Posted by Chi-Writer on 2006-03-21 16:59:45
Post Subject: Chicago clothing swappers
I'm looking for Chicago area clothing swappers to serve as sources for an article I'm working on. If you've ever hosted or attended a clothes-swapping party, please e-mail me off the board (PM, I think--I'm new to this).
Posted by Elizarose on 2006-01-13 16:22:43
Post Subject: Any suggestions for a NLP/Clothes swaping party?
Hi,
I am new to this forum.My name is Elizabeth, and I live in San Diego.I found this site while looking for guidelines for a Clothes swapping party.
One thing I am not sure about is ,I know that there will be items that someone might not want to send to the Salvation Army afterward.I imagine they would want to trade,sell or take it home.
Any suggestions from you experienced ladies on how to go about this?or any tips for a successful party?
Thank you so much!
Elizabeth
Posted by smachel on 2005-06-04 10:46:49
Post Subject: paperback swap
hi kids! i stumbled across a paperback swapping site, much like swappingtons (if you remember that site).
you list paperbacks that you would be willing to get rid of and search for those you'd like to read. when someone requests your title, just print out the label, slap on some stamps, and send it out. unlike swappingtons, all paperback books cost one point. you get 3 points for registering and posting 9 books (although i've only put 5 up so far and i have 1 point). the site is free currently, but may charge later on. anyone who gets in now gets a full free year, no matter when they start charging. although many of my books are hardback (i take a lot of my paperbacks to the book rack to get credit), i still found this site intriguing.
so, if you want to sign up, refer me so i can get more credit. and perhaps we can set up a chain system so others who sign up can get referral credits too.
Posted by sprung on 2004-11-07 01:32:14
Post Subject: Darkswan handcrafted bath indulgences
If anyone is looking for some truly wonderful bath products, check out Darkswan Indulgences. Terri makes lovely soaps in the nicest scents and prettiest colors. I have dry, sensitive skin and wear makeup daily, but find her soaps to work beautifully on my face (I've ditched commercial cleansers altogether). Her soap lathers so well that it also doubles as a shaving cream for me. Some of my favorite scents are Arsenic and Old Lace, Rains at Ranjipur, and Tropical Coconut but she has a ton of new scents coming up for the holidays -- Raisin Rum Buttercream, oh my goodness!
I've also been using her moisture lotions...they're a miracle for dry skin. She also has a Body Velvet, but I haven't had the chance to try it yet.
My favorite scent of all that I've tried from Darkswan is Arsenic and Old Lace. It's like a spiced orange, in a way...the lotion leaves my room smellng like gingerbread. I love it.
Lately I've been calling the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab customer forums my internet home. Come by and say hello, we don't bite and we all smell absolutely fabulous. :) My username there is tart, but feel free to PM me if you have any questions about Darkswan or if you are interested in swapping for BPAL.
Posted by artgeek on 2006-10-16 09:27:09
Post Subject: Request for swapping feedback system
A user started a discussion here about implementing a swap feedback system so people could rate their swapping experiences, specifically whether or not people followed through and to acknowledge people who were great swapping partners.
I don't know if this is possible using the current board software, but wanted to make Demetri & co. aware of the request. Even if it's not possible to create such a system, the members are also talking about creating informal threads listing "flakers" and good swap partners. I think the co-editors and mods should hash out whether or not this is acceptable before it happens.
Posted by for_esme on 2006-10-17 19:53:08
Post Subject:
I think this is a good idea, too. It might also encourage more people to swap -- I've participated in a couple of great swaps, one of which is the yearly christmas ornament exchange, but I'm also sometimes leery of swapping with someone I don't know when there's no feedback to review.
So yeah. I just hope we can find a way to do it so that it doesn't get catty.
Posted by titancia on 2005-03-21 14:29:55
Post Subject: Nifty!
I might be interested in one of these! I use them for the 1" and 1-1/2" buttons I make...I have one for each size, and I have them glued in place so I don't have to keep resizing them, but in the meantime I don't have one just to mess around with.
Email me at dawncathlene@titancia.net if you still have it and are interested in swapping. Maybe we can work something out. ^_^
--Dawn
Posted by hiatus on 2004-09-27 03:43:18
Post Subject:
hmm, wow lol! While I'm thrilled you like my card holders, in all good (business ) conscience I can't really give out instructions in such a public place 'cause i'm trying to make a living out of selling these things :] I am up for swapping for one if you'd like? feel free to email or pm me.
