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Artist Trading Cards

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What is An Artist Trading Card?

 

An Artist Trading Card (known as an ATC) is a Tiny piece of Art that Artists swap with each other or give as gifts.

The one rule that makes an ATC derives from their origins: the dimensions of the ATC must be 2.5"x3.5", or 64 x 89mm. They are basically the size of an ordinary playing card.

You can choose what ever kind of Art you create as your ATC. Usually the Art is created on some card stock cut to the correct size and then the Art is made on the top of that.I sometimes Like to do the actual art on another piece of paper or fabric and then glue it to the card so that you cant see any beading thread that you have used.

The back of the ATC has the Artists Name and address and emails and website on it.

I will go into more detail further on in this page.
I hope you enjoy this lens!
I have included some of my own Artist Trading Card images on this page for your enjoyment.

Here is a great Zine that you may like to check out.
Its about Using Mixed Media, Paper crafts,Textiles, Polymer Clay, Jewelry Making And more

Each Issue is written by Arts Industry Experts. Available By Individual Issue And By Annual Subscription.

OUR LATEST ISSUE:

Issue #6 "Interior Journey"

This issue offers 21 articles from international artists, coaches and experts such as Dan Goodwin, Laurie Mika, Robyn Steel-Stickland, Rachel Greig, Lee Silber and Mary Sullivan Holdgrafer.

Bonus: Quote cards and a Clare Goodwin mandala to color.

To have a look just
Click Here!

1,000 Artist Trading Cards 

1,000 Artist Trading Cards: Innovative and Inspired Mixed Media ATCs (1000 Series)

Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 07/26/2008)

A truly excellent crafting book which can jump-start any crafter's lull in creativity. I am in awe of all the different ATCs that were sent in to the author, who then put together this beautiful, and thick work of art.

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Artist Trading Cards To Buy 

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One Of My Artist Trading Cards

Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine 

The Absolute BEST Magazine For Creative People

Cloth Paper Scissors

Amazon Price: $32.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Bravo to the folks at Quilting Arts, LLC, for another wonderful magazine! As with the inspiring Quilting Arts Magazine, Cloth/Paper/Scissors is filled with well-organized information about techniques, interesting articles about artists, etc., all beautifully photographed on quality paper. Well done!

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Great Books if You Want To Make an Artist Trading Card 

Artist Trading Card Workshop: Create, Collect, Swap by Bernie Berlin

Artist Trading Card Workshop: Create, Collect, Swap by Bernie Berlin

Techniques and Inspiration for Creating and Sharin more...0 points

Artist Trading Card Paper Pads, 2.5x3.5, 40 Sheets/Pad: Oriental

Artist Trading Card Paper Pads, 2.5x3.5, 40 Sheets/Pad: Oriental

These paper pads give you beautiful art and an eas more...0 points

Rubber Stamping Artist Trading Cards by Jill Haglund

Rubber Stamping Artist Trading Cards by Jill Haglund

Artists Trading Cards or ATCs are miniature works more...0 points

Trading Cards Techniques & ATCs Book of Ideas

Trading Cards Techniques & ATCs Book of Ideas

Make Artist Trading Cards with these great techniq more...0 points

Artist Trading Cards (Twenty to Make) by Leonie Pujol

Artist Trading Cards (Twenty to Make) by Leonie Pujol

Ideas for combining paper, metal, beads, and stick more...0 points

"Make someones Day! Send them an Artist Trading Card that you made."

Creative Places for Creative People 

Somerset Studio Magazine 

Somerset Studio

Amazon Price: $42.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Somerset Magazine is the most outstanding publication available for art and crafts, especially for those who are looking for innovative design ideas and quality materials. Everything featured in the magazine is geared towards the reader: artist interviews, seasonal ideas and new products as they reach the market, including inks, dyes, metals, tools and papers. Somerset is extremely user-friendly, each article geared towards accessibility and ease of application. The featured artists speak about their design inspirations, choice of materials and application; they include samples of their work, from hand-lettering to clay, stamping and other eclectic forms of artwork.

Around 1999, stamping underwent a renaissance, the whimsical stamps of yore replaced by more sophisticated concepts, stamp companies (including Stampington, the mother company of Somerset) churning out replicas of masterpieces (think Mona Lisa and Da Vinci) in an increasingly diversified market. Over the years, the fever has subsided and many stamp stores have closed. All the more reason to subscribe to Somerset and order from Stampington's online store, which carries every imaginable item for any project, stamps, papers, glass slides, CD images, fibers, stencils, cutting tools and more. Somerset features the newest applications, with a wide array of artist samples and directions on how to make these items. Each artist's featured work must be accompanied by specific directions and each month there is a new design theme, geared to time of year or seasonal interest.

Printed in full color on the highest quality stock, each issue is replete with sophisticated design ideas, tips from artists and relevant articles, including guidelines on selling your work, a user's glossary and a list of companies that supply crafting essentials. This is the only magazine of such consistent quality for crafters and artisans, offering the newest techniques in a format that is attractive and creatively stimulating. Somerset is a boon to designers, with a variety of multi-dimensional projects in each issue. Well worth the subscription price, Somerset is a publication that is anticipated by readers (back issues also available for purchase). If you are searching for inspiration, Somerset offers something for every taste, a visual feast in each new issue. Luan Gaines/2005.

