Beginners ATC Swap INTERNATIONAL

i am glad you are doing this swap. i too want to try sticking my toes into the world of atcs but i am nervous. this is a great idea! i am already thinking of ideas of what i can make.

Actually, first-time ATC's are usually some of the best because y'all try so hard.

Thank you so much for doing this. I have been wanting to try ATCs, but am so afraid that they won't be "worthy" of trading. Although, when rating, people are not supposed to rate on whether they actually liked what they received...only whether it met the posted requirements. If people are rating each other based on whether they liked their swap items, that really isn't fair. Just a thought....

Thanks again for making it easy for me to take the plunge!

Oh Leenda, I meant that if they don't meet the swap requirements in the strictest sense, like the cards are missing some accepted ATC quality but they really did try, that the recipient should be kind since they are first timers.

People should definately rate according to Swap-Bot standards for no sends, people who send weeks late... stuff like that.

I'm happy to see so much interest already!

i absolutely love this idea...however i don't like to do the international swaps.....i hope you do another one just for the states cuz it's a great idea!!

I'm not in the US so any swap I start has to be international. :)

You are welcome to start one for just the US though!

That's a great card you have as the icon for this swap!

We've all got to start somewhere, and I am still getting used to the idea of putting my art out there for others to see. So far I have to say that I don't think we are all our own harshest critics!

If I get through some other swaps by the 15th I will sign up. I actually love the international swaps, even though the postal delivery service can be almost unbearable at times!

Holy crap!! I was going to try and get the courage up tonight and start my own first timer ATC swap.

Yay! So excited!

my goodness, i was also thinking the same, to do a first timer atc swap, i am so nervous!lol thanks a bunch:)

Not quite a first timer but love to join in.

Well, My goodness!! This sounds great! I'm new to ATC's so I'm excited to keep trying! I have dont one and I can see I need lots of extra work! But you're right we all have to start somewhere! I'm in!!

Wow-so I'm not alone!!! I will definately sign up. Eek-now to get the inspiration.

In terms of it being an international swap-shouldn't cost that much because it is flat & you only have one person to send.

Thanks for doing this!

I am ready to take the plunge too! Thanks :)

Ready to try! Thanks for starting this! =D

hey guys, it's not that hard--just do something that you think you'd like to receive and you'll be great!

I am excited about this swap. I have been wanting to try ATC's for a while. I don't mind international swaps.

Well, I'm still very nervous, because the type of stuff I make isn't so "edgy", and I know a lot of ATCs are. So I just hope whoever gets my cards is okay with "nice and thought out" even if it isn't "edgy". [nervous laugh]

Leenda77: I have made a total of 3 ATCs so far - all of them anally neat and tidy, just like my fabric PCs - not edgy at all! But that is how we learn - with baby steps. Besides, if we all did edgy, our collections would be pretty boring after a while. Just make something you would like to get and you'll do just fine!

okay i've been wanting to try this for so long but as i'm a gigantic chicken butt i've been putting it off. so here goes nothing.

Thank you for starting this swap :) I have made a few ATCs so far, but I'm still very much a newbie. Look forward to the fun :)

Hi all-

I have a question for the ATC veterans. It was sent to me but I am such a newbie I can't give a proper answer. Can you help? Here is the question:

"Hello, I'm in the "Beginner ATC" swap, but I have a question, and cannot find any good answer anywhere. What kind of glue is best to use for paper, to keep it from curling and warping? I've tried Tacky glue, but it's so thick, and even watered down, it still makes the paper curl. Help..."

Thanks! CP

I have found rubber cement to be the best - you can get it at any office supply place like Business Depot or Staples. It won't curl the paper and any excess (or mistakes) can just be rubbed off with your fingertip after it dries (it dries pretty quickly too).

Glues for ATCs: I use Acrylic Medium--it comes in several different thicknesses, from liquid to thick paste, I use Liquitex Gloss Medium & Varnish which is one of the liquid ones. It never wrinkles or curls, and works to glue anything onto your cards--except the chunky embellishments like jewels and things, for that I use Tacky glue. I glued jewels all ove r a postcard once, and then coated the whole thing with more medium and it went through the mail like a champ!..The only warnign I have is to be sure you let it completely dry, as it may remain sticky and stick to other papers if you stack cards together t mail. The relief for that is to layer the cards with a little wax paper.

I also use Uhu, Pioneer, Ross and RoseArt glue sticks(listed in order of my preference), any glue stick will work, just look for Acid-free or archivel so you don't ruin your finished work by using glue that will turn brown or brittle later.

