Sometimes a Cigar... ATC Swap ~ Due July 2

[Rogue Gal]

Sometimes a Cigar... ATC Swap - Due July 2

Swap Due Date - July 2
Sign up by Date - June 22, or until full.
Withdraw by Date - Any time before the due date, just let me know!
Number of Cards - 3 for 3
Number of participants - 55
Medium - Collage/Mixed Media

Sometimes a Cigar... ATC Swap!

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Sometimes a cigar... leads to great art! This swap is about using cigar bands or cigar labels in your collage or mixed media artwork. For this swap you will create 3 ATCs that incorporate a cigar band or cigar label in each piece. Please use real cigar bands or labels, rather than images of them. The real ones often have mettalic accents or texture that cannot be replicated. You can buy them on ebay and from lots of places that sell collage supplies (look under "ephemera" or "altered arts supplies"). I have found great deals on them from www.collagestuff.com and www.retrocafeart.com where you get 30 assorted cigar bands for $1.00 or $1.50 US. Please send art that took time and care to create - something that you yourself would be thrilled to receive.


Now for the nitty gritty:

Guidelines:

- Medium is collage/mixed media.
- All cards should be standard 3.5” x 2.5”, and be mounted on cardstock or something more substantial than flimsy paper.
- All cards should be sent in individual plastic sleeves if you have them.
- No heavy, thick or bulky embellishments (mesh, punchanella, sequins, tiny jewels, etc. are fine). Cards must be able to fit into a plastic sleeve. If embellishments are heavy or thick, please include an extra .20 cent stamp for each card sent.
- Please include your username, real name, origin (country) and swap name on the back of all cards. We can't leave you rep points if we don't know who you are.
- Originals only - no copies or prints.
- Please take time with your art. Submit cards that you would be happy to get in return.
- Make sure cards are well-glued and sealed, if necessary.
- This swap is 3 for 3 only. An extra card in this theme for the host is not required but would be cherished.
- I will try to swap out cards "effort for effort" as best as I can, but you may receive a random card.
- If you need to withdraw, just let me know. Disappearing and failing to communicate may result in neutral iTrader.


Mailing and postage:

- Please include your username and swap name on the back of all envelopes sent in. I host several swaps at once and this helps me stay organized.
- International participants – Please include $1 or US stamps. If you cannot provide this just let me know and I will cover your postage. Please include a self addressed long envelope, or at least a large label or piece of paper with your name and address on it. Please no bubble envelopes.
- US Participants – Please include a self addressed business size envelope (the long kind) with .45 cents postage (or one Forever stamp). If your cards are very heavy or thick, please include an extra .20 cent stamp for each card sent.

When you are ready to mail, please PM me for my address.

When you receive your cards for the swap, please remember to leave iTrader for the Host (me) and Rep Points for the people you received cards from. Everyone likes to know where their babies end up.

Please post pictures of your finished ATCs to the thread - we would all love to see them and be inspired!

Who wants to play?

1.) *HiddenTreasure2010 - received
2.) *RaineyDay - received
3.) *artkitty - received
4.) *grrrdjules - received
5.) *amyfaerie - received
6.) *JSilver - received
7.) *Laffqueen - received
8.) *RebeccaG - received
9.) *mrubyjean - received
10.) *julyschild - received
11.) *Tinka - received
12.) *margoartist - received
13.) *Maineatc - received
14.) *squirebear - received
15.) *notinkansas - received
16.) *jensaz - received
17.) *ScrapPea - received
18.) Melzz0914

[HiddenTreasure2010]

...I would love to join in the fun.
Where would I get cigar bands and can I use images from the internet of the bands?

[artkitty]

I'm interested. Must locate materials. Ideas?

[Rogue Gal]

Yay, my first player! Welcome, HiddenTreasure2010! Great questions - I would like them to be real cigar bands rather than images (I will add that to the intro post). You can buy them on ebay and from lots of places that sell collage supplies (look under "ephemera" or "altered arts supplies"). I have found great deals on them from www.collagestuff.com and www.retrocafeart.com where you get 30 assorted cigar bands for $1.00 or $1.50 US. If you cannot get ahold of any, let me know and I will hook you up.

[Rogue Gal]

artkitty, I just added some info on sources to the intro post. Let me know if you would like me to add you to the swap

[Nancy]

I found this band in my grocery parking lot this morning and came home and made an APC for my Jack collection and thought I would post it for inspiration.....I will check with the guys at the pool and golf course this weekend and see if I can locate more and if I can, will come back and join your swap! Sounds fun!!

[Rogue Gal]

Oh Nancy, that is absolutely awesome - thanks for posting it to inspire us! I hope you can locate more cigar bands and join the swap

[grrrdjules]

There are a bunch on etsy but they want $3.50 and over to "ship" to Canada! Seriously? A stamp is a freaking dollar. Sheesh. If I can find some locally I'll play.

[RaineyDay]

me, me, of course I want to join. Thanks!

[HiddenTreasure2010]

Hi , I have the same problem as grrrdjules, They cost $ 1.00 but shipping to Canada is $6.98. Not really worth it.. Any other ideas.... I too will look locally.

[artkitty]

yes, sign me up...a new adventure... i will hunt for some bands. thanks

[artkitty]

There are a bunch on etsy but they want $3.50 and over to "ship" to Canada! Seriously? A stamp is a freaking dollar. Sheesh. If I can find some locally I'll play.

Hi , I have the same problem as grrrdjules, They cost $ 1.00 but shipping to Canada is $6.98. Not really worth it.. Any other ideas.... I too will look locally.

Hey guys...I'm going to buy a "lot" of bands on ebay-I could mail them to you when I get them?

[grrrdjules]

I found an even worse one that was 1.01 for the bands and wanted 14 for shipping!!!!

[Rogue Gal]

Welcome to the swap, RaineyDay and artkitty - woot!

I had no idea that cigar bands would be so difficult for some of you to obtain, or that the shipping to Canada would be so outrageous! $14? They weigh hardly anything - that's a ripoff for sure! I'll do a little more searching to see if I can find some more options.

grrrdjules, I hope you will be able to play!

[Rogue Gal]

Okay, I just checked the shipping to Canada from the two places I suggested in the first post. www.collagestuff.com charges $5.50 for shipping, which is the same as to the US. If you are only buying cigar bands, that's pretty steep, but the good news is that if you are buying a bunch of stuff from them, it is still the same $5.50. I just placed an order with them for $40 or so, and $5.50 was the shipping rate, which is pretty good for a larger order, but a lot for a small one. www.retroartcafe.com charges $6.95 to ship to Canada.

I did a search on etsy and found a seller named InkStainedRoni who is selling packs of 34 cigar bands for $2.00, plus $3.50 shipping to "everywhere else" (non-USA). So that's a $5.50 investment for 34 cigar bands to use in your art. I think that's pretty fair. She has 4 packs available as of tonight.

There's a bunch of sellers on etsy, with varying prices, so just do a search by "supplies", and then "cigar bands".

[grrrdjules]

I ended up having a great conversation with an etsy seller and she is sending regular old mail just like we do here. So count me in Rogue!

[Rogue Gal]

Yay - I'm glad that you found someone reasonable, grrrdjules, and can join in the fun!

[grrrdjules]

I pm'ed hidden treasures to join as I can send her some cigarband love when I get mine

[grrrdjules]

Oh, der, she's already in! Do the PM invite Rogue gal, let's get some peeps in here!

[HiddenTreasure2010]

Are you guys talking collage sheets or the actual bands?