February 1, 2020

Four Artists met at The Salvation Army in Oil City to plan, create, and play.  Vicky brought half of her craft room for the Ephemera Workshop.  Thank you Vicky! 

Ephemera: items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity  (according to Google)

The meeting began with a discussion about upcoming workshops and about hosting an Open House in the summer to introduce people to Artist Trading Cards with the hope to recruit new members.

Artists then participated in the Blind Trade: Love followed by a Show and Tell of the November Challenges which were 1) Jack Frost, 2) Wallpaper from Vicky, and 3) 1950's recipe card from Nicole.

The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 21st at 1pm.  Please bring:
*Challenges: 1) At least (1) ATC using a napkin from Nancy
                      2) At least (1) ATC using a die-cut or punched image
                      3) At least (1) ATC using Ephemera from Vicky's Workshop
*Blind Trade: 1920's Speakeasy
*Regular Trade

Sarah will lead the next Workshop: Washi Tape.

Please note: Due to COVID-19 Protocol, the March 21st meeting was cancelled.  At the February meeting, Artists were planning to meet on May 9th at 1pm, but this is still tentative during this unprecedented time.   Please check back for the next meeting date and time.  Thank you! 

November 16, 2019

Three Artists met at a new location in Oil City to trade and make plans for the New Year.  There was an extensive discussion and sharing about premium Washi Tape as well.  One Artist traded by proxy.

The Show and Tell included ATCs made with die-cut trees from the September demonstration.  Check out this video:
TransitTradersNovember2019 from Jennifer Lofink on Vimeo.



Artists then participated in a Blind Trade of ATCs with the theme: Dolls.

Jenn then demonstrated how to use Epsom Salt to make Jack Frost Backgrounds (a technique from Bridgett; thank you!).

Jack Frost Backgrounds using Epsom Salt


Vicky will do the next Demonstration of making ATCs with Magazines/Ephemera in February.

Please bring the following for the next meeting which will be on Saturday, February 1st, 2019 at 1pm at The Salvation Army, 217 Sycamore St., Oil City, PA 16301:

1) Blind Trade: "Love" - Design at least (1) ATC with this theme
2) Challenge: (1) ATC using the Epsom Salt technique
3) Challenge: (1) ATC using gray textured wallpaper (from the September meeting)
4) Challenge: (1) ATC with a 50's theme (using the recipe cards from Nicole)




September 21, 2019

With just a few days left of summer, 4 Artists met in the Transit Building.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding the changing leadership at the Transit Gallery.  As a result, we discussed potentially changing the meeting location.  Thank you to the Transit Gallery Staff and Volunteers for opening up the space to us since May 2018! 

Artists did a Show and Tell of the July Challenges: 1) Rubber Band Technique, 2) Napkin from Nancy, and 3) Halloween Brides.  Artists then participated in a Blind Trade: Insects/Bugs followed by the Regular Trade.

Check out this video of the Halloween Brides:



Jenn led a demonstration of using a Big Shot to die-cut Christmas trees using traditional and non-traditional designer paper.  

Here is Sarah making her selections for the Big Shot.

Die cut Christmas Trees using Designer Paper

The next meeting will be on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 1pm at The Salvation Army in Oil City.  The address is 217 Sycamore St., Oil City, PA 16301. 
For the next meeting, please bring:
Challenge: (1) ATC using a die-cut tree
Blind Trade November Theme: Dolls (any style - creepy, Barbie, traditional, etc.)
Regular Trade


July 20, 2019

On a warm and humid summer day, after a delicious lunch nearby, 4 Artists met in the Transit Building for the bi-monthly meeting. 

The meeting began with announcements and discussions which were followed by Show and Tells of the May Challenges: the Yupo Paper/Alcohol Ink Lift-Off technique and an ATC with a Quote.  Artists then participated in a Blind Trade of an ATC made with Washi Tape and lastly the Regular Trade.

Bridgett demonstrated How To Make A Background With Rubber Bands.  Thank you Bridgett!

Instructions:
1) Put several rubber bands around an acrylic block
2) Use older stamp pads to ink the rubber bands
3) Stamp on cardstock, playing and experimenting as you go to make a unique pattern
4) Consider using a different acrylic block/rubber band combination to add another color

See the pictures below:





Nancy will be doing the demonstration in September.  Thank you Nancy!

The next meeting will be on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 1pm at the Transit Fine Arts Gallery. 

Please bring:
*Challenges: (1) ATC using the Rubber Band Background Technique
                      (1) ATC with the theme "Halloween Bride"
                      (1) ATC using a napkin from Nancy
*(1) ATC for the Blind Trade Challenge: Insects/Bugs
*Regular Trade





May 18, 2019

With the unofficial start of summer just around the corner, 5 Artists met at the Transit Building.  ArtWalk on the Pipeline was on the same day, making for a lot of great energy and excitement about Art in Oil City!

Artists did a Show and Tell of the March Challenges - Heat Embossing, Inchies or Moos, and an ATCoin.  Also, Artists participated in a Blind Trade of ATCs with May's theme "Dance."  Artists then participated in the Regular Trade.

Jenn did a demonstration and workshop of Alcohol Lift-Ink on Yupo Paper.

Vicky is applying Alcohol Ink to Yupo Paper


For the next meeting, on Saturday, July 20th at 1pm, Bridgett will do a demonstration and workshop.  Thank you Bridgett!
For the meeting, please bring:
*(1) ATC for the July Blind Trade Theme: Washi Tape
*Challenge: (1) ATC using the Alcohol Lift-Ink on Yupo Paper Technique
*Challenge: (1) ATC with a Quote
*ATCs for the Regular Trade

March 9, 2019

As it was a sunny, beautiful, snow-free, and relatively warm (mid-40s) day, 6 Artists met to gather and trade cards.  With the last meeting being in November, there was a lot of catching up to do.

Artists continued to brainstorm ways to outreach potential new members.

The trading began with a Blind Trade of ATCs with the theme of Wine.  Next, Artists did a show and tell of the Milk Cap Challenge ATC and the Stamp Share Challenge ATC.  Lastly, Artists participated in the Regular Trade.

Nancy L. did a demonstration and workshop of heat embossing.  Thank you!  One technique was to apply the embossing ink (either via a stamp pad or dabber) to a die cut shape, cover the shape with embossing powder, shake-off the excess powder, and then apply heat using a heat embossing gun.  

Embossing Ink is available in a Dabber.
Nancy L. is applying heat to the die cut owl

The result - an adorable pink owl with some flair!

Nancy L. also shared about recent trends - Inchies and Moos.  Inchies are 1 inch by 1 inch cards; Moos are 1 inch by 2 3/4 inches.  

Jenn has volunteered to do the next demonstration and workshop. 

The next meeting will be on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 1pm.  Artists - check your email for details.
Please bring:
1) Blind Trade Theme: Dance: at least (1) ATC
2) Challenge: (1) ATC using a heat embossing technique
3) Challenge: (1) ATC with an Inchie or Moo (see above)
4) Challenge: (1) ATCoin (a 2.5 inch circle)
5) Regular Trade

Schedule Update

The next meeting will be on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 1pm in the Transit Fine Arts Gallery, weather permitting.  Thank you!