GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Pony Name: WinterSparkle

Real Name: Josefin Karlsson

Location: Sweden

Age: 22

Occupation: Unemployed

If you could be a cookie what kind would you be? Chocolate chip! *noms on myself*

Pants or no pants? Pants

What do you like/dislike most about yourself?

I like that I am pretty patient and helpful, I dislike that I can stack up on projects when I am in a creative mood, and then I have a hard time finishing them all because I get art blocks etc. all of a sudden

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Miami

Do you collect anything other than ponies?

Well, I like Pokémon but I don’t actively collect them – I used to, though


PONY BASICS

Collecting Since: December 2008 / January 2009

Who was your first pony, EVER? How did you get it? How old were you?

Actually I don’t really remember that, but the pony I think is the oldest out of the ones I had as a child would be G1 glitter pony Napper. I know me and my sis had a Baby Daughter Apple Delight each though, so I don’t know which one came first. Both are from 1988-1989 and I am born in 1988 so it’s hard to know. I was probably newborn or around 1 or 2 years (I am born in January so it all depends on when they were released in Sweden; early-late 1988 or early-late 1989.

What generation(s) do you primarily collect?

G1 as they were the ones that were sold when I was a kid. I remember buying a G2 coloring book in the 90’s but I didn’t think of that any different other than that they all seemed to have the same symbols. I ONLY have G1’s and fakies in my childhood collection. Anyhow, I do collect G3’s as well and has recently caught the G2 bug x3 I especially love the G2 babies.

Who is your favorite pony and why?

Buttons and Fizzy. I don’t know why, but they are pretty and it probably also is because they are unicorns, and I never had one as a kid. I just remembered I love Gusty too. I guess she is my nr.1 fave, how could I forget XD My cousin had her and I remembering always wanting her x3 I also love baby Glory as my cousin had her as well, but her I managed to get from when her little brother had it for some reason when he and his mom had moved to an apartment and my 1st cousin moved out. I asked him if I could borrow it and he said yes and I never returned it x3 She is among my collection now

Also, I had UK Princess Sparkle as a kid, and she still is somewhere at moms place among the other ponies and she was one of my fave ponies back then, and I still love her. I used to take her to the bathroom and shut off the lights in there, close myself in and watch her crown glow ^^ Gaaah want her back now D:

Who is your favorite "Nirvana?"

Hm…. I’ll have to look up on that one… No wait, Baby Posey ^^

Who is your least favorite pony and why?

Wow this one I really need to think about. Is there such a thing as not liking a pony? *goes to check the book* I guess I don’t really like Rapunzel, I don’t see anything special about her. And the Chuck E. Cheese Baby Pony. Just don’t get it….

What's the one question about ponies or pony stuff that you've always been too embarrassed to ask?

Actually, there is none. Not that I can remember, at least. I see it as if you never ask you’ll never know and the more you know the better.

What are your thoughts on.....

- G1s? <3 LOVE! Nostalgia. It takes me back to my childhood <3 - G2s? I like some of them, but most just doesn’t do it for me.
- G3s? A lot of them are very pretty, I have a lot of them on my wishlist, way more than I ever thought – I always said I would never own a G3 cause “they are so bimbo-ish!” or something like that, compared to the G1s – I felt they ruined the whole thing but now I like them not as much as G1’s though.
- G3.5s or whatever they're being called today? Hasbro has gone too far. They are not ponies anymore. Ok, I can see the resemblance but not they are just too childish… They look like little girly urchins to me, sorry. But I guess it’ll get popular with little girls and that’s what it is originally created for, not adults who collect to relive their childhood.
- Ponyville? Pretty cute. I wouldn’t “collect” them, but if I got one in for example a swap or as a present I would keep it

What do you REALLY think happened to the Breezies?

I don’t know I just see them as some pony friends and I don’t know their story if they have one.

Who is the one pony you have sworn you'll NEVER OWN IN A MILLION YEARS and why?

