| Karen doing the ATC swap |
|
I thought you might like to know a little bit about what happens to your ATCs when they reach us at Craft Ambrosia.
First, they are stored until the closing date and then it's panic stations as I get into a fluster thinking about all the
work that has to be done, printing the flyers, taking the photos, editing them and updating the web page. Luckily,
Karen, who is in the picture to the left, helps out and completes the swap itself. All this usually takes a day.
As you can see we have a lot of entries each month and they fill the studio!
Karen says "It's really exciting opening all the envelopes and being the first to see all of the swaps. Also,
interesting to see how everyone interprets the theme differently and very inspiring to see the different ideas.
It's particularly nice to see how people's styles have changed over the course of the swap since it began in 2006. Some
people have started using a special folded ATC holder which is good for keeping the ATCs in place in the post."
I hope you've enjoyed that brief glimpse into to our ATC swap. I expect your all ready to see what this month's theme
is. So bye for now - Dawn
This months theme is: FAERIES
Challenge Element: To use only the colour
Blue.
The closing date for entries is: Friday
1st August 2008
Address details are below.
We'd like you to make a set of two different cards for each
month's theme. Please see below for the new details of our swap.
What is an ATC?
For those of you who haven't yet caught the bug, an ATC is an Artist's Trading
Card. They are mini works of art designed to be swapped with others.
They were first made by a Swiss artist during the 1990's who wanted to make his
own unique business cards to give to people who attended his exhibition. He certainly started a craze!
The size of each card should be 3.5 inches by
2.5 inches (the size of sports collectable cards or playing cards) and the title of the card, edition number and your
details should be on the reverse.
You can let your imagination run wild to create your ATC and use rubber stamps,
collage, original artwork and embellishments or anything that captures the theme that you're working on. Take a look in our
gallery for some inspiration.
We're also introducing a Challenge Element each month to spice things up.
For example, the theme might be Flowers and the Challenge Element would be to use only red or not to use peel offs. It is
up to you if you want to take on the extra dimension.
How do I take part?
All you have to do to join in the fun is to
make A SET OF TWO DIFFERENT ATCs using the current theme (and if desired the Challenge Element) and send
them to us with a stamped addressed envelope to:
(Whatever the Theme is...) A.T.C.
SWAP
Craft Ambrosia Ltd
32a Walsworth Road
Hitchin
Hertfordshire
SG4 9ST.
In return you'll recieve the details
of the next swap and two ATCs from other people in return. Simple isn't it? A sample from each month's swap
will be added to the gallery.
A FEW IMPORTANT THINGS
TO REMEMBER:
-
MAKE SURE YOU USE THE
CORRECT POSTAGE BOTH WAYS. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL POST OFFICE FOR FULL DETAILS AS INCORRECT POSTAGE
MEANS THAT YOUR HARD WORK WILL BE KEPT & DESTROYED BY THE POST OFFICE.
-
Make your card sturdy enough to travel safely through the mail.
-
Take a little time to be really creative so that everyone that takes
part can delight in the quality of their swapped masterpieces!
- If you decide to use a mini envelope rather than a clear cover for your
ATC, be sure to leave it unsealed so that I can photograph it for the gallery.
- Unfortunately, late arrivals and entries without a stamped addressed
envelope will not be able to take part.
