"CUSTOMS FOR THE KID" VISITS HALCY-CON 2024

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.  

Sushi by Wave Sushi Maitland.

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.

 

Friday, I spoke at the "How I Became a Better Crafter" panel alongside talented artisans Beth FitzGibbon of Saja Records, June Swords of SwordsandStitches, and Joyce Clark. All of the panelists are exceptional crafters with diverse crafting backgrounds, and I feel extremely privileged to have spoken alongside them sharing our knowledge of crafting with the community.

On Saturday, 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.

CARDBOARD GALAXY PLAYSETS

Starcruiser Bridge playset by Bobb Collins of Cardboard Galaxy.

Darth Daddy interviewed Bobb Collins of Cardboard Galaxy while at Halcy-Con.

Galactic Starcruiser Lounge playset by Bobb Collins of Cardboard Galaxy.

Raithe Kole. Saja, and SK-620 created by Max Frey of Last Max Studios.

This Captain Keevan cosplay from Kasey Myers was on point!

An impressive Ouannii cosplay sported by ALawyerNamedSue! Dad really enjoyed her "Intellectual Property Considerations for Small Business Crafters" Panel.

The droids were just incredible.

The Sabacc Room at the event was one of the most visually impressive parts of Halcy-Con!

 

Greg from the Hasbro design team showed Darth Daddy and Cardboard Galaxy's Bobb Collins the inside of the Gonk Droid he designed when he first started at Hasbro as an intern.

It isn't a Star Wars convention without a Mandalorian present.

HALCY-CON EXHIBITION ROOM

Dad met artist Cait Dunsmoor on the line to get into the vendor space. Cait had some fantastic art on display in the Exhibition Room at the event.

Cait Dunsmoor also created an paper doll accessory pack to go with the Cardboard Galaxy exclusive playsets for the Halcy-Con convention.

Artwork by Kevin Shoemaker.

Beautiful artwork by Jodie Rae Charity.

Fantastic artwork from Adam Schickling.

Also present in the Exhibition Room were Galactic Starcruiser custom action figures created by Lego Master Builder Elizabeth Baker. These were her first ever custom figures. Elizabeth scanned already existing action figures then manipilated the sculpts in a modeling program where she took away what she didn't need then digitally added her own sculpt onto the scans to customize them into some of our favorite Halcyon characters. Most impressive!

We were so impressed with all the Makers at this convention. The swag that so generously circulated throughout this event was just so impressive! 

Love the crocheted droid made by Nicole Wessels and her husband for the event.

I want to sincerely thank Martin and Kristine Smith for inviting me to speak at this convention, and I want to thank their team for organizing this event.  The fans truly appreciate what you have gone through to create these spaces for our community to thrive in.  Ta'bu E-Tay!

We all received Halcyon Magic Bands as a surprise gift at the event!

"THE BAD BATCH" ECHO in DROID DISGUISE created by Elias

I made this version of this character back in 2021, and at customs for the kid I prefer not to tread the same ground twice, but work is work!  

The base for this figure was a Clone Wars Commander Ponds.  I used a Dremel to subtract from the shoulder pads, Breastplate, and Dorsal plate in preparation for the sculpting that was needed.  I also cut the left arm below the elbow, where I then attached the slicing plugin sculpted by Aude's Workshop.  The head was also sculpted by Aude's Workshop, but I modified it so the visor could lift, revealing Echo's face inside.  I sculpted using Green Stuff, but the arms and legs I was able to leave mostly unchanged.  

Just like the first time, color picking for this figure was a challenge. His pallet is made up of many different shades of grey, and it's important for each color to be distinct from the others.  With a careful eye and thoughtful paint mixing, this figure really came to life!

Doing Echo again for this commission has given me an interesting look into my own development as an artist over the years, and I'm very happy with how this came out!  If I have to make him again in the future, I'm curious as to how my skills will improve.

"STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH"

ECHO in DROID DISGUISE

created by Elias

Background by Hyperdrive.

"RETURN OF THE JEDI" NIZUC BEK custom action figure by "Customs for the Kid"

Nizuc Bek was a male human who was in the palace of the crime lord Jabba the Hutt prior to the Battle of Endor. Bek was hired by Jabba the Hutt to guard celebrities visiting Jabba's palace. He was assigned to protect Sy Snootles, the Max Rebo Band's lead vocalist. When Luke Skywalker arrived and failed to persuade Jabba to release Han Solo and Chewbacca, he use the Force to possess Bek's DL-18 blaster pistol in an attempt to kill the Hutt.

A Velkin Tezeri action figure was used to create our Nizuk Bek. We used a head and accessories we received in the mail from Outer Rim Traders. We then painted the items and modified the head with some soft goods and a scrap of plastic from some old plastic robes. We then repositioned the holster . the canteen then sculpted a rectangular pouch onto the belt of the Velkin Tezeri torso.

"RETURN OF THE JEDI"

NIZUC BEK

created by "Customs for the Kid"

Headsculpt and accessories by Jeff Thompson

THE VINTAGE COLLECTION "GALACTIC STARCRUISER" GAYA Created by Elias of "Customs for the Kid"

Recently, I posted a Captain Keevan which was commissioned for a display at Halcy-Con, but that wasn’t the only figure.  For the second figure of my Galactic Starcruiser set, I made Gaya, the Twi’Lek diva who entertains guests at the Galactic Starcruiser Hotel.  The convention organizer who commissioned the figures also informed me that they will be on display on a background created by The Cardboard Galaxy. 

The recipe for this figure was simply a General Leia Organa in her ceremonial dress from the Black Series Collection. Underneath her regalia is a mostly featureless body, which was very easy to sculpt onto.  I modeled the head-sculpt myself using Blender, which I printed and then painted. Because more than one actor portrayed the character we were asked to create a generic headsculpt for the character. 

The soft goods were the biggest challenge making this figure.  I made a trip to the fabric store to find the perfect textile, which happened to be an indigo satin.  To make the pleats in the dress, I had to fold each section and stitch it.  The light trim was sculpted out of ProCreate.  The graphic on her cape was hand painted, which was challenging because if I made a mistake or painted outside the lines in any way, the fabric would be ruined and I would have to start fresh with a new piece of fabric. Thankfully I pulled it off on my first attempt!  Painting the pattern on her back was an incredibly painstaking effort. My great, great-grandfather was a fashion designer. I wonder if he would approve of my sewing and patterning skills. What do you think? Does it run in the family?

We hope you appreciate the newest addition to the Galactic Starcruiser collection!

THE VINTAGE COLLECTION

"GALACTIC STARCRUISER"

GAYA

created by Elias of "Customs for the Kid"

President Lyndon Johnson with his daughter Lynda at her White House wedding wearing a tuxedo that was designed by Amore Pace, my great, great-grandfather.