Bindlegrim's 5th Hallowe'en Anniversay Box Set

The 2016 Bindlegrim Summer Sale is still active into early Autumn with 25% off items on Bindlegoods, and a big thank-you to those cool ghouls following on facebook and/or twitter who participated in the two auctions that closed tonight (shown below).

Bats & Mice (left) with Spooksville Road (right) - auctions complete.

The final 2015 auction offers a pandora's box of past Bindlegrim work. It's a 5th Hallowe'en Anniversary (one-of-a-kind) Box Set with transparency logo, and filled with a selection of items from the past 5+ years (some pre-Bindlegrim) with at least one Artist Proof lantern never previously available.

Update Sept 5, 2016 (tentative content list at bottom of this post):

Tentative content list as of Sept 5, 2016:

Spook Box (2016) Content List Envelope (with card and Boo! transparency print)

The Pumpkin Dream, signed copy (orig. 2011) 

Untitled artist proof #2/3 box lantern, signed - (2011)

The Cornish Litany, carnivorous tree, signed postcard #14/25 (2011)

The Cornish Litany, chamber spooks, signed postcard #14/25 (2011)

The Cornish Litany, keyhole set of 12 postcards (2012)

Spooklights, Pendant Lamp Shade #1 (2014)

Spooklights, Candlestick Lamp Base, #1 (2014)

Spooklights, Candlestick Lamp Base, #2 (2014)

Spooklights Creature Votive (2014)

Beasties, candy basket version (2015)

Beasties, set  of 4 postcards (2015)

Dodeca lantern #10  Bats & Mice , signed limited edition (2015)

Dodeca lantern #11 Spooksville Road, signed limited edition (2015)

Additional Oddities:

Halloween Trunk Show 8, 9, & 10 postcards (2013-15)

Hallowe’en set of 9 greeting cards with 1 place holder, 1 place holder alternate (2004)

Final Farewells - 3rd Annual Studio Purge

Bindlegrim has purged a few remaining Halloween items from the studio - some vintage-style candy containers and Hallowe'en lanterns from the 2013 and 2014 seasons. A recent tradition during these last two summers, this would be the third albeit mini Summer Sale - via jumpkinpunkins on ebay. And here's a small review of the items listed:

The following three listings from this sale, are all the last of their limited-edition series. Auction bidding ends August 9th, 2015. (Note - all sets include the addition of four Hallowe'en postcards released in 2014). 

1. Vintage-Style Halloween CREEPS #4/5 Set 6 Artist Signed Candy-Container Lanterns (click here to visit ebay listing).

This listing is for the last packaged set of six vintage-style candy-container-lanterns from  #4/5 Creeps (Shadow Edition) mechanically diecut, signed and sealed during the production. The candy-container design features classic slot-and-tabs to create an open-top box that holds treats, and doubles in function as a lantern with translucent eyes, nose, and mouths.

Each character is also signed and hand-numbered on inside base - for example: "Creeps (Shadow Edition)" #1 (1-6 for the characters), #4/5 (edition with the artist's Halloween signature), 2013 Bindlegrim.  More photos (the artist's creation process and final production shots) as well as various video is available on flickr: the Creeps album.

2. Vintage-style Halloween lantern Traditional Grim 6/6 last signed limited-edition (click here to visit ebay listing).

#10 Traditional Grim #6/6 (last one) comes from a series of 12-sided lanterns - this one was created especially for sale to attendees at the Halloween Trunk Show #9 (2014).  The imagery was a return to traditional orange and black and is a hybrid of two previous lanterns. (The pumpkin vines from "The Pumpkin Patch" and shrunken-head style pumpkin faces from "The Horrid Decor"). It was briefly displayed during the show (with a postcard stating it's history before being sealed in its package). 

Because I missed getting any studio shots during the craziness of preparing for the show, I wanted to share this awesome photo by Johanna Parker who to my wonderful surprise, included one from this edition in her home decor for the season! (PS - the bat hook is also by Bindlegrim available on the Bindlegoods store). 

Some item details --- when flat the lantern measures about 12" by 12" side to side. The frame is made from 2-ply acid-free museum board. The vellum imagery is laser-printed for durability. Advised best lighting with an LED or low 3 watt white light for best color range (anything hotter is not advised, nor is exposure to the elements). Every process was Made in the USA and hand-assembled by the artist. The main packages is hand-numbered. The lantern inside is signed and numbered "Traditional Grim" #6/6 (edition with the artist's Halloween signature), 2014 Bindlegrim.

