Sunday, November 15, 2009

Custom High School McFarlane project

This was a fun project that a group of seniors brought to me. The senior football players from the Elco Raiders high school wanted to give their coaches a unique gift this year. They originally just wanted regular football figures in the team uniforms but weren't sure what to do for the head coach. I decided it would be fun to actually try to create a figure that looks just like their coach on the sideline.

For the head coach, I scratch-built the headset & monitor and even made a miniaturized playsheet. The assistants all got figures that represent the positions they coach.

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Monday, November 9, 2009

Custom High School McFarlane Figures - Old & New

High school figures are always so much fun to work on. I love the challenge of working with a unique uniform as well working with the player directly. Both figures required quite a bit of additional modifications to accomodate their equipment needs. The casts and ankle braces were all hand sculpted.

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I just got this message from my customer...

"Well, we gave my brother his custom figure this past weekend!!!
He absolutely loved it, he was especially blown away by the face
and how much it actually looks like him. All he could say was, "Oh
my gosh, look at the face" he thought it was awesome."

I love reactions like that!


























Custom Joel Hazard - Boston College McFarlane Figure

This was requested by Joel for his personal collection.

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Figures from yesteryear

This completed the large order placed by former San Diego Charger, Jimmy Allison. Jimmy was looking for several legend figures to comliment his autographed helmet collection.

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Fred Dryer - Los Angeles Rams 1972-1981














Brian Sipe - Cleveland Browns 1974-1983















Hugh McElhenny - San Francisco 49ers 1952-1960















Fletcher Joseph Perry aka "The Jet" - San Francisco 49ers 1948-1960














Jimmy Allison
San Diego State All-American &
San Diego Chargers 1965-1969

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Custom San Diego Chargers Greats - Dan Fouts & Lance Alworth

Both figures are part of a large order for retired San Diego Charger Jimmy Allison. A second Alworth figure is currently being created for Lance's personal collection.

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Custom Cris Shale - Bowling Green McFarlane Figure

This is the 3rd figure that I've done for Cris after creating his Jet's & Redskin's figures. This is by far the most labor intensive figure I've created. Many reworks were required to get the body mechanics and punting form down correctly. This is truly a one of a kind piece.

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Custom Bart Starr McFarlane Figure

Even though I never got to watch Bart play he is part of the great Packer legacy. This particular piece is going to a retired San Diego Charger's collection while I finish another for myself.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Custom Steven Jackson McFarlane Figure

Despite missing 4 games last season, Jackson still managed to eclipse the 1000-yd mark for the fourth time in his career. Jackson finished the season strong with 360 yards rushing over his last three games. Hopefully Jackson can remain healthy and get back on top.

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My customer just received his figure today and here is the feedback I got:

"I just opened up my package and it is awesome!!! I will spread the word around to my friends and you will be hearing from me again. Thanks you did a great job!!!"

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Custom Ozzie Newsome McFarlane Figure

Ozzie Newsome was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1978. Newsome made three Pro Bowl appearances and was an All-Pro selection seven times.

He finished his career with 662 receptions and 7,980 yards, both Cleveland franchise records, and 47 touchdowns.

In 1999 Newsome was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

There are not a lot of poses to choose from when making tight ends. So once again, I decided it was best to create a new pose. I really feel this original pose captures the size and form of Ozzie Newsome.




























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Are you ready to add to your collection or give that perfect gift for your sports fan? Email me at 4StarCustoms@gmail.com with your idea and I'll get back to you with a quote. Thanks for looking!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Welcome to 4Star Customs

Welcome! I specialize in creating custom football figures that capture any player, any pose & any moment.

What is a custom football figure? McFarlane Toys began producing football SportsPicks figures (see here) in 2001. Each year about two dozen players from the past and present are featured in McFarlane's lineups. Big name players and popular players in big markets are showcased. But what about the semi-stars or stars in smaller markets that may never get a figure? That is where Customizers come in.

Using a McFarlane SportsPick figure (see here) as a base, the figure is then stripped down, reprimed and repainted.

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A few customizers, like myself enjoy going beyond the repaint. Additional sculpting, part swaps and some ingenuity help create something truly unique to add to your collection.

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Are you ready to add to your collection or give that perfect gift for your sports fan? Email me at 4StarCustoms@gmail.com with your idea and I'll get back to you with a quote. Thanks for looking!

DISCLAIMER: Sports Customs are created for indivdual display and ownership. Mass production or replication of pieces is refused when requested by the customer. Every custom created is an individual and has its own inherent design attributes. These items are created and sold as specialized art pieces and not mass produced for retail sale. This blog serves as an online display portfolio and none of the items on this site are for sale. All items are made to order by request. All the logos and trademarks are property of their respective owners. 4Star Customs is not affiliated with McFarlane SportsPicks or McFarlane Toys.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Custom McFarlane Punters

One of the most difficult customs to pull off is the punter. There is no existing base figure to work off of to create a punter in action. Most customizers choose a more generic sideline or bench pose to represent the punter. Here are 4 punters that I have created.

Let's start with the lefties...

#5 Cambridge High School























Dustin Colquitt - Kansas City Chiefs.

This was requested by a customer who has met Dustin a number of times. The blank white plate was added to the base for Dustin's autograph.

























And now the righties...


Cris Shale - New York Jets & Washington Redskins

These were requested by Cris' college roommate as gifts for Cris.


































































Additional Views
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Are you ready to add to your collection or give that perfect gift for your sports fan? Email me at 4StarCustoms@gmail.com with your idea and I'll get back to you with a quote. Thanks for looking!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Custom Don Hutson McFarlane Figure

Donald Montgomery Hutson (January 31, 1913 – June 24, 1997) was the first star wide receiver in the National Football League history. He joined the Green Bay Packers out of the University of Alabama in 1935 and retired in 1945 after 11 seasons.

Hutson is credited with creating many of the modern forward pass routes used in the NFL today. He was the dominant receiver of his day and is widely considered to be one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, holding almost all important receiving records at the time of his retirement.

This custom is now the centerpiece of my collection.

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Are you ready to add to your collection or give that perfect gift for your sports fan? Email me at 4StarCustoms@gmail.com with your idea and I'll get back to you with a quote. Thanks for looking!