UPS dropped off my American Livestock order today. So much for calling this morning to cancel it (since I found Noelle cheaper elsewhere, and ordered it assuming that AL would be sold out of Noelle before my order shipped).
You have to watch AL. Last year I ordered some Breyers, and didn't find out until I opened the box that half of my order was out of stock. Today, I opened a box to find that two of the things weren't what I thought they'd be.
Instead of the old 4-pc SM set that was pictured on the site ("Contains 4 horses, Palomino Andalusian, Blue Roan Pinto, Sorrel American Quarter Horse, and Bay Saddlebred. (Palomino Andalusian shown) Stablemate Play Set.") , I got the new set with the G3 molds. That's not a bad thing, I only ordered the old set to get the free shipping, and I've been wanting the new set.
The other thing was the SM Pocket Barn - the one on the site was the Vet Barn with the G1 ASB in bay pinto. Instead, I got the new Pocket Barn set with the pinto Paso mare and G3 foal. Ah well. The first error I can see happening - no one updates the photos, both sets with the same name, easy mistake. The second one, though, is harder. My online receipt says Pocket Barn with Horse and Vet (ea) but the shipping invoice says "Pocketbarn w/mare & foal". Harder mistake to overlook, since they're more distinguishable than the 4-piece sets. But, for $5, it's not a big deal. And since the set isn't on the site anymore, and they're advertising a "Close Out" sale, I think there's not much to do about it anyway. Makes me wonder what would have turned up if I'd ordered more than one of those sets, though.
Now, how can I have a box from American Livestock, and two orders from Rural King on the way, and still feel like I never get to shop for Breyers?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
A great deal
I just bought a Hollywood Gold (the Adios version) on Ebay. I was the only bidder, which surprised me, and I got a good deal at $30 plus shipping. He's New in Box, so hopefully the ties haven't done any damage.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tuesday Morning Breyers
There's this intersting store called Tuesday Morning (named for the day that they put the new merchandise out). They carry odd lots of stuff, random overstocks and such, I guess. Occasionally they get Breyers, and they had some in this week's new stuff. So I packed up my little boy and we left early for the library today.
We came home with
Oh, other new horses - the other two Color Crazy sets were delivered last week. Now I just need to send in the forms.
We came home with
- Keltec Salinero
- Cefnoakpark Bouncer
- the SM Vet Pocket Barn set with the G2 Paso mare (bay)
- Penny Play Set with the palomino G3 Pony (although his leg feathering is white and looks odd)
- the Mini Whinnies Appaloosa set
- the Mini Whinnies Canadian Show Jumping set
Oh, other new horses - the other two Color Crazy sets were delivered last week. Now I just need to send in the forms.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
JCPenney set - finally
My Bouncer & Joe set from JCPenney was finally delivered last Friday, about a month after I ordered it. I'm glad I didn't wait to order it, though, since it's disappeared off the JCP site this week.
They've still got the 3-horse set from last year, though. Only $30.
They've still got the 3-horse set from last year, though. Only $30.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Score!
I managed to find the Marabella Color Crazy set, reportedly the hardest to find. I didn't pay an exorbitant price for it; after asking around, I ended up using Breyers Shopatron service. No way to ask for a specific variation, but it worked pretty well. I like the automatic email with the tracking number.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Casualties
Strange things lately. Maybe it's the Halloween season.
I'm missing a Palouse. Can't find her anywhere, I know I haven't sold her. Unless she's still boxed up from the last live show I went to (in March!). I'd swear she was just on the shelf, though. The only other idea is that Toddler Boy toddled off with her, but this place is small enough that she'd be hard to hide.
One of my small Hagen-Renakers (a common, recent one, luckily) turned up broken somehow. It's been packed in cotton and boxed up. I opened the box last night, and one foreleg is floating around loose. Joy.
And I managed to scuff one of the other Palouses last night. I was photographing the Palouse conga before I packed them away for safe-keeping (some of them are notoriously unstable), and put a nice rub on Iskitpe's mane. I saw what I thought was a bit of lint, tried to rub it off, and accidentally peeled off some paint. Never had that happen before. I hope it'll be fairly simple to touch up later on; it's in a variegated part of the mane anyway.
Yeah, yesterday wasn't a good horse-day.
I'm missing a Palouse. Can't find her anywhere, I know I haven't sold her. Unless she's still boxed up from the last live show I went to (in March!). I'd swear she was just on the shelf, though. The only other idea is that Toddler Boy toddled off with her, but this place is small enough that she'd be hard to hide.
One of my small Hagen-Renakers (a common, recent one, luckily) turned up broken somehow. It's been packed in cotton and boxed up. I opened the box last night, and one foreleg is floating around loose. Joy.
And I managed to scuff one of the other Palouses last night. I was photographing the Palouse conga before I packed them away for safe-keeping (some of them are notoriously unstable), and put a nice rub on Iskitpe's mane. I saw what I thought was a bit of lint, tried to rub it off, and accidentally peeled off some paint. Never had that happen before. I hope it'll be fairly simple to touch up later on; it's in a variegated part of the mane anyway.
Yeah, yesterday wasn't a good horse-day.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Delia pictures
All right, here are a few pics of Delia. Color-wise, she reminds me a bit of Riesling from this year's BF, although her dapples are fainter (more subtle) than Riesling's.
