Featured Model: 9/30/2017, Make a Wish

Hello and welcome to yet another edition of Featured Model, the weekly blog event where I pick a model from my collection, give some stats on it and provide commentary about it. This week's model is...Make a Wish!



This, uh, "pretty" girl is item #711069. She was a run of 1,350 produced on the Arabian Mare/Make a Wish mold sculpted by Kathleen Moody. As the name indicates, this was the first appearance of this mold.

Not only was this the first appearance of this mold, it also ended up being the first appearance of the Mr.-Potato-Head-type molds with changeable manes, tails and body parts (the only other one being the Gypsy Vanner/Laredo). Interesting that they're both Moody molds! But I digress.

Now, I don't consider this model bad by any means. At least the mane on this one partially covers up the "double shoulder" issue that the head-down version of this mold has. Unfortunately, I like the lowered head better than the raised one, but I guess we can't have everything. And she's a very pretty palomino color! I've wanted one for a while, and was finally able to find one for a price I wanted to pay at Breyerfest this year. Definitely one of my small-key grails!

One complaint I have is that the swish tail has been used more than any of the other tails for this mold. I do like the long tail, but let's see a return of the flip tail, and maybe a few more mix and match options! I suggest making this mold the surprise at Breyerfest next year. Hey, there are Arabian racehorses, right? She'd fit right in, especially since they don't make much effort to conform to the theme anyway - will anyone be surprised if Duende shows up as a special run?

All jokes aside, I do like this mold, or I wouldn't keep buying it. She's not a part of the current regular run line - maybe she'll make a reappearance next year? Or she could show up as a web special or something. She's too popular not to be used for something! Let's hope Breyer pulls her out of the vault again soon.

Duende or: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

So my Duende arrived today, and after all of the hobby drama we've been seeing for the last week regarding this release, I was really nervous that I'd get a bad one. Fortunately, that was mostly not the case!



I'll admit I'm not as bothered as some about the quality issues with this run, as I'm not very picky. I'll also admit the title of this post is something I thought up back when we only had one photo of one plastic Duende to judge against the resin, and now that more plastic Duendes are showing up in the wild, some of the quality concerns are definitely valid. All the same, I don't think this release is the disaster many people are saying it is - I'd say the Imperador sculpt fared far worse in the molding process than Duende did. I'm basically using Imperador as the standard to judge all the recent new sculpts against, as the biggest screwup in recent memory, and I don't think Duende is nearly as bad. He's not so small as to almost be mistaken for a Classic, for starters, and Imperador has the unfortunate problem of looking like he was sculpted in Sculpey and then someone stepped on it before it was baked. Duende does look somewhat narrow in comparison to the resin, but he could honestly be a lot worse.

With regards to the squished sculpts, it does beg the question of why the new Eberl sculpts seem to translate flawlessly into plastic, yet sculpts by other artists are hit-and-miss. Food for thought.

My Duende isn't great, but he isn't horrible either. I was hoping I'd get a darker one, which I did. I really do like his paint job, and I think he looks like a masterpiece compared to unfortunate previous attempts like Wyatt and Nympheas. I never expected the plastic models to look exactly like the resin preview (and Breyer has a long history of using the resin versions of new sculpts to stand in for the plastic ones until they're ready for prime time, which I don't have a problem with).

Above is a photo of the prominent chest seam on the model, which seems to be common. Things like this are difficult to excuse. This is a brand-new sculpt, and as such they should really be doing a better job of sanding down the seams. This is very similar to the seam issues on Zion's nether regions a couple of months ago. Was the seam-sanding team asleep at the wheel again?

His head and forelock are mostly okay, though I wish the mane were more pearly. There's also the unfortunate issue of overspray on the mane covering up the areas of the shoulder visible between the strands of the mane. Why even bother with those kinds of details if you aren't going to go to the trouble of painting them correctly? Like the mane braids on the Iberian version of the Gypsy Vanner sculpt.

Aside from the chest seam and shoulder overspray, this model does have those black specks scattered across small areas of his body, but I'm more forgiving of those because they're tiny and I don't expect a QC inspector to look at every model with a magnifying glass. I do really like the mold from the above angle, though, and I love that his tail is pearly! I just wish his mane had been pearly to match.

All in all, this is hardly the first time Breyer has mucked up a brand-new sculpt in the Premier Club, and it probably won't be the last. The question I'm asking, though, is whether Breyer has been taking on more projects than they can handle lately. We never got an explanation for why Duende's release was delayed a month, and there have been numerous other production delays this year as well. Maybe it's time for Breyer to expand their staff a bit - or, if they can't do that, cut back on their offerings (sad as that would be). Let's hope they take something into consideration, because it could really come back to haunt them if they don't. 

