March VinylMadness 2013 Rules

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

Calling all custom artists. This March, Destination Vinylmation will be holding the first annual March VinylMadness contest. Vinylmation fans will be voting in a bracket style play-off to determine their favorite custom figure.

Here are the rules for submitting your custom vinyl creation:

Eligible Vinyls are:
Any custom created by you.
Since Vinylmation started.
Any size or platform of Vinylmation.
Accessories and sculpting is allowed but we are only accepting individual figures (no sets or dioramas).

Submit up to three customs and rank them for us in your email. Your first choice is guaranteed to get in.
Multiple entries will depend on number of entries we receive and will be determined by Destination Vinylmation. Deadline is February 14th, 2013. The contest will start in March of 2013.

To enter, send an email to DestinationVinylmation@gmail.com with the following info for each figure:
Name of figure.
Date made.
Artist name (to be hidden during contest).
A photo of the front of the entire vinyl.
We would also prefer two other photos (to show off back/details/unique parts) but not required.
All photos need to be of the finished Vinylmation.

Additional notes:
Artists are welcome to pimp their figures on their own sites/facebook pages/twitter feeds when voting happens, in fact we encourage getting the word out, however please no negative posts toward other artists or figures. This contest is to help create awareness for and enjoyment in the Vinylmation community of custom work.

If you have any questions feel free to email us. We’ll answer these questions and then add those answers to this post.

A Pile of Pups (and more!)

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

@ctizz36 tweeted out this picture earlier today. Just a quick look at the new Whiskers & Tails set of vinylmation. Nothing too crazy here, just the first good look at Tito’s crazy hair piece. Check it out in the top right corner. Fun!

Myths and Legends Explained

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

Myths and Legends
Release Date: January 7, 2013
Disney Stores and Online
$9.95

Myths and Legends is a mystery set of 12 designed by the Disney Store Artists. Once again, they have decided to bring artist cards back, but to utilize them in a very unique way.

 Big Foot
Quincy Sutton

The larger than normal feet is another shining example of innovation at the Disney Store. It is also just another reason why this new platform was developed.

Cyclops
Jim Valeri

Great job with the little details making him look down right nasty… which in this case is good.

Gargoyle
Enrique Pita

A seemingly simple idea, made to look brilliant with beautiful wings and some character in the facial expression.

Gnome
Nacho Rodriguez

I like the sculpted hat. I will say if you put this one against Caley Hick’s Gnome from Urban 8, I will take the Urban Gnome. But this guy looks like he is up to trouble.

Chupacabra
Nacho Rodriguez

No on really knows what this guy looks like, so imagination was endless for the artist here.

Medusa
Gerald Mendez

Nice job with the tangled web of snakes. I’m scared to look this one in the eyes.

Mermaid
Quincy Sutton

For some reason, the bright colors don’t allow this one to fit into the set in my opinion. I think in this case, she needed to have her face framed more by here hair.

Ogre
Enrique Pita

Big nose! I like how Disney Store artists often let the characters look to the side.

Pan with pipes
Quincy Sutton

Once again, Disney Store Artists rise above and beyond with accessories.

Troll
Nacho Rodriguez

This guy looks down right grumpy… and I love it. Great touch with the mushrooms drawn in the ears.

Yeti
Jim Valeri

Yeti is catching up to Cheshire Cat as one of the most used characters outside the Fab 5. His mouth is a little odd in my opinion, but I love the drool.

Mystery Chaser


Click image to reveal the chaser.

WDW Marathon Vinylmation Release Detail Updates

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

From the Disney Parks Blog, here is the first image of the 3″ Run Disney figure with one of the WDW Marathon mini medals.

I love it! I can not wait to own one of these with my rather large finishing time written on the back. There have been some changes/clarifications in the release info. The 3″ figure ($12.95) and mini medals ($1.95) will be available at the Clubhouse Store at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex beginning on Thursday, January 10th.

The figure (and I’d assume the medals, but not specifically stated by Disney) will then be available at D-Street on Sunday, January 13th. There is also a signing at D-Street on Sunday after the race with Maria Clapsis from 5-7pm. In Anaheim, the release date for the 3″ figure has been changed to January 18th. These specific mini medals are not set for release in California, but I would be surprised if we did not see a similar idea for the west coast races.

Wrestlers and Nursery Rhymes Buy One; Get One Deal

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

Can’t say we didn’t see this one coming. All Disney Store blind boxes eventually make there way to this familiar sale shelf. All Extreme Wrestler and Nursery Rhyme blind boxes and trays are Buy One, Get One Free at the DisneyStore.com.

Two great things, you can mix and match sets and full trays are BOGO, however, that does not mean an individual tray is half price. You must buy 2 trays, and one is free.

