Some of my collection...

[zipbags]

Hey Zipbags, how are you doing today? I really admire your work and I have a couple questions for you if you don't mind. I want to make one of these of the movie Transformer: Revenge of the Fallen, and I have no clue where to start. I understand how to make the cards I think, I just don't know how to acquire all of the autographs because I heard Megan Fox doesn't sign TTM and Shia sends out Sec. I don't know if I need to buy them from a dealer or someone or keep on trying. Sorry if I repeated a question someone else has already asked. Thanks for the help!

CWill

P.S. You have an amazing collection that I am completely jealous of! I wish my collection was half as good as yours!

Thanks. If you are afraid that you won't be able to get sigs TTM. Then make cards that have an space large enough to matte a 3x5 card signature. This way if you can purchase a signed card from a reputable dealer. Then you can matte the sig behind the card. Just cut a hole where the sig goes and attached the signed card behind your custom card. I have done this numerous times. Just look at my Twilight matte above. Six of the sigs are signed cards that I have matted behind my custom cards. Another suggestion. See if you can get the bigger celebs autographs on a photo (also like the Twilight one & from a reputable dealer). Actually, most of my mattes have photos signed by multiple actors.

[bhenglang]

hello zipbags!

i admire your craft sir! **applause! applause, if not standing ovations..** ;)

you are one serious collector and i would love to have the kind of collection you have someday. just a couple of questions if you don't mind, (and i have noticed you have been very generous in answering all others, you're a great guy!)

one, you are are working on a LOT of mattes... how many hours in a day do you spend on them? i assume you have your own business where your income comes (considering you buy autos and i assume they are not cheap at all) and so you don't have a job that will be needing much attention so you can devote yourself to your hobby? i am just in awe..

second, since you send a lot of requests TTM (i think i read 20 a day?) do you just print them out and not handwrite? any tips about accomplishing a lot of letters to stars without compromising "personalization" will be greatly appreciated... i was in the presumption that it's best to use handwritten requests and use special paper and envelopes so we can easily get noticed among the hundreds of letter they receive everyday, esp. the big stars.

as you may notice, my questions are mostly related to "time" issues, it's because i only started putting more effort to sending out requests and i'm finding it hard to catch up with how many i want to accomplish sine i have a 12hr office job

thanks for all the advise.. God Bless you and your family Sir!
Excellent collection, makes my jaw dropped each time i see a new picture posted! hehe..

Bhengskie/Philippines

[zipbags]

Actually, I don't spend that much time or money on my autos. Yes, occasionally I do purchase the signed trading cards and signed photos. But, most of my autos come through the mail. As to how many I send out. It's not 20 a day. If I am doing a new show to send my cards out. I might send out a large batch. But, its usually a 1 or 2 a day. And even that has slowed since I have sent out to all who I need. With regards to time. It really doesn't take that much time. The things that take the most times are creating the template for a particular card (1/2hr to 1hr) (ie-Twilight, Heroes). Once the initial card is made. It only takes a few minutes to change the picture and name of the actor. The other thing that takes a lot of time is cutting the matte. Which I don't have to do often. Its actually not cutting the matte. But, doing the measurements and markings for the openings that takes the most time. This can take anywhere from an hour to up to 5hrs. Yes, I have a full time job that keeps me busy during the day and 3 kids at home. I find doing the matting is a nice stress relief. Luckily, I am a night owl and my kids are in bed by 8pm. So I have the evening to do my work. But, like I said since I have slowed down on my collecting. I am only doing at most one matte a month.
With regards to my letters. I write them by hand and they are generally short. Just that I am a fan of so & so show and asking them politely if they would sign my card and then a short thank you. Then send them out with a SASE and the card.
Hopefully, this answered any of your questions. Just remember. I had no training in matte cutting or using the software (paint shop pro) to make the cards. It was trial and error and practice. Good luck!

[DarbyD53]

Not to sound like the other 400 people but WOW. I would never ever steal something from another person, but if that Independence Day one comes up missing...let's just say I'd take good care of it.

I was just thinking about trying to get the cast to sign something from the movie but I sort of decided not to because of trying to get Will's auto, but maybe I will figure out something.


Great job. Very nice.

[zipbags]

Not to sound like the other 400 people but WOW. I would never ever steal something from another person, but if that Independence Day one comes up missing...let's just say I'd take good care of it.

I was just thinking about trying to get the cast to sign something from the movie but I sort of decided not to because of trying to get Will's auto, but maybe I will figure out something.


Great job. Very nice.

Thanks. Actually, getting cast sigs is how I started collecting at first plain 3x5 cards and now my custom cards. I knew I would never be able to get cast signed photos that easily.

[MLBFan24]

Based on your pics, you are definitely a serious TV show fan! I am as well. My favorite show is "24"

Do you have a 24 collection? Just curious.

[zipbags]

Based on your pics, you are definitely a serious TV show fan! I am as well. My favorite show is "24"

Do you have a 24 collection? Just curious.

No. I never got into 24. But, the one nice thing is that 24 has a bunch of legit autograhed cards released by Artbox Ent. That would give anice head start to doing your own cast matte.

[GraphHunterAmos]

Wow!! Your layout and success is very impressive. I'm virtually speechless. Brilliant work. Your collages will be worth some serious cash one day...do I hear a future episode of Antiques Roadshow calling? How do you send out so many requests without writer's cramp? Way to go man!!! Smallville rocks!!

[zipbags]

Just updated my Star Trek: TNG. Will be redoing my Voyager, DS9 and Enterprise cast mattes soon as well.


On the photo is the entire cast, except Will (he's on card). Not pictured but who signed the photo...Dwight Schultz & John DeLancie.

[DarbyD53]

Very Nice.

I have took to your style and sent out to the casts of Independence Day, The Office, Dexter, and Prison Break.