ATCs - an introduction...

ATCs using gesso,  stamps,  foam, vintage pictures and mod podge.

ATCs using patterned paper and melted UTEE. (Using the melting pot)

ATCs using UTEE,  acrylic paint,  stazon inks and stamps.

ATCs using distress inks  and stazon inks

ATCs using fused fibers with UTEE and gold faces made from UTEE

ATCs using alcohol inks and vintage pictures

ATCs are defined by the wikipedia as:

"Artists Trading Cards are individual art miniatures which pass hand to hand.  They are miniatures for 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 ATCs and many variances in sizes can be found in older cards.  

Today the only rule for these cards is their 2.5 and 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 expectation that they be traded, not sold, and and they 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.  

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 watercolour paper and many other materials.  The art on the cards can be done in any media:  textile arts,  pencil,  watercolour,  acrylic,  oil,  collage,  scratch board,  mixed media,  assemblage,  digital art, calligraphy,  beadwork,  rubber stamps,  carved soft block stamps,  pen and ink,  coloured pencils,  airbrush,  pastels,  and many others - anything artists use."

Hope this information will give you a better picture of what an ATC is.  After my 1st ATC,  I was really hooked.  They are so fun to do and takes up very little resources.  I have swapped ATCs with others whom i have never met and it is great to receive another person's art.  I hae included the photos of the ATCs I have made here - hopefully to garner your interest in them.  Hope you will join in our first ever ATC swap and we can learn more from each other. 

P.S. We would like to encourage international scrappers to join us in this swap too.  We would love to see your inputs on the ATCs too.