A Kalamazoo Surprise

In a text from Leslie yesterday, she mentioned that she was proofreading the program for this year's Kalamazoo show and that I was on staff.

Wait. What??

That was a surprise, but actually a good one. And, a helpful one, one that may mean that I can continue coming to the show in future years.

Let me back up and fill in some information.

To operate a show as big as KZoo takes a lot of staff support and there are about 35 staff members, all living history folks, who work for the show in exchange for a few perks - dinner Friday night before the show, lunches on Saturday and Sunday, and the biggie, their hotel rooms are comped.

The 2025 Kalamazoo staff with Rick, Leslie, and the show's new owner, Ethan Yazel, center front.

When I started up Jolis Chevaux in 2021, Leslie asked me to come participate as a vendor and has kindly comped my hotel room every year since.

That free hotel gift has been a real blessing and honestly, I never would have gone because that hotel cost would have taken such a large chunk of my profits from the show.

 It's a mutually beneficial plan. Leslie sets my booth up next to hers where she sells her block print fabrics.

and uses my clothing to show and advertise what her buyers can do with their block prints. Win-win for us both.

With the sale of the show to the Yazels, I knew that that free hotel was coming to an end. 

But it turned out okay, at least for the 2026 show. Remember that milkmaid outfit I made for Leslie that she wears in her cheesemaking demonstrations?

Sneaky girl, when I refused to accept payment for it (she's my sister and has helped me so much in getting Jolis Chevaux off the ground), she paid for my KZoo hotel room this year.

Ethan and his wife, Paisley, are very experienced living history participants and just good, salt of the earth folks.

He is tech savvy and has revamped the website, the Facebook page, and has been doing Live Facebook chats about the show for vendors and participants. The show is in excellent hands.

The past couple of months, Ethan and I have talked several times about me volunteering for the show, perhaps in a behind the scenes role since I had to be in my booth all day. He was very positive in those conversations, but I had never heard what he'd like me to do and did not realize that he'd gone ahead and put me on staff.

When I asked Leslie about what I would be doing, she simply said, "I am sure Ethan will find something for you to do."

Alrighty then!

Being on staff and receiving the staff compensation for meals and hotel will make it so I can continue to attend the show, that the months-long sewing I do in preparation will be worth the time that I spent, and that I can participate in a show that I love.

But, I am determined to make sure that I am helping out, too. What that is going to look like is unknown, but it's only right that I do my part in exchange for what I will receive.

Hold Your Horses, Breyer's on a Roll!

Goo-ood night!!  BreyerMidwest ended Sunday and already Breyer is busy sending out notices of new models. Three this week already and it is only Wednesday as I write!

The second 2025 Vintage Club release, Admiral and Wings, was announced today, and my jaw literally dropped when I saw it. (Er rather, THEM.)

The 5 Gaiter is one of my top five favorite molds and one that  I conga - I have 27 of them. (Soon to be 28, hah!)

What a surprise to be getting two Traditionals this time. And I love their color - that wedgewood pinto is beautiful.

Breyer had this to say about them:

I am wondering what that "unique vintage packaging" will look like. I ordered my pair as soon as I got the email and I can hardly wait for the set to arrive. Thank you, Breyer!

Breyer released Mallorca, another Exotic Destinations Web Special, on Tuesday.

I like that mold and I like the color. A lot of folks will be entering to be drawn for him, so my chances aren't high, especially since I did win Prague, the last Exotic Destinations model offered. Winning two in a row seems unlikely to me, but you never know, right? Fingers crossed!

The 2025 Volunteer model was released last weekend at Breyer Midwest. 

Its name is Salud (with exclamation points on either side of the name.) Two colors were handed out; speculation is that a third color will be revealed at BreyerFest.

Black is my favorite horse color (and has been since Breyer first released charcoal Family Arabs) but I think I actually like the grey better.

Speaking of black horses...

Nistar Blazing Kansas LOM and his dam, GTF Blazing Ethel will be present at BreyerFest. Unlike many of the guest horses, models will be available for purchase. (I already have the set. Like I said, I like black horses.)

Whew! Breyer is really on a roll this week. Not that I mind - I am excited at the prospect of new models to add to my herd.

B-Stampers: Getting Started

Once I had those reference pictures from BreyerHorseRef of known B stamp models, it was much easier (and less daunting) for me to begin going through my collection to check for the B stamp.

