Model Zebras

Do you like "other equines" as well as model horses - model zebras, donkeys and mules, for example?  I like donkeys and mules, and the zebras are interesting too.  Candace Liddy just released Eukanuba and Zuka, two Stablemate scale Zebras through Equin Art Creations, plus she's got two custom ones I posted to MHSP for sale that are beautifully painted and will ship out within a day or two of your order.

So I don't know if you love zebras or not, but the herd just arrived over at my company, EquinArt Creations.  Stop by! 

How Much Is My Breyer Worth?

Rare Breyer? You decide!

It's a popular question. I've seen idiotic (not unrealistic - IDIOTIC) prices on Breyers at antique malls, haven't you? You know what I mean - that lovely palomino FAS with a price tag for $100 and marked as a 'rare antique Breyer'.  Um, yeah, sure and I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. Much as I love my FAS conga line, it's time to get realistic.


Value is a tricky thing, though.  Horse model values can fluctuate wildly. Ask anyone who buys Artist Resins - a resin can be 'hot' one moment and then plunge in value, and vice versa.  We sold Maggie Bennett's Clause resin, her first Traditional scale release, for an average price back around 2005-2006.  But due to production problems we had to stop the release at just 17 casts and I think the last cast was in pieces.  So anyone who owns a Claude, hang onto him.  Not only is he an incredible sculpture, he is probably worth a lot more now than what you paid for from EquinArt Creations back in 2005 or 2006.

The same thing goes for Breyers.  Old doesn't mean valuable.  Old can mean common, as in the company produced thousands of them for the toy market and there are still thousands out there.  Or it can mean that something produced last year is worth a lot of money because only 10 were made as a Breyerfest thank you or something. You never know!

Please enjoy my latest article on horse models, published today on Hub Pages:  How Much Is My Breyer Horse Worth?

And if you enjoy the article, do check out The Model Horse Quarterly, my new quarterly book quality publication.  Features more of my articles plus contributions from Cindy Neuhaus, Karen Dietrich and more.

New Schleich Model Horse and Happy Coincidences

Here's a picture of my latest acquisition, a really neat Schleich jumper set.  The rider looks like he's not only jumping ahead of the horse but climbing over his ears to check out the fence before the horse gets there, but no matter; I love this piece. It's really a happy coincidence.  I drove into town last night for choir practice at my church and felt like I should stop at Tractor Supply to check out the after Christmas sales. They only carry Breyer model horses around Christmas, and I thought that if any were on sale I'd pick up a few. To my happy delight, I found a four package of Stablemates, the last one, on sale. But I also walked over to check out the Schleich display.  It was picked clean as you can expect a week after Christmas, but one box, hidden low on the shelf caught my eye, and there was this really neat jumper set.  The pieces all come apart, and although I can't figure out what you would do with them once they're apart, I think if you had the other fences you can make a neat course of fences and an arena scene with these model horses.

Here's the happy coincidence.  Three days ago, a friend whose horse I used to groom and ride found me again through Facebook, just about 20 years after we lost touch.  And guess what? She works at a jumper barn!

Now to find a place for this set....

The Model Horse Quarterly Is Available!

A few days early, but happy holidays - The Model Horse Quarterly is now available!

Hope you enjoy it. I'm looking forward to creating the next issue and am already mulling over articles.  I welcome your ideas, too, so contact me about what you'd like to read in the MHQ.





All copies are printed and fulfilled through my publisher, Lulu.com.

You choose the version you want -

• Color, paperback printed perfect bound journal (like a book)
• Black and white paperback printed
• Adobe Acrobat eBook

Head on over to EquinArt Creations for the details - www.equinartcreations.com

Anyone wishing to submit articles or photos, they are welcome. I am especially looking for a cover photo! 

Tiny Treasures Collecting Micro Mini Model Horses

Tiny Treasures - Collecting Micro Mini Model Horses, my new book for model horse collectors, is now available!  You can order your printed copies in color or black and white, or download the eBook.

I hope you enjoy it!

I wanted to publicly thank the following people for their help and support in making this book happen -

• Katrina Michaels, for the how-to articles
• Candace Liddy - what can I say? Not only is she one of the best equine artists in the world, she is also an incredibly generous person. Candace dug out her prototypes for the original Creata micro mini line of model horses (now the Breyer Mini Whinnies) and took photos of them, painstakingly labeling them for me.  She is a friend and a generous person.  Thank you Candace!
• Kollean Gouyton - Kollean shares her photos SO generously. Thank you Kollean!
• Maggie Bennett, Donna Sundlbad (for the encouragement) and so many collectors who urged me to update the original book.

Tiny Treasures: Collecting Micro Mini Model Horses is fulfilled by my publisher, Lulu.  Visit EquinArt Creations and click the button for the book you are interested in.  You can see a preview on their site and buy it there.

My micro minis...Artist Resins by Maggie Bennett, painted by Kollean Gouyton.

Breyer Mini Whinnies.

Another of my micro minis...he is less than half an inch tall

I'm Still a Sucker for a Ribbon

...and for sharing my ribbons.  I've got my two second place ribbons from the Five County Fair, won for my peppers and beets, hanging in the pantry next to the prize-winning canned goods.  And now I share with you my latest win:  TOPSA Micro Mini Reserve Color Champion - Year End Show!

Whoo hoo!

This little fellow is just one inch tall. He is the Maggie Bennett sculpted pewter Andalusian stallion in the Spanish walk, painted into a beautiful dappled gray by my friend Kollean Gouyton of Stone Wolf Creations.

Just when my new book, Tiny Treasures - Collecting Micro Minis, is coming out any day now, my little micro mini wins a nifty Reserve Champion at the Year End Show.

What a great Christmas present!

Yes, I'm still a sucker for a rosette....virtual or real....

Sneak Peek at The Model Horse Quarterly

Back cover (left) featuring Aten Khamen by Candace Liddy; front, featuring Houdini from The Lakeshore Collection

Sample page - feature article on The Lakeshore Collection by Cindy Neuhaus

Sample page - interview with Karen Dietrich and photos showing model horse restoration

I had a feeling The Model Horse Quarterly would pique people's interest, but not this much!  I had two telephone calls today from collectors who'd heard about it and wanted to subscribe...plus several emails asking the same question!  Well, here's the sneak peek at the final cover (pretend it's a book laying flat - the black rearing Arabian is Aten Khamen and he is on the back).  The issue is "put to bed" as journalists say and at the printer's. I am waiting for the proof or test copy.  Once I'm sure it is printing correctly, I will get copies printed up. 

So far we look on target for a January launch date for the new publication.  A few people have asked me if it is like a magazine or a book. I would say it is somewhat closer to a quarterly book than a simple magazine like Just About Horses. In fact, it's probably not like anything you have ever seen before. The printing quality, paper and covers will be like a paperback book, with lots of information for new collectors and experienced hobbyists alike inside.

The first issue features an overview of the model horse hobby, a short summary of major model horse manufacturers, and the feature cover story on The Lakeshore Collection model horses.  Then we have information from Breyer on their new collector programs for 2012, plus an interview with model horse restoration artist Karen Dietrich and a Shopper's Guide.

For more information on The Model Horse Quarterly, visit EquinArt Creations, here -

The Model Horse Quarterly.

And stay tuned. I'll have prices and order information up soon. Promise!