I grew up in the 80’s and my first experience with collecting an item on my own was Garbage Pail Kids cards and charms that you hung on a plastic chain necklace.
I loved collecting them. I loved the thrill of trying to find the latest charms to display at school the next day! Or trade out whichever garbage pail kids card I didn’t like for a better one. Now as an adult I collect Christian Loubitons but that is a whole other conversation. I decided to reach out to my friend Ricky Flecha to get an inside and in-depth look into what it takes to be a true horror fan and collector.
I loved collecting them. I loved the thrill of trying to find the latest charms to display at school the next day! Or trade out whichever garbage pail kids card I didn’t like for a better one. Now as an adult I collect Christian Loubitons but that is a whole other conversation. I decided to reach out to my friend Ricky Flecha to get an inside and in-depth look into what it takes to be a true horror fan and collector.
Jenny: Ricky we first met standing in line to meet Andrew McCarthy at a horror convention ( I love AndrewMcCarthy!). We became friends and you inspired me to write an article about that encounter and now here are years later and I wanted to share your knowledge about conventions and collecting with everyone.
So, when did you start collecting?
So, when did you start collecting?
Ricky: I started collecting in 2008 after my first convention in Cherry Hill, NJ called Monster Mania. The minute I saw the vendors room I was hooked.
| Jenny: What about the vendor room was so appealing? Ricky: I enjoyed looking at all the different stuff and custom made items. Every vendor was unique, I couldn’t walk 5 feet without stopping because so many things caught my eye. However, I always go to a convention with a certain amount of money. I am weak when it comes to the dealers room. Kane Hodder items are a top priority! |  |
Jenny:What is the most important tip about collecting items?
Ricky: The only tip I can give is when you see something that you like or if something has a limited release don’t hesitate. buy it.
Jenny: I can see that certain items will be more popular depending on what is trending. It reminds me of the Cabbage Patch Doll wars of the 80’s. That was a real thing! I remember I wanted a Cabbage Patch doll so bad and my great grandparents had to brave the harsh world of Toys R Us to try and get one for me for Christmas. Then I wasn’t allowed to open it because it would lose its value. How does that makes any sense?!!! Of course I opened it!
How do you feel about opening the pieces you buy? What is the stigma with opening it vs not opening it?
Ricky: Professional collectors will not open their items because it will lose its value and I personally think stuff looks better in the packages, boxes or hanging on the wall.
Ricky: The only tip I can give is when you see something that you like or if something has a limited release don’t hesitate. buy it.
Jenny: I can see that certain items will be more popular depending on what is trending. It reminds me of the Cabbage Patch Doll wars of the 80’s. That was a real thing! I remember I wanted a Cabbage Patch doll so bad and my great grandparents had to brave the harsh world of Toys R Us to try and get one for me for Christmas. Then I wasn’t allowed to open it because it would lose its value. How does that makes any sense?!!! Of course I opened it!
How do you feel about opening the pieces you buy? What is the stigma with opening it vs not opening it?
Ricky: Professional collectors will not open their items because it will lose its value and I personally think stuff looks better in the packages, boxes or hanging on the wall.
Jenny: What was your worst experience with an item?
Ricky: I haven't really had any bad experiences buying an item. Not yet anyway.
You just have to make sure the prices are reasonable.
Ricky: I haven't really had any bad experiences buying an item. Not yet anyway.
You just have to make sure the prices are reasonable.
Jenny: What is your favorite convention moment besides meeting me LOL?!
Ricky: Well you're definitely up there that’s definite but meeting Corey Haim and David Hess. Corey was definitely and still is my favorite Corey! He was just a great dude and totally missed. David Hess is my idol. A great actor and a great singer. I met him at the Chiller Theatre Convention around 2009 or 2010. He asked me if I saw the remake to “Last House on the Left” and I responded with, "Yeah it was ok." He flat out said it SUCKED !!!!. He said “I don’t usually bash other movies but this had no depth, nothing!!!” I thought to myself ....there it is ......that’s from the man Krug himself!!!! Those 2 experiences are definitely my favorite picks.
