| In the scrapbooking industry, artist trading cards (or | | | | for each member in the group. They sign their name, |
| ATC's) are becoming more popular as trendsetting | | | | contact information, title of the ATC, and the number |
| companies like 7 Gypsies release more ATC supplies | | | | of the card if it is part of an edition. At the end of the |
| and holders. These miniature pieces of art, or in the | | | | swap, everyone has a collection of different artist |
| case of scrapbookers, mini page layouts, are as much | | | | trading cards. |
| fun to trade and collect as they are to create. There | | | | Swaps and limited editions are often created around |
| are few rules and limits on artist trading cards, and | | | | themes. Some popular artist trading card themes are |
| they are quick to make and adapt to scrapbooking | | | | animals, seasons, quotes and holidays. In some cases, |
| materials. | | | | the theme may be defined by the medium used. For |
| The only strict requirement for artist trading cards is | | | | example, you may have a digital media theme or a |
| their size. The standard is 2.5" x 3.5". This is based on | | | | collage theme. In fact almost any theme used for |
| the size of sport trading cards and collectible card | | | | scrapbooking circle journals could be used for an ATC |
| games like Pokemon and Magic. The orientation for | | | | swap as well. Creating an artist trading card follows |
| your design can be either vertical or horizontal. You | | | | the same design principles as a scrapbooking page, |
| can use any medium you like, paint, paper, pencil, | | | | only on a smaller scale. You will need a focal point, |
| watercolor, pen and ink. Digital media and collage are | | | | background and an embellishment or two. Arrange |
| very common. Any materials used on a scrapbooking | | | | your card first, and then adhere it to the card. |
| page can be used on an artist trading card. Modern | | | | Remember to sign the back. |
| interest in these cards began around 1997 in Zurich, | | | | Once you have a collection of artist trading cards, you |
| Switzerland. M. Vanci Stirnemann, a Swiss artist, is | | | | will want to store them or display them. You can easily |
| credited with popularizing ATC's by starting trading | | | | store them in the plastic sleeves meant for sports |
| sessions. However, we can trace miniature art back to | | | | trading cards. A small decorative box also makes a |
| Impressionist era artists who used business cards | | | | good container, especially if it is archival safe. You may |
| showing a sample of their work. | | | | want to purchase an ATC holder to display your |
| One expectation of artist trading cards is that they | | | | cards. These specially designed holders look like a |
| should not be sold, but traded or shared. They are | | | | rolodex. They are available from a few manufacturers |
| usually original works or made in limited editions. This | | | | and can be found in either a vertical or horizontal |
| may be one reason why they have gained such | | | | format. |
| popularity with today's scrapbookers. They are a | | | | Artist trading cards are only limited by your imagination. |
| perfect item for scrapbooking swaps. Online message | | | | They are a perfect opportunity to try a new |
| boards have special sections just for swaps. One | | | | scrapbooking technique on a small scale. Gather a few |
| scrapbooker usually organizes the swaps and then | | | | scrapbooking friends and start an artist trading card |
| opens it up for others to participate. Each member of | | | | swap today. |
| the swap creates an ATC and then makes enough | | | | |