Brony Team Logo Preview and EvilleCon 2012

The launch of my Geek Sports line of team logos has met with limited, but enthusiastic, response.  That's okay, though, because I have more designs still to come!  

This week's preview is for all the fans of Lauren Faust's My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and the Brony Phenomenon which spawned from an unlikely demographic of adult men.  Myself included.

I hope to launch this as a T-shirt in next couple of weeks and hope to garner some interest at the My Little Panel at this year's EvilleCon in Evansville, IN.  I have never been to a Con before and I am a little nervous.  But, I'm excited to meet some like-minded people and hopefully get this blog some more followers.  Shameless, I know.   

Geek Sports First Release - Doctor Who Hockey Team

I'm so excited to announce that the Geek Sports designs that I've been developing are finally ready for release, this spring!  The first is a fictional hockey team logo inspired by BBC's Doctor Who: The Gallifrey Time Lords!  This full color design features the TARDIS incorporated into the Team name and a puck design reminiscent of the geometric language of the planet Gallifrey.  This design is currently available on T-shirts.  Hoodies will be available towards the end of the year. 

Coming Soon: The Fillydelphia Bronies.

Zombify (Occupy) Wall Street! We ATE the 99%!

I practically live in a cave.  Although I have access to all the news and information on the internet, I have been too wrapped up in my business to give much consideration to anything aside from production.  So, when I saw the video of peaceful protestors getting maced in the face by police, I just had to sit up and take notice.  

All over the Internet are T-shirts abound and after my friend lent me his hardback graphic novel of Marvel Zombies, this shirt design manifested itself in my subconscious.  Zombify Wall Street.  It was a no-brainer. *rim-shot*

The Folly of Men....

"History shows again and again, how nature points out the folly of men."

With the recent ravaging of Japan's mainland by a natural disaster coupled with nuclear contamination, one cannot help but harken back to the lyrics of Blue Oyster Cult's hit, Godzilla. 


This is not to make light of the dire situation in Japan.  I have just been on a Godzilla kick since shortly before quake, and with that odd synchronicity, I wanted to pay homage to my favorite Dai kaiju (giant monster), Gojira!  


Most people dismiss Godzilla as just a silly Japanese cliche' with a man in a rubber suit smashing models while poorly dubbed people run in terror.  And though those are definitely prominent tropes in Dai kaiju movies, it's sad that the message of environmental awareness and misplaced faith in technology goes unheard.

I grew up on Toho Godzilla and hated the 1998 flop.  Godzilla has come a long way since even then and now there is going to be a new movie!  Exciting!

I wanted to showcase some of the items I've made for myself and others featuring Godzilla.  So here goes...

1. Godzilla T-shirt

This is the back of one of my first T-shirts.  I designed it using multiple elements found on the internet.  The front has the lyrics from the top of this post.

 

 

2. Skatezilla Decal

This is a decal I designed for a girls Roller Derby Helmet.  

 3. Godzilla Decal

 A customer requested this in green based off of a T-shirt online.  I test cut the design and applied it to my laptop.  Godzilla 1984 is probably favorite movie.  It is definitely my favorite Godzilla.

HUG ME I'M IRISH! Facehugger T-shirt

I came up with this shirt at 3 a.m. this morning. I wanted to come up with a cheeky T-shirt for St. Patty's day and I've had this Facehugger design that I've wanted to use for a while now. Maybe I should add a little Lebrechaun hat or some buckled shoes? What do you think?

Big Mac Attack!

Getting into the vinyl racket, I knew i wanted to make laptop decals. Because I live in Indiana, I don't see a lot of Macbooks out and about. I only ever saw them on television shows, so I began to think that they were just the laptop equivalent of 555 phone numbers! But no, they are real! People actually own them and use them! It came as no surprise, then, that people also wanted to slap stickers on them!

Now, there is no shortage of clever decals that incorporate the glowing Macintosh Apple. But, as I began to search around, I began to see the same decals over and over and over: Iron Man, Snow White, Totoro, Yoshi....the list goes on and yet the diversity seemed so lacking. So, to break up the monotony, I've uploaded a few of my custom Macbook decals. If you see something you like or have any clever suggestions, then feel free to comment! Who knows, maybe the most clever idea will get a surprise? Enjoy!

#1. Serenity Macbook

This was my very first sale on Etsy! I love Firefly and jumped right on this Alchemy request! Brown Coats forever!


#2. Hobbes Mac

When I got into this business, I vowed to never cut a "Calvin Pissing on [insert logo]" no matter what, because Calvin and Hobbes is my all-time favorite comic! I would never want to sully such a beloved piece of my childhood.



#3. Miles Davis Mac
This customer gets a lot of comments on his Macbook. I admit that I am unfamiliar with Miles Davis' work. But, I loved the design and the customer was appreciative enough to buy 2 and upload this great picture!



#4. Warhammer 40K Inquisitor Mac
I do not play Warhammer, but I am a fan of tabletop war-gaming! The many 40K related jobs I've done has immersed me in the mythos and imagery, both of which I find very fascinating!



