Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tanner Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tanner, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I have many people come to me to create special pieces, from George Washington to Babe Ruth to wedding engagement cards to cards memorializing a loved one that passed away. It means a lot to me when someone puts such a huge amount of trust into me and my craft that they commission me to create something amazing for them.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Tanner, and I’m a baseball card addict. In fact, I wrote the book on it, Confessions of a Baseball Card Addict! Cardboard truly runs through my veins. I was probably born with a stick of Topps chewing gum in my mouth. :)
Aside from writing a book and collecting baseball cards (Jose Canseco is my main guy to collect), I also have had various articles published, and have my own podcast (Confessions of a Baseball Card Addict on Spotify).
But none of that is my current “claim to fame” so to speak. I create my own baseball cards.
It all started about 10 or so years ago when I started heavily collecting my favorite baseball player, Jose Canseco. I was saddened that at the time they weren’t making too many new cards of his, so I thought I’d give it a try to create some cards of his that were never made before.
After a while, people started wanting me to create cards for them that oftentimes become the true centerpiece of their collection.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
For over 20 years, I ran my own website development firm, and learned a lot of lessons – the hard way. I didn’t go to school for it or anything, so literally everything I learned was by doing it wrong at first, and pulling all nighters to get things figured out. A ton of stress came with that line of work. Collecting cards, writing about cards, talking about cards, and yes, creating cards was my escape.
About a year and a half ago, our baby boy Phoenix passed away. It was the absolute hardest and worst thing we have ever had to go through … using the word “had” here is probably not the most appropriate of words to use, as that makes it sound like the grief and heartache are over with, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Since Phoenix passed away, my wife Holly started a ministry named Phoenix Bears, to where she makes customized teddy bears to give to parents who have lost a child. She weights them to the weight of the baby they lost. It has been an outlet for her to provide some sort of comfort to parents who are on the same road we are on.
I have also pivoted from web development to creating special custom cards for people. From baseball players to presidents to pets. The stress of trying to meet the demands of web development clients just proved too much for me to handle after Phoenix passed away, so creating cards instead has been wonderful.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
As an artist, I’ve learned a lot. Some of the greatest thrills of being an artist is twofold: To show the customer, and hear their response, and to showcase my work in public, and get their response. I try to share my work on social media 4-5 times a week, and most every time, I get a significant amount of positivity. It truly has been amazing. I’m so thankful for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tanmanbaseballfan.com
- Instagram: @tanmanbaseballfan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tanner.jones.52
- Twitter: @tanmanbbfan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/tanmanbaseballfan