3. Vintage-style Halloween lantern Harvest Moon 4/6 last signed limited-edition (click here to visit ebay listing).

#9 Harvest Moon #4/6 was also created especially for sale to attendees at the Halloween Trunk Show #9 (2014).  The imagery was inspired by early century pumpkin faces, and is heavily detailed compared to early 2012 silhouette lanterns when the 12-sided series first began.

In the same madness, I didn't get any studio shots, but collectors were very kind to send in images of their acquired lanterns - and this colorful photo is a definite favorite with the beautiful autumn colors contrasting the lantern panes!

Similar construction information applies to this lantern. Note that this lantern was produced and sealed at the time it was created. The last one for this listing was never displayed.

Thank you again for ogling the goods - and in the next month hoping to have some new standard products available on the Bindlegoods store. Please remember that the artist does take a break from this one-spook operation near the end of October (pre-Halloween) so early ordering is recommended.

Bindlegrim's Bindlegoods

So these last couple of months, there has been much talk about the opening day of Bindlegoods. Wasn't that set for February..? Was it going to creep up during March..? Hey, hasn't April blustered by already without a sign..? Well those days have passed (hopefully with most of the southwestern dust-storm season) and looks like opening day is going to fall sometime during this first week of May! I know this to be true because two orders (from fans who snuck into the crypt) are going out the door this week. The web shoppe address, btw, which I forgot to mention, is bindlegoods.bindlegrim.com

Here's a couple of photos of some Spooklights contents (lamp base and lamp shade) ready for packaging... which will soon be a small non-limited run (vs. limited edition) from Bindlegoods. 

As well the Spooklights postcard set just arrived in the studio and is set to ship out free with the first orders (while supplies last). These are colorful Halloween illustrations on a 4x6 matte postcard.

I do believe the next post will be an announcement for the opening of the shop! Thank you for your patience with the ol bones of Bindlegrim! Keep up to date with latest Bindlegrim news via facebook, twitter, and check out some additional imagery via flickr.

By the way, if you've read this far, you just might be a true Bindlegrim fan --- so don't forget last summer started a Bindlegrim tradition for selling the previous year's designs... and there a few limited-edition Creeps (lanterns and candy containers) and Spirits who might be in need of a good haunted home. 

Ballad of Papi Huesos - author notes

It's almost over! Here is the next to the last week in the Bindlegrim blog comment contest (see below)*** of author-note series for the print & e-book Tall Tales Shorter Days.

This fifth tale in On Stranger Winds was actually the last story penned for the book, and is very much a playful piece, a break in style that I needed following the darkness of penning Let Rains Bring Toads. For its part, Ballad is all fantasy, and a prequel of sorts (taking place in that whimsical world of Pumpkinheart). This time, humans make the small cameo appearances in a story that follows mummies, witches, ghosts, and a rabble of other strange things... like these...

SNEEK PEAK: Working character designs (Bindlegrim for Halloween 2013)

The story basically follows a boney mummified gent who is in process one Halloween night of composing a very personal biographical ballad. However, he is frequently interrupted by one thing or another, as when he becomes entangled in some Halloween thievery. Since Sr. Huesos never fully sings his ballad, from start to finish, in the book..., I thought I'd give a chance for the ballad to be seen here without disruption:

When as a mortal man I roamed
With more to me than crust and bones
I met, that day my life did end,
A lovely girl with cocoa skin -

Her eyes like coal from once great fires
Foretold the fate of my desire
For knowing not next morn I die
Vowed ne’er again to leave her side…

Yet as we dozed beneath the stars
A man appeared whose pride was scarred
In honor until death to fight
With naught but fists against his knife

And while the tears of my betrothed
In moonlight like the comets rolled
So too did I upon his blade
That carved my soul upon the grave

But ‘ere my journey to the deep
My love with charms did kiss this cheek
That guarded me in death by spells
To bar me from the gates of Hell

But in those years her soul did fade
My soul retook these old remains
And stood alone clawed from the dirt
As Papi Huesos here on earth

And should my love I fail to find
Upon this earth such years to pine
At least these old bones played a part
To keep the fires of Pumpkinheart

We lit the glow from bindles grim,
And charged the will o’wisp to mend
The embers bright we most esteem
That save good souls on Halloween

The ballad closes, with lyrics inspired by surrounding events. In this Pumpkinheart tale, a witch (perhaps the younger version from Watrous & Valmora?) is up to no good - trying to steal a powerful Halloween jewel. She is accompanied by a ghost. Could this too be the very same from Watrous & Valmora? The main character, most certainly new to the world of Pumpkinheart, is Papi Huesos (a name, in a more famous story, by which band members call a certain Jack Skellington if you watch with Spanish subtitles - the translation for Bone Daddy). Our emaciated skeletal gentleman, Sr. Huesos, gets stuck in the middle of the witch's plans.