Jenny: WOW!!! I would have loved to have met Corey Haim! I met Corey Feldman but I always had a special place in my heart for Corey Haim. I think at this point everyone knows my favorite movie is "The Lost Boys" and Corey Haim was my first crush. I fell in love with him and Nanuk. He was such an amazing actor and is truly missed.
Ricky: Well you're definitely up there that’s definite but meeting Corey Haim and David Hess. Corey was definitely and still is my favorite Corey! He was just a great dude and totally missed. David Hess is my idol. A great actor and a great singer. I met him at the Chiller Theatre Convention around 2009 or 2010. He asked me if I saw the remake to “Last House on the Left” and I responded with, "Yeah it was ok." He flat out said it SUCKED !!!!. He said “I don’t usually bash other movies but this had no depth, nothing!!!” I thought to myself ....there it is ......that’s from the man Krug himself!!!! Those 2 experiences are definitely my favorite picks.
Jenny: WOW!!! I would have loved to have met Corey Haim! I met Corey Feldman but I always had a special place in my heart for Corey Haim. I think at this point everyone knows my favorite movie is "The Lost Boys" and Corey Haim was my first crush. I fell in love with him and Nanuk. He was such an amazing actor and is truly missed.
Ricky: The conventions allow us fans to connect with the actors and actresses on a more up close and personal level. There are different options to take pictures with them, sign merch or both. It is important to have whatever you want signed and ready to go for them. Don’t hold up the line!
Also please remember they are human beings and are meant to be treated with respect. They are there to do a job and our job is to be polite and respectful.
There is a sense of belonging to a group of people. Everyone there is passionate about the genre. It is fun to be in a setting where everyone comes together for their love and passion of Horror and we all get to be our authentic selves. We all have so much in common that it is easy to make new friends and connections. We are one big horror family!
I’m hoping for a safe way to get back to conventions in 2021.
Also please remember they are human beings and are meant to be treated with respect. They are there to do a job and our job is to be polite and respectful.
There is a sense of belonging to a group of people. Everyone there is passionate about the genre. It is fun to be in a setting where everyone comes together for their love and passion of Horror and we all get to be our authentic selves. We all have so much in common that it is easy to make new friends and connections. We are one big horror family!
I’m hoping for a safe way to get back to conventions in 2021.
Jenny: Would you say the celebrities are a bigger thrill then the vendors or vice versa? Or are both equally important? For me I personally like to see what vendors are there. I like discovering new artists. It is so important to support new art. There are so many talented people making great things that you would never even know about unless you went to these conventions.
I met a lady named Elsie who made horror themed pillows. She recently passed away from stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Meeting her and seeing her work was an amazing experience. She will be missed dearly. I would have never have known about her business had I not gone to that convention.
Ricky: For me both are equally important but maybe more of the vendors because I made so many friends like Terry Cruikshank a brilliant artist that passed away around 2013. He was such an amazing person and artist and I miss seeing him. I love seeing all the unique stuff people make the one of a kind creativity is remarkable.
Jenny: As an artist and someone who designs merch I feel it is so important to have the unique vendors out there. People are going there to buy the same type of merch over and over but maybe just maybe they will see your unique designs and branch out. I always tell other artists don’t give up because there are us people out there that enjoy different unique art. There is room for everyone!
I met a lady named Elsie who made horror themed pillows. She recently passed away from stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Meeting her and seeing her work was an amazing experience. She will be missed dearly. I would have never have known about her business had I not gone to that convention.
Ricky: For me both are equally important but maybe more of the vendors because I made so many friends like Terry Cruikshank a brilliant artist that passed away around 2013. He was such an amazing person and artist and I miss seeing him. I love seeing all the unique stuff people make the one of a kind creativity is remarkable.
