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The first jumbo figure I’m making for a client’s toy store window display is done. Other than the decals, which will be coming soon. Only 10 more to go. #blackholemovie #mego #vintageactionfigures

The first jumbo figure I’m making for a client’s toy store window display is done. Other than the decals, which will be coming soon. Only 10 more to go. #blackholemovie #mego #vintageactionfigures

A Ronald now in the books. #ronaldmcdonald #mcdonaldland #mcdonaldlandcharacters #restorations #vintagefastfood

A Ronald now in the books. #ronaldmcdonald #mcdonaldland #mcdonaldlandcharacters #restorations #vintagefastfood

Here is photographic evidence that I have been obsessed with advertising mascots my entire life. #burgerking #palsvitamins #advertisingmascots

Here is photographic evidence that I have been obsessed with advertising mascots my entire life. #burgerking #palsvitamins #advertisingmascots

I am not a huge fan of the original Burger King, I prefer the Pillsbury era cartoon King (Kurger Bing). But I was pretty excited to find this really early paper crown to add to my collection of crowns. #BurgerKing #burgerkingcrown

I am not a huge fan of the original Burger King, I prefer the Pillsbury era cartoon King (Kurger Bing). But I was pretty excited to find this really early paper crown to add to my collection of crowns. #BurgerKing #burgerkingcrown

I’ve been tasked to make several oversized figures for a toy store window display.
This includes:
-3’ tall Luke, Leia, Vader and Stormtrooper as well as VINCent & Maximilian
-6’ tall Boba, Cobra Commander, Raphael (turtles) and a ShoGun style Godzilla
This will take a while, especially since I only have 2 large scale printers and one smaller one.

I’ve been tasked to make several oversized figures for a toy store window display.
This includes:
-3’ tall Luke, Leia, Vader and Stormtrooper as well as VINCent & Maximilian
-6’ tall Boba, Cobra Commander, Raphael (turtles) and a ShoGun style Godzilla
This will take a while, especially since I only have 2 large scale printers and one smaller one.

I don’t know, or care, if this is like “Evil” Spiderman or whatever… but I do know that he has WAY TOO many webs on his suit. Painting them took forever and a day. But now he’s done and I can get him off my work table. #spiderman #restorations

I don’t know, or care, if this is like “Evil” Spiderman or whatever… but I do know that he has WAY TOO many webs on his suit. Painting them took forever and a day. But now he’s done and I can get him off my work table. #spiderman #restorations

Getting excited to actually leave the shop for a few days. I’ve been working non-stop 12+ hours days / 7 days a week to try and get caught up on all these back orders and restorations.

Getting excited to actually leave the shop for a few days. I’ve been working non-stop 12+ hours days / 7 days a week to try and get caught up on all these back orders and restorations.

I’m always hearing about how the kids are so into it - so I finally broke down and got myself a TikTok. #amidoingthisright

I’m always hearing about how the kids are so into it - so I finally broke down and got myself a TikTok. #amidoingthisright

We have dropped a couple pins in the map on places we need to either drop off or pick up restoration jobs. So this is going to be our route. If you live anywhere near this and have a restoration you would like picked up, let me know. We are heading out at the end of July.

We have dropped a couple pins in the map on places we need to either drop off or pick up restoration jobs. So this is going to be our route. If you live anywhere near this and have a restoration you would like picked up, let me know. We are heading out at the end of July.

Another restoration done. I had to do a lot of fiberglass patching, new hardware, paint job, find and replicate the graphics for the top. #restorations #litterbug #roadsideamerica @toni4ball

Another restoration done. I had to do a lot of fiberglass patching, new hardware, paint job, find and replicate the graphics for the top. #restorations #litterbug #roadsideamerica @toni4ball

The exciting conclusion to my fiberglass tutorial is now available. #mcdonaldland #fiberglassrepair #restorations #roadsideamerica

The exciting conclusion to my fiberglass tutorial is now available. #mcdonaldland #fiberglassrepair #restorations #roadsideamerica

This might be a longshot, but does anyone here have an orphaned carousel base they are looking to sell? #mcdonaldland

This might be a longshot, but does anyone here have an orphaned carousel base they are looking to sell? #mcdonaldland

