Guest Author - Lisa Shea

Artist Trading Cards, also known as ATCs, are becoming an incredibly popular way to fight back against the mass-produced boredom of business cards and commercial trading cards.

Instead of trying to collect the "next Pikachu" or the "rookee Babe Ruth" card, you are instead collecting one of a kind creations from artists from around the world. The cards range from simple to intricate, from drawings to paintings to photographs and more.

Artists get together for trading sessions, where they swap off cards of their own for other cards they enjoy. Not all card swapping is done between the original artists. You can also swap cards you received previously in a swap, turning swaps into second generation, third generation and even more complex situations! A card can be swapped many times in its lifetime, bringing pleasure and joy to many people along its route through the world.

If you haven't created any artist trading cards yet, now might be the time to give it a try!

Artist Trading Card Project