Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Trading Cards & Collectibles Podcast
Host: Ryan Alford (Radcast Network)
Guest: Tom Fallows aka "The Card Carver"
Date: September 5, 2025
Episode: Tom Fallos (The Card Carver) brings LUXURY NOSTALGIA to his craft by SCARCITY

Theme:
This episode dives deep into the world of custom trading card art through the eyes of renowned artist Tom Fallows, known as The Card Carver. The discussion unpacks his unique blend of culture, nostalgia, and artistry, examining how scarcity and storytelling elevate collectibles into luxury items. Listeners get insight into how Tom's process and philosophy are influencing the booming trading card and collectibles market.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tom's Origin Story and the Rise of Card Carving

• Early Struggles and Community Doubt

  • Tom began by cutting up existing sports cards into new artworks, often facing skepticism and even mockery in Facebook groups. Initial sales were as low as $25, and it wasn’t immediately apparent there was a market for his work.
    • Notable Quote:

      "In the beginning, it was kind of hard to even sell them for like 25 bucks. People in Facebook groups would laugh when I'd post them, and I was just making them for fun, you know, to start."
      — Tom Fallows [03:55]

• Growth and Recognition

  • Over time, Tom stuck with his passion, finding a growing collector base and earning respect among other artists and collectors. A major breakthrough was collaborating with artist Chuck Stiles on a LeBron James card, adding layers of authenticity and collectability.
    • Notable Quote:

      “…to take that card where there's so many of them that Topps printed, and then breathe an entirely different life into it is always a lot of... It's a lot of fun...”
      — Tom Fallows [04:21]

Scarcity, Consistency, and Creative Integrity

• The Importance of Consistency

  • Both host and guest stress that long-term effort and consistency are essential to break through the crowded collectibles market. Tom stands out by meeting collectors in person, not just staying online.
    • Quote:

      “Consistency is super key. I've seen a lot of guys come and a lot of guys go, and not a lot of guys go out and hit the road the way that I do...”
      — Tom Fallows [05:41]

• Risk and Artistic Fulfillment

  • Tom isn’t afraid to take risks with his art, sometimes making pieces that may not resonate with a wide audience but feel authentic to him.
    • Quote:

      “If you're not taking risks, you're not going to really get very far. I sometimes will create art and put it out knowing that it's something that's not going to resonate with the majority of people.”
      — Tom Fallows [07:23]

The Creative Process and Philosophy

• Techniques: Cutting, Digital Design, and Shadowboxing

  • Tom details how he transforms cards through physical carving, multi-layered shadowbox techniques, and limited digital prints (usually a run of ten with special gold-framed canvases). The physical assembly is laborious and intentional, focusing on quality and scarcity.
    • Quote:

      “I'm usually creating a shadow box. I'm taking the edges of cards, cutting them out, just the border and then I'm stacking them so that I can then build the card so that it has, you know, a 3D aspect to it.”
      — Tom Fallows [08:18]

• Cultural Mashups

  • Early on, Tom realized he could blend sports imagery with pop culture icons (G.I. Joe, Super Mario, Spider-Man, The Goonies), creating distinct nostalgia pieces rather than just traditional sports art.
    • Quote:

      “Why am I just doing sports when I can take everything else and mash it up? …It would be Jordan and incorporating G.I. Joe in the background and Super Mario and Spider-Man and the Goonies…”
      — Tom Fallows [10:40]

Scarcity as a Value Driver

• Limited Editions and Individual Touch
  • Tom does not work with a team or mass-produce; every piece is directly touched and assembled by him. He keeps print runs extremely limited to ensure exclusivity and value.
    • Quote:

      “My hands are on every piece from beginning to end. And I'm printing off the fronts, I'm printing off the backs, I'm assembling the pieces. The labels are all hand cut and printed by me...”
      — Tom Fallows [12:18]

"Luxury Nostalgia" – Emotional Connection in Collectibles

• Elevating Nostalgia into Luxury

  • Tom’s goal isn’t just to create unique objects, but to evoke memories and emotions — “luxury nostalgia,” as he calls it. This approach turns nostalgia into something with deep personal and cultural value.
    • Quote:

      “If you can also make them feel something more than just like, oh wow, this is different. Make them feel something… that's what, what is special and what works so well. That's what people want.”
      — Tom Fallows [16:15]

• The Power of Emotional Buying

  • The host frames collecting as an emotional act, not just a rational one.
    • Quote:

      “People think with their head and they buy with their heart. You're looking at that guy.”
      — Ryan Alford [16:41]

Inspiration and Influence

• Rooted in '80s & '90s Culture

  • Tom draws inspiration from childhood in the '80s and '90s, iconic musicians (Pharrell, Kanye), and multidisciplinary creators (Virgil Abloh). He emphasizes creativity as a mindset and lifestyle.
    • Quote:

