ME!

I have been the lucky recipient of 100's of beautiful LTC's over my years and years of letterboxing. So much so that it is time for me to downsize my collection of letterboxing stuff. These works of art deserve to be enjoyed by others so I will be sending them along to other collectors. Just letting folks know in case you get a find notice from someone you never sent the card to. I have enjoyed them all and know others will too. Thank you to all.
Teacup

Hi Teacup, I would love a few. And of course and stamps or HHs you would want to send me. Let me know if you need anything.
Much love and respect,
Wrexx🦖

I would like to receive some. At he moment I'm reading information to learn how to make them

All have been claimed. Thank you for your interest.

Hey everyone! I was surfing the web 'cause my go to friend, who is time zones away, is still sleeping.... So, google.

I found this which I thought was interesting. Hope you find it helpful.

Copics and Ink

Great info, Cindy! Also, Simon Says Stamp.com carries an ink pad that is very compatible with alcohol inks...it's called "My Favorite Things, Extreme Black". I don't know if there are other colors available, but that pad really works. My general go-to when working with Copic markers is to stamp in my desired ink color and then emboss with clear embossing powder, which seals the ink and allows for me to color freely afterward. If you desire a really flat surface to your project without embossing though, the Extreme Black ink works well. I have also had some luck with Black Stazon, but only if the ink has dried really well for some time😊

I agree with this, and it is also my “go-to”. However, I’ve found it’s possible to saturate the paper along the embossing enough to still cause the ink to bleed or spread out from underneath the embossing. I make sure I’m quick along the lines with my marker.

If I’m not embossing, Memento dye ink has always worked well with my Copics.

This is all good to know! After a little trial and error, my go-to is VersaFine ink, but with at least 3-4 days between stamping and coloring with alcohol-based markers. The extra dry time seems to be enough to eliminate most, if not all, of the smudging. I use Ohuhu brand instead of Copics.

Alcohol ink markers need inks like Memento Black Tuxedo, Gina K Onyx or Ink on 3 black- they are dye inks and compatible with alcohol ink markers. You also need cardstock that is not smooth and coated- aka Stampin Up. Neenah, Georgia Pacific, Cougar , Recollections from Michaels..... that will not let the ink sit on the top of the card, and not mixed media that sucks in the ink either.
I think you will find suggestions to never use Alcohol based markers over embossing- it will wreck the markers! If you choose to emboss, this would be the great time to use watercolors!

So, NO Stazon with Alcohol ink markers! Paper AND ink make a difference!

Shelly

Shelly

I regularly emboss and color with Copics, and have never had a problem with it ruining my markers. The alcohol will tend to take the shine off of the embossed lines if you color over them (I avoid doing that when possible), but has no effect that I've seen on my markers.

Check with manufacturer recommendations- Copic does not recommend you use markers over embossing.

EMBOSSING POWDER IS MADE FROM TINY SHARDS OF PLASTIC AND EVEN THOUGH WE HEAT AND MELT IT TO OUR CARD, IT REMAIN SHARP. WHEN YOU COLOR UP AGAINST HEAT EMBOSSING WITH A COPIC MARKER, YOU RUN THE RISK OF SHREDDING YOUR TIP.

Things that are not friends with you markers are.......
1. White Out or Opaque White
2. Un-fired Clay
3. Acrylic Paints (or paint pens such as Molotow)
4. Chalks or Oil Pastels
5. Untested inks or pens
6. Solvents or oils (such as Stazon, a solvent ink)
7. Pencil - won't damage it, but will discolour your nibs
8. Coloured Embossing Powders (this includes opaque white, gold and silver)

I know there is a trend at the moment to stamp and image, emboss it with white embossing power and colour over the top with your Copics. If you do this, please remember that there is a pigment in Coloured Embossing Powders (clear is OK!) that can clog and damage your nib! You may find a white patch appears on your nib and you can't get it off even if the ink is still flowing through the nib. This is the EP melting into your nib and eventually the whole nib will clog - much like a small blockage in an artery will one day become so bad that a repair is needed.

http://copicoz.blogspot.com/2014/03/caring-for-your-copics.html
A general rule is if the product smears when it gets wet and is opaque, STAY AWAY! If you must colour over something like this, airbrush it instead.

