Thingmaker and More

[gracebuster]

My pal, Aaron Lewis (Minion here) very graciously hooked me up with some THINGMAKER LOVE!



We had to get into the spirit of the gift.




(btw, thats Gracie's friend Megan standing in for Buster)

He also sent along this brilliant book.








Great stuff and many thanks to Aaron.
   

[Illoman]

Dan, I remember making those skeletons with that ball and chain!! hadn't thought about those in *years*!! Thanks for firing up the memory jets for me!

Mike

[Toy Ranch]

Very cool!  I love the Fright Factory!

Is the book something that's available to buy, or is it just a few copies for those who attended?

[poseablemonster]

There is a real intricate art in making good Thingmaker stuff like that.  It's a lot harder than you might think.  That is some of the best I've seen.  Aaron is one talented guy, that's for sure.

[michblk]

Wow, I had one of those as a kid.  I also remember getting several burns from it... lol  I loved the glow in the dark goop, but then again I am one of the Children of the Glow.

BK

[ChrisW]

Ahhh, loved the thingmaker! My favorite (and probably my mom's) was the lock over the mouth!
After my dad passed away I was clearing out his basement. Inside his work toolbox (he was a mechanic) one of the skull and bones links was glued to the inside of the lid!
Great pics. The i-photo book is a real treasure.

[gracebuster]

"There is a real intricate art in making good Thingmaker stuff like that.  It's a lot harder than you might think.  That is some of the best I've seen.  Aaron is one talented guy, that's for sure."


OMG, I know. I was astounded.

Man, I remember trying to make the the SUPERMAN and NEVER getting the emblem right. It never occured to us to wipe out the excess before cooking.

Honestly, I could never have done these so well. Aaron has been using his old thingmaker and buys new GOOP from some folks who make it, still.

Imagine ONE toy that we buy our kids now still working 40 years later. It won't happen. I have many toys that I still get to work. My  Major Matt Mason stuff always moved with new batteries.

As for the book being available, Aaron made it and sent it. perhaps there is a way to use the format he already set up. I was so blown away buy this book and now I understand that we can all make books of anything we'd like.

Very cool technology.

[imagineerie]

I remember that the baking goop had a very specific smell while it cooked.  I haven't smelled it in decades but I'm sure I would instantly recognize it and be flooded with memories of Christmas past!

[Gasport]

That's right, I still use my old Thingmaker to this day and was happily surprised to discover that today's version of Plastigoop smells just like the original stuff when cooking...takes you right back to the 60's! The smell of Soaky bubble bath works the same way for me. I bought a full Mr Magoo some years ago just so i could open it up and take a whiff every now and then.

[ChrisW]

As for the book being available, Aaron made it and sent it. perhaps there is a way to use the format he already set up. I was so blown away buy this book and now I understand that we can all make books of anything we'd like.

Very cool technology.

You compose iphoto books on your mac (using predesigned layouts and formats if you wish) and ftp the files to Apple. What returns is  a custom offset-printed book. You can get them hardcover, softcover of spiral bound. Done well, they are professional quality heirlooms.

[ChattyLMS]

I love the book and Thingmaker both!
I had a Fright Factory.  I loved the glow in the dark goop too.  We go into the pantry and charge the item up really good and close the door.  That was one of the best places for looking at something glow.

I made my grandfather a shrunken head.  He kept it hanging on the mirror in his Buick for years!

[mike c]

OH yes... the aroma of baking Plastigoop, and of the Incredible Edibles 'stuff'... I can still smell it.

Mike C.

[ChattyLMS]

I wanted an Incredible Edibles but didn't get one.  For that matter I never got the Easy Bake oven.

[raycastile]

I've got a modern Thingmaker and goop in the basement somewhere.  I'm feeling inspired to break it out and cook some jigglers.  I wish I had an original Thingmaker with vintage molds.  I'm sure I would have more fun with those designs.  The smell of goop baking is one of my most vivid childhood toy smells.  I'm more interested in creating that aroma than making any actual toys.

[imagineerie]

I'm seeing a disturbing trend here.
A group of people with clear problems with obsessive compulsive disorder who spent a part of their childhood huffing vapors of unknown chemical composition, referred to only as "Goop".  Could explain a lot!
Of course, "Super Elastic Bubble Plastic" (original formula) was better!