In compact florescent lighting:
With the flash, and quite a bit of contrast from the image editor:
Natural light (cloudy day):
Detail of the oddly flat mane:
The missing forelock:
In compact florescent lighting:
With the flash, and quite a bit of contrast from the image editor:
Natural light (cloudy day):
Detail of the oddly flat mane:
The missing forelock:
Delia's here
UPS just delivered my Delia, the web special that Breyer announced earlier this month. It's a run of 500, a Lady Phase in a dappled chestnut with three socks and a blaze.
Thoughts:
- Breyer could do a better job of packing. Delia was bagged and bubble wrapped (extra around the ears), but then she was stuffed into a box with maybe an inch of space on any side. When I unboxed mine, it was one layer of bubble wrap away from a tail rub.
- If Breyer wants to keep using the Lady Phase mold (and I really hope they do), they need to do some work on the mold (and on educating their prep crew). Aside from the lazy eye, the forelock area really needs some help. I'm not sure if it's just overzealous prepping on the blanks, or if the detail in that area is totally lost. Either way, the LPs I've got have this strange flat area between the ears and down the front of the face. There's still some forelock visible off to the right side, but the rest is sort of vague at best.
- My Delia did get a little too much Dremeling (or whatever they do) on the top of her mane. It's a bit too flat on top, and visibly flatter than either my Wedgwood Treasure Hunt LP or Treasured Moves. (Both of those have varying amounts of flatness along their neck.)
Overall, the color is really nice, but not one of the more "WOW!!!" colors. The dappling is very subtle, which I much prefer, and it's "real" dappling, not that weird resist-dappling that Breyer likes so much. There are nice eye-whites (calm, not freaking out), and a bit of pinking at the nose end of the blaze. She's not a real eyecatcher at first, but once you start looking, she's very nicely done. I wouldn't hesitate to take her to a live show, but she may be overshadowed if there's a lot of flash on the table.
Thoughts:
- Breyer could do a better job of packing. Delia was bagged and bubble wrapped (extra around the ears), but then she was stuffed into a box with maybe an inch of space on any side. When I unboxed mine, it was one layer of bubble wrap away from a tail rub.
- If Breyer wants to keep using the Lady Phase mold (and I really hope they do), they need to do some work on the mold (and on educating their prep crew). Aside from the lazy eye, the forelock area really needs some help. I'm not sure if it's just overzealous prepping on the blanks, or if the detail in that area is totally lost. Either way, the LPs I've got have this strange flat area between the ears and down the front of the face. There's still some forelock visible off to the right side, but the rest is sort of vague at best.
- My Delia did get a little too much Dremeling (or whatever they do) on the top of her mane. It's a bit too flat on top, and visibly flatter than either my Wedgwood Treasure Hunt LP or Treasured Moves. (Both of those have varying amounts of flatness along their neck.)
Overall, the color is really nice, but not one of the more "WOW!!!" colors. The dappling is very subtle, which I much prefer, and it's "real" dappling, not that weird resist-dappling that Breyer likes so much. There are nice eye-whites (calm, not freaking out), and a bit of pinking at the nose end of the blaze. She's not a real eyecatcher at first, but once you start looking, she's very nicely done. I wouldn't hesitate to take her to a live show, but she may be overshadowed if there's a lot of flash on the table.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Another shopping rant
I'm not sure what it is about this area, but shopping for Breyers seems to be pretty abysmal, if you want to buy in person and skip the online/mail order route now and then. I've been looking for some Breyers locally; actually, I'm desperate enough to buy almost anything if I saw it. :)
The local Orschelns apparently hasn't stocked up on toys for the holidays yet. They had almost zilch, just a few plushies and some of the paint-your-own Mini Whinnies sets. At least they stock some Schleich horses.
Target - also zilch. They have none of the SM sets (adult/foal) at the moment, and no empty peg for them either. A few SMs and random Classics, but not always, and a lot of the paint-your-own MW sets. They did have one of the new Classic sets last time, but I don't guess they'll every carry the Classic mare & foal sets that I'm wanting. They had a few of the SM accessory sets a few months ago, but nothing since then.
Not-so-local Orschelns #1 - had 2 of the truck/trailer/Stud Spider sets, and a couple of Trad foals, marked down to $9.99.
Not-so-local Orschelns #2 - better choices, and I hope they get some new stuff for the holidays. Last weekend, they had some Blue Suede Shoes and Mid-States Warriors, plus one Salpicado. Most of those were $25, I think. They also had a row of the truck sets.
Really-not-local Farm & Home, where I always stop on the way to the Renaissance Festival: Had quite a bit in stock, but the newest thing they had was Chevayo and and the ECLR Benefit horse (one each). They still have a couple of Nosferatus, and some other older stuff. I bought their Tonto's Scout, in spite of the split box, and the ECLR palomino. The other irritating thing was that most of their stock wasn't priced - nothing on the shelf, very few stickers on the boxes. Whether that's laziness or a misinterpretation of the MAAP mess, I don't know. They did have a dozen or so Classics, but all singles.
In short, I'd love to buy the Color Crazy sets, the Classic mare & foal sets, and a dozen others, but I'd also really love to be able to buy them in person. My usual online dealer is apparently low on stock, and while I'm looking for other options, I'm also tired of delayed gratification. Usually I don't mind it - heck, I'm waiting another month for my back-ordered JCPenney Joe/Bouncer set - but sometimes, I just want something now. To be able to walk into a store, look at a big display of Breyers, and pick the one that says "Buy me." To line three copies of a model up on the shelf and see which I like best (I did this with the Trad Hidalgo). To pay for the horse, take it home, and open it right away. To not have to wait for the UPS guy or the mail carrier to ring the doorbell.
