Breyer horses, messy gardens, big dreams: this is Candace, too. #IveAlwaysWanted to do that/go there/see one/try it!
Candace is a mom in the suburbs who writes middle-grade fiction, illustrates occasionally, owns what appears to be too many books, and daydreams about racing cars. She still makes wishes on stars and would probably rather be in the woods.
Congratulations on your loot! I’m going to BreyerFest for the first time in 2024 against all odds. I just wanted to know, since I have a couple pricier models, how much are you generally looking at price wise for some of those run models?
Wise words. I tried customizing when I was 15 and going up against older more experienced artists is intimidating. Sadly it scared me alot back then so I gave up on art. Would be cool if they had a junior contest so 15 yr old me had a shot back then, but then again like you said and put it so well its hard to police that too.
I remember my mom having the doe when I was little but I don't know what happened to her. Sucha fun video! I fell out of collecting breyer 20 years ago so I've been enjoying all your videos and learning about what Breyer has been up to in 20 years. I missed a lot! Wish I could collect again.
I did not known they had second chance? Is it online? And when does it happen? Sorry about the questions. I am so happy that you got the pearly Scurry.
Thank you for doing this type of video. I was curios about the grab bags this year. I assume the adult grab bags will have traditional scal items compared to the kid grab bags?
Great breakdown, thank you! I've been seeing a lot of confused people in my Breyer group on Facebook, so I posted a link! I am excited about the Stablemates Club this year - I love most of the models (and I'll probably like Citation when I see him in person)! Someday I want to get into the Premier Club - if, you know, I hit the lottery ...
it makes me so sad that we cannot order them to europe! the transportation costs are insane :( my only joy is coming here and watching unboxes of these beauties
Aw I'm so sorry! I can totally empathize with not being able to ship something due to high fees. I hope one day you'll be able to unbox some new BreyerFest models for a reasonable price!
I'm a little late to the discussion, but.. It really saddens me that such respected artists have been (and continue to be) so nasty to those starting out. Did they forget their roots? I can see a novice contest not having as special of a prize (maybe a glossy RR like the ones at the live show or something like that) but to go as far as belittling hobbyists who would like to see something like that is really sad. Maybe Breyer could open a novice division with requirements such as can't have sold work for x amount or must be customizing for less than x amount of years, but then again that would be difficult to regulate. I understand the best customs contest is for the best of the best, and to demonstrate the dedication of hobbyists... but there is no need for such arrogance from some of the professional level artists. Side note, the background is so beautiful! I love mountains.
I agree! Not as elite of a prize, and some sort of set rules that artists would need to "honor code" adhere to. But yes, regulating that would be hard.. and staffing an additional contest might be hard.. but it would open up a whole new playing field for so many creatives that never dared play before. And it would be so neat to see a whole new catalog of entries! During BreyerFest, on the website, selected entries were chosen for the online gallery. I can only imagine all the folks who didn't try entering but wanted to, and all the folks who did try but their entry will never be seen. So much more creativity would be shared with another contest! And yes, yes YES.. I'm sad too that these artists who I once really admired were so arrogant and rude to other hobbyists asking honest questions. There is no need to be defensive over a contest and there should be no room for snide, belittling comments. It paints those artists in a whole different light. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. PS I love mountains too. It makes me happy being so close to them. :)
My problem with breyer is that I like almost all of the molds as well as most of the colors. My collection is becoming fairly large and I'm thinking about possibly downsizing in the future sometime. The models that I won't sell are drafters, clear ware models, unrealistic models, all wildlife models, bulls, cows, calves. as well as some of my favorite horse mold congas. I had cancer for 6
Hi Candice, I received the Copenhagen shire about a week ago through the help of a friend in California and a seller in New Jersey. Thank you all for the help in getting this model. I have all four of the Bernadette decorator shires. The shire mold #96 is my favorite mold in the breyer line. She is my largest conga mold at 43 models. Take care! Joel C. :)
Forty three! 😍 Ohh big congratulations on getting your Copenhagen. That's so exciting! I'd love to get a blue Copenhagen too some day. I'll probably start with a little Monarch, because she's sweet and affordable. I love the mold but have yet to own a shire mare! Soon though; I can feel it! Thank you for coming back to share the news!
I agree there should be a novice custom contest. They could call it the “Upcoming New Customizers Contest”. I would actually totally support it if they did that or possibly do add a novice custom contest in the future.
Wouldn't that be nice? Perhaps have a stipulation that it is meant for adult artists, and they can't have entered more than twice, perhaps? Something to help keep it fair, and regulate that these are in fact novice customizers. I think it would be really neat.
Thank you so much! The books actually lived in temporary piles all along the wall behind the camera. Once the models were wrapped back up and put in "storage," the books went back to their shelves. It was much safer that way--for books AND ponies--since I've got two young kids and a big rowdy dog. 😅 Eventually I'll have some shelves where my models can stay all the time!
