Spotlight On: The Custom Artist Project

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

We were happy to get a preview of the custom figures that will make up Series 1 of the Custom Artist Project at Mickey’s Circus. We also now know more specifics about how and when this series will launch. In the coming weeks we will try to spotlight the individual artists and talk with the project’s creator Rust this World on an upcoming podcast. For now, I’ll now turn it over to Rust this World to give you some of the details:

The Custom Artist Project is a group of 11 of the best custom Vinylmation artists in the world who have come together to make their own blind box series. Series 1 is called “Sidekickz” and is a mix of different Disney sidekicks from films or TV. We aim to replicate a real Vinylmation case, so the entire series is 24 figures. There are two of each figure with the exception of one chaser and one variant.

Celeste Villanueva
Sidekick: Booster Munchaper (Buzz Lightyear of Star Command)
Christopher Avalos (Evilos)
Sidekick: Lefou (Beauty and the Beast)

Josh Edwards (Crazy 4 Vinyls)
Sidekick: Iago (Aladdin)
Are Jay
Sidekick: Diablo (Sleeping Beauty)
Mark J Hoffmann
Sidekick: Grumpy (Snow White)
Brian Shapiro
Sidekick: Creeper (The Black Cauldron)
Heather Kattelman (Vinylmation Customations By Heather)
Sidekicks: Flotsam and Jetsam (The Little Mermaid

Dylan Pommer (Rust This World)
Sidekick: Eeyore (Winnie The Pooh)

Aaralyn Montgomery
Sidekick: Rajah (Aladdin)
Nanette Simard Belgen (NRB Relic)
Sidekick: Flower (Bambi)
Dylan Pommer (Rust This World)
Sidekick (Chaser): Smart Ass Weasel (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

Jenny Grinsell
Sidekick: Little John (Robin Hood)
Date of Launch : October 6th
Website: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtistProject/
How to purchase: The price of one blind box is $65, including shipping within the US. We’re looking into international shipping right now, but it will probably be another $5-10 if it works out.Paypal is going to be the accepted payment. It is limited to one household per blind box.
What you get: You will get one blind box (yes, I’m actually making boxes) with one of 24 different figures. Some figures come with accessories. You will also get 11 different cards, 1 from each artist.

Once Upon a Pin’s Mickey’s Circus Review

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

First, I want to thank any of our DV listeners/readers who have been checking out Once Upon a Pin, our Disney pin podcast and website we launched a few months back. Our numbers have been rising over the past few weeks with positive feedback about our approach.

You can help by spreading the word to your pin collecting friends in person, on Facebook and on the pin message boards. As you know, Mickey’s Circus was a great source of previews for pins and vinyl. DV had pictures of all the vinyl, but if you are also interested in the pin side, Once Upon a Pin had everything covered. We split the coverage up into three shorter podcasts:

Episode 11: Fantasyland, Epcot 30th and Mad T Party pin previews

Episode 12: Christmas and Nightmare Before Christmas pin previews

Episode 13: General pins that will be released at WDW and DLR. This includes pins of the month, event and general attraction and character pins as well as a look at next year’s POtM and AP pins.

You are also able to follow along and see all the pictures of the pins we are discussing. Just go to our Once Upon a Pin Facebook page and go to the photo albums section. Then, pick the corresponding album to the selection of pins we are discussing on the podcast you are listening to.

 

A Hauntingly Fun Release

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

We have more details now about the Haunted Mansion releases at WDW and DLR. (Hanted Mansion explained page)

On Friday, September 21, the series will be released at D-Street Walt Disney World. Casey Jones will hold a signing that day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be a one-of-a-kind custom 9″ Mariner figure designed by Casey Jones available for purchase on site (pictured below).

Casey will then make an appearance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, at D-Street Disneyland. The series will release that morning on the west coast and Casey Jones will also have a one-of-a-kind custom figure for purchase here too… the 9″ Bride pictured above. Additional custom figures will also be for sale:

John Henselmeier

Javier Soto

Julie West

Miss Mindy
According to a Disney Parks Blog interview with Steven Miller, series artist Casey Jones said: “We knew we couldn’t feature every single character from the attraction,” explained Casey. “So we selected a character from almost each of the different show scenes. This set gives us a strong foundation to build upon for a future Haunted Mansion series.”
The article reveals that the beautiful packaging for this series was designed by Thomas Scott with help from artist Dan Salgo. Thomas gave some insight into it’s creation, “We used the cover of the ‘The Story & Song from The Haunted Mansion’ vinyl album as inspiration for the packaging,” said Thomas. “We even used the unique ‘Haunted Mansion’ lettering found on that album as a nice tribute.”

