artist trading cards are always 2.5"x3.5" - other than that, you are limited only by your imagination. all artists and crafters from all over the world are welcome!
first time making an atc? no worries! check out the photos from previous swaps on my facebook page for inspiration, read atc tips for newbies below, and then join us!
instructions:
••• email me with a heads up if you want to participate
••• create an atc that reflects your take on the theme
••• sign and date the back of it legibly - include your blog/website if you have one
••• mail it to me by the deadline (make sure your return address is legible)
••• please include the same amount of postage* that was needed to mail it to me (unadhered stamps) - I will provide return envelopes
••• i will randomly swap all the atc's and mail one to you shortly after the deadline
••• all atc's are photographed and posted here on the blog and on my facebook page
ready, set...swap!
* attention international participants: the u.s. mail will not allow me to mail your atc in an envelope posted with your country's stamps...so i will cover the postage cost to mail an atc back to you. but little arty treats or an extra act are graciously accepted in trade for postage! :-)
lisa liza lou
lisa • at • lisalizalou • dot • com
po box 56 • concord ca 94522
rule # 1 - don't be afraid to try!
rule # 2 - let your creativity loose!
rule # 3 - rinse and repeat!
Read more about atcs here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/artist_trading_cards
••• work with styles and supplies that you are already comfortable with...scrapbooking, cardmaking, stamping, knitting, embroidery, sewing, quilting, drawing, coloring, painting, beading, collage...whatever you love to do!
••• if the small size feels prohibitive, consider making something a little larger and then cropping it down to the area you like the best.
••• decide what foundation you want to use first....cardboard, grungeboard, stiff interfacing, art paper, heavy cardstock, acrylic, metal, polymer clay, etc.
••• decide whether you want to include words and quotes, if you want to include images like people, animals, or buildings, or if you want it to be more abstract...or textural, or colorful...
••• go to http://www.flickr.com/ and enter "atc" in the search window...prepare to be drowned in inspiration!
••• atcs are always traded or swapped, never sold. there is another term, aceo (art cards, editions or originals) that is used for cards that are sold.
why do we swap atcs...and what do we do with the atcs we collect?
i have collected (and made) hundreds of atcs in every style imaginable...papercraft, fiber art, mixed media, quilted, watercolor, dimensional, bejeweled, polymer clay and more.
many of my atcs are displayed on my office wall, which my coworkers enjoy as much as I do! some of my atcs are in an album that sits in my living room. it's a wonderful coffee table book. i also like displaying special atcs in trays and clips around my studio - surrounding yourself with original art is a good thing!
click here to see the various atcs that I have made and collected.
