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Topics - FantasticFirefly

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1
Off Topic / Tragically Hip
« on: August 21, 2016, 08:30:41 AM »
Well, last night in Canada coast to coast we turned into The Hip on the CBC at home, or attended viewing parties in our towns. We were lost to the world for well over three hours. CBC aired the final concert in Kingston Ontario (The band's hometown) uncut, commercial free and live. My mum and I were among the many who couldn't get tickets to any of the shows. I am thankful I did still get to see them. I have seen them live in the past, truly amazing.

Still emotional today. Any Hip fans in the house? And, if you haven't heard their music and puzzled why Canada "was closed" last night- check them out. Lots of Canadian identity in their lyrics, but lots of songs that touch on life.

2
Pony Corral / Got playsets in the early 80's? Would love input on common playsets from you!
« on: July 18, 2016, 08:56:24 AM »
-what I need. folks who owned, or still own common playsets from new. and remember when they got them (which year? time? like christmas 1984 etc) and which pony was included.
- ponies in question: CF Peachy (pretty parlor) Lemon Drop (show stable) Majesty (dream castle) Sprinkles (waterfall)
*edit to add* I am mostly focused on US/Canada releases. But, elsewhere is fine too! Just please include the country a set was from. :)

Now, what do all these ponies have in common? There are two versions of the playset releases.
One version is the same quality as all our other ponies. hair curls into a nice bob, not overly difficult to find in good condition without heavy discoloration or fading.

The other version?
Lots of wonky! The easiest "tell" though as to which you own is the hair. These have flat hair that almost seems a touch too short on some, with ends that appear jagged like they were haircut victims- the texture is cheaper then normal pony hair. it doesn't want to hold the MLP bob. The quality as well on the rest of the pony is far more suspect and the consistency in quality you normally see with ponies is out the window on these. Funky rooting is common. plugs too far apart, too close together on the outer row. not following guidelines, giving meandering hair lines or too far down the head or way too far back making them look balding. The pigments on paints want to fade so easily and change colour more easily. Lots of majestys who's eyes turned periwinkle from purple. Peachys with white hearts faded from pink. (even kept out of sunny windows) etc. They are far more prone to aging issues, yellowing, brown spots. head body missmatch. looking close they seem so much lower in quality then the others in every component (body, hair, paints). I will call these "Flat hair" issues from now on.

I have a personal theory.
All these playsets came in boxes where contents could not be seen. While single ponies came on bubble cards so you see the pony you actually get at the store.
So Hasbro provided a lower cost (quality) "Flat hair" pony to provide a playset for a set cost they had in mind.
*Edit to add*
Quote
"Maybe Hasbro got some kind of discount deal on it?"
When you place a production order they will build it to the costs you request/spec. Hence why I think it's a cost issue. they knew what the traditional quality of a pony cost, and opted for cheaper. Low quality pony for a better quality playset? or simply the fact one doesn't see the pony until after purchase and it reduced the cost of the set to what the market wanted to pay (and the market wanted a pony included- so a bonus freebie quality?)? I don't know.

Even children can be picky. I have bought childhood lots where the owner was upset that those ones (flat hair ponies) always looked so cheap. even as kids it bothered them they got a "defective" pony. or had issues out of the box (bad missmatch, sloppy rooting and paint). I am wondering if Flat hair ponies got issued right after Flat Foot Peachy got retired (who was of good quality). and THEN the traditional MLP quality ponies ended up replacing the flat hairs soon after (customer feedback is my guess). Since any of the playsets released after the ones I mention here always include a MLP quality toy.

Anyone who can shed light on this would be awesome.
Oh, an example! I'm far too lazy to go hunting through boxes for all of them but I did share this photo of two dream castle issue majesty's on facebook to show everyone what I mean. :).
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Left: traditional quality Majesty. this was the Acc I got with a childhood batch I picked up, the dragon included in the castle was the darker one (like the one included in the lavender castle).
Right: Flat Hair Majesty. I have found this version MIB and included with these accessories multiple times in small childhood lots in US/Canada. the dragons have always been lighter spikes.

3
Off Topic / Parents - Useful baby gifts?
« on: March 22, 2016, 10:55:15 PM »
More and more of my friends are having babies..... I have a thing about giving truly useful gifts if a person doesn't have an outright obsession I can feed. Like Me with ponies- useless but I love them. Other stuff I can't stand clutter in my house..... I just hate having things I can't use. A thread about clutter made me think about this.  I am good at buying for other people, thinking of something super useful ones tailored to that person. But with infants I am lost. I don't know what's actually TRULY useful beyond diapers and onsies because parents must go through piles of laundry and boxes of diapers yet it's also something everyone else brings.

