ATC Swap? About This Page:

[Chrissi]

Has anyone here heard of Artist Trading Cards? It's new to me, but I think it sounds like something a group of scrappers could get into. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Here's what I found on Wikipedia:

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Rules of ATCs:

There are only two true rules applied to Artist Trading Cards:

The dimensions of the card must be 2.5 x 3.5 inches (64 x 89 mm).
The cards must be traded - never bought or sold.
Artist Trading Cards are typically made on a base of card stock, although this is not mandatory. ATCs have been created on metal, stiffened fabric, plastic, clay, balsa wood, leather, embroidery canvas, acetate, heavy watercolor paper, and many other materials. Various techniques are then applied to the chosen canvas: collage, assemblage, digital art, calligraphy, beadwork, watercolors, rubber stamps, carved soft block stamps, pen and ink, colored pencil, airbrush, and many others. The back of the card typically includes the artist's signature, the date, and sometimes the number (if the card is part of an edition or series), and title. If part of an organized swap, it is common for people to add the name of the swap and sometimes the name of the swap host.

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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 can be any medium: pencil, watercolor, acrylic, oil, collage, scratch board, mixed media - anything the creative mind of the artist can think up. Artist Trading Cards are produced as originals, as limited editions, or as a series. ATCs are a relatively new art form which formally began in September 1996. The concept was created by Swiss artist M. Vänçi Stirnemann. [1]

Conceptually ATCs are about exchanging art without the interface of the art world and without money being involved. Artists trade their cards in face-to-face trading sessions as well as via mail. Artists who trade by mail often make their arrangements online and/or through e-mail. In some ATC artists' opinions, trading cards by mail is a diminished experience when compared to an ATC Trading Session.

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Does this sound like something you guys would be interested in doing? We could do it like a scrap swap. Everybody makes 10 (or however many traders are interested) cards, mails them to the host, who then divies them up - one from each trader for each participant - then mails the packs of ATCs to the traders.

It's kind of like doing a mini scrapbook page to trade. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] You can do pictures, mixed media of any kind - drawings, pastels, watercolors, collages, fibers, ribbons, beads, glitter, etc. You just have to make yours identical (or nearly identical) for the swap and include your screen name and the name and theme of the swap.

We could start with a 'spring'-themed or 'WDW - where am I?'-themed swap. Anyone interested? I'd be happy to host. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Want to see what ATCs look like? Oriental Trading sells premade ATCs and albums to collect them in. OTC's ATCs

[GoofyMom]

Hmmm. Cool. I'll express an interest in this. I'm not saying for sure that I'll join, because I'm not sure I'll have the follow-through to complete the project in a timely manner [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img], but it's a cool idea!

[Chrissi]

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Hmmm. Cool. I'll express an interest in this. I'm not saying for sure that I'll join, because I'm not sure I'll have the follow-through to complete the project in a timely manner [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]...

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[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] We can make it a nice, distant due date if you like, Donna. Maybe 6 weeks from sign-up to mailing? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[katspjs]

I'm in a monthly ATC card swap on one of my scrapboards. I'd be interested in participaing in a Passporter ATC swap.

[BelleoftheBallLV]

If you need a host, i would LOVE to do this, i think we should pick a theme tho, like Disney.....like everyone do there favorite Disney Character as the theme for there set, make as many as needed so that everyone who joins gets one. I am really good at being organized, and im HIghly punctual. Let me know

[Chrissi]

Now that we've got a few folks interested, how about we just dive right in? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Let's start with a simple theme and see how this first swap goes. Then, we can decide if we want to do it again. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Since this was my harebrained idea [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img], I'll host the first swap and take responsibility for paying the return-trade shipping to everyone. After that, we can just go down the list of traders as they signed up and offer them the chance to host each successive swap. That way - no one person bares the brunt of paying for return shipping everytime.

So, anyone who wants to sign up for the first ATC swap, just send me a PM. We'll use "Spring" as our first theme. The next host to volunteer can take suggestions and choose the next theme. The first person to respond to me by PM gets the option to host the next swap in May. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] If they decline the option to host, the offer will be given to the next person and so on until someone accepts.

Remember, you're doing essentially a limited edition of one design for this swap. All your cards for trade should be the same design (as close to identical as possible). Sign each card on the back with your screen name at the very least. You can add your email and any other contact info you feel comfortable with sharing on the back as well. You might also like to number your 'prints'. If you make, say, 15, you'd number each one with a number, followed by a slash mark, and the total number of 'prints' you've made. For example: 3/15.

I'm setting the due date (when the cards need to be mailed to me by) for May 13th. One month from today. If you guys think you'll need more time, just let me know. We can bump it back a week or so if need be or move it up if you think that's more than enough time. When I receive cards from everyone, I'll mail them. So if they're all in before May 13th, you'll get them early. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] (Should be a lot of fun to get a pack of cards the week after Mother's Day. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] A gift from friends. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img])

So, send me a PM if you want to sign up to swap "Spring". When I have the list of traders, I'll give you guys a count so you know how many to make. Please PM me before midnight EDT on April 17th to sign up.

If you live outside the US, please try to make it easy for this Yank [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] to figure out how to mail your cards by including your full mailing address. (I'm not sure I've ever sent mail to anywhere other than Japan to my penpal in junior high. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blushing.gif[/img])

[katspjs]

Well count me in, I'll send you a PM. Only thing I would prefer to keep my ATC within a theme, but for them to be all different. The point of doing ATCs are that they are one of a kind - meaning no one gets the same one.

[BelleoftheBallLV]

I am in, and come to think of it, your plan is muy perfecto for me, cos im in the middle of a costly swap, and i decided after i left the board (with help from myhubby) to limit myself to 2 swap at a time.

[Chrissi]

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Well count me in, I'll send you a PM. Only thing I would prefer to keep my ATC within a theme, but for them to be all different. The point of doing ATCs are that they are one of a kind - meaning no one gets the same one.

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No problem, Deena! I'm still new to this ATC thing. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Most of the scrapping swaps I've done have been a trade of identical items so everyone gets the same thing. No rigid rules here, but anyone who is new to this and wants to keep it simple can do them all of one design/style until they get the hang of it. Hopefully, this is just the first of many swaps! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[grumbleworts]

Hello! I'm an altered artist and Disney Fanatic....I'd love to do it next time! (Can't this time cause I have too many other obligations...) Will you be posting it on here for next time too?

Also, if you like ATCs...The House of Cards exhibit from European Papers in Columbus OH is all ATCs...I think it is becoming a traveling exhibit...but not sure where. Just in case someone was interested and lived close. (and its shameless sharing...cause I've got some in there!)

Anyway, I hope I'll trade with you all later!

Vanessa

[Chrissi]

Welcome to PassPorter, Vanessa! Glad to have you here! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/welcome3.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/flowerred.gif[/img]

Yes, we'll definitely be posting a note about the next swap. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]