Jenny: As an artist and someone who designs merch I feel it is so important to have the unique vendors out there. People are going there to buy the same type of merch over and over but maybe just maybe they will see your unique designs and branch out. I always tell other artists don’t give up because there are us people out there that enjoy different unique art. There is room for everyone!
Jenny: What would you change about conventions?
Ricky: Me personally I’d love to see more under the radar guests.
Jenny: I agree! I would love to see a more diversified crowd of celebrities. I have to admit certain conventions have the same people over and over and over. I would love to support more up and coming talent.
Ricky: Me personally I’d love to see more under the radar guests.
Jenny: I agree! I would love to see a more diversified crowd of celebrities. I have to admit certain conventions have the same people over and over and over. I would love to support more up and coming talent.
Jenny: What are the “must haves” for conventions?
Ricky: Well for me I come with my coffee maker, microwave and food. Shit cost money at these conventions lol! Make sure you bring your stuff that’s getting signed. Lists help. Deodorant is a must have definitely can’t forget that!
Jenny: I have mentioned this before about conventions. For some very odd reason it’s always as hot as the depths of hell in these places and there is definitely a strange smell going around. I would like to throw out there a HUGE tip to the men who are in plastic, heavy material, latex, leather outfits ... use baby powder. Air out your outfits and wipe them down with Downy fabric spray after each day. Deodorant is always a must.
Ricky: Well for me I come with my coffee maker, microwave and food. Shit cost money at these conventions lol! Make sure you bring your stuff that’s getting signed. Lists help. Deodorant is a must have definitely can’t forget that!
Jenny: I have mentioned this before about conventions. For some very odd reason it’s always as hot as the depths of hell in these places and there is definitely a strange smell going around. I would like to throw out there a HUGE tip to the men who are in plastic, heavy material, latex, leather outfits ... use baby powder. Air out your outfits and wipe them down with Downy fabric spray after each day. Deodorant is always a must.
Jenny: What inspired you to start a YouTube channel?
Ricky: I made short little funny videos on Facebook and Instagram and people suggested I should make a YouTube channel. At first I was like ehh but then I was like hey ok I can do this I’m going for it lol.
I get to unbox all of my collectibles and everyone gets a intimate tour of my movies, shirts and items. I talk in detail about all the items. If you are interested in a certain item but aren’t sure you want to spend the money you can get a preview about it from my channel etc.
Jenny: What message would you like to get out to everyone?
Ricky: Just do what makes you happy don’t worry about everyone else. Just be you!
Jenny: That is the number one rule to life! Be your authentic true self.
Ricky: I made short little funny videos on Facebook and Instagram and people suggested I should make a YouTube channel. At first I was like ehh but then I was like hey ok I can do this I’m going for it lol.
I get to unbox all of my collectibles and everyone gets a intimate tour of my movies, shirts and items. I talk in detail about all the items. If you are interested in a certain item but aren’t sure you want to spend the money you can get a preview about it from my channel etc.
Jenny: What message would you like to get out to everyone?
Ricky: Just do what makes you happy don’t worry about everyone else. Just be you!
Jenny: That is the number one rule to life! Be your authentic true self.
Jenny: Would you ever consider opening up your home for tours like Rob Zombie did you show off his collectibles? (Obviously when the world opens up again).
Ricky: Lol in the future maybe but I don’t think I’m to that point yet... but I am getting there. As you can see from the pictures my collection is definitely giving Rob a run for his money!
Ricky: Lol in the future maybe but I don’t think I’m to that point yet... but I am getting there. As you can see from the pictures my collection is definitely giving Rob a run for his money!
Jenny: What are you most passionate about?
Ricky: My movies and my collecting. I am not too fond of remakes. I know what I like. I really don’t get hooked on the nostalgia part. I live in the 80s lol. As far as my collection I collect a lot of different stuff but it is mainly horror. Although, I love my Power Ranger dragon dagger and Saba saber #hashtagnerd!
