A Whole Lot o' ATCs

Can these be ATC's that I have previously created or do they have to be new??

Previously created is no problem. Some of mine might be ones I created for the US only mega-swap that I decided were a bit too political for the partners I had.

I'd love some advice on the dates. It seems wicked long to me, but I've never done anything like this and wasn't sure how long to leave between sign-up ending and send by date.

Not having a supply of atc's handy to give me a headstart, I really appreciate(love!) the long leadtime between the closing date and the due date. Bless you!! [chuckle,chuckle]

The lead time is huge if you ask me, fine with me, easy for me. I would have joined also if it were shorter like one month from when I first sign up to completion is still fine for me. Thanks for offering this swap and for doing 3 per swap! I'm joining!

the time between the sign-up and sending date is fine by me. The workpresure is not so high now. Thanks for making this 3 ATC's per partner!

groeten Francis

I thought the lead time a little long, too, but I didn't want to shorten it because I don't want people to feel pressured if they signed up right before the drop date. I'm going to be thinking of ways to make the wait more interesting :-)

I love sending internationally! And I love receiving from everywhere! Count me in. P.S. Love having the extra time to get into a groove.

Thanks for joining kheli!

I'm ready to send whenever (lol) as I have plenty of cards on hand already. But the long lead time is good in case my muse hits me hard--lately I've been in a drought (stress at work and home) so it's been hard to find the energy to create something. Sigh. THis will be fun.

This swap looks really fun. I'm also hosting the Anything Goes ATC swap http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/3120 if anyone's interested. It requires 20 ATC's- new, made previously, or second-hand. Thought you might like it.

The date: May 13th is the day the postage goes up, so you might want to change the send date to May 12th. I would sign up if I could mail to my partners before the postage goes up. I've been planning on mailing as many things as I can before they increase the price!

I'll change the last day to sign up to the 10th so that way people in the US can send out before postage increase if they want. I won't change the send by date, though, because lots of people keep very tight schedules for their send by dates.

I am in the Mega swap currently, I hurried and got all my cards sent out, only heard from 2 people that they received them. I sent a email to the rest of my receivers and ended up with 8 response. This time I plan on waiting until closer to the deadline, then maybe people will be better at letting me know they received the cards. Also, some people are waiting until they get all 20 to open them. They have more will power than I. I have received 10 so far, the deadline is June, so there is still plenty of time to receive them. Sorry if I seem to be rambling!!!

Thank you for the looong time to create. I am new to ATC's and this will only be my second one. I hope everyone likes them!!!

In the US only mega swap one player sent me a polymer clay ATC and another sent me a fabric ATC. I am playing with both mediums now and hope to be able to have some ready to send for this swap. I love how the clay feels in my hands! Just haven't been able to get it to roll out smoothly.

Also, the woman who coordinated the US only mega swap posted that she will do an international one soon. I plan to watch Gartenzwerg's profile page for that one.

Oh WOW! Thirty cards. I think I can, I think I can, I KNOW I CAN. I love swapping and my granddaughters (ages 12 and 13) love to see the international cards that I receive. Thanks for the fun. Joan

I'm in and I appreciate the time. My work causes me to be on overload due to prom season and Dance recitals which we are in the middle of. We are going on vacation at the end of May to see my twin brother that I haven't seen in 7 years. If it weren't for the extended time I wouldn't be able to do it and I REALLY, REALLY WANT TO. Thanks for this one. (Sorry so windy) Rhonda

Cool! I can send out 2 or 3 sets at a time! I'm in!

I never expected this swap to attract so many players. So far we have;

• 1 player from Australia
• 4 players from Canada
• 1 player from Germany
• 1 player from Netherlands
• 1 player from Qatar
• 1 player from Sweden
• 1 player from UK
• 41 players from USA

I'm very happy with how well this swap has been received :-)

I'm paying very close attention to ratings history. I don't rely on rating number as sometimes those who are slammed with low ratings have been treated unfairly. It is the sender's history I am watching, not so much the number.