This is perfect timing… you will see my New Years Resolution post a little later today. Are you surprised by this sale?

Spotlight On: Aaralyn- Roger Rabbit, Vanellope, and Lizard Wizard

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

 

“My three most recent 3” commissions were all a lot of fun to create. My customs always start with a sketch to get an idea of how I’d like the custom to look.

Roger Rabbit has so many adorable features, especially his big eyes, nose and ears. I focused a lot of my design time on getting the right facial expression. I’m really satisfied with how he came out and think he looks adorable.

Recently I also did a Vanellope from “Wreck-It Ralph” and a Lizard Wizard custom from the Disney-Pixar short “Small Fry.” (If you haven’t seen the short, it’s super cute.)

The hardest part of Vanellope’s design were her eyes and figuring out what kind of design I wanted for her ears. I really wanted to convey the childhood sweetness of her character.

For Lizard Wizard the hardest part was sculpting the hat. This custom represents a lot of what I love about commissions because I would have never thought to do this character otherwise and had a lot of fun creating him. I had never heard of the “Small Fry” short before and I really enjoyed the short along with this cute character.”

For more information about Aaralyn:
“Like” her art page on Facebook at facebook.com/artworksbyaaralyn
Follow Aaralyn on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest: @ArtistAaralyn
Visit her website for customs, Disney photography and more at artworksbyaaralyn.com

Episode 103 Magic Mirror

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

Ep. 103 Magic Mirror

This week we announce DV’s March VinylMadness! A contest for custom artists. We also have Matt from Vinylmation Kingdom on the show to make a huge announcement you will not want to miss. MC and I talk about our Top Ten Vinylmation stories from 2012 and look ahead to 2013 with predictions. And of course, we have all the latest news and release dates.

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First Junior Chaser Variant Revealed

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

Over at vinylmationworld they are reporting that Bob Garner found this special surprise in a Juniors 7 In Space box. It’s a red variant of the green chaser. So it’s a Variant Chaser.

What do you think of variants in the junior series? Is it as cool as the 3″ or pointless?

Spotlight On: Amber Gonzalez’s Bilbo Baggins

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

This week while we surfed the facebook I noticed some customs I had never seen before. They were created by Amber Gonzalez. So of course, I had to get in touch with her and ask her about her latest creation. This is what she said…

Destination Vinylmation: I’ve never seen your stuff before. How long have you been a custom vinylmation artist?

Amber Gonzalez: I have been doing customs since August of 2012. Still new and loving every minute of it.

DV: Have you always enjoyed creating art?

AG: I’ve always been crafty. Started painting canvases about 6 years ago.

DV: We asked you to pick your favorite custom so far, and you picked your newest one, Bilbo Baggins. Why do you like this figure so much?

AG: I’ve always been a huge LOTR fan. Last year I made a custom Frodo. With the new movie The Hobbit I knew I had to make young Bilbo Baggins.

DV: I saw the movie, it was much more entertaining that I thought it would be. What else inspired you to make this piece?

AG: I collect LOTR Lego sets and that’s what inspired me to make custom vinyls of them .

DV: Lego makes great video games. Have you tried out the Lego LOTR video game?

AG: I do play all the Lego games. Sadly I bought the LOTR Lego and then my wii died.

DV: That’s a bummer. I think mine’s almost dead too. What was the most difficult part of this figure?

AG: The only hard part was trying to blox a myth and legends Bigfoot so I could use the over sized feet 🙂

DV: Awesome. From the pics of Big Foot I didn’t even know he had different sized feet! How did you make the ring?

AG: The ring is a Lego accessory. They work perfect for vinyls

DV: I love Lego, if you’ve ever listened to the podcast I always joke about leaving Vinylmation to do a Lego podcast. What’s your favorite favorite Lego Minifig?

AG: I would say my favorite Lego minfig is Professer Snape from Harry Potter. One of my all time favorite characters.

DV: Ok, we should get back to vinyl. What is your favorit Disney made vinylmation figure?

AG: Oo tough one. I’d have to say the 9″ UP, I don’t own it but it’s always been a grail of mine 🙂

DV: Thank you for your time. We have one more question for you. Do you take commissions and where can people find out more about your art?

AG: I do! People can email me at vongeek@yahoo.com and also find me on Instagram : HeartBakers

DV: Very good! Well congrats on the awesome piece and let us know the next time you have something interesting to show off! And remember custom artists, you can always email us to display your custom pieces.

Jrs. 7 In Space Chasers

WDWNT on February 6, 2013

Over at Vinylmation Exchange member Scott Friedman posted a picture of the two chasers to Juniors 7 In Space. Click on the image to reveal them.

What do you think? For chasers these really don’t do much for me. What about you?