Plastic Prophets of Vinyl Redemption — Deluxe Edition released!!

Plastic Prophets of Vinyl Redemption — Deluxe Edition

I’ve posted from time to time about the digital coffee table book of my photograph, Plastic Prophets of Vinyl Redemption, which was released this past summer, exclusively for Apple’s family of iOS devices. Creating the book was tons of fun, and I’ve been very pleased with the reception the book has received from the ebook community.

However…

Being a collector of books (and toys, and records, and art, and CDs, and devils, and, and, and…) I remain completely enamored of objects I can touch and relate to in ways that will never be matched by the bits and bytes trapped within a digital device. What can I say? I like the feel of a book in my hands, and there are great untold mysteries in slipping a sleeve from a big, beautiful album cover and reading the liner notes as black vinyl spins beneath the soft touch of a diamond stylus. Real books feel special. They smell like knowledge.

While I’m very proud of my digital book, and I’ve been quite excited to see how people have enjoyed flipping and zooming through the colorful pages on the iPad, I still wanted to produce a physical object that people could turn in their hands, explore, and connect with in ways that are difficult to mimic in a digital book.

And, so…

Over the past couple of months I’ve been hard at work creating a deluxe edition of Plastic Prophets, and I’m very excited to announce that the package is now available!!

Deluxe Edition box with cover photo printed on glass!

The Deluxe Edition comes packaged in the box you see on the right. Each wooden box is hand painted, signed and numbered, with a cover image that’s been printed on beveled glass and mounted to the lid. Inside are all kinds of collectable treasures you couldn’t possibly replicate in a purely digital release. The highlight is a 32 page full color “mini book” featuring many of the standout images from the digital book—here, reconfigured to be printed and bound in a limited softcover edition.

Hidden away in the box are other printed goodies, including a Plastic Prophets sticker, a Wind-up Dreams web card (randomly selected from a dozen different designs), and a signed, miniature, Certificate of Authentication.

Want a little more?

You’ve got it!

Your new best friend inside the luxurious Deluxe Edition box!

Lift the glass cover and inside the deluxe box you’ll find your very own kewpie doll, just like those you see in my photos! Your kewpie comes direct from Japan, and wears around its neck a miniature flash drive filled with a host of exclusive digital content.

The drive holds two digital versions of Plastic Prophets of Vinyl Redemption. The first is exactly the same as the digital ebook available on Apple’s iBookstore and compatible with the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. And just in case you don’t have access to one of those devices, the flash drive includes the full 135 page book as a PDF that can be viewed on any personal computer.

iPad users will find another added bonus on the flash drive: 95 custom wallpaper images pulled from the pages of the book to give your iPad a custom Wind-up Dreams look that will be the envy of all your friends! Kewpies, bathing beauties, robots and presidents. They’re all on the flash drive to brighten your electronic day.

So what are you waiting for? Click on over to the Wind-up Dreams & Vinyl Nightmares Etsy shop for more information!

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Deluxe Edition Boxed Set of Plastic Prophets Now Available!

Remember the digital coffee table book, Plastic Prophets of Vinyl Redemption, that we released last Fall? Well hold on to your hats, folks, because beginning next week, we’ll have available in the Etsy shop a Deluxe Edition! Inside of a specially designed and hand-crafted wooden box, you’ll receive an adorable kewpie doll smartly accessorized with a USB drive containing the Plastic Prophets ebook for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch and a Plastic Prophets PDF for viewing on personal computers. The box also includes 95 custom wallpaper images to give your iPad screen the Wind-up Dreams look it surely deserves. Not only will all you tech-y folks receive digital versions of the book, but you’ll also be delighted with the old-fashioned, hold-in-your-hands 32 page mini book, which features exclusive full page images not contained in the digital copy. A Plastic Prophets sticker, Wind-up Dreams web card, Certificate of Authenticity are also included.

Because we love the topsy-turviness life can offer here at Wind-up Dreams, we’ve taken the unique route of creating a super special collectible limited edition from a previously digital-only ebook. You can see a sneak peek of how the Deluxe Edition looks above. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or the Blog. We’d love to hear what you think!

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Record Store Day!

Another Records Store Day has come and gone, and the euphoria of an early morning standing in line to buy mystery vinyl is now replaced by melancholy and nostalgia, as the next Record Store Day is now a year away.

But that’s okay…

Because, now, I get to listen to all of my great finds!!  And if that wasn’t enough, my own personal celebration of Record Store Day continues through the weekend, as I’m offering every item in my Etsy photography shop (postcards! album editions! limited editions!) at 20% off through Monday to anyone who uses the coupon code VINYL.  Originally, the sale was to be limited to only my Twitter followers, but since my blog is still barely out of the womb and I’m all caught up in Record Store Day euphoria, how can I deny discounts to those of you who have recently found me in Blogland? Simply, I cannot… so you get the discount too, and you don’t even have to follow me on Twitter!

