gridlox

I've had a few emails & PM's from some caring folks inquiring if everything is OK. Just wanted to drop a line here to let everyone know everything is fine. As of Jan.1 the company that I work for bought out a smaller company in town that was looking to go out of business due to the owner looking to go in another direction in life. In addition to getting all the equipment, we also inherited a small but strong customer base. Hence, a big increase in jobs for us!! But, it also means more time at work to keep on top of things. I used to work 9-5 M-F. Now, if I get off at 5 I'm lucky. Luckily, I work for a boss that values his weekends. It is a RARE occasion to have to work on a Saturday (Never on a Sunday). We'd rather work late every weekday than have to come in on a Sat. As much as I love to design coins, I basically don't have the spare time right now to take on extra work from individuals. The only spare time I have right now is on the weekends and that's when I design the stuff that I've obligated myself to for the great folks at Oakcoins.com. Thanks to everyone that emailed or PM'ed me with concerns. D-man

Actually, I'm having to take a bit of a hiatus from coin designing for a bit for anyone other than the stuff for I do for Oakcoins. And I've even had to scale back how much I do for them. Some recent (good) changes at the first of the year at work and the additional responsibilities that came with the increase in business means that I have to put in extra hours at my day job at the sign shop. It looks to be a temporary situation until we can complete the addition to our building and/or hire some help. So, hopefully in a couple of months I can get back to designing on a regular basis like I used to. D-man aka

OK, finally heard back from them today. The mint did their thing to the art work and sent it back for final approval before going into production. Unfortunately there is a small error in what I submitted and what they sent back for approval. I've asked to see if they can correct it. There is a small version of the AT Hiker emblem on the back of the coin that may be too small to recreate on a 42mm coin. If that's the case then I will need to make some adjustments to the art. Here's a preview of the final coin (Not withstanding some minor last minute changes, if the afore mentioned emblem can't be reproduced) D-man

Been a crazy past month or so with the holidays and a change in my job at the first of the year. (good change!) So, I haven't even had time to keep tabs on this one. In fact, the new responsibilities at work has pretty much took me out of the coin design biz for a bit. I'll fire off an email right now to see if I can get some info on these from the guys at Oakcoins.

Your part right. The "x" does mean it's cut out. That's where the learning curve came in on this one. It took me 3 tries before I ever figured out how to get it to go together correctly!! This coin is actually a 3 piece coin to make the final product. If you look at the pic, the upper left two images is what the coin will look like after being assembled. The two center rings images are actual the front & back of the main piece. The bottom two images (candle) are the front and back of a thinner coin (suncatcher) that will rest in the middle of the main piece. (The reds, greens, & yellows on the candle & holly are actually transparent!!) The ring in the upper right snaps into the main piece from the back to lock the center piece in place. The "x" on the top hanger piece is so you can really hang them on your tree before adding them to your collection or hopefully setting them free to roam the land and spread Christmas cheer throughout the year!! D-man

First of all, I want to state that the delay with the final coin has NOTHING what-so-ever to do with the guys at Oakcoins.com/Geoswag.com. They have been more than AWESOME and very supportive during this whole series. Thanks guys!! The delay falls entirely on my shoulders. Sorry! I can only apologize and ask forgiveness for leaving everyone hanging on this one for so long. I am my own worst critic. I so wanted to make the entire trail work for this last coin. But, try as I might, I just couldn't get the entire trail to look good for the final coin, no matter what I tried. There is just only so much you can do with a 42mmx42mm work space. And the entire trail wasn't in the cards. Sorry! On that note... The design for the final coin HAS BEEN SENT to the mint this past weekend. (I know, I know... FINALLY!!, huh? ) I'm waiting for the preliminary mint revisions before posting the art. Just to make sure that what I designed is going to work OK. As soon as the design has been finalized with the mint and approved for production I will post a pic of it. For the final coin I had to change to a round coin, but it still has elements from the rest of the coins. So, it will still look like it belongs with the rest when displayed together. Also, you'll be glad to know that the guys at Oakcoins.com/Geoswag.com have stepped up and will be rewarding everyone that buys the final coin with a new Icon specifically for the final coin and not the same old tired Icon from the others in the series. Who doesn't like new Icons, right!?! Again, I want to apologize to everyone that has so graciously and patiently waited for me to get this last coin to you. And also, I'd like to thank everyone for their support of this very large series. It's been a long journey to get them all made. D-man PS: I'm leaving to go out of town on Thursday and will not have net access for an entire week (GASP!! ). So, if I don't hear anything back from the mint before I leave, it will be another week before I can give another update. So, don't think I posted and run away "again"!!