To be revealed: Can you name the postcard described in the story's first scene?
Update 3-10-2013... And the answer is...

The opening scene,  (introducing the ghost and witch in the midst of heist capers), is actually based on visuals from one of two vintage postcards. This one featuring something we don't see much in modern Halloween - Veggie People. In this scene the Veggie People are at chase, doing their best to reclaim the Pumpkinheart. Can any vintage Halloween fans out there name that postcard? I will automatically give away a book to anyone who can point out that card in a book or on the internet.

To be revealed: Can you name the 2nd vintage postcard in a subsequent scene?

Update 3-10-2013... And the answer is...

This is something you probably need to read the book to know for sure... but I've offered some very definite clues. And I'll do the same for anyone who can name the second postcard that is described in this story - where, in a later scene, our main character views a very picturesque Halloween scene upon the water. As to that, I should likely give no more clues, since few vintage cards appear off dry land...

Well, that's it until next week, the final entry! I very much appreciate all who who may be enjoying their copies: (in print on Amazon or Etsy) or by e-book via Kindle/iPad.

Bindlegrim books in need of a new home. PS - Cover art is by David Irvine

*** GIVEAWAY DETAILS ***

1) From March 3rd to Mar 9th - leave a blog comment here about whatever you like... about mummies, witches, ghosts, maybe even Halloween pranks...?

2) For each author-notes blog entries, I will draw randomly at the end of that week to give the commenting visitor a signed printed copy of Tall Tales Shorter Days.

3) At the end of all six blog entries I will draw from ALL comments (more commenting visits, more chances to win) for one Bindlegrim lantern - The Horrid Decor (Orange on Ghost Skin) seen below.

Note - Bindlegrim encourages and hopes, but does not require, that readers might leave a Like or a Review on the Amazon pages for the book: print or e-book.

*** GIVEAWAY DETAILS ***

Happy Easter from Bindlegrim

A short posting here wishing everyone a Happy Easter! Wanted to share just a handful of vintage images that have been found over the past year and added to this pinterest gallery. Included here are a few vintage cards found while antiquing but see the pinterest gallery for a larger selection of fun and sometimes very strange imagery that others have shared on the web... for example, who knew roosters and rabbits were into smoking...?

Source: flickr.com via Bumble on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Bumble on Pinterest

And of course, don't forget there is a Bindlegrim vintage style lantern ending tonight on eBay. Catch all the details for that in this previous posting - Cyclonic Cavalcade of Witches and Rockets.

Lanterns for Ghoulies and Ghosties

From Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long-leggety Beasties and Things that go Bump in the Night, Good Lord deliver us! -- (The Cornish Litany).

An earlier mentioned limited edition run of vintage-style 2012 Halloween lanterns has finally reached production, with a live listing now: CORNISH LITANY vintage style LANTERN (Choose Color) & 12 POSTCARD SET Bindlegrim (ending 3/18), and with a surprising selection of colors: orange, purple, and green available.

Here are some photos of the lanterns in the studio before and after final packaging:

Why green and purple this time? The Cornish Litany originated from Cornwall, and the verse was printed or burned onto souvenirs with imagery that featured scary characters frightening people in Gothic settings; one early artist featured a palette of green and purple, and inspired the color choices used in this lantern edition. 

For more about the verse, with artist imagery past and present, I recommend the collector and book that inspired me, Debra Meister's - A Litany... Cornish and Otherwise.

 These lanterns, style #2 The Cornish Litany, were produced as a total of 9 lanterns with litany imagery, but divided into only 3 of each color.  The twelve panels  are full of ghosts, ghouls, skeletons, castles, beasts, and bugs, together with the verse of the litany reading left to right. Here is a series of photos of this hanging Halloween lantern showing each facet, in the different colors available.

I really enjoy the purple and green with a small LED light inside of them (because of the bluish tint those lights cast). The orange looks great with an orange battery operated candle or a 3 watt flicker bulb.

Included with this lantern comes a complete 12 postcard set (only 30-45 of each card printed) previously mentioned in the blog entry Cornish Litany and Postcard Set when I was working on the lantern's prototype... and the cards were recently available at the End of Winter International Show for postcard and paper ephemera collectors in New York city.

Playing off the "key hole" design of the lantern, I though it was fun to focus on this shape as a peek-a-boo motif for the imagery, and gave each card a little skull topped skeleton key to go with the verse. Now that these are posted for viewing,  I'm finishing up another postcard soon to be available for Easter... and hope to have that showing up here soon. Until then... stay spooky but enjoy the Spring!