by Jane Pinder
  So what are ATCs? We have our ATC swap and it all sounds very exciting, but if you don’t know what ATCs are it’s all a bit strange!
ATC stands for Artist’s Trading Card. They are miniature works of art that are designed to be swapped with other ATC maker’s work.
The rules for ATCs are few and far between. Size, for once, is important! ATCs must measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches or 64 x 89 mm. The idea is to create your mini work of art and then swap it with someone else. They can only be swapped and must not be sold. They are a way to meet other artists in a number of ways – in person at shows or gatherings, by correspondence as with our swap or on-line, which is a little less personal. By collecting these swaps you will soon gather together a unique mixture from many different people, in many different styles. Once you have made your ATC make sure you write your name and contact information on the back. If you have a title for your ATC, add that too. Generally speaking ATCs are made in limited numbers and quite often they will be one of a kind. If there is only one made it is called and Original and this can be added to the back as well. If you decide to make several identical ATCs, they are known as Editions and again this should be added to the back. It’s good to add the number with Editions, i.e. 1/6, 2/6 etc. Themed ATCs, that are not identical but do follow theme, are know as Series and, once again, add this to the reverse. That’s about it on the basics front! Making and swapping ATCs is great fun and can lead to lifelong friendships around the world. So now you know what they are, how do you make them?
They are normally made out of card, but don’t think you have to be limited to that! Many other materials can be used as well. Try using fabric, acetate, metal, clay glass, watercolour paper, canvas, thin wood…the list is endless. As long as it is the right size, it is fine. We have put a Cutting Guide in the Downloads section to give you an idea of the most economic way to divide up an A4 sheet. Decorating the basic shape can also be done in any number of ways from using stamps, paints, pencils, mixed media, beads, wire.. you name it and you can use it! Having decided what you are going to use all you need to do is play! Here is a selection that Penny made using Artifacts stamps:
   This next selection were made by Fryn, my sister, who works with me at The Stamp Bug and The SSP Guild and her daughter, Stef. Neither are crafters … yet!!      
Lastly, this is a Series that I made using some Grungeboard Keys, Crowns and Numbers. They follow the same theme, but they are not identical, however they are designed so that they do fit together to make a whole! 
I started by attaching each of the blank ATCs to my work surface using a repositionable Glue Dot. Then I used three different Fluid Chalk Cats Eye pads and the Direct to Paper technique to apply a soft, blended colour to them. This was then stamped with the Artifacts Secret Keys stamp. There was no need to keep within the confines of a single ATC so the image was stamped randomly over them all. The various Grungeboard elements were coloured and embossed and attached using a glue gun. Die cut locks were cut from metallic card and attached to the ATCs with brads. I then used a Sizzix Die to cut some hinges and attached these to the edges of the ATCs so that, when places together, it gave the impression of the hinges ‘joining’ the ATCs together. Finally I added some tiny coloured crystals to the crowns and some even smaller black ones to the hinges so they look like bolts. Individually they stand alone, but placed together they form a larger piece!      
I had great fun making them, which is what it is all about really! Clear sleeves are available and they help protect the work. You can also make your own using a template. Try using vellum or handmade paper to make them. They look great! To keep your own collection safe you can use specifically made storage sheets that fit in a binder or you can make and decorate an ATC Box to keep them in. Another way of keeping them is to display them in large picture frames, which can then be hung on the wall. If you are attending a show or gathering where you plan to swap, you may like to make a holder for them that can be worn around your neck. This not only keeps them safe, but they are handy too. Plus other swappers can immediately see that you just might have something to swap with them! As I am sure you are beginning to realise by now, this opens up a whole new world in stamping, scrapbooking and papercrafting! Entries for our first ATC swap…
We had some lovely entries to our very first ATC swap…okay not huge in numbers, but they were all excellent. They have now been swapped and you should have them by now. The theme of Holidays left it wide open for your ideas. **A thought for your swaps – how about keeping a separate album or display for all your SSP swaps? Take a photo of how you keep yours and email us a copy so we can show everyone some ideas!** If you didn’t take part this time here they are for everyone to see. Let’s hope they inspire all our Members to ‘have a go’! 
Summer Fun ’08 is from Mickey Woodcock in Little Chesterton, Oxfordshire 
Beach Huts from Liz Thayne in Norfolk
Day Trip by Vonny in Luton, Bedfordshire 
A Day at the Beach is from Alison Hall in Orpington, Kent 
Bon Voyage from Jacqui Barsky in Bury
Summer Fun from Janet Chappell in Barnsley 
Kimono And Coin from Becky Bailey in Southampton 
Holiday Romance is from Mickie Sutcliffe in Bexhill on Sea Card Swap for August
On the subject of swaps – we had two for the Holiday Card Swap, so we have added them in here for you to see. Both are lovely cards….but let’s see some more for the next swap!! 
Far East from Becky Bailey in Southampton 
Holiday from Mickie Sutcliffe in Bexhill on Sea 
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Japanese Lace Paper Set
good old
It would have been lovely to have seen more entries
