Trashcan mini odyssey thus far.

Hey! Um… where is Trashcan?

I worked on Trashcan off and on for the last year and a half. After sculpting his arms three times I was finally happy with him. I decided to do the wax and joints all myself, and for this first time felt pretty good about the joints. Trashcan was looking fine. So I sent him off to Japan where TC would get his metal mold made, and then walaaa, we have Trashcan beened borned. But his arm broke in shipping, really just the joint and arm broke apart, but it was a silly delay. The the real magic happened. As it turns out I used the wrong wax for the joints… they wouldn’t melt, and it turned the whole thing into a metal and wax covered mess. The sculpt is destroyed in the process, and back at home, cleaning one day… I accidentally through the sillicone out. usually i save my sillicone to be cut up later and reused in bigger molds, but I was in a mood, and so… that’s gone too. I did so much work in the wax stage, it felt pointless and too painful to resculpt again.

so now… he’s in the hands of a professional. Naoya Ikeda is sculpting Trashcan. So it will be longer before we see him, but he’ll be here. See you in twenty twenty two.

What is Trashcan. TC was born in the dump, made from a pile of garbage and broken hearts. Is he born of sadness, and discarded fish and banana peels? Yes. Can he find love and friendship with the creatures he meets? Maybe. Will he try to eat them? Hmmmm.

Prenute and Summer Slime bits Friday August 13th

I’ll have a nice load of Sumemr Slime bits for you guys up this Friday. 10am pacific. Some runs, and one offs from the show. AND a brand new Prenute! Neon opaque pink.

In other magical news. Next weekend is the opening of my show with Grumbletoy and Rampage at Spectra Art Space in Denver Colorado.

Summer Slime pile up!

Summer Slime is almost here. I’ll be down in Sunny Southern California for my first in person (and outdoors) event in almost 2 years. I thing the last was DCON November 2019, so… a solid year and a half. Along with this rainbow bucket of barf pictured above. I’ll have some small and medium sized runs of Little Chonks, Peanut Killer, Morel Snacks, and Pajamas Globby. I’m looking forward to seeing a few of my favorite peoples, and playing with toys for the next week. For more info you can visit the Creature Bazaar site.

Chibi Krackle & Klong! Friday 10am pacific

Why a new Krackle & Klong? What's this all about?

This is all about going with my gut. Over the past couple of years I've had the opportunity to reunite with my old Gargamel sculpting pal Naoya Ikeda. I love his sculpting style, and his way around what works, and how to do an object in Soft vinyl is only outdone by his older brother, and sculpting master Kiyoka Ikeda. Naoya's time is precious, and his sculpting prowess is not cheap. So when I ask him to do a new sculpt. It always comes with a little weight... what to do next? This time I drew full turn arounds for two different characters. Both ones I really love, but I just couldn't bring myself to send off the ideas to him. My gut was telling me something different. My gut was saying Krackle & Klong! the second I made that decision, I immediately got to work on the drawings. I got that… happiness heart may explode in a good way feeling. I finished the drawings, and sent them off.

I really love Krackle & Klong. A two headed turtle volcano!?! At the time I made him, for years I just wanted to make that one huge statement piece. It actually took me a couple years of working on him off and on, refining the design. I had actually made a few paintings of what would become K&K over a decade ago.

Now. I want to update that design, and make a K&K that is WAY less of a shelf hog. easier to ship, and easier on the digital pocket book. Holy hell don't get me started on what some folks want to charge for a tiny 2 piece vinyl toy. It hurts my brain.

This new version will be just big enough to squeeze one of your favorite buddies in thru the top. AND by having the vinyl pulled from the top, we are able to get this beast pulled with just three parts! I think this is Chibi K&K.

There will be 5 options this Friday. Which will look something like this-

Just the print. “I just really like the art, or want to throw some support for your new Chibi K&K.” 10x10" size

Blank Chibi K&K in Neon Green

Painted Chibi K&K with mini 6x6" print

Painted "The Whole Gang" with mini print, and "Secret" new painted one piece toy (A fingah puppet).