Just a little side diversion as I continue to cast up and crank out McDonaldland pieces for y’all. This is my first working Wizard of Fries prototype. There’s a few kinks I still need to work out, but I think I mostly got it. If you want to pre-order one I have them on my site, but I probably won’t be shipping them out until the fall.#wizardoffries #vintageburgerking #advertisingmascots

Just a little side diversion as I continue to cast up and crank out McDonaldland pieces for y’all. This is my first working Wizard of Fries prototype. There’s a few kinks I still need to work out, but I think I mostly got it. If you want to pre-order one I have them on my site, but I probably won’t be shipping them out until the fall.#wizardoffries #vintageburgerking #advertisingmascots

If you wanna know how to make a fiberglass mold (or even if you don’t) - you can watch my new video. I never made a mold like this before, so I have to figure it out along the way. Mistakes were made! Link in my bio or just go to YouTube.com/DustinCropsBoy #fiberglassmold #mcdonaldland #tutorial

If you wanna know how to make a fiberglass mold (or even if you don’t) - you can watch my new video. I never made a mold like this before, so I have to figure it out along the way. Mistakes were made! Link in my bio or just go to YouTube.com/DustinCropsBoy #fiberglassmold #mcdonaldland #tutorial

Deux Ronald sans base. #mcdonaldland #ronaldmcdonald #restorations #roadsideamerica

Deux Ronald sans base. #mcdonaldland #ronaldmcdonald #restorations #roadsideamerica

Wizard of Fries test print.

Wizard of Fries test print.

Another restoration done. The hair is actually done in a dark brown, it just looks black in my photo. #bobsbigboy #restoration #roadsideamerica #mascots #resturantmascot

Another restoration done. The hair is actually done in a dark brown, it just looks black in my photo. #bobsbigboy #restoration #roadsideamerica #mascots #resturantmascot

Got this nifty sign from a local (Sioux Falls) DQ that was remodeling. It’s not old or anything, but still kinda cute.

Got this nifty sign from a local (Sioux Falls) DQ that was remodeling. It’s not old or anything, but still kinda cute.

I’m still working on his base, but I thought I’d show the progress so far on the Officer Big Mac I’m working on currently. #officerbigmac #mcdonaldlandcharacters #mcdonaldland #restoration #roadsideamerica

I’m still working on his base, but I thought I’d show the progress so far on the Officer Big Mac I’m working on currently. #officerbigmac #mcdonaldlandcharacters #mcdonaldland #restoration #roadsideamerica

About five years ago, when I first started to teach myself how to use Fusion, one of the first things I drew was a pretty obscure advertising character: Burger King’s The Wizard of Fries.

My doodle was ok (3rd pic)- but I was never 100% happy with it. I was still learning. So I used the various premium of him for reference, but they were never consistent to each other - so I had to pick the details I liked the best and cobble him together.

But now I found the original ‘70s BK commercial with him in it on YouTube and decided to have another crack at it - this time adding more realistic details. There are some bits I can’t quite make out in the grainy commercial but I think I got it pretty good. They also added an extension to his back to fit an actor inside, but I decided to leave that part off.

Anyway - I’m guessing only 3 people even remember him. But I like him! I always liked the BK characters a bit more than the McDonald’s ones anyway. Maybe because I never went to McDonald’s as a kid, but did frequent BK. Or maybe I just like the more insignificant and forgotten characters of the advertising world.

And yes, I want to make him - in scale with the McDonald’s minis. #burgerking #wizardoffries #advertisingmascots

About five years ago, when I first started to teach myself how to use Fusion, one of the first things I drew was a pretty obscure advertising character: Burger King’s The Wizard of Fries.

My doodle was ok (3rd pic)- but I was never 100% happy with it. I was still learning. So I used the various premium of him for reference, but they were never consistent to each other - so I had to pick the details I liked the best and cobble him together.

But now I found the original ‘70s BK commercial with him in it on YouTube and decided to have another crack at it - this time adding more realistic details. There are some bits I can’t quite make out in the grainy commercial but I think I got it pretty good. They also added an extension to his back to fit an actor inside, but I decided to leave that part off.

Anyway - I’m guessing only 3 people even remember him. But I like him! I always liked the BK characters a bit more than the McDonald’s ones anyway. Maybe because I never went to McDonald’s as a kid, but did frequent BK. Or maybe I just like the more insignificant and forgotten characters of the advertising world.

