ATC

Hello friends...

Do you know what an ATC is? I bet you do... You've probably made some as a scrapbooker or crafter... or maybe not?

ATCs are Artist Trading Cards... it's like a miniature work of art. People create them in a 2.5" x 3.5" card using any media possible... All is allowed, the only rule is the size. It's like a little canvas to paint, draw, stamp, cut, glue, alter, emboss, embelish, etc... Most people trade them and collect as little artworks.

I read that the ATC started when in 1997 a Swiss artist created 1200 cards by hand as part of an exhibit. At the end of the exhibit the artist invited others to create their own cards to trade for the ones exhibited. Since then, "swaps" are held around the World.

I made these ATCs for a swap:



I used a white base and painted the edges with blue ink. I wanted to add something different to my ATC and why not a heart hanging from the card? (I remember one of my first ATCs had a hole... I loved it!). So I punched two little hearts and attached a cord in the middle of them to create the hanging embelishment. I glued it to the base before I placed the other layer so it stays in the middle of the two papers.

The patterned paper to place in top was distressed and inked. I stamped a damask and embossed with embossing powder and a heating gun. I also stamped a sentiment and then placed the paper on the cardstock base.

I added a strip with color and a jewel in the middle. I hope the girls in the swap like this ATC... I can't wait to see the ones they've made.

ATCs are made to collect... It's rare someone sells them but is also possible, but they are called Art Card Editions or Originals (ACEO).

ATCs need to be identified in the back. Basically your name, date, title and number if it's part of a series, are the most common details. Because I value who made the card and recognize them as artworks, most of the ATCs I have, I collect them and have them in this binder:

... But ATCs could also be used as part of a card...

Or you can use them as journaling cards or additional elements for your Layouts...

I guess you could also use them as tags in gifts, or just as embelishments for your projects.

If you haven't done an ATC ever... I invite you to do so. You are going to like the process. At first it could be tricky if you don't work with such a small space... but then you'll like it (and it's easier than to work "inchies"... but that would be another post)...

Thanks for keep visiting my blogs and leaving your comments. Have a great life!

(card base: Strathmore, patterned paper: Memory Stor, stamps: TAC, Studio 112, bling: DGI; shaped border: K&Co; heart punch: Creative Memories; inks: Stazon, Color Box, Studio G; fiber: Portafolia; glitter cardstock: Colorbok; embossing powder: Ranger; heat gun: Coloriser; adhesives: Aleene's Tacky Glue, Scotch)