Be My Guinea Pig #4 - Pocket Letters

Sometimes you see things on Pinterest and you just want to try them. But, let's face it, Pinterest can be an intimidating place, because for the most part, when we try to do what we see on there it fails. Sometimes comically. Even once you've practiced something a few times it can be scary to let the world see it. That's where this swap comes in. Much like #1 and #2 in the series, which were for inchies and envelopes, this swap will allow you to try something new in a safe, supportive place. You have the right to fail as long as you put it in the mail! This time we're going to make POCKET LETTERS... more details after the usual spiel. And just so y'all know, I'm TERRIFIED to try this because all the examples I've seen are pretty darn amazing.

Please skip this swap if you are an accomplished maker of pocket letters to avoid sucking the soul out of those of us who are frightened to see what happens if we let our newbie hands put together all sorts of ephemera into those nine little pockets. You don't want to suck the soul out of someone, do you? "No!" is the correct answer to that question.

Go through mail you've received, click around on Pinterest (here's where I keep all the mail art-related pins I want to try: https://www.pinterest.com/nancykoziol/snail-mail-ideas-2015/), or come up with your own idea. Include in your letter where you found the inspiration or if you came up with it on your own and whether or not you'd try it or another type of mail art in the future.

Here are the rules for this swap: 1. Each swapper must create one piece of mail art (a pocket letter this round) and send it to her partner. This means you must send a vinyl pocket page with 9 sections and tuck a letter into one of them along with the decorated sections. I'm including some helpful links in the comments which will either inspire you to join or make you pop a few Xanax. I'm right there with you! Whether you do something themed (ie. Christmas, About Me, The Brady Bunch) or random it's sender's choice. The pocket letter must include 9 filled pockets and a tucked in letter to receive a 5.

1. As per swap-bot rules, meeting the requirements of the swap must result in your partner getting a 5-rating. Whether or not it's good doesn't matter. Whether or not you like it doesn't matter. Be fair and give fives appropriately.

2. Whether it is themed or unthemed is sender's choice. You decide what gets a heart.

3. You must have a rating of at least 4.9, no recent unexplained 1's or 3's. I reserve the right to ban as I see fit. New? Lower rating than required? Message me and I'll see what I can do, even if it's swap with you privately.

4. Don't flake. Seriously. Just don't do it. I will angel but I it's your job to follow through if you sign up.

You can find a pretty good description of pocket letters here: http://www.thereadingresidence.com/how-to-make-a-pocket-letter/ that includes ideas for how to make one. Don't forget to tuck a letter into one of the pockets!! While there are some crazy examples out there, this is a swap for us who want to try so don't kill yourself trying to craft a perfect pocket letter.

An idea to keep this fun and manageable is to make it around the theme of, "Paper Crafting Must Haves" or something like that and send some items the receiver of your letter could use in the future... maybe a clear stamp that fits on an acrylic block in one, some stickers in another, washi samples in a third... you get the idea.

If you have any questions about the swap or your idea don't hesitate to message me and I'm happy to help you out.