Even Further Adventures in the Geek Cave

Time is running out before the Cave needs to be viewing ready for our upcoming Holiday Party and my annual Holiday Diorama (which I've had planned for almost a year, for a change).  Which means the Geek Cave Reorg needs to finish up soon (or at least become presentable).

I've been having some fun recently rearranging the G1s and making use of that new shelf.  Read: ignoring other things that I should be doing in the Cave.  But it's great fun deciding who goes where and how best to use that new space.  By moving things around I also get a new perspective on the G1s, and can highlight some different parts of the collection.

The new display space is also in place now, and much of what was taking up floor space is now stowed in the cubes.  This does not mean that any of it is organized or properly placed yet, but at least it looks halfway decent and gives us some room to maneuver.

The Shortcakes have also inherited some additional space, with the CD rack that used to house ponies moving over to their area.  Eventually, I'll have things sorted out so that the shelves look full again, but everyone will have a little more room to breathe.

Elf

Further Adventures in the Geek Cave

Several times before I've thought that we've fit as many shelving units as was possible into the Geek Cave, and each time I've been proved wrong.  And so, we've squeezed one more Billy bookshelf into the room, on the vintage side.

Shelf space!

I also managed to get the table that was my display space out of the room and the two cube shelves that are becoming my new display space into the room (a task made more difficult by 4 cats trying to help and get into the 'forbidden room', as well as the pile of stuff on the floor).

Not quite in the right location, but in the right room!

The cubes will help with one of the problem areas I identified last week, namely the floor.  Much of the pile of stuff on the floor is made up of boxes holding pony wear and accessories that I only display when I have dioramas set up.  These will now have a more accessible place to live in the eight cubes under the display space.

We also changed out the blackout curtains in this room for a lighter colour curtain.  The pictures really don't do this change justice, but it brightens up the room tremendously.  You can really appreciate just how enormous Greyskull is now.

Elf

Problem Areas

The Geek Cave re-arrange has been on hold for a bit , because we've had other things on the go.  It's when things stall out that I find it hard to go back to work.  When things stall out, that's when you have time to see the problem areas.

Floor space?

For example: the floor.  This pile of stuff is partly things that were hidden under the display table, partly new things that don't have a place to live yet, and partly things that haven't been put in their place yet.  New shelves and a new display space (hopefully coming soon) will help with that.

Con Ponies, Princesses, and Pinkies

There are also some display spaces that I haven't sorted out yet.  I don't have a lot of these oversize ponies, but the ones that I do have could do with some better organization.  I have no idea where or how that's going to happen, however (or when).

There appears to have been a struggle

Finally, I have yet to finish organizing the G4 section of the modern side.  There's really no reason why this shouldn't already be done, other than I've just not been motivated to do it.  Not having the floor space to get near it probably doesn't help either.

So that's the current state of the Geek Cave, and also the areas that I don't have a good plan for yet.  I still have planning to do before the Cave gets closer to "done."

Elf

Pony Merch

Although there is a plethora of MLP officially licensed merchandise out there (all of it completely wonderful), I don't collect much of it.  I don't have room for everything, and my preference is to focus on the ponies.  For that reason I've limited the merch I collect mainly to stationary, stickers, miniatures, and party supplies (flat and small items).

I'm still sorting out how I'm going to display most of this stuff.  However, I've recently organized the merch so at least I have things together and know what I have.  I've been slowly taking pictures of items as well, to add to my flicker account and track what I've got.  Some of these items will be displayed on shelves, while some will be stored in books and binders for safe keeping.

Elf

G3s on the move

The G3s are an interesting part of my collection, in that they're the only part that can be said to be as close as makes no difference to being complete.  As such, they're also the only part of the collection that I can pretty well determine how much space I need for display.

2 Billy Bookcases = G3 space for all!

The G3s are now installed on the Modern side of the Geek Cave, and with any luck they'll be staying there.  I think I should have the space for the last few G3s on my want list, whenever I get them.

The G3s are not going to expand much more, but they're also not likely to shrink much.  I've gone through my collection previously, and having moved everything again recently, I've confirmed that I'm still happy with the majority of the ponies I have.  I think it's good to review your collection from time to time to ensure that you're still happy with what you have, because if you're not, why are you holding onto those pieces?  I've decided to let go of a very few G3s at this time, ponies that I don't have a strong affection for anymore.  This kind of ebb and flow is natural in a collector's life.

The Geek Cave is really coming together now, but there's more work to be done!

Elf

An SSC Custom Rehair

An intermission between Geek Cave posts.

When I started collecting Shortcakes, I approached it in the same way I'd done with Ponies, starting with vintage.  For awhile I thought I would also collect the Bandai Shortcakes, but I soon changed my mind.  However, I did acquire one mini Bandai Shortcake with her accessories.

The Bandai dolls, although cute, unfortunately have horrible rotting hair and a tendency toward baldness.  Since I was rehairing anyway, I decided to use this tiny doll as an experiment for my first yarn rehair.

My little Rainbowberry doll was rehaired in rainbow yarn.  I must say that I was surprised at how easy the yarn was to work with, and I'm thrilled with how she turned out.  I'm looking forward to doing some additional yarn rehairs in the future.

Elf

On the Move! The G4 space gets condensed

Inching ever onward toward a sustainable Geek Cave, one must consider the space to pony ratio.  My plan to split the Cave into vintage and modern sides will result in quite a drastic adjustment on the modern side.  Although the G4 portion of the collection is still growing, the ponies themselves are the smallest in the 4 generations.  The G3 portion, while being very close to complete, also requires more display space.  Therefore, the G4 space needs to condense.

It started with castle hacking, and continued with a relocation of Ponyville.  The majority of the G4 playsets have now moved from taking up more than two full-sized Billy bookshelves (shameless and unsolicited Ikea plug - the Billy may be the ultimate collector's shelving system, unless you can custom build your own) to half that space.  Naturally, I am also keeping some extra space free and clear for the inevitable G4 expansion.

I'm extremely happy to say that all three Canterlot-style castles are now living together on top of the half-Billys.  I love how this is now looking like a cohesive design, and that I can easily reach the entire display space.  Rarity's boutique fits cozily under the shelf extension, and makes a nice transition between Canterlot and Ponyville.

The majority of the Ponyville sets have relocated to the half-Billys, where they display nicely above Seaquestria.  The Princess Army is currently living in the space as well, but that is likely to change later on.

The Shortcakes were living in this space previously, and they are on the move to the vintage side of the room.  The few modern Shortcakes I have are still hanging out below the Princess Army for the time being, with a decision on those coming at a later date.

Further developments coming soon!

Elf