And yes, I want to make him - in scale with the McDonald’s minis. #burgerking #wizardoffries #advertisingmascots

I had one of these banners years ago and regrettably sold it. But it’s finally been replaced. Wahoo! And Ho Ho Ho! #matteltalkingdolls #santaclaus #vintagetoys #vintagemattel

I had one of these banners years ago and regrettably sold it. But it’s finally been replaced. Wahoo! And Ho Ho Ho! #matteltalkingdolls #santaclaus #vintagetoys #vintagemattel

We’re coming to a town near you - if that town is within this circled area. We’re dropping off some restored pieces and would love to pick up some more work if you have any. Let me know asap and maybe we’ll swing by. We start the journey July 20th. #restoration #roadsideamerica #mcdonaldland

We’re coming to a town near you - if that town is within this circled area. We’re dropping off some restored pieces and would love to pick up some more work if you have any. Let me know asap and maybe we’ll swing by. We start the journey July 20th. #restoration #roadsideamerica #mcdonaldland

Nothin’ more fun - than paintin’ a bun. ‘Cept for maybe TWO buns!! #officerbigmac #bobsbigboy #restorations #roadsideamerica

Nothin’ more fun - than paintin’ a bun. ‘Cept for maybe TWO buns!! #officerbigmac #bobsbigboy #restorations #roadsideamerica

I just received this swell mock up of an unproduced cereal concept from my pal Dan @ticktocktoys2

I’m pretty sure it was done by my favorite commercial artist, Roger Bradfield. The style and the handwriting is nearly identical to his.

I just received this swell mock up of an unproduced cereal concept from my pal Dan @ticktocktoys2

I’m pretty sure it was done by my favorite commercial artist, Roger Bradfield. The style and the handwriting is nearly identical to his.

More restorations in progress. #officerbigmac #mcdonaldland #bobsbigboy #roadsideamerica #restoration

More restorations in progress. #officerbigmac #mcdonaldland #bobsbigboy #roadsideamerica #restoration

Another restoration done. This one is for the American Pickers fellas. #roadsideamerica #pinocchio #fiberglassstatues #americanpickers @mikewolfeamericanpicker @americanpickers

Another restoration done. This one is for the American Pickers fellas. #roadsideamerica #pinocchio #fiberglassstatues #americanpickers @mikewolfeamericanpicker @americanpickers

The last batch of regulation signs are shipping out. I have 3 extras available. I won’t be ordering any more aluminum blanks due to the minimum amount required - so this is it. Your LAST chance. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Times8.biz #mcdonaldland

The last batch of regulation signs are shipping out. I have 3 extras available. I won’t be ordering any more aluminum blanks due to the minimum amount required - so this is it. Your LAST chance. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Times8.biz #mcdonaldland

Been a while since I’ve done a restoration. But I’ve painted so many of the miniature versions of this- I felt like I coulda painted him with my eyes closed. #hamburglar #restorations #roadsideamerica

Been a while since I’ve done a restoration. But I’ve painted so many of the miniature versions of this- I felt like I coulda painted him with my eyes closed. #hamburglar #restorations #roadsideamerica

45 hrs later - and I have the slide printed. This is just a rough test fitting. I still need to clean it all up and somehow make a mold for it. But, overall, everything fits together nicely. It’s gonna look super nice when it’s all shiny silver with the red & yellow sections. Also I clear coated a few Captain Crook heads just to see how they’d look. #captaincrook #mcdonaldland #vintageplayground

45 hrs later - and I have the slide printed. This is just a rough test fitting. I still need to clean it all up and somehow make a mold for it. But, overall, everything fits together nicely. It’s gonna look super nice when it’s all shiny silver with the red & yellow sections. Also I clear coated a few Captain Crook heads just to see how they’d look. #captaincrook #mcdonaldland #vintageplayground

I think I finally got the corkscrew slide part figured out. Yikes - way out of my skill zone - but I think this’ll work. Gonna print a test and then try and figure out how to mold this thing.

I think I finally got the corkscrew slide part figured out. Yikes - way out of my skill zone - but I think this’ll work. Gonna print a test and then try and figure out how to mold this thing.

