Swap Basics

Welcome to our swap basics page. Here we'll go over some common questions that come up concerning the swap. And we'll add more questions and answers over time as they arrive. Some questions will have been answered in outgoing swap email correspondence, while other information will have been asked for through other outlets.

What is a "medium" sized craft?

Our craft swap goal is a "medium" sized craft. This type of project requires several sessions to complete, and can't be done in a single afternoon. A collection of smaller crafts is an acceptable alternative, as long as they add up to a medium size project for your recipient. Including smaller crafts and or bonus items in your package is always nice to do. If you don't think your main craft qualifies as a "medium" craft, by adding smaller crafts it can make your package seem more robust. You can get inspiration from the galleries.

What kind of shipping should I use?

That's really up to you. Though we do recommend adding tracking to your package. Why? Because it can give you some peace of mind. The USPS has packages with preset prices, up to a given weight that include shipping. Personally I've had a number of positive experiences using them. But it really depends on what sort of item your shipping. So keep that in mind when you're deciding how to safely send off your swap project.

Why are there only 30 slots in the swap?

This is an awkward question, but it comes down to logistics. It's far easier to keep track of 30 people participating in pairs, than larger groups. We have 15 pairs.  It's a manageable number to check on, and if we do end up needing angels, it's easier to keep track of who actually follows through with their commitments. In the swaps it can be hard to keep track of what's been completed or not if there's large numbers participating. I do admit that I feel bad keeping it small and having people that may have missed out on registration, but as long as people complete their packages, and want to do craft swaps it may become a regular(ish) thing.

How much is too much to spend?

To keep things fair and because I have noticed this in other swaps, for future reference please spend no more than $25- $30 on your swap craft. This isn't counting the shipping, but it does count any extras you may be including. Not all crafts are expensive, but they all have a variety of skill sets required to complete them. Please keep in mind that what you make and receive may vary.



(Most recently updated 1/21/19)