I’m still kicking. I’ve been lucky during this pandemic to be able to grow my collection quite a bit (relatively speaking) and I’m finding my 4 detolfs are nearly full, and I’m not sure what I’ll do when that happens. I don’t have space for a 5th, and everything I’m my collection has been so boiled down there is little left that I’d be willing to part with just to regain real estate. But I’m sure tough decisions will be made, or I’ll find space for another display. But as of August 2020, I’m still here.
That’s the kicker. About Half my walls are covered in art, and half with display cases. Tough decisions need to be made.
I honestly don't know how I did it. But somehow during the pandemic I was able to fit two more shelves and one large display case in my already packed 1 bedroom apt. Moved a lot of stuff around. The only downside is my living room makes any visitor incredibly anxious because it is wall to wall stuff. I love it.
I'm sending tomorrow a parcel to Celga to sell some items on YJA. I will then be down to 7 pieces left in my collgection and I'm looking to target 2 or 3 tops ! No more frustration about lotteries, night drops or chasing lucky bags items !
Usually people inclined to collect never stop collecting; so if it is not sofubi, what is your new focus and collection?
that's interesting Phil, when I was a teenager, I was collecting comics, then in my early 20's, I switched to Zoids (wind up Japanese toys), then I went on the Sould of Chogokin madness before getting my head into sofubi before I turned 30. But these transitions happened naturally, I lost interested in the old collection and thus moved to the new one. Today, I'm just tired of the whole collecting hobby... I haven't found new interests to make it up with the sofubis. Maybe I'm finally groiwing old
I sold a bunch Bc of economic woes. just now I’m somewhere I can keep collecting again. With all that is happening in the world, I have remorse here and there about my family and friends’ economic situations that I feel I should sell everything and support them. So instead I just cut my expenses even shorter and share that I’m glad after all for places like this one where people wait while you save your pennies for months at a time or pay them bit by bit. It helps keep what otherwise would be an impossible treat to keep up
Sounds like it's not so much the toys you enjoy, more the challenge of buying. And I'm not saying it's pleasant experience, as you say-frustrating. Kind of like gambling, sometimes you win, often times you lose, but it's the game that is entertaining, even if the outcome is a loss and sours you. You'll find yourself sitting down to the table again. You could still enter lotteries and chase drops if that's what you enjoy. I'm sure plenty here would welcome a chance to buy a hot new toy at cost on the BST.
The whole hunt is defintely a thrill, but it can drive you mad. I remember litteraly shouting at the middle man because he wasn't quick enough to place a bid but now, every time you have a lottery, you see all those posts on Instagram from people trying to show how dedicated they are to the maker, this is just wrong...
Also makers sharing said obnoxious images in their stories. Like what the actual f...! I follow for updates not to see every dweeb that has mentioned them and stuck a filter on it.
I don't foresee myself quitting collecting limited edition handmade art. This hobby is so much more than the physical toy itself; it's the culture, the community, the ability to support independent artists who otherwise might be forced into working shitty jobs they hate. I'd rather spend money on a toy made by multiple artisans from designers to sculpters to the guy pulling the marble to painters than random giant megacorp item #8462194614968124. Yes, like all things involving money shitty people can do shitty things, but that isn't a problem inherent to this hobby. It sucks losing a lotto but you have to weigh that against the feeling of excitement when you do win. Focusing more on what you do have and less on what someone else has or why you think they have it will make you happier, whether its in this hobby or in general
It's a double-edged sword! As a collector it chafes my ass, but when it comes to lottery time, someone who's enthusiastic, involved and shows they actually 'collect' is more likely to have Lady Luck on their side over random asshats that appear out of nowhere to buy . . . some who, from their feed, appear to have zero interest in toys, and some who suspiciously don't even follow the feed in question. *strokes beard*
but how can you actually be sure that someone is actually interest in toys? I mean, I stopped posting feeds on FB and almost never did it on Instagram mainly because I don't find any sense showing my life. But I am actually interested in toy. In the end, if the lotteries are not fair,ie Lady Luck taking no side, it's all back to CIBOLT...
I guess my issue is that it clearly shows that come of these lotteries aren't about luck but rather about who is a loyal collector. Maybe it's more fair to have a "loyal collector's lottery" for 50% of the toys and then the other 50% go to everyone else? I think Elegab does something similar to this? But that seems like a lot of work for an artist. And, on the other hand, I could stop using Instagram and then the issue wouldn't bother me at all.
