the way the prices are set , its a group buy kind of thing like when there are runs of sabers. if i get one made, itll cost me probably 250$ or so (even for a prototype, youch). however, if we settle on a design and 10 people like it, then it may only run 100$ for each crystal. if by some miracle 20 people decide they have to have one, it may drop the price to 75$ a pop. no clue.
i doubt severely i would recast these or have them remade in plexi, as watercutting would pretty much amount to the same cost per piece for the labor. i know of at least 2 others who are making resin versions, and i plan to get those as well, so a resin version of mine would be hard to do, plus redundant. i would need a huge pressure pot as well as lots of resin to work with or i would have to hire someone to mold and cast it, and the price would not be far off from what i have been quoted so far. i did a lot of legwork on this, and its sort of a pet project, so this is either going to go very well and we get tons of people on board or it will suck and fail, and i will have a pretty nice shiny hunk of crystal that costs me an arm and a leg :lol
not trying to sound like a prop snob here, and i dont mean any insult to anyone with this, but if anyone gets nervous on spending 100$ or so on a real crystal replica, then this might not be the best the version for you. this stuff is insanely expensive. i cant see the resin versions going for less than 40-50 bucks. to me, if i can get a clear crystal piece for around twice that.... im getting while the getting is good. i plan to get resin ones as well since i cant turn down a good crystal, but its just a personal decision for me. i know a crystal one wont yellow, and wont have air bubbles or dents. its pretty much a prop for life.
i know its more than i usaully toss stuff out there for, and i might actually make maybe a whole dollar a crystal once i get the set made, but this will be a VERY limited run (maybe even limited to 1 :lol) and for the price the guy is quoting me for his time and materials i think its a terrific bargain. to give you an idea of what these crystals go for... a basic trophy like a star shaped cylinder that is about 7 inches tall and 2-3 inches wide, NOT engraved, is almost 400$. i was honestly expecting a quote of 600$ or more for the custom piece considering the facets and weird shape. it cannot come from any existing trophy or crystal setup, it will have to be a 100% custom piece made. that is what surprised the hell out of me on the price. i guess the guy is a superman fan too
the awesome news (for me i guess) is that i have been talking to him about a lighted display, and he has quite a few ideas that are all pretty cool, and will show off the crystal very very nicely. i am also talking to a local guy who does the awards that my company makes and gives to people in the government/media/etc. these are custom crystal pieces that are pretty much 1 shot items. he may be able to make a faceted crystal work pretty well. im hoping to catch up with him on monday.
as i said, there are at least 2 people i know of making these (i helped one out recently with some terrific source material), and i am sure that they will kick much ass when they are made. i plan to get a copy of each one. i may do a run with these, i may not, i honestly dont know. i know i do plan to get one made by this guy as his other work is amazing. his job is to make those kick ass crystal awards and showpieces people always have in thier studios and offices and for award shows. if a few other people like the design and want one, i plan to have an interest thread later on once i get prices firmly set down as well as measurements.
all of this is completely up in the air right now. i know people want this replica, and i havent heard much public about the actual offers. the closest i have seen this get is a few pm's to me about making one, and sending out some source material, and gus finding out what one would run in argentina. i may find this guy is a total tool and not be able to work with him. i may be able to get a great price from another shop (and yes i am still looking).
sorry for the long read, just had some emails and a pm or two about this, and wanted to explain. im not trying to jack anyones sales or steal anyones thunder. im not looking to make anything off this at all actually. i just think a real crystal version of this prop would be an awesome thing to own, and frankly besides me and gus, i havent heard talk of that kind of replica. the more the merrier on this (and anything else made by a shop), so i made the info public. it doesnt mean i wont buy the other versions made, it just means that i personally want one of the crystals made out of crystal and not a resin or plexiglass. its worth the extra $$$ to me to have the prop feel realisitic, not to mention the "high class" look that crystal always for any display piece. if gus can get us some more info on getting it made, chances are id drop the project and just pick one up from him.
id love to hear what people think the measurements are for the various facets or overall size. like i said, not looking to steal anyones project away from em, just looking to get a cool piece made. if i can get a few other people behind it to knock the price down, company is welcome
i am still thinking of that krypto-shiv though, and i do have that 11 lb chunk of selenite calling me... and my carving tools....... i dunno how i would get that "flaky" look/feel to the shiv though. when it broke in spaceys hand it looked like it was somehow just dyed green selenite. lots of long tiny square shaped rods that are sort of "compressed", exactly like selenite. i just dunno how to make something with that same "texture" to the "inside" of the resin. outside is easy enough.
anywho, im off to bed.
chris
