Mike Die joins the show to share the journey that led him from New York graffiti artist to creator of the Rock Protectors toy line.

Growing up surrounded by He-Man, Battle Beasts, Transformers, and Ninja Turtles, Mike always dreamed of making toys. After years spent in graffiti, custom Dunnys, street art, and enamel pins, he eventually found his way back to action figures through 3D printing and character design.

Today, the Rock Protectors have become one of the most recognizable independent toy lines online, blending fantasy storytelling, retro toy influences, and modern creator culture into something completely unique.

We talk about:

• Toy collecting in the 80s and 90s
• Graffiti and street art
• Kidrobot's impact on designer toys
• Custom vinyl and resin figures
• The enamel pin explosion
• Building a toy universe from scratch
• Selling independent action figures
• Zolocon and toy conventions
• Community in the toy world
• Future graphic novel plans

A great conversation about creativity, persistence, and making the toys you wish existed.

On Instagram: @mikedie

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Tony Coppolillo (SioPio) joins the show to share his incredible creative journey from architecture student to Hollywood movie poster artist, visual effects professional, and independent toy creator.

Over the course of his career, Tony has contributed to major film campaigns, worked in visual effects, taught 3D design, and eventually discovered a passion for bringing his own characters and ideas into the physical world through 3D printing and toy design.

We talk about:

• Movie poster production
• Working on blockbuster films
• Burnout in creative industries
• Learning 3D printing
• DesignerCon experiences
• Building the SioPio brand
• The creation of Nubs
• Toy manufacturing realities
• Creativity after 50
• Why community keeps creators going

If you've ever wondered what it takes to keep reinventing yourself as an artist, this episode is packed with wisdom and perspective.

On Instagram: @sio.pio

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Brandon of Motley Miscreations joins the show to discuss his journey from childhood toy collector to professional sculptor, resin caster, and independent toy maker.

Growing up with Battle Beasts, TMNT, Batman, comics, and video games, Brandon always had a passion for art and creativity. After studying fine art, working in illustration and video games, and eventually discovering the designer toy scene, he began creating his own original toys and building the brand now known as Motley Miscreations.

In this episode we discuss:

• Childhood toy obsessions
• The rise of Image Comics
• Art school experiences
• Working in the video game industry
• Learning digital sculpting
• Resin casting and mold making
• Building a toy business from scratch
• DesignerCon lessons and collector culture
• Community over competition
• Upcoming dinosaur, cryptid, and original toy projects

This conversation is a fantastic look at the dedication, craftsmanship, and persistence required to succeed in the modern art toy world.

On Instagram: @motleymiscreations

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Mimor Toys steps on the stage to talk about handmade soft vinyl toys, learning sofubi production from scratch, and building an entirely analog toy-making process out of a garage in Southern California.

Inspired by Kidrobot, Dunnys, Webkinz, Club Penguin, and DIY maker culture, Mimor grew up obsessed with toys as art objects before eventually teaching themself mold making, welding, electroplating, and vinyl production.

In this episode, they talk through:

• Growing up around designer toys
• The influence of Kidrobot and collectible culture
• Making plush toys, costumes, props, and drag outfits
• Learning sofubi production at home
• Safety, chemicals, and the reality of DIY vinyl production
• Collected Con and selling out their first handmade soft vinyl toys
• Community, kindness, and inclusivity in the toy scene
• Building larger vinyl toys and future ambitions

This is one of the deepest behind-the-scenes conversations we’ve had about handmade sofubi production and independent toy artistry.

On Instagram: @mimor.toys

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Toy designer and illustrator Zander Miner joins the show to talk about turning original characters into collectible toys.

Inspired by cartoons like Adventure Time, Gravity Falls, Teen Titans, and Regular Show, Zander grew up wanting to become an animator and artist. After studying illustration at RISD, he eventually discovered toy design and began sculpting his own original figures, including Orion, Bleb, and Carl the Crab.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Growing up surrounded by cartoons and character design
• Studying illustration and concept art
• Learning sculpting and 3D printing
• Making his first production toy
• Building original IP and storytelling through toys
• Tabling at conventions for the first time
• The supportive nature of the toy scene
• Balancing freelancing, art, and toy production

This episode is a deep dive into creativity, persistence, and finding your artistic voice through toys.

On Instagram: @zander.miner.toys

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Toy maker and sculptor Ehimo joins the show to talk about his journey from vintage toy collector to internationally recognized independent creator.

Growing up in Spain surrounded by TMNT, Street Sharks, Warhammer, and role-playing games, Ehimo developed an obsession with toys and miniature painting early on. That passion eventually evolved into custom figures, bootlegs, sculpting, and fully original toy designs.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Collecting vintage toys in Europe
• The influence of Warhammer and tabletop gaming
• Discovering underground toy culture
• Learning traditional and digital sculpting
• Making bootlegs and custom toys
• The importance of preserving the feeling of 90s action figures
• His recent skeletal TMNT-inspired designs
• The dream of creating toys that feel “real” and accessible to collectors

This episode is a deep dive into nostalgia, creativity, and the passion that drives independent toy makers.

On Instagram: @ehimo_adventures

This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!

Thanks to Our Supporters

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Danny and Esther join the show to share the story behind their original toy line and upcoming Kickstarter.

Danny, a longtime artist who has worked on major animated films, opens up about a difficult moment in his career that led him back to creating for himself. What started as a personal reset quickly turned into a full lineup of original characters, world-building, and eventually physical toy prototypes.

Esther shares her role as both creative partner and driving force behind the project, balancing family, career, and helping bring the vision to life.

Together, they walk through the realities of launching a toy line, from early sketches to production, storytelling, and preparing for Kickstarter.

This episode is about creativity, partnership, and building something meaningful from the ground up.

On Instagram: @gum_it_up_makers

This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!

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Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!

Jeff from Kaleo Legends joins the show to talk about creating a new kind of action figure line rooted in biblical inspiration, mythology, and storytelling.

We dive into his journey from youth ministry to working at Mezco, and eventually taking the leap to build his own toy company. Jeff shares the challenges of entering a niche that barely exists, navigating production costs, and preparing for a Kickstarter launch.

We also explore how theology, ancient narratives, and creative design come together to form something entirely new in the collectible space.

This episode is about risk, creativity, and building something where there’s no clear roadmap.

On Instagram: @kaleo_legends

This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!

Thanks to Our Supporters

Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!