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| Download Here: |
Journals & Collaborative Projects
Below you will find a sampling our members' work from previous collaborative projects. Click on images to view them larger. We hope this will inspire you to come and play with us! If you are interested in joining our group, please visit us at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Paper_Traders/
Tutorials & Techniques
Below are some of our favorite tricks for adding depth and dimension to your art. We hope you have fun giving these a try!
Current Group Swaps & Projects
Below is a list of current swaps and projects available to group members. If you are interested in joining our group and participating in these projects, please visit us at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Paper_Traders/.
For existing group members, you can sign up to participate in these projects here: Swaps & Current Projects.
We look forward to swapping with you. Happy Arting!
Member Gallery for Group Swaps
Below you will find a sampling our members' work from previous group swaps and projects. Click on images to view them larger. We hope this will inspire you to come and play with us! If you are interested in joining our group, please visit us at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Paper_Traders/.
Come play with us... Join today!
Paper Traders is a friendly online community of artists from around the world. We nurture and value creativity, embrace new ideas, products, and techniques yet also value tried and true methods of artistic expression. Our projects consist primarily of paper arts, mixed media collage, artist trading cards, altered art, assemblages, collaborative journals, mail art, and more.
We are interested in creative individuals of varied skill levels who wish to challenge themselves artistically and help build a supportive community. We are at our best when we can share our creative efforts as well as techniques, resources, feedback, and insights. We encourage conversation about art, the art process, and what it means to be an artist.
Paper Traders is hosted on Yahoo Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Paper_Traders/.
We hope you will consider joining us on an artistic journey!
In order to prevent spammers and to insure that all applicants are actual persons interested in creating art, a questionnaire will be sent to all potential members. When applying, please submit digital examples of your work or direct us to a website where we can view your art. The intent of the questionnaire is not to judge the merits of your art but to safeguard the integrity of our community.
Paper Traders is a friendly online community of artists from around the world. We nurture and value creativity, embrace new ideas, products, and techniques yet also value tried and true methods of artistic expression. Our projects consist primarily of paper arts, mixed media collage, artist trading cards, altered art, assemblages, collaborative journals, mail art, and more.
We are interested in creative individuals of varied skill levels who wish to challenge themselves artistically and help build a supportive community. We are at our best when we can share our creative efforts as well as techniques, resources, feedback, and insights. We encourage conversation about art, the art process, and what it means to be an artist.
Paper Traders is hosted on Yahoo Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Paper_Traders/.
We hope you will consider joining us on an artistic journey!
In order to prevent spammers and to insure that all applicants are actual persons interested in creating art, a questionnaire will be sent to all potential members. When applying, please submit digital examples of your work or direct us to a website where we can view your art. The intent of the questionnaire is not to judge the merits of your art but to safeguard the integrity of our community.
Free Images for Download
Below you will find images that are owned by our group members and offered for your personal use as well as images found in the public domain. Images may be freely used in your personal artwork but may not be used for commercial purposes of any kind without written permission of the owner. No images may be used to create collage sheets or image collections for resale.
To download, follow the link provided. In some cases, you may be able to just click on the image to enlarge it, then right-click and select "save image as". Content changes frequently and many images are available for a limited time. Please check back often for newly posted images to use in your art journey.
To download, follow the link provided. In some cases, you may be able to just click on the image to enlarge it, then right-click and select "save image as". Content changes frequently and many images are available for a limited time. Please check back often for newly posted images to use in your art journey.
Open Art Challenges !
We're changing things up here at Paper Traders. Instead of the monthly challenges of the past, we'll now be hosting special challenges that might feature a specific technique or product and will be rewarded with actual prizes sponsored by our group members.
Our new challenge for 2013 is a year long word prompt journaling project/challenge. Each specific challenge will be open for one month and all art bloggers can participate, whether you are a Paper Traders member or not. Each artist will comment with a link to their blog post that features the artwork for that particular challenge. For each challenge, a winner will be selected whose art best exemplifies the challenge. The winning artist will be featured here and get a "Trader Treasure" blog button to display on their own blog. They also will receive one chance for each entry for the end of the year prize drawing. Watch this page for more details and challenge announcements.
Our new challenge for 2013 is a year long word prompt journaling project/challenge. Each specific challenge will be open for one month and all art bloggers can participate, whether you are a Paper Traders member or not. Each artist will comment with a link to their blog post that features the artwork for that particular challenge. For each challenge, a winner will be selected whose art best exemplifies the challenge. The winning artist will be featured here and get a "Trader Treasure" blog button to display on their own blog. They also will receive one chance for each entry for the end of the year prize drawing. Watch this page for more details and challenge announcements.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
June Freebie: Beautiful ATC Backgrounds
It's time for another freebie courtesy of your Paper Traders Moderators. A great big THANK YOU to Connie Holso for preparing this lovely offering for your personal use. Please use the link BELOW the photo to download the high resolution file. Enjoy!