So, those who had babies what was your most useful present? What are things you really need to select yourself? Did you get something that you didn't think of and came in super handy. and for fun, what is the most ridiculous and useless "why is this even made" baby product you ever got?

4
Customs / Plasticizer leaking pony as a base. Photograph request.
« on: March 16, 2016, 01:04:05 PM »
Ok, I am doing a write up about those slimy oozy ponies! and a major concern I thought about was customizers. One doesn't want to invest the work to see a piece degrade.

From googling and using the search function the general consensus is oozing ponies is already seen as a risk by customizers and should not be as a base for a custom (which is good for preserving your hard work down the line!). What I didn't find was a custom who later turned up with issues from plastizer leak. If you experienced this pitfall and have photographs I would greatly appreciate it if I can share them in my writeup of this issue. I am looking for flaking, peeling or discolouration of properly applied paint (so a method + product that has a long term track record in other ponies).

Thank you so much in advance!

5
Pony Corral / Well, this was unexpected. Safety of vintage toys (Ponies).
« on: March 09, 2016, 09:46:42 PM »
So, remember when the US passed regulation on toys and sellers started kindly included notes saying not to give them to children or handle while pregnant?


lead was banned in products marketed to children in 1978, but was still found in toys made after (USA). http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/toys.htm
Of importance:
Quote
Plastic: The use of lead in plastics has not been banned. Lead softens the plastic and makes it more flexible so that it can go back to its original shape. It may also be used in plastic toys to stabilize molecules from heat. When the plastic is exposed to substances such as sunlight, air, and detergents the chemical bond between the lead and plastics breaks down and forms dust.

Anyway, I was googling for the name of lead compound included in PVC to give it desirable properties (flexibility, ability to retain shape and better pigments) - I ended up finding the article below.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/toys-from-the-seventies-and-eighties-could-be-poisoning-your-children-10125415.html

I am still trying to find the original paper (from the university). Sometimes you have to pay for published papers (if you find it, even if I need to buy it- please link me! I love specifics). From the article though it's far worse then thought. I knew lead would be present, and now banned phthalates I wasn't however expecting arsenic and cadmium in MY childhood toys. :shocked: Honestly, this changes the way I handle vintage toys.

Article from the school:
https://www.sau.edu/News_and_Events/N150807_Research_Institute.html

6
MLP Nirvana / PC Green Argie DNW Baby
« on: February 17, 2016, 08:55:21 AM »
I ended up with a little Argie baby at one point. TO ME he looks to be in beautiful shape, either opened by an adult or owned by the most gentle child. paint, and vynil is just so nice. so other then the wonky eyes from the factory he's gorgeous.

His hair is silky too and texture does match to my other two. Here's the thing I notice though.

his mane seems to be on the slightly thinner side, and his tail end is two lengths at the end. (I know both issues could come from the factory on the normal G1 stuff. so what about this little dude?). The tube running through him is perfect. no evidence of him being opened and a sloppy repair.

His mane is lighter, and his tail is darker but colouring is uneven, like a fading pink that's faded in places only this hair colour is fading golden?

If anyone knows what I have (all original?) that would be wonderful. also a current value. I have a lady here who would like him, and I would like some of her common G1 accessories. :) *I can take better pictures. It was night, so no natural light to stop my camera flash*
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7
Pony Corral / "Cancer Marks"
« on: August 23, 2014, 10:40:09 AM »
I don't even remember anymore how this term came about. It has been in use for at least a decade now. I know how I personally feel about the term and I am interested in seeing poll results for how other collectors feel about this term. So as to not sway anyone's initial feelings please don't argue for, or against this term in the comments! I'd like to write something about this in the future and responses would be immensely helpful to me. :)

Anyway, the flaw has been used to describe various spotting. Sometimes a dark brown dot surrounded by a fainter ring, sometimes brown blotching (common on BB Chief, TE Gingerbread). Collectors used to think the flaw could jump from one pony to another simply by sharing shelf space, but it's not a problem that spreads in that manner. (feel free to clean them up as you would any other pony). It is a flaw that can be caused by poor storage (damp/heat/humidity in poorly climate controlled spaces). I'm personally wondering if something else causes some these spots/stains as well, and hopefully will be able to at some point talk to someone with knowledge in plastics/vinyl to see if I'm correct.

A big thank you to anyone who participates in my poll! :)


8
Trader & Shipping Support / *no longer needed* USA, help acquiring USA only ebay item?
« on: July 31, 2014, 04:26:27 PM »
There is an item I've been wanting, problem is USA only shipping. I could happily paypal you the total, and whatever it would cost to then forward to me in Canada (and PP fees).

