Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Introducing Glow-in-the-dark altered variation cards!

Like most collectors, I've got lots of junk cards I don't need, many of which nobody's ever gonna want. The age-old question is what to do with them.. Let them keep taking up space? Trash them? Give them away and hope somebody would actually want to keep them?

Perhaps somewhat inspired by the often-hilarious Baseball Card Vandals, which takes a black Sharpe to cards to make them funny, I asked myself how I could "hack" virtually worthless cards to make them better? Short of getting them autographed or professionally graded, there's not much you can do to make cards more desirable.

Then I had a "eureka!" moment. I love glow-in-the-dark cards.. Why not get crafty and turn these 2-cent cards into makeshift  glowing cards?! YES!


I even have a "marketing plan" in place! I'm going to christen these as "GAV" cards: "Glowing Altered Variation" (Gav is also a shortened version of my name, get it? So cheesy!!) For each of these GAV cards that I make, on the back I'll sign it, hand-number "1/1", and mark as "GAV", then I'll keep a log to make sure I only make one Glowing Altered Variation of that particular card to keep the serial numbering true (this is important! Sure, other people could create their own altered glow-in-the-dark cards, but I'll keep my GAV cards nice n' legit! Only one ever for each card!).

Corny gimmick to try to give some desirability to junk wax? YES! Will it work? Probably won't do much, but whatever, it's fun! Some purists might frown on "defacing" cards like this, but hey, better than throwing them away! I obviously wouldn't make a Glowing Altered Variation card of anything valuable. But if a card is worth less than a stamp, it's fair game.


I plan to whip up a bunch of these.. some for myself, of course.. but I'll also happily spread some around via trades and contests here at Baseball Card Breakdown. Assuming anybody wants them.


Sure, everybody has multiple copies of Fred Lynn's '88 Donruss card... but only ONE person could own Fred Lynn's '88 Donruss GAV card.. it glows in the dark and is hand serial numbered 1/1!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!! SSP!!!


I encourage all you guys out there to think up creative ways to create unique "1/1" junk cards yourselves. Imagine actually getting excited about trading '90 Score or '92 Fleer with somebody! What a wonderful world this would be! "I'll trade my Player-A 1/1 custom altered card for your Player-B 1/1 custom altered card!" Together we could achieve the dream of working up a little interest in common flagship base cards from the overproduction era that we all otherwise never give a second thought to these days.

Anyways.. this initial batch of GAV cards isn't perfect, but I'll experiment with different techniques, and hopefully I'll improve at making these over time. (I would like to get them less blotchy and less "green" in the light.. I realize the players look kinda like they've been slimed.) When I do any that I'm especially happy with, you can bet I'll show them off on the blog.

I'm hanging on to the McGriff above, but these other 3 cards pictured are up for grabs. Again, these are "real" pictures of "real" cards (not photoshopped or whatever).


Contest! Want one of these cards? Just leave a comment below, and if you're among the first 3 people to ask for one, I'll send you one of these cards free and also let you make 1 selection from the prize pool! (first come, first served; my standard contest rules apply.)

13 comments:

  1. These are awesome! What kind of pen do you use to make these?

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    1. Sorry, that's a trade secret. No, j/k. This batch actually used nail polish. But I've already got multiple other glowing products on the way to try to improve/perfect making cool-looking glowing cards. And yes, I see the irony of spending several dollars for use with junk wax, but like I said, it's a fun crafty project.

      Are you claiming one of these, Fuji? If so, just let me know.

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    2. I'd totally want one. But I have no problem passing it along to Bo... now that I know one of the trade secrets. I just have to go out and find some glow in the dark nail polish.

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  2. Of course I want one of those. Who wouldn't?

    You've inspired me to come up with my own way to personalize my unwanted junk wax items. I don't know what that is yet, but I need another project to add to the never ending stack.

    It won't look as cool as those though.

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    1. Glad I inspired you! Best of luck with your future personalized junk!

      I just sent you off a prize package earlier this week, Greg, so I think you're ineligible for free cards from me for the moment. But if you're down for a little PWE trade, I'd be happy to shoot you a few glowing Dodgers sometime soon.

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    2. Sure I'll do a PWE deal. It'll have to be a pokey one though. I'm always 3 weeks behind.

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    1. You got it, Jeff. Let me know what card(s) you want and shoot me an email with your address.

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  4. Darn, just missed. You're right, I do have a second 88 Donruss Fred Lynn. I'll find a highlighter and make a counterfeit GAV card!

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    1. Nooo!!!!!! I knew I should have invested in a hologram sticker making machine!

      But night owl is ineligible, so looks like you can stake claim to one of these if you want, Bo.

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  5. You KNOW I need one of these! This is Random HOF material. Can I send you a card for customization (along with a card or two for your collection, of course)?

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    1. Yes! That's a great idea. Anybody is invited to send me a card or two they want me to "glow-erize" for them.. and throw in a little something for my trouble/expenses (preferably cards from my wantlist, but whatever) and I'll send you back the requested glowing altered variations. Just drop me an email if interested!

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  6. Those would probably sell like crazy on Ebay!

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