Sunday, April 17, 2022

A Commissioned Custom Card (and a Giveaway)

Since I began printing out my custom card designs last year, I've received a few emails from collectors asking if I'd consider designing and printing a custom card just for them. It's a flattering experience, and most of the time I've taken on the project, even if the subject matter isn't super-exciting to me personally.
 
I haven't mentioned these commissions here on the blog to this point, but recently I completed a project that I was especially pleased with.
 
The client asked if I'd create a card of Nancy Wilson, guitarist and vocalist from the rock band Heart, and suggested the 1967 Topps design. That worked for me, as I'd already created a 1967 Topps template when I worked on the El Mariachi and Carolina project, so I set out to find a photo of Nancy Wilson that was just right.

It didn't take long to find one, and I whipped up the card front pretty quickly.
 


 
As for the back, the client asked if I'd consider creating one that resembled the original '67s, which included two cartoons along with the standard batting record. I said I'd give it a try. After some thought and research, I found two cartoons from the original set that worked pretty well for a rock band, modified the accompanying text, and figured out a substitute for the batting stat section.
 

 
 
I like how the stats on the back turned out. Not only do they offer collectors a good look at Heart's discography and greatest hits, but they also provide a similar enough look to the stat lines that appear on a standard baseball card.
 
In fact, I was so happy with the result that I thought it would only be right to create a card for Nancy's sister, Ann, who is the lead singer in the band.
 
 

 
And here's Ann's card back. I used two different cartoons, and also created a separate write-up and stats.
  
 

 
 
Once I finished both designs, I sent the proofs out to the client. He enjoyed the finished product just as much as I did, and gladly purchased a few for his collection, which made me very happy. 
 
But that's not the end of the story. Recently he sent me an email to let me know that he did something special with a couple of the cards. Have a look at what he posted on his social media account:
 
 

 
He sent off the cards for autographs!
 
As far as I know, this is the first time one of my custom cards has been autographed by the person featured on the front. It's pretty cool to think that the legendary Ann and Nancy Wilson actually held my cards in their hands and signed them. Hopefully they enjoyed the designs.
 
But that's still not the end of the story. I've got some extra copies of these cards, so as usual, I'm going to offer up a few here as a little giveaway.
 
Just be one of the first three readers to list your favorite Heart song in the comment section, and I'll send you a copy of both cards. (Not autographed, of course.)
 
If you're one of the claimants and I don't already have your mailing address from a previous giveaway, here's how to reach me:
 
My email address is available on my blogger profile page

You can also message me on TCDB.
  
Even if you miss out on the giveaway, let everyone know in the comment section if you're a fan of the band, and if you've got a favorite song or two.
 
I look forward to your answers!


25 comments:

  1. Great job! I love how you found existing cartoons that worked for each of these cards. I'll pass on the contest. I enjoy Heart (everything from Barracuda to These Dreams), but they're not a Top 20 band for me. These cards are way too awesome and deserve to go into a diehard fan's collection. Happy Easter!

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    1. Thanks very much, Fuji! I had fun looking through the cartoons in the original set to find ones that worked. Happy with the results, for sure. I'll make sure the copies of the cards you could have claimed make it into the hands of a big fan.

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  2. These are fantastic customs, and it's great to see Edgar got them back signed! (I'd had a couple custom cards commissioned for me and signed them to a semi-celeb but they bounced back undelivered) I love the photos you chose, especially Nancy's. Excellent, excellent work!

    My favorite Heart track has to be "Barracuda". I always dug that one but my appreciation grew a lot more from playing Guitar Hero: World Tour.

    Your customs just get better and better! I may have to hire you for my next project ;)

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    1. *sent them to get signed.. whoops!

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    2. Thanks Chris! Happy to send a copy of each card to you. Maybe we'll work on a project sometime.

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    3. Sounds good. I'll definitely reach out about that sometime.

      Meantime, I got the cards you sent me. Thanks very much! They look awesome in hand. Well done!

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    4. Excellent! Glad the cards made it there so quickly, Chris.

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  3. Very cool. I was wondering why 1967 as that was well before Heart's heyday, but now I understand as the design is perfect for autographs!

    I'd love any extras. One of the great bands of my youth. "Crazy On You" is my all-time favorite. And I've got a couple of their albums (and CDs) in my collection. I still watch that youtube video of them performing Stairway to Heaven in front of Plant and Page from time to time.

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    1. Cardboard Ann and Nancy will be making their way to the Night Owl collection soon! (Good choice with "Crazy on You".)

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  4. Good thing you didn't put facsimile autographs on the cards!

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    1. Hah! That's true, Brett. Thanks for reading, as always.

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  5. Love Nancy Wilson, and Barracuda has to be #1.

    Good Job
    ��

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    1. Can't go wrong with that song choice, John! Glad you like the cards.

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  6. Beautiful! Sooooo hard to pick a favorite Heart song. There's too many from every album. Raised on You is jumping out on me because I quoted it in my high school yearbook, so many years ago. Rockin' Heaven Down is another classic. Of course, Bebe Le Strange. Alas, the list goes on and on...

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    1. Thanks very much for the compliments! Technically, you missed out on the giveaway because three people have already claimed the cards. However, your Heart fandom is super clear, and I'd be happy to send you a copy of each card if you'd like. Just get in touch and send me a mailing address.

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  7. Great looking cards. On Ann's card at least, looks like Central Park with the Plaza Hotel in the background.

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    1. Thanks very much Bo! And good eye, as usual. That is indeed Central Park.

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    1. Thanks very much, Jeff! And thanks for reading, as always.

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  9. You really seem to have found your calling with custom cards. I've never been a huge fan of Heart, but these cards look absolutely amazing. Even the backs are awesome.

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    1. Much appreciated, Jon! Been designing more card backs lately, and I've enjoyed it. More to come, so stay tuned.

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  10. Love the concept for the back stats for musicians. That's really cool.

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  11. Awesome work on the cards, and the stats on the back were great!

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    1. Thanks very much, Jafronius! Glad you're enjoying the designs.

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