PaperTraders Art: May 2016

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.

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.

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.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

New Swap: Steampunk Summer

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.

Steampunk Summer ATC Swap

3 for 3

Skill level – Budding and upwards

Due in hand by 21st August 2016

I love all things Steampunk, so I’m very happy to announce a new ATC swap with this theme. Anything goes, but all ATCs should have something metal or metallic on them somewhere. Please make 3 ATCs and mail them to Mel D. at the address in the database and I will send you back 3 other people’s works of art.

Anyone in the UK, please send an SAE. Overseas swappers can include ephemera, an extra ATC or $5, whichever you prefer.

Please sign up in the database.
And Post pictures of your masterpieces in the Album.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

May Freebie

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 Hi-Res version HERE:

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AJTJEB7IRAHZbJU&cid=4CC7F78541694F93&id=4CC7F78541694F93%2111757&parId=4CC7F78541694F93%21143&o=OneUp

Sunday, May 8, 2016

New Swap: Floral Headpiece

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.

Floral Headpiece ~ ATC Swap

3 for 3 ATC's

Skill Level - #3 Blossoming

In HAND by- July 13th

Hosted By - Nikki Smith

Super excited to announce this new Swap, "Floral Headpiece"! With spring here and summer right around the corner I was thinking FLOWERS! For this swap you will need to create 3 ATC’s. Each card should have a face profile of a woman or child and for the fun part you will create a beautiful floral headpiece. You can use paper flowers, printed, painted ones or even make your own. You may even want to use glitter and tiny ribbons too! For an added element please add an inspiring word to your card. This swap is a level #3 (see below) because there should be a lot of detail put into your headpiece, lots of opportunity to use different materials. Have fun!

The rest is up to you. Whatever moves and inspires you. :)

Please sign up in the gallery database and post your photos to the gallery album.

I have created a board on Pinterest for some beautiful examples

https://www.pinterest.com/nikkithings/floral-head-pieces-atc/

Details:

·3 for 3 ATC

·Please include an address label and $2 for return postage. International participants may send $3.

If cards are heavy and have embellishments on them please add $1 more.

·Due in HAND by July 13th

3) BLOSSOMING - Geared toward the artist who is comfortable with most techniques, willing to try new methods and take risks, and include a varied range of techniques and materials, as well as fielding Q&A from group members about their artistic process.