More progress on the Captain Crook slide. I have the crook paint master done, got the ladder, ground, landing and awning molds all working, made a jig to bend the railing and got the decals in. Just need to do some more tweaks to the corkscrew slide file and figure out how the heck I’m gonna mold it. This thing is HUGE!! #captaincrook #mcdonaldland

More progress on the Captain Crook slide. I have the crook paint master done, got the ladder, ground, landing and awning molds all working, made a jig to bend the railing and got the decals in. Just need to do some more tweaks to the corkscrew slide file and figure out how the heck I’m gonna mold it. This thing is HUGE!! #captaincrook #mcdonaldland

My pressure pot is too small to hold some of my molds - like this ground mold for the Captain Crook slide. It finally occurred to me that if I turn my pot sideways, I have so much more room. I made this little holder for it and everything is so much better. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this a million years ago.

My pressure pot is too small to hold some of my molds - like this ground mold for the Captain Crook slide. It finally occurred to me that if I turn my pot sideways, I have so much more room. I made this little holder for it and everything is so much better. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this a million years ago.

A customer sent me this nifty - and extremely rare - McDonald’s Grimace magic trick game that I can use as a new backdrop for my photos. It’s perfect! #grimace #mcdonaldland

A customer sent me this nifty - and extremely rare - McDonald’s Grimace magic trick game that I can use as a new backdrop for my photos. It’s perfect! #grimace #mcdonaldland

My neighbor was throwing out this really swell and really heavy old filing cabinet that works absolutely perfectly to hold all my molds and decal sheets. It was locked and she didn’t have the key. She said it was her late husband‘s cabinet and she didn’t know what was in it. I managed to drill the lock open, but all I found was a tiny coupon for Hilex bleach.

My neighbor was throwing out this really swell and really heavy old filing cabinet that works absolutely perfectly to hold all my molds and decal sheets. It was locked and she didn’t have the key. She said it was her late husband‘s cabinet and she didn’t know what was in it. I managed to drill the lock open, but all I found was a tiny coupon for Hilex bleach.

I got the ladder and the ground modeled and printed out, and the Captain Crook head and awning prototyped, molded and cast. I just need to make a few more digital tweaks to the landing and the corkscrew slide and then finish them up. But it’s coming along. Also- I shipped out 6 Ronald’s to-day.

I got the ladder and the ground modeled and printed out, and the Captain Crook head and awning prototyped, molded and cast. I just need to make a few more digital tweaks to the landing and the corkscrew slide and then finish them up. But it’s coming along. Also- I shipped out 6 Ronald’s to-day.

#captaincrook #mcdonaldland

#captaincrook #mcdonaldland

First test cast out of the mold for the Captain Crook slide awning. #mcdonaldland

First test cast out of the mold for the Captain Crook slide awning. #mcdonaldland

Years ago I had a fairly decent collection of vintage cereal boxes -around 100 or so. But since then I have, sadly, sold them all here and there to fund projects or pay bills.

I kept 3 from that collection - not necessarily the most valuable, but the 3 I always liked: Lucky Charms, Rice Krinkles and Grins & Smiles & Giggles & Laughs.

There are a few other boxes I never had but always wanted and today I got two of them: an Alpha Bits with the 3 kids and a Fruity Pebbles with the striped background (plus the Dudley FrostyO’s I got a couple months ago).

Now I think the only boxes I want are a Chumley FrostyO’s and a Jets with the Roger Bradfield “Go Cart kids”. Maybe a couple others too. But I don’t need or want nearly as many as I used to have. #vintagecereal #cerealboxes #alphabits #fruitypebbles

Years ago I had a fairly decent collection of vintage cereal boxes -around 100 or so. But since then I have, sadly, sold them all here and there to fund projects or pay bills.

I kept 3 from that collection - not necessarily the most valuable, but the 3 I always liked: Lucky Charms, Rice Krinkles and Grins & Smiles & Giggles & Laughs.

There are a few other boxes I never had but always wanted and today I got two of them: an Alpha Bits with the 3 kids and a Fruity Pebbles with the striped background (plus the Dudley FrostyO’s I got a couple months ago).