Bwuh? Calvin? That's unexpected

Another day, another surprise Classic special run, eh? Except this time it's another Gambler's Choice! Meet Calvin in blue:

Calvin in bay:

And Calvin in chestnut!



Which color will you receive? You'll only know when you open the box!

Unfortunately, I'm missing out on the gambler's choice fun again, because they've again chosen a mold I don't collect. That's ultimately a good thing, since I've been trying to cut back on model horse purchases lately, but still a little disappointing. But, I suppose they'll eventually use a mold I collect if the gambler's choice scheme keeps on being popular. It's only a matter of time!

Of these three models, I do like the blue one the best, and I'd definitely want him if it was a mold I collect. I'd definitely name the chestnut one Hobbes, though. Anyway... there are 500 of each color, so definitely enough to go around. Like Goblin, they're only available to Collector Club members, though I kind of doubt they'll sell out, so I'm guessing any remaining will be offered to the general public. Good luck to everyone who buys!

Java is here!

Exciting news today - my Java has arrived! Behold:

I love this guy, in all his bronzed goodness! Definitely one of the better entries in the Big Cats series.

And the only thing he has wrong with him is his right eye color goes down onto his lower eyelid slightly. Certainly not anywhere close to being a dealbreaker!



He's definitely a keeper! I wonder, have we ever heard who designed the models for this series? Whoever it is deserves a medal for this guy - he's gorgeous! All in all, I'm glad I was able to purchase this guy (even if I wasn't drawn for him), and I hope any future entries in the Big Cats series are this nice!

Featured Model - 9/23/2017, Enchante

Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured Model, the weekly blog event where I pick a model from my collection, give some stats on it and provide commentary about it. This week's model is...Enchante!



This model, item #711221, was a Breyerfest special run in 2015. He was a run of 1500 and was produced on the Totilas mold sculpted by Brigitte Eberl.

I really like this model's color - that shaded bay with high white stockings looks really snazzy on him. I am less enamored of the yellow on his legs - I remember that being a mild controversy when they first came out, because the prototype photo didn't have those yellow legs. Fortunately, the one I got is fairly mild in the yellow-leg department - some of the ones I saw were just terrible.

As for the mold itself, I like his face and head, and of course he has a very dynamic trot. Maybe not the most correct trot, but that's what the real Totilas was known for. I wouldn't say he's my favorite mold in the collection, but he definitely has his place (all three of the ones I own...well, four if you count this year's Holiday Horse, which is hidden somewhere in our apartment awaiting Christmas). I'd love to own a Bluebird or a Zydeco, or a glossy Totilas - maybe someday I'll find them. In the meantime, I'll have to be happy with the three I have.

Since he's being used as this year's Holiday Horse, I don't expect to see the mold trotted out again this year, but you never know - he might be this year's silver filigree release (though I doubt it; my money's on Shannondell or Yasmin for that). But maybe we'll see him used for something exciting next year? We'll have to wait and see.

New Halloween Classic - Goblin!

Well well, just when I thought I wouldn't have anything else to write about this week...



...A new Halloween Classic! Oooh. She looks interesting. Those goblins are more cutesy than spoopy spooky, though. Actually, they kind of make me think of that "AHH! Real Monsters!" TV show that used to be on Nickelodeon back in the day.

It's cool that she glows in the dark, though - with that large of a glow area, I bet she'll glow bright! Definitely an instant purchase for me. I like her purple highlights, too - at least, it looks like she has purple highlights. And it's a mold I collect, so I don't need an excuse to buy it!

The eyes look a little odd, though - hopefully she gets here fast so I can look at her a little closer. She looks like she has cataracts or something, but maybe it's just a trick of the light or something.

Either way, I'm excited to see what this one looks like! Get her here - she's available to Collector Club members first, then the rest of the general public.

Duende is finally available!

After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, the second Premier Club release of the year is now available to order! Meet Duende!

I really hope this guy looks good in person...I'm still slightly iffy about him, but hopefully he looks stunning.



It seems these photos are still of the resin version - it would have been nice to get some pictures of one of the finished plastic pieces. I really hope the mold didn't get squished in the moldmaking process! Let's hope the plastic version is just as nice as the resin. No idea when mine will arrive, though - probably next week sometime.

Thanks for the heads-up, I guess?

So Breyer posted today that Duende will be available for purchase...tomorrow? Okay then... We don't usually get oddly specific notifications like that. Why not just wait until tomorrow? I suppose doing it this way lets people scramble to find funds slightly ahead of time instead of on the day of, but...it just seems weird.



So is this photo the finished plastic version of the horse? His hooves look a little goofy, but maybe it's just the lighting. I suppose we'll find out in a week or so! Can't wait to order mine.

