Collection Stash: Customs Cataloging Project

[Something Sexy]

I don't frequent the customs section as much as I should but I wanted to open up a conversation with customizers and customs collectors. I am working on a website called Collection Stash, that some of you might be a member of already. It is a site that allows you to manage and share your collection.

www.collectionstash.com

You can find the main discussion thread here: https://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82964

Right now the site really only supports manufactured "official" products but one of the big features that we are working on next is allowing for users to create and publish their own customs and allow customizers to manage their own customs and products.

I was hoping I could open this discussion up to the people who are really into customs. I don't really want to discuss if this would be useful or not (because we are building it regardless ) but if you do think it would be useful, what features would you want to see or how would you like to share your customs with other people, outside of posting to random forums.

Some of the high level features I am currently planning

• ability to customize existing collectibles and add to your stash
• ability to bash collectibles from other collectibles and add to your stash
• create "recipes" for your customs to share
• allow customizers to add themselves as "manufacturers" and upload their products for others to add to their collections
• management tools for customizers to manage their projects and interests and accept commissions.

If you have any other ideas, please share them.

 

[automaton]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

i would dig seeing how many of these very cool customs on the forums and on ebay are integrated into people's collections... a "where are they now?" for custom figures...

 

[MarfMaster]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

I love Collection stash, and was involved in the initial loading of several manufactured pieces in my collection. Unfortunately my collection is predominantly customs, so I've been idle, waiting for you to announce this!

I think for customs it would be cool to have preset component fields that can be populated by picking from a pool of available artists/items.

Custom Figure
Name: Don Draper

Head:

Sculpt_____
-Trevor Grove
-Erick Sosa
-Andy B
-Rocco Tartamella
-Enter New

Paint_____
-Josh Small (Small_Studios)
-Nathan Eakins (SilentSurfer)
-Sebastien Bontemps (Elvis1976)
-Skiman
-Greggo
-Enter New

Body___
-Hot Toys (Narrow, Slim, Advanced, TTM19)
-Sideshow
-TTL
-Kaustic Plastic
-Enter New

Clothing:

Shirt, Pants, Shoes, Jacket, etc._____
-Hot Toys - (choose from existing figure)
-Enterbay - (choose from existing figure)
-Sideshow - (choose from existing figure)
-Kato E.
-SithlordMcGuyver
-Enter New
*An 'additional details' option would be cool if choosing an item from an existing figure, in case further modification was done to that item.

Basically the same thing for accessories.


Looking forward to testing this for you!

 

[ebor]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

I like this idea to, however, could there be a way of a "said licensing company" finding out who is producing unlicensed products of a person under a companies license. Could this then open up litigation against an artist creating HS? Just a question, I could be way off base bringing this up, but just a thought. I too would love to see my customs and other customs on your site, which is an awesome way for like-minded people to show their wares.

 

[MarfMaster]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

That's an excellent point, ebor. The real names of the sculptors should definitely not be used, their board names should be safe though.

 

[Something Sexy]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

Thanks for starting the discussion guys!

MarfMaster you were definitely one of the guys I was thinking of when I started this topic.

Yes, we definitely need to tread lightly with that topic. Honestly it would be up to the artist, customizer, creator to decide how they want to present themselves if they are making unlicensed products. In the beginning, there really would not be a way to sell through the site so I think we would be OK for now but if/when I decide to open up a marketplace that would definitely be a concern.

Thanks for the input, keep it coming.

 

[Something Sexy]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

I love Collection stash, and was involved in the initial loading of several manufactured pieces in my collection. Unfortunately my collection is predominantly customs, so I've been idle, waiting for you to announce this!

I think for customs it would be cool to have preset component fields that can be populated by picking from a pool of available artists/items.