I know you have posted that you will not accept new members after the 27, but I am only 2 days late!! GRRR. Just wondering if you would consider me...I can provide you with people I have participated in multiple swaps with before to show my commitment level. I also host many swaps through 2 yahoo groups. Please let me know, I would love to be considered! Thanks so much, Barbara Bennett...newest swap-bot member

I like the amount of time we have to put our cards together. This sounds like a fun project. I'm looking forward to this.

hey jan, I wish I could commit to this, but after a rash of some bad feelings caused by swaps here on swap bot, I am cutting back on swapping here, although this sounds like so much fun! the time limit is great, but then again, right now I am at an all time low for artists block also. I could probably send old cards (ones I have made previously), but I'll have to think about it. If it was meant to be, i sign up before the deadline, if not, I wish you all Happy ATCing! susi

Postmuse...sounds like you need a pasta machine! I have 2..one for pasta and one for clay. I got my second one at the thrift store, but I do know that the craft stores sell them too.

I looked at pasta machines the other day and I think I will buy one. Gonna check out thrift shops first. This polymer clay thing could consume my life :-)

Aargh! I wish I could do this one, too! I'm still working on the Mega ATC Swap Usa though, and we're about to move everything out of my studio to tear up and repair the floor--so I better not take the chance! Next time around for sure--and I do like that long lead time! Cyn

I'll be signing up soon. I'm a newbie and have just sent out some swaps. So should have a rating very soon. But for now I'm going to go ahead and get started. I'll be back to sign as soon as someone rates me.

My experience in the past ,when someone sends "a set" of same design or continuation of same image. IT WAS REAL DISAPPOINTING!!! The lead time is long enough so BE CREATIVE!!! Also stickers are a drag!! 99 cent store in moderation. Some of my international swaps included drawings and real ART. Please send what you would like to receive!!!

I'm sure everyone plans on doing their best work for this swap, but remember that not everyone is Bernie Berlin. There are plenty of fledgling ATCers on swap-bot that are fresh out of the nest. The only way for artists to grow is to keep seeing fine examples of art and aspiring to create as well as those artists. This swap does say "any medium" so there is a chance you might receive cards with stickers or cards from inexperienced artists. There are a wide range of people interested in ATC's from scrapbookers to stampers to fine artists to photographers. With a swap this big I'm sure we span all those areas. I plan on having a good time with this swap...lots of possibilities!

Wow. We just had 3 people drop this swap in the last 15 minutes. I had just finished updating my database and came back to do a double check, and three people had gone. Wow.

I'm debating if I can do this, RL is hectic at the moment, and 30 cards is a lot.. I'll be back in a few days with my answer.

I learned a tip on sending three ATCs without adding lots of bulk. You need a long business size envelope (I don't know what they are called in other parts of the world but they are 4 1/8 x 9.5 inches, 10.5x24.1 cm) and a piece of cardstock to provide a bit of sturdiness. Fold the cardstock lengthwise, put the three ATCs in plastic sleeves, lay the ATCs across the cardstock, overlapping them just a bit. Tape the plastic sleeves so they don't slide to one end. Slip the cardstock mailing sleeve into the envelope, address, and mark the envelope "please do not bend," which is often ignored, but at least you can hope there are kind strangers who might pay attention. If the ATCs aren't loaded with bulky embellishments, you can usually get by the fat envelope police :-)

Now I have a visual of the FAT ENVELOPE POLICE...thanks...

Oooooo... there's a great image for a card!

dumb me just discovered such a creature "fat envelope police" -he/s sent me back something for additional postage - hey doesn't it cost more money to send it back then to just delivery the damn thing??

We should all write a visible message on the evelope, "hey, if you return to sender for additional postage, you risk screwing up my ratings!"

Life's gotten just a little too hectic so i'm dropping for now, this is a great idea, maybe next time! Dianne

I'm new to ATC's.. would people be annoyed by that if I did this swap?.. I don't want anyone to be disappointed. Not that I'm horrible, I'm just not super amazing like the people I've seen on Flickr..

i think the whole point of trading with so many people at once is that you'll see a broad spectrum of styles and skill levels! plus, if you're new to it, this will give you a chance to try out lots of different techniques or themes to get your moves down...

Partners have been assigned :-)

A mail note; the whole issue of an envelope being too fat, is the envie won't go thru the automated sorting process. If you use the business size envie and it doesn't bend easily, you will end up with the same problem. Here is what I do: I store my cards in the 9 slot baseball card pages; so I take an empty page & cut it into 3-3 slot lengths. This way I can send cards and they don't move around the envie. The envie would be more flexible to go thru the automated system. Embellishments are a completely different story!!! I usually end up using a padded envelope with them.