Ricky: My movies and my collecting. I am not too fond of remakes. I know what I like. I really don’t get hooked on the nostalgia part. I live in the 80s lol. As far as my collection I collect a lot of different stuff but it is mainly horror. Although, I love my Power Ranger dragon dagger and Saba saber #hashtagnerd!
Jenny: The 80’s were the greatest time to be alive. The 80’s theme was “have fun and don’t take yourself so seriously”. It was a time of Rock N’ Roll and living free. What do you like most about the 80’s?
Ricky: Ahh the 80's, yes the greatest time to be a kid. What can I say? Everything in the 80s ruled. From the movies, music, cartoons. Going to the video store and actually renting the movies. I don’t miss getting a membership because you had to show paystubs, gas bills electric bill proof of address it was like the DMV! All that aside the 80’s were and will always be the best.
Jenny: I remember going to the video store and it was always a thrill to go to the Horror section because it was always hidden off in a corner somewhere. It felt like a secret society. Kids today will never know the thrill of rushing to the store to get the latest video rental on a Friday night.
Ricky: Ahh the 80's, yes the greatest time to be a kid. What can I say? Everything in the 80s ruled. From the movies, music, cartoons. Going to the video store and actually renting the movies. I don’t miss getting a membership because you had to show paystubs, gas bills electric bill proof of address it was like the DMV! All that aside the 80’s were and will always be the best.
Jenny: I remember going to the video store and it was always a thrill to go to the Horror section because it was always hidden off in a corner somewhere. It felt like a secret society. Kids today will never know the thrill of rushing to the store to get the latest video rental on a Friday night.
Jenny: What is your top 80’s item? Would you say 80’s items are your most collected items?
Ricky: most of my collection is 80's related but If I had to pick it’ll be my Slimer or my Chucky doll. It’s really hard to pick. I have so many awesome pieces.
Jenny: The Chucky doll freaks me out. I’ve always been afraid of dolls. I feel like they have little evil souls trapped in them. I can thank that movie for scaring me for life!
Ricky: most of my collection is 80's related but If I had to pick it’ll be my Slimer or my Chucky doll. It’s really hard to pick. I have so many awesome pieces.
Jenny: The Chucky doll freaks me out. I’ve always been afraid of dolls. I feel like they have little evil souls trapped in them. I can thank that movie for scaring me for life!
Jenny: Lastly but definitely not least, your vest. It inspired me to make my own jean jacket full of flair! The fashion gods were pleased with your pieces can you elaborate on how it came about?
Ricky: Well I had a jean vest and started putting patches and buttons on it but it looked like complete shit it was just too tacky. I wasn’t happy with it. So I bought a size smaller cause the other one was like a 5x and I just added pins I bought. I used e5000 glue to make sure they wouldn’t come off. After each convention I spray it down with Febreze(tm) because I don’t want to smell like a bag of asses meeting people!
Jenny: What are some of the pins on there? What’s your favorite one? Why do people seem to have taken to this trend of vests or jackets with flair?
Ricky: That’s a hard question kinda but if I had to pick one special one my Joe Spinell "Maniac" pin. I guess it’s special because my friend/twin Giulia got it for me as a gift.
Jenny:Thank you so much Ricky for taking the time to chat with me and I look forward to your next YouTube video!
Ricky: Well I had a jean vest and started putting patches and buttons on it but it looked like complete shit it was just too tacky. I wasn’t happy with it. So I bought a size smaller cause the other one was like a 5x and I just added pins I bought. I used e5000 glue to make sure they wouldn’t come off. After each convention I spray it down with Febreze(tm) because I don’t want to smell like a bag of asses meeting people!
Jenny: What are some of the pins on there? What’s your favorite one? Why do people seem to have taken to this trend of vests or jackets with flair?
Ricky: That’s a hard question kinda but if I had to pick one special one my Joe Spinell "Maniac" pin. I guess it’s special because my friend/twin Giulia got it for me as a gift.
Jenny:Thank you so much Ricky for taking the time to chat with me and I look forward to your next YouTube video!
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