My recently new addiction

My dad has a tendency of picking on me: I talk to my cats and dachshund like they're people, I'm not exactly tall (that would come from the genetics from his side of the family), and my model horse hobby. He's always shaking his head when he sees packages in the mail with my name on them, and asks me "Really Ell? Another damn plastic horse?!"

 

"Would you prefer that I'm into drugs or a raging alcoholic?"

(-Me almost every time he gives me a hard time.)

Anywho, that's not the subject of this post. Last time I said that I would introduce a part of my collection. They aren't winning models, or anything of high value,  but I still treasure them like they are.They are my lovely little oddballs. There are some that I know none about, while there are others where I have a pinch of a clue. Here is the eye candy starring each member and a little backstory of what I do know about each

Lady Facade

 

First glance one might say "Oh that's a Breyer Western Horse" or "Hey is that a Hartland Victor mold?"

Both are wrong, it's a Ohio Plastics horse. She briefly fooled me, then sent me on a four hour internet research spree. So far she has earned her stay by teaching me something new.

Unnamed grey stallion and foal

 

I know very little about these two. I do know that they are in atrocious condition, if I clean them the paint and glue holding the halves together might dissolve, and that it is supposed to be a three horse set (the second foal is missing) from WS Toys in Hong Kong. When I search for this specific model set I get moot, but have found some other sets that put these two to shame in terms of integrity through the decades.

 

This adorable family is for sale on Etsy, I've been on the fence about getting them.

Tamarisk

 

Here's a familiar face to this blog. I know, he's a woodgrain Family Arabian Stallion wearing vintage Breyer tack, borrrrriiiinnnnggggg, but there's more to him than that.

 

He is a souvenir from Lexington, Kentucky. I had no idea this was possible, and haven't had much luck in the research realm. Again, the bit of info I do know is from a model for sale.

 

This lovely lady (who I couldn't afford) is a souvenir from Owensboro, Kentucky with the same style sticker as Tamarisk on the same side. I am pretty sure that the stickers are an aftermarket addition, but I can be wrong. The mystery shall go on for now.

 The Mysterious Moo

My last featured herd member is not of the equine type, but is still unique and worth mentioning. A coworker who knows about my hobby had this in her trailer home collecting dust and gave it to me. She wasn't sure of the material but I quickly found with a tap on my head that it's made of rubber. I will be honest-I have no idea at all as to what company made this, all I know is that there's a "Made in USA" stamp on the bottom and a sticker that says "Circa 1930's-42 Auburn Indiana." The date does explain why its made of rubber; toys pre WW2 were typically made of rubber, until the war required the manufacture of rubber soles for combat boots and other needs which largely stopped toy production for many companies. After the war plastic injection molding became king of the toy figurine industry. Definitely a unique piece and my oldest possession without a doubt.

It is currently a small portion of my collection (introducing all my Stablemates would be the death of me) but the one that I talk everyone's ears off about. I might be the type of  person who talks nonstop when excited or intoxicated, but then how else will I express all my thoughts?

Oh, and happy leap day!

My new pretty and ideas abound!

So much for posting my new addition the other night! (The bengals can be very demanding and giving me no choice but to step away from hobbies.) I've always had a soft spot for palominos, and finding this family arabian mare from the 70's-early 80's in rather decent condition didn't help. I think I'll name her Honeysuckle, not fully decided on it yet.

 

Not too scuffy, and a lovely color.

Also got around to picking up one of my ongoing projects last night, an alabaster unicorn on the running stallion mold. I'm on the fence about if my modifications will make him look better or worse...

(I would put a picture here, but the ways he looks right now is a bit creepy and also constitutes as nightmare material, no joke. I recommend not cutting off his mane and ears and placing him in a spot where he's constantly watching you.)

Some mornings start earlier than I would like, so I use the time to rake up ideas. Today's inspiration was a scene for a performance class, but not your typical "this horse is a badass winner in the arena." More like the riding academy horse who isn't in the mood to run the course, or the stud who breaks his form while being judged in halter because there's an irresistible smelling mare nearby that he wants to meet. That's right, the arena bloopers. For some reason my brain exploded with ideas that would be easy and amusing to replicate, and it is something I sure wouldn't expect in a show if I was a judge. Not only that, but it can be a drag being serious and trying to replicate something and achieve 500% success. Got to find humor and keep lighthearted in life to try and rise above the negativity.

 

Not gonna lie, that's another nightmare piece.

