 |
| Barb A |
 |
| Beckie H |
 |
| Cathy C |
 |
| Debra C |
 |
| Jo M |
 |
| Nikki S |
 |
| Pam C |
 |
| Shelly R |
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, January 31, 2015
Tutorial: Two Drips Meet
Do you hate staring at that blank white page in
your art journal but don't know where to start?
your art journal but don't know where to start?
Here is a fun, quick and easy technique that we
first saw over at Balzer Designs blog: Two Drips Meet.
first saw over at Balzer Designs blog: Two Drips Meet.
I started with a sheet of 120 lbs card stock and
picked 3 colors of spray ink to use. A thicker
cardstock or watercolor paper is recommended but
this was what I had on hand so I glued two sheets together.
picked 3 colors of spray ink to use. A thicker
cardstock or watercolor paper is recommended but
this was what I had on hand so I glued two sheets together.
.JPG)
.jpg)
I make my own acrylic spray inks with FW Artists
Acrylic Ink and the Ranger Mini-Misters. A bottle
of acrylic ink is about $6 and lasts forever.
Much cheaper than buying the ready made spray inks.
Acrylic Ink and the Ranger Mini-Misters. A bottle
of acrylic ink is about $6 and lasts forever.
Much cheaper than buying the ready made spray inks.
I put about a 1 to 3 ration of ink to
water in my misters and then shake well.
water in my misters and then shake well.
I quickly sprayed each color across the top of the cardstock
pretty heavily, followed by a good drenching of water sprayed on top.
Lift the paper up and let the ink drip down.
pretty heavily, followed by a good drenching of water sprayed on top.
Lift the paper up and let the ink drip down.
.JPG)
Do the same thing to the other side and let it
run down the page onto the other side.
run down the page onto the other side.
.jpg)
Turned out fine but the colors were
a little muted. Also, you can see where my blue
mister was clogged and didn't spray well.
Remember to check your mister before spraying
and clean out the spray hole.
a little muted. Also, you can see where my blue
mister was clogged and didn't spray well.
Remember to check your mister before spraying
and clean out the spray hole.
I then decided I would try again but this time
I would coat my page with gesso first. Repeated
the spray ink, spray water and drip technique again.
I would coat my page with gesso first. Repeated
the spray ink, spray water and drip technique again.
Much better this time. The colors were so vibrant,
the drips were much more distinct and
the 3 colors blended beautifully at each end.
the drips were much more distinct and
the 3 colors blended beautifully at each end.
.jpg)
Wouldn't it look great to add your
journaling text to the white spaces?
Then I tried the technique on a piece of designer
scrapbook paper. Not bad. Probably an easy way
to customize a piece of scrapbook paper to make it unique.
scrapbook paper. Not bad. Probably an easy way
to customize a piece of scrapbook paper to make it unique.
.jpg)
If you are participating in our 2015 Art Journal Number Challenge,
we will be using this technique for the first month's
page/spread, a number One idiom being the prompt.
we will be using this technique for the first month's
page/spread, a number One idiom being the prompt.
If you would like to join us, click on the
purple Yahoo button in the right side bar for more information.
purple Yahoo button in the right side bar for more information.
Can't wait to see your drips.
:)
February Freebie: Birds, Eggs, & Nests
It's time for another freebie courtesy of your Paper Traders Moderators. A great big THANK YOU to Connie Holso for preparing this terrific offering for your personal use. Please use the link BELOW the photo to download the high resolution file. Enjoy!
 |
| Download High Resolution version HERE: |
Speed Swap #12: Pantone 2015 Spring Colors
This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.
For this speed swap, your two ATCs must be based on the colors for Spring 2015 from Pantone. You must include 3 of the colors from this palette in your designs, in any theme you like. Link to those colors here.
Each month, on the 1st, we will announce a theme or technique for your ATCs. 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 ATCs 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 minimum as long as you don't make bulky ATCs. But of course that will be your choice. It's approximately $1.20 to mail internationally for one ATC in a note card envelope. You must be able to mail internationally to participate in this swap.
Time for ATC Speed Swap #12!
This month's theme: Pantone 2015 Spring Colors
Sign up by February 15th
Mailing list announced February 16th
Mail out by February 28th
Skill level: 1 - Sprouting
Hosted by Cathy C.
For this speed swap, your two ATCs must be based on the colors for Spring 2015 from Pantone. You must include 3 of the colors from this palette in your designs, in any theme you like. Link to those colors here.
Each month, on the 1st, we will announce a theme or technique for your ATCs. 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 ATCs 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 minimum as long as you don't make bulky ATCs. But of course that will be your choice. It's approximately $1.20 to mail internationally for one ATC in a note card envelope. You must be able to mail internationally to participate in this swap.
Friday, January 30, 2015
New Swap: My Stuff/Your Stuff
This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.
My Stuff/Your Stuff Swap
2-for-2 ATC & ephemera swap
Any theme
Skill Level: 2 - Budding
Sign-up by February 15th
Partners announced February 16th
Supply mail out by March 1st
ATC mail out by March 30th
Hosted by Cathy C.
