Cherry Moon Garden Blind Box Series from Kathie Olivas x Brandt Peters x 1983

 

    Oh man, we made is out of 2020 and we are neck deep in the promising waters of 2021.  So far there isn't a glaring difference, but I can feel good things are gonna happen.  I even heard "Don't Stop Believing" on the way to the grocery store today and I'm so desperate for a good omen I'm taking that as one.   

   What better way to put all that yuck behind us than with the power of cute little toys!  Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas have teamed up with 1983 to release this ultra adorable Cherry Moon Garden blind box series.  And since they're good people, if you buy a full case of figures you are guaranteed to get the entire set.  That's the kind of energy we need in these early days of 2021!!  Not only that, but if you buy a case you also get a signed "Trumpet Tea" mini print.  That's an entire set of figures and a signed print for only $125!!!!   This just took a turn into infomercial territory.  

     Of course if you're one of those people that like pain there are also individual blind boxes available for $13 each.  I don't know who hurt you, but trust me and buy the case.  It will make you happy.  Get em now at www.circusposterus.com.  

"Folkvang" Edition Nordic Lucky Cats for DesignerCon

     So it occurred to me that not only have I failed to do a post about my Nordic Lucky Cats releasing next week at DesignerCon, but I never even named the edition.  Being that they are made of a translucent green and white resin all marbled together and that they are inspired by the goddess Freyja's own cats, I have decided to call this run " Folkvang".  For those of you slightly less obsessed with mythology, Folkvang is the field that houses half of the Viking warriors that die in battle (the other half of course end up in Valhalla).  There are certainly worse outcomes in the after life than hanging out with the goddess of lust and beauty for an eternity.

    They stand four inches tall, are limited to 10 pieces and can only be found at the Stranger Factory/Circus Posterus booth #2600.  They each come in a fancy cloth bag that I hand stamped with love and care just for you.  All figures were produced by DuBose Art.  

Stella and Flux: Infrared Sofubi from Tara McPherson x Circus Posterus x Tomenosuke

    The toy you see above took a whopping four years to produce.  Four years!!!!  People think toy making is as easy as when they solve crimes on CSI by throwing all the evidence into a super computer, press a few buttons, and are magically taken to the suspect's Facebook page.  Like wine, whiskey, and corpses (wait, what?) it takes time for the stank of genius to marinate and the results, as you can see, are spectacular.

     This figure looks like it jumped straight out of a Tara McPherson painting and that's because of the hard work of Circus Posterus and Tomenosuke.  Every detail is spot on and if you could come any closer to matching her signature color palette your name would be Gandalf and you'd be a dang gone wizard.  To top it all off this is made in the most luxurious plastic known to man: pure Japanese sofubi.  I get the tingles just thinking about it.

     The photo above kinda gives away how you can get one, but I'll reiterate for those of you I've lost along the way with my nonsense.  This nearly nine inch tall beauty will be available beginning tomorrow (Thursday, February 28th) at noon pacific time from www.circusposterus.com.  Now that is only if you live in the United States or Canada.  If you happen to find out that you live anywhere else in the world, you'll have to purchase your figure from www.tomenosuke.com.  Check your passport if you have any doubts.  

    PS:  I mean, this figure is really amazing, isn't it?  You don't get to use the word "gorgeous" when describing toys very often, but it would be entirely appropriate here.

Bai Lan the Unyielding from Otto Bjornik x Stranger Factory

    When I was younger vampires would have never been a concern of mine because we kept the same hours.  No blood sucking pasty dude was a threat because I'd be wide awake and able to defend myself against any attack.  Now I'm vulnerable due to the fact that the only way I'm conscious at midnight is because I woke up and had to pee. My safety from those pointy fangs hinges on the hope that they can't enter my house unless they are invited in.  I am relying heavily on this tidbit of folklore and my highly trained battle kitten army who freak out any time someone new comes in the house and could raise the dead with the commotion they make.  So far the ability to retreat is their favorite of all the military tactics I've taught them.