Probably preaching to the choir but....I'd like to encourage everyone to support the little gal! buy your holiday presents from glitter's or the switchboard indie businesses, its tough out there among the Targets and Wallmarts.
Posted by insistal on 2005-04-18 11:43:43
Post Subject: Anyone want this book?
How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=dK8n3MJB9T&isbn=0786867973&itm=1
I paid 35$ for it- and I'm not happy with it. If someone would like to, I am interested in swapping.
Posted by moon_lemming on 2005-04-23 14:50:37
Post Subject:
I copied and pasted this from another thread from a few months ago that had the same question (so if you see the words "coin purse" just substitute whatever you would think of swapping):
Re: organization, my suggestions (and only suggestions, because there might be a better way, I'm not a very organized person): Post a topic that says "coin purse swap" or something like that and put the basics in your post:
*what we're swapping,
*how you want people to send their info to you (e-mail or pm),
*what info you need (real name, address, e-mail address, usually),
*the deadline date for sign-up, and
*the deadline date for sending out (about two weeks after the sign-up deadline, usually, although longer is good, too!).
Then when everyone's signed up, usually the swap organizer will put a list up with the getcrafty user names (NOT real names) of everyone who's on board so people can doublecheck and make sure they're on the list if they signed up.
After the swap sign-up is over, the swap organizer e-mails (or pm's) each person the name and address of the person they're sending to, and sometimes lists who's sending to whom in the getcrafty topic as well.
Another way to do it is for the swap organizer to send everyone her (the organizer's) address and have them mail their swap stuff and some cash for shipping to her. Then the organizer mails out packages to everyone. This is best for swaps that involve each person making stuff for five other people or whatever. Also, keep in mind that if there are people in different countries, the cash-for-shipping thing could get tricky.
I'm sure some of that doesn't make sense because I'm bad at explaining stuff and someone else probly knows something I left out. But I hope it helps a little! :)
Posted by Liberty Gooler on 2005-02-23 18:13:16
Post Subject: Daylight savings time swap
I've been inspired by all the swapping so I'm gonna organize one to honor my favorite non-holiday, daylight savings time! You do lose an hour of sleep but you gain the satisfaction of leaving work while its still light out.
Anyhow the theme is sort of a joke, but its meant to be a cheer-up, look ahead to a time when it won't be totally dark and cold swap. So people would be swapping spring/summery stuff, especially crafty stuff. The box to fill would be about the size of a shoe box. I'm keeping the theme sort of open to let people come up with warm weather ideas. However if this is too loose for you let me know and I'll post ideas of what I think might be cool, or a good idea.
So PM me if you are interested, or send me an email to craftspastic@yahoo.com. The sign-ups will run until March 6th and the boxes should be sent out by the 28th of March. This is the first time I've organized a swap so bear with me if it gets a little bumpy.
Posted by jennjitsu on 2008-12-08 18:00:42
Post Subject:
I'm making most of them or buying handmade. The only people I'm not doing that for are my niece and nephew ages 13 and 15. I just don't think they'd appreciate it so they are getting gift cards.
I am doing mostly things like handbags, necklaces and placemats. My favorite gift that I can't wait to give is a purse for my MIL made out of vintage fabric she gave me from when they were stationed in Liberia in the 70's. She had about 5 yards of it and was pretty sure it was hand dyed/batiked. I lined it with the remnants of a skirt she gave me from the same era that I had to shorten because it was much too long. She's the emotional type so I'm expecting waterworks. Maybe I should make a handkerchief to put in there...
For my daughter we bought a lot of stuff, though they are the really good educational wood toys that hold up to several years of playing. I'm making some doll clothes for her Pansy doll...though I'm going to have to wing it because I don't think Daisy Kingdom still makes patterns for her anymore.
Sister is getting a tie skirt for christmas. I made one way back in highschool before the tie craze and she took it out of my closet and wore it more than I did! This one is well made whereas the other one disintigrated sometime last year. For her birthday (two days after christmas) I think I'll cheat and give her a WholeFoods giftcard, since she did ask for those anyway. I'll probably put it in a handmade purse.