I uploaded pictures to the Gallery to show what I'm talking about. Sorry that they both turned out big; the 2nd one was supposed to be smaller. If you look closely, you can see the plastic around the cards....

Grandma Roro, d as in dog, Cheryl, Seeshellcreations, SageWind, ChristineMM, Starweaver, Sheila Vanessa, Neonmarshmallow and little hottie, your cards are mailed and will leave the Netherlands tomorrow.

groeten Francis

Ok, I got my first seven envelopies out to: d as in dog Cheryl Ford linpengierhody Deborah simply sarah (aka when it rains) tannermom Dana

more coming soon!

WOW---I DID IT!!! ALL 30 CARDS ARE READY TO GO... As soon as I put stamps on them they will be on the way. Hope everyone enjoys getting them as much as I enjoyed making them!

Lin Collette--I got your cards today, wow that was quick, what a nice variety, I especially like the dove inside the heart peace sign. Thanks!

Thanks Starweaver !! At last something unlike all the other too cute predictable stuff!! I like off beat subject matter. Your illustrations? Bravo!

Thanks Lin Collette received your cards . Is it you on the 1970's theme card?

Joan, your ATCs arrived to New Jersey. I really like the Air Mail ATC!

Tom L. your ATCs arrived... what do they mean?

I recd cards from Betsy yesterday..Thank You!

Betsy, I 've gotten some lovely cards! I realy like the 'Betsy' one, although we have no idea who Betsy is here in Holland. And thanks for the extra one.

groeten Francis

Heather, I received your cards today. Very cool. Thank you. Cindy

Nancy, I received your cards today. They are really cute and I love the pocket one. Thanks. Cindy

lorraine : the post office kept your cards for postage due ): or something... (i got a 48 postage due ticket) and your the envelope was cut in half with my name and address and your name and address but nothing in it...

the fat envelope police strike again!!! ):

i also recieve beautiful cards from nancy today (:

I recieved ATC's from Sheil Vanessa Vazquez, Francis Paul, and Joan (grandmaroro?) Thanks! Every card is wonderful!

Just an fyi to my partners, I accidentally clicked "sent" on this swap. I am still working on them. Thanks

Did everyone see that Swap-bot now lets us rate swaps are received during the swap period not just a week after the deadline/last date to mail them by?

I just went in and rated the three swaps I got so far. I like this feature.

I sent a group email to everyone today about the new rating system, but because I like to mask email addresses, I send Bcc and lots of spam filters catch that and people never see my rambling messages :-)

Anyway, I love the feature and I hope everyone takes full advantage of being able to rate as soon as they receive.

Also, it would be a very terrific, absolutely marvelous, totally brilliant idea to note the name of the swap on some sort of enclosure, as well as the envelope itself. Just makes for easier bookkeeping for those of us in lots and lots of ATC swaps. What? You say you don't know of other places to swap ATC? Oh my goodness, message me and I'll send you some links :-)

I sent all of mine today :o) I tried lots of new things, I hope they are enjoyed!

I almost jumped on your offer for more links to swap ATCs --- but why would I want more? At the beginning of May I owed a total of 98 ATCs. I'm a little slow on some - but I'm fulfilling all my obligations with OOAKs. This from a woman who a year ago said, "What's an ATC?" But it wouldn't hurt to have some variety. LOLOL

My ATC's went out today. I hope everyone likes them.

got your cards amicrstive (kristin) today and barbara bennett i got yours yesterday.... beautiful cards ladies... i have rated yous accordingly (:

Belen - Your cards have been received. Thanks so much. I love the PEACE card. You betcha - 24/7/365. If only!

Let me just say... this has been way more challenging than I originally thought it would be! But I'm almost done. :)

I am in USA. Today I put 7 swaps in the mail. They went to: Grandma Roro, D as in Dog, Cheryl Ford, Deborah, seeshellscreations--Canada, Dana, & Kheli.

I am still making ATCs for the rest of you.

Thanks to everyone who has sent me ATCs so far. I am rating everyone as they come in and my thank you's are in the rating comments.

