What can you do with an ATC?

As the Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) teacher at Memories Galore in Richmond, I get this question all the time. So to help all you newbies to ATCs, here is a little about what they are and what you can do with them.

First of all ATCs are 3.5 x 2.5 small works of art often times traded during swaps (usually a swap has a theme - for example Christmas - then each person makes a card for each person in the swap - so if there are 12 people participating each participant makes 12 of the same Christmas theme card and then swaps them with everyone else - leaving them with 12 different cards). In my Year of ATCs classes we make 4 cards a month with a theme I choose, then instead of trading them we keep them for ourselves. My classes are much more focused on learning new techniques and making little works of art to keep for yourself or give away as you choose.

So I'm sure you are thinking, "Ok I get it they are cute.. but what can I do with them??"

1. You can save them and store them in an album - they are the same size as baseball cards so many of my students store them in an album with baseball card sleeves (found at local office supply store)2. If you like to send cards they make perfect greeting or note card embellishments (or gift tags!) Because they already have a sentiment usually all they need is a piece of patterned paper behind them to fill the card out: (ATCs used in this photo are sneak peeks of December's class)3. If layouts are more your thing they make great embellishments for your scrapbook layouts. Again because there is often a sentiment on the ATC you can even use it as title for your page. You could also make a pocket on your page and use the ATC as a journal spot.4. You can use them to make mini albums. They make great cover art (as seen in photo below) or you can punch a hole in the top corner, add a binder ring and add photos to the back of the cards.5. Since they are tiny works of art, why not frame them? They would make a great and inexpensive gift (perhaps for Christmas? Or a friend's birthday?).(ATC used in this photo is a sneak peek of October's class)
That is just a small sampling of what you can do with them - I'm sure you can come up with a bunch more fantastic and creative uses for ATCs! If you live in the Richmond area come to Memories Galore this Saturday 10am -noon at our Brandermill store or 1:30-3:30 at our West End store for Class Kickoff. Class Kickoff is an open house event where you can meet teachers and see the projects we have created for the next 4 months. If you sign up for any of the classes on that day you will get 10% off the class fee and earn customer loyalty rewards. I will have my Year of ATC class samples there for October - January. Year of ATC classes are held once a month (it is a series but each class is priced separately so you can take the classes you really like). Year of ATC classes are only taught at the West End and are $20 each ($18 at class kickoff!) . Hope to see you there!

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