Want some free stuff? You’re in the right place…with only a little effort from you.
Over the years, I’ve offered a variety of contests and giveaways on this website.
There have been two bookplate contests (in which I designed an original bookplate for the winning entry), get out of jail contests (in which I mailed a laminated Lone Prairie cartoon “get out of jail” wallet card to anyone who responded), and lasered Lone Prairie pencils that I made myself. I also offered, in some format or another, envelopes filled with whatever odds and ends I had (sketches, art, notes).
I have a lot of junk to give away, so I figure I’ll just keep disguising it as a contest and save myself the rummage sale. Here are the current contests and/or offers:
I. The Return of the Pencil Contest
I still have the pencils. I found them in a box when I moved to Bismarck.
They come in about four different colors, plus natural wood (shown here). They are unique, and there are limited quantities. I made them myself; I used to work at a shop where I had access to a laser machine.
If you’d like one, I’ll basically give you one except I’m going to make you work for the shipping and handling costs, just like I did in the older version of the contest.
How To Enter: Mail me a letter, sketch, card, piece of paper, postcard — whatever you want — that eulogizes the pencil. Be it in poem, limerick, sketch, sentence, essay, or 250-page novel, send it my way. Keep in mind that if you don’t include a return address I can’t send you a pencil. Also, I may feature your entry on my blog if I think it is funny or unique. By entering, you give me permission to do so. Your address and identity will be kept private, all copyrights still yours. One pencil will be mailed per entry, unless you really impress me. Then, maybe two. Since I have to pay for a padded envelope and postage, feel free to throw in a buck or two if you want. Not required.
If it makes it easier on you, you can download this worksheet (PDF) where you can work your magic with a pencil, and send it in to me.
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II. Artist Trading Card Exchange
Send me an artist trading card (ATC), and I’ll return the favor.
It’s a great way to build your own personal original art collection, one tiny card at a time. I love collecting them, and I love sending them out.
I reserve the right to feature your ATC on my blog with proper copyright and attribution to you, unless you specifically request otherwise. I may also feature my own ATC cards on my blog in various forms. All copyrights for the images on the cards still remain with me.
Exchanges are limited to four cards (you send four, I send four) per person.
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Today’s Mail
Who doesn’t like getting mail?
Yeah?
Then you need to send some, too. I send out lots of mail. If you find it in your ability to send some to me, I may feature it on the blog in the Today’s Mail category. Interesting letters, cards, envelopes, postcards, anonymous questions you want me to answer on my site — it’s pretty wide open.