Custom Figure
Name: Don Draper

Head:

Sculpt_____
-Trevor Grove
-Erick Sosa
-Andy B
-Rocco Tartamella
-Enter New

Paint_____
-Josh Small (Small_Studios)
-Nathan Eakins (SilentSurfer)
-Sebastien Bontemps (Elvis1976)
-Skiman
-Greggo
-Enter New

Body___
-Hot Toys (Narrow, Slim, Advanced, TTM19)
-Sideshow
-TTL
-Kaustic Plastic
-Enter New

Clothing:

Shirt, Pants, Shoes, Jacket, etc._____
-Hot Toys - (choose from existing figure)
-Enterbay - (choose from existing figure)
-Sideshow - (choose from existing figure)
-Kato E.
-SithlordMcGuyver
-Enter New
*An 'additional details' option would be cool if choosing an item from an existing figure, in case further modification was done to that item.

Basically the same thing for accessories.


Looking forward to testing this for you!

Yes, I am definitely thinking of something along these lines.

The currently release I am working on is revamping the collectible part feature. Now parts will be unique like collectibles. For instance, for a SSC regular figure and SSC variant figure they would share similar parts.

With parts being unique it is like having a virtual parts bin to choose from to build your figures or customs.

I like the idea of indicating artists on a project as well.

 

[a-dev]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

I might also namedrop CREG Customs. I've bought some incredible work from him, heavily customised existing figures. Hes getting into digital sculpting now too.

 

[Something Sexy]

He does awesome work. I will probably do some prefilling for you guys but also allow you to add other people.

 

[jimjimmyjones85]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

That's an excellent point, ebor. The real names of the sculptors should definitely not be used, their board names should be safe though.

I agree. I also think this section has to be a mandatory members only spot.

Non-members cannot peruse this section.

 

[skooternb]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

Non-members cannot peruse this section.

I think that is very important to protect everyone.

 

[Something Sexy]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

I agree. I also think this section has to be a mandatory members only spot.

Non-members cannot peruse this section.

Yes most definitely!

I think viewing customs in a stash will be public but the whole customs process/workflow/management will all be members only.

 

[sparkstron73]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

I would like to be able to find a custom figure by name of character and also have picture only threads.
That is my only gripe with freaks as it is hard to find other peoples customs without trawling through page after page of posts and the search function is not specific enough.
I want to search ba.baracus custom figure and it to pop up right away.
Love the idea of pooling knowledge and have a database of custom figures, best of luck will check it out.

 

[Something Sexy]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

I would like to be able to find a custom figure by name of character and also have picture only threads.
That is my only gripe with freaks as it is hard to find other peoples customs without trawling through page after page of posts and the search function is not specific enough.
I want to search ba.baracus custom figure and it to pop up right away.
Love the idea of pooling knowledge and have a database of custom figures, best of luck will check it out.

Yea ideally, we would have a portfolio page for an artist that might be attached to a custom so you could see everything that artist did. Or you could look at a user and look at any customs they might have done themselves.

 

[MarfMaster]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

Really, really excited for this! If we can get something bare-bones going, I'm sure more suggestions would flesh themselves out during utilization.

 

[Something Sexy]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

Really, really excited for this! If we can get something bare-bones going, I'm sure more suggestions would flesh themselves out during utilization.

I am excited to get this out to you guys! I can't make promises on when the initial release will but I will say soon.

 

[sparkstron73]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

Sounds good joined up hope to see future updates

 

[Something Sexy]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

Hey guys! I want to bump this up again. We are turning it up to 11 with development on this feature in Collection Stash.

One thing I want to get out there first is the ability for you guys to add customs/unlicensed figures released by Artists. This wouldn't be your own customs or bashes but things artists have made for sale.

We are about 75% there however I have at least one question for now.

From a pure collector stand point, are you interested in knowing if a collectible is officially licensed or not?

 

[jimjimmyjones85]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

Not really. I want it to be great !

 

[Something Sexy]

Re: Let's Talk Customs Database

Not really. I want it to be great !

OK! One other question I will throw out to the group.

Take one of the customizers on here that make stuff for sale, whether it is a full figure or a head sculpt but any piece that is made to sell.

These would get added to the database just like we add collectibles now but most likely instead of a Manufacturer they would be added as an Artist.

As a user do you want to know that piece is a custom? Or is it pretty much a standard figure?

What really defines a custom if someone creates multiples of something to sell? Maybe I am over thinking that and those get added as standard collectibles.

Customs then become the stuff people make for themselves or the 1/1 commissioned pieces.