Sister in law is getting either a purse or a scrub top, depending on where time goes and if I can get my tail off the computer!
DH is taken care of. We decided not to trade gifts this year since we purchased some bigger items over the course of the year. He bought a new camera (even though it was to replace one that was stolen from us shortly after we moved here) and I bought a totally materialistic and unwarranted but very nice handbag. It was a rough year and it was totally retail therapy but I don't have buyers remorse! We also just got a TV since our 15 year old dinosaur died. If we didn't, that netflix subscription would be wasted! So yeah, no gift swapping this year, but we won't notice because BOTH sets of parents/family are coming for the holidays. We are bonafide insane.
Posted by stella on 2006-04-24 13:16:33
Post Subject:
you could have people put their clothes out (on tables or the floor) and let people have an hour or so to just look at the clothes without trying them on or claiming them, then people would know what items they wanted to jump on when the actual swapping began. you know, if someone saw a shirt they had to have, they could go back to it first.
Posted by Morgan on 2005-06-04 21:03:24
Post Subject:
I'd like to sign up too... we're swapping out own zines, right? Not just old zines we have lyin' around? How many are we swapping? When do I have to send them in? So many questions! I'm in, in any case! Thanks!
Posted by paola sangio on 2005-04-28 12:06:55
Post Subject:
great answer, thanks. i want to start swapping, now (but want to be placed in a beginners' group so that people won't be too disappointed). isn't it hard to give away your craft after much work? i fear i'd feel like a foster mom!!
Posted by Liberty Gooler on 2005-03-07 22:48:00
Post Subject:
So the swap is now closed, I hope everyone got emails and information pairing you up with a partner. PM if you didn't get my email or if you have any further questions.
Posted by moon_lemming on 2005-04-28 11:41:50
Post Subject:
almost all the swaps I've been in have had international swappers. re: the cost -- it's not that it's not worth it, it's that sometimes people can't afford it. but usually there are plenty of people swapping, so it's just a matter of matching the right people up.
as far as my personal experience goes, I've sent to New Zealand and Canada without problems. in one recent swap, I had to ask when I signed up that I be partnered with someone in the US because I was low on money that month, but it wasn't a big deal, there were plenty of people in the swap who could handle the international shipping.
I'm not sure if that answered your questions -- let me know if I've left anything out! :)
Posted by Morgan on 2004-09-08 01:29:34
Post Subject: Can't get in Canada?
I'm swapping something with a gril from Canada, & I was wondering some stuff you can get in the US (Californee), but not in Canada? I want to send her unique stuff that she can't get... so are there any Canadians who can help me, pretty please? Is there candy you've heard about or had on visits to the US that you can't get there? Or crafty stuff? All suggestions welcome! Thanks!
Posted by april again on 2006-03-25 11:34:38
Post Subject: handmade postcards
I started making my own postcards during the Valentine's day swap.. my first attempts werent as good as I would have hoped < sorry ladies who got my first ones :( > but it was a lot of fun and I *think* I have gotten better.
Now I am doing swapping on Postcardx.net due to someone posting it in another thread... it is great fun I just started this weekend and made 5 already.
My question is...does anyone know any websites pertaining to this where I can get some fresh inspiration?? I have lots of paper crafting supplies I picked up here and there and I love the nice boundary of 4'' by 6'' to keep me timely :)
Anything and everything pertaining to this would be welcome, I am so happy I think I really found *MY* crafting outlet!!
Posted by april again on 2006-03-25 12:38:08
Post Subject:
Well to be honest I don't and I hadn't even thought of it! But we do have a digital camera but I think maybe I was too shy to post thinking that they were not as good as what I have seen people make. Basically been playing around with pictures and picture effects and paper.
I did find some vintage postcard art that was free to take for the valentines swap and that was fun... I will try to get pictures made and I will post < thanks for suggestion!>
I have found some forums about postcard swapping but I was hoping to get some fresh ideas since I am not very artistic.
Thanks for reply!
**edit: just found a really neat site with FREE clip pictures for scrapbooking etc... link is:
Posted by moon_lemming on 2005-01-03 12:49:56
Post Subject:
sorry, I left a few things muddled: we're swapping leftover blank holiday cards (ones that we bought/made to send out this year but didn't use) so that our swap partner can use them next year -- they can be bought or handmade. (Mine are storebought because I never get around to making them.)
