Jumping Toaster Productions

As some of you may or may not know, I’m a big fan of collecting original comic book art! What I’m referring to specifically is, the original pencil drawings or inking done by artists before a copy is sent to the color artist. These can be quite hard to find and quite expensive if the artist is ‘well-known’ in his/her field and if the issue or company is popular as well. I’ve invested a lot of time and energy in ensuring that the artwork I’m obtaining is in fact ‘original’ by communicating through the seller of the artwork, the artist themselves (if possible), through comic archives and lastly through common sense.

But that’s not what this topic is about now is it!?! It’s about PRESERVING that valuable artwork at an affordable price! I couldn’t tell you the outrageous quotes I got from frame stores whom couldn’t even supply me with a decent frame 11-1/16 x 17-1/16 with UV ray protective glass for under $100.00! Another thing that bothered me was; I don’t know too many people that would spend over $200.00 on the artwork, only to leave it in the hands of the ‘frame specialists’ whom assume NO responsibilities for any damage that MIGHT occur while working on constructing the frame! Did I mention that MOST frame specialists GLUE the artwork in place, which means you damn well better love that frame it’s in cause it ain’t coming out!

So I had almost given up, until I came across Bags Unlimited! They have 100% Archival Comic Art Frames which are guaranteed safe for indefinite-term storage of your valuable comic art. The 3/32″ thick conservation grade, clear acrylic front sheet blocks 98% of harmful UV rays. The archival corrugated backing is lignin-and acid-free and the sheet of 4 mil clear Melinex serves as an archival spacer between the acrylic and the comic art. With a sticker price UNDER $40.00 per frame (the more you order the better deal) and FREE GIFTS why the heck wouldn’t you buy from these guys? Did I mention the shipping was lightning fast and through UPS? My God, finally a company that understands how valuable my artwork really is to me!

If you have a friend or loved one that collects artwork, check out the good folks at Bags Unlimited for all your framing needs and more!

With Christmas just around the corner, I’m busy shopping and wrapping gifts instead of posting on my blog! Over the next few weeks I thought I’d share with my readers a couple of companies I purchase goodies from to wrap up and stuff in stockings for the big day! One company in particular that I make sure I purchase my stocking stuffers from has a really creative name, Made By Humans.

I firmly believe that when you’re choosing a name for your company, you must choose a name that your consumers will be able to remember. Here’s Made By Humans reason for choosing their company name which is pretty deep and profound: The name Made By Humans serves as a reminder. Our company no longer makes handcrafted products. But no matter how much we, as a company – and all of us together as a society – have come to rely on modern technology, humans are still meant to be in charge of that technology, rather than the other way around. Technology should be a mere tool for human purposes. Hence we try to be everything that machines typically are not: playful in our approach, imaginative in our ideas, creative in our designs, unpredictable, even downright whimsical – in short, just human, all too human.

The creative, crafty people at Made By Humans have tons of items for home and office use! I love neat, functional items that brighten up my otherwise gloomy cubical that are also inexpensive to boot. You can typically find their goodies at museum shops, gift stores, home décor stores, stationery stores, catalogue and promotional companies across North America. If you’re on your way out the door to do a little shopping, make sure you pick up some amazing little items from Made By Humans!

I attended the annual Circle Craft Christmas Market held at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre with my wonderful mum and girlfriend on Remembrance Day. We had a fabulous time gawking over all the interesting kink-knacks and trinkets the artisans had at their booths! I try to attend the fair almost every year, cause it helps me gather new ideas for my own work and do a little networking while I’m at it. With all the numerous artisans at the show to talk about, it’s pretty tricky to narrow it down to a few short paragraphs in my daily blog.

An artisan I purchase something from each year I attend is from Vincent Van Designs They makes the most charming wooden ornaments you’ve ever seen. Very cute and collectable, they can also personalize them for you free of charge! This year I bought an elephant holding a strand of Christmas lights which are tangled all around him! Very cute and very detailed, especially the miniature Christmas lights with all different colors. My girlfriend bought a similar ornament except it’s of a snowman holding the strand instead, very much Christmas in a nutshell.

One of my favourite artisans is Diabolo Puppets by Steven Barkley. These fun hand made puppets are the best. I can’t tell you how much fun I’ve had with my hand up a rabbits butt! This white manic-looking rabbit with big floppy ears just cried out for me to buy ’em! He was just too cool to pass up and he was the last white one too! Not only does he look cool, he squeaks too, just the thing I need to annoy my neighbours with for hours and hours and hours and hours…Funny how some people just never grow up!

Puzzle Master Inc. by Allan Stein these have got to be some of the most challenging puzzles I’ve pitched against the wall in a fit of frustration. Thanks for the headache each and every year Allan. Nah, all joking aside Puzzle Master’s puzzles are some of the most unique puzzles I’ve ever played with. Problem is taking them away from a co-worker who ‘finds’ it lying around your desk! Not very productive, nor is it good for business when you got five people shouting the “You got to face it away north while turning the piece counter-clockwise!” I still don’t know what that means???

