- This topic has 26 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 14 years, 2 months ago by .
-
Posts
-
I did a search and didn’t find a thread about this yet, so I decided to make one. This post is only partially about the auction, but I’ll get to that after I post the link (I know you’re all anxious to see the SK goodness 😆 ).
I’m not sure if I’ll be able to purchase that one, but I’ve wanted a Secret Keeper pretty badly for some time now. Unfortunately, auction settings are perfect places to sell rare pieces like this, so I expect the price will go pretty high on this guy.
I know there is a lot of buzz about the Secret Keeper, so my main question was if there was any new news about these going into production? I know Windstone just moved locations so putting out a “new” mold is probably pretty far down on the priority list, but I just have to ask as I desperately want one of these guys. 🙂
The test paints were breathtaking, but I think the peacock SK is eliciting the biggest response from me so far. They are pricey, but I think they’ll still sell well if they are put into production. So does anyone know the status of this? It’d be great if Melody could drop in and comment, but given her busy schedule as of late I’d imagine she won’t see this.
And who’s going to buy this? One of us has to own up and seize the opportunity, especially since I’ve seen many achieved posts that are similar to mine in covetous tone 😆
Discuss!
I dont know any more than you unfortunatly (I should, right? lol) I’m not sure if Windstone has solved the problem of the dragon being sooo heavy, yet or not. If/When they try to solve the problem, I suspect it will be many more months as I think Melody’s focused on getting production things restocked. As rabid and ready as us forum members are for new limited production/limited edition things, I suspect regular production items bring in the largest profit for them. I’d imagine especially so in countries besides the USA where the economy is better and maybe their currency is stronger than ours.
This is only the second time Ive seen a white SK go up for re-sale, and the third or 4th time I *REMEMBER* seeing a SK for re-sale at all. I think they are a “Burning Building” piece for lots of those that have them…meaning “If the buildin was burning, I’d at LEAST save my SK” so when hard times fall, people are more likely to sell off the rest of their collection and keep their SK.
I am that way-I have a Spring Green Gold one-I knew she was THE ONE after I saw GreaterBasalisk’s Spring Green Gold rising spectral in person. I’d sell the rest of my collection before I let her go. (Well her, and my Flame OW I got from Ski) She’s the one in paricular the boyfriend really likes and actually wants around lol
But anyway, best of luck for anyone who is going for her. Didn’t they originally retail for like $600 something? OR have I been under the flourescents too long? 😈 I can vouch for the seller-she is really great!
Granted, the economy is probably having an effect on Windstone’s production and (perhaps more importantly) the attitude of buyers, so it will probably be quite some time before the SK comes around.
Tantalizing as it is, the Secret Keepers are still listed in the store, though I’m quite certain that the store is just sorely out of date. You can still see the price listed as $850. Were there any batches of Secret Keepers besides the eBay test paints? First of all I’ve NEVER seen a SK for sale on eBay or elsewhere, but I have seen pictures posted by the owners of some of the test paints. On the other hand, I’ve never even caught a glimpse of the Secret Keeper in any of the quote, “production” colours (outside of the store images), so it makes me wonder how many of them were sold.
You’re right–as the largest dragon (and perhaps the best looking, in my opinion 😳 ),it proves to be the mecca of the collections of most. Congrats on owning one by the way! I’ll just have to make do with dreams for now, haha. It’s the desire for them combined with the reluctance to part with them (which equates to rarity) that is driving the high prices I think. I mean, $850 is one thing, but some of the SK dragons went for around $3000 according to the eBay auctions gallery.
Assuming the SK design went through an uh, “extensive diet”, I wonder if the price would drop. It’d save on shipping anyway, that’s for sure. Either way, that’s pretty far off by the looks of it, so this SK that came up for grabs might be the only opportunity in quite some time for someone to nab one if they are interested!
I got one of the “limited production” peacock secret keepers..and she cost $850 I believe..plus shipping, which was substantial.
Other than the one I purchased, my fave colors on her have been the spring green and autumn leaf. (can you tell I like nature colors, haha)
ah yes..here’s her store page. it’s still up.
https://www.windstoneeditions.com/shop/secret-keeper-dragons/
I’m terrible at searches, but drag0nfeathers got one of the peacock SKs and posted a really funny pic-story of the day it arrived. Will have to try and find it… You’d be able to get a good feel for the sculpt/paintjob from her pics.