(shut up John… tell us all about Records Store Day)

My first stop was M-Theory Music in Mission Hills where music fans had begun lining up an hour and a half before the doors were to open.  When I arrived the line stretched to the end of the block.  The likelihood of getting any of the most coveted exclusive releases was slim, so when 10AM hit I started with the sidewalk sale of used CDs and LPs, and bought 3 LPs for $1.50 that will likely appear in a future photo.  By the time I checked out the line was only a dozen or so people out the door, so I patiently waited my turn to venture inside and browse.

Above is a shot of the scene inside the store, with most of the action in the back right corner of the store where all the Record Store Day exclusives were going very, very fast. I picked up the Bruce Springsteen live 10″ EP recorded inside the carousel building in Asbury Park.  I got a free Sub Pop sampler and grabbed a bunch of CDs from the likes of the Dum Dum Girls, LCD Soundsystem, Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, Superchunk, Animal Collective, Captain Beefheart, Girls, and Ella Fitzgerald (3 CD mini book for $11.99!!).  M-Theory was also bagging everyone’s purchases in a cool little purple shoulder bag from Kanine Records (yes, there are white silkscreened dogs on the front).

Next stop?  Record City, just a couple of miles away in Hillcrest.  The store opened at 11 and when I drove by at 11:15 the line to get in was still 20 or 30 people long.  This put me in a bit of a panic, as there is NOWHERE to park in Hillcrest on a Saturday morning.  I shamefully parked in the “customer only” lot at Whole Foods , walked in the front door, lingered, then snuck out the side (sorry Whole Foods!) and headed over the Record City.

Here’s a shot from just outside the front door.  The customers on the right are making their way by all the exclusive releases, while the line on the left is the s-l-o-w line to checkout.  Record City wasn’t quite as picked over as M-Theory and I bought a red vinyl 7″ double A-side from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Ramones, a white vinyl 10″ of B-sides from Black Angels, a 120 gram vinyl LP of Foo Fighter rarities, a Built To Spill picture disc 45, a limited live CD from The Decemberists, a CD from The Ravonettes, and a couple of vintage vinyl LPs for future photos.

No free bag at Record City, but they were providing pizza, Twinkies and Monster energy drinks.

Here’s hoping everyone reading had a Happy Record Store Day!

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New Album Editions now available!!!

Happy New Year, everyone!  We’re kicking of 2011 with two new Album Edition prints. You can now purchase smaller-sized versions of “Dixie’s Diabolical Decision” and “Idol Worship of the Worshipped Idols” for only $25!!!  That’s quite a bargain for unique fine art professionally printed on high-quality archival paper in gorgeous, glossy colors. If you’re not familiar with our Album Editions, they’re printed on 11×11” paper, making them perfect for displaying in lp frames (like these from Urban Outfitters). With these two new additions, we now offer 15 of your favorite photos as Album Editions, giving you a wide selection to choose from at this great price. Now that the holidays are over and you’re done shopping for everyone else, why not treat yourself to something nice?

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Collector Postcard Set is Here!

Special Edition Collector Cards

Starting today, postcards are available for purchase in the Etsy shop! These Special Edition Collector Cards come in a package of eight and include a front insert signed by John and a back card that includes all eight images (shown above). Each 4 x 6″ postcard is professionally printed with a UV protected front. Both sides are printed in vibrant color on glossy paper. We didn’t skimp, folks! You will receive eight different images, each from the Plastic Prophets of Vinyl Redemption series.

This is Volume One of our Collector Postcard Sets and we anticipate more sets in the future. At $9.95, these are our lowest-priced items in the shop, and a wonderful way to collect art on a budget.  It’s wonderful receiving a handwritten note in the mailbox in this current age of email, so send them to friends, or keep them all to yourself and frame them (we won’t tell anyone).

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June Sale On Etsy

Frank and Betty get pinned without a care in the world

Throughout the month of June, “The Allegory of Sanctimonious Revenge,” “Frank and Betty get pinned without a care in the world,” and “Fresh from a messy divorce, Kitty plots an ensemble for her next midnight prowl” will be on sale for 15% off. That means savings of up to $60.00! If you’ve had your eye one (or two, or three) of these lovelies, now is the time to snap them up. Wonder how we pick the sale photos for each month? I’ll let you in on a little secret. Here at the Wind-up Dreams HQ, we love kooky holidays! June 18 is National Splurge Day, and who knows more about splurging than that cougar on the prowl, Kitty? June 20 is Ice Cream Soda Day, and cutie pie teen lovebirds, Frank and Betty, seemed like a perfect fit to celebrate this day in honor of the sweet and creamy good stuff. And in an ode to the perennially single (and happily so, thank you very much), we offer up “The Allegory of Sanctimonious Revenge” for all the anti-June brides out there. So what are you waiting for?  Head over to etsy to check out the sale. Happy shopping!        