Posted by kdaum on 2005-06-06 15:11:40
Post Subject:
Yes, you are only to make one 12"x12" block and will only receive one back. There is not going to be a quilt made-you are only swapping with the person's name whom I send to you. I only called it a quilt/applique/embroidery swap because you can either quilt, applique or embroider the block.
Posted by rokali on 2004-09-16 00:01:25
Post Subject: getcrafty swapmeet / marketplace; or live chat?
Hi all,
As we continue honing the current site, I've got some questions about what you might like in the future.
A lot of people here have their own sites, which are all amazing. And a lot of you sell / showcase your own crafts on those sites. Would you like to have a marketplace here for swapping & selling?
Posted by jean on 2004-05-20 12:01:42
Post Subject:
ah, thanks ladies.
i *was* thinking about trying to do a simultaneous nation-wide naked lady party (probably just the same evening)...and then having everyone send in photos and publish them on the site. a whole issue of getcrafty dedicated to all of your incredible ladies swapping clothes all over. and, i think i can convince boradway to send out free books to the first 20 people who send in their photos. would you all be interested?
Posted by ada on 2004-09-16 08:06:00
Post Subject:
Personally, I'm not big on live chat.
I quite like the marketplace idea, but then I don't have my own site (or sell anything), I guess it matters more what people who actually sell things think about it. The 'Girls Gone Crafty' board seems to fill some of the function of alerting people about your business.
On swapping, I don't know about having a seperate area for this. I guess I just don't check discussion boards (and all their different forums) regularly enough, and so I often find that I miss out on swaps I would be interested in, because they are posted up on a dedicated swaps forum, instead of as part of the general chat forum.
Posted by carriebear857 on 2004-11-29 15:03:34
Post Subject: Christmas Ornaments
My boyfriend's mother just asked me to join her in an ornament swap, which involves making 15 or so Christmas ornaments and then swapping them with 15 other ladies over dinner (hence the name... ornament swap). My dilemma is I don't know what kind of ornament to make! I have a little less than 2 weeks and I'm tight on time and money (college student!). Does anyone have any suggestions? THANKS! :)
Posted by delqc on 2005-09-12 12:39:32
Post Subject:
are we talking #s of them? if so, i'll have to back out. i was under the impression that it was just one. i get too involved and detailed to be able to send more than a couple.....
Hey sarabell - maybe it's just one. I wasn't sure so that's why I asked, but I guess I wasn't clear. I'll try again:
Would the swap be to make just one, or one for everyone who was swapping?
(I expect my confusion comes because I am a swap virgin - sorry!)
Posted by alteredtome on 2005-08-27 13:43:29
Post Subject:
I know, it's so hard to meet cool, interesting people once college/ high school/being young and into the bar scene and such is over. I think that's why Internet dating has become so popular. I recommend craftster.org, too. I was able to meet one lady here in Colorado Springs, CO, and another very involved, cool chic in Denver through them. I still haven't seen either face to face, but it's a start. Also, I am totally jealous that you're in Toronto, cause I think their Church of Craft is still going strong:
http://www.churchofcraft.org/index4.html
I'm so grateful for the Internet now. 10 years ago, we would have been these lonely creative women, stuck in our towns with our kids, with no one to understand our need to craft. Now, heck, we've all got friends from all over the world, congratulating us on our efforts, swapping patterns, info, craft supplies. I love this crafting community, and am grateful everyday to have found it. Hehehe.
Posted by elseelse on 2005-03-31 09:48:39
Post Subject: Dayton, Ohio
Anyone out there from Dayton; I'd love to talk knitting, gardening, reading, music, cooking, anything with some fly chicas..totally down with swapping, tools, music, clothes.. what's mine is yours.
Posted by aphadon on 2006-09-26 10:04:44
Post Subject:
I have a Canon A430, and the only issue I've had is iff the battery gets low or if the card is getting full, it sometimes has a bit of lag in taking photos - but I have remedied it by making sure there is a lot of light, and using the flash, which seems to help eliminate the lag.