And the original will be up for sale too.

Prices and color. Neon Green will be the base color for this first run, and “The Whole Gang” option. I think this first run will be $64 for blanks. More for painted. I’m not sure if on future runs the price will go up or down. this is just the best i can come up with, without a bill in my hand. I’m pretty good at pricing things too low, so most likely this price will go up for future releases.

Time frame. My guess is earliest November, or latest February???

The sculpt is done, but Naoya still needs to do the wax, where there will be a little clean up, and final details like more Krackling on Krackle:) Then send it off to get the metal molds made.

Who are Krackle & Klong. Kraackle is a tough guy. Always ready to snap first, ask questions later. he’s really a soft mushy sensitive Krackle on the inside. I think it’s cause he’s sooo sensitive that makes him snap so easily. i guess growing a tougher skin doesn’t always help. Klong is a mellow dude up for anything. Going to a party, he’s in. Need a wingman on your first date, klong is game. Just want to sit by the campfire and read comics all night? Yes, Klong is your Turtle. These guys are content roaming around destroying local vegetation, or shooting a few hot rocks out of their shell. They also make for good transportation, and it’s best to have yours trained by a professional. Private Hooligan- Professional Krackle & Klong Trainer. Better to have a pro do it, than get shot into the stratosphere fro ma volcano, or snapped at by a sensitive turt.

A Killer Day

Friday 10am Pacific in the webshoppe. I’ll have two sah wheet New Puppy Killers up for adoption. Trans Aloe Green, and opaque Lemon Yellow.. Yellow Killer has a slight Hawaii colorway going on. While Aloe is keeping it cool:)

It's gonna be Globby time

I am so jazzed. Pajamas Globby is off to the metal mold maker. Could be 4 months before he is in my hands, could be 2. Wouldn’t that be keen to have him for Summer Slime.

Let's Go To Boba House Game

This is the official comment thread. After you get your game, and play a few times. Let me know here what you think can be improved for a 2.0 version. You are my test crew.

Right now after a few run throughs with my family. We have already decided on a few ways to improve this beast. It’s currently purely a game of luck, so we want to build a little strategy into this. Every space will have an action. Probably activated by a small deck of cards. Push up challenge will have an alternate non ableist challenge. You can make up your own, as long as you do it before the game starts.

2.0 will have a box, sturdier board, maybe a vinyl game pieces, and some sorta task cards. Me thinks.

Game pieces to cut out. The beta version comes with some little stands for your pieces.

Thanks for playing. Hope you had fun.

Gillyfest

Meet Gilly

Let’s meet Gilly. Interview by Bwana.

Let’s take a moment to meet Gilly. I had the chance to sit down with her this morning, and rattle off a few questions over cups of tea in her small backyard behind her shop and home. The sun was shinning and the eggplants were in a dancy mood. Running about and getting into trouble.

Bwana- So tell me a little about what’s going on here.

Gilly- What do you mean?

Bwana- Well it’s quite lively here in your backyard for 8:30 in the morning.

Gilly- Oh, well the sun came out and that always makes the eggplants a bit frisky. 

Bwana- Um, that’s not enough. Tell me more. Why are there so many Eggplants back here? Is your storefront some sort of front for an eggplant breeding program?

Gilly- Oh no, nothing like that. It’s just a hobby. I felt aweful for these lonely unanswered eggplant emojis. I adopted a few planted, and watered them, and things sort of took off from there. They are avid maters, and it went from a small handful to a couple hundred in just a few years. Now I can’t get rid of them. We hang out in the morning before I open up shop. I water, and feed them when I get up. We might have a cup of tea, and then go about our own business, but if the sun’s out. All bets are off. They just start dancing and getting busy.

Bwana- Ok. I think I understand a bit now. Let’s get to know more about you. What’s this shop? You live here too yeah?

