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USA Beginner's ATC Swap #1

Launch gallery slideshow

Swap Coordinator:user2637 (contact)
Swap categories: Artist Trading Card (ATC)  Newbie 
Number of people in swap:37
Location:Regional - USA
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:August 10, 2015
Date items must be sent by:August 20, 2015
Number of swap partners:2
Description:

HELLO SWAPPERS!! This is a note to let the newbies know why they don't have partners yet. I can assign partners at midnight (SB time), the morning of the 11th, BUT there are 40+ swappers in here for me to vet. That will take some time. I hope to have the partners assigned by Tuesday evening. Thanks!

As requested in the PFs, here is a beginner's ATC swap! We are going to do 2 partners for twice as much practice.

The only constant rules for Artist Trading Cards are that they are 2.5" x 3.5" (positioned either portrait or landscape) and have a sturdy backing. ATC "blanks" can be purchased and come in many types, for watercolor, drawing, etc. Or you can cut your own but make sure the are cut well with 90 degree corners and to the right size. ATCs are also traded, swapped, gifted but never sold.

You are the Artist for this card, so express yourself on it. Many of us consider ourselves more crafters than artists, and that is fine. There is no theme or technique required for this ATC swap.

The only other thing usually prohibited in ATC swaps is "sticker slapping". This is when you take a piece of scrapbook paper and put a sticker or two on it, and call it done. That's not an acceptable ATC. Stretch yourself! Try layers of paper, punchies, diecuts, paint, inking, brads, ephemera, borders, stitching, textures, stamping, embossing, etc, etc.

To recap:

  • 1 ATC to each of 2 partners (2 ATCs total)
  • Sturdy and the right size
  • No sticker slapping
  • Try to use a few techniques, but ultimately sender's choice (which means you can make these ahead of time)
  • Write "Swap-Bot", your username, and the name of the swap on the back. Optionally, date and title the ATC, and provide contact info such as an email address.

I will manually screen for poor ratings, late swaps on profiles, and problem swappers. Newbies happily welcomed with a filled out profile. I will angel or arrange angels in the case of flakers. Post questions below or PM me!

Discussion

user2637 07/31/2015 #

Of course, veteran ATC-makers are welcome too!

kristyrogers 08/ 1/2015 #

I'm watching for now. Going to hospital tonight. If I'm out by the 10th, ill join. I am so looking forward to this swap! I hope I'm out in time or theres a few more rounds!

pinecone 08/ 1/2015 #

Can the ATC cards be made out of cardstock or are they usually more sturdy than that?

user2637 08/ 2/2015 #

Card stock should be fine! :)

KatBrag 08/ 9/2015 #

I am very new with no ratings yet, I hope I will be allowed to join

Momskii 08/10/2015 #

Is there a web page where we can see what an ATC looks like?

user2637 08/10/2015 #

@Momskii - they all look different! Some are collage, some painted, some pencil drawing, etc. Google "artist trading card" and look at the images.

user2637 08/10/2015 #

HELLO SWAPPERS!! This is a note to let the newbies know why they don't have partners yet. I can assign partners at midnight (SB time), the morning of the 11th, BUT there are 40+ swappers in here for me to vet. That will take some time. I hope to have the partners assigned by Tuesday evening. Thanks!

JennyLoo 08/12/2015 #

What is ATC mailing etiquette? Do I just put it in an envelope and send? Is it customary to add a note?

SueLee 08/12/2015 #

I clicked on the link in the email you sent to find my partners for this swap and it brought me to this page...do I need to do something else? Thanks for your help.

SueLee 08/12/2015 #

Whoops...I see it in the yellow box...sorry to bother you...

JennyLoo 08/12/2015 #

Ok, well I'm just putting them in an envelope! Hope that's okay!

user2637 08/12/2015 #

JennyLoo - Sorry for delay answering! If the ATC is bulky or uneven (chunky embellies) then I suggest padding it. Otherwise, I usually just tuck mine into a notecard, and write a little note to my partner. But if all the pertinent info is on the back of the card, it should be fine to just put it in an envelope. However, I find the card-as-padding smoothes out any thickness differences made by a (relatively flat) ATC, so I don't worry as much about it going through the machine at the P.O.

SueLee - Glad you found it!

Anyone else with questions, please post here and I will check a couple times a day. If urgent, private message ("PM") me by clicking my username to get to my profile and then clicking "Send Message". Thanks!

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