Otherwise, it's small, has a good macro feature, has some colour-swapping features that are neat, and can capture video.
Posted by jean on 2004-05-14 12:21:29
Post Subject: naked lady party: full report
the party was a huge success! lots of ladies, lots of champagn, lots of cupcakes, lots of clothing.
60 women swapping clothes, getting naked, chatting and making new friends. met tons of amazing people. and i got some bitchen new digs.
it was totally insane.
i highly recommend holding a giant naked lady party. no need to limit the numbers. really. it worked just fine with no rules. we just laid everything out on the floor and people circled and picked up what they wanted.
thanks for all your well wishes and support!
ps: technical glitches on the camera front; sorry no pictures!
Posted by Katrin on 2004-10-05 15:18:13
Post Subject: Bartering stuff
I like to make crafts from recycled materials. I have a lot of beautiful, inspiring "craft supplies" from my workplace (uh, the big green coffee mermaid) that would otherwise have just gone into the trash. Holidays are coming up, I'm feeling crafty, and I want to make gifts and things that I can exchange for other gifts.
The catch is this: Since the materials (coffee bags, gift cards, etc.) have the company logo and other licensed/trademarked images on them, I'm not allowed to sell my creations for a profit. I can give them away (which I plan to do for friends & family, but I'm not quite that generous to random strangers), or I can barter them for stuff that isn't money.
So I need ideas for things to ask for in exchange for my craft items. I figure a tote bag is worth about a $20-25 value. I'd put a card purse somewhere in the $60 range - I hope people don't think that's too high; they're very time-consuming and labor-intensive to make, and the other supplies that go into them are kind of pricey.
I've thought of trading them for services like house cleaning or haircuts, but those are only good one time ("Clean your bathroom again? No thanks; I don't need another purse"). I like the idea of swapping for other handmade items - particularly non-girly stuff for all my teenage nephews. Suggestions for non-handmade stuff to trade are always welcome too!
Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-05-25 05:58:57
Post Subject:
See,now, that just is not fair! I am looking at your t-shirt, Juna, and wondering what the print is exactly. And the fairy princess in me wants the white beaded formal/wedding gown. Happy vicarious swapping, ladies.
Posted by moon_lemming on 2005-05-08 20:41:53
Post Subject:
okay, I just sent all the addys via PM. let me know if you don't get yours!
please remember the deadline for send-out is May 31; if you run into problems and will be mailing out late, please PM the person you're sending to and let them know so they don't get worried. or let them know on this thread, whichever works for you.
Posted by craftfetish on 2008-01-25 11:37:55
Post Subject:
I think that crafty consumerism carries the same dangers as regular mass market consumerism.
If I am spending beyond my means or buying things I don't need, it doesn't make me a better person for buying a handmade scarf from an etsy seller as opposed to buying one at The Gap. And there really isn't much difference between buying yarn or glitter and buying video games - they are just tools to support a hobby.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not opposed to buying stuff. And I love handcrafted goods. Some things I can make pretty well myself. Some things are made much better by others. In the event of the latter, I am better off buying from or swapping with another crafter. Some things I should just admire from afar, rather than try to bring them home with me.
For me, I think the morality lies between thoughtful and thoughtless consumerism - DIY or no.
Posted by redheadedali on 2004-12-21 12:02:16
Post Subject:
I decided to make mix CDs for some of my work friends because, well, they cost almost nothing, and they went over really well. I knew the people around my age would dig them, but I made some for a few older ladies, too (not really old - my mom's age), and they went crazy over them. I think swapping mixes is kind of a generational thing, and for them it was something very unique. Anyway, I made individual mixes for different people, but I only had like 6 to do, so I bet you could do one and make copies.
Posted by pudding on 2005-04-15 22:30:15
Post Subject:
I haven't gotten mine either. Either the person sending to me is outside the US, or I've been flaked on. I sent TO red.sugar.stars, but I don't think we're receiving from the same person we sent to, are we?
Rocket Helene and I were swap partners and we sent a purse to each other. Tinstarmerchant/red.sugar.stars sent an email to me with Rocket Helene's name and address at the start of the swap.
