Man......this place......
I was always more of a lurker than a poster, but the hours I spent here....
Oh how I have loved it.

In the recent years I haven't been around much.....Times Change, but I appreciate all of the years and memories.
From The Bivouac to Beav to pluv: Thank you for the years of entertainment.
I truly love this place!

Aw shucks...
First, Pluv, hope you make strides in your recovery

Sad news but I can't imagine how much work it takes to run a place like this.

This was one of the first places I discovered when I got the internet in high school(Foolish thinking I was the only one who liked toys)! Beav was the grand poo-bah then. I wasn't part of the Bivouac but I spent hours looking through the galleries. This place has been a huge inspiration! I own my own home at this point in my life and my basement dioramas all are due to being accepted into this great community.

I would have never imagined being a part of a community where I would get my own emoji I will always remember fondly the Secret Santas and getting to meet a few faces at a toy show here in the Lehigh Valley (Allentown PA)

I know there are communities on other platforms and I heard mention of a discord server. If that happens I would love to lurk on that too. I will check in more frequently over the final month a hopefully share a few more laughs.

Thank you very much Pluv and everyone who helped make this the best place to interact and talk about our favorite toys on the big scary (sometimes mean) internet.

PS We'll always have peach pants, Robocop's Gun and links to Chinese Major Bludd

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I’ll miss the forums a lot. I didn’t get a lot of posting in but I felt lucky to find this place. I’ve told as many people as I can about it. I’m glad the gallery will still exist but dang it, I wanted to join a group project!

I've been avoiding this thread because if I don't see it, then it's not happening, right? I've enjoyed the forums over the years, even if I wasn't that great a contributor. I always enjoyed reading all the great threads and seeing the fantastic customs posted by the talented guys here. I understand why it needs to happen but it still sucks and I'm pretty sure it's either because of Chinese Major Bludd or Robocop's gun.

This was my home on the net for so long, it'll be sad to see it go but time marches on. Props to Pluv for keeping the lights on for so very long. Glad to see it'll still exist though.

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Since the announcement that the forums will be close forever in January 2024, I've been beside myself with how to reconcile it. It's hard. Change has always been hard in many respects. It can hurt. I even hate it at times, especially right now. It can be really hard to accept. It is nearly impossible to prepare for. I feel like I'm still in a state of shock and disbelief over this. I was so used to this place always being here without any thought that it could one day be gone forever.

This place means a great deal to me and it was one of the very first places I came to when I first got online over 20 years ago, (Damn, I feel old...) and found a wonderful and welcoming community. From it's humble beginnings with The Bivouac to it's transformation into JoeCustoms.com, I called this place my home away from home and it always will be. I've interacted with many awesome people here, some whom I still keep in touch with all these years later. A lot of customs, collaborations, contests, conversations, opinions, trades, sales, news, joys, pains, disappointments, triumphs, friendships and fun was had here. I learned and grew here. I am going to miss all of it dearly...

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It's been a privilege that I've been allowed to plug my little Youtube show here, and I'm gonna miss this place. See you guys around !

*whew* where to start....

Came upon the Bivouac late last century and fell into customizing hook, line, and sinker. Kind of cringe looking back at the old stuff I made, even some of the Group Projects I submitted, but the times any of my works came up, any criticism was on the constructive side. Though I will admit, the point of RESPECT went over my head. Sadly (as with most forums I'm on) I've gone from Over-active to active to Lurker here, just popping in every once in a while to start a conversation, ask for tips on a project, or try to wrangle some parts. I read the announcement on my daily check in for any new Customs.

So yeah, coming close to a 2 decade era. Had it's ups, downs, and craziness. Biggest regret would be disappearing from the forums like I did.. That and for picking that stupid CDR for my username. Should have just stuck with AutoBubbs like I always do.

I'll still be lurking around on Facebook. Generally just faving any posted customs, I'll try to comment, it's just I feel disingenuous for just saying different variations of 'Great work' or 'Awesome'.

Yo Joe.

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Has anyone thought of starting the JC discord back up if for no other reason then as a way to continue to keep in touch?

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Didn't know there was one. Though I generally just lurk there... and throw around memes.

Had wondered about a Reddit group though....

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This is sad.

Dang.....I rarely ever posted anything in the forums, but I always watched and learned from everyone in them. Sad to see it end.

I have fond memories of this site.
I have made and met a lot friends on the site (and the chatroom in its heyday).
It has been an honor.
07 Joecustoms.

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The best place ever. It will be missed

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Have cool summer! Hope you don't lay too many girls. See you next fall.


(real thing written in a friends 6th grade year book)

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