:: Blogger SWAP :: (you're invited!)

THE SWAP IS NOW CLOSED.  THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR ENTHUSIASM!

***NOTE ABOUT SWAP***

(added 2/2/14)

I will be 'closing' the swap in the coming day or so in order to draw names and get things started.  If you are interested in signing up and haven't contacted me/gotten back to me yet with your physical address, email, and blog information, please do so ASAP to avoid not being able to participate.  Also, I have decided to include Canadian participants after signing someone up without realizing she was from Ontario- all Canadian swappers will be swapping with fellow Canadians. thanks!

It is likely that my excitement will be dripping out of my fingertips as I write this post~  ever since my last swap, after being asked by a few other bloggers whether or not they thought a virtual one could be pulled together, I've been thinking about it.

A few weeks ago I emailed a handful of lovely women around the country to see if any of them might be interested in playing along and nearly all of them said yes.  And so, there is already a pretty awesome and solid base of folks ready to play along, but I'm hoping to take it a little further in the interest of connecting with others near and far and because, well, with something like this it may just be a case of the more the merrier.

This morning an article I wrote about hosting swap parties came out on Grounded magazine's website and can be found here:
http://groundedmag.com/hosting-a-handmade-swap-party/

And while this upcoming swap will differ from those in that we won't all be able to connect in person and eat, drink, and be merry while 'shopping' for our swap goodies, I do believe it will still involve plenty of fun and connection.  And it just might shake up cranky old February a bit.  And so, should you be interested in joining in, read on for more details and 'fine print', and contact me either via email or comment, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.  I do ask that in order to join in you have a blog (or some way for people to connect with you beyond a name on a card) of your own so that there can be a sense of connection and such for those involved.

Blogger Swap details

:: I will continue to spread the word for a week or so in order to grow this a bit, at which point I will 'close' it, draw names, and contact each of you with the name and address of the person whom you are to send your item(s) to **(please see note below concerning what items to send and details regarding them).  Please let me know when contacting me to sign up whether or not you have any food allergies and such, so that I can pass that important information along when the time is right.

:: I'll ask that everyone have their outgoing package in the mail in the second half of (BY the last week of) February.

:: we then wait anxiously as our packages make their way across the country from (and to!) us, and then  all have big smiles at our mailboxes one fine day.  we proceed to enjoy our goodies accordingly, and perhaps (hopefully) we've made some interesting and meaningful connections along the way.

:: possibly, repeat as needed

**regarding item or items to be sent:

please send items that are either edible or generally utilitarian. (see swap article above for ideas)  Those of you planning to sew/knit something may wish to send just one item since those are generally more time consuming than others, whereas if I make a large batch of salves or lip balms or jams or granola or who knows what- I'd likely send multiple smaller items along.  Be mindful of the time/energy/effort you put into it and know that what you will receive could reflect a similar expenditure of time/energy/effort, but that it may not, and make sure you are okay with that.  

I've already been asked by some about adding other little items from your hometown, or items you think 'your' person will like after you find out who it is and try to gauge their interests through their blog... of course that's okay!  there will be no upper limit to the kindness/thoughtfulness/effort that you pack into your little box! 

also- shipping costs will vary greatly from one item to the next, so think about that before deciding what to send along.  Some things may easily slide into a large envelope, others you may be able to fit into a small flat rate USPS box.  be creative!

*open to US residents only to ensure (relatively) even shipping costs for all involved, and to bloggers only for both connectivity and accountability*