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Treasury East’s on Etsy = FUN

Etsy recently released a new version of their Treasury feature called Treasury East. Unlike the current Treasury, with Treasury East you can create as many as you like, and they have no expiration date. They can be viewed anytime, and you don’t have to concern yourself with whether or not there are currently 333 (really) Treasuries currently listed. Treasury East is currently in beta and what the future Treasury will look like (hopefully soon).  Exactly what is a Treasury, you ask? It’s basically a member-curated shopping gallery. They’re a lot of fun to browse through, especially if you don’t know quite what you’re looking for on Etsy, and I daresay even more fun to create.

I’ve spent the past few weeks creating Treasuries and I have been amazed at the wonderfully diverse items Etsy has to offer. It is definitely NOT just handmade crafts! The Treasuries so far range from such themes as “The Dark Widow” (shown above) to “Dealing with the Paparazzi.” I have stumbled upon some fantastic vintage finds, like bombshell wiggle dresses and glamorous cat eye sunglasses. And did you know Etsy sellers offer delectable treats and sweets? Blood orange jam? Yes, yes, yes please! We’ve received great feedback so far, and would love to hear from more people. With enough views and positive feedback, one of our Treasuries may even be featured on the coveted Etsy home page. Check them all out here and let us know what you think!

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May Sale Going On Now!

Mother puts a little something "extra" in the morning oatmeal to get her family off to a fantastic day!

Through May 31, three great photos will be 15% off on etsy.  To celebrate Mother’s Day on May 9, we are offering Mother puts a little something “extra” in the morning oatmeal to get her family off to a fantastic day! on sale.  She waddled around bloated and nauseous for nine months, the least you could do is show her your appreciation with this fun, lovely Limited Edition print.  Also in the month of May is International Jazz Day on the 29th.  We think Last Call at the Vinyl Alibi Jazz Club is a fantastic way of celebrating this art form we can be proud to say originated right here in the good ol’ USA.  Did you know that May is also National Photograph Month?  In honor of our anonymous little photographer in the gingham shirt, Leroy and his Singing Flamingos are invited to a rose garden soirée will also be 15% off.  Head over to etsy and check out these great deals and all of our other photos today!  Mother’s Day is a mere 6 days away, and we know you want your package delivered to mom on time.  Rumor has it moms have a knack for laying on the guilt, and we don’t want that, do we?

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April Sale on Etsy

Hello Spring!!! As April rains and longer hours of sunshine bring growth and renewal, we yearn to refresh our living space. Through the month of April, Rebecca’s picnic hike, Dancing the Temperance Two-step, and Helen’s trip to the fertility clinic will be 15% off. Sweet Rebecca sitting amongst a field of flowers is a perfect choice for bringing the vibrancy of Spring indoors. In Dancing the Temperance Two-step, the early 20th century children’s encyclopedia, The Book of Knowledge, is prominently displayed. We felt this made it the perfect photo to feature in honor of Library Week (first week in April) and School Librarian Day on April 4. There’s just something about the feel of the warm sun on bare skin that brings out the Spring Fever in all of us, isn’t there? We’d like to keep this kid-friendly, so we’ll just leave it at that and say Helen’s trip to the fertility clinic will remind you of that lovin’ feeling no matter what the season. It’s amazing how looking at these fun, happy pieces will lift your spirits, so check out these great deals and more on Etsy.

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Etsy Showcase March 4th and March 6th

Helen's trip to the fertility clinic dashes Walter's plans for a secret seaside rendezvous

Exciting news, folks!  On Thursday, March 4th and Saturday, March 6th, we will have an item featured in Etsy’s “Artwork for Every Room” Showcase!  The Showcase is a nifty feature on Etsy that displays the top-selling and favorite items of Etsy sellers.  Our first item, an Album Edition of Helen’s trip to the fertility clinic dashes Walter’s plans for a secret seaside rendezvous is priced at $25.00.  “Helen,” as she is affectionately known at Wind-up Dreams & Vinyl Nightmares HQ, will be linked for 24 hours from a prominent banner on Etsy’s home page.  The entire Showcase will run from Monday, March 1, 2010 12 a.m. ET until Sunday, March 7, 2010, 11:59 p.m. ET.  The renewal and regrowth of of Spring inspires many of us to clean, organize, and spruce up our homes.  Adding art work to your daily life can be incredibly fulfilling, so please visit and support all the wonderful art Etsy has to offer.

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