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How Did Artist Trading Cards First Start? 

Artist Trading Cards are individual art miniatures which pass hand to hand. Some sources have credited M. Vänçi Stirnemann, who began trading sessions in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1997, as popularizing ATCs in the modern era, although modern ATC's can be traced back to portrait miniatures and to a kind of business card popular with Impressionistic era artists.atc - artist trading cards

Artists have produced miniatures for trade or self-promotion in many eras and places, and the current trend is thus part of this larger context. Historically there were few standard rules or guidelines to art trading cards, and many variances in sizes can be seen in older cards. The standardization in size of baseball cards is credited with creating the standardization in size for art cards. Today the only rule for these cards is their 2.5 by 3.5 inch size (64 x 89 mm), same as baseball cards and collectible card games. There are, however, certain conventions usually observed by those who make and trade these cards, such as the expectation that they be traded, not sold, and that they be created as unique works or small limited editions of prints. Artists generally sign and date the back, and may also include a title and contact information. The face-to-face trading session is considered an integral part of the concept, although many people find each other via the internet and trade by mail.

Artist Trading Cards are typically made on a base of card stock. However, ATCs have been created on metal, stiffened fabric, plastic, clay, glass, balsa wood, leather, embroidery canvas, acetate, heavy watercolor paper, and many other materials. The art on the cards can be done in any media: textile arts, pencil, watercolor, acrylic, oil, collage, scratch board, mixed media, assemblage, digital art, calligraphy, beadwork, rubber stamps, carved soft block stamps, pen and ink, colored pencil, airbrush, pastels, and many others - anything artists use.

What Types Of Materials Are Used For These Artist Trading Cards? 

I think the Atc's could be put into three basic groups.

a: Those with Textiles
b: Those with Paper
c: Those with three dimensional elements.

Its really up to the artist what she decided to use, many of these cards are mini collages.

Some of them are sewn using free machine embroidery, yarns and lace.

And then others are mainly paper made up of handmade papers, stamping, and embossing.

I like to use a Gold Leafing Pen to finish off the edges of my own ATC's

I had a lovely experience when visiting a very prolific Artist friend in New Zealand. I was sitting in her lounge room chatting to her when I looked down beside me there was a pretty basket filled to the brim with Artist Trading Cards that she had made.

I was thrilled to see them all and couldn't help checking them all out. She said "Take a Few" and I did. I thought that was a lovely gesture and posted off a few of my own to her when I got home.

I have lovely memories of that day.

Here is a great Zine that you may like to check out.
Its about Using Mixed Media, Paper crafts,Textiles, Polymer Clay, Jewelry Making And more

Each Issue is written by Arts Industry Experts. Available By Individual Issue And By Annual Subscription.

OUR LATEST ISSUE:

Issue #6 "Interior Journey"

This issue offers 21 articles from international artists, coaches and experts such as Dan Goodwin, Laurie Mika, Robyn Steel-Stickland, Rachel Greig, Lee Silber and Mary Sullivan Holdgrafer.

Bonus: Quote cards and a Clare Goodwin mandala to color.

To have a look just
Click Here!

Artist Trading Cards Photos 

Laura's Hunger by allenreichert

Laura's Hunger

Goblin Man Snail by allenreichert

Goblin Man Snail

Farewell.  I will tell your family. by allenreichert

Farewell. I will te...

Fird Bird by allenreichert

Fird Bird

Nastasya by allenreichert

Nastasya

STL ATC from Karylee by redthreads

STL ATC from Karylee

STL ATC from Cobi by redthreads

STL ATC from Cobi

STL ATC from Cayce by redthreads

STL ATC from Cayce

STL ATC from  Steph by redthreads

STL ATC from Steph

STL ATC from Elizabeth by redthreads

STL ATC from Elizabe...

STL ATC from Marlene by redthreads

STL ATC from Marlene

STL ATC from Barbara by redthreads

STL ATC from Barbara

ATC Travel 1/Available for Trade by Laineys Repertoire

ATC Travel 1/Availab...

ATC Heritage 2/Available for Trade by Laineys Repertoire

ATC Heritage 2/Avail...

ATC Travel 2/Available for Trade by Laineys Repertoire

ATC Travel 2/Availab...

ATC Heritage 1/Available for Trade by Laineys Repertoire

ATC Heritage 1/Avail...

ATC TIME 3/Available for Trade by Laineys Repertoire

ATC TIME 3/Available...

ATC B&W 2/Available for Trade by Laineys Repertoire

ATC B&W 2/Availa...

ATC Time 4/Available for Trade by Laineys Repertoire

ATC Time 4/Available...

ATC B&W 1/Available for Trade by Laineys Repertoire

ATC B&W 1/Availa...