I think the door was left open to the possibility of more of the SKs done in limited production colors (peacock, gold, rainbow) and/or more LP in colors not yet done before, but that is a possibility not a promise. I don’t see them trying while they’re backed up, and frankly, unless they can solve the hollowing/drying issue, probably not at all. If I remember right, it took over a month for them to dry in LA, I’d hate to think how long it’d take in humid Oregon.
(is sad- I really would like one, but haven’t seen the ‘yes’ color yet except maybe for the spring greens, and couldn’t afford it anymore anyhow)Right now any SK production is at a stand-still. Windstone needs to get the problems with casting resolved first (and things have been improving instead of getting worse as I understand). Then they need to see if large things cast well with the new gypsum mix.
I think there were only one or two molds for SKs and I seem to recall that they had been damaged and new ones will need to be made before any new SKs will be cast (can anyone confirm this? I will try to search for where Melody said this tomorrow when I have some free time).
As of right now I do not know if they plan on making more SKs or not. I know they want to… it’s just such a horrendously huge time sink to create a mold, cast, let it dry (for weeks..!!) paint and then package and sell these big girls. They take up a lot of room when drying and are so damn heavy! Last I heard they have had no progress in making them hollow or even creating a small hollow area (as with Rock Dragons).
I think for now SKs are on the back burner. Will we see more? How likely is this? I’m not sure. Maybe Pam or Melody can answer that more specifically!!Also, Melody has expressed in the past that even with a hollow core, the cost would not go lower on these. The weight of them is mostly to help with shipping costs, not production costs.
Secret Keepers have been a bit of a thorn for a while… we all love them, but they are hard to make. I know once Windstone gets back into full swing, this will likely be addressed again. 🙂
Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.comMatt.Gillis wrote:Granted, the economy is probably having an effect on Windstone’s production and (perhaps more importantly) the attitude of buyers, so it will probably be quite some time before the SK comes around.
Truly, right now the biggest hurdle to seeing more Secret Keepers is that they are proving very difficult to make and ship!
Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.comThe Peacock SK would still be the pinnacle of my collection. I sooooo wish I’d had the money to get one when they came out. 🙄
pipsxlch wrote:I’m terrible at searches, but drag0nfeathers got one of the peacock SKs and posted a really funny pic-story of the day it arrived. Will have to try and find it… You’d be able to get a good feel for the sculpt/paintjob from her pics.
I think the door was left open to the possibility of more of the SKs done in limited production colors (peacock, gold, rainbow) and/or more LP in colors not yet done before, but that is a possibility not a promise. I don’t see them trying while they’re backed up, and frankly, unless they can solve the hollowing/drying issue, probably not at all. If I remember right, it took over a month for them to dry in LA, I’d hate to think how long it’d take in humid Oregon.
(is sad- I really would like one, but haven’t seen the ‘yes’ color yet except maybe for the spring greens, and couldn’t afford it anymore anyhow)Hahaha!!! Yes, I remember that story well. 😆 How I would love a Limited Production Secret Keeper I consider myself lucky to have gotten the Peacock one I got… although now I am wishing I go a Rainbow one. I wish I could have bought both, but No way I could drop over a grand on a Windstone. Not that if I HAD it, I wouldn’t do it 😆
Got a busted Windstone?
drag0nfeathersdesign@gmail.com
*OPEN for repairs**SEEKING GRAILS*
Arc-en-ciel Emperor
Siphlophis Male Dragon
Calypso Hatching Empress
Ivory Moss Sitting Baby Kirin
Tattoo Mother Kirin
Emerald Tabby Male Griffin
Tie Dye + Orion Hatching Royalty
Indigo Rockfish + Flame Tabby Little Rock Dragons
Dragon Quail + Obsidian Frost Old Warriors
Betta Sun Dragon + Male Dragon
Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry DragonsJennifer wrote:I think for now SKs are on the back burner.
The last time I’d asked about one in an email to Melody, basically this is what she said.
Because of the casting problems, the split molds and the weight problems; SK’s were just not a priority and she didn’t really have an answer on if/when they’d be able to make more. Of course things change all the time and we can all hope, and there might be some more painted hiding somewhere.. but if more SK’s are done it’ll probably be a long time from now.
Of course if things have changed I’m sure we’ll be updated on that..
drag0nfeathers wrote:pipsxlch wrote:I’m terrible at searches, but drag0nfeathers got one of the peacock SKs and posted a really funny pic-story of the day it arrived. Will have to try and find it… You’d be able to get a good feel for the sculpt/paintjob from her pics.