You wouldn't think that's too much to ask, but apparently it is around here. Who would think that a town/city of 100,000 people, two colleges with animal/equestrian programs, and at least one horse-event expo center would have almost nothing in the way of Breyers? (We don't even have a tack store that I know of, and the last independent toy store closed two years ago. It's TRU or nothing now.)
The local Orschelns apparently hasn't stocked up on toys for the holidays yet. They had almost zilch, just a few plushies and some of the paint-your-own Mini Whinnies sets. At least they stock some Schleich horses.
Target - also zilch. They have none of the SM sets (adult/foal) at the moment, and no empty peg for them either. A few SMs and random Classics, but not always, and a lot of the paint-your-own MW sets. They did have one of the new Classic sets last time, but I don't guess they'll every carry the Classic mare & foal sets that I'm wanting. They had a few of the SM accessory sets a few months ago, but nothing since then.
Not-so-local Orschelns #1 - had 2 of the truck/trailer/Stud Spider sets, and a couple of Trad foals, marked down to $9.99.
Not-so-local Orschelns #2 - better choices, and I hope they get some new stuff for the holidays. Last weekend, they had some Blue Suede Shoes and Mid-States Warriors, plus one Salpicado. Most of those were $25, I think. They also had a row of the truck sets.
Really-not-local Farm & Home, where I always stop on the way to the Renaissance Festival: Had quite a bit in stock, but the newest thing they had was Chevayo and and the ECLR Benefit horse (one each). They still have a couple of Nosferatus, and some other older stuff. I bought their Tonto's Scout, in spite of the split box, and the ECLR palomino. The other irritating thing was that most of their stock wasn't priced - nothing on the shelf, very few stickers on the boxes. Whether that's laziness or a misinterpretation of the MAAP mess, I don't know. They did have a dozen or so Classics, but all singles.
In short, I'd love to buy the Color Crazy sets, the Classic mare & foal sets, and a dozen others, but I'd also really love to be able to buy them in person. My usual online dealer is apparently low on stock, and while I'm looking for other options, I'm also tired of delayed gratification. Usually I don't mind it - heck, I'm waiting another month for my back-ordered JCPenney Joe/Bouncer set - but sometimes, I just want something now. To be able to walk into a store, look at a big display of Breyers, and pick the one that says "Buy me." To line three copies of a model up on the shelf and see which I like best (I did this with the Trad Hidalgo). To pay for the horse, take it home, and open it right away. To not have to wait for the UPS guy or the mail carrier to ring the doorbell.
You wouldn't think that's too much to ask, but apparently it is around here. Who would think that a town/city of 100,000 people, two colleges with animal/equestrian programs, and at least one horse-event expo center would have almost nothing in the way of Breyers? (We don't even have a tack store that I know of, and the last independent toy store closed two years ago. It's TRU or nothing now.)
More new horses
So, what's going on? I've been buying a few things.
- a chestnut Show Jumper - couldn't pass him up at $15, since I wanted a braided-mane version of the mold
- Lippitt Morgan - also $15, I realize the mold doesn't show well, and his stance is all wrong, but he's a pretty color and I like the mold. I still need to replace or refurb my black Morgan. Don't listen to anyone who says that mice won't eat through plastic. The little pests chewed through a bag and went to work on the Morgan's nose and mane.
- the two sets of last year's JCP Stablemates (bought on clearance, CM-fodder) finally got here. I had them sent to my sister, and she sent them home with my parents after their visit.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
New Horses
UPS delivered my JCPenney Stablemates today. This set was shipped from Lenexa KS, apparently, if anyone's keeping track of JCP's shipping warehouses. (*)
The packing could use some help; not sure if that's a Breyer issue or a JCP issue. The horses were in individual bags, with one strip of bubble wrap. From the bottom of the box it was bubble wrap (1 layer), 3 horses, BW, 3 horses, BW, 4 horses, BW, sheet of cardboard, poster, box catalog. And about an inch of empty space at the top. The horses aren't damaged, though. I think the plastic, which is fairly thick, keeps things from rubbing too badly.
* JCP has weird issues with stocking. If something's out of stock at the local-to-you shipping center, they don't seem to want to ship your order from another area. On at least two occasions now, I've had to ship a JCP order to my sister in Michigan because the Missouri region was sold out. It's a pain in the neck, honestly.
The packing could use some help; not sure if that's a Breyer issue or a JCP issue. The horses were in individual bags, with one strip of bubble wrap. From the bottom of the box it was bubble wrap (1 layer), 3 horses, BW, 3 horses, BW, 4 horses, BW, sheet of cardboard, poster, box catalog. And about an inch of empty space at the top. The horses aren't damaged, though. I think the plastic, which is fairly thick, keeps things from rubbing too badly.
* JCP has weird issues with stocking. If something's out of stock at the local-to-you shipping center, they don't seem to want to ship your order from another area. On at least two occasions now, I've had to ship a JCP order to my sister in Michigan because the Missouri region was sold out. It's a pain in the neck, honestly.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Decisions
First off, my Friesian was delivered on Monday. Gorgeous little guy, and the repaired ear looks better than the photos of it. Should be easy enough to finish fixing it.