Love this swap!

I've been working furiously on cards, but still have a ways to go. I get great ideas and then they don't quite work when I put paper to paper. But, my mistakes will make great cards somewhere down the road when I can drag them out and rework the ideas.

Glad to see others are having fun with this, too.

I recd cool cards from Tambo today. Thank you!

Am back from vacation and had some really lovely and creative cards waiting for me from Robin Ling and Carolyn Richards, Thanks to you both, great job! And Carolyn, thanks for the extra goodies.

Mine will be in the mail Monday, June 4. 3 of them are going overseas, so please be patient, Charlotte, Mona, and Isabelle......

So far I am mostly disappointed by ATCs that I've received in this swap... With such a long time to do the creating (send by July 2) I was expecting more creativity than what I've received... I am finding people are going for quantity and perhaps rushing to just get the ATCs done. Anyone else experiencing this?

Sorry to put a damper on this swap, but I had hoped for quality ATCs with such a long time for the send by date and really I am just disappointed.

I will be sending to you seashell...I hope you won't be disappointed....

This is a cut and paste of a previous post I made..I try not to have any expectations.

"I'm sure everyone plans on doing their best work for this swap, but remember that not everyone is Bernie Berlin. There are plenty of fledgling ATCers on swap-bot that are fresh out of the nest. The only way for artists to grow is to keep seeing fine examples of art and aspiring to create as well as those artists. This swap does say "any medium" so there is a chance you might receive cards with stickers or cards from inexperienced artists. There are a wide range of people interested in ATC's from scrapbookers to stampers to fine artists to photographers. With a swap this big I'm sure we span all those areas. I plan on having a good time with this swap...lots of possibilities!"

True enough... I feel bad saying anything at all because some ATCs are fabulous and you can tell thought & effort went into their creations... but some just look rushed... oh well, that's the chance, but I do hope those who have rushed their creations will put forth more effort next time...

Such is the nature of a blind swap. It would be great if people put alot of effort into their cards. Sometimes I give a 5 rating simply because they met "minimun requirements and were sent on time. The most disappointing card that was sent to me (in another swap) was a black ink stamp alone on a plain card. I can either look at it as minimalistic or feel like I've been cheated. I've been known to take cards apart that didn't thrill me and collage a part of it on another card. Or maybe we can start a new swap MOST DISAPPOINTING ATC's. I have a few contenders, but don't want to hurt another person's feeling. Artists can be real sensitive. I'm guilty of that. The host offered to swap with me.

When I read comments about getting discouraged by the quality of art that is sent, I can't help thinking of a woman who sometimes requests trades in another ATC forum I frequent. Her cards are quite simple and not very neatly done, however you can tell she is incredibly proud of her creations. There is nothing insincere in her manner and I know she isn't just throwing cards together. I can't refuse her offers for trades. I know the card I'll receive is not at all what I consider an addition to my collection, however I see how much she enjoys creating, and trading. I know she treasures every card she receives, and I guess that is enough for me.

Anyway, unless I am absolutely certain someone is taking advantage of me and just sending slapped together art because they ran out of time, or don't really care about the quality of work they send, or any other reason for creating something that isn't collectible, I am going to assume the sender put all his or her heart into the art.

And by the way, there have been times when I am quite certain someone is taking advantage and sending slapped together cards knowing they are not the best they can do, however it happens so very infrequently that I don't worry about it.

As you say Post Muse, you can tell when ATCs are "slapped together"... it's those that I speak of here... that's where I am disappointed. In speaking up about this I am only hoping that people will realize that it is very much appreciated when their creations do reflect their time & effort spent creating their ATC... It's obvious - time spent versus rush jobs... I would rather a partner was late sending instead of rushing, that's all. I can only speak of my own experience here.

Sarah yours went out 6/04, Starweaver and Neonmarshmallow yours are going out today. Enjoy.

I hesitate to join the discussion as this topic usually ends up getting heated. I am trying to be polite in my writing here!

I have been swapping ATCs through the Internet for nearly two years. I have been in numerous conversations about the "quality" issue and the "slapped together" debate.

My conclusion after reading opinions of the actual makers of ATCs that seemed to me to have "issues" is that they do think their work is very good or even great. There are many ways and reasons, here are some.