I think there will always be an aspect of CIBOTL when it comes to lotteries and it’s not necessarily bad; I see it as where the aspect of community and interaction in said community comes into play- which is why I love this forum and value it more than Instagram. It’s easier to have conversation in a forum cs Instagram comments. I’ve been part of this scene/hobby for nearly 15 years now, and I’ve been here all that time and you can see that. That’s how folks can know I’m not some fly by night flipper trying to make a quick buck. Plus, and this is just a personal thought: with all the different social media platforms I use the same name across them all. I realize that’s not always possible for some people with online handles being used, but for me, I’m “hellopike” where ever sofubi is concerned. It also helps to go to cons and get togethers (when such things were allowed) to build relationships with collectors and artists and makers and everyone. I have no way of knowing how anyone who does a lottery drop handles it, but if there is preference for friends, or long time fans I have no problem with that. And all that being said, I still lose more lottery releases than I win.
I would find it less hypocritical then to have a S7 club kind of thing, where you pay an annual fee to get exclusive figures and so on. You can appreciate a certain paint scheme of a certain toy only and thus are not interest to buy any other variation or shape. But as of today, it seems impossible ! I won in the past 3 HxS lotteries but I haven't been able to get a single Headlock studio figure. They are not as limited, they may be more players definitely but the whole lottery thing is/seems crooked.
Haha, sure, I totally get that. I also get that "reposting" a worshipping/appreciative fan/customer photo to their story is a good way to connect with their fanbase. Some folks seem to really respond to that. I just couldn't pass up this opportunity to vent my lame/lowbrow grievances with this phenomenon. It's just silly to me, that's all.
Great points being made. I've always collected things. Collecting toys has been quite different than most of my other pursuits. There are so many different variations, artists, new and vintage toys. It sometimes feels like a job. Trying to stay informed of drops, checking sites for items i'm looking for...Sometimes I spiral out of control trying to decipher where to best spend my money and on which toys. The scarcity and overall rarity of some of the releases really makes this difficult to me. Sometimes I have to just sit back and ignore everything and enjoy the great figures I've been able to pick up over the years. This is one of the reasons I've started collecting vintage vinyl. There is so much to learn and search that it feels more interesting and I learn a lot and don't get the same feeling of missing out.
Hmmm, interesting perspectives. I've only just started participating in lottos for Swimmy Design Labs and Paul Kaiju toys. I don't mind putting in an entry and hope I'll be lucky enough to be selected, but I definitely draw the line on "patootie kissing" and fauning drippy begging IG comments. I will comment on how nice and/or cute a toy is, but imho, if you have to go to synchophant extremes to adopt a toy, it sorta exceeds the joy of adopting a toy because "it's a toy". But I am NOT casting aspersions on those who collect what they collect, it's just not my taste, and these days heating bills are high, and I need the moolah to feed the wild birds and feral kittees during the cold cold winter. On a positive note, @hellopike makes a very valid point, I've always collected something, since I was kid. Liking "things", leads to learning more about art, mediums, materials, technique & craftsmanship, design, history, culture, etc... It's more than just about acquiring things! A former co-worker came to visit over the weekend (she was wearing a mask), to discuss her new job and being stationed in Japan soon, for a year! So happy for her! She knew I collected toys, as i kept some figures on my desk, but was absolutely floored at seeing the toy cases (I think 65% is on display). She has no experience with sofubi, but LOVED the toys, and spent some time looking at them and even photographed each case. We took out some vintage bullmark trikes, friction toys, and toygraph racers and played with them. Also noticed the Tiger 7's! And liked the butas. Then looked at a collection of ceramics and rubber stamps too!
I was just commenting to my wife how happy I am that the outside cat we care for uses the little heated inclosure I built for her. This will be the third winter she’s used it. As for collecting, and frustrations... @jl you’ve won the last 3 HxS lottos? No wonder you’re selling all your other toys. Those are expensive! @Radin if it feels like a job, then reassess. This hobby ought to be fun. I have stopped hunting the newest “hottest” toys; well it’s more like I stopped caring about most new toys in the last 6 years because they don’t suit my tastes (I don’t much care for toys with genitalia or hxs/Mvh/nnn rip offs) so I just go for older stuff about 75% of the time. Much cheaper (usually) and less competition (typically).
Thank you Phil for taking care of the kittees! It snows where you are, so an enclosure makes a difference between life and death! Most of the ferals in our neighborhood are too wild to stay in an enclosure (we bulit several designs for them), but they will use the weather-proof feeding station for meals. One of the abandoned cats will ask to come in on cold winter nights (she has her bed and feeding station in the basement because she doesn't like Emma and Hubbee). Wish we could put in a cat door for her, but there are too many raccoons, possums, and skunks in the garden (we constantly check for her towards the end of the day).