Dont be late for Spring

When I signed up for the tea towel swap it was to my embarrassment that ninety nine percent of the woman hand embroider their hand towels, who knew? I decorated mine with a felted design, a small flower in the center with a touch of hand stiching. I felt awful for the poor woman I swapped with. As you can see, she embroidered me a lovely tea towel with a robin in a happy spring setting. My partner was an absolute gem, the first towel she sent some how got lost in the mail and still hasn't show; however, she sent another and here it is for you all to see.

The other swap (which is far more then that) is an RAOK or Random Acts of Kindness. Those who sign up keep a watchful eye on the others who have signed up and send random items such as cook books, post cards, candy bars, or what have you to other woman they think need a pick me up, or just to let them know that someone is thinking of them. Now, I have to say, these are some of the most generous, caring, thoughtful woman I have connected with in a long time. The little pot holders where one such item I received out of the blue. How can an act like that not restore ones faith in others when you need it. I have other wonderful items I have received and will post at another time. However, I think the gift I have gotten that means the most is the friendships I have made.

Thank You Easter Bunnie!

The Easter swap was one of the most entertaining so far. It has been so interesting to hear and see what each of the ladies sent each other. Items have ranged from Swiss army knives to jelly beans and stuffed animals. My original partner was late to the party so another woman and I agreed to swap. Since that time partner #1 has notified me that she would still like to swap, but not till a later date. So what we have here are the items from my first "Spring" swap. The rules of this was to fill an egg carton (decorated or not) with items that would fit. Now, it was funny some girls cut the tops off, others did not. Some girls put small items, others put large. If you ever can join a swap like this, I would suggest you grab the chance. On the left, is the carton I sent out. After cutting off the top I covered the carton in hand made grass paper which I applied with modge podge. I then filled it with the following items: Two Cadbury eggs, a birds nest with buttons in it, a mini rabbit which hangs on the side of a flower pot, lip stick, mini perfumes, face cream, a geranium candle, cuticle cream with gold leaf in it, stickers, chocolate covered pomegranate seeds, an angel pin that reads Farm girls are like little angles that bring a smileto our face and a pair of pink socks. (Its AMAZING what one can stuff in an egg carton) I then wrapped it snugly in an Easter towel and tied it with a green satin ribbon.
The carton on the right is the one I received, and I LOVED it. Included were multi colored eggs filled with little items, jelly beans, a birdie stamp, lady bug buttons, a mini flash light, Swiss army knife, a little razor cutter, a mini pin cushion that your can wear on your finger, Burt bees hand salve - lip balm and rescue ointment, a teeny tiny garden set and a fabulouse bird cage necklace with a little bird inside that swings back and fourth. Now how cool is that !?

Luck Of The Irish

The Saint Patties swap was quick, fun and easy. Each girl was assigned a partner and created what ever St Patties represented to them. I sent my partner a felted shamrock pin with little white polka dots, a funny little fridge magnet with yellow flowers and recipes for traditional Irish fare. In return, I received a fun little packet of goodies which included a hand crochet pot holder in shades of green, a book mark that reads Friends forever, two note cards, two tea bags and a packet of corn seeds.

Up On The Roof Top Click Click Clik

Look in the mail box its something from old Saint Nick... Now this is a great on going swap! Its a year long Secret Santa swap. Each woman that signs up becomes, and has a secret Santa. Once a month you send and receive a gift by the 20th. The photo posted is the first gift I received from my SS. Oh how lovely it is! and I must say, what I appreciate even more than its beauty is the amount of time, energy and talent she put into creating it. I actually keep it hung on my hall door so I can see it every day, and each time I see it I am grateful for her thoughtful efforts. The hand felted antique cafe cup with hand felted possies is another secret santa item, was it sent or recieved? I can not say, its a secret...

Dont Loose Your Page

The book mark swap was fun easy and quick. After contacting our assigned partners and finding out a little about them, we went to work crafting a book mark that would suit the personalty of our fellow readers. I needle felted a book mark with a bright shinny apple on one end and a little green book worm on the other. My talented partner sent me a hand tattered book mark made in an array of pastel colors.

Buttons Buttons and More Buttons

My first swap was one for buttons. Twenty three woman including myself mailed two buttons to each participant. Buttons of all types arrived, big ones, little ones, shinny ones, buttons shaped like stars, flowers and trees. The way they were presented were as varied as the types. One woman attached buttons on a hand made pillow and one a spool of thread, and one shaped like the state of Texas where she resides. Another wire wrapped her buttons on a wooden hoodsie spoon, and yet another sent hers incased in a butterfly card. It was alot of fun going to the mail box every day and getting little packets of buttons from all over the country.

Pin Swap

One of the first swaps I signed up for was a hand crafted pin swap. You could use the medium of your choice and could include the ideas or likes of your swap partner. This is the pin which I sent out to my partner. Considering she is a farm girl and loves all things farm related, looking for something to pin on her jean jacket I chose cherries. I made it using wool roving and a single needle, this technique is called needle felting which I do quite a bit of. Though the deadline for sending out pins has long come and gone, I have yet to receive a pin in return....... However, when I do get one I will post it.

*Never recieved a pin in return from my partner.

Welcome to The Swapping Crafter

My passion is swapping hand crafted items on line with those who enjoy the same. Recently I have been doing most of my swaps with the other woman from a farming sight. Its been exciting, pleasant, disappointing and eye opening all at once. There is nothing better then receiving a heart felt swap item that someone has put their time, energy , thought and talent into. On the flip side, its highly disappointing when an item is shipped out late or not at all with no regard for the other persons efforts. The ironic observation I have made is that the participants who do not hornor the swaps they have committed to, will continue to sign up for additional swaps if not blocked from doing so. Thus, it is important that you watch the swap boards and what swaps you choose, who is participating and rather or not they have honored their previous commitments. One last warning, do not be fooled by the number of posts or how long the individual has been using a certain sight or board. I have found that in MANY instances some long term users are the biggest offenders. In addition, you have to be able to honor the varying skill level of each individual, and take into consideration that usually one has no control over who they are paired with for each swap. If I sign up for a swap that includes embroidery for instance, I may not be a master at it, but my partner might be. On the other hand, I may be highly skilled at some types of arts and crafts that my partner is not, that the swap may also calls for. I happen to really appreciate the differentials in styles, skill levels and imagination of each piece I have received.

Upfront I must warn you that there is a "wide" range of moral compass in swapping communities, you must be willing to live with the unfortunate reality of getting burnt. However, being willing to accept the risk of getting burnt can be compensated by the over whelming joy that is felt when a swap goes well. For me, honoring my obligations, in a timely manner and creating an item as though the world will see it gives me great pleasure. Thinking of the individual who receive one of my crafted items and doing my best to achieve what I think they will like is satisfying. However, the response one gets from a recipient who truly adores what you have done is even more fulfilling. Now let me say that hand crafted items do not need to be expensive items. I have seen extrema things of beauty made from paper and ink. I believe it is the attitude you create with that gives the end product its charm.

In closing, I invite you all to stop by and check out the swap / craft items I will be posting here. Please feel free to comment or suggest other sights for swapping hand made items.