Collector Appreciation 2017!

Just when I thought we weren't going to get a Collector Appreciation event this year, Breyer pulls it out!

Carefully timed to not coincide with the double savings weekend and $10 express shipping upgrade, of course. Well played, Breyer (or not).

So it looks like this year, the first 500 orders to use the Collector Appreciation code to order $125 of qualifying merchandise will receive one of four glossed models with their order: Liberty, Bandera, Hickory Hills Wall Street, or Bryants Jake. That breaks down to 125 glossies each.

I was irritated that they raised the total to $125 this year, but I couldn't resist the possibility of a glossy Liberty or Bandera, so I bit. But what to buy? I hadn't been planning on buying one of the new throw blankets they came out with, but when I saw one of them had the Xavier unicorn on it, I had to get it. I love throw blankets and I love unicorns; what could go wrong? It had better be a pretty amazing throw for $40, though.

Along with the throw, I picked up another Fantasia and Gozosa set to try to get a Fantasia that will stand, and a Hwin to resell. Hopefully I don't have too much trouble dumping those on eBay later.

It looks like the promotion is still available, though I'm not sure how we're supposed to tell if it's sold out unless Breyer is planning on telling us. I'm hoping to get Liberty or Bandera, but good luck if you ordered!

And yes, the 2018 new releases are apparently out in the wild, but I'm waiting for an official announcement from Breyer before I cover them here. Lots of exciting stuff, though!

Bandera is here!

Hello, readers! Tonight's blog subject is simple: I finally got a Bandera! I got him from my husband for my birthday. I know I haven't been doing a lot of posts about new releases lately - that's because we recently sold our house and will be moving, and I've been cutting back on purchases as a result. Fear not! I should be able to blog uninterrupted (hopefully). So, on with the show! Here are some quick cell phone pics of Bandera:

At first glance, he looks pretty nice (other than the whole "somebody stole a bunch of branding irons and then went to town on this poor horse" thing). But then you look at his eyes and...yeesh.

 

 In the first photo, you can see the shading on his muzzle and other areas and the "burnished" look on his tail. Clearly the intent was to make him look like bronze (maybe they thought that would lessen the "someone please rescue this horse from the branding irons"), but they could at least have painted his eyes. It's so creepy-looking!

Well, anyway. Here's his off side.

His mane looks burnished too. But his hooves aren't; their unfinished look matches his unfinished eyes. What gives?



Quality-wise, he's mostly okay, but does have some small box rubs (grr) on his right hip. Not sure how you'd show this model anyway (other than an example of what not to do with branding irons), but the box rubs are still irritating - especially since he came with those plastic cutout things to protect his legs from the back of the box. At least it's a flaw that wouldn't be terribly difficult to have fixed, should I decide to go that route.

Conclusion: While I like the Geronimo mold, and the concept of this model, the execution left a little to be desired. Let's hope Saffron looks nice!

Kid's St. Patrick's Day Grab Bags!

Another holiday, another grab bag...



But this time they're only $20!

Grab Bags include Stablemates and an assortment of fun Blind Bags! Limited quantities of grab bags are available! Shop now, while supplies last!**

*Each Grab Bag (item #712970) contains an assortment of Breyer models and products appropriate for children ages 4+, with a total estimated retail value of $42.90. Assortments may vary. Limit one (1) Luck of the Irish Kid's Mini Mystery Grab Bag per order, while supplies last. Gift wrapping is not available for this item. Grab Bag contents individually packaged; does not come in a bag. This item is excluded from all discounts, promotional codes, sales and/or special offers at this time. **All sales final, no returns or exchanges on this item.

Ah, that explains why they're so cheap. Stablemates and blind bag stuff isn't especially spendy. I wonder if the blind bags might include the golden buckskin G3 Friesian? That might actually make it worth the purchase...

Nothing I'm going to bother with, but good luck to those who do!

Also, Bandera is now available to order on Breyer's website! Whoo! I think I'll wait and see if I can get my husband to buy him for my birthday, though.

A Flood of New Releases!

Wow! We got a lot of new release photos today. I can't wait to see them all in person! Modellpferdeversand has them posted. Here's an official photo of Hwin:



I cant wait to get her! Forever Saige looks great in gray.

Another release is a new Action Stock Horse Foal, apparently named Van Gogh:

 

He won't be joining my herd, sadly. But that leaves more money for other things! 

Another one is Paint Me a Pepto, a portrait on Bobby Jo:

 I won't be buying this one either, but Bobby Jo sure looks snazzy in black and white!

Next is Fantasia Del C, who we saw on the cover of JAH...and she comes with a foal! 

His name is Gozosa, apparently. I'm going to have to buy them...the only question is when. Maybe I can get my husband to buy them for my birthday.

Next is...the return of Foalzilla, as "Espresso."

Color me surprised...I thought this was another one of those things that would be labeled "Failed Experiments" and quietly disappear, never to be seen again. I suppose they want to get some more use out of the mold to justify making it in the first place. I didn't buy any of the Camilas, as the mold didn't appeal to me and I didn't see the point of introducing a new scale we likely won't see any adults in, simply due to sheer size. Who knows; maybe they'll expand the line if this release does well.

But I digress! Next is a new Classics set, Heroes of the West:

Harper fans, rejoice! That's a really nice color on her. But...is she being used as the stallion for this set? That's odd. Looking at the in-box photo, maybe the Standing Thoroughbred is the stallion? Confusing. Oh snap- I just noticed that's a new Hansel I'll need to get my hands on.

Next is a palomino "Morgan" and foal, featuring Liam again!

 

Can't say I'm the biggest fan of those palomino paint jobs, but whatevs (and the foal is going to look very similar to the Springtime Frolic one). That's a lot of releases for Liam in one year, but I'm not complaining! I may have issues clearing shelf space, though.

Next is a new Classics Arabian set, featuring Sagr and the Trotting Stock Horse Foal!

They look similar to the liver chestnut Cl. Black Beauty I posted about a couple of days ago. Interesting. Neither will be coming home with me, however.

Next we have another Arabian set, this time in gray:

The Black and the Morgan Foal look a little greenish...dare I say, Green Eggs and Sham greenish? This is most apparent in the in-box photo. Hopefully Breyer can get that cleaned up. They won't be joining my herd either way, however.

Lastly, we have Starry Night, on the Cl. Morgan Mare:

 

I see Breyer is trying to get in on the "Galaxy Horse" customizing craze that's been sweeping some parts of the Internet. That's not a bad thing, if only they'd put it on a mold I collect.

There's also a page entry for Bandera, the bronze Geronimo, but no photo. Hopefully they get that fixed soon. EDIT: The Bandera photo is now up!



I like Geronimo, and I like a bronze Geronimo, but I'm not sure how I feel about the brands. I'll most likely still buy one, but it seems a little odd. Oh well.

That seems to be it for now, but I also heard murmurings about a new Connemara Mare for the brick-and-mortar SR - I'm probably safe on that front. Sugarloaf is the only Connemara Mare in my collection, though I've been thinking about buying a Banks Vanilla. We'll have to see what color the SR is. I'll be sure to keep the blog updated!