Artist Trading Card Rubber Stamps 

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ARtist Trading Card Links 

Original Artist Trading Card website
This is the original ATC website in Switzerland
Art in your Pocket: ATCs
Air> Articles > Art in your Pocket: ATCs I am getting way too many emails asking how to start making and trading ATCs. This page is meant to help you start making them: as for trading them, go straight to ATCards where you can meet other artists and participate in swaps. I'm sorry but I won't
Scratches & Scribbles: Artist's Trading Cards Archives
Main-- 05 November, 2006 --
Autumn Splendor - Falling Leaves Autumn Splendor - Falling Leaves Originally uploaded by ** Robyn **.
Where do you get inspiration from? I have a very talented friend who is a never ending stream of new ideas. Blue is in a constant flow of creativity and I just get sucke
Artist Trading Cards
Go to the official
homepage for details
Artist trading cards, also known as ATCs, are 2 ½ x 3 ½ inch (64 x 89 mm) miniature works of art which artists trade with one another, similar to the way people trade sports cards. They may be constructed from any media: pencil, watercolor, acrylic, oil
Melbourne Paperific Expos
Join the fun at a Paperific Craft Expo - for scrapbookers, stampers and paper arts and crafts people of all types.
artist's trading cards - wanna trade?
Simply put, an Artist's Trading Card, or ATC, is a 2.5" x 3.5" card that's been altered, collaged, painted, drawn, or otherwise "arted up". The artist's name and contact info, as well as the title of the piece is on the back. These are then traded, much as people would trade sports trad

 

Quilting Arts

Amazon Price: $32.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Quilting Arts covers the latest techniques in art and embellished quilting, wearable arts, mixed media, surface design, and other textile arts. Features guest artists and teachers, and addresses a wide range of skills including surface embroidery, thread painting, stamping, and fabric painting.

I saw my first issue of Quilting Arts magazine at the International Quilt Festival in November 2001. My first impression was that the magazine had a wonderful "look": it is printed on high-quality paper, with beautful photography and a pleasing layout. I subscribed immediately, and picked up the first two issues at the quiltshow. Each new issues seems better than the previous one. A wide variety of fiber-artists are featured. Articles showcasing a particular technique are well-photographed, with easy to follow text. This should be must-have
for anyone interested fiber art.

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

More Creativity 

Making Artist Trading Cards 

Altered art ACEO's: Learning to collage

I came across this technique whilst researching aceo's for a project and decided I needed to experiment and learn how to do it. I hope you agree I am improving.

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Alphabetica 

Alphabetica: An A-Z Creativity Guide for Collage and Book Artists (Quarry Book)

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Your Muse will love you for putting Alphabetica on your creative plate! It is a book to be savored slowly, and many times. Featuring a delightful array of works done as part of a collaborative journal project undertaken by fourteen artists, it features page after page of rich color, sweet ideas, and delicious details and tidbits about the project itself, the artists' inspirations for their individual journals and work in each others' journals, and plenty of eye candy to satisfy your artistic sweet tooth.

The fun part is that all the artists have such widely varying styles--I love seeing how they interpreted themes for various letters of the alphabet. Not every artist's style appealed to me but I can appreciate their processes, their techniques, and the way their individual works fit into the whole.

Not a how-to book, but full of ideas. Highly recommended for those who are inspired by the work of others to find new possibilities, direction, and adventure in their own artistic endeavors.

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

How to Make an Artist Trading Card? 

10 steps to make an ATC

OK I will give you some simple instructions to get you going.

1: Cut some card stock to the required size. I usually make a template to trace around because it makes it all so much easier. Or you could do the background on some watercolor paper and then trace around your template and cut out many ATC's

2: Paint over the card with a couple of you favorite Watercolor paints. Let it dry.

3: As an alternative you could glue some scrap booking paper over the board as a background.

4: Glue on a small piece of metallic fabric, a mesh would be great.

5: Cut out a couple tiny pictures from a magazine and make a collage with them on top of the mesh.

6: Poke a hole in the board at the b0ttom corner and thread and tie some metallic threads and yarn though the hole and trim .

7: Glue on a small metal charm or embellishment.

8: Draw around the edges of the card with a gold Leafing pen to finish it off.

9: Don't forget to sign your little work of art.

10: Finish off the back of the card nicely and add your details to it.

Thats all there is to it, try one, I bet you enjoy it..........BUt a word of WARNING.these are very addictive once you start!~

Here is a great Zine that you may like to check out.
Its about Using Mixed Media, Paper crafts,Textiles, Polymer Clay, Jewelry Making And more

Each Issue is written by Arts Industry Experts. Available By Individual Issue And By Annual Subscription.

OUR LATEST ISSUE:

Issue #6 "Interior Journey"

This issue offers 21 articles from international artists, coaches and experts such as Dan Goodwin, Laurie Mika, Robyn Steel-Stickland, Rachel Greig, Lee Silber and Mary Sullivan Holdgrafer.

Bonus: Quote cards and a Clare Goodwin mandala to color.

To have a look just
Click Here!

Artist Trading Cards Books and Magazines 

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Kids Stuff 

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