Now I'm trying to decide what to do about the JCPenney Christmas SRs, since the Journeyman/Bouncer set is available to backorder. I want the Stablemates set and the 2-horse set. I just need to decide whether to order them together, get free shipping, and wait until November for the SMs, or order separately and pay $6 to get the SMs faster. Oh, and decide whether to take my chances on one of each set, or order two each in case of flaws (since there are a lot of reports about lousy paint jobs and such).
Decisions, decisions.
Now I'm trying to decide what to do about the JCPenney Christmas SRs, since the Journeyman/Bouncer set is available to backorder. I want the Stablemates set and the 2-horse set. I just need to decide whether to order them together, get free shipping, and wait until November for the SMs, or order separately and pay $6 to get the SMs faster. Oh, and decide whether to take my chances on one of each set, or order two each in case of flaws (since there are a lot of reports about lousy paint jobs and such).
Decisions, decisions.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
More shopping
I just bought this guy, a North Light Friesian, on MHSP last night.
He's got a repaired ear that needs a bit of work, but he's also got some NAN cards, and the price was pretty good.
I'm apparently a bit of a Friesian junkie. I've got, at last count, 2 Schleich Friesians, 2 of the porcelain ornaments that Breyer did a few years ago, Goffert, JB Andrew, and Sheryl Leisure's Thor resin. I've been lusting after a NL Friesian for a few years now, and got lucky last night. I was browsing through the newest MHSP ads, since DH was watching more political convention fun on TV, and ran across the ad.
He's got a repaired ear that needs a bit of work, but he's also got some NAN cards, and the price was pretty good.
I'm apparently a bit of a Friesian junkie. I've got, at last count, 2 Schleich Friesians, 2 of the porcelain ornaments that Breyer did a few years ago, Goffert, JB Andrew, and Sheryl Leisure's Thor resin. I've been lusting after a NL Friesian for a few years now, and got lucky last night. I was browsing through the newest MHSP ads, since DH was watching more political convention fun on TV, and ran across the ad.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
My Wish List
For your amusement, here's a list of models (Breyer and otherwise) that I'd like to have at some point. And I fully realize that I'll either have to win the lottery or settle for pictures of some of them. :)
- Nautical
- Tortuga
- Galahad
- QVC Black Beauty (Silver mold)
- Smoke Western Prancer
- Running mares and/or foals in almost any color I don't have already - especially smoke and red roan
- Any of the Hagen-Renaker mold SM Morgan Stallion, especially early ones without the thick legs
- the random charcoal Silver from the Pegasus treasure hunt
- Any of the Classic QHs and Mustangs (the Maureen Love horses)
- Porcelain SM Flamenca
- porcelain Tang horse from Breyerfest 2008
- the Ponokah Eemetah models I need to fill out my set
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Blue Velvet !!
Finally, UPS surprised me today with a box labeled "Blue Velvet" on the outside. She's really pretty, and no major flaws that I can see so far.
I really like the mold, too, so I may end up with more of them.
I really like the mold, too, so I may end up with more of them.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Still no Blue Velvet
Well, UPS delivered the box from Reeves that they didn't leave on Friday. It's my Romantico H.H.F., which I only ordered last Monday. Yep, bought on Monday, delivered on Friday (almost). While my Blue Velvet has been paid for since mid-June, and still isn't here. Romantico is gorgeous, though. The detailing is pretty nice, and the metallic paint is so shiny. (Yes, I'm a sucker for the shiny.)
Also got my Brandywine on Friday, so I'm only waiting on a few in-transit horses. He's also a really nice-looking horse. He's got NAN cards in halter, so I'll have to decide if I want to keep his breed assignment for showing purposes. (Which means deciding if he really looks like the silver-dapple that he's supposed to be, and then finding out if it's a color that exists in the breed he NAN-qualified as.)
Also got my Brandywine on Friday, so I'm only waiting on a few in-transit horses. He's also a really nice-looking horse. He's got NAN cards in halter, so I'll have to decide if I want to keep his breed assignment for showing purposes. (Which means deciding if he really looks like the silver-dapple that he's supposed to be, and then finding out if it's a color that exists in the breed he NAN-qualified as.)
Friday, August 8, 2008
Another new horse
My Brandywine was delivered today. He was a heck of a steal, at $30 including shipping, and he's even got two NAN cards. Pretty guy, I've been wanting one of these for a while now.
And, while I was out, UPS left a note on my door. I'll have to wait until Monday to see if the package from Reeves is my Blue Velvet, or the Romantico I ordered last Monday.
And, while I was out, UPS left a note on my door. I'll have to wait until Monday to see if the package from Reeves is my Blue Velvet, or the Romantico I ordered last Monday.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
New horses
These are the two Dukes delivered earlier this week. I'm pretty sure they were the last two sold online; TSC's website listed them as out of stock after my order was placed, and he's not listed on the website at all now.
Today, USPS delivered my Pharoah, picked up at BF for me by a semi-local hobbyist.
Today, USPS delivered my Pharoah, picked up at BF for me by a semi-local hobbyist.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
UPS Knocked
My friendly UPS guy just delivered a box with the last 2 "Duke the Wonder Horse" models that TSC sold online. At least I'm pretty sure they were the last ones sold online; I tried to order 3 and they didn't have sufficient stock to fill that order.
