Craft Your Craft #1 - Autumn

This is a good swap ,but I am concerned about the equality of some things that could be sent .For Example.... sewing , knitting , crochet, embroidery ,jewllery are of much more value than paper crafts . I would hate to send say something sewn to receive a few ATC's

Hence why I mentioned 'use your own good judgement' and the $7-$10 estimate. It's not a fail-safe system and future swaps in this series may have some tweaks here and there, but I think in the end each of us will have our own idea about what something is worth, so instead it may be best to keep an open mind when you receive from your partner (think of it as a bit of a lucky dip), and avoid any big, time-consuming projects that could leave you disappointed at what you get in exchange.

Personally, I've participated in some of these 'craft your craft' style public swaps before, and looking back I never actually gave a thought about whether what I received was of the same value as what I sent, mainly because I knew what I made was made with love and especially for that person, and I received the same in return, which I loved (I'll have to look it up, but I don't think those swaps even had a monetary "worth" to them; it was just 'your craft for my craft; two if it's cards or ATC's' - that kind of thing). I recall the last I took part in was one where I made some jewelry in the style & colors my partner liked, and I received a felt strawberry magnet (which was really adorable). :D

Whew - sorry about that rant! :)

Anyway, if you have any suggestions of your own on how this could be improved, by all means please suggest away; input can only make things better ~

Thanks for your speel strawberry , it will make people aware of everything. I guess I am not into paper stuff when it comes to these sort of swaps

Well I'm not a seamstress and I don't knit, I was thinking about doing this swap, but now I feel a little intimidated. I really only do papercraft. :/

@redcrystal - you don't need to feel intimidated (I'm sorry if something I said made you feel that way), I and a number of other people would feel more then happy receiving papercrafts (the two cards or atc's that I mentioned in the example is perfectly fine for this swap - I know if I get something like this my mum will totally pounce on it and claim it for her own.. she loves handmade cards & such with a passion).

I make jewelry myself and I know there are a number of people whose cup of tea it surely isn't, but if that's the case with a partner I get I'd like to think they know or can find someone who WILL like it. More-so I'd hope that they would know that I'd put my time and effort into it and found some merit in that at the very least.

As I mentioned, everyone has their own opinion on what something handmade is worth, but my goal in this swap was to focus on each of us to be able to make something from the craft we love, and so see it from the personal side rather then it's monetary value. To me - when someone has made something specifically for me - how much it's worth in dollars and cents is the last thing on my mind!

Please remember that this is primarily SENDER'S CHOICE after all, so if you enjoy papercrafts, by all means make something papercraft-ish - I know I'd love getting it! :)

And once again, sorry for the rant! XD

redcrystal - maybe you could ask your partner whether they like ATCs or cards. Some other paper craft type suggestions: Filled matchbox, decorated notebook, bookmarks, christmas tree ornament (use a harder cardboard), recipe cards, journal page, matchbook notebooks, hanging (again use hard card), paper dolly type hanging (start with a string and add your little hangy things), matchbox shrine, concertina type notebook/card/thingy, handmade envies, hanging ornaments just because not necessarily christmas, decorated cornucopia thingies, paper beads, ummmm..... that is about all I can come up with at the moment! I also am not much of an ATC or card person - because I have a massive collection of ATCs and don't know how to display anymore and I am a really bad card writing person - but I am using the adorable cards I've received to try to make me send more cards! But there really are bunches of options for papercraft - and if you put your heart into it, I'd still love your ATC or card!

Thanks for the great suggestions @michellew - it's true, there really are a lot of options for paper crafters, and sometimes it's fun to try making something you haven't before within your crafting "niche", especially when it result in discovering a new crafting hobby! :D

I agree with the learning new stuff - swap-bot has been brilliant for making me try different things! I have learnt so much stuff here :)

Sorry I said anything in the first place ,But atc cards are not my cup of tea ,I guess I don't collect them therefore have no value for them

Yeah, I can see that, but I guess at the end of the day it's "Craft YOUR Craft". I hope you like what I send, if not, you can always pass it on :)