Java selections are out!

So check your inboxes! Nothing here, sadly. I suppose I should have expected it - we got incredibly lucky and managed to get drawn for 3/4 of the America the Beautiful releases (didn't enter for Wailua). I hope everyone who wanted one got drawn! Fortunately, I found one for not too much of a markup from a kind Blabber, so hopefully he gets here soon!

Featured Model - 9/16/2017, Caves of Lascaux

Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured Model, the weekly blog event where I pick a model from my collection, give some stats on it and provide commentary about it. This week's model is...Caves of Lascaux!

This model is item #711228, and was produced as one of the pop-up tent models for Breyerfest 2015. She was done on the Zebra mold sculpted by Kristina Lucas Francis, and was a run of 650.

At first I was lukewarm about this model, since this is only the second time it was used for any type of wide release since its original release as the Damara Zebra in 2000. But eventually I decided I liked her face, and the cave drawings were unique. So, husband was dispatched to get me one from the pop-up line, as I was busy volunteering, and I haven't regretted buying her since!

I really like the combination of the model's color plus the colors in the cave drawings - not that they're really that different from each other, but they set each other off nicely. And like I said, I like her head/face - she looks good in that primitive dun color.

This is one of the molds I wish Breyer would use more often - it's been long enough since the original Zebra was retired that they could easily do another one, or they could use it as a wild ass, or Zebra cross or something. However, my favorite thing about this mold is that it gave us one of my favorite auction models to date - the Fruit Stripe Zebra! If only it would come up for sale, so I could try to buy it! I'll have to keep my fingers crossed! 

The Big Cat Series Returns with Java!

Wow, I thought the Big Cat series was over with, but evidently not! Meet Java.



Gah! It's a Nokota. I have to have him! Is it bad that I'm angry at Breyer for only making it a run of 255? Bleh. I shouldn't be surprised, since none of the Big Cats web specials have had quantities of more than 280 yet, but still...grrr.

Oh well. This guy will be in high demand, I can tell. Hopefully at least one of my accounts gets drawn - my 14 other Nokotas need their big cat buddy! I think his color is really interesting, too - love the bronze in it. At least it's only a four-day entry period instead of a whole week. Looking forward to the 18th!

Also, since the Big Cat series now has a fifth entry, dare I hope that the America the Beautiful series continues next year? Crossing my fingers!

Jacy is here!

Okay, technically he's been here for a while, but I haven't had time to post about him. So, my TSC Jacy came in, and he's beautiful!

I really like his color, although it does make his head look a little weird for some reason. Probably just me.

He's definitely a handsome guy! He'll look great next to my other Geronimos.

Quality-wise, he's very nice - I don't see any flaws anywhere. It looks like the black of his eyes could have been painted a smidge closer to the edges of the eyes, but it's not that much of an issue.

Besides, I'd rather have this than the opposite effect - black dots slopped all over the eye/eyelids - that's been so common on a lot of models lately.



There's a closeup of his teeny fleabites - they're so small they don't even show up in most of the photos I've seen of this model online! I wonder how they did it - probably some type of airbrush splatter effect, I guess.

In closing, I'm very happy with this model! If only the quality for everything could be this nice.

In other news, word on the street is that we're not getting a Mid-States Exclusive model this year due to low sales. This doesn't really surprise me - our local Runnings store hasn't gotten any Mid-States models since the "Brabant Cross" in 2014 - and I think they still had a few with their meager Christmas display last year! That release was a lovely color, so I have no idea why it sold so poorly, unless it was the $50 price tag. Then again, our store hasn't gotten any of the Holiday Horses in the last few years either, despite the fact that I thought they always sold pretty well. Maybe they just gave up.

Anyway, here's hoping the Mid-States Exclusive gets brought back eventually. In the meantime, my wallet is happy!

Featured Model - 9/9/2017, Cozmic One

Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured Model, the weekly blog event where I pick a model from my collection, give some stats on it and provide commentary about it. This week's model is...Cozmic One!



This model was first released in 2012, sometime after the birth of its namesake, Zenyatta's first foal. Of course, at that time the foal didn't have a name, so the models were simply labeled "Zenyatta's First Colt." I'm not sure if they ever did get around to updating that (though I wish the real horse's owners had chosen a less-stupid name). He was released on the Gilen mold sculpted by Brigitte Eberl, and is item #1490. Breyer also did a limited special run of 500 of these models in gloss for the official Zenyatta website, which was very popular!

