This year was full of fun surprises. We got some great exposure, attended cool events and finally completed one of our most wanted custom action figures. All while still taking time to churn out a bunch of really challenging commissions for those who are invested in our craft.
After what we have accomplished artistically in 2024, we are starting to feel like there isn't a figure we can't make. Some projects that really forced us to level up this year were The Ninth Sister, Duchess Satine, and Gaya. All three projects required patterning and sewing, but Gaya's dress was the most difficult. For the Ninth Sister, I had to design many of her parts digitally. I had to make molds and cast with clear resin to create the transparent parts, which is easier said than done! The Duchess wasn't quite as demanding in the digital realm, but patterning her dress and putting it together was quite a challenge! It was very rewarding to have successfully made the Duchess because we have wanted her for years. It is truly the crown jewel of our collection.
Since most of our effort is devoted to commissions, it's difficult to know what figures 2025 will bring, but the personal projects we have been planning are quite exciting! If next year is anything like this year, we can't wait to see what's to come!
Grammy and Tony award-winning composer Robert Lopez was a guest on the podcast.
High Adventure performing.
What better way to celebrate our 14th Anniversary as bloggers than by making that special figure for yourself that you have always wanted? Fourteen years ago, I was a six-year-old kid asking my dad to make custom action figures with me and on this very day our customs are appearing in the "Evolution of Toy Collecting" Panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. What a journey! This year, I finished creating the action figure that my dad and I have dreamed of making since Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore debuted in 2010.
Years ago, my dad had made a figure which came about through the will of the Force. Darth Daddy hoped to collaborate with our friend Hyperdrive, and 30 seconds after thinking he should contact him, my father received a text message from Hyperdrive and immediately agreed to collaborate when Dad asked him! One thing lead to another, and now their legendary creation of General Pong Krell graces our shelf. I feel so fortunate to now have a collaborative creation of my own. This is my figure's story and how Duchess Satine Kryze willed herself into existence. Around the time that I decided to attempt this project, our friend Aude's Workshop sent us a surprise package with a lovely note, which read as follows:
The sculpt he is referring to is the beautiful head sculpt featured on the action figure below. At "Customs for the Kid" we have a tradition of giving some shout-outs to other artists in our community we are sure you will enjoy, and Aude's Workshop is one you will certainly appreciate.
To make this figure of Duchess Satine Kyryze, I used a Clone Wars Asajj Ventress as my base. I took the elbows, forearms, and boots from a Clone Wars Adventure Padme, and replaced them on Ventress. I then used my Dremel's Nylon brush to strip all details and forms away from the base figure. To sculpt her upper body, I used a mixture of Green Stuff and Procreate and left her lower body untouched so that the dress would rest on her legs correctly.
Making her dress out of real fabric was one of the bigger technical hurdles. I knew from the moment I decided to make Satine that I wanted her to have a dress made of real fabric. If she couldn't sit in the Mandalorian throne, what was the point of making it?
So, I had to come up with a strategy. The form of her dress resembles some kind of flower, belling out at the hips, tapering at the ankle, and then opening like the petals of a petunia. I devised a pattern for the innermost layer, which would consist of six identical panels. I assembled it, pulled it over her, and then got started on the outer layer. This layer would create the bell form, so I patterned a single piece of the dark blue fabric, cut some darts into it so it would form around her correctly, and affixed it to the under dress. To get the end of her under dress to be shaped like flower petals, I had to thread crafting wire through the hem and position it how I wanted. After the two main forms were constructed, I added in the other pieces of fabric and painted the dress as needed. The purple scale-like details on her dress were sculpted out of Procreate and glued in place. After a few days of painting, Satine was ready for photos!