I definitely think we were swapping with only one person. But I did notice that tinstarmerchant/red.sugar.stars posted two thank yous at the start of this thread. Perhaps some people doubled up if there was an uneven number of swap partners? Or perhaps some people were confused, and sent their purse to Tinstarmerchant, thinking she was responsible for passing them on?
Maybe the only solution is to post the name of the person you think you should be receiving a purse from. I'm sure no-one thinks we would want to embarrass anyone else - the person who hasn't sent your purse may simply not even realise that they are your swap partner, if there has been a mixup!
OK!
I've just re-read the thread and edited to add these comments:
It seems to me that moon_lemming and h pets360 may have both been partnered with tinstarmerchant/red.sugar.stars, and she is yet to send out her swaps. Selah, I can't help you !! :-) I can't work yours out - you might have to tell us who you think you are swapping with.
My guess is that red.sugar.stars is probably still visiting and reading the forums, without posting. Hopefully she will read this thread and help us to work out what is going on!
Selah, moon_lemming and hpets360 if no-one has posted you a coin purse and we haven't had any response in the thread by the end of April, I'd be more than happy to find you each a lovely coin purse from my local seaside art markets and send them to you! I'm sure any of us would be happy to do the same thing. Don't worry, it might take a little longer than you were expecting but you won't miss out!
Posted by brdgt on 2004-06-23 09:57:32
Post Subject:
I've never done them myself, but I grew up at them - my mother did leatherwork and traveled to at least 4 craft fairs a year. I love the culture of the craft fair, the swapping between vendors, the sharing of ideas, and the traveling.
Posted by moon_lemming on 2005-04-25 13:39:09
Post Subject: coin purse swap TAKE 2! (addys have been sent out)
this swap is to make up for the fact that a good handful of people got flaked on in the last swap. it's open to everyone though, not just those who got flaked.
HOWEVER, I would like to ask that you let me know the name of the person you swapped with if you got flaked on, so that I can keep an eye out for those names. and keep in mind that if you're swapping internationally, your package might just be delayed. but you can still sign up, anyway, you'll just get another coin purse! :)
just PM me your info (getcrafty name, real-life name, e-mail addy, and mailing addy including country) if you want to sign up.
last day to sign up: May 6
send-out by: May 31
are those dates okay?
p.s. if anyone else wants to organize this, I'll hand it over, I just wanted to get the ball rolling. I'm not trying to be all bossy up in here, I promise! :)
Posted by pudding on 2006-02-07 18:51:14
Post Subject:
It was my baby shower on Saturday!
I enjoyed it a lot. My two closest friends from childhood gave the party for me and it was quite small - mostly family members and a few close friends.
We played the cheesy games, which was quite funny because most people had had a couple of champagnes and the games involved laughing at me, so hey, the crowd got into it...
These are the games we played:
1. Everyone brought a baby photo. These were numbered, then passed around the circle and everone had to write on a piece of paper which photo matched which person at the party.
2. Everyone was given a piece of string longer than my belly measurement and they had to estimate then cut the string to the length they thought would fit around my belly. My friend had "pre-measured" me with another piece of string so to work out the winner the strings were measured against my string - I didn't have to wrap the strings around me in front of the group.
3. Four people took turns to put a nappy on a Humphry B. Bear doll while blindfolded. The fastest time won but my friend had a list of ridiculous rules like "could Humphry's wee leak out of that nappy" etc. (I lost because of that rule, not that I'm bitter. Sniff.)
There was a lucky dip prize for the winner of each game - little packets of soap, bath oil etc. which my friend had gone to the trouble to wrap.
The party was in the afternoon so we had chips & dips, a fruit platter, cake, soft drinks, juice & champagne.
The guests brought gifts so we spent some time opening them and ohhing and aahhing over tiny singlets etc. and swapping stories.
The best thing for me was just being made a fuss of, and thinking about how all the women I love made the effort to do something special for me.
Oh, the last thing that happened was my friends passed around a card and everyone had to write down whether they thought I was having a boy or girl, a birth weight and the date they thought the baby would arrive. The guests all added messages and it was a great thing to keep from the day.
Posted by PamTheQueen on 2004-06-23 11:07:38
Post Subject:
I love the culture of the craft fair, the swapping between vendors, the sharing of ideas, and the traveling
Except for the travelling, it's kinda like GetCrafty!
