13
JAN 2017
ATC’s
With
Butterflies
and
Microbeads
Artist trading cards, also known as “ATC’s” are really miniature art pieces.
When I was learning all about artist trading cards, I tried to make my cards full of so much stuff so they would feel substantial.
Why? I have no idea and it wasn’t until I had an ATC in my hands that I fully understood what it was. It’s just art.. nothing out of the ordinary.
The purpose of an artist trading cards is a fixed size so they can be traded and a theme. Once I fully realized that, then the adventure began and creating the ATC’s became so much more fun. All I had to do was make miniature art that was 2.5″ x 3.5″ and incorporate a theme of there was one presented.
Voila!
So the theme I’m presenting to you for this post is to use butterflies and some type of beads in your artist trading card. ATC’s with butterflies can be done with chipboard, magazine cutouts, stickers or hand-painted. If you would like to see some vintage butterflies that you can use in your art, checkout Graphics Fairy (will open in a new window) where you can print and use digital art for free.
What about beads? if you don’t have any, do you have old jewelry that you don’t wear anymore? you can also use tiny little stones that you find outside, vase filler or glitter.
And for the background, you can watch the video on how I made the original background or use whatever you have in your stash. Old scrapbook paper, painted watercolours paper scraps or create it from scratch. It’s up to you. Remember… this is minature art so upcycling something you already have is totally fine.
Ready?
ATC’s with Butterflies and Microbeads
Here are pictures of the background and the artist trading cards you’ll be making.
ATC's with Butterflies Background
Background Uses for ATC’s with Butterflies. You can watch the video to make this background by clicking here.
ATC's with Butterflies #1
This artist trading card was created using DecoArt Media Crackle Glaze as the glue to hold the black metallic microbeads. You can see the subtle cracks in the glaze and it adds a beautiful finish to it.
ATC's with Butterflies #2
For this artist trading card, DecoArt Matte Medium was used as the glue to adhere the black metallic microbeads. It took much longer to dry and a most of the beads lost their shine as the medium has a matte finish. This could be useful if you wanted to cut down on the shine of embellishments.
ATC’s with Butterflies and Microbeads Video
Here’s What You’ll Need
Surface:
- Book of Backgrounds page #32 – click here for supplies and video (will open in a new window)
Paint Palette:
- DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics
- Titanium White – DMFA39
- Raw Umber – DMFA37
- Phthalo Blue – DMFA27
- DecoArt Metallic Lustre
- Gold Rush – ML02C
Prep, Mediums and Finish
- DecoArt Media Crackle Glaze – DMM17
- DecoArt Media Matte Medium – DMM20
- Americana Decou-Page Matte – DS106
- Americana DuraClear Satin Varnish – DS21
Tools and Accessories
- Application and Texture Tools – DAS221
- Dual Sided Pouncers – DABK19
Stencils – Americana Mixed Media
- Pixelated – ASMM46
- Loopy – ASMM44
Brushes
- Royal Aqualon
- 3/4″ Glaze – R2700
- #8 & 12 Shader – R2150
- #3 & 6 Round – R2250
- Royal Soft-Grip
- #8 Bristle Bright – SG1425
- Clear Choice Stencil
- 3/16″ White Bristle Dome – 1113
- 3/16″ White Bristle Long Flat – 1111
Stamps and Pad
- Grunge Clock (use any random stamp to make a pattern)
- ATC Label Stamp
- Staz-On Stamp Pad – Jet Black
Specialty Items
- Cutouts of butterflies on thick paper or cardstock
- Recollections Metallic Microbeads
- Krylon 18kt Gold Leafing Pen (optional)
- Rice Paper (for ATC label)
- Printed quotes:
- Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth
- Creativity can be described as letting go of certainties. ~Gail Sheehy
- Note: feel free to substitute and use what you have
General Supplies:
- Royal Brush Square Brush Basin – RD325
- Unstick Reusable Arts and Crafts Sheet
- Mister Bottle Filled with Water
- Paper Towels
- Baby, Kitchen Wipes or Kitchen cloths (for dry rub application)
- Heat Gun
- Scissors
- Tweezers
Manufacturers
- DecoArt – DecoArt.com
- Royal Brush – RoyalBrush.com
- Unstick – Unstick.ca
- Recollections – Michaels
- Remaining supplies can be found online.
Ready to Make This?
Ok, I've got to know....
I think butterflies add a happy, whimsical feel to artwork. Have you used butterflies in your artwork? if so, do you cut them out of magazines, digital prints, diecuts or stickers? If you’ve never used butterflies in your artwork, do you think you might try it now? I’d love to hear what you think, so please share your comments below.
You may be interested in these other blog posts.
Crackle over Metallic Paint – Book of Backgrounds 2016 #32
Using Rubbing Alcohol in Your Art – Book of Backgrounds 2016 #12
ATC’s created on the other side of the background.
Another set of great ATC thanks for sharing
Thank you Sheila.
It is amazing your willingness to share. Thank you
You are very welcome.
Really love the background color.
Thanks Patricia, it was a lot of fun to make.
The video is absolutely fun to watch, you teach so well, i love watching all of your videos i lovw when you post on youtube, because that is where I catch most if not all of your video’s. I am a total lover of butterflies. I love the little bead work that is done. I would love to try to reproduce this, unfortunately I do not have many of the suplies needed, nor the money right now to get the supplies. I have some of the basics and I’m sure I could improvise on a lot, but there are several… Read more »
Thank you Heidi! what aren’t you sure on improvising? I’ll pick a few things… the microbeads, you could use sand or crushed gravel. If you don’t have the medium, you could use a clear glue. The butterflies, you can find silhouettes on the internet, print and cutout, or draw freehand. If there is something specific, let me know.
These trading cards are so beautiful.. I am still in the infant stage of making ATC’s and journal pages. Thank you for the good idea and the items needed list.. awesome
Thanks Orla… just remember to have fun with the process 🙂
Microbeads–I have not tried using them YET!
These ones Joe found at Michaels, but I did see something similar at the $ Store. You could even use seed beads.
Congrats Laura, one of the ATC’s will be making its way to your mailbox tomorrow morning. I will send you a private email to get your mailing address. I hope you like it.
I really love this video maybe because I love butterflies? I just purchased some bead medium and will be trying it out and also with some beads.
Gisele thank you so much for sharing your expertise, you are too kind.
You are very welcome Dawn, I bet it will look amazing!
Dagnabit, I need to stop being broke on disability. And while I am at it, I’d like to be able to fly and have a pony too :-P.
Seriously though, amazing as usual, and leaving me grumpy that I can’t think of stuff like this.
Thanks Nora… you just need to look for alternatives. I posted above to Heidi about alternatives “I’ll pick a few things… the microbeads, you could use sand or crushed gravel. If you don’t have the medium, you could use a clear glue. The butterflies, you can find silhouettes on the internet, print and cutout, or draw freehand.”
and I want a pony too 🙂
My head is spinning with all these fantastic, inspiring pieces you are creating! Thank you!
Glad you are enjoying them.
You are an excellent teacher. I love the way you explain what you are doing! Thank you.
Thank you Laura, glad you enjoyed the project.
[…] How to Boost your ATC’s with Butterflies and Microbeads […]