I bought 2 Dukes around Thanksgiving last year, too. I wanted one, got two because it would qualify the order for free shipping and I figured that I could pick the one I liked best and it wouldn't be hard to sell the other one. At that time, Dukes were going for $50 or so on Ebay, and I paid $37 for those two. I figured I'd break even at least. Which I eventually did, by selling the spare Duke at a live show for $35.
These two were $4.69 each. That's right, 90% off of the original sticker price. At that price, I had to get two more, either for repainting, donating to a show, or trading for something on my never-ending wish list. Heck, maybe I'll give one to my little boy. These were cheaper than most Schleich horses.
I bought 2 Dukes around Thanksgiving last year, too. I wanted one, got two because it would qualify the order for free shipping and I figured that I could pick the one I liked best and it wouldn't be hard to sell the other one. At that time, Dukes were going for $50 or so on Ebay, and I paid $37 for those two. I figured I'd break even at least. Which I eventually did, by selling the spare Duke at a live show for $35.
These two were $4.69 each. That's right, 90% off of the original sticker price. At that price, I had to get two more, either for repainting, donating to a show, or trading for something on my never-ending wish list. Heck, maybe I'll give one to my little boy. These were cheaper than most Schleich horses.
Monday, August 4, 2008
There's something in the air
I swear. Maybe I'm compensating for not going to Breyerfest again or something. Either way, I've been doing a lot of Breyer shopping lately. All online, unfortunately, which isn't as fun. But I ordered a Romantico this morning (the porcelain Great Horse in Armor from Breyerfest 2005). I don't have that many porcelains, I just don't have a safe place to display them right now, but I couldn't resist this one. Poor guy will probably end up living in his box, alongside my Encore & Applause from BFest 2006, my Silver Lining, and my unpainted UVM Yesteryear.
I'd better stop browsing Ebay before I get into more trouble. :)
I'd better stop browsing Ebay before I get into more trouble. :)
Friday, August 1, 2008
New horses!
No pictures yet, but I got my Big Box O' Breyerfest Goodies today. The person I had picking them up for me managed to get my top four: Riesling, Limerick, Melbourne, and Patagonia. Awesome looking bunch, too.
And then I was weak, and bought 2 more Dukes (Breyer's ASB) from TractorSupply.com. I couldn't help it, they were less than $5 each. They're either going to be repainted, or swapped for something else. Or possibly donated to a show. I'd love to have one done in a nice buckskin, though. (I'd really love the palomino that came with the clock, but those aren't easy to find.)
And then I was weak, and bought 2 more Dukes (Breyer's ASB) from TractorSupply.com. I couldn't help it, they were less than $5 each. They're either going to be repainted, or swapped for something else. Or possibly donated to a show. I'd love to have one done in a nice buckskin, though. (I'd really love the palomino that came with the clock, but those aren't easy to find.)
Thursday, July 31, 2008
En Route
Well, my Breyerfest box will be here tomorrow, and I sent payment for four other horses since last night. One may have shipped today and two tomorrow, but the fourth will have to wait until the check cleared.
Meanwhile, I bought a second Safari Tennesee Walker at Michaels craft store last night. Some of the Safari critters are a bit abnormal looking, but others aren't bad. I like their Andalusian, Lippizan, and TWH.
Meanwhile, I bought a second Safari Tennesee Walker at Michaels craft store last night. Some of the Safari critters are a bit abnormal looking, but others aren't bad. I like their Andalusian, Lippizan, and TWH.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Anticipation
Or, why online shopping doesn't provide the instant gratification that we all like and want now and then. (No matter how good we've gotten at the delayed gratification method.)
I haven't been Breyer shopping in person in months, unless you count the Breyer section at Target - which consists of 4 different SMs and 3 Classics. So I've been shopping online, mostly for used stuff, while I wait to make a whopper of an order at my favorite online dealer. Not so great for the "instant gratification" either, since the selection is pretty meager. They've got a better selection of Schleich horses, actually, at least until they restock. I do have the Schleich Knabstrupper now, and the appaloosa G3 Jumper, thanks to Target.
I just got the shipping notice that my Big Box O' Breyerfest Horses is on the way. Scheduled to be here on Friday. :) No news from the pickup person, so I'm assuming that she got the four on my list. I'll have to wait and see, if I can wait that long. Ideally, I'll have 2 Alborozos, Riesling, Melbourne, Limerick, and Patagonia. Plus, I've got a Pharaoh coming from someone else, because I couldn't resist the Egyptian theme.
I also got some SMs from JCPenney last week, when they were on clearance. However, thanks to JCPenney's weird region system, they weren't available in my area, so I had them shipped to my sister in Detroit. So, while they were delivered to her last week, it'll be a while before she comes to visit. More delays!
In the meantime, since I missed out on the Breyer Grab Bags last week, I bought a Molokai and RSV Inolvidable from someone who did get a Grab Bag. And then I found a great deal on a Brandywine, which I'd been wanting for a while. I've bid on a couple at Ebay, but never won. :( This one has NAN cards, too.
Not that I show much, or will ever show at NAN, but it's neat. I've got intentions, someday, of doing a little performance showing, and would like to campaign one horse enough to get a merit award from NAMHSA. (That's a pipe dream, I know. I've got a minuscule amount of tack, and while I have the budget to buy more, I can't bring myself to pay that kind of money for something I can't see in person and know practically nothing about. Yes, I'm "cheap" as my brother says. I prefer the word "frugal" myself.