Now I think the only boxes I want are a Chumley FrostyO’s and a Jets with the Roger Bradfield “Go Cart kids”. Maybe a couple others too. But I don’t need or want nearly as many as I used to have. #vintagecereal #cerealboxes #alphabits #fruitypebbles

Batch of Grimace shipping out. #grimace #mcdonaldland

Batch of Grimace shipping out. #grimace #mcdonaldland

Captain Crook is hot off the press. I think he turned out not half bad. My zbrush skills are improving. #captaincrook #mcdonaldland

Captain Crook is hot off the press. I think he turned out not half bad. My zbrush skills are improving. #captaincrook #mcdonaldland

Thanks to @time_bomb_vintage for the deal on the swell light up Hostess sign. It fits right where it needs to. I love it!! #hostess #twinkies #captaincupcake

Thanks to @time_bomb_vintage for the deal on the swell light up Hostess sign. It fits right where it needs to. I love it!! #hostess #twinkies #captaincupcake

I got the Captain Crook scan all digitally cleaned up. That took some time, but I think he’s looking good and usable.

I also started to get the spiral of the slide worked out. I still need to figure out the attachment to the landing up top and slice the slide up into sections and add the final exiting portion of it.

I’m debating what the ground shape should be. I feel like a circle takes up too much space. Maybe an oval? Maybe a more organic shape? I don’t know. Any suggestions? #mcdonaldland #captaincrook #vintageplayground

I got the Captain Crook scan all digitally cleaned up. That took some time, but I think he’s looking good and usable.

I also started to get the spiral of the slide worked out. I still need to figure out the attachment to the landing up top and slice the slide up into sections and add the final exiting portion of it.

I’m debating what the ground shape should be. I feel like a circle takes up too much space. Maybe an oval? Maybe a more organic shape? I don’t know. Any suggestions? #mcdonaldland #captaincrook #vintageplayground

Another successful scan I did to-day was of the Ronald helium tank topper. I was toying with the idea of making a “working” miniature in the near future. Maybe with a CO2 cartridge?

Another successful scan I did to-day was of the Ronald helium tank topper. I was toying with the idea of making a “working” miniature in the near future. Maybe with a CO2 cartridge?

I took a trip to Minneapolis to-day to scan a Captain Crook head for the slide. It was up on a high pole in a difficult to get to area. I had to stand on a step ladder and was not able to get to the top of his hat. But I managed to get a fairly decent scan. There’s a lot of touch up work I’ll have to do it to before it’ll be usable. But it’s all coming along. #mcdonaldland

I took a trip to Minneapolis to-day to scan a Captain Crook head for the slide. It was up on a high pole in a difficult to get to area. I had to stand on a step ladder and was not able to get to the top of his hat. But I managed to get a fairly decent scan. There’s a lot of touch up work I’ll have to do it to before it’ll be usable. But it’s all coming along. #mcdonaldland

I got a Hamburglar Setmakers wall plaque in to-day to restore. It has the original paint on it so I compared it to the paint colors I picked to do my miniatures. I picked these colors a few years ago out of a book of thousands of auto paint swatches - just going off what I thought looked good. But I have to say, I think I did a pretty ok job at it.

I got a Hamburglar Setmakers wall plaque in to-day to restore. It has the original paint on it so I compared it to the paint colors I picked to do my miniatures. I picked these colors a few years ago out of a book of thousands of auto paint swatches - just going off what I thought looked good. But I have to say, I think I did a pretty ok job at it.

Slowly coming together. I work on it a little bit here and there between paint drying on the other pieces I’m finishing up on. I have to consider stuff like materials and how to mold and cast everything and how to ship it and make it easy for the customers to assemble. I’m going to be scanning a Crook head this weekend. #mcdonaldland

Slowly coming together. I work on it a little bit here and there between paint drying on the other pieces I’m finishing up on. I have to consider stuff like materials and how to mold and cast everything and how to ship it and make it easy for the customers to assemble. I’m going to be scanning a Crook head this weekend. #mcdonaldland

First prototype piece of the Captain Crook slide. #mcdonaldland

First prototype piece of the Captain Crook slide. #mcdonaldland

My next offering. References gathered, measurements made, scans being worked on. I should have something physical to show in the next few days and start to ship the first batches out this summer. If you’d like to be an early backer - use the code “ARGH” at check out to receive $20 off. Thank you as always: www.times8.biz #mcdonaldland

My next offering. References gathered, measurements made, scans being worked on. I should have something physical to show in the next few days and start to ship the first batches out this summer. If you’d like to be an early backer - use the code “ARGH” at check out to receive $20 off. Thank you as always: www.times8.biz #mcdonaldland

And finally, the last poster in the lot. I have 4 of these.

And finally, the last poster in the lot. I have 4 of these.

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