How to Make a Unique Christmas Artist Trading Card

Artist Trading Cards, Mixed Media

christmas artist trading card

04

DEC 2016

christmas
artist
trading
card

I love creating Christmas artist trading cards.  All the different styles and cultures on how they see the holiday season.  Some cards are vintage, almost an “old school” style, some very modern, rustic, sketched and outlined.  They are all beautiful in their own way.
You don’t need a ton of stuff to create a christmas artist trading card and thanks to The Graphics Fairy, you won’t even have to purchase your focal point pieces.

In this video lesson, you will learn how to create a St. Nick Christmas artist trading card using things you already have in your stash.  I only purchased one thing specifically for this project, which I can use for many other projects and it was red fabric ribbon.

Now, if you aren’t into ATC’s, no worries because you can easily adapt this project and glue it to folded cardstock to make a greeting card, make it a little larger for a postcard or small art project.

christmas artist trading card

Microbeads on Printed Paper

Using clear microbeads when everything is dry tends to look like tiny water droplets.
christmas artist trading card

Microbeads on the Stenciled Tree

If you had the patience, you could place the microbeads, one by one throughout the tree to make it look like ornaments or lights.

Close to the end of the project, I made a big mistake.

I didn’t edit any of the video, so you can see what I did (and hear) and how I fixed it with the microbeads.

This way, if something similar happens to you, you’ll have an idea how to work through it.

christmas artist trading card

St. Nick Christmas Artist Trading Card

Here’s What You’ll Need

Surface:

  • 2.5″ x 3.5″ 300lb watercolour paper (cardstock is fine to use)

Paint Palette:

  • DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics
    • Translucent White – DMFA40
    • Burnt Sienna – DMFA02
    • Phthalo Green – Yellow – DMFA25
    • Payne’s Grey – DMFA20
  • DecoArt Dazzling Metallics
    • Festive Red – DA262
  • DecoArt Metallic Lustre
    • Lavish Green – ML10C
    • Cosmic Blue – ML12C
    • Polished Coral – ML17C

Prep and Mediums

  • DecoArt Media Matte Medium – DMM20
  • DecoArt Media White Gesso – DMM18
  • DecoArt Media Crackle Glaze – DMM17
  • Americana Decou-Page Matte – DS106

Tools and Accessories

  • Application and Texture Tools – DAS221
  • Dual Sided Pouncers – DABK19
  • Americana Glass Stencil Daubers – DABK21

Stencils

  • Americana Gloss Enamels Stick-on Stencils
    • Holiday Cheer – AGS209

Collage Material

  • Americana Decou-Page Paper
    • Gold Basics – DP102

Brushes

  • Majestic
    • 3/4″ Wash – R4700
    • #6, 8 & 10 Shader – R4150
    • 3/0 Round – R4250
  • Royal Soft-Grip
    • #8 Bristle Bright – SG1425
  • Clear Choice
    • 1/4″ White Bristle Dome – 1113

Stamps and Pad

  • ATC Stamp
  • StazOn Solvent Ink Stamp Pad – Jet Black

Specialty Items

  • Noel – wood diecut (print quote on cardstock as an alternative)
  • St. Nick digital print from The Graphics Fairy
  • Jingle Bells song on printed paper
  • Star rhinestone
  • Clear microbeads from Recollections
  • Red fabric ribbon
  • 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
  • Hot Glue Gun

Manufacturers

Ready to Make This?
christmas artist trading card

I'd love to hear from you...

I’m always on the lookout for short quotes for christmas artist trading cards and greeting cards.  I would love it if you could share in the comments below some quotes or sentiments you’ve used on your cards.