BreyerFest Loot: The Third (Collapsed) Box

Second Post of the Day

I opened that third box from Breyer with a LOT of trepidation. I don't remember ever receiving a box of Breyers that arrived in such bad shape. 

First, I counted the number of models inside, and all four were still there; none had fallen out through that open side or been stolen. Their outer wrappings were in perfect shape, so I became hopeful that they would be unharmed when I opened each package.

I chose to begin with Oseberg. Like most people, I was hoping to receive the glossy.

Oh my gosh - it looked glossy. Or was that a trick of the light or me just having high hopes?

It was a glossy! And far more beautiful in hand than any photos I'd seen of him on social media.

I could not believe my luck. I don't collect the Wintersong mold, but this piece may have just changed my mind.

Next, I opened Thingvellir. The Man o' War mold is a vintage one, and I am fond of it.

I generally prefer darker models and I got the grulla version, but I would like to see if I can find the palomino, too. Anyone have one they want to sell?

Next, I opened my two Scandi Surprises. I don't collect the Vermeer molds and had been a little disappointed when we found out the mold that had been used, but that's the chance you take when you put in for the surprise models.

Matte brown pinto.

I'm not a pinto fan, but this color is nice.

Matte bay.

Some really lovely shading on him.

Like many other collectors, I was hoping for the appaloosa. The champagne, too. Matte or glossy do not matter to me - I'd take either. So, if anyone would like to do a trade, contact me. (horsiemama8@gmail.com)

(Update: the pinto Scandi Surprise has been sold.)

Stay 'tooned!

Don't Blink!

First, some updates.

Craig is improving but still feeling the effects of the concussion. Thanks for all the well wishes.

I'm still feeling exhausted from the Covid. It's been a week since symptoms began and I'm on Paxlovid, so hopefully I will be back to normal soon. 

The January Give Away will be announced tomorrow. Stay 'tooned!

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If you're like me, you are already getting excited for BreyerFest. Breyer is definitely keeping the news flowing - blink and you might miss something. 

I was surprised when Breyer announced the on-site workshops. I thought that announcement usually came later. Regardless, it was fun to see what was being offered. (All pics today are taken from Breyer's web site with the exception of Liberty.)

In addition to the on-site workshops, Breyer has announced two more models, a Special Run and a Limited Edition.

To the Ties that Bind Us is a must-have for me.

The piece is a Special Run and will be available to all ticket holders.

Produced on the popular Silver mold, the color is Breyer's "...Wedgewood blue with a snowcap Appaloosa pattern of Breyer models from over the decades..."

This will be a lovely piece to add to my Silver conga. 

And to put next to my Liberty! I'm interested in seeing how their colors compare.

The next piece actually was announced at the National Western Stock Show before Breyer announced it.

Classic/Freedom Series portrait model Game Day Surprise.

He is a Limited Edition and, like To the Ties that Bind Us, will be available to all ticket holders. The real horse is known as Eli and often wears a neck sash when performing.

Finally, if you want to be a vendor at BreyerFest, both in-person or online, applications are open. 

 

BOO & More

My mornings currently have a new routine that's been added in. I am one of the stewards for BOO, the Breyer Online Open Show. And stewarding is in full swing right now.

BOO is held on the PonyBytes platform just as Breyer Boot Camp is, so I am familiar with the format of the show as well as the formatting that entrants need to use to enter their models. (And which stewards are responsible for checking to be sure is correct.) 

I look over new entries every morning, and I am one week into the process with one more week to go before the galleries close and stewarding finishes up.

Entries close today at noon EDT, so if you haven't entered but want to, head over the Breyer and enter! It's a fun, well run show and the stewards and other staff are happy to help if you have questions or are unsure about how to proceed.

Speaking of Breyer, Barn Buddy Kelsey and I finally had schedules that matched and I got my BreyerFest models! I also got to spend some time chatting with her - she is such a nice lady and a good friend.

We met where she works and thank goodness she sent me a map with the employee parking lot circled - the Lafayette Cargill plant is enormous! (See those train cars of grain on the tracks waiting to offload?) And as I sat in the employee parking lot waiting to meet up with her, semi truck after semi truck rolled up and into a long line of trucks to deliver even more grain.

Kelsey is a scientist who examines and then grades (or even rejects) the grain for quality, among other things. Sadly, she had a meeting to attend and we didn't get to chat very long, but we are hoping to meet for lunch soon. My BreyerFest models are not yet opened - hopefully later  today.

One last bit of Breyer news (there hasn't been much lately, aside from BOO.)

There is a Classic/Freedom test run Andalusian stallion available. You can enter to be drawn for it, and the cost is $800 if you win. Not many Andalusians have been in Breyer's line-up for a while, and most likely that is because Breyer has termed the mold as "delicate."

Collectors Club members have until September 15 at 11/59 PM to enter for it if interested.

Don't forget the September Give Away - this month its a blackened beeswax ornament! To enter, comment on any blog post posted September 12 through Sunday evening, September 15, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

I'll try to get a second blog entry posted later this morning. Stay 'tooned!

Bring Out the BreyerFest Loot!

Thanks to those who wrote to me about yesterday's blog post and missing VIN numbers on some models. Reader Carrie found that missing VIN number on Via Lattea - it's under the peg slot in her base. I can barely see it - the base is clear and the numbers are silver and miniscule. But they're there!

As for why some models have VINs and others do not, Carrie suspects it has to do with short runs that are produced in-house and therefore do not have a VIN like those that are produced abroad. That dovetails nicely with my guess from yesterday. 

I finally got all my BreyerFest models unwrapped and catalogued. Here they are:

Nemea is my favorite of them all.

I do not care for the mold, but the BreyerFest model is unique and eye-catching. I taught Greek and Latin for twelve years and connected with Nemea as soon as Breyer released its photos.

It also pairs nicely with Pharaoh, a BreyerFest special run from 2008.

I was delighted to discover that the Stagecoach Surprise was Hamilton.

I received the matte dapple grey version. In my opinion, this is one of the best molds to come out of the Premiere Club.

I also splurged and got a single day ticket so I could get a Stablemate.

Navigator is very pretty

and I may show it. (I've been contemplating putting together a show string of minis and seeing how they do.)

I was very excited about the coasters - as much Vanilla Coke Zero as I drink, I am always in need of coasters!

But these were a disappointment. They were just very thin, single pieces of cardboard.

The Gone Riding picture I post occasionally is a BreyerFest coaster from some years back, and it is about 3/8" thick layered cardboard with a bottom layer of cork. I was expecting that, not a single flimsy piece of cardboard.

Of course, Bravour 54, the Celebration Horse, was in my BreyerFest loot. (I may give this piece to one of the Pony Pals for Christmas.)

I ordered the Via Lattea tee shirt and I really like it,

except that the hems began unravelling after the very first wearing. That's not the first time this has happened to me with a Breyer tee, but this is the first one I ever contacted Breyer about and reported. The issue is in the bobbin thread - the manufacturer is not securing the bobbin thread after stitching the hem so of course it unravels. 

Finally, I ordered a Neapolitan. I really like Breyer's "cake" line of Classics and have all the previous ones (Red Velvet, Cupcake, and Black Forest), so I was happy to add Neapolitan to the herd. 

That wraps up BreyerFest 2023 for me! I feel that overall it was a good one, and I really enjoyed the virtual component and am glad that Breyer continues to offer it.

Now I'm staying 'tooned for news about next year!