Ezra’s Junkyard: Unique Star Wars Gift Sets
If you’re looking for a gift for a Star Wars fan there’s no denying there’s a lot to choose from out there. But if you want something truly unique and special, I highly recommend taking a look at Ezra’s Junkyard on Etsy.
Ezra lovingly upcycles pre-owned Star Wars figurines and, combining this with his passion for photography, creates one-of-a-kind gift packages that you won’t find on the high street.
Meet Ezra
Ezra is a 29-year-old property photographer, based between Hampshire and Surrey. He has been into photography since leaving school and has previously worked in sports, events and product photography roles.
He has been enjoying his current role for six years now and has had the opportunity to photograph some of the most beautiful properties around Surrey. Ezra has even won the Guildford Photography Competition.
He is Also a Massive Star Wars Fan
Ezra tells me: “I was probably 4 or 5 when Star Wars came into my life. I would rent the original trilogy from the library on VHS and watch them non-stop. I have really vivid memories of how I was sat, the angle I was looking up at the telly and pressing the rewind button on certain scenes. Episode 4 & 5 were great, but at that age, they were not able to capture my imagination, Episode 6 and the way it was structured / paced really made me fall in love – I was also the perfect age for Ewoks. I lived near woods, so you can imagine how I just wished these creatures were real and then look out for them. Then I have amazing memories watching the prequels at the cinema with my parents. Times I will never forget.
“One day I woke up and wondered if there was a way I could mix my passion for Star Wars with my passion for creativity and photography/film. Thats where Ezras Junkyard came in.”
What is Ezra’s Junkyard?
Ezra has been running his Etsy store, Ezra’s Junkyard, for around five months now, and is already receiving some excellent reviews. But what exactly does Ezra offer?
Each gift set features a Star Wars figure, complete with a weapon and custom base, a unique photographic print showing the figure on an adventure, plus a YouTube video showing the creation process for each particular figure.
For Ezra, each previously loved figure he finds leads to him creating a backstory for the character. This inspires him to customise the figure and stage the photo shoot to best tell this story and add more depth to the unique figure.
He currently sources second hand Star Wars figures from eBay. Ezra explains: “the more beaten up and abused the figure is, the better! It only adds to the character. I then will usually have a backstory already made up in my head before I start creating, but sometimes I will make a figure and then make a story afterwards. I am always thinking about Star Wars, back stories and side characters are something that very easily and naturally come into my head. The stories are designed to hopefully give the figure more character and depth.
“Each figure also comes with a unique photography print. This print shows the figure in its Star Wars environment and is for display purposes and to bring the figure to life. I am now also creating a video for each figure I build. Then people can see the process and they have a cool video on YouTube to hopefully show people their new figure.”
Creative Inspiration
I asked Ezra if he had any experience customising figures before he started with Ezra’s Junkyard.
“Design wise, I have no background in customisation, I am just really enthusiastic about weathering and making something look like it’s been on a journey. Which is why my figures look like they have been on a wild adventure most of the time. Whether its mud splashed up their legs, worn-out clothes or even a wound. I make the clothing out of 100% cotton and I make them custom bases to stand on.
“Positive feedback on my figures makes me feel a happiness I haven’t had before. My whole aim is to try to make people feel like a kid again, make them feel like they did when they were young and opened up a new figure for the first time. It’s one of the best feelings in the world.
“Really I just wanted to use my photography to try and make these toys come to life.”
Explore More
So, if you know someone who would be over the moon to receive one of Ezra’s unique Star Wars gift sets, be sure to find out more by exploring the links and video below.