Gilly- Yes. the shop is on the bottom floor, and I live upstairs. It’s not too bad, but I need to get out more, have more adventures. I think that’s how the eggplant thing started. I needed to get out of my daily rut. I love the shop though. I sell candy and drinks, and then it’s sorta a time capsule as you start digging around past the front counter. Old toys and stuff. I like to find old junk treasures and make them pretty again.

Bwana- And it’s called Grass Hut?

Gilly- Oh no, that’s the old sign from the last owners. I don’t know what they did here, but I have bamboo growing up through my wooden floors. I just haven’t decided what to name this place yet.

Bwana- How long have you been here?

Gilly- I think about a dozen years.

Bwana- … OK.

Let’s move on from here. What music do you like?

Gilly- My current favs are Killer Priest, Nidia, Koreatown Oddity. But I’ll listen to anything as background tunes on my tape player in the shop.

Bwana- Alright, how do you get around, what do you do to keep yourself limber?

Gilly- I like to ride my skateboard to thriftstores, and look for junk on the street for my shop. Sometimes I ride over to the Brazillion Millions and get a Mango Lasi, and a couple of Flan cups. Oh so yummy. Especially on a hot day. Sometimes I ride down to the beach and go for a swim. I can swim for days, literally.

Bwana- Well thank you Gilly. Anything else you have on your mind before I go?

Gilly- Thank you. this was fun. Don’t let any Eggplant sneak out with you. You’ll end up with your own farm.

Any Reason To Not Work

It seems the second half of 2020 and continuing on in to 2021. I’ll find any reason not to work. Somehow I’ve still managed to be somewhat productive. Yesterday the Snow/ice on everything started cracking and melting off of everything i na little sun, and warmer 34degree-ish temps. so I put my big boy pants on, went outside, and cleared some snow and ice off my outside workbench. After procrastinating nearly three weeks I did clean up on the Jelly Factory resins for Skulls club packages. Then scrubbed them all clean. No they are ready for drilling magnets, and final clean up and clear coat. I guess I’m still at least slightly capable of getting shit done:)

Bath time

Malba & Fishstache & Booska this Friday

Yellow yellow yellow.

This Friday 10am pacific, right here.

Malba makes his return. He’s been wandering the forest looking for fresh beats.

Fishstache makes his second appearance on a Malba body. This is the way. Fishstache is the creation of Andrew MacLean. If you don’t know his work, head over to your local Family Mart and buy a copy of Head Lopper!

Booska, oh how I love Booksa. Max Toy Co has generously granted a “Bwana” wish, to do a release of this wonderful sculpt. I am super jazzed.

This Friday is gonna be alright. Lucky Bags! There will be three options.

1 Piece Meal will include either blank green glow Terry or Hooligan, or Baby Fly or Killer in Marbled slime and either a sticker or maybe a Morel Snacks Magnet.

2 Piece meal will include as the first figure either blank green glow Terry or Hooligan, or Baby Fly or Killer in Marbled slime. Second figure will be a mystery short run figure. And for sure both a sticker and Morel Snacks magnet.

3 Piece meal will include as the first figure either blank green glow Terry or Hooligan, or Baby Fly or Killer in Marbled slime. Second figure will be a mystery short run figure. Third figure will be a custom. Could be Killer, Baby Fly, Morel Snacks, Randall, Terry, or Hooligan. And you get a mystery small print, Killer Tadpole keychain, and Morel Snacks sticker.

Any questions please feel free to leave in the comments below.

Studio Flarsh Shmale!

Goodies!

Hi peeps. Sometimes I just need to clear stuff out. I really dig all these guys. Some I’ve had for decades, some just a few years. Time for them to go play at some new homes, holmes. Double check that the piece or pieces you want are already claimed, and Dib it in the comments below. Prices include shipping and paypal fees in the states. International, you must have received something from me before successfully in the past to order any of these goodies. Prices. If I’m off base just shoot me an offer. Everything comes with free mild dust, scratches and scrapes from getting played with and displayed.