    This little lady from Otto Bjornik may be tiny, but she is our best defense against the hordes of undead, or more specifically her childhood sweetheart, the previously released tiny vampire, Bai Chu.  You can take your chances with garlic and holy  water, or you can pick up this resin figure when she goes on sale this Friday, May 18th, exclusively from Stranger Factory.  Limited to only 30 pieces, each 5 inch toy comes signed and numbered from the artist and can be obtained by visiting www.strangerfactory.com.    

Candy Corn Kuma from Circus Posterus X Mana Studios

    As I type this there is a huge snow storm happening outside as part of our second Nor'easter in as many weeks.  I don't mind it that much, but when it started today it was also thundering and lightning, which is really weird to me.  Everything is covered in a blanket of white, then a bolt of lightning flashes above it with an almost blinding brilliance, soon followed by an earthquaking thunder clap.  Throw in a tornado and we'd really have a winter horror story worthy of a SyFy Network feature.  Oh, and sharks.  Gotta have sharks.

    If we can have spring and winter weather in the same week then I think it is perfectly acceptable to start mixing up our holidays as well.  So this year we're switching out St. Patrick's Day for Halloween.  Circus Posterus inspired my shake up of this year's calendar the moment I saw this  Candy Corn Kuma.  Cast in resin by the folks at Mana Studios and then hand painted, this will have you trading in your green shamrock apparel for orange and black without a second thought.  Standing 9 inches tall and limited to only 30 pieces, he can be yours right now for $200 by visiting www.circusposterus.com.

First Painted Edition of Orion from Brandt Peters x Unbox Industries

    I would have sworn by the year 2017 we would have all kinds of cool Terminator body parts that could shoot flames and save MP3s.  While awesome replacement parts aren't readily available at Costco, having snakes for arms like this dude would be super weird and probably not the most fun.  Could you even carry heavy stuff around, like could you get your snakes extra swole at the gym?  And shaking hands would require the person you're greeting to be bit by venomous reptiles, so good luck making friends.  You'd probably take some pretty epic Instagram pics though, which could get you sponsorships from lots of dumb companies that make weird beauty products that no one needs.  See, I took that positive and totally turned it into a negative.  I am in no way shape or form ready for snake arms.

    While I am not responsible enough for serpent limbs, this mummy bro from Brandt Peters and Unbox Industries has adapted quite well.  This is the first painted version of Orion that's ever existed and you can welcome him into your home this Saturday (July 22nd) when he goes on sale at http://store.unboxindustries.info.  Check that site for more info as it pertains to your area of the world.

Two New Shows Opening Friday at Stranger Factory

   Anyone can put on one art show with no problem, but it takes cunning, skill, and a bit of psychosis to do TWO art show openings in one place in one night.  But that's exactly what Stranger Factory is doing tomorrow night when they open Toy Makers of Planet Earth and Bats in the Belfry.  

   The first show will feature some of the top toy artists on the planet including:

Mark Nagata, Brandt Peters, Jess Hernandez, Otto Björnik, Sergey Safanov, Junker Jane, Jen Musatto, Silk and Thistle, Victoria Rose, Lana Crooks, Daniel Talone, Steve Ferrera, Scott Radke, Stan Manoukian, JShea, Eric Althin, Kathie Olivas, Sweet Bestiary, Mudmonkey, Tanya Marriott, Art Toy Maison, Vanessa Ramirez, Fanny Kao, Cassia Harries, Sumrow, Tim Lee, Joe Scarano, Aya Kakeda, Ratokim, Munktiki, SeriouslySillyK, Super Secret Fun Club, Scott Wilkowski, Psycho Scimitar, Mizna Wada, Circus Posterus, VTSS, Black Seed, Mr. Clement, and Bob Doucette

    While the second show will feature customs of Brandt Peter's The Night King figure, with interpretations by:  

Camilla d’Errico (pictured), Jellykoe, Drilone, House of Boz, Dolly Oblong, 64 Colors, Tasha Zimich, Igor Ventura, Ian Ziobrowski, Joe Whiteford, Brandan Styles, Ink Visuals, Otto Björnik, Jess Hernandez, Victoria Rose, EL DODO ALBINO, Tokyo Jesus, Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Tim Lee, Joe Scarano, Cassia Harries, Karl Deuble, and SeriouslySillyK

   The opening reception for both show will happen tomorrow night (Friday, June 2nd) from 6-9pm at Stranger Factory In Albuquerque (thank God for spell check) New Mexico.