Hmmm, none really. There is no pony I ultimately hate and would never want to own, but if it wasn’t on my wishlist I would sell it, unless it was a gift.

What would you like to see offered next in the G3 line?

Maybe some really good Valentines Day ponies

Would you rather have :
(a) MOC Mimic
(b) Loose Ladybird
(c) MIP Carribbean Delight & Beach Belle
(d) Dude, just give me the cash!

I would rather have the cash, I am not much of a MOC collector anyway and ladybird isn’t one of my faves.

How do your family and friends feel about your pony habit...or are you still in the collecting closet?

Mom thinks it’s cute, and helps me looking when she can. Dad… I don’t really know what he thinks. Ted lets me keep with it since all he wants is to see me happy, he really doesn’t care about the ponies. Unless they are worth money, LOL XD and friends, I really don’t have any except for the ones I have met in the pony communities, plus my best friend Ingela but she is just like be anyway, meaning she likes things that are considered childish such as Pokémon etc. so she also likes MLP (I got her caught in to it) and supports me

Do you ever see yourself *not* collecting anymore? What do you think would make you stop?

Well, at some point I guess I would stop collecting but I would still keep my faves and my childhood ponies. Only thing that would probably keep me from it is age, being in the 40’s-50’s and still collecting sounds to myself (NOT bashing ANYONE who is around there and actively collects) a bit…. Well, odd but only for my own PERSONAL collecting; I wouldn’t want to be that age and collect them since that would probably be when my children (if I get any) would be teenagers and so it might be embarrassing to them.

But when I get older than that and the children have moved, maybe I would start the hobby again to relive my youth/childhood. Everyone likes to collect something, some like toys, some like nicknacks and for example my granny collects porcelain dolls.

So that is what I have to say here. Also probably money could get me to stop. Meaning if my collectiong would be worth thousands and thousands of dollars, and I was in need of the money, I would sell them but maybe I would start buying again x3

MOC G1s Preserve them or let them free? Preserve them

Tell the truth! Do you ever still play with your ponies?

Not really, I pick them up and brush their hair every once in a while and I like to hold them and look at them but I don’t play with them.

Are you a customizer? If not, would you ever?

Yes I am I love it ^^ It is fun.

What are your thoughts on custom ponies?

They are pretty and awesome, a piece of art.

What rare/popular pony just makes you ask...WHY?

Rapunzel, maybe. And Mimic. Okay I think mimic is pretty but apparently she isn’t THAT htf so… why?

If you could help up Hasbro on working on a MLP line (either G1, G2 , G3 or G3.5), what job would you like to do? Painting

Hasbro offers you a position on their MLP design team, but you must give up one of the following to get in: your collection, your friends/family, or your bank account. Which will it be?

None. My family and friends are more important than any job, and I don’t see why I would have to give up my collection for a job like this since it supports Hasbro in a way, plus they make me relive my childhood so I wouldn’t let go of them. And I need my bank account, lol XD I am not THAT keen in working for Hasbro.

Which pony would you rescue in a fire?

Baby Glory as she is one of my childhood ponies, even if she wasn’t mine to begin with – she holds a lot of memories.

If you had to have a pony symbol tattooed on your butt which would you pick and why?

LOL XD Good one x3 But still, hard…. I guess I would say Fizzy’s symbol I just like it ^^ No wait…. Ice crystals I love him ^^

If you had to pick between a fakie or a bait pony, which would it be, and why?

A bait pony as I could then customize it

If you had to pick a G1 or G2 to be remade and released with the G3.5 line, who would you choose and why?

Probably Fizzy Since she is one of my absolute favs and it would be neat to see a TE G3.5. Also it would be cool to see how they would do with surprise twins mommy

How many pony meets/cons have you been to? None ):

Who is your favorite artist and have you created a pony inspired by them?

