If you’re a vinyl toy enthusiast in Southern California, you were probably at Vinyl Toy Network 2008. The Pasadena Convention floor was filled with artists, manufacturers, vendors, art fans, vinyl toy enthusiasts, and toy newbies. Artists including Amanda Visell, Sket One, and Cameron Tiede signed toys and sketchbooks for their fans. For those who are interested in sneak previews, I have a few for you. Of course I have plenty of pictures, too.
Prototypes and Sneak Peeks
Pretty in Plastic had two prototypes on display. I got a close-up look at Melvin, Cameron Tiede’s upcoming vinyl toy. It looks as good in-person as it does in photographs.
Brian “Nicebunny” Castleforte introduced the prototype for his new toy. The growling black figure is based on a character on a new series of prints.
At his own booth, Castleforte worked on new HedKase paper toys. He had a few Marvel figures on display. They weren’t for sale, and he said he hoped to get them released in the near future. It would be great if he could get connected with Marvel.
DKE Toys had a sneak peek for Frank Kozik fans: a black Smorkin’ Labbit plush. They don’t have official word on the release date, and they don’t know how much it will cost. If you’re a Kozik fan, you’ll have to wait and see.
Munky King had a few sneak previews at their booth. The first is Luke Chueh’s Black in White and Red All Over which is based on his original painting with the same title.
They showed two versions of Eyegore by the Pizz, a legend of the “lowbrow” art movement. The bearded eyeball is a tribute to Von Dutch, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and Robert Williams.
The most interesting prototypes were shown by Daniel Monahan, creator of Angels & Gringos. During the show, he actually worked on a clay sculpture of his upcoming Quixote figure. When I first saw him, he had most of the body completed. A few hours later, I saw him walking around with a nearly completed Quixote.
He also showed a more finished prototype: Beezul. He said that Beezul would be released “sometime this year.”
VTN Exclusives
This year there were four major exclusive releases. The most anticipated (and most expensive) release was Amanda Visell’s “Underwater Carnivorous Giraffe.” Even though it was priced at $300, it was sold out by lunchtime.
Sket One’s Buckeye Rot (yellow edition) was a 3D Retro exclusive. Priced at $80, the yellow tomato came with two pairs of hands and was packaged like a Brach’s candy mix.
The third exclusive was the red and yellow variant of Sancho by Angels & Gringos (above left). Limited to 250 pieces, this one was priced at $90. Finally the smallest of the exclusives was the Skullbud exclusive by Jamungo (above right). At $15, this was the most affordable of the VTN exclusives.
A Few of the Artists
Cameron Tiede, Brian Castleforte
Sket One, Christoper Lee
There were several artists in attendance, and all of them signed toys and sketchbooks throughout the day. Some of them made very detailed sketches for their happy fans.
In addition to exclusives and prototypes, vendors and manufacturers had plenty of new and interesting toys to display. I’ll post a few pictures of these tomorrow.
Finally, a Story
I didn’t get a goodie bag, and I didn’t win anything at the raffle. (Throughout the day, they gave away 8 Ringo Bears by Joe Ledbetter and other toys.) During the day, I saw that MINDStyle and Kaching Brands were selling grab bags for $15. Most of the grab bags had mini-vinyl figures like a Liberty Meadows keychain, but some had larger prizes. As I was leaving, I decided to get one.
The guy at the booth pointed to a bag and said, “I think this one has the Hachoo monkey. If it doesn’t, I’ll let you pick another one.”
That sounded good, so I picked that bag. I opened it and found a ticket for the Hachoo monkey. I asked him how he knew because I thought maybe he had psychic powers.
He said, “Cameron (Tiede) was digging through the bags, and he said that one had the Hachoo toy.”
I was able to get a blue Hachoo Monkey by Mizna Lens. I picked the blue one, and I already love it. It was the perfect way to end the afternoon.
Thanks again to the guy at the MINDStyle booth. Special thanks to Rodger R. for providing some of the photographs.
May 5th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Great photos. I know a kid that is going to be one of the first to get that Kozik anarchy plush if I can wrangle one.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
dude, awesome pics! and great recap!
sounds like it was lots of fun…
and i’m glad you got your monkey
May 5th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
jeremy: get in line. i know a few people (myself included) who can’t wait for that one.
grrrace: thanks! it was a lot of fun.
“and i’m glad you got your monkey” - that sounds so wrong.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I’m ready to shank somebody for that black Labbit. Someone PLEASE open a restaurant called “Hachoo Monkey.”
May 7th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
the black Labbit will be mine..oh yes, it will be mine.
i didn’t realize it was a monkey until i got home. i thought it was a bear! whatever…it’s still super-cute.