It's not an inexpensive item, so I would prefer someone who has sold enough themselves so that PayPal doesn't hold the money I'd need to forward to cover this. :) Of course, for doing a favour my helper would be compensated in some way as well. If you're interested, please pm me for the details.  :hug:

9
Pony Corral / UK/Euro Tutti Frutti Party Pack - please share pictures if you have it complete!
« on: March 27, 2013, 07:10:08 AM »
I bought a US party pack for a friend (still need to track down some pieces until it's complete enough. :) ), and it got me thinking of my poor UK tutti frutti without much of her stuff! The cake has lighter, yellow icing instead of orange? Or is that fading on my cake? I am wondering about the hats and all the other stuff I can't see from a small grainy MIB picture!

US pack- hats: the elastics are sized to the pony it is supposed to match with. Longer for the TE and SS and shorter for the other three. UK/Euro pack? Are the elastics the same length on each hat, or are they alike the US pack some smaller to fit smaller sized ponies?

If anyone can share a picture of the euro and UK sets complete that would be awesome! In an effort to not hoard MLP- I think I will only try to collect and complete UK Tutti Frutti.

Edit to add:
hathorcat helped greatly with the most awesome accessory listing. If anyone has pictures of either set to share I'd so appreciate it! I'd love to see exact acc shades and the sets all pretty and complete. :)


So far: (thanks for the help everyone!)
UK release came with the following:
5 tutti frutti invites
6 plates
6 cups
1 platter
6 cake slices
6 candles
6 party horns
5 Hats
1 tail game
2 tails
1 party blanket
1 balloon
1 puffy sticker
1 yellow ribbon.

Euro release:
3 tutti frutti invites
4 plates
4 cups
1 platter
6 cake slices
6 candles
4 party horns
4 hats
1 tail game
2 tails
2 blindfolds
1 yellow bird brush
1 dark pink moon comb
1 yellow ribbon.

10
Off Topic / Jem accessories? Price check please.
« on: March 22, 2013, 07:59:25 PM »
Thank you everyone for the help! Someone wanted the entire lot, so it's now theirs. :)

I have a bunch of random bits and pieces. At one point I had my eyes peeled for dolls that these would complete. but I opted against buying any more stuff. I know I've seen a few people here collect these dolls, I'm trying my best to get rid of non-pony items or else I'll just have far too much stuff.  :blush: Any pricing help would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance. :)

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11
Off Topic / Decorating geeks? Off topic (for now) brags, and wallpaper (for homes) questions
« on: March 19, 2013, 07:36:54 AM »
So,
I have had a pretty good couple weeks. I snagged a dehumidifier for $50 off my local buy sell and trade. these puppies sell for over $300 with tax, so $50 is awesome and well worth the investment protecting my ponies! If I didn't spot the ad, I would have bought one new in the coming months.

I also got some vintage lamps in November. I'm going to customize for the pony room! I need some spray paint first, new shades and some new lamp guts. The lamps are OLD I don't want to risk plugging in cords from the 40's-50's. They'll be super girly, with glass and I have glass "crystals" to hang on the two on the right when I'm done.
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Next, last October I found a couple second hand billy cases (short/half height) with glass doors for under $100! I don't have room in this house to display the entire collection, but this will let me display some. Next time I'm at Ikea I'd love to upgrade and buy glass shelves for these.


One thing bugging me, the backs of the book cases (white ones, it's pressed paper with fold lines from when they were flat packed) look really cheap. So, going to replace those and hopefully find a pretty wallpaper to back them with before sliding the new backs in. This is where I have run into some difficulty. I have an idea of what I want, but finding it is proving hard. Looking for a soft pink paper with a pattern, must be faint like a shimmer or metallic print, pink must be light so the colour of the ponies is what "pops" when everything is out on display. I checked home depot and they had a bunch of really ugly papers with the colour I want, or nice prints with my idea but the wrong base colour. If anyone has suggestions of where to look (hopefully on our island) I'll check them out. We have Para Paints and Benjamin Moore here I think. I might be in Victoria BC in the coming months, so they'll likely have more selection. (looking for a simple print, hopefully geometric or dots. no stripes or busy/random prints)

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Bookcase! As you can see, we still need to replace floors and add trimwork upstairs. We did the main level already and man, what a nasty job scraping up really cheap early 80's carpet that had been GLUED down. This is our spare BR, the ponyroom is longer and larger, and I will be painting the walls lavender, it'll look great with the white cases and other girly colours I'm planning on including.