Some love stickers. They feel to buy stickers at a craft shop and put them on colored cardstock in a theme is a great thing to do. I don't care for that personally but that is my taste. I would also consider that slapped together but others completely disagree with me, they say thought went into making that (and money).

Some have made great ATCs then stuck a sticker on it at the end of their process. That ruins it for me as if you ask me the ATC was "done" before that sticker went on. But they think it looks good.

I cannot understand how some of the non-intentional for "artsy" reasons would not cut a straight line, not make them the right size. That I have no clue about. I feel that is sloppy work and puts it into the poor quality category. Also, using poor materials like bad glues that just fall apart, or putting heavy embellishments on with a sub-par glue and then it falls off, is "poor quality work" in my opinion.

Some people love embellishments and go overboard if you ask me. But they love their work. One discussion on another forum was about digital art. I have seen some fantastic and time-consuming digital art. Yet there are some traders who insist that digital art be "embellished" in some way with do-dads from the craft store. Well I've then seen some of that and if you ask me it ruined some otherwise great digital art. Ditto for gorgeous photography ATCs. Some say a photo ATC is not "good enough" and "needs embellishment". I disagree. A great photo, good composition, good lighting and good subject with high quality printing job is all that I personally need. I don't need a sticker on top of that or a brad in the corner!

One of my pet peeves is people getting images off the Internet to use in ATC making and when they print off they are poor quality resolution, meaning large pixels are seen. Those images are sub-par to me and ruin the art. I've gotten lots of comic strip art ATCs but instead of taking comic strips and using those (I get mine from my parents newspaper as I don't get a newspaper with comics). Anyway the actual comic is high quality but the Internet artwork sometimes looks bad, whether that is from the person's printer or the resolution of the image on the Internet are two possible reasons. Why a person would put work into making an ATC and use a poor quality image is beyond my comprehension. Plus how can they look at the poor quality print out and think "this is a good quality image to use"? I don't get it at all!

Regarding my own ATCs. My usual manner of working is to make all original items. I don't usually make assembly line style unless I'm working on a set technique and usually that involves using rubber stamps. Then if possible I will occasionally do about ten in that style. I usually do collage or painting techniques. I use original papers to do the collage not photocopies so I don't usually have multiple of the same exact image to do assembly line work. I say this as it takes time and energy and ideas in order to make up a whole new ATC concept for each and every one. I sure hope that my non-assembly line work is not considered "slapped together" by others!

Regarding composition I think it is hard work. I work hard to make a good composition, have the eye drawn to one place, have the eye move around the piece. I have seen lots of ATCs and some are definately lacking any sense of composition at all. Sorry if that is harsh but it is true. I have read about composition and am interested in improving my own artistic ability. If anyone wants more info on composition there is a lot on the web for free or check your public library. Here is a wikipedia article on it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composition(visualarts) Here is another good, free article. http://www.artincanada.com/arttalk/compositionglossary.html

I have fun playing with different techniques and sometimes my ATCs are things I am playing around with, such as experimenting with the use of metal tape.

With all that said I have offered up some of my ATCs for private trades and sometimes have little offers. In some circles apparently my ATCs are not desirable. When I offer up ATCs with paint such as in the style of Lynn Perrella http://www.lkperrella.com/ those in the scrapbooking or sticker style of work have no interest.

I notice some seem to only like what is the current fad. Oh well. My goal is to make things that interest me or speak to me in some way not to just copy what the trend is such as what was in the last issue of Somerset Studio magazine. I am not going to make a bunch of ATCs with Victorian era women in them if it is the fad. I also have had enough of pointy hats and butterfly wings on people! I refuse to do that in my ATCs! Even though if I did that some would love it. I am not making my ATCs in a fad so that maybe the recipient will like it.

My favorite artist is Kurt Schwitters. However many may think his work is ugly or looks slapped together. He recycles old papers and random ephemera. What do you think? (Go to google, images then put in his name to see a lot of his work.)

My favorite type of collage to make uses tiny pieces and I take a long time to find little pieces of this and that to put into the collage. A person could decode the story on the ATC if they put time into thinking about it, or perhaps the pieces are too personal to me and others won't "get it". I like to give a message in an ATC also, sometimes. I can spend quite some time hunting for images and pieces to put into a collage. But then I still wonder if the recipient will say, "she slapped this together" or "that is ugly".