Actually, the one show I did wasn't very friendly between vendors. It was very competitive. I don't know why I had issues, because I didn't have anything that competed with anyone around me, but they would all glare at me as I was taking money and getting attention. I know that show was an exception though and I am sure there are other shows out there with a happy atmosphere between vendors.
I do think I was helped by making eye-catching funny signs and I also embellished my items with large humorous tags and extra ribbon and fibers. Make your booth stand out and at the same time make it look inviting.
It also helps to have items that aren't at every show every year. I really think that is what helped me among those wooden santas and snowmen and one-stroke painted items.
If I think of more to help you, I will post them. I need to suck down another Diet Choke and get 4 bags done before noon (2 hours!).
Posted by pudding on 2005-02-16 02:21:54
Post Subject:
Hey! This is the first time I saw the message! Have patience girl!
I'd love to do it - so even if it's just you and me, I'm up for it. It would be my first swap too so I'm not sure what's involved organisation-wise. But I'm really pleased you posted this message because I've been really envious reading about other exchanges I'd obviously missed.
I'm busting to tell about the change purse I'd swap - but is it meant to be a surprise? :-) I didn't make it, I bought it at the markets and it doesn't hold credit cards, only coins and notes but it is so cool I kept it just to look at and enjoy. But I'm definitely up for swapping it because I'd love to have a present from the other side of the world, from a craftista no less!!
Posted by moon_lemming on 2005-02-16 09:13:53
Post Subject:
Hey! This is the first time I saw the message! Have patience girl!
Hee, ditto! (no internet on Tuesdays.) That would be a fun swap! I can't sew, so it wouldn't be one I made, but I'm sure I could find a cool one somewhere around here.
Re: organization, my suggestions (and only suggestions, because there might be a better way, I'm not a very organized person): Post a topic that says "coin purse swap" or something like that (or change the title of this one?) and put the basics in your post:
*what we're swapping,
*how you want people to send their info to you (e-mail or pm),
*what info you need (real name, address, e-mail address, usually),
*the deadline date for sign-up, and
*the deadline date for sending out (about two weeks after the sign-up deadline, usually, although longer is good, too!).
Then when everyone's signed up, usually the swap organizer will put a list up with the getcrafty names of everyone who's on board so people can doublecheck and make sure you got their info.
After the swap sign-up is over, the swap organizer e-mails (or pm's) each person the name and address of the person they're sending to, and sometimes list who's sending to who in the getcrafty topic as well.
Aaah, that was long, I'm sorry. I hope I covered everything, I suck at explaining stuff.
Posted by gink on 2005-05-10 00:47:39
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hmmm. back again. I may have misconstrued the topic (only having read the first page). I assumed people were trying to make one zine, as opposed to several and then swapping.
sorry!
Posted by manukenkun on 2005-05-05 10:54:23
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Hello hello- are any of you still into swapping? I've just about finished a mini-ish zine that I started for this swap- it would be great to actually get it out to some of you!
Posted by Stina on 2005-04-16 07:44:45
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i havent recieved any purse either! plus i dont know if the person i sent mine too has recieved hers, since she wont respond to my question in this thread. i dont know her on line name here so i cant even pm her. :( would anyone be interested in swapping with me if i'm being flaked on? i dont mind making a new purse, as long as i get one back.
Posted by kindarana on 2005-01-14 10:52:03
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Given that this is the second round of a reality show, you can also expect them to add another twist or turn - who knows, maybe it will be husbands swapping this time or a new surprise about who gets to spend the money.
Posted by bessiemae on 2006-01-01 08:53:15
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Babysitter Blues....
It's the worst! The expense. The hassle. Unreliable teenagers (even the best of 'em can flake on a moment's notice..or just not show up). Then, it's the $5-$10/hr, plus pizza $$, and whatever they scarf from your grocery budget.
Swapping "sitting" with other parents can be a nightmare, as you only find out later, that they let 5yo Hortense play "WarCraft" and and the 8yo was watching HBO after 9PM. Makes ya afraid to ask and even more scared to reciprocate.
Trust me, the moms of young kids (0-6yo) really, truly want and need to have friends, with or without children. These parents are trying desperately to figure it all out. Kids don't come with instructions, like knitting or crafty projects. Mine sure as hell didn't! Add a dose of sleep deprivation, snug finances, and isolation( 'coz who are you going to find to watch Hortense and how ya going to pay for it?) and it's a vicious cycle.
