New Year’s Resolution: Organize my decks of cards
Lyle Borders
Got cards? I do.
I have somewhere near 200 decks now in my personal collection. With that many cards, I have had to learn a little something about how to take care of them. Here are a few pointers from me to you to help keep things slick.
These few tips and pointers are just the beginning. Use them to keep your collection in tip-top shape.
1- Get Organized
As you start to collect a lot of cards, you need somewhere to put them all besides EVERYWHERE.
I personally use this, a plastic drawer set from Walmart. This isn’t the only option, but figure out something. Here is mine.
2- Find a place for loose cards
Old, worn cards, and spare cards from your… um… creative projects have many uses. You may use them to replace a lost or signed card in a deck, to make gimmicks, or to just simply practice card throwing. Whatever your style, these loose cards make an AWFUL mess. Find an empty shoebox, or a drawer on your plastic storage unit from Walmart, and keep them all there.
3- When your cards start to get sticky…
Give them a break. If your favorite deck just doesn’t want to work anywhere, let them rest. Let them sit untouched in your favorite storage place for a couple weeks. Often all it takes for your cards to be revived is to get a rest from the moisture of your hands. When they have enough time to dry out, they will regain their amazing feeling.
These things are NOT gimmicks. They really work. A regular, cheap clip will keep the deck from warping like mad in your pocket. A nice PORPER clip will even take some of the bend out of your cards.
5- Wash Your Hands
Grease and dirt will kill your cards, and there is no return for a greasy, dirty deck. If you know you are going to be using your cards, go out of your way to wash and dry your hands. This simple, common sense idea will keep your pasteboards alive.
There will be more to come, but in the meantime get your collection organized and send us your photos so we can see how creative you all are!
-Lyle Borders