A. Jar of Radness $100 Bunch of random goodies. all funs!

B. Pollen Kaiser $200 Old treat from TAG

C. Gargamel Hedo $120 I’m glowy and very hard to find

D. Glow Max toy Booska $50 So cute PENDING

E. Gargamel Zag $120 PENDING

F. Yamomark Bazooka $150 One off by yours truly:)

G. Rainbowmoonfart $40 Lots of marker on this one.

H. Fossila $120

I. U.S. Toys Ultraman $80

J. U.S. Toys Bemlar or some such awesomeness $50

K. Dolphin Sheriff no hat $100 Expensive but I love him so much:) Sold & paid.

L. Ultra toy $14 neck joint has a bit of a warp

M. Vintage funky elephant $20

Last day to get in on 2021 Skulls Club

Today, Wednesday Jan 6th is the last day to get in on the Skulls And Rain Bones Society club. You get the Kit, occasional emails, news, and once in a while (like this Friday) exclusives or other bits of joy.

Thanks to everyone that already joined over the last week.

Skulls And Rain Bones Society 2021

:)

While i wait for some packing materials to show up, and get all these glorious orders out the door, I’ve been working on sculpts for 2021 Skulls memberships. I’m doing three beetle themed critters. around the same scale as most of my new buddies right now. There’s a Banana Beetle, Mama beetle (or papa beetle in drag?), and I’m bring back Frederick, who a few of you will remember in sofubi form from my days with Super 7. Frederick is actually my oldest running character. Predating Killer, and even Steven the Bat. Little Frederick started out in an old comic I did as a Dung beetle rolling a big ball of poop home for his family so they could eat for the winter. So little Freddie has changed a bit over the years.

:)

Here’s a nice process shot. I’m working here on the underside of the Banana Beetle. For me roughing out all these shapes, and my first pass with the Sculpey before I bake it, is the easy part. The tricky part comes next. Sorta like the difference between a bad movie that is really good, and just a bad movie. Lots of sanding here, little bits of carving there. It’s all very time consuming, and tricky fixing some spots that may be too wonky for my eyeballs when finished. I almost never use any armatures. If I need to attach any sort of limb or horn, or in the case of the feets above. After i get the position right, i’ll poke holes as deep as i can go with a little awl, creating a solid bond between the two parts, then work on sealing up all the seems. Worst feeling (next to burning your entire sculpt) is breaking an arm or leg of after hours of sanding and smoothing, so I always try to get things to really stick to each other.

My last silly note of the day. See the sculpt on the right. I watched Kazu (Itokin Park) sculpt this Dolphin Zilla before my very eyes in less than an hour. The skills of a master carver/sculptor gives me inspiration, and a little jealousy. So sometimes when I’m sculpting I grab this guy off the shelf and stare at it.

thank you and shipping

:)

Really this is more of a touch base and shipping update. I am currently waiting on both shipping supplies and a few prints to show up. I totally forgot to order the Assle Castle Eat Shit print that comes with the Spooky Marbled release. But hopefully I will have this by the end of the week. I’m going to start shipping in earnest Wednesday or Thursday for things I don’t need to wait for a component to arrive in the mail so I can get out the mail. I am close to done with the painted run of Morel Snacks that ships blind with the other glow morel. All the blanks and marbled are put together, and all the Spooky Marbled releases are put together as well. Feels like home stretch on a bunch of releases here to get them all out the door.

I’m going to take a couple days here and focus on 2021 Skulls sculpt, and see where that takes me.

:)

RAiNbOw fRiDAy

Rainbow Friday is almost here

Just a few days till Rainbow Friday. I put in a nice winters day of airbrushin’ and painting today for it. There will be two runs. RF Thunder Randall, and RF Morel Snacks. I’ll also have some one -offs, prints, and Original art up in the shop.