Hm…. *tries to remember her name* Yes, Trillions! and no I haven’t, but I wish I was as good as her ):

What has been the worst part of collecting/customizing ponies for you?

Collecting would be when I find a pony at a flea market etc. that is HTF that I REALY want to keep, but knows I’ll have to sell it since I need the money. Customizing would be when I have to redo an entire symbol or eye or so.

Can you leave ponies behind at boot sales/ thrift shops etc, or do you have to rescue them?

I have to rescue them D: At least if they are Hasbro or really cool fakies x3 I cannot stand the thought of children buying them to play with until they break down into dust XD

Is there one color of pony you own more of than any other?

Hmmm…. Not that I can think of? Probably green *cough fizzy cough*

Do you think there are some as-yet undiscovered G1s out there? Where would you imagine they'd be from?

I have no idea but I bet there are some prototypes still to be discovered. If it would be “complete” ponies, I would guess on Alaska And maybe some from Japan that still hasn’t reached a collector.


YOUR COLLECTION

What got you started collecting as an adult?

Remembering my childhood ponies, and all the awesome customs I saw on Deviantart.

About how many ponies are in your herd right now?

- Total? Gosh, over 50 but not over 80
- From each generation? Mostly G1’s. I guess I have 30 G1’s at least? I really don’t know and I am too lazy to go count x3

What is your ultimate collecting goal?

Getting my childhood ponies back from moms house, wherever they are. At least for now. And managing to convince my cousin to give me her childhood ponies x3 And also owning an Ice Crystal. I know that is three but hey XD

What's your biggest collecting accomplishment to date?

Owning a Mountain Boy, but I will have to sell him ):

What's your biggest collecting regret?

Having to sell Sunburst I guess. I don’t really have one, actually.

What's the one pony that just seems to elude you?

None actually. I am not actively trying to get a specific pony.

What is your favorite pony pose and why?

Fizzy’s pose I don’t know why, I just like they way they stand ^^ and I also love the baby pose that for example Toppy has That playful pose

Who is your grail pony and why? Do you have it yet?

I have a LOT of grails, but my number one grail is Baby Buttons. No I don’t have her yet ): And another one is Ice Crystal, I don’t have him either ):

Do you collect mostly MIP or loose ponies? Why do you prefer that?

I collect mainly loose ponies, but if I get a MIP/MIB pony, they will star that way. I guess I prefer loose ponies as I can look at them differently and can pick them up and look at them the way I did when I was a kid.

In your opinion, what are some acceptable and unacceptable flaws in ponies?

Well, I used to think cancer was unacceptable, but as long as It isn’t contagious I really am okay with it.

Mould though, is a TOTAL no-no. A pony full of greasy mould…. Ew, no thanks. Not even a bait.

Also having given the ponies makeup like lipstick isn't something I like (apart from my own childhood ponies that I myself did that to).

Other things are okay, like tiny dots, haircuts to the mane (I don’t like the tail being cut too much, I don’t know why it just doesn’t look good to me. But even bited and chews are acceptable with me, I think it gives the ponies character

Do you collect foreigns or variants? If so, what draws you to them?

I didn’t but now after the ID extravanganza (curse you leo and tuneful XD) I want quite a few of the “Nirvanas”

Who's the one pony you'd never, ever get rid of and why?

Any of my childhood ponies, plus my Fizzys – especially the rehair by pinkkittywinks that I got as a RAOPK from TinyShinyUnique Why? They are just too special to me.

Which pony do you secretly carry around in your purse with you?

None, honestly. Apart from the ones I just bought ;P

Where's the weirdest place you've got a pony right now...and why is it there?

Hmmm… I don’t really have any in any weird places atm, but the weirdest of all times… well I cannot think of one.

Quick! Close your eyes and grab a pony. Who is it and how did you get it?

I can’t do this as I don’t have any pony close to me x3 *snap* But I can turn around and tell you about the first one I see;

Sunburst - I got him from a hospital recently Found him in the toybox, and could have him


BACK IN THE DAY...