Earlier this year, my father and I were discussing the photoshoot, and what kind of pictures we wanted for today's celebration. Since I went through all the trouble of making a soft goods dress, he suggested that I try to get a Mandalorian throne to pose her on. We immediately recalled the Mandalorian throne room display produced by Cardboard Galaxy and both agreed it would be perfect for our figures debut. Unfortunately, the Mandalorian throne room he made wasn't available for sale on his eBay page anymore. Thankfully, Bob from Cardboard Galaxy went out of his way to get one made for us, and we are immensely grateful.
We want to thank Aude's Workshop and Cardboard Galaxy for making this project possible. The kindness of our community of artists never fails to inspire us. We hope you all enjoy our execution of the Duchess Satine Kryze, and happy 14th anniversary to "Customs for the Kid!"
Back in March, I received an email that would change the course of my year. I was asked to create Gaya, Captain Keevan, and Ouannii as Vintage Collection action figures for Halcy-Con, a Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser superfan event. At the time of creating the figures, I felt very honored that my work would be on display at this event. Shortly after finishing Gaya, my client asked me if I would be interested in going to Halcy-Con myself and speaking in a panel about my work, and I couldn’t resist!
On Wednesday, October 2nd, my father and I landed in Orlando, Florida. Our first stop was to get some lunch at a sushi restaurant called Wave, and after that we stopped at a lovely comic shop, Blackbird Comics & Coffee House. While unaffiliated with Halcy-Con, it was nice to connect with some local Star Wars fans before speaking at the convention.
We spent our next day in Orlando at Disney's Galaxy’s Edge because the convention center was conveniently located 10 minutes away from Hollywood Studios. While I visited Galaxy’s Edge once in 2021, Darth Daddy had never been to a Disney Park before. Dad enjoyed the rides very much as well as the in-universe food. We took almost a hundred photos while we were there.
After visiting the park, we returned to the convention center where the organizers were hosting a Day-Zero social event. This lively soirée set the tone for the following days of exciting programming with insightful panels, more socials, and charity events. Attending Halcy-Con, a few things really stood out to me. Darth Daddy and I were very surprised by how many other attendees at the convention were crafters like us. The creativity of the community that attended was as boundless as their love for Star Wars. I personally was very happy to discover how inclusive this convention was. The diverse crowd all enjoyed the welcoming environment the hosts created.
The event had a virtual experince that recreated the spaces from the Galactic Starcruiser you could walk through. It was cool for me because I never got to go.
So many people were in costume so when you went in the Sabacc Room it felt like you were in Star Wars.
There was so much to do. Lightsaber training, live music with bands singing in Huttese, droids throughout. Enough for children and adults alike.
Dad said he really enjoyed the "Coaxium! How Star Wars and the Galactic Starcruiser Injected Hyperfuel Into The Maker Community" Panel with Adam McLearen of JunkTraderOutpost, Keith Page of AmrodsArmory. Mike & Emily Hyperspace Props, and Ryan Street of IAmGeekShop. I was able to join Dad for the "Dressing Like The Stars" Panel given by 501st Costume Resources member Brian Anderson, Ceit Ryder, Jaye Wicks, and Kasey Myers and the "Customizing Your Droids From Mubo's" Panel given by Doug Conley. These panels were packed full of great information for people who like to get busy with their hands and want to make some Star Wars related items at home.
The day after, I spoke at "The Unmade Toys of Galactic Starcruiser" panel that brought me to the convention. Bobb Collins of Cardboard Galaxy, Max Frey of Regal Robot and myself shared our Halcyon themed custom creations with the help of moderator Martin Smith, who organized the convention. It was a real honor to be able to discuss how I brought Ouannii, Captain Keevan and Gaya to life. Being able to speak about my craft and my process with the fans was so gratifying. I appreciated the chance to share what goes on behind the scenes, and I hope that doing so inspired some people to try crafting themselves.
Captain Keevan, Gaya, and Ouannii action figures created by Elias of "Customs for the Kid".
Nothing cooler than getting greeted by an actor who played the character of one of the action figures that I had featured in the Exhibition Room at Halcy-Con.
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