STICKY NOTE: Basic info about our themed ATC swaps--how to play, upcoming themes

MONTHLY THEMED SWAPS--HOW TO PLAY

Following are basic instructions for participating in our themed ATC swaps--which are among the NE ATC+ Meetup Group's coolest activities -- and which, like all our activities, are 100 percent optional.

Why we do them them: Themed swaps are a great way to see how multiple artists interpret the same basic concept, theme or assignment.

How they work: Participants agree on a common theme (for instance, "destiny" or "the '60s" or "maps" or "purple and green"). Each person makes a certain number of cards based on the theme and gives them to the swap organizer; each person receives back the same number of cards in return.

Interpreting the theme: Generally, you may interpret a theme any way you like. For instance, when we did "the number 5," interpretations included: numerals, 5 p.m., the 5 of spades, 5 on Bingo cards, a score of 5 and images in groups of 5. Even if the assignment includes specific elements (particular colors or materials, as in the examples above), you?re free to determine exactly how to use those elements in your work.

Making your cards: Make at least 6 cards on the assigned theme -- 5 for other participants, 1 for the NE ATC+ Meetup Group scrapbook and others to trade, if you like.

Because each card goes to a different person, you may make:

 Six identical cards (all alike, but each a handmade original, not a photocopy)
 Six similar cards (variations on the same design)
 Six utterly, completely different cards

...or any combination.

Beyond that, your approach is entirely up to you. Unless the assignment specifies otherwise, you may draw, paint, stamp, do collage, add embellishments or whatever you like. The only rules beyond that:

• Your cards should be ATC-sized: 3.5 x 2.5 inches. No larger. No smaller. Larger cards especially cause problems because they don't fit in traders' albums.
  
• Your cards should at least minimally fit the assigned theme.
  
• You should only turn in cards representing your very best work--cards that you'd be pleased to receive yourself. Please don't turn in cards that look slapped together, incomplete, grubby or mass-produced. Don't turn in cards that have pieces falling off or that you just want to unload.
  
  

Not sure whether what you're offering meets the minimum standard? Just ask. And if you can't get high-quality work done in time for a swap, you're much better off just sitting one out. There will always be more.

Participating in the swap:

• Put your name, the date, the card title (if applicable) and the name of the swap on the back of each card. You may include other information, such as your city/state location or the materials you used, if you like.
  
• Put each card in an clear protective ATC sleeve. (We have sleeves available on the registration table at each Meetup.)
  
• Put all your cards in an envelope with your name on it. (We have envelopes available on the registration table at each Meetup).
  
• Drop the envelope off where indicated (a box or basket on the registration table).
  

During the Meetup, the swap coordinator will collect all the envelopes, randomly divide the cards into packets and redistribute them.

Because there are so many participants, you won't get back cards from everyone. But you will get back five different cards from five different artists. (See below about how to acquire additional cards.)



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) ABOUT THEMED SWAPS

May I make my cards for the current month's swap during the current month's Meetup?
Sorry, no. Here's why:

 Swap participants say they like receiving their swap packets early in the day so that they can compare cards, and we can't do that if we're all waiting for someone to finish up.
 Several participants usually have to leave early. Allowing last-minute contributions means that even though they brought cards to swap, they have to go home empty-handed and wait for their packets to arrive in the mail.
 When you're making cards under extreme time pressure, you're not likely to do your best work -- which is no fun for you or for anybody else. (And this is supposed to be fun!)

So it's fine to put the finishing touches on your cards during the Meetup, but please don't plan to sit down and make them all from scratch in the two hours or so before they're due -- you won't be able to do it well.

And if you arrive at the Meetup empty-handed for the swap, don't worry: There will be many more down the road. And because we're now posting the themes a few months in advance, you can always spend your Meetup time crafting cards for future swaps, or just making cards on any theme you like for individual trades.

I really like X's and Z's work best! Is there any way to guarantee that their cards wind up in my packet?
Sorry, no. Packets are compiled randomly. It would be unfair to others to take requests for what's in one person's packet, and it would be too confusing the coordinator to try and customize packets for everyone.

But you can always make extra themed cards and swap them with others who did the same. In fact, if you want to make sure that you get X's and Y's swap contributions, you might talk to them in advance and agree that you'll all make extras in case you don't receive each other's cards in the swap. And if you do randomly receive each other's cards, you can always swap your extras with somebody else.


May I choose which of my cards goes in the group scrapbook?
Absolutely! Just put a note on it and include it in your swap envelope with your other contributions; the swap coordinator will hold it out from the pack.

What if I can't be at the Meetup during the swap?
No problem. Just give your cards with another member or send them to the group organizer in advance and she'll mail you a swap packet after the Meetup. (We request a $1 reimbursement for mailing the cards.)

What if I have to cancel at the last minute and it's too late to mail my cards?
Many people make extra swap cards; we'll ask them to set aside a few to trade with you next time. Or you can bring your cards next time and arrange your own one-to-one swaps. (To be included in the scrapbook, just hand a card to the group organizer.)

I didn't get all my cards done in time. May I turn in IOUs for some of them?
Sorry, no. We set the themes months in advance to give people plenty of time to make their cards. It's disappointing for members to walk in with finished cards and leave with IOUs--and too confusing to track who owes who what. (We did use IOUs in one case for a member whose cards came in on time, but were temporarily misplaced during the Meetup. Because this wasn't the member's fault, and because the cards were already done, we issued IOUs, replacing them when the cards turned up. But this was an isolated incident). So if you don't have enough cards to participate, try one-to-one swaps with other members or just wait for the next one--we'll always have more chances to trade.

UPCOMING SWAP THEMES

Interpret the themes any way that you like!

AUGUST 2008: No swap. Field trip to Fuller Museum.
SEPTEMBER: Games (bumped from August). Each card should be on the theme of games in general--or of specific games (Monopoly, Parcheesi, Bingo, poker, or any other game that you like).

--ALSO FOR SEPTEMBER: Song Lyrics II. This is an extra, completely optional swap for both those who were disappointed that they didn't finish cards in time for the July swap AND those who loved the swap so much that they want to do it again. If you're participating for the second time, please make new cards, as we have no way of knowing who got your cards in the first swap and we wouldn't want somebody to wind up with duplicates. Thanks!

OCTOBER: By the Sea
NOVEMBER: Doorways, entryways
DECEMBER: True colors (details to come on this)
JANUARY 2009: Tea-time (or tee time or T-time...)
FEBRUARY: Chairs