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What Is An Artisan PhotoGift Service? By Guest Blogger, David O'Shea

NEW services offered by VerlinStudios



















In a second in a series of interviews with VerlinStudios' owner, online entrepreneur and star photographer to beautiful landscapes, etc--John D. Verlin.

John--before we discuss this John Dillenger Vintage 1930's Collection placemat, mug, etc--let's talk about this new service you're offering your customers.

John: David, it's called Artisan PhotoGift services. A lot of folks wrote us and indicated they liked our products--but wanted to know if we could put THEIR kids pics on the mug we offer--or pets, loved ones, etc.

David: Instead of your work...their work so to speak?

John: Correct. It's just like anything--a lot of folks don't have the time, experience, equipment to produce personal photo's into gifts--so they need an experienced professional to do it for them.

David: Of course, they could go to a box retailer or other online service.

John: That's true. They could. They might even save a little--or maybe pay more.

David: But they may prefer a small business--rather than a large photo print producer, etc--for more personal attention, expertise, etc. Plus--they can already see your work.

John. Precisely--I'm not way overpriced on anything either. But these are THEIR personal photo's we're talking about. They don't want a mug that looks washed out--or a calendar that isn't centered properly by some college recruit. They're paying for expertise and experience. That's still valuable today.

David: It just takes one bad experience to prove that! So how do they order your PhotoGift services?

John: Just go to our Etsy site and click on the module. We charge $9.95 per product. Once they order it-we contact them via email. Ask them which of our products they want to order with their pics on it. They send us the pics and we send them back a proof. Once approved, we ship their products to them typically that week. https://www.etsy.com/listing/181101447/artisan-photogift-services?ref=shop_home_feat_4

NEW Ragdoll Feeding Time Custom Monogrammed Magnet
David: John, let's move on to the item we talked about at our last blogpost discussion--about that John Dillenger placemat and mug you have. How did VerlinStudios get those items?

John: A lot of people think that I paid the Dillenger estate the rights to use that article/image. But it wasn't quite that simple. I tell folks it's taken 85 years to produce those products. Reason being--they come from an old yellow KC Star newspaper that my brother and I found in our family Bible (circa 1900) in the 1990's.

David: So, these were produced from an actual "newspaper" back then?

John: Yes--the original KC Star from July 23, 1934. My grandfather had it and it was folded up in our Bible. 

David: Wow--I'll bet that was an exciting find!

John: Definitely! A number of friends wanted to know if I could make copies for them. That's when I came up with the idea of putting it on placemats (for them to read), mugs, plates--etc. I call it the Vintage 1930's Collection. I also produced photo's of the era of my grandparents and mother to accompany these products. 

David: A lot of folks are into the Vintage stuff now--particularly on Etsy!

John: True. It's funny, but I've had friends go over the VerlinStudio's Etsy site--and as they scroll down the page--invariably, they see this Dillenger article on a plate or something. It grabs their attention.

David: Well, that's history...I mean, that's really living history!

John: Yes it is. That's why I was excited to offer this to everyone to see and read. And...on our second plate/placemat item--is a picture (not just headline) of John Dillenger--and a small article encased in two dark parenthesis. It indicates that women in Pierce City, Missouri wearing "backless" dresses will be subject to arrest!"

David: Really? Now that's getting personal!

John: Well remember, this was 1934--a hot July (the Topeka woman's bridge club was to meet at 5am to beat the 104 degree afternoon heat)--during the Depression. I think my grandfather marked that article as he was an elder in our church. Maybe that's why he kept this newspaper--not Dillenger after all!

David: This is really fascinating. I want to post a picture of what we're talking about. But this is not some library copy or something--this is from your family--and has his markings on it! That makes this so vintage. Your actual connection to it!

John: And we've produced them in placemats as well--so you can "read" all about it!

David: Yeah, between bites of toast!

John: Oh....and one more thing...

David: I should have guessed! Yes Steve?

John: We have two more mugs and placemats coming out soon.

David: Are these about those poor backless dressed women in Missouri being arrested?

John: No. Actually--articles, from the same paper on Will Rodgers and Charles Lindbergh!

David: Really? From the "same" paper?

John: Yes--it is "living" history.

David: When will this come out? 

John: Probably in the next few weeks. Will Rodgers had just gotten out of the hospital--and Lindbergh was testifying before Congress.

David: That is really neat. You're right--you can't get these products anywhere else!

John: VerlinStudios is home of the Original "Mug" Shot! Public Enemy #1, First Gangsta' Mug...

David: All right, enough. See all of John's products at:

And if you'd like to learn more about his ad agency:

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