Creating Your Own One of a Kind ATC Backgrounds

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This article is written by Shari Welch

I came up with this tutorial out of need. I needed to find a way to produce a series of artists trading cards with the same background color scheme, with each one being an original little piece of art in itself. I needed to get these out soon so I had to be creative with my time as well. GelliArts gel printing plate to the rescue!

Those of us who have used a Gelli plate will admit, it is VERY addicting. A few of the many facts I love about the gel plate is that it is reusable and cleans up easily. If you haven’t used one, the link below takes you to the Gelli Arts website. Their site will give you a better understanding of what the gel printing plate is, and what you can create using it. Besides instructions, projects, and a You tube video, you can order a plate too. www.gelliarts.com

I thought that I would print up two or three pages. But like I said, it is very addicting.

gelli plate, printed papers, and stencils

Materials I used:

  • 8×10 printing plate
  • Rubber brayer
  • White card stock 8.5×11 (cut to 8×10 after printing)
  • DecoArt acrylic paints
  • Yarn, texture tool, cut out decorative paper
  • Flower masks and stencils by Heidi Swapp
  • Stencils by Tim Holtz
  • Stencils by Prima

This template shows 8 artists trading card that can be produce out of a single gel print page if you are using the 8×10 size.

ATC template

I had a fall color theme in mind, so here are the two finished ATC background sets I choose. I still have a lot of gel prints left for yet another project. I won’t complain.

Pic of 8 ATC cards
ATC cards 2nd sheet
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Shari Welch is a mixed media artist living in Denton Texas. She is known for using reuse and recycle materials in her artwork. She volunteers for SCRAP Denton where she is on the education committee, teaches workshops, art camps, and performs art demos. She is passionate about mixed media art and enjoys helping others discover their creativity.

Shari studied graphic design in Portland, Oregon before moving to Denton. Besides writing for mixed media art, she is currently a blogger for DecoArt, was featured in Mixed Media May, and has been in a number of art shows in her hometown of Denton including GDAC “It’s in the bag”, Thirty for thirty art show, and 3arthwurks gallery show.

You can see more of Shari’s artwork at www.facebook.com/my.altered.life
and on her blog shariwelch.blogspot.com

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Graffiti Charm Bracelet

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This article was written by Martice Smith II

Martice Smith II demonstrates how to make graffiti charm bracelets ATC canvas sheets

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with creative ways to incorporate more color into my wardrobe and accessories. I shopped around my local art store’s jewelry section and I had a serendipitous moment: why not transform my art into ‘wearable art’? I grabbed up some fun-sized, canvas ATCs and some basic jewelry making supplies and imagined infusing them with my own, signature style…vibrant splashes of color and of course, graffiti flair!

Simply put, this tutorial is the perfect way to show off your artistic side when you’re on the go! I’m sure your Graffiti Charm Bracelet will serve as a unique statement piece and will strike up a conversation in no time…let’s get started!

Gather supplies and tools of your choice

Gather supplies and tools of your choice.

Note: ATC Canvas sheets measure 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches

**Not pictured: 12″ chain ; makes approx. 2 chains

Jump rings; start with 10-15 pieces

Paint and draw on the ATC canvas

1. Paint the front and back of the canvas ATCs with your favorite media.

Set aside to dry.

TIP: If you used any water-soluble media, make sure to varnish!

These canvas ATCs will be very light. For my bracelet, I glued two sheets together for a little more sturdiness.

Cut the ATC canvas into different shapes

2. Cut canvas into pieces.

Narrow shapes, squares, ovals, and irregular shapes will add more interest and variety to your design. These will be our “charms”.

Feel free to add extra layers of handwriting to some of the charms.

Paint the edges with black acrylic paint

3. Seal the edges with black acrylic paint or a gold leafing pen.

Pierce and attach jump rings

4. Using an awl, pierce through each piece of canvas, 1/4″ from the edge.

5. Insert jump rings.

Use needle-nose pliers to slowly open the jump rings.

Attach a jump ring through each of the holes in the cut out canvas pieces, using the pliers.

TIP: Try layering several pieces of canvas shapes together.

Also, think about pairing up a few complementary colors to give your bracelet’s color palette more contrast.

6. Measure around your wrist with a flexible tape measure or a piece of string, add 3/4″ to that measurement, and then cut the chain to that length.

Next, take your chain and attach the jump rings, however you wish.

I found that skipping every other link accommodated the number of canvas pieces I had without being too overwhelming.

7. Finally, attach a small lobster clasp closure to finish the graffiti charm bracelet.

Here's the finished graffiti charm bracelet!

Other variations to try:

More variety- Add ribbon

For a more feminine look, weave a silk ribbon through every other link in the chain. Secure ends with a double knot.

I rarely throw away leftover paper or fabric scraps from my previous projects. To clear the stash, I could also glue those bits onto the ATC canvas, before cutting. Got washi tape scraps? Use them for this project, too- they’d be perfect!

Have fun and don’t be shy to strut your beautiful artwork!

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Author bio:

Mixed-media illustrator and designer Martice Smith II

Martice Smith II is creative director of Martice Smith II – Illustration & Design Studio, based in Kansas City, Missouri and owner of Uneek Art Boutique. She established herself as a freelance Illustrator and graphic designer after receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Martice also contributes as an article writer for the Creating Mixed Media Art website.

You can see more of her work via her Facebook page or her blog. She invites you to join her monthly newsletter, Uneek Art Letter, for art biz tips, advice and free digital goodies!

 

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MMAT04 – Art in Shapes

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Changing the shape and orientation of our mixed media art we create opens our minds and develops our creativity. It is so easy to get stuck into the same old pattern: cut card, stamp, add image, add text. But we can use these same skills and techniques and apply them to really small pieces (like moo card or inchies) or to different shaped backgrounds (as with pennants and arches). Many different styles and colours can be incorporated into these pieces as well.

Here we will look some examples from a range of standard shapes and sizes that commonly appear in swaps and challenges across the Internet and with local crafting groups. The smaller sizes are ideal for making in multiples to swap. ATCs are ideal for sharing a little piece of art with friends. Arches can be turned into books or added to the front of handmade cards.

Moo Cards (1 1/8″ x 2 3/4″)

Postcards (4″ x 6″ – either orientation)

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Arches (4″ x 6″)

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Pennants (4″ across top x 6″)

I hope a review of these different shapes and sizes will encourage you to try using your current favourite techniques and apply them to different arrangements. Perhaps you could get a few friends together, make a few ATCs and swap them. And that’s what mixed media art is all about; being able to use your inner creativity to make something and share your artwork with the world!

Happy Creating!

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