Ideas:
~ dvd/board game/poker/etc. and wine night at their home....after 9PM. Kids should be in bed, no sitter $$, and probably more comfortable than smokey bars.
~ tag team husbands/partners to care for the kids and let the wives/spouse equivalents go do their thang. This works surprisingly well. A gal pal and I have our husbands and kids all hang together at one home , while we go shopping, movie, crafting(at the unoccupied home), etc. Husbands like to socialize, too. Kids even enjoy it.
~ pot luck dinners where every one can join in...and leave when it's too overwhelming.
~ once a month, we have Girls Night Out. Dinner. Movie(chick flick). Gallery. Concert. Whatever. NO CHILDREN! Makes those without kids still feel special and loved.
~ meet for coffee or lunch while kidlets at preschool or better yet, swing by the Mommy's place during Nap time with a steaming latte and yummy treat. Bring your knitting and stitching. If you time it right, you may get 2 hrs of uninterrupted time with your Pal.
Posted by elecbunni on 2006-04-27 15:05:39
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If you have curtains in any of the rooms, you can make changes to those and make a big impact on a space. Can you take any down and let more light in? Can you hang them in a different way? Could you replace them with some great flat sheets you have extra of? Or add trim, stencil, dye them or use old ties as tie backs?
You could also ask your friends if they have anything they are getting rid of, or maybe even do some swapping?
Good luck! Everyone has come up with some great ideas.
Posted by blumen on 2004-10-23 11:34:48
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I would love to join in!
A few years back on the old getcrafty site I participated in one where everyone making cds were broken down into groups of four. The person organizing it would give you the three other addresses and you would make three copies of your mix CD. This way you could get three times the music with the same effort, plus since one girl in our group flaked, it was better than just swapping one and one and having someone flake -- we still got something from the other people.
Posted by Mish Mish on 2005-02-15 16:12:10
Post Subject: cookbooks galore
I love cookbooks and swapping recipes. My faves are:
-- How To Be A Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking by Nigella Lawson: yes, great photos, fun commentary and anecdotes preceding each recipe, and everything I've made has come out moist, tasty, and many other positive adjectives. Fave recipes include: Rosemary Loaf Cake, Double Apple Pie, Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake, Molten Chocolate Babycakes, Cream Chees Brownies, Fresh Gingerbread with Lemon Icing, and Edith Afif's Lime Pickles. Next try: Rhubarb Schnapps!
-- Beard on Bread by James Beard: My mother uses this book and James went to my alma mater, so it must be good. Great recipes for egg, battered, filled, flat, fried, sweet, and whole-meal breads including a stellar pizza crust, a zucchini bread and 2 killer banana bread recipes.
-- To All My Grandchilden: Lessons in Indonesian Cooking by Leonie Samuel-Hool: My mother is Dutch-Indonesian and this cookbook author was instrumental in my grandparents hooking up (yay for Leonie!). The book covers the basic, Western world favorites like gado-gado, sate ayam, and nasi goreng, as well as some traditional items you don't see in restaurants here in the US such as telur pindang (spiced eggs), tahu goreng (deep-fried beancake), sayur lodeh (vegetables in coconut sauce), and ikan pepes (wrapped fish). Also provides intro to Indonesian ingredients, often similar to those used in Thai, Vietnamese or Phillipine cooking.
-- The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins: My best friend swears by this cookbook; I recently replaced her paperback version b/c she'd overused it! My personal favorite is Mediterranean Rice with blanched almonds.
-- Laurel's Kitchen by L. Robertson, et. al: This is a great vegetarian cookbook. I went to school with someone who grew up as one of the "recipe testers"; he claimed a "charmed" upbringing. My favorite: Diana's Apple Crisp.
Posted by caugustine on 2005-11-15 22:49:28
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Hi,
Below are links to my two sites, one is where I sell my handcrafted jewelry and my friends textiles crafts, the sweetest little girls dresses, and the other site is where I list the PMC classes/workshops I teach.
If anyone is interested in swapping reciprocal links with either of my sites, let me know. I would be happy to add you to my links pages. My email address is listed.