I really like the color on these models and on the Zenyatta models - they tend to be a really rich, dark bay, like the real horses! And I like most of the Trad foals Breyer has been coming out with for the last few years - not that we've gotten a lot of new foal molds, but the more the merrier! Still crossing my fingers that this year's final Premier Club release will be a draft mare and foal (bonus points if the foal isn't tippy like Gilen and Corazon tend to be).

Gilen himself is a really nice mold - his sculpt suggests movement really well, and he looks leggy and athletic like a sport horse mold should. My only complaint is that they tend to be tippy, like a lot of Brigitte's trotting molds. And I wish they'd use this mold more often, really. I'd love to see a two-piece Trad foal set with a Corazon - that would be great! Definitely something I'd buy.

As for the real Cozmic One, he's been a bit of a disappointment on the racetrack, and at 5 years old, has yet to win or even hit the board in a race (not that he's been in very many races). But it's difficult for any good racehorse to reproduce themselves, and Zenyatta and Bernardini were both pretty successful on the track. Breeding is a roll of the dice every time, and sometimes things just don't work out. Let's hope Cozmic One finds something more to his liking soon! He could always go to Florida like Jess's Dream...

Another test model on the website!

So Breyer has another test model up for entries on the website...and this time it's a Cantering Welsh Pony!



From the website:

The Cantering Welsh Pony is an all-time fan favorite.  Athletic and cute with her braided mane and tail, she's come in a variety of colors through the years since her debut in the 1970s.  This freehand bay leopard appaloosa pattern is a test run created in the last five years.  She sports a pink muzzle, striped hooves, bi-colored eyes and the CHESS mold mark on the inside right hind leg.  She's in top condition with no visible flaws.  Her pretty painted coat is truly unique! 

She certainly looks nice, although I don't collect the mold. I used to have a few of them, but they fell victim to yet another shelf purge a few years ago. I'll enter once just to see if I get drawn, but no biggie if I don't. Her price is a bit steep for a pony anyway, I think. Good luck to everyone who enters!

The Vintage Club Classic Paint Horse Family is now available!

The final release in the 2017 Vintage Club, the Classic Paint Horse Family, is available now on the Breyer website!



Nice colors on all of them, but nothing I need to have (which is good, as I'm not a Vintage Club member). It'll be interesting to see how these are received amongst hobbyists - I remember there being some consternation about Classic-sized models being used in a club that had only used Traditional molds in the past. I wonder if Breyer will do the same thing next year? Per Sommer Prosser, these molds were used, in modern paint jobs, in an attempt to keep the club from falling into a rut. Will it work? I have yet to ever be a member of the club, so I'm not sure I'm really qualified to say. I guess we'll find out when we see next year's releases! It should only be a few weeks now.

The only thing that's left in this year's Vintage Club now is the freebie Stablemate set, Licorice and Jellybean. I wonder when they'll ship? They're cute, but still nothing I need. I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Stablemate Club grab bags? Why doesn't that surprise me?

I suppose it was only a matter of time. Stablemate Club grab bags, everyone!






Unfortunately, they're models from last year's Stablemate Club, which makes them infinitely less interesting to me, as I only kept two of last year's models. But, never fear! There's a chance you'll get a Diesel or Django, rather than someone's leftover Ricochet or Shiloh. And there's two Stablemates per grab bag, so that's double the chances! Current 2017 Stablemate Club members can buy them here.

Edit: Oh snap, they were already sold out by the time I posted this. Wow! Well, I guess the demand for them was higher than I thought it was. Good luck to everyone who bought one!

Featured Model - 9/2/2017, Hansel

Hello, readers, and welcome to another edition of Featured Model, the weekly blog event where I pick a model from my collection, give some stats on it and provide commentary about it. This week's model is...Hansel!

 

Hansel was the companion foal to the mare Gretel, who I covered in a Featured Model post a couple of weeks ago. He was sculpted by Brigitte Eberl and is item #711133. This was the first release of this mold, along with the original Gretel, in a run of 800 made for Breyerfest 2011.

I remember when this set was announced for Breyerfest, because it was unusual for them to do a Classic-scale special run in the first place, and it was also a (badly-needed) new set of molds! At the time I wasn't terribly excited about them, but a few years later I decided I liked them after all (this seems to be relatively common with Classics molds for some reason), and so the set came home to live with me. I really do like the color on this set, although I'm not sure what to call it. Silver bay? They're a little dark for that, but I don't know what else to call them, and IDYB doesn't have a color listed.

He certainly is a cute little guy, and I've made sure to get all of his releases so far (it helps that none of them have been particularly limited except for Hansel himself). He makes a dapper little companion to his mother Gretel. I think I mentioned in one of my posts about Fiona and Rory that I hope they don't do another release in black anytime soon - he's been done in black three times now! Hopefully Breyer comes out with another exciting release soon.