We have waited along time for this series. What are your thoughts as we go into release weekend? Have the variants re-energized the passion for this set?

Video of Mickey’s Circus Vinylmation Chat

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Here is a video we recorded of the Vinylmation Chat Session from Sunday, September 9 at Mickey’s Circus. Unfortunately this year, they did not play the slide show behind the speakers on stage. You can of course check out all the pictures on this website. I also want to say once again thank you to everyone who logged in, or tried to log in to our live chat coverage of this event. I want to once again apologize to the many people who could not log on due to the overwhelming response. We will make sure to have more room next year. But I hope this video helps give you a glimpse of what we got to experience at Mickey’s Circus.

 

Spotlight On: Celeste’s Candy Bowl Vinylmation

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

The candy bowl series started when I first created a mickey bowl for the blind bag series and after so many great responses I figured why stop there, so I decided to create a few more for Halloween. It’s a take on the old Halloween gag hand in the candy bowl but with some twists to them. The hand and candies are sculpted and attached to the figure so I don’t recommend trying to eat them. Hopefully as Halloween nears closer I will able to make a few more different ones. I am also having a giveaway of a bowl, not a candy bowl but of a noodle bowl lol. So what do have to do? Just like my Facebook page and comment “I’m hungry” and you’ll be entered to win. The giveaway will end Friday, September 21. Thanks so much and it’s always a pleasure!

Noodle Bowl Giveaway!

New Japanese Set? eBay rumor

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Rust pointed us to this auction on eBay. According to that auction this is a new Japan Disney Store series celebrating 110 years of Disney. No confirmation so far, but it’s an interesting set. Lots of hearts and magic. Lots of figures we’ve scene before, almost like a combination of sets. The Cheshire looks similar to ones we’ve seen before. The three little pigs are all on one vinyl, like they will be for the Nursery Rhymes set.

What are your thoughts?

Popcorns, Fresh on the Shelves at WDW

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Zoe found Popcorns available for purchase at the Muppets store at DHS today.

Zoe also found a sign outside WDW’s D-Street advertising the release and artist signing for Popcorns.

The release will be on Friday, September 28 and there will be a signing with artists Thomas Scott, Billy Davis and Doug Strayer from 3p-5p.

Nursery Rhyme Vinylmation Explained

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Nursery Rhyme Series
$9.95 Each
Release Date: 9/24/12

This is a set of 12 blind box figures and is a Disney Store product.

Humpty Dumpty
Starlight Star Bright
Little Bo Peep
Little Miss Moffet

I’m not sure how her curds and way just float there on her stomach?
Little Boy Blue

Another great accessory!
Hickory Dickory Dock
Cat and the Fiddle

Look at that bow! Awesome. I need one of those.
Mother Goose
Three Little Pigs

Is this better then the individual ones that came with the Big Bad Wolf? I don’t think it is.
Old Women Who Lived In A Shoe

I’m not sure why her children are falling. (Unless that’s Jack and Jill)
Three Blind Mice

Brilliant change here. Three jrs instead of a 3″ figure in the blind box. Very cool out of the box thinking!
Chaser

(Click to reveal)
I really like the accessory.

(Thanks to the Playwright for the image)

Haunted Mansion Vinyl Spook the Net

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

The Haunted Mansion series ended up online when it was released last weekend. That’s pretty cool, since we know a lot of people who wanted to purchase the set, but didn’t live near the parks. But I can only find the individual boxes for sale. $12.95 each.

Did you pick up this set? What do you think of the variants?

Episode 090 Strawberry Field

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

Ep. 090 Strawberry Field

This week we record live at Disney’s Boardwalk hotel with Zoe. We talk all about Haunted Mansion, Cinderella and the new Japan series. We get Zoe’s take on some of the Mickey’s Circus previews and fight about what is a Dole Whip. We also have an interview with custom artist Aaralyn.

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