Artist Trading Cards or ATC's are the newest trend in craft.  They are fun to make and small enough to be used as either trading cards, or just as embellishments on a card or scrapbook page.  This guide explains a little about what they are how to make them and what to do after you have completed them.

Artist trading cards are cards that are 3 1/2" by 2 1/2".  They are little works of art made by the user to swap with others.  The only two rules on ATC's are:

1.  They must be 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches in size

2.  They can only be swapped, not sold

Other than that you can really go to town on these little works of art. 

One of the best ways to start is to make your base cards.  From a piece of 12x12 cardstock you can make about 4 cards. 

Next, you will need to decorate your ATC card.  Why not try using patterned papers or collage papers to cover the whole background?

Once you have started decorating your ATC, there will be no stopping you!  You can add all kinds of different items to them to make it special. There are all sorts of collage items available, and you may even be able to use things from around your home

Why not try inks?  If you ink in different places over a piece of card or acetate and attach it to your card then you can get some interesting effects.

There is also something called UTEE or Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel which gives items on your ATC's an enamelled effect.  Simply use it as you would normal embossing powder, however this is much thicker and will allow a much toucher surface.

Once you have made your ATC's you can then swap them through user groups. If you put ATC swap circles into a search engine then you will find some web based ones. 

Other than that just have fun!  ATC's are an expression of yourself in miniature form, so why not add it to a card as a quick and easy topper?   Or just make a display in a frame for your own enjoyment.