Artist trading cards are miniature works of art which are swapped between fellow crafters to show of their card making ideas.

The card its self is 2.5” x 3.5” and can be decorated horizontally (landscape) or vertically (portrait). The design can be anything you like, the sky is the limit. You may decide to show off a new technique or a card making idea you have come up with.

Recommended:

If you’re serious about about artist cards, take a peak inside Bernie Berlins’, must have:
Artist Trading Card Workshop: Create, Collect, Swap

It is always a good idea to write a description on the reverse side of the artist trading card detailing exactly what you have done and what materials you have used.

Another great buy is Patricia Bolton’s:
1,000 Artist Trading Cards: Innovative and Inspired Mixed Media ATCs (1000 Series)

The concept of artist trading cards is for a one on one trade. It is however now being done by mail and over the Internet but it is far better to meet the person you are ‘trading’ with so that you can discuss what you have done and see more of their work.

Artist trading cards are a great way to use up all your scraps from your craft supplies, it is a chance to have a play with some of the bits you have stored away and not used. Most importantly artist trading cards are a great way to learn new techniques and pick up some money saving tips.

As general rule card makers tend to make 3-6 cards exactly the same. One of which will be kept for themselves and the others will be swapped with fellow traders.

It really is a great way to enhance the craft community and bring people together to meet up and discuss card making and paper craft.