The Santa Clones.

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Here are the final batch of comment cards.

I gave one of the Santas to Trevor Gobel as thanks for his help with the display. He took it home, and his son, Timothy instantly fell in love with it. I know how you feel, little guy. Good to see the enthusiasm will live on.

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UPDATE: here’s a link to the final outcome from our shoot: SANTA BABY. Just the right balance of St. Nick and David Lynch.

Had a fashion shoot with the Santas last week. Photography by Carlin Sundell. Hair, make-up, styling, enthusiasm by Loann Vo. Modeling by Sarah Schroeder. Fog machine, Santa wrangling by Chris Willis. The shoot told a dark and dangerous story of obsession. Just perfect for the Holidays!

BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS BY CHRIS AND LOANN. GROUP SHOT BY CARLIN.

Someone naughty keeps taking the pens I supply for comment cards. It was getting kind of annoying, so I wrote the above note yesterday afternoon, and placed 4 new pens in the holder. I was informed via email that by last night ALL 4 PENS WERE GONE AGAIN.
I wonder if my note just encouraged spiteful theft? Oh well—those responsible will get theirs. By now the tiny devices I planted in the felt pens have detonated, staining the culprits’ pockets or back packs, while ruining any chances of note writing they might
have planned. Merry Christmas you filthy animal…and a Happy New Year! Oh, and thanks for the apple, whoever-you-are. The Santas are taking notes, that was nice.

In addition to comment cards, I’ve gotten the occasional email note. Here’s a fun one.

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Here are more comment cards left at the display.

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Obviously mine is not the most original idea. Candy shops all over the world have been displaying delicious Santa clones for years. There’s something spellbinding about a swarm of Santas, and those shopkeepers know it.

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Each time I found an empty spot in town, I’d snap an image and photoshop up a rendering of what I thought the display could look like in the space. bside6 was the obvious winner — for the location, visibility, hipness, and the fact that Lance got back to me within 4 or 5 hours of getting my PDF. His two word reply: “I’m in!” Here are a few other ideas I had for various locations. Some I’m not so sure about, as I now have a better grasp of what it actually takes to set up 150+ of these little guys. Still, they looked good in theory.

CLICK ON ALBUM FOR THE HOLIDAY MUSICAL STYLINGS OF HAL WILLIS!
I love how Google searches can send you to magical and mysterious places. Not only is the song called “Santa’s Clones,” but the artists are Hal and Ginger WILLIS. You can’t make things like that up!  The Universe is definitely in the holiday spirit.

Santa and his photo studio crew. Yeah, he’s always plugged in.