Awe, Shucks!! Thanks for the compliments!! This one was definately a learning experience. I learned some new design techniques that the mint is capable of doing that will help me with a future design that I am about to start that will knock everyone's socks off!! So, we all benefited from this one!! Can't wait to see the finished products!! I know they are gonna be awesome!! D-man

Would that be the Nimbus 2000 or the new Firebolt! It'd have to be the "Firebolt"! If it were the "Nimbus 2000" then we'd hardly ever see any being delivered. Read This!!

Don't cry. I don't think he's dead & buried just yet D-man Yeah, he went straight to the grill! Mmmm!! Fried Frog Legs!! I wondered what that smell was! Taste like chicken!!

Don't cry. I don't think he's dead & buried just yet D-man

Glad you guys are OK OTE!! Anyone heard from Neilsenc? They also live around the Santa Clara area as well. D-man

WOW! I can't believe I almost missed this set! Order sent! Thanks for another beautiful set of sand dollars! D-man

Very Nice! You should do a whole series of these! Reminds me of some of the pin-up art of Alberto Vargas. Strangely enough, I got interested in his work when I found out he painted the album cover, Candy-0, for The Cars! Hot Chics & Rock & Roll! Who'd guessed!! Definately put me down for a set! (How does one get on the "special" list to get a Black & Purple?) D-man

How's this for ya? Got these in the mail yesterday from the guys at Geoswag.com! Nice, huh!! D-man

How do you know it's finally Halloween time? All the Christmas displays are up in the stores! Guess it is that time of the year to start getting those Christmas designs going to get out in time for the holiday season! D-man

He knows and it's A-OK with him! (It was made from his in-laws!) Mwaaa Haaa Haaa! D-man

Oooo... Those are cute! Just wondering... It'd be really cool if the eyes & mouth were in Glow-in-the-dark! Are they? Congrats on being one of the first to be visited! "It's the Great Pumpkin' Charlie Brown" is one of my favorite all time holiday shows! "I got a Rock!" D-man

Ummm... it's possible! D-man

Yes! There are more Antique Gold & Antique Silver now available on the Geoswag.com website! D-man

Boo! I now know of another "Two"!! D-man He He He

I like it. The tribal raven is really cool! D-man PS: What font did you use for "PSYCHORAVEN102" I'm a "font-a-holic" and haven't seen that one before. Kinda cool!

Secret has been revealed!! Oct. 07 Geoswag Coin & Pin D-man

Arg!! I've been sitting on a personal design similar to this until I could afford to have them made in hopes of having something original and kinda out of the ordinary. Oh well! When you snooze, you lose! At least now I know they do actually work, when/if I ever get around to making them. D-man PS: Are there any other bottle/can opener coins out there, besides this one?

Wanna bet? (What is it with me and wanting to "bet" tonight?? ) Nothing passes forth from me unless I know they don't care if it's shared. Even then, I usually only "hint" about said "secret" and leave it up to the person(s) make the coins to do the actual reveal. Let's see... I know what 2 of the secret coins mentioned in the thread here look like and I haven't had a single slip up to reveal even a sneek at them. (insert "Mission Impossible Theme") D-mystery-man

So there is. I hadn't seen that one. Whew! Glad I decided to keep the background on this one! We almost made it a shaped coin. But on a positive note, this one gets you one of those cherished "Icons". D-man