While there was much to look at, my favourite part about the craft fair is the tasting at all the wonderful home-made treats! However with a serious fish and nut allergy I have to be very careful about the tasty hand outs, good thing my girlfriend can accept the goodies!

Speaking of goodies, that’s the name of the next artisan! Goodies make the best dill pickles and dill veggies around. Oh my god there was almost a fist fight with my girlfriend and I at the dinner table cause I stole her pickle! I say if you love ’em that much, you got to protect your pickle! I almost lost mine following the ‘pickle heist’…my PERSONAL pickle that is! Good thing you can email them for more at: thelmasgoodies@hotmail.com

And lastly Tickleberry’s chocolate covered dried goods! Sweet chocolate covered blueberries and cranberries are my favourite! Yum yum yum I think I ploughed through both bags in a couple of days, good thing they provide their contact information on the bags so you can re-order! Email: sales@tickleberrys.com or Phone: 1-800-667-8002. Tasty, very very taste…did I share…no I did not!

And that was the fair, be sure if you didn’t check it out this year to sign up on Circle Craft’s website to get your discount coupon to attend the 2009 show! It’ll be something you don’t want to miss out on, so subscribe now!

Bay Film Studios are happy to announce the completion of their first feature film shot here in the Cowichan Valley. We would like to invite you to the premiere screening of “House for Sale” at The Cowichan Theatre 7:30 pm Sat Nov 8th,2008. When a realtor is found dead in an open house, a dangerous game of cat and mouse ensues between a serial killer, the police hunting him and the realtors he is preying upon. “House for Sale” uses an exciting storyline to address the reality of physical threats that are presented daily to the real estate industry and their agents. Due to content, it is advised that children under 14 do not attend!

Cowichan Theatre
2687 James Street
Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 2X5

Tel: (250) 748-7529

Attendance is by donation to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
Contact person: Brianna Thorne
Phone: 250.748.8970
Email: info@bayfilmstudios.com

I just received my ‘Bloody Betty’ 12 inch Zombie Action Figure by Peril Unlimited in the mail yesterday, that I ordered through www.darkfigures.com and I got to tell you I was super excited and absolutely amazed at the amount of detail the staff spent working on this action figure! Move over “The Dead” by Sideshow Collectible cause these guys know their zombies!!! I have never seen such incredible detailing in my entire life and the little body bag that it came in was absolutely genius! Not only that, but each ‘Bloody Betty’ is unique so no two zombies will ever be sculpted the same, which in my opinion makes this zombie line superior over “The Dead”. My girlfriend was so mortified she couldn’t stand to look at it, which is how I know that it’s the sickest thing I have ever spent my money on! That’s a complement by the way! She literally started doing the “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost” when I pulled it out of the body bag. I just smiled and laughed…maybe there’s something to say about people who love zombies…for me I love ’em! Gragh Brains!

Trippy black and white illustration of a mushroom…watch out it glows!

ALL MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED! Unless otherwise provided in writing from Designer. No person(s) may not make or permit alterations or manipulations of images beyond the requirement of slight or reasonable image enhancement (i.e. alterations of contrast, brightness, color balance, re-sizing, and cropping), consistent the reproductive needs, that do not materially change the integrity of any image. Alterations or manipulations include but are not limited to additions to, subtractions from, or adaptations, alone or with any other material.

A wacky character who likes to destroy things.

ALL MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED! Unless otherwise provided in writing from Designer. No person(s) may not make or permit alterations or manipulations of images beyond the requirement of slight or reasonable image enhancement (i.e. alterations of contrast, brightness, color balance, re-sizing, and cropping), consistent the reproductive needs, that do not materially change the integrity of any image. Alterations or manipulations include but are not limited to additions to, subtractions from, or adaptations, alone or with any other material.

A black and white illustration of a Mushroom Man enjoying a smoke!

ALL MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED! Unless otherwise provided in writing from Designer. No person(s) may not make or permit alterations or manipulations of images beyond the requirement of slight or reasonable image enhancement (i.e. alterations of contrast, brightness, color balance, re-sizing, and cropping), consistent the reproductive needs, that do not materially change the integrity of any image. Alterations or manipulations include but are not limited to additions to, subtractions from, or adaptations, alone or with any other material.

Happy Halloween boys and girls! Another black and white illustration from my portfolio.

ALL MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED! Unless otherwise provided in writing from Designer. No person(s) may not make or permit alterations or manipulations of images beyond the requirement of slight or reasonable image enhancement (i.e. alterations of contrast, brightness, color balance, re-sizing, and cropping), consistent the reproductive needs, that do not materially change the integrity of any image. Alterations or manipulations include but are not limited to additions to, subtractions from, or adaptations, alone or with any other material.

A very simple black and white illustration of an assortment of skulls, perfect for the upcoming holiday!

ALL MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED! Unless otherwise provided in writing from Designer. No person(s) may not make or permit alterations or manipulations of images beyond the requirement of slight or reasonable image enhancement (i.e. alterations of contrast, brightness, color balance, re-sizing, and cropping), consistent the reproductive needs, that do not materially change the integrity of any image. Alterations or manipulations include but are not limited to additions to, subtractions from, or adaptations, alone or with any other material.