12
Pony Corral / Oxy boiling ponies - Please give me some insight.
« on: February 19, 2013, 07:21:43 AM »
Hi all,
For those of you who have oxy boiled ponies, I'd love to know what you have used this technique to correct or treat.

I plan on doing some tests this summer on some baits using riskier cleaning techniques, results will be shared in my collecting blog for the pony community. Oxy boiling seems to be a popular method among collectors, I've never tried it.

If you've experienced a failure with this method, I would greatly appreciate a picture donation that I could share. I could credit you for the photo, or not if you are embarrassed about the result. :) (before & after pictures of ponies that got worse would be fab)

Thanks in advance!

13
Wanted! / FntasticFirefly WISH list. For swap/trade purposes at the moment.
« on: January 25, 2013, 07:49:42 AM »
Wishlist:
If you see stuff you'd like in my sales, I do trade. But my wishlist is rather specific and I'm mostly upgrading so only looking for these items in mint condition. I'm only looking for G1 items.

Most wanted items:  BNG ribbon pairs, Metallic trimmed ribbons, Prom Queen skirts, hairclips. 1 Lace trim piece for Princess Buggy.



Hair ribbons:
Normal hair Ribbons:
Hot pink -thicker material, Cut at ends
Oranges -thicker material, Cut at ends
Blues - cut or sealed at ends
Pale Blue - thicker material, Cut at ends
Golden - cut or sealed at ends
Pale Purple (the kind that's close to white)
Pale green - sealed at ends
Mint Green - cut or sealed at ends


Ribbon sets:
Lavender x2 (milkweed/tumbleweed, sealed at ends)
Soft Green x2 (Rattles/Tattles, sealed at ends)
Golden x2 (Jangles/Tangles, sealed at ends)
*only looking for pairs that match in shade.

Brush and Grow Ribbons Pairs:
Hot Orange (x2 ribbons, cut at ends)
Turquoise  (x2 ribbons, cut at ends)
Light Pink (x2 ribbons, cut at ends)
Purple  (x2 ribbons, cut at ends)
*These are JUMBO versions of tail ribbons, they are thicker and wider- only looking for pairs that match in shade.


Skinny metallic trimmed: cut at ends
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Any fuschia/deep pink (much darker shade then the ribbon included with Serena or Primrose)
Yellow
Purple/Lavender
Pale Blue
Turquoise
Dark Blue


Lace Ribbons:
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Yellow - SHS floral lace
Pink - SHS floral lace
White/Silver - Baby Princess Sparkle (also pictured is lace for buggy, missing 1 piece of that as well)


Combs/Brushes:
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Grasshopper: Pink, Teal (Slugger)
Frog: Light Blue, Purple, Aqua
Race Car: Red, Blue, Hot Pink
Puppy Brush: Mauve, Blue, Turquoise
Long Brush: Light Yellow, Turquoise, Blue, Hot Pink, Pink, Purple
Long Comb: Hot Orange, Blue, Aqua, Mint Green, Purple
Stars Picks Solid Colours: Pink, Green, Purple, Orange
Flowers Picks (no paint): Mint Green/Aqua, Pale Blue, Purple
Sun Picks: Magenta, Hot Pink
Candy Comb: Purple, Pink, Yellow
Fish Comb: Pale Blue, Purple, Lavender/Pinkish, Pinky/Peach, Pink, Hot Pink, Lighter Green, Bright Orange
Flower Brush: Mauve, Aqua, Hot Pink, Darkest Purple
Butterfly Brush: Darkest Turquoise, Yellow, Peach, Mint Green
Moon Comb: Darkest Purple (for sweet stuff, darker then surprises comb)
Guitar Brush: Yellow, Hot Pink -would like mint upgrades for the other two, mine show some wear on the bristles.
Only looking for the specific shades. No items with heavy scratching or wear, staining/yellowing at edges, chews or broken teeth (except BNG brushes, if they are missing a bristle or two, this isn't uncommon)

Glittery Stars Picks (not looking for fine glitter picks):
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Turquoise LARGE Glitter
Golden/Orange LARGE Glitter
Magenta/Mauve Large Glitter
** These are a lot less glittery then the princess picks, pieces of glitter are noticeably larger and there's usually less of it.


