Wow, ladybird. Something about seeing the cards in the video really made me see them in a new light. I've been enjoying your creation thread, but didn't know if the deck would be quite right for me. I wasn't sure how I'd respond to all of the different colors and textures in the "wallpaper" backgrounds (even though they're lovely). But after seeing the video, and seeing the cards laid out next to each other, I think they look great, and my interest has been reinvigorated! And I love the Snake card, it's gorgeous.
Thank you, kalliope!! I
the Snake too.
I understand, I really can't expect everyone to like this deck, it has such a specific look to it. I began making this deck for myself for learning and artistic purposes. I also know, being a part of the AT community, that there may be other folks here who might want one too. I'm thrilled to hear the video helped you to see the cards in a new way. I wasn't sure what the video would do.
I just went back through the thread to remind myself of all of the cards, and I just wanted to pipe up to say that the Fox card is the only one I'd have trouble with. The image itself is great, and I can see why you like it, but as you've said, it's more of a "scene" card. I'd like to see a Fox mostly by itself, and I agree that the wily fox probably shouldn't have managed to be caught by that woman! I'm another one who didn't know there were black foxes, I'm ashamed to say. I wouldn't mind at all if the fox were black in the deck, though!
I honestly didn't know about black foxes either until I came across that image last year. I am totally changing the Fox! I found a great illustration plate of a BLACK fox from the 19th century! The fox is by himself and is much more in the Lenormand style. I realize now that there are many different kind of foxes. There are two types of black foxes that I ran across. The plate that I chose has a white tipped tail like you would see in a red fox. (There is a black fox species without the white tip.)
I really appreciate everyone's input about the fox. It's true what you say, the fox being caught by the woman says too much. The second one is going to be so much better!
The cross card is interesting, and will be a little stretch for me to see the "fate/destiny" meanings in it, but I do like the image a lot. Whether or not it was part of your decision, the nurse's posture hints just a bit at crucification, especially on the cross, so I think it's easy to connect to spirituality and religion if one would like.
I hope you're still considering the smaller poker size for your deck so that a Grand Tableau wouldn't be out of the question. *crosses fingers*
I did think of the nurse being in a sort of stigmata position relating to religion but wasn't sure if that was a long shot or not.
My plan is to keep this one as is.
And yes!! My plan is to print in two sizes. A smaller poker size and a larger tarot size. I'm printing more of the smaller size. I figure the larger will be more appreciated by friends and family.
I've been talking to the local printer, getting quotes. I may have to do small white borders (similar to the Blue Owl Lenormand) on this deck because the number and playing card insert land outside the "safe zone" for trimming. I'm still talking to them about this. I didn't consider that when I began gluing everything down.
*palm-slap to forehead!*
The poker size will be 3.5 X 2.5 (the same size as the Gypsy Fortune Telling Playing Cards). I figure that since trimming is common in our community that people can trim the border off. This will also make it even smaller for those who prefer smaller. Sorry everyone, I really wanted to make this border-less, I didn't think ahead on that one!
Also, I'm putting everything together myself (the cards are coming to me uncollated) and rounding the corners by hand. Everything will be handled by my hand, which I quite like! Extra quality control guaranteed!
I'm going to let people opt out of having their corners rounded though and may give a discount for that. I know those peeps are far a few between but thought it should be an option since I'm not having the printer corner round them. It's more expensive to have them do that! Isn't that weird? You'd think they'd have a corner rounder die cut for playing cards projects but they said they'd have to have a die cut made! Well anyway, this will make it more affordable for me and therefore you all in the end.
Hope that's not too much information too soon. I still have 14 cards to make but thought I'd get organized in the printing department as I'm nearing the end.