There was a series of swaps here about "old box ATCs". The rules were to find cool old boxes to recycle into ATCs. I worked hard to keep my eye peeled for cool images or interesting compositions that would be the right size for an ATC and look interesting. There was "behind the scenes" work to prepare that. To me it was actually a cool artistic challenge. To cut the box in the right size to get the image just right was a challenge. I am not so sure that others in the swaps did the same, it didn't seem so to me.

For me in the end I don't send out work that I think is poor quality. I have some half-finished ATCs here that I just don't think look "done" but I am stuck on. I won't send them out just to have something to send out.

I have seen a thing recently where a person makes an ATC then makes a photocopy of it and sends that out as an ATC. THe original was hand painted or collage and then they send out copies of that. I think that is not a good thing and I usually remember to ban "photocopies" from the swaps I host.

One more thing, I have been making hand carved rubber stamps. I put a lot of work into planning the image, then obviously into hand carving the stamp. Some get ruined in the process of carving and I have to start it all over again (grrr). I often then will have the ATC be pretty plain, usually with a hand painted background. I think that is very much different than buying a store bought rubber stamp, using black ink on cardstock and making an imprint and calling it an ATC (but I own some of those type of ATCs to prove that others think what they are doing is fine and well).

After discussing this for nearly two years I think also that "quality" is in the eye of the maker, as is beauty or appeal, or taste--otherwise how can the poor "quality" be explained?

Whew, Christine...but I agree with it all

Christine MM Thanks for your info re; Kurt Schwitters and Lynn Perrella very cool!

ChristineMM - very well put... as for "photocopied ATCs" I have only heard of this before but not yet received (thankfully) so perhaps I am more encouraged now! LOL

Also I must say I received from you and I do absolutely LOVE the "Happy" ATC, excellent bleach technique on the one with the clock and since my fave colour is blue - you know I love the "face" (hand carved art stamp by you no less!)

So thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated!

Sorry about the ATCs I put in the gallery to demonstrate the 3 card slots. The one in the middle is not finished and the first one was done for my enjoyment....

I think this whold discussion belonged in the Forum, not on this page...

I really don't mind discussions on the swap discussion thread, especially now that the need for acknowledgment of received swaps isn't necessary (we can just acknowledge with our 5 rating). The forum is not easy to navigate but this is just one page.

Mickey Betz, I like the third card from the left. I have a thing for torn paper.

Cards went out today...just under the wire...to Grandma Roro, d as in dog, Rosie, seeshellcreations, Alphenstamp, SageWind, ChristineMM, Sheila Vanessa, Neonmarshmallow, and little hottie. Enjoy!

My cards went out today, too. I am more than a little nervous about how they will arrive at their destinations. I had one of those postal clerks who bent all 10 envelopes, charged me the additional "non-machinable" fee for 8 (which I really didn't mind paying) and then refused to mark the envelopes with the "do not bend" stamp. I paid extra for that marking, but she wouldn't listen to me. :::sigh:::

The most wonderful packaging that I have received in a swap arrived today. My three cards from Rosie arrived in a wrapped, plastic, CD case. Yes, it was expensive for her to send but a divine way to protect those wonderful ATCs. I loved it. Thanks Rosie.

hi everyone, I Am going to be late with My Atc's. I have been moving And stuff is evwrywhere. I really apologize. I will try to get them out by the end of this week.

I am in the process of uploading all the cards sent for this swap to a Flickr set.

So far, I have received 8 out of 10 and one gal has sent me an email about being late....the other shows sent, so we will hope for the best...lol

I have had to resend 2 swaps, one to Germany and one to Qatar, I hope these get received.

Received my 9th cards today and my 10th has let me know she will be late. Great swap.....

I have sent my cards twice to Germany & Qatar and have not heard whether the 2nd ones got there or not...

Hello all!! I am so very sorry that I have not yet got my atc's out I had a family emergancy which took me out of the state and when I got back I haad to got to work for a few days then I really badly hurt my wrist and arm So it has been a month and some of hell. So please forgive me But I WILL BE SENDING OUT YOUR ATC"S AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!! Thanks you!!! Your fellow swapper Robin Ascher