See you Friday 10am pacific, right here.

The Sun came out just a little between wind and rainstorms. Goom was stoked.

What's going on here?

Hello peoples. Hope you are well on this Monday morning. I wanted to do a big update here. Hopefully some people will see it, blog and all. That’s so 2010. A great place to get a few thoughts out though and have them stick around.

This Friday will be Rainbow Friday. new print releases, and new Toys too. Painted releases of either Randall and Morel Snacks, orrrr Terry and Hooligan (new colors). I now have the glows and marbles for the Morel Snacks pre-orders, AND the Spooky Marbled pre-orders from early October. I realized early this morning while doing my chores, and a few hours before parent teacher conferences, that there is no way I’m going to get those out the door before these first holidays. So rather than stressing out about it, and rushing through the painted run, and one offs that are to come with the Morel Snacks. I’ll mellow out a bit, take my time, and do this with love. What’s one more week really?

Rainbow Friday release will either be free shipping as I believe most folks ordering would already be waiting on Spooky or Snacks pre-orders, or i will go back and refund shipping for anyone that has an outstanding order. I haven’t decided yet, but leaning towards just doing free shipping to save myself some work, and possible mix ups.

Wally- Wally my shipper is gone in Montana until at least March. We had a pretty good system worked out where i got things ready, and then biked them down to Grass Hut where he would pack and ship. Now I’m on my own for a bit. My daughter has been helping me with assembly, and she’s doing a pretty good job, but with school, and a teenager brain I don’t think she’s ready for the nuances of all that a shipping job has to offer.

My pricing. It is glaringly apparent to me that my prices are too low on all these guys. The y cost about the same if not more than some figures I would charge $44 or even $50 for, they are just smaller. Morel Snacks has 5 parts, which would be one part shy of Lonny or Jeff. And a bigger peak behind the curtains, I think slowly I’m loosing money not making money on these guys. Just scared to raise the prices. I like to think of myself as sorta the working persons toy maker. I sell things that are pricey sometimes, but in general try to keep things approachable. Long way to say, the prices will continue to inch up. Not because I’m trying to take advantage of anyone, but because I’d like to make a living at what I do for a living.

What’s next? Time to think about what I will do for 2021 Skulls members. Beth graves is sculpting 3 minis for me right now. Trashcan will be my next sculpt to finish up. I have drawings to send to Naoya of Globby for the next figure in this series with Randall, Terry and the gang. AND Gilly, The Dolphin Worker from the 2020 Skulls memberships that I made all the resin copies of, is done any day now at the metal mold maker. I should have a new batch of Puppy Killer, and Renee French’s Babyfly coming soon too.

If you have any questions about the above, or other bits, please feel free to comment. I kinda like to know that people are reading these. Stay safe, and i hope to see you in the nearish future.

Friday!

Scrappers art show Personal Growth opens at Grass Hut Art Market 400 NW Couch st portland Oregon.

Online sales for Scrappers show 10am pacific. Here!

Pre-orders for spooky orange and black marbled Holligan, Terry, and Randall, along with a bitchin’ new print.

Personal Growth. New art by Scrappers

Super pal, amazaballs artist, and my old partner in crime at Grass Hut is bringing back art to the walls of my brick and mortar location in Portland Oregon. After a solid 7 months without anything on the walls, really just a clump of boxes stacked up in a corner as I restructure how the shop would work, Scrappers is bringing some desperately needed visual stimulation. I miss seeing art so much, and I am more than jazzed to see all of Scrappers new works in person. Grass Hut is open 5 days a week right now, Tuesday thru Saturday with limited hours. We won’t have a public opening, in order to keep people as safe as possible. We will have online sales, Friday October 2nd at 10am pacific here on Goopygravy.

Rainbows, nude peoples, chunky wood, and the positive vibes we all need so much will be here soon. Thanks Scrappers!