Shelly

I appreciate McSchmidty's perspective and info, but I have been using my same copic markers for 8 years and coloring in images that have been embossed with Ranger Clear embossing powder, and in all this time, with the same set of markers, I have never had issues AND have probably replaced only less than 10 nibs. That was likely from not capping properly, and my own fault. So, my experience is similar to Wise Wanderer....I don't ever purposefully run over my embossing, but have hit up against it countless times. So, I can take that information as good warning, but just wanted to say that in my experience I've had no trouble. Also,I don't like the bumpiness of some porous papers and exclusively use Bristol paper, and have not noticed a problem with the ink sitting on top, nor being absorbed too quickly....but I'll be experimenting with that now to see if I can see or feel any differences. I only buy Bristol on sale because it's expensive; I want to stay away from spending a lot on special, expensive papers....so heavy cardstock is the only other thing I've ever used. Thank you for your perspective, Shelly😊

I can understand that Copic (like most companies), would issue broad, sweeping warnings, and this one might apply to chunky or glittery powders. But like you, I have been doing this for 8+ years, and I only use Lindy's ultra-fine "clearly clear". Never had an issue with my nibs due to embossing.

The thing that does eventually damage a nib over time, is running the marker around the edge of cardstock for a border. I like the effect, but it will make tiny paper cuts in the nib, so I devote one marker for that purpose, and replace the nib when necessary.

I'm not sure if this is where I ask- when i receive a new LTC- is it on to share it with others and can they log it too?

interesting question. this may be somewhat up for debate, but in general, i think most people who trade LTCs or participate in swaps, would say that once it's yours, it's also yours to do with as you wish. You can keep it, you can share it, you can trade it; you can do lots with it. If you do share it with someone else, yes, they could and might log it as a find because it's new to them.
And yes, it's ok to pass an LTC to someone else (even a non- boxer); at least I think.
Just my 2 cents....

TOTALLY fine to share with others-share the art you get, and spread some beauty and joy! The word "trading" is legit!😊

I agree with the above posters- share the love! Once you receive the LTC- it is yours to do with as you please : )

Shelly

Speaking only for myself, they are trading cards, for trade to anyone who happens to get it.

We actually get logging notifications on old LTC cards of ours from time to time. I love it when it happens!

Spread the art, I say.

DZ

How do you take your cards to trade at an event? Binder, container, ziploc……..? I’m guessing there are multiple answers just looking for ideas of what has worked :)

I keep mine in a binder, with those plastic nine-pocket pages..

Mine are just in a ziploc and when you get here, just grab what you want.

I occasionally take mine to an event. I stand them upright in the bottom of a Velveeta cheese box (the brown cardboard part). On both sides of the box are my trail name and an offer to trade - Find Me. I leave it on the table. So far, so good.

Aiphid made me a decoupage LTC box for Xmas several years back, I bring the LTC’s I want to give away in that.

Thanks everyone for the ideas!

Before posting my question I did a quick search on this board and sure enough, someone already posted it, and the responses were great.
But I've another question to ask...
I make cards, many of the Stampin' Up variety but sometimes just made up cards that are for the most part cards that I give to folks at our church where we still have the old time "mailbox" cubbies. In any given month there can be 10-20 birthdays, anniversaries, births, christenings, illnesses, deaths, etc...
Because no postage $ I tend to put the really fat cards in those rather than send thru the post.
Anyhoo, today I am sorting thru my supplies and realize I literally have dozens of LTC's, and most if not all are really beautiful and amazing works of art! SO why are they in a giant ZipLock in my closet?
Is it ok to integrate a LTC into the cards I make and send to people? Or is that poaching since it's definitely not trading.
I could make a note on back of card crediting the original artist as I'm not wanting to take credit for that. Is that good enough or should they stay traded/gifted as they are in their original state?
Three FLAmigos

If you had some of my LTCs, I’d prefer that you shared them with folks who make LTCs rather than incorporating them into cards you give to muggles. The LTCs are less likely to get tossed if you did that.

Gotcha, and I completely understand. Thanks for responding!

In my opinion, once cards are in your hands, you are the owner. You can do what you want with them. I’m not gonna check in on them. I do appreciate when LTCs are passed along but when you give something away you relinquish all rights to that. Send it, gift it, trade it, recycle it, burn it… just give me credit ;)

Unless it’s the copyright police because the carving infringes upon an image copyright. Then I want no part of it! 🤣 You don’t know me. I’ve never seen it.