I haven't been Breyer shopping in person in months, unless you count the Breyer section at Target - which consists of 4 different SMs and 3 Classics. So I've been shopping online, mostly for used stuff, while I wait to make a whopper of an order at my favorite online dealer. Not so great for the "instant gratification" either, since the selection is pretty meager. They've got a better selection of Schleich horses, actually, at least until they restock. I do have the Schleich Knabstrupper now, and the appaloosa G3 Jumper, thanks to Target.
I just got the shipping notice that my Big Box O' Breyerfest Horses is on the way. Scheduled to be here on Friday. :) No news from the pickup person, so I'm assuming that she got the four on my list. I'll have to wait and see, if I can wait that long. Ideally, I'll have 2 Alborozos, Riesling, Melbourne, Limerick, and Patagonia. Plus, I've got a Pharaoh coming from someone else, because I couldn't resist the Egyptian theme.
I also got some SMs from JCPenney last week, when they were on clearance. However, thanks to JCPenney's weird region system, they weren't available in my area, so I had them shipped to my sister in Detroit. So, while they were delivered to her last week, it'll be a while before she comes to visit. More delays!
In the meantime, since I missed out on the Breyer Grab Bags last week, I bought a Molokai and RSV Inolvidable from someone who did get a Grab Bag. And then I found a great deal on a Brandywine, which I'd been wanting for a while. I've bid on a couple at Ebay, but never won. :( This one has NAN cards, too.
Not that I show much, or will ever show at NAN, but it's neat. I've got intentions, someday, of doing a little performance showing, and would like to campaign one horse enough to get a merit award from NAMHSA. (That's a pipe dream, I know. I've got a minuscule amount of tack, and while I have the budget to buy more, I can't bring myself to pay that kind of money for something I can't see in person and know practically nothing about. Yes, I'm "cheap" as my brother says. I prefer the word "frugal" myself.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
No Breyerfest for me
No BF trip for me again. I've never been to one. :(
I am waiting to hear the results from the person who was picking up some of the tent horses, though. Hopefully my wish list wasn't left wishing. I'm also hoping that the little SM-scale porcelain Chang'an horse wasn't a Breyerfest-only (but not a Tent SR) horse.
I am waiting to hear the results from the person who was picking up some of the tent horses, though. Hopefully my wish list wasn't left wishing. I'm also hoping that the little SM-scale porcelain Chang'an horse wasn't a Breyerfest-only (but not a Tent SR) horse.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Dreams
I dreamed about Breyers & other models recently.
The first dream, I was in some sort of store that sold odds and ends of surplus stuff, and they had a table full of the next BF horse, Alborozo, and another mold or two. The weird part is that there were so many of them, in some wonky chestnut sort of color - not the grey BF color - and they were all $15 or some oddly low price.
Then, in either another dream or a different part of this one, I was in a book/toy store, and found a corner kind of behind the other shelves, full of old books. And on the top shelves were some old Breyers for sale, mostly smoke and charcoal, I think.
I wish I could remember if I managed to buy some of those or not.
Then, last week, I dreamed that I found some lovely ceramic horses, including a Hagen-Renaker Kelso, dirt-cheap at a yard sale of some kind. Seriously cheap - $30 for a Kelso, who I drool over any chance I get. Okay, he had a broken leg, but the piece was there and it was a clean break. I don't remember what the others were, but they were affordable and gorgeous.
The only time I have this kind of luck is when I'm dreaming. I've yet to find anything droolable at a fleamarket or yard sale. The closest I've gotten is an old black pinto Western Horse with a snap saddle for $12 at a thrift store.
The first dream, I was in some sort of store that sold odds and ends of surplus stuff, and they had a table full of the next BF horse, Alborozo, and another mold or two. The weird part is that there were so many of them, in some wonky chestnut sort of color - not the grey BF color - and they were all $15 or some oddly low price.
Then, in either another dream or a different part of this one, I was in a book/toy store, and found a corner kind of behind the other shelves, full of old books. And on the top shelves were some old Breyers for sale, mostly smoke and charcoal, I think.
I wish I could remember if I managed to buy some of those or not.
Then, last week, I dreamed that I found some lovely ceramic horses, including a Hagen-Renaker Kelso, dirt-cheap at a yard sale of some kind. Seriously cheap - $30 for a Kelso, who I drool over any chance I get. Okay, he had a broken leg, but the piece was there and it was a clean break. I don't remember what the others were, but they were affordable and gorgeous.
The only time I have this kind of luck is when I'm dreaming. I've yet to find anything droolable at a fleamarket or yard sale. The closest I've gotten is an old black pinto Western Horse with a snap saddle for $12 at a thrift store.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Holey Moley ! ! !
Breyer just put the list up for the Blue Velvet "winners" (you don't win the horse, you "win" the chance to buy the horse. Anyway.)
My name's on the list! ! !
This is bizarre, because I was on the Rubicon list too - two in a row. I just sent the entry off last week, at the last possible minute, because I'd kind of forgotten about it. I should go buy a lottery ticket or something.
Not that I won't love my two Conns, but why couldn't I have been drawn for the Masquerade that I lusted after so badly? I had to buy him secondhand, at triple the price. Sigh.
My name's on the list! ! !
This is bizarre, because I was on the Rubicon list too - two in a row. I just sent the entry off last week, at the last possible minute, because I'd kind of forgotten about it. I should go buy a lottery ticket or something.