Saturday, May 24, 2014
New Swap: Charms
This swap is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join our fun. Please click on the purple yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.
Charm Swap
6-for-6 Handmade Charms
Hosted by: Letha Richardson
Mail out by: June 16th 2014
Skill Level: ALL levels accepted
Make 6 same or similar charms for hanging on journals or other art projects. These should be handmade, have some type of hanging element - like a jump ring, ribbon, etc. - be either assembled from bits and baubles or beads, or completely designed by you. Use your creative imagination to come up with something unique and fun. Please keep these small enough for all 6 of them to fit into a small bubble envelope for mailing back. Some ideas are: altered bottle caps, scrabble tiles, beaded charms, small stamped images cut out and covered with crystal lacquer or glossy accents, shrink plastic charms, paper beads, etc. There is no specific topic for this swap. Just use your creativity!
Please send a return address label. For USA residents, please send same postage as it cost you to mail. International participants may include ephemera or an ATC in lieu of postage - I'll take care of the rest.
~Letha
Friday, May 23, 2014
New Swap: Domino Bird Books
This swap is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join our fun. Please click on the purple yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.
Domino "Bird" Books
Hosted by Nikki Smith
Sign up ends June 27th
Partners announced June 28th
Postmarked by July 15th
You will be creating a Domino book for a 1-1 partner swap in the theme of "Birds". Also, please make sure to include a short tale or poem somewhere inside your book. Your book can be accordion-style or bound on one side. Regardless of the style of book you choose to do, please have at least 6 pages in the book. Use a standard size domino. I did a little research on making these and most people say the newer white dominoes work best. But you can use whatever you have handy. The due date is set far enough out so everyone can really take time to create a mini masterpiece. Lots of possibilities for embellishments, trim, glitter, fibers, charms, etc.
I have included a few websites and YouTube videos for lots of inspiration on making these books.
Shabby Chic Altered Domino Book
Domino Mini Book tutorial by JocelynAnn
Pinterest Board: Domino Books
Accordion Fold Domino Book tutorial by Artfully Musing
Hope you can join.
~Nikki
Friday, May 16, 2014
Gallery: Mother Nature Tag Flag Books
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| Book by Ellen L. |
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| Book by Ellen L. |
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| Amanda E. |
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| Beckie H. |
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| Cathee S. |
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| Connie H. |
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| Ellen L. |
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| Jo M. |
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| Nancy S. |
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| Pam C. |
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| Pam P. |
Monday, May 12, 2014
Gallery: Color Harmony
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| Amanda E |
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| Ann C |
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| Barb A |
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| Cathy C |
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| Debra C |
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| Jo M |
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| Nancy S |
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| Nikki S |
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| Pam C |
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| Pam P |
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| Sandra D |
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| Shelly R |
Saturday, May 10, 2014
New Swap: A European Affair
This swap is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join our fun. Please click on the purple yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join Paper Traders.
4/4 ATC Cards - All Levels - Cards due by Thursday, July 3rd
(Due to travel and summer vacation issues Debra needs to receive cards by this date)
More travel around the world of art! This is the second of four swaps focusing on different continental regions - let’s travel to Europe. The possibilities are endless!
The title is not intended to imply “romance” - other than your love of a particular country or place! Think of a location you would be excited to visit, have already seen, or maybe the country of your family’s heritage. Debra did her sample card based on the Slovakian heritage of her great grandparents.
Details (4-for-4 Cards):
1. Please keep embellishments as flat as possible, (small brads, ribbon, eyelets, and thin charms are OK) the flatter the better for mailing.
2. U.S. participants please send $1.00 for postage & an address label.
3. International players - NO Ephemera. You have been too generous so Debra needs more swaps to use up all she has. (Instead, consider hosting a swap this year.) A flat swap with no bulky embellishments would be easy to mail out. Or send an International Forever Stamp if you have one. If not, Debra will cover your return postage. Please send an address label.
4. Cards Due by Thursday, July 3rd.
* Note - this is NOT a mail-by date, but a “due in hand” date.
Hosted by: Debra Claxton
Upcoming Swaps:
Asian Adventure
Dive in "Down Under"
A European Affair - World Culture Celebration
(2nd in a series of four swaps this year)
4/4 ATC Cards - All Levels - Cards due by Thursday, July 3rd
(Due to travel and summer vacation issues Debra needs to receive cards by this date)
More travel around the world of art! This is the second of four swaps focusing on different continental regions - let’s travel to Europe. The possibilities are endless!
The title is not intended to imply “romance” - other than your love of a particular country or place! Think of a location you would be excited to visit, have already seen, or maybe the country of your family’s heritage. Debra did her sample card based on the Slovakian heritage of her great grandparents.
Details (4-for-4 Cards):
1. Please keep embellishments as flat as possible, (small brads, ribbon, eyelets, and thin charms are OK) the flatter the better for mailing.