I think the door was left open to the possibility of more of the SKs done in limited production colors (peacock, gold, rainbow) and/or more LP in colors not yet done before, but that is a possibility not a promise. I don’t see them trying while they’re backed up, and frankly, unless they can solve the hollowing/drying issue, probably not at all. If I remember right, it took over a month for them to dry in LA, I’d hate to think how long it’d take in humid Oregon.
(is sad- I really would like one, but haven’t seen the ‘yes’ color yet except maybe for the spring greens, and couldn’t afford it anymore anyhow)Hahaha!!! Yes, I remember that story well. 😆 How I would love a Limited Production Secret Keeper I consider myself lucky to have gotten the Peacock one I got… although now I am wishing I go a Rainbow one. I wish I could have bought both, but No way I could drop over a grand on a Windstone. Not that if I HAD it, I wouldn’t do it 😆
Well if you don’t want her. . . 😆 Just kidding, just kidding!
Thanks for all the replies, though I admit it’s kinda what I expected. I understand completely that they are a burden (though I didn’t know they take months to dry 😮 ), but they are just so nice it makes you wonder if all the hassle would be worth it to produce more of these beautiful dragons.
I’m sure creating them isn’t easy on the staff either. Maybe doing a one-off SK isn’t so bad because it makes it seem like a special occurrence, but having to wait all that time for the molds to dry and paint such a large dragon so carefully is probably pretty draining to do on a regular basis to meet production needs. And then there is the shipping. Besides being a student, I’m also a musician and I’ve ordered more than a few guitars from abroad. Because they are so large shipping costs are also quite costly (in the hundreds of dollars depending on the “to and from” locations), but I guess even a guitar is less of a hassle than a SK (though granted, guitars are pretty fragile and need to be packed very carefully). Making a hollow core might be a solution, or maybe they’ll just be produced in really limited runs, “as they are” and buyers will have to be obligated to pay a substantial shipping cost to get them to their front door.
In any case I’d imagine it’ll be some time before it gets moved off the back burner as everyone’s been saying. Please do post any pictures you have (or links to threads with pictures) because I have a fairly decent SK picture collection going on 🙂 Yet again, thanks for all the responses and helpful comments, they go a long way towards assuaging my desire for a secret keeper!
Matt.Gillis wrote:I did a search and didn’t find a thread about this yet, so I decided to make one. This post is only partially about the auction, but I’ll get to that after I post the link (I know you’re all anxious to see the SK goodness 😆 ).
I’m not sure if I’ll be able to purchase that one, but I’ve wanted a Secret Keeper pretty badly for some time now. Unfortunately, auction settings are perfect places to sell rare pieces like this, so I expect the price will go pretty high on this guy.
I know there is a lot of buzz about the Secret Keeper, so my main question was if there was any new news about these going into production? I know Windstone just moved locations so putting out a “new” mold is probably pretty far down on the priority list, but I just have to ask as I desperately want one of these guys. 🙂
The test paints were breathtaking, but I think the peacock SK is eliciting the biggest response from me so far. They are pricey, but I think they’ll still sell well if they are put into production. So does anyone know the status of this? It’d be great if Melody could drop in and comment, but given her busy schedule as of late I’d imagine she won’t see this.
And who’s going to buy this? One of us has to own up and seize the opportunity, especially since I’ve seen many achieved posts that are similar to mine in covetous tone 😆
Discuss! Most of your questions have already been answered here, but I will add that “officially” that we are not planning to cast more S.K.’s until we can figure out a way to pour them lighter in weight. We haven’t found an easy way to do this yet. I have my own plan that might work, but this experiment won’t happen until our overwhelmed mold maker, Jane, gets ahead on the mountain of work she has on her desk. Also, because of the economy, we are concentrating on less expensive pieces right now so that moves the SK’s further down the road.. HOWEVER the special Artist’s Edition Secret Keepers on ebay have been selling for close to the store price. We do have one more “Twilight Blue” one to sell, ( the last one went for $950 or something like that. A bargain.)
If you ever want to ask me something, just post it in the “ask Melody” section. I try to read that section every day.Melody wrote:Most of your questions have already been answered here, but I will add that “officially” that we are not planning to cast more S.K.’s until we can figure out a way to pour them lighter in weight. We haven’t found an easy way to do this yet.
Styrofoam Secret Keepers. >.> *ducks and runs*
Windstone collector in remission. 😉
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
