COMMENTARY: Creativity Can Offers Kids Opportunity to Give Back, Get Creative
Sponsor Announcement: Big Bad Toy Store
No Lying, Here Are Some Perfect Steiff Pint-Sized Easter Treats
Wouldn't ewe just love to curl up with this first featured friend? Here we have a very sweet example of Steiff's relatively hard to find lying Lamm or lamb. This little handful is all of 10 cm, curled up, unjointed, and made from white wool plush. She has green and black glass slit pupil eyes and a simple hand embroidered nose and mouth. When she left the factory in Germany, she was detailed with a baby blue silk ribbon and a brass bell. This pattern was made in 10 and 14 cm from 1954 through 1955 and then again in 1966 through 1972 in 25 cm. It is interesting to note that on this particular example, her chest tag has the name "Lamby" on it, although she appears in the reference books simply as Lamb.
Our next barnyard basket buddy just may get your goat - with his cuteness, that is! Here we have Steiff's Ziege or goat. He is 10 cm, lying, and made from tan mohair that has been nicely highlighted with darker tan airbrushing on his body, legs, and face. Goat's ears and the underside of his tail are made from peach colored felt. His face is detailed with green and black slit pupil eyes, a black hand embroidered nose and mouth, and just a touch of red around his lips. Goat retains his original colorful bear faced chest tag, salmon colored silk ribbon, and bitty brass bell. This design was made in 10 and 14 cm from 1954 through 1956 only, and is considered relatively rare. Like his sister Lamb discussed above, it is interesting to note that on this particular example, goat's chest tag has the name "Zicky" on it, although he appears in the reference books simply as Ziege.
Of course, rabbits are the perfect Easter accessory, so this last selection should put everyone "at ease." Here we have Steiff’s 6 cm Lieg Hase, or Lying Rabbit. And by “lying,” Steiffgal means “outstretched,” not “dishonest.” This rabbit is reclining and made from mohair. She is head jointed and has quite a prominent “tail end.” Her ears are lined in pink velvet and she has a pink, hand-embroidered nose; black lips, and clear monofilament whiskers. Probably her most eye-catching feature is her outstanding black and white google-style peepers! This basking bunny was made in 6, 9, and 12 cm from 1953 through 1970.
Steiffgal hopes this discussion on little lying Steiff Easter-themed treasures has been a breath of spring air for you.
Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.
Odds ‘n Ends > Mark Bellomo Interview, ROTU, Lego TMNT, Toys Around the World
Crafts Aren’t Just for Rainy Days
On Sale! Transformers Beast Hunters, Bot Shots, KRE-O and More In Sunday March 17th Papers
The NogginStik Rattle: A Developmental Baby Toy (Giveaway)
BotCon 2013 registration has begun
Fun Publications has announced that the official Transformers BotCon 2013 registration is now live. Registration can be done right online at the BotCon website for the event running from June 27 to 30 in San Diego, California. Registration levels range from the Primus Package ($365 for club members, $450 for non-members) down to the Mini-Con Package ($90 to $150) with various perks for each level. As mentioned previously the theme this year is Machine Wars and the figure box set includes Hoist, Skywarp, Strika, Obsidian, and Megaplex. Additional figures for the theme will also be available at the convention. Every year there's a special class that teaches customizing techniques using an unbuilt and unpainted figure which often sells out within a day of registration opening. For the first time this year they've announced that the class figure will made available for sale to attendees that don't attend the class pre-assembled, but still unpainted. The figure is limited to one per person and must be picked up in person. They won't be announcing who this figure will be before the event. Full details can be found on the website.
So who's planning to make the trip to attend this year? I've never been to a BotCon as much as I would love to, but the Machine Wars theme and figure lineup isn't really enough to draw me in this year. Next year on the other hand is probably the one not to be missed. They'll be celebrating the franchise's 30th anniversary and there should be quite the bash. I'm guessing they'll be back in Rhode Island again to celebrate at Hasbro's home office. I sure hope so, that's a trip I would make.
Happy Birthday to Bob Budiansky - The Man Who Created The Transformers!