#5. Maleficent Mac
When Etsy decided to put their Alchemy feature on hiatus for undisclosed period of time, I was devastated! I would check Alchemy several times an hour all day long looking for custom jobs. Luckily, I snagged this custom request right before it went down. I am particularly proud of how it turned out as it required a fair bit of work.

I've designed and cut many other Macbook designs, but as of this posting I have not received any pictures of them applied. Since I now have followers (other than the obligatory girlfriend follower) I will start updating more often and including more content! Thanks for reading!

Layering Vinyl Decals Sucks!

I recently completed my largest and most challenging job to date. The task: cut and layer 3 wall decals for a little boys nursery. The theme: Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat. Now, i have put off doing layers for a while as I didn't think I was ready. But, this was my chance to finally dive right in, the money was right after all.

The first challenge was sizing each color element so that when applied everything would be proportionate. The second challenge was actually applying each layer onto the next and ending up with a single application, mult-layered decal. The application tape I was using is paper based and is fairly thick. I had to purchase a new plastic tape that was sturdier and transparent. See the examples below:

VS

This new tape is amazing. It doesn't curl up at the edges and you can get multiple applications per sheet. After screaming and cursing and help from my girlfriend, I was able to successfully layer all three decals. They are pictured below.

2011 SNEAK PEEK #2: Zombie Chow T-Shirt

After having many people rave about the Walking Dead, I was forced to check it out. In doing so, I started thinking about all things Zombie. This number will be coming out in May (apparently it's Zombie Awareness Month). I was surprised that something similar has not already been done. Though, I'm sure it has, but if it's not on the first two pages of my Google search then it must not exist. Right?

2011 SNEAK PEEK #1: GIR Macbook

Starting January I will be releasing new designs every month! As a treat to all my readers here is a sneak peek at one of the many designs to be made available as decals and T-shirts. This one features the lovable Robot side-kick of Invader Zim: GIR. He loves piggies, cupcakes, and destroying! Keep checking in for more previews and thanks for reading! Happy New Year!

Silver and Gold Vinyl

Vinyl Edge is excited to announce that Silver and Gold T-shirt vinyl is now available! This is an exciting addition to our color line-up. I imagine that many of the plain white symbols and heraldry that I've done for gamers will look pretty sleek in Silver or Gold. Happy Holidays and be on the lookout for more colors in the future!

Vote For My New Logo And Get 20% Off

The time has come for Vinyl Edge to revamp its logo. I have come up with 4 design variants. For each person who registers and votes by leaving a comment on this blog, I will give a Coupon Code giving you 20% off of 1 item from my shop. This can be something I have in stock or a custom request. Click on the above image to get a better look! In your comment please indicate the number which got your vote and why you chose it!

Warhammer 40K Baby Onesie

Warhammer transcends age and gender! Tonight was just a 40K kinda night, I guess! This onesie is for a little warrior named Atticus. Way to go Mom and Dad!

Warhammer 40K Aquilla

Even the ladies like Warhammer 40K. This is the Imperial Eagle or Aquilla.

Warhammer 40K Tanith T-shirt

This shirt I botched the first go. It was meant for a Dark Green Tee and I began to press it on a Black. After only a second or two the image was already stuck to the shirt. Now, I have an extra shirt. Whoops!

Warhammer 40K Raven Guard T-shirt

Tonight's workload was all 40K related. This is a Raven Guard emblem on a Large Black.

Post T-Day T-Shirts and Cyber Monday

Well the holiday is over. Left-overs still remain and I have taken entirely way too many turkey naps. Now it's time to get back to the cutter and press. I have a nice back-log of orders to fill: T-shirts, decals, etched pilsner glasses, and even a onesie. Hopefully a few people will get back with about their shirt sizes before I go on a supply run.

Today is apparently "Cyber Monday." I have no idea what that means. Is that online Black Friday?

Help choose my new Logo Design and Save!

In the next few weeks I will be uploading new logo designs for Vinyl Edge! I invite you all to come by and vote for your favorite! For each person who registers at Blogger and votes, I will be offering a special Coupon Code for a sweet deal at my Shop!

Customers Shouldn't Pay for My Mistakes

The birthday shirts were a bust. I made the birthday boy's too big and the replacement did not make it in time for his Party. This is very discouraging. This has prompted me to approach my ordering system and improve it to avoid common mistakes that can make or break a customer's experience. I can't really make a custom order form as Etsy has it's own purchase system in place. I plan to include a Jerzees brand size chart and more explicit instructions with each of my T-shirt listings. Hopefully, I can begin setting myself up for success. My customers already pay in good faith for a quality product. They shouldn't have to pay more for my incompetence.

Geben Danks

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I thought I would take the day off, but I find myself cutting a decal as I type this! I hope everyone enjoys their holiday and spends time with the people who mean the most! I would like to give thanks for the support of my girlfriend lissa8506. She has stood by my side and supported me always. I love you, Melissa.