Pink GID Calliope and Stingy Jack from Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters

 

    Oh my goodness I know ya'll got paid today and are trying to get rid of that dirty cash cause that stuff is filthy and there isn't enough hand sanitizer in the world to clean those kinda germs but you can't just spend it on anything lame like school supplies so I'm here to help.  See, I'm pretty much an expert in making other people money and also helping them spend it.  Neither is a great mutant power, which is why the X-Men never return my calls, but their loss is your gain cause then I have time to find things like this for you.  I also haven't slept for days.

    Look how pretty that swirly pink vinyl is on these Stingy Jack and Calliope figures.  And it's not just decorative, cause those suckers glow in the dark!  It's an added bonus that will hopefully intrigue your cats while you're trying to sleep at night so they stop biting your toes.  You can get these two figures from Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas when they go on sale later today at noon pacific time from www.circusposterus.com or n person at Stranger Factory.  They're limited to just 32 pieces of each, which is nuts.
    

Mini Glow in the Dark Seated Boo and Kuma Set from Brandt Peters X Kathie Olivas

    Sharon and I recently went to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and stayed at a haunted bed and breakfast. For those of you who don't know, Gettysburg was the site of the bloodiest battle in the American Civil War and has become a hot spot for people ghost hunting.  Not that we were there for that reason, but if we were gonna pay the same price to stay at the Econo Lodge then the prospect of seeing some restless souls was like a bonus deal.  The place had become a hospital after the battle to treat the wounded so we thought the chances were high we might have an otherworldly encounter.  That night we heard a lot of weird sounds, bits of conversations, and what sounded like boots walking  across the hardwood floors just in front of the bed, but we weren't treated to any visuals.  Not that I'm upset that I didn't wake up to a soldier's blood soaked face leaning over mine.  I'd never live it down if I screamed like a girl.

    There's easier ways to see ghosts than to traipse around old battlefields or haunted houses.  You can just buy them.  Ain't this a great time to be alive?  Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters are all set to release this glow in the dark set of figures ready to bring some mini spookiness to the comfort of your own home.  Each seated Boo and Kuma set glow in blue to let you know that they're active at night opening all of your cabinets and rearranging your collectibles.  Get em when they go on sale Wednesday, July 20th at noon pacific time only from http://www.circusposterus.com.

Icebox Pocket Sideshow Chibi Figures from Circus Posterus

    Where were these little dudes when I was digging my car out of the snow and ice a few days ago?  They look primed for the frozen outdoors and I'm sure I could have found them some tiny shovels in just their size to help with the work.  Shoveling snow feels like a curse, but having little elf-sized helpers would probably make it at least mildly amusing.

    Circus Posterus is unleashing the latest in their series of Pocket Sideshow figures this Friday and they perfectly capture the more magical side of the season we are in.  Featuring designs from Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Chris Ryniak, and Amanda Louise Spayd, these little dudes will make you feel much less hateful to the ice that has encased your wife's car until the spring thaw.

http://www.circusposterus.com

Mini Plasma Seated Boo and Kuma from Kathie Olivas x Brandt Peters

    My Christmas gift giving philosophy is this: I never buy people stuff they need, only things I don't think they'd buy for themselves but would totally want.  Right now we need to get our washing machine fixed, but I'm not gonna be surprise my wife with a trip to the basement to show her the new agitator wrapped up with a bow on it.  That's dumb, and a sure fire way to being forced to sleep underneath the porch with the family of chipmunks that reside there.  Though it has been unseasonably warm as of late, and the idea of chipmunks sleeping next to me is reeeeeeaaaaallllly cute, I'd probably die.  

