Author Topic: JACKOFTRADZE'S Collection 100% COMPLETE OVERHAUL 12/6/10  (Read 17293 times)

Offline JACKOFTRADZE

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JACKOFTRADZE'S Collection 100% COMPLETE OVERHAUL 12/6/10
« on: November 28, 2009, 12:44 AM »
Updated 12/6/10

The Back story:
After a year of my collection being packed away as we sold our condo, moved into my in-laws then bought a house I wanted to create the collection room I always wanted! My last Star Wars room was nice but I wanted to take my collection display to the next level this time around to show off my years of collecting in a much more impressive fashion.

Creating the new room vision:
I bought all new shelving, new carpet & gave it a fresh coat of paint that would give me the consistent set up I always wanted to have. I wanted to do something different with the shelves that has not been done yet (at least I have not seen it done to this degree). I chose the dark shelves to replicate a wide screen movie feel as the decoration inside each shelf is what would bring my collection to life:. I called it “Shelfpaper”.
Using some official artwork & screen grabs from the films, I created individual background images for each shelf. It was a very tedious process as I had to plan out everything that I was going to display, set it all up and most importantly be happy with it. Once that was all done I had to take it all down so I could size and create/alter the art for the “Shelfpaper”. Once printing and installation was complete I then had to set up the figures all over again. It was well worth it and I am very happy with the results so far. My collection now “lives” on the shelf instead of just sitting there.

Key notes about my collection:
- I only collect 3.75’’ scale figures, I am a focused collector; it builds a better collection in my opinion. I collect the realistic line with a few & far between animated figures if it looks real enough.
- Older sculpts of figures & ships are phased out of my collection. I only want the best of the best and I want them to have a consistent look for fleets & army builders. (I have gone as far as upgrading my A-Wings with the modern cockpit and my Y-Wings with the modern front cannons to keep them up to date.)
- In regards to my Troops I primarily focus on movie troops. Outside of a few EU battalions my army is comprised of 85% “real screen Troopers”. All of my standard Troopers must be an SA version. You will find no other type outside of a SA style. I am also not into too many “Skittles” Troops.
- All Prequel Clones Saga style DC-15 blasters have been replaced with the more accurate Evolutions DC-15 Blaster style. Yes, all have been replaced. Both versions of the DC-15A Rifle are still in my collection as they still look great.
- I swap out certain weapons and even heads to create the best version of a characters. (All of my ANH Lukes have the Resurgence head, All of my Chewbaccas have the Legacy Pilot Bowcaster with the weathering detail, etc. I go that far to be perfect!)
- I was able to display about 85% of my overall collection. I have two 45 gallon storage bins of figures and ships that I just could not display. (Not shown)
- One corner of the room is the “Calrissian Custom Corner” where I make custom figures and have a dedicated section for the smoothest smuggler in the Galaxy and my favorite Beer!
- Want some tips and tricks? Want to see some cool customs?
Check out my blog here:
http://jackoftradze.blogspot.com/

ENJOY!!!

Pan view of the room shots:
<img src="http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w298/jackoftradze/Jackoftradze%20Star%20Wars%20customs/DiBartoloSWCollectionRoomDec2010Wide1.jpg">

Visit the Blog and you can see super large images of all of the pictures above plus close up shots!
















As always I will continue to update the pictures as I finish the uncompleted shelves and update displays.
Thanks for looking stop back and LMK your feedback!



« Last Edit: December 8, 2010, 03:55 PM by JACKOFTRADZE »
My Customs & Collection Blog:
http://jackoftradze.blogspot.com/

Offline JesseVader08

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Re: JACKOFTRADZE'S New & Improved Collection Room (Very pic heavy)
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2009, 01:41 AM »
Woah, the "next level" is right - you've created a fantastic room!  The black shelving is very sharp and backgrounds really make the displays feel even bigger.  8)

Offline JDH1173

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Re: JACKOFTRADZE'S New & Improved Collection Room (Very pic heavy)
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2009, 10:24 AM »
Words cannot do it justice.........

Offline David

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Re: JACKOFTRADZE'S New & Improved Collection Room (Very pic heavy)
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2009, 10:48 AM »
WOW, that is one extremely impressive collection! I really like all those little dioramas and backgrounds you've made, those look very cool. Awesome stuff! 8)
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Offline JACKOFTRADZE

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Re: JACKOFTRADZE'S New & Improved Collection Room (Very pic heavy)
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2009, 10:58 AM »
Thanks Guys, I am glad the "Shelfpaper" reaction is good so far. I really appreciate the posts!

I was suppose to have the next prints done but ran into a delay. They are some of my favorite too: Death Star Trench, DS2 Reactor Interior & the Asteroid for the Bombers. I am also eventually going to make hanger foam core back drops for the closet ships, I would like to do Docking Bay 94 for the Falcon and a Rebel Hanger for the X-Wings.

