A Creation Ent Y&Y chakram replica on eBay!

Hi Xena collectors!

This week there's no Monday roundup due to the lack of new items on eBay, but one very interested item was listed and I couldn't let it pass :)

   > Manufacturer: Creation Entertainment

   > Number: 072/500

   > COA: Included
   > Seller: xena_herc_memorabilia_by_sal_fan

   > Price: $250 plus shipping (only USA)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181717957737

Yes ladies and gents, a Creation Ent shadowboxed Y&Y chakram replica, directly made by the prop masters of the show. I thought it might interest you because these pieces are not very common and only pop up once in a while - plus this one has a very low number and a very appealing starting bid.

The seller has (0) eBay feedback, which could raise some eyebrows, but remember both eBay and PayPal provide buyer's insurance - so in the eventuality the seller would not deliver you'd be well guarded and get your money back. Nevertheless, there's no reason to jump into conclusions too soon. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?

Stay tuned!

Metal Xena sword replica on eBay!

Hello people!

Quite a few of you have asked me one time or another about metal Xena sword replicas and where to get them. Well, today might be your lucky day, as one has just appeared for sale on eBay!

   > Manufacturer: Todd's Costumes

   > Number: 014/3000

   > COA: Not included
   > Seller: onesock52

   > Price: $375 (or Buy Now for $500) plus shipping (only USA)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291433092351

As you can see, the seller has listed a a Todd's Costumes Xena sword replica, made in aluminum, with a very low number and in really good condition. Seller says she had it displayed for ten years, and feels now it's the right time to let it go. The sword is legit, you can trust me on that, but seller says COA is not included -though she might send it later if she finds it.

Price is impressively good as well, above all if we consider the sword comes with another Todd's replica: a leather amazon scabbard -one that seems to be quite old too, which is always a good sign of quality in this kind of reproductions. Here's a pic of it:

Overall my opinion is this is a rarely good deal if you want a metal Xena sword. Only "but" is that she has marked it as "Only USA" for the shipping -though if you write her and are conveying enough she might change her mind, who knows. If that's your case, fingers crossed :)

Battle on Xenites!

My Collection (X): Xena's Leather Scabbard (Made by me)

Hey everybody!

I promised on my Facebook page that I'd take good photos of the Xena leather scabbard I made, and here they are! For clarity's sake, this is not either the scabbard reproduction made by Creation Entertainment nor Todd's Costumes, but a replica 100% done by me.

For some reason Xena's scabbard is a favorite piece of mine -and given I couldn't find one as screen accurate as I wanted I decided to make it myself.

Let's take a closer look!

Front and Back of the scabbard.

Perspective shots of the Front and Back.

The scabbard is composed by 3 things (or groups of things): 

- The Core: made by XPS or extruded polystyrene foam, as I believe the original props were made of as well.

- The Covering: that is the leather itself. I used real cow leather, in a very specific chocolate hue (Xena's trademark color) that looks brown or black depending the light. it was quite challenging to find! The thickness had to be precise too, as a thiner leather would have looked wrong, while a thicker one would have been impossible to bend. 

- The Appliances: brooches, rivets and hooks. The golden brooches are made in resin and painted gold -and are made exactly after the ones in the prop. The hooks are brass, and with these I took some small liberties to achieve what I considered the best look possible.

Both sides of the scabbard with my Xena sword replica.

Sheathed sword shot.

As some of you requested, I've also taken some pics of the scabbard alongside my Creation Ent Xena sword replica. I think they match, right? :)

The leather has been carefully treated with several tools and products (sandpaper, alcohol, acetone, baby powder, show polish...to name some) in order to achieve the right battle-worn and aged look any Xena scabbard should have -more visible in the following close-ups.

Close-up to the top of the scabbard.

Close-up to the middle of the scabbard.

Close-up to the tip of the scabbard.

Longitudinal angled shot of the sword and scabbard.

The tricky thing about the scabbard is that although it might not be the most difficult piece to make all the details have to be perfect to get the right effect. Shape, material, color, finish... It took me some tries to get them all right. It was a long process at times, but I think the result is totally worth it. 

This is the blueprint I made - a little "present" that I hope you will like!

My blueprints to make the leather scabbard.

Apart from thousands of screen caps, my biggest inspiration (for the blueprints and for the making process itself) has been the Xena scabbard prop found at the Te Papa Museum collection at New Zealand.

Xena prop scabbard at the Te Papa Museum.

If someone is interested in a scabbard like this feel free to write me a line and I'll happy to see how I can help you. I really enjoyed making this replica, and making more can be fun!

I levee you now with some images of Xena wearing her scabbard. Battle on!