     For the toy/art lover in your life things couldn't be any easier when it comes to gift giving.  They practically smack you over the head with everything they love.   How about this nice set of figures from Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters?  These resin guys are cast in a dark, see through resin and feature hand painted faces.  You can buy them individually for $65 each or as a set for $120 (which saves you some money for those of you playing along at home).  Only 50 of each were produced and they're available right now from www.circusposterus.com.  

Stingy Jack Swirl from Brandt Peters

    "Be still my heart, for thou beatest too fast at the sight of marbled vinyl!!!!!!"  That was taken from an unreleased Shakespearian play about a cobbler whose real dream was to one day produce multi colored vinyl toys to win over the nobleman's daughter, until she was tragically killed by a rogue gang of circus clowns and he spent the rest of his life becoming Batman and avenging her death.  I found it on The Bard's official Tumblr, which he somehow still updates much in the way Tupac still releases new music from beyond the grave.  Supposedly JJ Abrams has signed on to direct as he wants to focus on art pieces after Star Wars.  Can't learn this crap on TMZ.

    Now that it's become painfully obvious I've taken too much of my medication this morning let us quickly get to the facts before I really lose it.  Brandt Peters' Stingy Jack is not only sporting a killer swirl of colors that I love in a completely non platonic way, but he also glows in the dark!!!!!!  It's almost too much goodness.  And they're very limited with only 50 available worldwide and only half of those in North America via Circus Posterus this Saturday, November 14th (Tomenosuke will take care of the rest of the earth.)  A few will also be available at Designer Con booth #519.  

Help Kickstart the "Calliope" Stop Motion Film from Circus Posterus

    The work of Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters has always occupied a twisted world much different than any we know.  They've shown you glimpses through their various toy and print releases, but you've been left to use your own imagination to fill in the blanks.  Now they have the opportunity to take their creativity to the next level, encompassing not only sight but sound, in a stop motion animated film.

    The thing about stop motion is that even for a short film it is very expensive to produce.  If you've ever seen a behind the scenes feature on how they're made then you have an appreciation for the amount of work that goes into it.  That's why they have launched a Kickstarter campaign to help, literally, bring this whole project to life.  There are some pretty killer rewards for the art and toy collector alike, featuring exclusive figures, prints, and much much more.  Take a gander below at some of the crazy stuff you could own while helping to make this film.  Support the campaign at this link.

Bewitching 5 Opens at Stranger Factory Tomorrow

    I love Halloween.  Not that I actively participate in it per se, but I love it because I don't have to decorate.  The inside of my house already looks like Charles Manson got a sweet foreclosure deal on Pee Wee's Playhouse, so I'm prepared all year long.  I even have a black cat, so my Halloween game is strong.  The outside of my house doesn't ever change, but I figure that's scarier than any fake cobwebs or skeletons you could put outside.  When the weirdos don't advertise it really makes you wonder what's going on inside.  I never understood why Anton LaVey had painted his house black.  If I was him I would have really freaked people out by planting sunflowers and having some plastic squirrels in a mock chase scene running up the facade.  Then when one of the neighbors comes over to borrow the lawn mower they really aren't expecting the craziness you have going on.  Those are precious moments you only get one shot at and I relish them.

    Every once in a while I get reeeeeeeal jealous about an art show I am unable to attend and it is guaranteed every year that Bewitching at Stranger Factory will be one of them.  This is the fifth installment of the ever-popular Halloween group show and it will feature amazing work from these artists:
            Paul Kaiju, Travis Lampe, Amanda Louise Spayd, Chris Ryniak, Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Scott Radke, Jay Hallopeter, Andrew Bell, Kelly Tunstall, Alison Bamcat, Kirsitna Drake, Donald Ross/Scribe, Alisa Ross/40 Threads, Brandon Styles, Jen Musatto, TADO, Max Lehman, Matt Duncan/Creeptoons, Stefani Rabideaux/Fika Art, Daniel Talone, Richard Page/UMETOYS, Desiree Chung, Keely Richman, Splurrt, Joe Scarano, Robert Hoggard, Stan Manoukian, Josh Stebbins, Kelly Denato, Tim Lee, Peter Hague, Karl Deuble, Valeri Blossom and many more!