2. U.S. participants please send $1.00 for postage & an address label.
3. International players - NO Ephemera. You have been too generous so Debra needs more swaps to use up all she has. (Instead, consider hosting a swap this year.) A flat swap with no bulky embellishments would be easy to mail out. Or send an International Forever Stamp if you have one. If not, Debra will cover your return postage. Please send an address label.
4. Cards Due by Thursday, July 3rd.
* Note - this is NOT a mail-by date, but a “due in hand” date.
Hosted by: Debra Claxton
Upcoming Swaps:
Asian Adventure
Dive in "Down Under"
Gallery: Fairy Tale Deco Pages
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| Book by Pam C. |
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| Amanda E. |
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| Ann C. |
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| Beckie H. |
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| Cathee S. |
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| Nancy S. |
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| Pam C. |
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| Sandra D. |
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Create your own face stencils
Well , Julie Fei Fan Balzer has done it again.
She has come out with a
line of face stencils
for those of us who LOVE
her art journal pages
and wish we could just
draw those darn faces.
So, I thought what about
making my own face stencil?
But wait, I can't draw
faces.
So you see the dilemma.
What if I found a magazine
image of a face and
used it as a template to
create a stencil?
Now we are on to
something.
I found this image from a
local magazine/newspaper.
I tore it out and then
using a black sharpie,
I traced over the
prominent lines I wanted
to feature in the stencil;
hair lines, eyes, nose,
mouth, etc.
You can see that I left out the arm and
just drew hair strands across it.
You can see that I left out the arm and
just drew hair strands across it.
I then laid my clear mylar
over the image
and retraced over those
lines with the sharpie.
Next cut out those
shapes/lines with
a sharp x-acto knife.
Lay out the stencil on the
already prepared background
of your art journal page.
I used a make-up sponge
and dabbed black ink into
the spaces
(Colorbox archival
pigment).
Went back with a brush tip
Pitt pen to fill in
the line gaps from the
stencil.
I also went in and
thickened some lines and
added some more hair
curls.
I started to shade the
highlights and lowlights
of her face. Looking back
at the magazine image
will help you here to see
light and dark areas.
All that's left is to add
your text and any
embellishments you might want.
embellishments you might want.
You can even take that same stencil,
flip it over and just fill in a few basic lines from
the stencil, just to get the shape of the face
and placement of the eyes and nose.
I then went in and added a different mouth,
accented the eyes and really changed the hair.
A completely different girl.
How fun and easy is that?
Hope you enjoyed this
tutorial from
Cathy Calamas of Paper Traders.
Cathy Calamas of Paper Traders.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
May Freebie: Vintage Photo Microscope Slides
It's time for another freebie courtesy of your Paper Traders Moderators. A great big THANK YOU to Connie Holso for preparing this lovely offering for your personal use. Please use the link BELOW the photo to download the the high resolution file. Enjoy!
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| Download Here: |
Thursday, May 1, 2014
ATC Speed Swap #3 - Give Her an Inch
This swap is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join our fun. Please click on the purple yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join Paper Traders.
Time for ATC Speed Swap #3!
Inspiration:
http://rogueredheaddesigns.blogspot.com/2014/04/holiday-inspiration-club-for-april-inch.html
Each month, on the 1st, we will announce a theme or technique for your ATC's. Anyone interested will have until the 15th to sign up. The list will be randomized, announced on the 16th, and you will mail one ATC directly to each of the next two people on the list. A total of two ATC's each month for the speed swaps. You don't have to sign up every month, just when you feel like it or like the theme or have the time.
We'll have brand new creative excitement each month and this will keep postage for each of us to a mininum as long as you don't make bulky ATC's. But of course that will be your choice. It's approximately $1.20 to mail internationally for one ATC in a note card envelope.
New themes will be announced on the 1st of each month.
Please contact Cathy Calamas with any questions.
Time for ATC Speed Swap #3!
Third month's theme: “Give her an inch....”
This month your atc's must include at least one embellished inchie within the design.
Sign-up dates May 1-15.
Mailing list announced May 16.
Skill level - All
Inspiration:
http://rogueredheaddesigns.blogspot.com/2014/04/holiday-inspiration-club-for-april-inch.html
Each month, on the 1st, we will announce a theme or technique for your ATC's. Anyone interested will have until the 15th to sign up. The list will be randomized, announced on the 16th, and you will mail one ATC directly to each of the next two people on the list. A total of two ATC's each month for the speed swaps. You don't have to sign up every month, just when you feel like it or like the theme or have the time.
We'll have brand new creative excitement each month and this will keep postage for each of us to a mininum as long as you don't make bulky ATC's. But of course that will be your choice. It's approximately $1.20 to mail internationally for one ATC in a note card envelope.
New themes will be announced on the 1st of each month.
Please contact Cathy Calamas with any questions.
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