For paper, I often use watercolor paper that comes in inexpensive padsit's a good weight and holds up well, and you can get 10 cards out of an 8.5x11" sheet! Check out my blog for a 10-card ATC template: http://twobluecrows.blogspot.com/

Cyn

Gel medium or any of the glues Cyn mentioned are the best. As with any 'altered art' you want to use a glue with the lowest water content available. Elmers glue (example) is too high in water and that's what makes it curl or wrinkle.

It shouldn't feel so scary to make two little bits of card but somehow it is... but I am going to sign up and do it anyway! Thanks for making this new art accessible to us newbies at it.

Thank you for doing this. I have been making a few of these, but I didn't think they were good enough to swap yet, but here is my chance.

Hi everyone-

I received another question that I'll cast out there to the professionals since I'm as new to this as most of you:

"Do you recommend varnishing?"

Thanks! CP

ok here goes my newbie question, LOL someone allready asked the glue one, hahaha it was a burning question that i also had, so...... if you want to do a little beading on your atc, what is the best way?

Varnishing: I often seal mine with Acrylic Medium, the one I use is Liquitex Gloss Medium & Varnish and is liquid, rather than a gel medium.

Beading: You can sew the beads right on with beading thread, or string them and let them dangle, or glue them with a thick tacky-glue. Small pieces of beadweaving, or beaded ribbon or fabric can be glued or sewn on, or, if you're careful, attach them with small brads. Whatever does the effect you want to achieve on your ATC.

Cyn

Chinita, my ATCs are winging their way across the country to you! I hope you enjoy!

Hi OrcaSong, your ATCs will be in the mail tomorrow - please note that mail from Canada is delivered on the back of a husky so may take a while to arrive! T.

I mailed off my two ATCs to cpfaves today...I know it will take a while for them to reach you in Sweden, but they are traveling!

cpfaves, where are you in sweden, i am (an american) living in sweden also, stockholm area.

always nice to connect with english speakers in sweden for me:)

looking fwd to hearing from you:)

sent mine to lori eb. last Thursday the 15th - but we have had storms and not had very reliable internet connections - it is \"in the mail\" as they say, and I hope it arrives soon.

Noel- I sent you a message. :)

Two cute cards arrived from vegee today.I will put them up on the gallery later today

I have added photo to the gallery. I would love to see more photos there to get an idea of what is being made.

Vegee, very nice!

JaneR -- your ATC\'s are on the way!! :)

Received two really fun and lovely ones from Amanda Wintersteen, today - I LOVE the foam art attached - and those tiny stickers are SO cute! This was a great swap and fun way to "get our feet wet" - thanks so much, Amanda for making me such cute ones! Mary

i mailed today and of course after i mailed i realized i forgot to sign the back of my cards....sorry to my partners!

A big thanks to Helen. I get 2 lovely ATC's, a letter, tea bags and even some chocolate.

I love the ATC's

Tassy, I mailed your cards out today. Sorry about the delay, I had a week of the flu :(

I received my cards from linpengierhody today. I love them! Very creative. Thank you. I'll get them scanned at posted to the gallery this weekend.

Toni - your cards are on the way to the post office...Let me know when you get them.

KatzR2, the deadline to send is today, so you aren't late! Will watch for them! Thx. T.

ronda your atc s arrived today in sweden in perfect shape, how lovely!!! i am honored to receive your first ones, thank you i am also new to atc art, i hope my partner will like hers also, be well, noel

I'm soooooooo happy!!! I've received my first atc s from Tammy! I love them! Thanks!!! ;) Hugs, Nanucha

Lovely work Helen

Hotcakes......

I got your cards today. They are so beautiful. I love them. Great work.

Angi

Ariana - Received your lovely and innovative ATCs. Thanks!

Hey - I haven't received anything yet... Has anyone gotten anything from me?

Me neither

KatzR2 was being too modest - take a peek at her great beginner ATCs in the gallery. Love them, KatzR2 - another great set to add to my fledgling collection. Thx! T.

I've never received my cards and when I went to send a message to the person to check, their profile had been deleted! So I hope that cpfaves received mine safely and will have to file this away as my first negative experience on the swap scene.

I haven't received mine yet. I think there was a postal issue? Mpontalba- I just went through that with another swap and it is very discouraging especially when they are a pricier one...I hope we have better ones in the future. Good luck!