It’s time for our 4th (almost annual) My Stuff/ Your Stuff Swap!! How this swap started; an excerpt from our first one: "One of the benefits of hosting swaps is all the wonderful ephemera that the participants send along with their art. I always get inspired because it makes me think outside of my supply world and the things I usually am drawn to. Some of my favorite pieces have been made almost entirely from someone else's supplies." I still feel the same way and since this has always been a favorite within Paper Traders, let’s do it again.
Sign - up by Feb. 15th. I will assign everyone a partner randomly and post it on Feb. 16th.
By March 1st, mail your partner a #9 or #10 size envelope of supplies and ephemera. Don't buy anything special, just raid your stash of nice quality ephemera (nothing too bulky, to keep postage costs low).
Make your two ATC’s using your partners supplies. Yes, you can incorporate a little of your own supplies in, but really try to use your partners supplies to keep the spirit of the swap.
Mail-out your two ATC’s to your partner by March 30th.
International members welcome. Hope you will all join us in this Paper Traders tradition!
Saturday, January 24, 2015
New Swap: Nest & Egg ATCs
This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple Yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.
Nest & Egg ATC Swap
Due date: February 28th
Sign up by: February 14th
Number of ATCs: 3-for-3
Hosted by: Nikki S.
We're super excited to announce this new swap, Nest & Eggs. This is a 3-for-3 swap. Each card is required to have an egg and a nest in it. The rest is to your imagination. So many fun possibilities to do for this theme. We hope everyone will join... See this link for some inspiration.
Details:
- 3 for 3 cards
- USA please send $1, international $2 for shipping. If your base is heavy or if you added embellishments, please add $1 for shipping.
- Please enclose a return address label.
- Mail cards to Nikki by 2/28/15.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
By The Numbers - 2015 Art Journaling Challenge
This project is for Paper Traders members only but we would love to have you join us. Please click on the purple yahoo button in the sidebar for more information on how to join.
“By the Numbers” Art
Journaling Challenge
Hostess: Beckie Holso
Kickoff Date: February
1st, 2015
All skill levels:
Even if you are a novice at art journaling, please consider joining this challenge
and trying some new things.
Since our previous journal challenges were so popular, we
decided it was time to host a new one.
This year, we will be doing a Number Prompt over a 10-month period
using, the numbers 1-10 (obviously).
Each month, I will post a new art journaling technique to use on your
page. The prompt will be to use an idiom
for that month’s number to inspire your journal entry. You can find lots of ideas here: http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/
Swap Description:
First, before our kickoff date, each participant will need to
make or obtain a journal with room to create your 10 journaling spreads. You may decorate your covers and extra pages
as desired. Please use sturdy paper for your
pages so they can support the work you will do on them.
You may make your journal however you like. One popular version is Teesha Moore's journal
that is done with one large sheet of watercolor paper. Her easy-to-follow
instructions are found on YouTube.
It is in two parts, so be sure to watch both:
Every month, I will post a new number prompt and an art journaling technique challenge on the Yahoo Group message board. You will
have the entire month to complete your page for that challenge. We won’t be swapping or mailing pages – you will keep the
journal you create for your own.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
New Swap: Isn't It Romantic?
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.
If you need some ideas, there are some great quotes here:
http://allwomenstalk.com/20-greatest-romantic-movie-quotes/
http://www.lovetripper.com/romantic-movie-quotes
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/romantic-quotes-from-movies.html
Isn't It Romantic?
4-for-4 ATCs
Skill: Any
Cards due IN HAND by January 30th
Hosted by Beckie Holso
Inspired by the upcoming Academy Awards, we thought it might be fun to use movies as inspiration for our Valentine swap this year. Please make 4 ATCs using favorite romantic movie quotes.
If you need some ideas, there are some great quotes here:
http://allwomenstalk.com/20-greatest-romantic-movie-quotes/
http://www.lovetripper.com/romantic-movie-quotes
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/romantic-quotes-from-movies.html
Please include an address label and $2 for return postage. International participants may send ephemera in lieu of postage.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Speed Swap #11 - Snowflakes
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.
Inspiration found here:
https://www.pinterest.com/asurceelife/snowflakes/
Each month, on the 1st, we will announce a theme or technique for your ATCs. 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 ATCs 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 minimum as long as you don't make bulky ATCs. But of course that will be your choice. It's approximately $1.20 to mail internationally for one ATC in a note card envelope. You must be able to mail internationally to participate in this swap.
New themes will be announced on the 1st of each month.
ATC Speed Swap #11
This month's theme: Snowflakes
Sign up by January 15th
Mailing list announced January 16th
Skill level – All
Hosted by Cathy Calamas
Inspiration found here:
https://www.pinterest.com/asurceelife/snowflakes/
Each month, on the 1st, we will announce a theme or technique for your ATCs. 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 ATCs 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 minimum as long as you don't make bulky ATCs. But of course that will be your choice. It's approximately $1.20 to mail internationally for one ATC in a note card envelope. You must be able to mail internationally to participate in this swap.
New themes will be announced on the 1st of each month.
January Freebie: Snowflakes
It's time for another freebie courtesy of your Paper Traders Moderators. A great big THANK YOU to Connie Holso for preparing this terrific offering for your personal use. Please use the link BELOW the photo to download the high resolution file. Enjoy!
 |
| Download High Resolution version HERE: |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)