Ask Missy ZNE!

Play with some clay today!

 

I love making ATCs with cardstock backgrounds, but I'd like to expand my repoitoire of backgrounds.  What else can we make ATCs from?

 

Linda Donnelly shares this fabulous technique, using clay!

This is my best and most unusual aceo mixed collage card. I made the card itself from DAS an air hardening modelling clay in white. I rolled it out in the correct aceo card shape 3.5" x 2.5". Then I added a 3D circular mount for the picture of the renaissance woman. I let the card air dry for 2 days. Then I painted the background with a mixture of different Ranger Adirondak paints in greens and golds. The indented sides were painted with green paint. Then I glued a utee encased image of a beautiful woman to the circular mount and added an epoxy word "Beauty " to the side. There is an epoxy faded pink rose in the upper left side. Finally, I sprayed the entire card with a high gloss spray and let it dry. It dried with one side slightly tilted up which adds to its artist flair.

Good Solid Coverage!

Hi!

What is the best glaze/medium to coat an ATC or other collage piece with that gives good solid coverage without a lot of high shine to it?

Thanks!

Lesley

This is a common question for mixed media artists.  There is no one answer, and in fact what product/s you use to finish and seal your artwork depends on your own personal preferences.  You can review more on this topic, in the post you'll find by clicking here.

In terms of your specific question, in order to avoid a glossy shine, you will want to look for a finishing product that says that it is "matte."  Missy ZNE suggests you try a matte fixative spray, for a quick even and non-shiny finish.

Hi!

What is the best glaze/medium to coat an ATC or other collage piece with that gives good solid coverage without a lot of high shine to it?

Thanks!

Lesley

This is a common question for mixed media artists.  There is no one answer, and in fact what product/s you use to finish and seal your artwork depends on your own personal preferences.  You can review more on this topic, in the post you'll find by clicking here.

In terms of your specific question, in order to avoid a glossy shine, you will want to look for a finishing product that says that it is "matte."  Missy ZNE suggests you try a matte fixative spray, for a quick even and non-shiny finish.

Altered Everything ~ Everything Altered

I am going to be in Northern California this weekend.  What would be the best, most exciting and worthwhile thing for me to do?

Signed,

My Time is Valuable.

Without a doubt, the ZNE Altered Everything, Everything Altered Workshop is the place to be!  Check it out:

I am going to be in Northern California this weekend.  What would be the best, most exciting and worthwhile thing for me to do?

Signed,

My Time is Valuable.

Without a doubt, the ZNE Altered Everything, Everything Altered Workshop is the place to be!  Check it out:

Originals or copies? Swap etiquette.

Hey Queen Missy:

I have a question about trading ATC's. I have one friend who says its usual to give away the original and keep a copy for yourself. Another friend says most people keep the original and make a copy to swap? What is proper in ATC land?

Thanks, Your Loyal Subject, Lennea

Hmmm. I must admit, you have me baffled here.  I have not heard of either of these "standards" in my ATC swap circles!

Here is what I do know:

The main and only absolute standard is regarding size ( 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"). 

Other than that, many groups have standards in their charters or files, but I am not sure that there is a universal standard regarding originals and copies.

Most swaps suggest strongly that if you are going to be sending out a copy - that you embellish it heavily so that it still have one of a kind artistic touches.  Some swaps state clearly - "originals only."  Others permit copies.  Some don't state a preference one way or the other.  If you are concerned that someone may be dissapointed that they received a copy instead of an original - then certainly - check in with your swap partner or the swap coordinator ahead of time - and ask.

As for keeping copies for yourself - Missy ZNE strongly suggests that you scan or photograph your art and keep it for your galleries and/or portfolio.  A digital or photographic image of your work - at the very least - should be saved, before you send it off into the world. 

Whether or not you opt to create a copy of your swap work to keep for yourself - is up to you.  I have not heard of a standard of keeping a hard copy or the hard copy original - either way.

If others have more information on this topic than that which is provided here - please do comment - we love to hear from you!

And whatever you do - always enjoy creating!

Hey Queen Missy:

I have a question about trading ATC's. I have one friend who says its usual to give away the original and keep a copy for yourself. Another friend says most people keep the original and make a copy to swap? What is proper in ATC land?

Thanks, Your Loyal Subject, Lennea

Hmmm. I must admit, you have me baffled here.  I have not heard of either of these "standards" in my ATC swap circles!

Here is what I do know:

The main and only absolute standard is regarding size ( 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"). 

Other than that, many groups have standards in their charters or files, but I am not sure that there is a universal standard regarding originals and copies.

Most swaps suggest strongly that if you are going to be sending out a copy - that you embellish it heavily so that it still have one of a kind artistic touches.  Some swaps state clearly - "originals only."  Others permit copies.  Some don't state a preference one way or the other.  If you are concerned that someone may be dissapointed that they received a copy instead of an original - then certainly - check in with your swap partner or the swap coordinator ahead of time - and ask.

As for keeping copies for yourself - Missy ZNE strongly suggests that you scan or photograph your art and keep it for your galleries and/or portfolio.  A digital or photographic image of your work - at the very least - should be saved, before you send it off into the world. 

Whether or not you opt to create a copy of your swap work to keep for yourself - is up to you.  I have not heard of a standard of keeping a hard copy or the hard copy original - either way.

If others have more information on this topic than that which is provided here - please do comment - we love to hear from you!

And whatever you do - always enjoy creating!

ATC / ACEO ~ Who what when and where?

I would like to know if ATC is for members use only on E-bay. I looked for a group on search but did not find anything. I also guess I want to know about ACEO....I don't want to do the wrong thing, but my creativity is wanting to go crazy and create, create, create! I just joined this group and viewing all the wonderful artist's work makes me want to do my own things!!

Thanks,

Hartnio

The answer to your question is a bit tricky.  We'll start with this:

A standard ATC (artist trading card) is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".  The same size as a standard baseball (or any other) trading card.

In their inception, the idea behind ATC's was that they were to be traded between artists, by artists, and only traded - never sold.

However, ever industrial artists soon realized that these wonderful little works of art had a potential market value.  ATCs first began selling on eBay several years ago - and in an attempt to separate those being sold from those that were only traded - they coined a new acronym - ACEO, which stands for: Art Cards Editions and Originals.  ACEOs are the same in size standard as any other ATC, however, they are offered for sale.  You can now find ACEOs for sale on etsy, eBay, personal art websites, and other sales venues.  At any given time, ACEO listings on eBay can number in the thousands.  Just recently, eBay assigned ACEOs their own category.  You can find ACEOs for sale at prices that range from under a dollar, to final bid prices that end in the hundreds.  The sales market for ACEOs is not going to go away.

While there are several art groups on eBay dedicated to ACEOs (ACEO and ACEO and ATC Enthusiasts of particular note) - it is not necessary to be a member of any group in order to use the term ACEO in your listing.  The term ACEO at present is not trademarked (unlike ZNE) and the term represents a specific size of art, not the name of a group only (again, unlike ZNE which is a group name).  So, if you are selling ACEOs, you can feel free to use that term in your listings.  Many people also now use the term ATC in their listings - though it is slightly less common for sales and sometimes frowned upon by others who feel that ATCs should not be offered for sale.  Whethor or not you use that term in your listings is up to you.

Whatever you do - always enjoy creating, and best of luck with your sales!