    The opening reception is tomorrow, October 2, from 6-9 pm and you're gonna wanna bring plenty of cash to get your home ready for the season with some killer original art.  

Violet Trickster Skelve from Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas

    I would have no way of knowing if I had Tricksters living in my house.  Between the cats taking anything that isn't nailed down and me forgetting where I put everything, the poor Tricksters would never get any credit for their misdeeds.  They'd probably feel neglected and turn to substance abuse.  So any evil little elves that were planning to take up residence here just keep it moving and find a household where talents can really be appreciated.  I want you to be happy.

      These guys are cute and evil looking at the same time, which basically describes how I feel about small children.   Limited to only 10 pieces, this little purple dude even comes with his own antique block to sit on, as he is very particular of where he rests his bum.  The Trickster Skelve was of course created by the amazing husband and wife duo of Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas.

Get yourself one by clicking here.  

The Wandering Misfits Pre Release Happening Today from Kathie Olivas x Brandt Peters x Cardboard Spaceship

    Blind boxed toys drive me absolutely insane.  I had pretty much sworn off of them as part of my twelve step program to curb my impulsiveness when buying toys.  I had been doing so well, going through all the meetings, making amends with my creditors who I had blown off in favor of secret-filled boxes of figures.  And then I see this, and not only have I fallen off the wagon, but I hit my head really hard on the curb and have lost all ability to be reasonable.  

    Husband and wife team Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas hooked up with Cardboard Spaceship to bring some of their most popular characters to life in this series.  What's nice about it is that to own one of their resin pieces would set you back a step financially, but you can own their plastic counterparts for a mere fraction of that and retain the ability to have cable television.  Today (January 22nd) at noon Pacific time, both Cardboard Spaceship and Circus Posterus will be holding pre release sales on full cases of these figures.  As a bonus, each site has a different exclusive toy that will come signed by the artists.   So it really comes down to which exclusive you want the most.  Or if you're bad at decision making you can get them both and increase your chances of completing the set.  

Lost Worlds: Creatures from Beyond at Stranger Factory

    Oooooooooh this is gonna be so good.  Stranger Factory is Albuquerque (do you know how freakin hard that is to spell) New Mexico is having a new show that starts tomorrow featuring some of my favorite toy people.  Lost Worlds: Creatures from Beyond will feature new work from Paul Kaiju, Splurrt, and Mutant Vinyl Hardcore, and more.  Check out some of the stuff that Splurrt is sending for the show right here:

    The opening reception is tomorrow night from 6-9pm and hopefully some of this stuff will make its way online in the near future.  

    Paul Kaiju will also be teaching a class in mini figure sculpting this Sunday.  For $85 you get a 3 hour class with the man himself with an additional hour long q&a afterwards.  Learn all of his secrets and then become a toy making phenomenon yourself.  Then have your own show, become rich and famous, and date a Kardashian sister.  

Stinky Ginger "Tide Pool" Edition from Chris Ryniak x Circus Posterus x Tomenosuke

    This is how I picture most food looking after it's in my stomach.  Those that know me know that I don't have the greatest digestive system in the world and just looking at certain foods can cause my guts to cramp up in a fit of rebellion.  I believe all food has the temperament of Philadelphia sports fans and if given the chance will stab you in the parking lot of an Eagles game.

     The Tide Pool edition of Chris Ryniak's Stinky Ginger will release tomorrow (July 3rd) from Circus Posterus and Tomenosuke.  He looks ready to force you into using the nearest public bathroom you can find.  Only 60 of these were made:  30 for North America through Circus Posterus and 30 for the rest of the world through Tomenosuke.  Each comes signed and numbered on the header card and will sell for $89.