      “I was the kid that… instead of paying attention to math class, I was trying to draw G.I. Joe comic books...”
      — Tom Fallows [18:29]

• Originality vs. Trends

  • Tom is aware of moments where other artists jump on the same trending topic (e.g., Kobe Day), but prefers to stay true to his unique creative voice rather than follow the crowd.
    • Quote:

      “If 20 artists are all putting a Kobe card out the same day, is that really going to be good for everybody? I'm not sure… I didn't put one out. I was busy doing other stuff.”
      — Tom Fallows [20:03]

Upcoming Projects and Collaborations

• Upcoming Card Drops

  • Tom teases a major release involving game-used jersey pieces from Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, which he’s been holding for nearly a year and preparing to turn into new art.
    • Quote:

      “I've got about 80 each of Kobe Bryant game used jersey pieces and Michael Jordan game used jersey pieces… gonna start releasing some of that stuff for sure.”
      — Tom Fallows [36:17]

• Expanding into Other Mediums

  • Tom is experimenting with multimedia work — e.g., blending century-old art and luxury brands (Louis Vuitton shopping bags), and is considering hosting a solo gallery show.
    • Quote:

      “I'm trying to do a bunch more of those. I found a handful of frames I've been hunting all summer... Like, it has to be just the right one.”
      — Tom Fallows [37:12]

• Potential Collaboration with Host

  • Discussion about collaborating on a custom piece or show drop together.
    • “Let's do it… I think we ought to do something and drop some cards at a show together.”
      — Tom Fallows [38:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Being Ahead of the Curve:

  “You have to see the invisible to do the impossible.”
  — Tom Fallows [22:18, quoting his father]

• On Execution:

  “Everybody thinks… I had that idea way before… Well, great. Did you do it?”
  — Ryan Alford [22:30]

• On Luxury Nostalgia:

  “If you can also make them feel something more than just like, oh wow, this is different. Make them feel something… that's what, what is special and what works so well.”
  — Tom Fallows [16:15]

• On Making Collectibles That Matter:

  “I think people just want to feel something at the end of the day.”
  — Tom Fallows [17:33]

• On Staying Authentic:

  “I'm inspired by what I grew up with, nearly 80s and 90s culture... Punk, hip-hop, and pop culture, Michael Jackson, Pharrell, Kanye — they’re tastemakers.”
  — Tom Fallows [21:00]

Market Insights & Hobby News (29:00–35:51)

• Trading Card Market Numbers:

  • August: $416 million in verified online card sales (eBay dominating at $301 million).
  • Card grading surges: 2.28 million cards graded, PSA leading with 1.66 million.
  • Pokemon drives 58% of PSA's volume.
  • Sports card values rising: Football up 10%, baseball up 9%, basketball up 7%.

• Industry Takeaways:

  • The hobby continues to grow rapidly with more investor interest.
  • Pokemon and TCGs are major drivers in grading and sales.
  • Big sales (Kobe/Jordan dual logoman at $12.9 million) attract new eyes but also create concern about speculators.

Where to Find The Card Carver

• Instagram and Socials: @thecardcarver
• Website: thecardcarver.com
• Best way to connect and stay updated: Instagram

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:12] – Tom describes entering the hobby, community challenges, and first sales
• [05:41] – Importance of consistency and meeting collectors face-to-face
• [07:23] – Risk-taking and keeping creativity authentic
• [08:11] – Detailed breakdown of creative process and card construction
• [10:40] – The origin of Tom’s “cultural mashup” card style
• [12:18] – How scarcity and hand-crafted process drive value
• [16:12] – “Luxury nostalgia” and emotional power in art
• [18:29] – Personal sources of inspiration (’80s & ’90s, music icons)
• [20:03] – On not following industry trends just for the sake of it
• [21:00] – Conversation about tastemakers and cross-cultural influences
• [23:01] – Upcoming shows and special collaborations
• [29:00] – Ryan covers hobby and market news: industry sales, grading, trends
• [36:17] – Tom teases upcoming Kobe/MJ game-used jersey card project
• [37:12] – Discussion of new multimedia art and possible solo show

Closing Notes

Tom Fallows' art is redefining the intersection of sports, pop culture, and nostalgia inside the collectibles market. His process, rooted in scarcity, authenticity, and cultural mashups, transforms the trading card from mass-market memorabilia to luxury nostalgia object. Whether you're a hobby veteran or a curious newcomer, Tom’s story is a testament to the value of risk, consistency, and creative integrity.

Follow Tom (@thecardcarver) and stay tuned for collaborative drops — and if you want to start collecting or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.