In the next installment of this mess of my thoughts, I will introduce a part of my collection that always interests me and keeps me learning new things!

  

Everything and nothing

Well it's been a couple busy days for sure, with work and responsibilities. In the model horse aspect I have gotten one of the many "Holy Grails" of my collection: Hidalgo on the Silver mold!

There is one flaw he has that I will have to keep a close eye on, a seam split at the base of his tail. Other than that he is in beautiful photo showing condition!

Very tiny, but still bad news...

Speaking of photo showing, I fail at using lighting but still somehow have models that have placed in an online show I participate in. When I entered in the first show, I figured it would be simple-pull out my boxes of models, snap some pretty pictures, enter them then put my horses up with no problem. How wrong I was! When I started setting up my appaloosa foal on the Ashley mold, DeEtta (who was fast asleep in the other room until now) hopped up, sniffed the model, then grabbed it by the head and ran off to chew on the ears. Lil' Ditty escaped with no scuffs or breaks thankfully, and the Bengal bundle of terror left the others alone for the rest of the session.
A couple nights ago I pulled the boxes out again to find models to enter in the upcoming show. Other than the battle with my photography nemesis -the shadows- and not so awesome background choices/materials, it was running smooth. DeEtta was behaving herself and was happy in the box I supplied for her. I set up my stablemate who I fondly named Hazlenut Latte to photo and the peace was gone.

 

No DeEtta she's not edible!

It was supposed to be a picture of a pretty stock horse mare. Nope. I captured the mighty Sasszilla going for plastic prey. After that I tried chasing her away so I could finish but had to hold her in one arm while photographing a couple more horses before giving up.
Today I had better luck after purchasing basic colored poster board and stealing the desk lamp to try again. Bear was a huge help by distracting DeEtta for me, so nobody was traumatized this time around.

 

 

Today I found out I am capable of making tiny tassels (yay!), the next step is mastering the rest of the components for an Arabian presentation set, which I am more than eager to acquire my newest herd member to use for general sizing. Will definitely be sharing her when I get her home.

Crazy attempt

Decided to wind down from the day by turning the braid DeEtta tried to eat into a halter. The progress I have done looks good on Tamarisk. Here are progress pics for what audience I do have to grin (or cringe) at.

Definitely wasn't centered!

 

Shiny chain hooray :)

 

Browband was far enough for the night.

Next step, failing at tassels!!

Research research research...

A whole day with the house to myself and not able to sleep in  (love you too DeEtta) so what shall I do? Sit in my corner and ponder on which project to work on! I tend to give myself a few projects at a time to keep from burning out or getting impatient with one, the downfall is keeping them safe from bengals. Being in a two bedroom manufactured home means the high energy kitties get bored quickly and do everything from running laps, bouncing off walls and people, and jumping on everything. As a result all my models except for a handful are packed away. 

 

DeEtta's big sister Gizmo says "Hello!"

  Waking up with a headache really limits what I'm willing to do, which takes dremel work and painting out of the equation. It is a mild enough case where I can put on my glasses and research on techniques. One of my projects is learning how to make Arabian show halters, which have already proven to test me. Not wanting to get angry and give up early I decided to see if I can find a method that clicks with my novice skill. It also wouldn't hurt for me to look into real world things like ideas for a catio to keeps at least the kittens happy.

And six hours later of research, distractions, lunch, and a braid stealing kitten I managed to make this! Yay me, except that when I look closer it's blatantly obvious that I used too dark of thread to sew it. Oh well, victory sometimes only comes one step forward. Maybe I can use a darker green for accents.

Salutations

Well hello! I guess I better introduce myself. I am a human (I think) that lives in Alaska and have two defining passions-as the name suggests-cats and horses. I have collected Breyers since my childhood years and have grown up with cats as long as I can remember. I'm not a great customizer nor an animal behaviorist, but I do try and do learn from my triumphs and woes.

I guess I better use a photo to explain for the kitten part.

This is DeEtta Hope, the colorful result from a part bengal mom and a tuxedo dad. Intelligent, energetic, routine oriented, and stinkin' cute. All that, including a near identical sister three months older than her, produces a fine cocktail of mischief. Through the troublemaking she still has a knack of being in tune with my health to the point of me training her as a service animal for my health shortcomings. She is also my partner in the model horse hobby.

And to conclude my very first post, here is a photo of some of the recent additions to my herd! (Please excuse the chaos around them.)