end collectible dolls, is coming out with a Steampunk Project line of their Pullip dolls. Pullips dolls are 12 inches tall, fully articulated and have moving eyes. Quite a site to behold, especially when decked out in Steampunk pseudo-Victorian garb. If you're interested, let us know via email. They will only be making 2000 pieces of each figure and the ordering window is short for us.

UPDATE: Below is the picture of the first figure in the Stempunk Pullip Project series, Eos!

Eos will ship to retailers in July and will cost $150.

INSIDE TOY FAIR: Idolz Toys stackable figures

While I was hanging out with the guys from Elite Gudz in the designer toy aisle at Toy Fair, NEMO mentioned that down the aisle were some really cool stackable toys that he would love to get his hand on to customize, so I took a walk and here's what I found:

Idolz are a platform toy concept a little different than the rest: they do have articulated feet & arms, and they do have accessories, but what sets them apart from the rest is the fact that the apendages are removable and the Idolz can stack on top of one another. I think what got NEMO going was the endless totem-pole-esque opportunities this platform offered him as a customizer. Idolz are about 3 inches tall and cost $9.99 each.

Gruntor (the green camo design in the front of the pic below) is the first design that Idolz made, but I bet you could contact them and inquire about DIY blanks. I know for a fact that Damien, the president of Idolz Toys, has a few blanks in his office. If he runs out and there are enough requests, I think he could be convinced to make another run of DIY blank white versions to sell alongside the future colorways. The future colorways are detailed on the Idolz website here.

If you want to find out more about the Idolz, check out their website, read Gruntor's blog, and friend him on Facebook! Gruntor even sends out the occasional tweet. His username is gruntor, of course.

INSIDE TOY FAIR: Vamplets 7" baby vampire plushes

One of the first gems of Toy Fair I found was the Vamplets line of 7- to 8-inch tall baby vampire plushes by artist G-Ra. They retail for around $15 each. There are currently 6 characters available: (starting at upper left and moving clockwise:) Burton Creepson Jr, Cadaverson Nightshade, Count Vlad Von Gloom, Midnight Mori, Lily Rose Shadowlyn & Evilyn Nocturna. There will soon be companion animals to go along with them. There's also a Disappearing Bottle of Blood accessory for the Vamplets for just $4.95.

You can explore the backstories and the extensive world of the Vamplets here- there's lots to see on their website!

Vamplets set up a great cross-promotion with the Toy Fair: they had a second booth in the back where you could donate blood, and Vamplets would give you either a special-edition plush or a special Vamplets t-shirt as a gift for your generosity.

We're really diggin these cute/creepy plushes; email us at tenacioustoys@gmail.com if you want to see Vamplets in our store! They really are very cuddly and huggable, I can personally attest to that.

INSIDE TOY FAIR: Live art by the Elite Gudz crew

I was really excited when, at the last minute, I heard that the artists from Elite Gudz had been tapped to perform live art and customization in the Designer Toys aisle of the NY Toy Fair! The platforms for this project are the Mannequinz you see in the following shots.

Elite Gudz, headed up by street artist/designer/entrepreneur Phetus, is a Long Island, NY-based creative studio. One of their many projects is the Concrete Immortalz comic book. Their roster of artists includes some of the best and brightest of NY-area street artists from all walks of the art world: Phetus' resume spans the fashion, design & comic book worlds, Rolo works in illustration and fashion, Mr Den is a tattoo artist, sculptor & painter, Brian works on comic books and handles PR for Elite Gudz, Narek's a digital painter & illustrator, my buddy NEMO, of course, is an independent sculptor & painter extraordinaire who I've mentioned countless times.

Toy Fair got in touch with Elite Gudz not so long ago and offered them a spot so they could show attendees some art in action. I have to say, their booth does lend quite a bit of street cred to an otherwise all-business convention.

Elite Gudz setting up early Sunday, the first day of Toy Fair:

Rolo gets to work on a Wall Lord-themed Mannequin:

Narek, NEMO & Phetus starting their projects:

Rolo cannot be stopped, he just bangs out the most amazing illustrations in minutes:

Mr Den sometimes smiles.

But even when he does, he somehow still looks like he might rip your arms off. He's a really nice guy, I swear:

NEMO in his element, pushin clay:

Phetus at the start of what looks like a very colorful Mannequinz project:

I told you Rolo works fast. The dude's a phenom:

If you can, stop by booth #4954 on the lower level of the Javits to check out the artists at work!

I am sure Elite Gudz will be posting up pics of the finished Mannequinz on their website after Toy Fair.

You can also fan them on Facebook.