Hey everyone! I know you've been waiting patiently for this so here it is!
Information about the ATC swap coming up is below. Email me if you'd like to participate!
sarahmm3 at hotmail dot com
Make the subject line 'Eden ATC.'
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Alright, so what's an ATC, you ask?
if you're unfamiliar, the basics is you make a card the size of a playing card (or USE a playing card) (2 ½ X 3 ½ inch or 64 X 89 mm card stock. ) into a little piece of art using whatever media you like. then you mail them out, to receive beautiful pieces of art back! it's a great way to share your art, and get to know the art of others around the country.
the mail ATC program is awesome, because it's so fun and creative, and you get something other than bills in your mailbox! remember when you got letters from friends in the mail as a kid? it's THAT kind of excitement.
the best part is, you don't have to be an 'artist' to participate. anyone can, kids, cats, even folks who've never picked up a crayon in their life! there is no 'right' or 'wrong.' as long as you enjoy making it and put effort into it, it's wonderful.
some folks use collage for beautiful effects. you can use watercolor, stamps, stickers, you can also dip them in beeswax when they're finished to make them more sturdy. you can buy little packs of 'artist trading card' blanks at any art store on the cheap.
the back of the card should not be forgotten either. you can either buy stamps specifically for ATCs that include spaces to write your name, the date, the title of the piece, and the edition, or you can decorate it yourself. it should be at least slightly decorative. a simple border and the information will suffice.
this swap is a 3/3 swap, which means you'll mail me three cards and you'll get 3 back from 3 different EFers. an extra card for the hostess (moi) is greatly appreciated, forever cherished, but never required.
the deadline for emailing me and signing up is December 31st. the deadline for having the cards at my doorstep to be swapped and mailed back to you is January 31st. So get to emailing, get to creating!
once you've got your cards ready, email me. i'll send you back my mailing address. secure your cards between two thin sheets of cardboard (a cutup cereal box will do) and tape the cardboard sheets shut, to protect the cards. head off to the post office and have them weigh your envelope, and include a Self addressed stamped envelope (SASE) addressed to yourself, with my address as the return. this is all you need to do! postage comes out to less than $1 if you don't include bulky add-ons such as buttons, beads, etc.
I want to participate, but like AndroAngel, I don't want to sign up until I have the cards ready.
I have the supplies, I just need to get working.
hmm.. it's customary to sign up before the deadline, finish your cards, then send them out. it would be great if you could sign up first, just so i can get a headcount. also, the deadline for signing up is december 31st. you can always back out before that date if you think you won't be able to complete the cards before jan 31st.
top right is a dead cow that a girl found on her farm, with actual bb gun bullet holes in the card.
top left is a layered card, with book text, illustrations, and a transparency from a photograph on top.
bottom right, the gal who made it was drinking tea and staring at her blank ATCs. she decided to drop the tea bag on the cards and make an impression just to break up the monotonous white, and have something to start from. she cut out flower petal shapes from a book, drew a flower from it, sewed on a button, and dipped the card in beeswax to seal it and make it more sturdy.
I've never made an actual ATC before, though I've heard plenty about them. They're so small, it's something I can definitely commit to doing over the semester break.
Since this is EF, I'm guessing that erotic/nude/whatever art is okay ? I don't know what I'll do yet, but just in case.
ALSO ! As a tip to everyone, if you haven't done this before / done much art before - using a CHEAP, non-scented hairspray will work as a fixative so that any graphite / etc doesn't smudge. You can buy actual fixative, but dirt-cheap hairspray works just as well (cheap because you don't want added fragrances etc).
I've never made an actual ATC before, though I've heard plenty about them. They're so small, it's something I can definitely commit to doing over the semester break.
Since this is EF, I'm
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Going to e-mail you now !
I've never made an actual ATC before, though I've heard plenty about them. They're so small, it's something I can definitely commit to doing over the semester break.
Since this is EF, I'm guessing that erotic/nude/whatever art is okay ? I don't know what I'll do yet, but just in case.
ALSO ! As a tip to everyone, if you haven't done this before / done much art before - using a CHEAP, non-scented hairspray will work as a fixative so that any graphite / etc doesn't smudge. You can buy actual fixative, but dirt-cheap hairspray works just as well (cheap because you don't want added fragrances etc).
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yes, art is art! it wouldn't be if there were restrictions. i'd never restrict your art. no sirree.
ooh the hairspray tip isnt bad. though be careful to test it on scrap cards first, as it can leave dark spots on the paper.
