Tuesday, March 3, 2009

What is an ATC and my FAVORITES???

What is an ATC?

If you are a pilot it is Air Traffic Control, If I said this to my son, who is dedicated to nature conservation, he would say Appalachian Trail Conservancy, but to an Artist we know ATC as Artist Trading Cards.

Today I am going to share the very basics rules with you.
As their name indicates, ATC are collectibles, a idea born of the older sports-themed trading cards. The one rule that makes an ATC derives from their origins: the dimensions of the ATC must be 2.5"x3.5". Which is basically playing card size! Yes, many artist work on playing cards.
Even though you see ATC's being sold on Ebay and such this breaks all rules~
First, an ATC mustn't be sold, only exchanged, as the whole spirit of these tiny works of art is about artists meeting (by correspondence or online if need be) and exchanging their works, thus meeting many artists and getting exposed to many personal styles. Second, on the back of each ATC the artist writes part or all of the following information: name, contact information, title of the ATC and number (1/8, 2/8...) if it's part of an edition. By definition ATCs are made in limited numbers, often no more than one of a kind. One of a Kind (OOaK) ATCs are called originals; sets of identical ATCs are called editions and are numbered; sets of ATCs that are based on one theme but that are different are called series. What most collectors really want are cards that are made with care.
That's all! The above is all you need to know to start making your own ATCs. Common sense say that they should be sturdy enough to survive mailing, and of reasonable thickness. Card sleeves are useful to protect the cards if needed. This is particularly true if they are easily smudged or if the medium might stick to the envelope.
Above are my favorite ATC's that I made~
As you can tell I like to use....
Sewing, Embossing, Inking, Beeswax,
Tearing, Beading, and Glittering.....
And I probably missed some elements....
Now... Have Fun Yourself! Create and Exchange!

9 comments:

RR Mama said...

I know I have told you before but you are truly talented! I wish I had half of your talent. Have a blessed day my friend!

Tiedupmemories said...

They are all beautiful! It's hard to choose a favorite!

English Cottage in Georgia said...

I love your creations;-)
You learn something everyday...never had heard of ATC.

Sue said...

I like them all but really like the #2 & 4 ones...What a gift you have received from God....You are truly blessed!
Hugs
Sue

Anonymous said...

Oh I love that...I didn't know that is what it stood for! Beautiful concept~Your work is so precious, love it!

Hugs,
Lynn♥

Anonymous said...

I think my favourite one is the one with the bird and the butterfly. :)

kathy said...

Yvette these are so so beautiful
I love them all so much -- you have sucha special touch -- They are all my favorites and I need everyone lol - kathy - ga

Anonymous said...

O' Yvette, these are stunning.
I love all of your atcs.. Thank your for creating and sharing them.
hugs, Darlene.

Lynn said...

Your ATC's are amazing Yvette :) This is a wonderful description of what an ATC is too, which I didn't know until 6 months ago myself. Thank you!

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