Finished Friday!

I'm way too excited that I finished my Toy2R/So So Happy Qee last night, so I thought I would post my photos... Hope you like my zombified Gertie- her eyes and necklace glow in the dark!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Sneak Peek...

I know I've been pretty quiet about my upcoming projects lately, but I thought I'd give you all a little sneak peek of my custom qee for the So So Happy/Toy2R USA project. This collaboration has been a "top secret" project so far, but since others have started sharing a little, I thought I would too...

I was sent a blank Toy2R Qee Dog from So So Happy. My mission was to create a custom toy based on the So So Happy critters, but by using my own style. Other factors to keep in mind- our custom critters would be going on tour, so no heaving sculpting, and... our pieces could possibly be chosen to be made into production toys, so we probably shouldn't use a gazillion different colors.

Coincidentally, I actually became familiar with So So Happy about 10 days before I was asked to work on this project. While visiting my parentals in New Mexico, I ended up buying a really cute t-shirt at Hastings:

I usually make my pilgrimage over there during each visit, since they typically have a nice selection of vinyl toys, t-shirts, etc. And candy! This adorable critter's name is actually Taco, and she is part of the Luckees clan.

I have since completely fallen in love with So So Happy! There is definitely a critter for everyone to love (probably at least a few), and their background stories are hilarious! And of course this is a perfect fit since it's pretty obvious that I like to use lots of color...

After much deliberation and consultation, I've chosen to make my own canine version of Gertie, from the Quazees.

I should be finished within the next few days- here is a secret photo of my work so far...

Hope you like it!

Comicpalooza!

Last weekend, the critters and I shared a booth with Kristen, of Frilled and Feathered @ Comicpalooza.

What is Comicpalooza? It is Houston's answer to the massive San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) held annually, and it looks like it will be here to stay! This event brings together comic book and toy vendors, artists, television and movie stars, and of course, let's not forget the fans... Apparently, Comicpalooza began in 2008, and was originally held the lobby of the Alamo Drafthouse, with just a few celebrities. It has now grown to take over the third floor of the George R. Brown Convention Center, with 10,000 attendees and events held until 2:00 am!

We knew we were going to have a fun weekend when we saw this truck in the parking lot on Friday morning:

Our booth was in the Dealer's Room, and we met lots of awesome vendors there. It took all of our combined forces of self-control not to go crazy and buy everything in sight! Here are a few of our absolute favorite booths:

Bean Pot Toiz
San Antonio, TX

We loved the BPT family of Grego, Stacie and Kaylah! They were just the nicest peeps and had an amazing selection of designer vinyl toys and accessories. They are the perfect example of how the family who sells vinyl toys together stays together!

I loved this huge Rat Fink they had on display:

Bekyoot
Houston, TX

Diagonally behind us was Christy, from Bekyoot, the artist who creates all of Bekyoot's awesome designs. We just fell in love with her adorable critters, and she was a very sweet neighbor to boot:

Tribbletoys
Los Angeles, CA

How many times had I wanted my very own Tribble during that episode of Star Trek? Well... now I have my very own, and it's pink! The Tribbles also vibrate and make an adorable squeaking sound...

Giant Microbes
Los Angeles, CA

The Tribble guy also sold Giant Microbes, those plushie germs and blood cells that we all would like to love and call our very own...

He brought a huge and varied selection with him, and apparently decided to highlight the STD critters... too funny!

This is the first time Kristen and I have shared a booth- the critters have now become huge fans of her awesome Steampunk jewelry:

I brought LOTS of mini monsters, and many of them found homes with very nice people! I even had some glow-in-the-dark Zombie Monsters...

Here is the rest of the gang (and some paintings:

Fuzz the Undercover Pirate Bear and General Rusty Bunny enjoyed their view from atop Kristen's and Brent's living room shelves...:

The Lego exhibit in the Artists' Alley was truly amazing!

Gotta LOVE the dinosaur and the poor little aliens being held up:

Here is the Lego Man posing with two members from the "Adventures of the Travelling Sperm." I know... don't ask!

Finally, we had my favorite visitor to our booth at the end of the day on Sunday:

It was quite the experience! We spent most of our time (when we weren't chatting with customers) giggling and pointing out all of the awesome and outrageous costumes than many fans wore to this event:

Captain Jack Sparrow

This guy was awesome- he even walked like Johnny Depp! His wife said he'd been practicing for weeks, and it showed!




Stormtrooper

Stormtrooper now apparently has a family! This guy was very tall- and there were many Stormtrooper sightings of all sizes throughout the weekend...

Probably the most difficult part of the weekend was to keep from buying all of the cool stuff, and it was EVERYWHERE! I was pretty good, but I did purchase an adorable t-shirt and Berry Ninja from Bekyoot, and a medium pink Tribble from Tribbletoys. I also acquired a Munny Mobile and some other awesome vinyl toys from Bean Pot Toiz... How could I resist? I was also lucky to score a free Darth Vader Key Chain from McDonalds, and a coupon for a free frozen Strawberry Lemonade. Not bad, huh?


I will now close with some memorable fan quotes from the weekend:

"Chekov is MY Barbie!"

"I geek-out differently now, as opposed to how I used to geek-out..."

"Mmmmm-brains..."

And my most favorite...

"Hi, I'd like to inquire about adopting a monster..."