Cavey gets ready for ToyCon UK, plus another event
Cavey fans: if you're going to ToyCon UK, you're in luck. Holly is bringing with her two special Caveys — one plush, one vinyl — for the event, the Toyconcaveysaurus. The plush one is a fleecy aqua number, while the vinyl one features a fabric spine. Both are made to look like the ToyCon UK mascot, Tcon. If you're looking for them, they'll be show releases for £25 (plush, 25 pieces) and £15 (vinyl, 10 pieces), with the leftovers on the Cavey shop afterwards.
But wait, there's more! Also announced was the Vinyl Cavey Custom Show, celebrating Cavey's third birthday. It returns to Fleet River Bakery (71 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3JF, London, U.K.) on Friday, May 31 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. GMT. Your artist list includes: Ali Coleman, Chauskoskis, Cris Rose, DMS, Doktor A, DrilOne, Gary Ham, George Gaspar, Haus of Boz, Jay222, Jake Waldron, Jeremiah Ketner, Jon Paul Kaiser, J*RYU, Kerry Dyer, Lady Lauren Loves, Leecifer, Lisa Rae Hansen, Luke Chueh, Lunabee, Matt Jones, Map Map, Mike Strick, Mister Lister, Okkle, Onell Design, Onorio Depiro, Peskimo, Phil Corbett, Planet Domu, Podgy Panda, RunDMB, Scott Tolleson, Scott Wilkowski, Sergey Safonov, Squink!, Stitches and Glue, The Sucklord, The Tarantulas, and Triclops. Expect Caveys, customs, and cakes!
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3 Ways to Prepare for the Perfect Movie Night With Pop Secret #PopSecretMovieNight
Art Collector Starter Kit at Corey Helford Gallery
This Is What All Your Dead Marios Look Like When You Lose A...
This Is What All Your Dead Marios Look Like When You Lose A Life
Our friend and designer toy artist extraordinaire RSIN sent us these pics of his custom Mario figure for the Game On art show being hosted by 1AM Gallery during this year’s Game Developers Conference. This custom 8” Mario piece features a sculpted base, gold accents, and Mario’s grill has been sculpted into a Mexican sugar skull with gold teeth.
Kind of makes me wish there was some sort of evil power-up item that made Mario look like this in the games.
Check it: More custom toy posts on Albotas
Buy: Super Mario 5" Vinyl Figure Set of 5
[NSFW] Maid Bride's Yuki is living dangerously
It's always a little awkward to see a head shot thumbnail and think sure, I'll post that. Then you click through to the full figure and are hit with a sudden "...Oh." As such, I give you Maid Bride's Yuki, looking like quite the innocent headphone girl at first glance, until you let your eyes wander.
While it may not be the smartest thing to be wearing a piece of electrical equipment while partaking in a presumed wet t-shirt contest, I still can't help but find Yuki a bit appealing. She's certainly got allure for the pervier fans, but I'm mostly drawn in by that lovely hair and the headphones adding a bit of detail to an otherwise simple figure.
I would actually love to see her with a proper opaque shirt and nothing else changed, but even as is she could be worth your ¥8,286 when she arrives in September.
[ Pre-order at Hobby Search | AmiAmi | J-List ]
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This Video Game Store’s Sign Is A Giant Neon Nintendo...
This Video Game Store’s Sign Is A Giant Neon Nintendo Cartridge!
Coolest light-up storefront sign ever? We think so. This sign can be seen atop 8BIT Video Games, a retro video game shop in Shillington, Pennsylvania specializing in classic games for NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and more. Their official grand opening is tomorrow, Saturday March, 16, at noon.
Unlike more tradition (i.e. corporate) video game retailers, this store is owned and operated by actual fans.
We actually did a video interview back in the day with one of the owners, Paul, back in the day when he ran a little shop called Level Up Games and let us host our own Pokémon Fight Club.
Terrible video production quality and oldschool aspect ratio FTW!!!
He’s essentially a gamer who amassed such a huge collection that he just eventually decided to turn it into a store. Living the dream!!!
If you live in the Reading/Shillington/Wyomissing area or feel like making the hour-long trek from Philly, you’ll definitely want to check this place out!