Artist trading cards, or ATCs as they are often referred to as, are mini works of art made by and traded among artisans and crafters worldwide. The trend has been spreading quickly into the crafting world in recent years. The only real rules for the cards are that they must be exactly 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches or 64 by 89 millimeters(the size of a standard poker playing card or collectible baseball card) and may only be traded or given away and never sold. They also should be thin enough to fit into a standard card collector's album.
Any arts and crafts medium can be used to decorate artist trading cards. Most of the time, they start with a card stock base but thin metal, card board, wood or polymer clay could also be used. They can be mini oil paintings on canvas, pencil drawings, miniature cross stitch designs, decoupage, stamping, pyroengraving, collage, beadwork designs, sewn or quilted, the possiblities are only limited by your imagination. Anything that you can keep thin enough to fit into a plastic collectible card album sleeve is acceptable.
Ideally, ATCs are swapped face-to-face with other artists at trading sessions. These are hosted in many major cities throughout the world. Trading cards by mail has also become a very popular way to swap. The links in this category contain both information about face-to-face trading sessions and information about swaps arranged online and sent through the mail.
ACEOs, or Art Cards, Editions and Originals, are similiar to ATCs but with one major difference, they are sold. These became popular when those outside the arts and crafts community became interested in collecting regular artist trading cards but had nothing to swap in exchange. Some artists began making these miniature cards to offer for purchase but since artist trading cards can never be sold, they became known as Art Cards, Editions and Originals (ACEOs).
In this category you can find out more information about artist trading cards and find crafters and artists interested in swapping(papers icon). You can also find online stores that carry supplies specifically for making ATCs(thread icon). Sites that deal with ACEOs will have a shop icon next to their site title.
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Artist Trading Cards: A Collaborative Cultural Performance-- Here you can find out about ATC trading sessions held throughout the world. Meet up with other artists to trade ATCs in person. Many locations in Canada and the US. Also locations in Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland.
- Art in Your Pocket: ATCs-- This is an extensive article about ATCs with many illustrations and examples.
yourATCstore-- This US based store with worldwide shipping carries a huge line of specialty supplies just for artist trading cards.
- ATC Quarterly-- A journal for artist trading card (ATC) enthusiasts. Connect with ATCers beyond your local trading group. Share ATC information, techniques and ideas. Published four times a year in Dunvegan, Ontario, Canada.
- Poetsdreams-- The original Artist Trading Card online shop went live April 2005 with a full line of Artist Trading Card supplies by Leisure Arts, Tim Holtz, Design Originals, Stampington & Company and more. Items in stock can also be used for altered books, cards, scrap booking and any mixed media art. Rubber stamps for ATC's, scrapbooking, mail art, altered rolodex cards, domino stamps with a collection by Sandra Evertson and Lynne Perrella. Every order receives product samples. Also, monthly ATC trades with different themes and styles to try each month. ATC members in the US, Australia, UK and Canada. Based in New Mexico, will ship anywhere in the world.
- European Papers-- This site is a good source for artist trading card supplies. Click on 'House of Cards' for more information upcoming exhibitions, view winning cards from past exhibitions and find out more about artist trading cards.
- Artist Trading Card Meetups-- Here you can find information about face-to-face ATC trading sessions. Most are located in the US but other countries are also represented.
Art-Cards.org-- This site is about ACEOs or Art Cards, Editions and Originals. You can learn about their history and even learn new techniques for creating your own ATCs or ACEOs.
- Circle of Crafters Message Board-- The Circle of Crafters message board has a section for artist trading cards. You can find many examples of artist trading cards posted by members. Free registration is required to participate in the monthly group ATC swap or to arrange private ATC swaps with other members.
- Houston ATCs-- This is a group of artist trading card enthusiasts that meet on the third Thursday of each month in Houston, Texas, for trading sessions. It is an open group and anyone is welcome to attend.
- ATC Exchange-- This is an MSN group where you can exchange ideas and arrange swaps with other members. Visitors can browse member galleries and learn more about artist trading cards.
- Nervousness.org-- Nervousness is a community web site for exchanging mail art including artist trading cards.
- Rubber Nature-- Rubber Nature hosts a monthly artist trading card swap. Each month is a different theme and cards must be hand stamped. Galleries of cards from past swaps are available for viewing.
- Mail Artists: ATCs-- Artist Aisling D'art displays ATCs that she has made and goes into how they were made.
- ScrapbookDreamer.com: Artist Trading Cards-- Here is a brief but interesting article about the making of artist trading cards.
- Scrapz-- UK site offering loads of scrapbooking, card making, ATC (artist trading card) and craft supplies; stocking all the main brands plus lots of unusual and exclusive items too. Unique toppers, embellishments, emphemera, collage sheets, charms, chipboard, blossoms, die cuts, rub-ons, stickers, ribbons and fibers. Coming soon: Kits to make your own wedding invitations, scrapbooking page kits, card-making kits and paper bag mini book kits
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