Not that I won't love my two Conns, but why couldn't I have been drawn for the Masquerade that I lusted after so badly? I had to buy him secondhand, at triple the price. Sigh.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Home from the show
We got home from Ozark Mountain Live last night, tuckered out. It's the one live show a year that's close enough for me to attend, although I may make it to the show near KC this fall.
Anyway, I sold two horses (Duke and a TH Silver) and came home with four - a repainted H-R Quarter Horse Stallion, a bay Clover china, an old red-chestnut SM Morgan Mare, and the new pinto G3 SM Mustang that I got as a door prize. I was tempted by Cindy's Lakeshore's, as usual, and a couple of PS Chips. I resisted the temptation, so far. The Chips are nice-looking, as far as that goes, but they're tiny and the prices that the new ones go for seems out of line for the size. Especially if it's true that they're now made of the same rubbery stuff that Schleich horses are made of.
As far as show results: I took about 50 horses and came home with 19 ribbons and 8 NAN cards. I missed the class for my Silver Lining resin, darn it, and one SM class. My SMs seemed to do better than the Trads, for whatever reason. I got firsts with my Rubicon and two SM G2 stock horses. My HR Mini Morgans both took seconds, along with 3 other horses. I took half a dozen Palouses, but only one placed - Echo got 3rd. Very strange. My one artist resin got a 3rd, but my only good CM plastic only got a 3rd in a 3-horse class. (I'll admit, though, the other two horses were stunners. This same horse got the Gaited Champ or Reserve Champ a few years ago. I guess he's out-dated or something.)
But, by my calculations, 40% of my horses got ribbons, and 16% NAN'd, so it's not a bad trip.
My pipe dream is to show a bit of performance, enough to get a NAMHSA Merit award for one of my horses. But, with one show a year, and a slightly limited budget, I don't see it happening any time soon. Oh well.
Pictures to come later.
Anyway, I sold two horses (Duke and a TH Silver) and came home with four - a repainted H-R Quarter Horse Stallion, a bay Clover china, an old red-chestnut SM Morgan Mare, and the new pinto G3 SM Mustang that I got as a door prize. I was tempted by Cindy's Lakeshore's, as usual, and a couple of PS Chips. I resisted the temptation, so far. The Chips are nice-looking, as far as that goes, but they're tiny and the prices that the new ones go for seems out of line for the size. Especially if it's true that they're now made of the same rubbery stuff that Schleich horses are made of.
As far as show results: I took about 50 horses and came home with 19 ribbons and 8 NAN cards. I missed the class for my Silver Lining resin, darn it, and one SM class. My SMs seemed to do better than the Trads, for whatever reason. I got firsts with my Rubicon and two SM G2 stock horses. My HR Mini Morgans both took seconds, along with 3 other horses. I took half a dozen Palouses, but only one placed - Echo got 3rd. Very strange. My one artist resin got a 3rd, but my only good CM plastic only got a 3rd in a 3-horse class. (I'll admit, though, the other two horses were stunners. This same horse got the Gaited Champ or Reserve Champ a few years ago. I guess he's out-dated or something.)
But, by my calculations, 40% of my horses got ribbons, and 16% NAN'd, so it's not a bad trip.
My pipe dream is to show a bit of performance, enough to get a NAMHSA Merit award for one of my horses. But, with one show a year, and a slightly limited budget, I don't see it happening any time soon. Oh well.
Pictures to come later.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
New (and not so new) horses
Another box in the mail today - a Ruffian and Nokota that someone picked up for me at the Tuesday Morning sale. My local TM had Breyers, but not those two.
Then I unboxed almost a dozen horses that I bought over the holidays. I was hoping to take a few of them to the show this month, but I found more issues than I expected. I opened a beautiful Madison Avenue, only to find a nasty box rub on her non-showing side. My Blue Gold and Cloud's Legacy sets also had paint issues, mostly from rubbing against other horses in the set. Luz de Luna is gorgeous, on the other hand. Too bad the mold doesn't live-show well, but I love it anyway. I also opened up an Ethereal - Earth (heavy 2-piece base!) and Harmonie, who was perfect except for one tiny paint flaw.
Then I unboxed almost a dozen horses that I bought over the holidays. I was hoping to take a few of them to the show this month, but I found more issues than I expected. I opened a beautiful Madison Avenue, only to find a nasty box rub on her non-showing side. My Blue Gold and Cloud's Legacy sets also had paint issues, mostly from rubbing against other horses in the set. Luz de Luna is gorgeous, on the other hand. Too bad the mold doesn't live-show well, but I love it anyway. I also opened up an Ethereal - Earth (heavy 2-piece base!) and Harmonie, who was perfect except for one tiny paint flaw.
Monday, March 3, 2008
New Stones
More new ponies! I got a box in the mail today, from someone who offered to pick up some of the Stones that Tractor Supply had on sale last month or so. Bless her for doing it. She found two Breeze ISHs for me - consecutive numbers, long mane/long tail versions. She said one was glossy and the other matte, but they both look about the same to me. Then, at a different store, she found an Arabian, Twist I think - $11 instead of the $5 that the ISHs were, but that's cool. PS doesn't seem to do "regular run" horses anymore; everything's a limited run, so they're all freakishly expensive.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
A new Stone horse
Just got this guy in the mail yesterday.
He was a great deal on Ebay, $9.99 plus $10.50 shipping/handling. Of course, I'm trying to avoid Ebay, since the latest "upgrades" to fees and feedback. But, sadly, they get a lot of traffic, both from buyers and sellers.