Hair Clips:
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Flower Clip- Aqua, Green, Yellow, Peach, Pink, Lavender, White
Ice Cream Cone - Yellow, Lavender
Sundae - Pink, Pinkish Lavender
Lollipop - Purple, Pinkish/Purple
I Luv U: Aqua, Pale Blue, Lavender, Pink, Pink lighter, Pale Pink
3 Hearts: Yellow, Aqua/Mint, Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Shooting Star: Yellow, Green, Purple, Neon Pink
Lily and Bird - Blue, Turquoise, Purple, Pale Lavender/Pink, Fuschia, Yellow
Two Lilies - Yellow, Purple


Fabric Items & Other:
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SHS Ruffles:
Darker Pink This is a touch darker & Less sheer then Cha Cha's skirt.
Blue

Ballerina Tutus:
Yellow
Pink
Purple
Fuschia (only if mint *minor upgrade)
*Greatly after the above items with snug elastic. Both prom queen skirts in the picture are a good example, as well as the two pink shade tutu's in the centre. A little looseness is fine, I just don't want shot elastic so the skirts/tutu's don't hang off the pony.

Eyelash Princess:
Pink Fur cape
Silver crown

Bridal Beauty:
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Plastic Bouquet
Veil with Pink Band
Ring, wide back with Silver band.

Big Brother Bandanas:
Both Lighter Yellow Shades - Chief and Steamer


Secret Surprise Ponies:
Missing all bracelets/ Rings: White/Purple bracelet. Gold/Silver rings
Pink Key
Purple Key
Missing ALL Combs

Birthday Pony:
Necklace
Present Box

Kisses Ponies:
Missing all Lipsticks

Flutter wings:
2nd Edition clear tabbed pair
Deep Purple Tabbed - for yum yum
Wings (singles/pair) with tabs broken off, otherwise undamaged.

Pocket Ponies:
Bubblefish's Fish Charm and cord.
Lil' Pocket - Missing the Piggy Bank pocket (broken off one fine)- Coin charm and cord.


Baby Accessories:
Furniture:
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Pink Canopy for Milkweed & Tumbleweeds Bassinet
Pinkish Playpen for baby Shady (not the same shade as Glory's pink playpen)
Change Tables: Both shades of Aqua/blue

Fabric Items:
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Baby Bandanas:
Baby Leaper
Baby Racer
Baby Drummer (not narrow edge sticting)

Fancy Pants Bows:
Purple - Baby Bows
Pinkish/Purple - Baby Dots n' Hearts

Bibs:
Yellow trim with Teddy -Baby Whirly Twirl
Aqua/Greenish - Baby Shady

Small Baby Items:
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Bottles:
Mini Turquoise & Pink - Bootsie and Tootsie

Sippy Cups:
Turquoise

Dishes/Spoons:
Purple Dish, x2 Orange Spoons - Sniffles and Snookums
Pale Aqua/Mint Dish - Baby Dots n' Hearts
Light (aqua) Blue Dish -Baby Glider
Darkest Blue Dish *not pictured- Baby Starburst
Mint Green Dish - Baby Racer
Pinkish Dish - Baby Waddles (darker then Paw's dish)
Golden Yellow Spoon - Thinner plastic
Yellow Spoon - Thinner plastic
Deeper Pink Spoon - Thinner plastic

First Tooth Acc:
Turquoise Toothbrush - Baby Bouncy
Felt Tooth

Stack Toys
Baby Ponies & Pretty Pals
Fancy Pants Babies
Paradise Estate
*I already own all other stack toys. Doesn't matter which order colours appear, but each toy must be the same colour combinations as the photo.


Xylophones:
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Yellow/Turquoise w/Orange wheels - Baby Racer
Blue w/ Magenta w/ Aqua wheels - Leaper
Turquoise w/Orange and Lavender wheels - Waddles
Green Mallet - Leaper
Periwinkle Blue mallet - Baby Racer
Orange Mallet - Waddles



Baby Seapony Floats:
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Alligator: Pale blue w/ Purple paint
Frog: Lavender/Pink w/ Aqua paint
Frog: Pink w/ Mint green paint
Lobster: Green w/ Blue paint
Lobster: Pink w/ Purple paint

14
Pony Corral / Megans Place Accessories
« on: December 04, 2012, 11:48:19 AM »
Working on photographing, pricing, organizing for a big sale. I have no clue when I'll be ready. I have a lot of stuff to go through still.

Wondering if Megan place accessories should be parted out with fixed prices, or are they desirable enough to take offers on? I do not have an extra heart brush, fyi. I know that's the last piece people are usually missing so I figure I'd put that out there. :)

15
Trader & Shipping Support / Accepting Paypal e-checks?
« on: November 16, 2012, 11:06:30 AM »
I've sent and received them in the past with no issues. Anything I should be aware of accepting them as a seller? (non-ebay only)

Thanks!

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