ACEO base questions

[PatJNJ]

I wish we could still search the old forums so that people won't be answering questions that had been asked a hundred times already... sorry.:(

Anyway, what is the best type of 'base' to use for ACEO's? I would be adhering paper, bits of fabric, and lightweight embellishments to the base.

If I were to cut up cereal boxes and the like, the cards wouldn't be acid-free, but if I'm using vintage papers, which is a strong possibility, they wouldn't be acid-free, anyway; but is it still better to have at least an acid-free base--especially if I actually get good enough at making ACEO's that I would try to sell them (in my dreams - haha)?

Thank you for your input!

[GrayWolfGallery]

You can purchase packs of ACEO blanks in various art papers, here at Etsy or Hobby Lobby. They're acid free and already cut to the right ACEO size. Some are packaged with different weights of paper; some thicker for what you're needing.

[Former_Member]

stupid ? what's aceo

[Former_Member]

ACEO = Art Cards Editions and Originals

ACEOs can be traded, sold, made into prints, etc. The main rule of thumb is the size. They have to be 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches. If you want to see some examples, go here http://www.etsy.com/teams/7567/aceo-promotions/discuss/6760812/

Hope that helps. ~ rae

[DancingGirlArt]

Pat, I used to make a *lot* of aceos and used everything from watercolour paper to mat board. I've always preferred a heavier card or board of some sort for collage work, simply because it will stand up to lots of gluing and not buckle. For painted ones I usually use a heavy-ish watercolour paper, again so it buckles less.

[pinkpainter]

I love the heavy watercolor paper. But to keep it from buckling at all if anything wet is applied, I soak a larger piece of wc color, tack it down or dry with weight on it, then cut it. It will take anything then.

[PatJNJ]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions!

[Former_Member]

I use matboard if I have it on hand, and old playing cards work great.

[Former_Member]

I agree, if you're going to do some heavy work on it choose a nice mat/crescent board. If you're going to sell art, acid-free is important!

[PatJNJ]

enamor and jade, thank you for your suggestions and comments!

[Former_Member]

I am new to ACEO's. I love working with beads and fabric, so I'm drawn to find a way to add the elements I love into the crafts I do. These are my first attempts at making ACEO's. Suggestions and advice will help me do better in the future.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kkennedymason?section_id=7810907

[TheWhimsicalMuse]

As far as acid-free ACEOs, you might look into finding some acid-free light weight chipboard.

[PatJNJ]

Good luck to you, kkennedy! Your cards are lovely.

Thanks, Whimsical, for your excellent suggestion; as a matter of fact, right before I returned here, I found some acid-free chipboard in an Etsy shop and added the item to my Favorites!

[Former_Member]

The editor of an online magazine for ACEO's contacted me asking me to enter my Lavender 2 card in a contest. I want to add the link to that magazine here so anyone making ACEO's could enter as well. They don't want photo ACEO's. Just original artwork. Here's the link.

http://aceoonlinemag.blogspot.com/