I started by making a list of models that were in both my collection and in BreyerHorseRef's catalog.

It was a long list and I began pulling horses from shelves and checking them.

They were crossed off if my piece had no B stamp and circled or highlighted if I did.

It still took a while and the process was not without the dreaded domino effect or two.

After my Running Mares and Foals fell over, I removed my Breyer Volunteer models that were two shelves beneath them.

Some of the Cantering Welsh Ponies below the Running Mares and above the Volunteer models had toppled over and fallen too, and I did not want to risk damaging the Volunteer pieces. (Nice job guarding them, Pepper!)

Beach Son Kyle is 6'3" and I am now just 5'5" (I used to be 5'7"), so he straightened up those mares and foals for me. (Thanks, guy!) I struggle to reach them, which is why they fell over. I should have known better than to chance it. Lesson learned.

All in all, I found seven B stampers in my collection. At least, that I know of. Part of the fun of collecting is discovering something new, and it would not surprise me if there is another one or two lurking on my shelves. 

Checking for those undiscovered surprises will have to wait until the next time I dust the entire collection, and that will won't be until mid January at the earliest.

Tomorrow I will show you those seven B stampers. Stay 'tooned!

Christmas Horse of the Day

Frankincense! The 2016 Christmas Morning Surprise, there were three gambler's choice colors.

Frankincense, Gold, and Myrrh. 350 pieces of each were produced. (Photo from Breyer.)

Advent Calendar Reveal - Day 7

Some fencing to corral those three loose horses! 

I like that they link together securely - as there are more and more advent calendar treasures out on the shelf, there will also be more and more knock-overs by me. I really appreciate that I won't be constantly setting up the fencing again. (I've done enough of resetting fencing in real life already! LOL)

The scene is starting to look like more than just pieces scattered about. And I really like this year's backdrop, too.

More tomorrow; stay 'tooned!

Want a Worth It?

A box from Breyer arrived while I was traveling for the wedding. Inside were two Volunteer models.

This year's model comes in three colors, with 133 of each color being made.

I ended up with the same color on both, but I don't mind.

I love the Bluegrass Bandit mold and while I am not a big pinto lover, I do think she looks lovely in this color.

My plan is to keep one and trade or sell the other.

Both have minor flaws that can be easily touched up.

Although some of those "flaws" actually brushed off after I took these pictures and were simply dust or something that they brought with them from Breyer.

Both pieces have a tiny white spot in about the same place on their backs that is not dust. Again, an easy fix.

I'd really like to get my extra into the hands of someone who hasn't had the opportunity to be a Volunteer or Ambassador for Breyer, someone who loves this mold and plans to keep it in their collection rather than sell it. Maybe even someone who cannot afford to buy a Volunteer/Ambassador model at the prices they generally go for and needs a price break. 

I was able to do that with my other extras from 2022 and 2023, and the folks who got those models were over the moon to have them. I felt really good knowing that my extras were in the hands of people who would not have gotten one otherwise and would be keeping them on their shelves.

So, if that description fits you, shoot me an email and make an offer. PayPal Goods & Services is how you would need to pay. (Sorry, no time payments.) 

My email is horsiemama8@gmail.com if you are interested.

Chevaliere, the 2023 BreyerFest Volunteer Model

Several boxes were waiting for me when I got home from Utah, including one with my volunteer models from Breyer.

This year's model is Chevaliere, a sunfaded black, bay, or red roan snowcap Appaloosa done on the Croi mold.

Although I am not a fan of the mold, I do like Chevaliere.

Appaloosas are my favorite breed, and black is my favorite color for horses.

Chevaliere came in sunfaded black, bay, and red roan Appaloosa, and I received two of the black.

I will be getting one more and I'm hoping for the red roan although I will be happy with either.

I may trade one of these for a red roan but that person is still unpacking from BreyerFest and wants to be sure she still has it.

I've been fortunate to receive several volunteer models over the years.

I gave the light version of Ben Nevis to a friend who really wanted him but kept the dark bay.

Zeitgeist is my favorite. She is simply stunning and she is on one of the newer molds that I really like.

Generally when you volunteer, there is no remuneration, and it is nice that Breyer offers its volunteers something for their time. Thanks, Breyer, for gifting your volunteers with these beautiful pieces. 