Did you have ponies as a kid? If so, how many?

Yes, but I don’t know how many, over 10 along with my sisters ponies, at least.

Did you improve them by giving them haircuts, painting them with glitter polish, or anything else fun?

LOL OMG yes XD I believe I gave my UK princess sparkle black lipstick and black under her hooves with a permanent marker x3 AND I tricked my sister into that the hair would grow back (I really thought it would then) so I could cut her Hopscotch’s mane x3

Who were the stars of your childhood herd?

UK Princess Sparkle, and Bridal Beauty.

Who were the bad guys? None, really.

Did you watch the TV show? What was your favorite episode and why?

Yes I did, I believe I loved the one with magic paint I don’t know why I just liked it. Also Nightshade was a fave

I also loved 7tales and the rockstar show, at one time I walked home backwards singing the song x3 I don't know why I liked those shows so much though.

What's your very first pony memory?

Getting Bridal Beauty Unless UK Princess Sparkle came out before her.

What pony were you dying to have as a kid but your mom never bought it for you? Do you have it now?

All the 7tales, and I also know I wanted the green rollerskate pony but got Princess Sparkle instead. No I don’t have them.

Did you have any rare ponies as a kid? Who?

Yes, Princess Sparkle (UK) it is he only rare one I know of, and my sis had Hopscotch. Still have them somewhere at moms place. Oh yes, I also had Twin Surprise Mommy or what she is called ^^ she was one if my huge faves ^^

Tell us something evil you did to your ponies:

Well, I cut their hair x3 Don’t know anything more evil. Oh, and I believe I liked to chew on them too xD have no idea why.

What's a fun or funny memory you have about ponies from when you were little?

All the times playing with them, I LOVED my ponies but the dearest must be when I as I mentioned earlier took Sparkle into the bathroom to see her glow.


THE REAL WORLD

Got a photo? Paste it here!



What do you like to do for fun?

Watch TV, play games etc. And of course being on the arena :3

Do you have any other hobbies? Please share! Drawing

What's your most embarrassing moment?

I have a lot but I can’t even think of one x3

Got kids?

Nope but hopefully will in a not too distant future ^^

Would you ever name your kid(s) after a pony? If so...what?

Well, the only one I could think of that would sound nice on a kid is Ember, it's the more normal name, I mean naming a child Lickety Split or Fizzy LOL XD but it’s up to one another

Got pets?

Yep, two cats and a boyfriend LOL whut? Boyfriends doesn’t count? Snap x3

What three places are you dying to see? (NO, Pandora does not count!)

USA, The Maldive Islands and England

What are you most proud of? Ted (my boyfriend) Reason he is the only guy in my life that has really accepted me for who I am and been there for me in a way I never thought someone except for my "childhood" family would be.


FILL IN THE BLANK

I would like other collectors to think of me as.......

A nice and quick person to deal with Even if that is hard to live up to at times x3 I would like them to recognize me as WinterSparkle from Sweden Some doesn’t even know I am not in the US ^^ but I guess that might be for my mighty fine English *hides*

I really wish that Hasbro would......

start doing G1’s again

My best eBay deal was.....

Well I don’t do that many ebay deals, so I can’t really think of any.

My best thriftstore/fleamarket/garage sale find was....

Spanish Piggy Peachy ^^

When I was new, I didn't know any better that...

Well, I guess I didn’t know who was worth what and such but that is so common to new people. So I cannot really think of anything certain.

I think that the most underappreciated pony is...... Lemondrop
because...... She is so common

What sets me apart as a collector is....

Probably that I don’t collect for the sake of collecting, I collect ponies that I think is pretty or just gets into my heart, and ponies that reminds me of my childhood such as ponies I never got and getting back my childhood collection wherever it is now at moms place.

And finally
Mr. Moochick: Friend or foe?

Friend definitely He seems to be a little scattered-minded but he does try to help ^^