I'm a speaker this year- is anyone from here going, as well? (I'll be talking about how to memorize the order of a shuffled deck of cards in under a minute. Fun!)

Heya Gang!

It's been too long since I've come by here- I need to change that!

And thank you all SO MUCH for the kind words and messages regarding my surgery! I would be lying if I said I wasn't terrified- but I'm pretty much back to full health and luckily my art hasn't been affected!!

I used to be a semi-pro bike racer so I've been riding a bike pretty much every day for twenty years. That, combined with getting older, putting decks into bottles all the time, tuning Industrial Revelations, working out, and Crossfitting, etc, just kind of wore my wrist out. I went it with some chronic pain and the doc said, "You know, we can fix that."

So in October, they did what's called a "scope". They go into your wrist with a camera and make sure there's no arthritis and to see what's what. They saw that I tore my SL ligament- but that it was repairable. So in November, I went in for full surgery! Basically, they took a piece of tendon from my forearm and then inserted it into my wrist. They drilled through 3 bones in my wrist and tied that piece of tendon around them. It tightened everything right up. Madness. When I went in for my custom cast, they castmaker asked what I had done. When I explained, he replied, "Ah. Fancy surgery." And you know what? He's right. It IS fancy surgery. And I am SO LUCKY to be a Canadian. In other countries, I'm sure they never would have even considered doing anything. And it doesn't cost me a cent. Unbelievable.

And now here we are 4 months later! I'm just now starting to feel great and have been making bottles again. Hurrah! I have to say, though, that these Madison ones are amazing. There's something about having his signature on them that makes me feel like a piece of him is in my home at all times. Haha. It sounds weird, but it's true. I look at AIPs like friends- and Madison is an awesome one.

I also know that there's always some talk about the price tags, too. And I promise you that I'm not buying a mansion on the hill or anything, lol. They take hours- and when you factor that in- with everything else, I think they're priced fairly. I know I spend hundreds on art that I love- especially if I know I'm going to keep it for years and years (my favourite is my Ricky Jay poster that I had framed. Holy smokes, now THAT was expensive, lol).

I guess that's about it! I'm definitely going to try and contribute here more! And, please, treat me like an open book! I'm the most honest guy you'll ever meet- so if you have a question about anything, don't be afraid to ask. Except for "how I make the bottles", lol. I've heard that about a million times by now. But anything else- if I can help you, I will.

Your pal,

jamie

Having people ask you to show their friends a trick (that you've already shown them) is one of the greatest compliments you can receive. And, for a lot of people, they ask because they want reinforcement that they're not "stupid". They want their friends to be surprised as well, so that they're not the only ones that couldn't figure it out. So when people ask, you need to let them down lightly. My take is always the same:

Them: "Jamie! Show these guys the one where you made that elephant appear and juggle the shovels!"

Me: "No."

~laughter~

Me: "Seriously, no way. That was a special moment in time. It was a gift only for you. I'll show you guys something else, though."


Hope that makes sense,

jamie

It's been mucho, mucho too long since I've been on here! But I've been absolutely buried in work. It feels good to be back among those that love cards as much as I do!

And you guys spoke, & I listened! Straight black and waaaaay lighter (it ways the exact same amount as 27 playing cards- pick up a pile and give it a test)...

The VAULT, now in BLACK ALUMINUM









http://magicfriday.blogspot.ca/2012/03/vault.html

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and comment. If it wasn't for you guys, people like myself would never get the chance to make things we love.

Your pal,

jamie

Lol, you guys beat me to it!

The VAULT is now available!



I can't wait to hear what you guys think!

And I'm soooo sorry about the video, lol. You would think I would have something fancier by now!

I'm here in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. If you ever come through, feel free to look me up~

My best,

jamie

Thanks gang!

I'm getting closer! Totally excited.

~jamie

I find it easier to notice with Face Cards. Take a bunch out and look at how they're centered on the card...

Thanks for the input! I absolutely love to hear everyone's thoughts and I respect them completely.

The gauge of brass I'm using is more than strong enough to protect the box. No worries there. As for the design- that will all come down to personal preference- and I appreciate yours! I love it, though. It just feels super smooth. Work with whatever inspires you, I reckon!

My best,

jamie

Has anyone tried it yet? Pull out 4 face cards from any deck there is and see if you can tell which one is spun? Depending on the deck, I'm almost 9 out of 10 times.

I LOVE Montreal, as well. Man, what I would give for a good bagel right now, lol.

Lol, what a great question. I have no idea, lol! Let me go look...
 
There's maybe around thirty here? They drive my wife crazy. One of my favourites wasn't even made by me but was a gift from Danial Madison...



It was a sort of joke (because the glass is obviously broken and glued) but it means the world to me. Especially since the inscription reads, "Thanks for the inspiration."

What are some other good ones... How about this one I made for Bill Kalush and the CARC...



You can't see very well, but it has a copy of Erdnase on one side and a Green CARC deck on the backside with the glass case etched with the front page from Expert.

_____________________________________________

As for how many I've made- it's around a couple thousand now. And you know at the end of the day, I still love the original Blue Deck Bicycle AIP. They're the ones I leave on the street for the Send Wonder campaign and just have a certain feel that I'll always love. Always a sucker for the first, I reckon.

Gotta run!

~jamie

Wow, thanks for such an awesome welcome! It's exactly that kind of attitude that brings people back- you guys (and gals) are doing everything right!

And, just to show that I can represent the decks as much as the next guy, lol, here's a shot going downstairs into my office...




You guys are awesome,

jamie
www.SendWonder.com