Late to comment on this vid but I’m watching all of your videos again & thought I’d answer the questions. I’ve been collecting for over 50 years. First model horse in 1970. First Breyer’s were the palomino FAS & charcoal FAS given to me for my birthday in 1972. I still have them. I have around 850 models in my collection & all are on display in my apartment. Favorite mold is the Proud Arabian Stallion & he’s the only Traditional mold I conga & collect variations. I have 42 in my herd. My holiest of Grails is the tour model Batal on the PAS & around 25-30 were made. My favorite RR model is my bay PAS with 2 hind socks. He’s beautifully painted & has nice shading. My favorite overall model is the Big Easy Bash Beignet 1/8 who’s a glossy sorrel PAS. My Never-will-sell models are my Copenhagen Running Mare, Wedgewood Running Foal, Presentation Witez ll, Beignet, 4 of my 5 BF raffles models (Viajero, Muse, Queen Mum & Prince, Que Sera Sera). I would sell/trade my BF Raffle Clyde Stallion Walk Down Memory Lane. And, yes, I was drawn for all 5 of them. My most recent purchase is Vail. My most excited to finally get was my Open Top Buggy. The flocked chestnut PAS with harness, buggy & display case. I never dreamed I’d find one in such great condition. My most obtainable grail is the dapple gray PAS with black points & socks.
Oh.. this made me SO happy to read. I am in awe thinking about the models you've named and that your established collection is all on display! What luck that you've got so many fun raffles too, and you won each of them! Batal is beautiful. I'd love a little Amira from the pair. I wonder if someone in the Rare Models group might have one they'd trade for your Walk Down Memory Lane? I've got a recent purchase that might be fun for you to see. I'll have to film its unboxing soon and get it up! It is definitely PAS-related. :) Thank you so much for sharing these answers about your collection!
I'm in the CC and PC this year and already continued the CC for 2024. The PC is one I'm not sure about re-signing up for 2024, i will be having a change in my work life but really would hate to miss out on those first ever molds. This last mare and foal set were the best!
Ahh I totally understand. We are preparing for job changes too and that's exactly why I let the Vintage Club in my cart sit until the Club sold out. Sigh. It's a tough call. I'm doing everything I can to get in PC; I'm like you and really would love to keep getting the first-ever molds, but they are quite costly and releases will always be there later. It's so hard! I hope you can find a way to make it in, or at least get copies of the ones you love soon after!
Thank you so much!! I love the Premier Club too and definitely plan to join for '24. It is quite costly, but getting those premier-painted models and the very first release is so fun!
Thank you so much! Welcome back! I wasn't "involved" much in the hobby when I began, or when I came back in the 'middle' before now.. so it's interesting for me to hear of others' experiences and see old posts/pictures/read stories about the hobby from the years I missed. There is a lot going on currently and I'm having fun exploring/experiencing! Thank you for being here!
I really appreciate you staying your honest opinions as you were processing. Makes the rest of us feel normal for going through similar circumstances. I tend to have similar emotions when they do the CCA events. There’s usually two I love and two or more I really don’t like. So far I’ve always pulled at least one each year of my least favorite. 😂 Best thing I’ve found-for myself-is to offer them up for sale or trade while the hype is still hot and maybe you’ll be able to find a trade for the two you liked most? Or as you said, recuperate some of your cost so you can fund a model you will truly love. ❤️
Yes! So true: find a trade or sell while everyone is actively trading/buying. Sadly, with me out west, my stuff shows up after most of the trading/selling is done! Haha. In this case though, my honey bay boy easily found a new home where he is treasured. Oh no on your CCAs! That's the worst 😂 I know we all know how gambler's choices work but it's hard to not be disappointed with getting your least favorite, and being genuine in your emotions without seeming ungrateful. ❤ Luckily I guess there is usually someone who wants the model you decide to rehome!
I'm sorry you didn't get the one you wanted! The bay is also my least favorite and I would have been disappointed too. I hope you can get a nice trade for him or something <3
Thank you so much! Yes, luckily helping him find a new home wasn't hard at all. He's very pretty.. just.. not my top pick. Promising myself I'd love him no matter the color--so YES, I do want the surprise straight from Breyer--but then discovering "wait a second.. I think I'm not loving him after all," felt like a mistake, like I should have waited and picked the color I wanted most since I paid those markups anyway. Oh well! It all worked out in the end. 😊
I appreciate the honesty of your added comments while unboxing him. It *is* difficult to get the one you were least hoping for, but as other commenters have said, at least nowadays there are ways to trade for the one you would have preferred. I'm sure there is someone out there who felt similarly bummed about getting the Appy but would love the glossy bay! :)
Yes! You're absolutely right. Onward into a trade! And thank you for your comment.. it was such a swift change of emotion to go from "I'LL LOVE IT I KNOW IT" to "waaaait a second.. I don't think I do." I thought I would, hence not waiting for a specific color and ordering from a seller shipping straight from Breyer, but then.. yeah. The marked up cost and landing my least favorite just hit my heart funny. Oh well! He's since moved on to a loving home where he is treasured, and that's what matters most! ❤
Interesting... hmm. I've had only one scenario where the travel buddy didn't accompany the expensive purchase, but I think it was a backorder issue. Maybe adding an additional purchase wouldn't have worked here!