Anyway, the PS woodgrain is really nice. The matte finish makes it look more like real wood; I've got a Breyer woodgrain (SM Andalusian from Breyerfest) that's more on the glossy side, and it makes the wood look a little more unrealistic.
He was a great deal on Ebay, $9.99 plus $10.50 shipping/handling. Of course, I'm trying to avoid Ebay, since the latest "upgrades" to fees and feedback. But, sadly, they get a lot of traffic, both from buyers and sellers.Anyway, the PS woodgrain is really nice. The matte finish makes it look more like real wood; I've got a Breyer woodgrain (SM Andalusian from Breyerfest) that's more on the glossy side, and it makes the wood look a little more unrealistic.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Pictures
As promised, pics of the Hagen-Renaker Mini Morgans.
The mare, who is beautiful. The first picture is more her true color, although I'd love it if she'd been closer to the color of the second picture.
And the stallion. He's very sooty, for lack of a better word, especially on the "show" side. Not what I would have picked if I'd had a choice, but that's the way it goes. And I wouldn't order something online and expect the seller to go through all 50 horses to find one in a certain shade, either. You pay the bill, you get the horse that was on top of the stack or whatever. He's still gorgeous, and I wish I had a safe place to display him. Unfortunately, until we move, he and the mare will be living in their shipping boxes. Sigh.
The mare, who is beautiful. The first picture is more her true color, although I'd love it if she'd been closer to the color of the second picture.
And the stallion. He's very sooty, for lack of a better word, especially on the "show" side. Not what I would have picked if I'd had a choice, but that's the way it goes. And I wouldn't order something online and expect the seller to go through all 50 horses to find one in a certain shade, either. You pay the bill, you get the horse that was on top of the stack or whatever. He's still gorgeous, and I wish I had a safe place to display him. Unfortunately, until we move, he and the mare will be living in their shipping boxes. Sigh.
Monday, February 11, 2008
New horses!
The mailman knocked on my door today, and left three boxes. Okay, one's for DH (my Valentine present), but the other two are horse-related.
The small box has my Hagen-Renaker mini Morgan stallion and mare, in a sooty-looking palomino. This is the second set that Ed sent; the first set went into the PO's Bermuda Triangle and still hasn't reappeared. But they're beautiful!
The big box is the 3 ISHs that I ordered from P.S. Cord - Pretty Consecutive, Andrea's Answer, and Definitely a Dunnit. Still have to pry them all out of the boxes, so pictures may appear soon.
The small box has my Hagen-Renaker mini Morgan stallion and mare, in a sooty-looking palomino. This is the second set that Ed sent; the first set went into the PO's Bermuda Triangle and still hasn't reappeared. But they're beautiful!
The big box is the 3 ISHs that I ordered from P.S. Cord - Pretty Consecutive, Andrea's Answer, and Definitely a Dunnit. Still have to pry them all out of the boxes, so pictures may appear soon.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Horses on the way
I've got a few horses on the way again. Ed Alcorn is re-shipping my palomino HR Morgan pair, since the first ones are lost somewhere in the postal system. Hopefully they'll surface at some point. And I got the shipping notification for my P.S. Cord order. They're having a sale, so I got three ISHs - Andrea's Answer, Pretty Consecutive, and Definitely a Dunnit. Hope they're nice ones.
The Stone company is getting a little outrageous, though. They aren't making any "regular run" type horses that I can see, just a lot of limited-run SRs with very high prices. From what I saw on their website this week, $90 seems to be the minimum for a Trad-scale model, and the smaller Pebbles and Chips aren't far behind. I can see why there aren't many CM'd Stone molds around anymore (other than factory CMs).
The Stone company is getting a little outrageous, though. They aren't making any "regular run" type horses that I can see, just a lot of limited-run SRs with very high prices. From what I saw on their website this week, $90 seems to be the minimum for a Trad-scale model, and the smaller Pebbles and Chips aren't far behind. I can see why there aren't many CM'd Stone molds around anymore (other than factory CMs).
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Rubicon!!
UPS delivered my Rubicon today! I would have had him yesterday, but we were out when UPS dropped by. Not the best pics, but they'll do for now.
Nice packing job from Breyer this time, he was double-boxed, with bubblewrap and paper. (My Mirror Image, and I think my Wedgwood Lady Phases, came in a single box with a little bubblewrap.) He looks pretty good so far, although the grey spots are puzzling me a bit. I got #62 or so out of 350.
I'm not the only fan, though. My son, aka El Burrito, took a shine to Rubicon as well. The "pony" got a pat on the nose,
and a toddler-style hug
and a kiss.
And yes, I was holding on to the Rubicon with my other hand. El Burrito's already taken out a Palouse accidentally. He's got his Schleich horses to play with, although he prefers cars right now.
Nice packing job from Breyer this time, he was double-boxed, with bubblewrap and paper. (My Mirror Image, and I think my Wedgwood Lady Phases, came in a single box with a little bubblewrap.) He looks pretty good so far, although the grey spots are puzzling me a bit. I got #62 or so out of 350.
I'm not the only fan, though. My son, aka El Burrito, took a shine to Rubicon as well. The "pony" got a pat on the nose,
and a toddler-style hug
and a kiss.
And yes, I was holding on to the Rubicon with my other hand. El Burrito's already taken out a Palouse accidentally. He's got his Schleich horses to play with, although he prefers cars right now.
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