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.

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.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Gallery: Lyrics & Lace

Amanda E.

Ann C.

Barb A.

Beckie H.

Cathy C.

Debra C.

Jo M.

Nikki S.

Pam C.

Monday, April 21, 2014

The Chunky Canvas "Beach" Swap

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.


The Chunky Canvas "Beach" Swap

Have you been dreaming of summer?  Warm sand between your toes?  Summer is right around the corner.  Let's have some fun and make a chunky "beach" canvas.

This is a one-for-one swap.  Canvas size is 4" x 4" by 1-1/2" thick (or 1-3/8" thick, depending on what you can find in your market area)

Feel free to make it summery, fun, and make your partner want to reach out and touch the water - knowing summer will be here before we know it.

Sign up in the database before May 5th.  Partners will be announced May 6th.  Please have your canvas postmarked to your partner by May 26.

Here is a link to a blog that will give you some ideas on chunky canvases.  They are so cute!
http://cathyb.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/01/chunky-little-houses-they-are-ready.html

"May your life be filled with beautiful sunsets, great waves, and sand between your toes." 
Author: Chere Nordstrand

Saturday, April 5, 2014

April Freebie: Nature Sheet

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 full zip file.  Enjoy!
Download HERE:

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

ATC Speed Swap #2 Underway!

2014 ATC Speed Round Swaps 2


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.

Sign-up dates April 1-15.
Mailing list announced April 16.
Skill level - All

Second month's theme: Lyrics and Lace -Create 2 atc's
 which feature a piece of fabric lace, paper lace (doily) or
use a piece of lace as a stencil as well as a portion of a
 song lyric on the atc's as a sentiment. Please put
the title of the song on the back (if you know it)
 along with your name.

If you are a Paper Traders member sign-up here:

If you would like to join this swap as well as other great swaps,
click the purple yahoo groups button in the right sidebar
 for more information.


Thanks!
Cathy C
PT Mod