What a Mess

Getting hacked stinks. My emotions have been running the gamut from dismay to frustration to anger. I've lost a lot of things that I can only hope to to recover. I can't find my pictures on my computer nor can I add them to a blog story until they are. The hackers even described themselves as though they were ME to friends concerned that I might be hacked by reassuring my friends that yes, they were me, and yes, "my" account was secure because they were wise and took precautions to protect it, and that "I" did send those emails asking for money so could you help me by sending some?

This is all that is left on my desktop - a photo Abby. All my files are missing, photos, things I was writing... Gone. It's like it was swept clean.

I mention on the blog that I go to Indy frequently but I don't talk about what I do there - I am in charge of a large group of volunteers who work every week - I make out their service schedules, find subs if they are ill or cannot come, orient and help train the volunteers, and then shut things down and help close up when our volunteer shift finishes. 

I can still make the schedule for this week, but I have no contact info for any of the volunteers so I cannot send it. That contact info was wiped right off my computer and out of my files. How on earth will I let them know when they are scheduled to volunteer this week? Many of them drive a long way to serve (one comes all the way from Michigan!) and I would feel awful if they drove all the way to Indy only to turn around and go home.

Local Son Curt may be able to clear some time and come help me. If not, I'm going to have to pay a professional to come help me find my things and recover them. 

What a mess.

Now There are Three

I got an email from Liz LaRose just after BreyerFest asking if I would help steward the BreyerFest Resin Futurity 2022 on PonyBytes. I enjoy stewarding and had the time, so I agreed. 

Shortly after the show, a box arrived from Breyer - a volunteer model to thank me for helping.

Inside was the dark version of Ben Nevis, the 2020 volunteer model.

He is beautiful in a dark bay pinto.

Those eyes! They look so real, the model seems to be looking right a me!

I already had the light version - he was sent to me for helping steward the BreyerFest Bootcamp Adult Novice show on PonyBytes last spring.

Of the two, I like the dark version best, but they are both nice and I appreciate that Breyer sent them as thank yous for helping out.

Zeitgeist was what I received for teaching my seminar - I could not believe my good fortune when she was revealed as this year's volunteer model. My favorite horse color? Black. On the Lippizaner mare, one of my three favorite breeds? (Appaloosas, Lippizaners, and TWHs.) What luck!

I'd never volunteered for Breyer before this summer and so I'd never anticipated owning a volunteer model. To have these three in my collection is a real treat.

Thank you, Breyer.

BreyerFest: Final Bits & Pieces

(Some final wrap up on BreyerFest with a bit of a surprise at the end.)

Even though I filmed my own seminar and had watched the final video multiple times at home, I decided I wanted to stream it and see what it looked like coming through virtual BreyerFest.

Like everyone else, I had to pay $5 to watch it, but I felt that was a small price to pay for being a part of BreyerFest. 

Never did I think I would be a presenter at BreyerFest, but it happened and I am still excited about it.

This was a test photo for the seminar - too colorful and busy plus, if you are doing something for Breyer, it's a good idea to actually USE a Breyer to demonstrate!

While sewing and listening to the live stream Saturday morning, Kimber gave some stats about Friday's virtual part of BreyerFest and I quickly wrote them down. There were attendees from 72 countries, with the top five listed in order. I think that bodes well for continuing to have a hybrid version in the future.

Breyer is going to mail my ambassador models soon.

I knew that I would receive one of the Ben Nevis models (the 2020 volunteer horse) for stewarding the Prost! Adult Novice Photo Show, but what I would receive for teaching a workshop was mystery. (Photo from Breyer's blog.)

I was thrilled when I heard that it would be the Lippizaner mare in a glossy black! She is one of the non-vintage molds that I like and collect, and black is my favorite horse color. (Photo from Google search.)

Now, here's a bit of a puzzle... Next year's theme has been announced, but take a close look at the screenshot of the announcement currently posted on Breyer's BreyerFest Blog.

Dates are to be announced? Normally Breyer announces the dates by the end of BreyerFest. And there were dates in an earlier version of the announcement. The Clarion has already taken 2023 reservations for those dates, but clearly something has changed. (My guess is that another event wants the same dates and areas of the park as Breyer and there is some negotiating going on.)

Changing the dates would be a headache not only for Breyer, but for many, many hobbyists who attend annually and plan their work, school, and vacation schedules around BreyerFest. And for the Clarion, too, which has already gotten many reservations for next year for the retracted dates.

Definitely stay 'tooned on this one.