I should have some big updates by next weekend so please stop back.
My Customs & Collection Blog:
http://jackoftradze.blogspot.com/

Offline Matt_Fury

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Re: JACKOFTRADZE'S New & Improved Collection Room (Very pic heavy)
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2009, 08:52 PM »
Definitely like the environment feel to it all...it really helps things stand out!  I also like how you display the B-wing.
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Offline Jesse James

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Re: JACKOFTRADZE'S New & Improved Collection Room (Very pic heavy)
« Reply #6 on: December 1, 2009, 02:57 AM »
Hey Michael, 

I really like all the work you did, it's really impressive overall.  I want to do something similar with the themes with mine when I'm finished.  I like the backgrounds for a lot of the scenes by the way, did you print all those out yourself or are they salvaged packaging backgrounds?  They look made to fit the shelves.

My favorite part has to be the Cantina though.  That looks almost built for that shelf, and I like how it is lit.  It seems to really be accurate and well done.

Good luck finishing the room man.  It is taking me eons but eventualy I'll get mine completed so my office/collection room is finally done and I've just got loads and loads of dusting to do every week. :P
2011 Rebel Fleet Trooper Gets My Seal Of Approval!  But Where's The Friggin' Holster On Him!?
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Offline JACKOFTRADZE

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Re: JACKOFTRADZE'S New & Improved Collection Room (Very pic heavy)
« Reply #7 on: December 1, 2009, 10:42 AM »
I like the backgrounds for a lot of the scenes by the way, did you print all those out yourself or are they salvaged packaging backgrounds?  They look made to fit the shelves.

Thanks, they are all custom made/sized for the exception of the two package backdrop place holders: The Christophis and the space battle. They will be replaced soon as I have four 42x60 sheets to finish off the rest shelves. Most had to be printed on a plotter due to the large size. I have some sweet new art coming for the empty shelves that include: An asteroid field for the bombers, the DS2 Reactor interior, Felucia Jungle and Death Star Trench. I should have some major updates by this weekend including the shrine "Clarissian Custom Corner".

LMK if you have any other questions. And yes I can sympathize with you as this takes eons to set up.
My Customs & Collection Blog:
http://jackoftradze.blogspot.com/

Offline Darby

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Re: JACKOFTRADZE'S New & Improved Collection Room (Very pic heavy)
« Reply #8 on: December 5, 2009, 12:37 PM »
This is amazing.  Really great work with the backgrounds and how they all go together. 

Offline JACKOFTRADZE

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Once again many thanks to all of the compliments. I truly appreciate it!

MAJOR UPDATE 12/6/09

UPDATED THE FOLLOWING:
- Added in the new Legacy ESB wave
- Added x4 new Legacy Resurgence of the Jedi packs Luke mods
- Added some more troop builders of imps, droids and clones
- Added 100 clear Protech stands replacing some mismatched ones
- Finished Turbo Tank Kashyyyk Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Tie Bomber Asteroid Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Scum & villianry Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished 2nd Y/A-Wing DS2 Core Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Jabbas Palace Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Yavin Hanger Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Utupau Platform Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Felucia Jungle Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Darth Vader Tie DS Trench Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Tie DS Trench Shelfpaper (Sides are missing)
- Cleaned up all previous Shelfpaper edges for a cleaner & tighter finished. Re-taped and used a black sharpie on the edges.


More updates coming next weekend!
« Last Edit: December 7, 2009, 12:02 AM by JACKOFTRADZE »
My Customs & Collection Blog:
http://jackoftradze.blogspot.com/

Offline Nicklab

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That's a tremendous display!  Great work.  I'm just curious, how big is the room itself?  I'm in the midst of trying to plan my own collecting room, and I have at least a comparable loose collection to what you've got on display.
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Offline JACKOFTRADZE

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That's a tremendous display!  Great work.  I'm just curious, how big is the room itself?  I'm in the midst of trying to plan my own collecting room, and I have at least a comparable loose collection to what you've got on display.

Thanks, I appreciate you looking and commenting. I still have along way to go and will update my custom corner in the next two days.

To answer your question: Not counting the closet 11.5 x 13. (With the closet 13x13)
There was a lot more I would have like to display but I wanted to leave some fudge room for next years offerings. You will be surprised how much you will not be able to display.

Planning what to/how to display take the longest time........Good luck! Post when you can!
My Customs & Collection Blog:
http://jackoftradze.blogspot.com/

Offline Nicklab

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Thanks.  I think I might have some more wall space to work with, but I've also got my Gentle Giant & Sideshow collections to get in there (somehow).  Thankfully I've got a friend who's an architect who seems to relish the idea of helping me with this project.  But I also want to keep the whole room to a reasonable budget when it comes to shelving.  I'm hoping to finally have some displays going within a couple of months.
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Offline JesseVader08

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There's a ton of great pics in here, but these guys are fantastic in the Cantina.  ;D

Offline JACKOFTRADZE

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I forgot I left my custom Kubaz in there, glad you like them! they are the only customs I made that I kept.

UPDATE 12/7/09

- Updated Calrissian Custom Corner with 9 pictures
- Replaced Sign bulb to show off the Power of Colt 45!!!

I am awaiting some new Colt 45 billy Dee Pictures to complete the shrine! Stay tuned!
My Customs & Collection Blog:
http://jackoftradze.blogspot.com/