See what artist trading cards swap supplies I used to make my atcs

Recently an instagram ad caught my eye – an artist was advertising for an ‘artist trading card swap’! Now, I have horrible luck with swaps. I’ve participated in some penpal ones, a handmade ornament swap, a mending patch swap, so many things and either got nothing back or something that did not match the swap at all. However, it’s been a few years and I’m ready to roll the dice again! Sharing what I made and the supplies I used to make them.

Here are all 9 cards – I saved one for myself and mailed the other 8 to the organizer, who is then mixing them up and mailing 8 back from other artists. I ended up going with something of a theme and played with different compositions and colors instead of making something brand new for each one.

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My first set in closer detail!

Second set in closer detail!

Third set in closer detail!

Here is what I put on the back!

Updating this post to share the cards I got! Starting with the top row, left to right and then working down, I’ll link the makers:

• @artfulsalvation– @teddybearnecktattoo – @drartteacher – @letterpress_lady

• @parabolicmuse – @samanthapellegrinoart –   @41crow 

• @access23art –@abbypainterart (who organized) –@stephlikespaint –@market.415

I’d love to hear about your experience with artist trading cards or swaps in the comments – I know some places have in person swaps for these or there are some Facebook groups to individually trade too. I’ve really enjoyed collage lately but struggle when I have lots of pieces I love but don’t know what to do with. This was the perfect motivation to make tiny pieces of art and send them off! I’ll update this post with what I got back whenever I get them.

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Artist trading cards swap supplies

Sharing some of the things that I used! One thing you won’t see on here is my new vintage typewriter. I got a coronet super 12 typewriter off facebook marketplace, and used it to type directly on the magazine pages, it was great fun.

Adhesives

• Plain old Scotch permanent glue stick is my main tool,
• The Tombow glue runner is
• Tombow liquid glue was

Cutting tools

• Lots of paper punches! All different styles and shapes – and also a corner rounder was key
• Craft knifes- pictured are a generic one and an ergonomic Fiskars one
• My favorite for all sewing & crafts, Fiskars micro-tip scissors are perfect for persnickety small cuts

Materials

• Lots of vintage books – landscape, floral, and animal guide books are my favorite to thrift and cut up
• Vintage stamps, you can buy them in big lots
• Literal playing cards are the right size to be upcycled into artist trading cards, or you can cut your own 3″ X 2″ cards, or you can buy premade blanks
• I also added little plastic sleeves to protect my projects!