This is why my neurodivergent self has a difficult time with gambler's choice anything. The one time I indulge in something like that are the Spooky Stablemates. The first year I could afford them, I tossed one into my cart with Eek!, and I ended up with the Mini-Jack... And at first I was pretty "meh" on him. He was the least popular, so I didn't have much luck finding a trade, so he stayed... But sometimes the universe balances out. The next year I pulled Mini-Kasper... And now I have the 'set'. I am far less 'meh' on them now that I have both. But this is why I avoid the Surprise Horse for Breyerfest. Though, I dread the day they ever choose Croi for the Surprise. I much prefer a sure thing, something I know I will love, and again, that I know my brain will be okay with... The only time a gambler's choice worked out for me was my purple Gran Cavallo I snagged in that year's second chance sale. That was a great day. So it's a fine line for sure. I hope you find your trade. That vintage bay is such a nostalgic hit for some folks I'm sure.
Ooh I really empathize with all of this. I--for whatever reason--am a sucker for the Surprise and Gambler's Choices. Ha! What I haven't learned yet is to be patient and wait for the one I want most. I guess I like the surprise aspect, and I very much dislike paying secondhand markups plus shipping costs when I could get one straight from Breyer for much less. Especially when it comes to taking a shot at getting lower runs (glossy Surprises) or cool variations (your purple Gran! HOLY COW!!). I suppose with this particular model I did not wait for the one I wanted and STILL paid those big markups, so the whole thing was sort of a flop. Maybe. And also: not really. He has since found an adoring new home and it allowed me to get the one I wanted most (ahhhh another unboxing maybe?!). And side note: The bay really is pretty. I was imagining everyone vintage in my collection who matches the Thunderbird variations and who his "shelf friend" would be depending on the color I got, and that old honey bay color is super charming. I suppose he just didn't quite land in my heart where I expected. Oh well. Onward! ❤
@@CandaceToo Oh, and I totally understand that perspective too. I started a new job, where I can actually afford to be in the Collector's Club (International, so it's a bit more spendy, but I'm fine with it). But that means I will have to be careful. The new job came with a living wage, but I have to manage things carefully still. Especially with my magpie ways. But I get the excitement aspect too. I entered for Vail, and was gobsmacked when I was picked first round, and I've also snagged Jota... Just keeping a wishlist in reserve for the Collector Club Appreciation event... And a budget. lol... But some of the aftermarket prices will always be more than I'm willing to pay, so I can see the need to take the gamble. I'm glad you found a good home for the other Silver. And that vintage honey bay, especially when done with modern techniques, is really stunning. But I totally understand wanting that appy. Sometimes you just get that "MIGHTY NEED" for a particular one. lol. I would love to be able to join the Vintage Club one day in particular myself. But for now, I'll enjoy Vail and my Black Friday purchases (nabbed that Man O'War in black and the Unicorn advent calendar. Love that Spanish Barb Mini Whinnie). Also, YES, another unboxing. I always love a new video from you.
Yes! "Not in your heart." That's exactly how I was feeling with the bay, even though I'd initially said I'd be happy no matter what. But! Off to a new home or trade and along we go. Sigh! 😅
Thank you! Yes.. eeesh... maybe next time I can step back from the "wow" factor of an initial release and patiently wait for the version I want most. I do really like Gambler's Choice surprises.. usually.. but sometimes the really expensive ones might need to just hang tight for cherry-picking. (Silver just had me, hook, line, and sinker.) Haha.
I was cleaning my room and I found the classic black caviar and Foal Set. I always have tissues letting things go bit the set didn't bring me joy. even after sitting for days I decided to sell it. Better them find a home who will love and appreciate them then a home where they are just there. Trading is also an option, I'm sorry this isn't what you wanted I really am.
Thank you so much. It was an unexpected, swift change in emotion assuming I'd be happy no matter what color, hence the direct-from-Breyer purchase--and once it was opened, realizing I didn't mean that apparently or I wouldn't be sad. And yes! Letting them go off to new homes is always hard, but so much better to be in a home where they are loved than just 'existing' on a shelf or in storage. Trading too is definitely an option, as you said. Thank you so much for your kind comment!
