Card Swaps: Not just for demonstrators!

I love swapping cards with demonstrator friends and with my team members.  But, I do think that everyone who creates cards would enjoy swapping.  I found this article recently and wanted to share it with you ~ great ideas about sharing what we create!

If you are a demonstrator (or would like to be one!) you know that we demonstrators do a lot of card swaps. But even if you are NOT a demonstrator, you should still consider swapping cards with friends, family and demonstrators. ANYONE can organize a swap. If you have several friends or relatives who are stampers, think how much fun it would be to do a swap with them. Here are a few ideas, hints, and possibilities: Your favorite stamp set would make beautiful swaps. A swap of cards with different techniques or a swap where everyone uses the same technique and interprets it “their way.” A themed swap based on a holiday. This could be done for ANY holiday. A Birthday Card swap—who doesn’t need birthday cards! The same goes for sympathy cards. Gift card holders swap. Small treat boxes swap, either all the same size/holiday/birthday or different sizes. HINT: include a list of items that would fit in your box. A “Just for Fun” swap where anything goes! Organizing a swap: · Contact your friends and ask them to participate. · Decide on your theme or technique · Set the parameters of the swap: card size, number of layers, using embellishments, etc. · Current Stampin’ Up! items or any stamps? · What tools to use. · Packaging the cards: Do you want them to use clear envelopes to protect the cards? Do you want to have them package their swaps in a gallon zipper bag with their information adhered to the bag (name, address, phone #, email)? · Should they include the “recipe” for how to make the card or other item? · Should they include an envelope for each card, and should it be decorated to match the card? · Should they send a prepaid envelope for you to send the sorted swaps back to them, OR should they send $$ to you for envelopes and postage to get their swaps back to them. · Deadline to have the swaps from all participants. How strict will you be about this? · After you have all the swaps, sort them into a stack for each participant using their zipper bag. Lay the bags on a table or counter and put 1 of each card on it. · After sorting, place each participants’ cards in their zipper bag · Package for mailing. I hope you decide to host or participate in a swap. They are fun—especially when you receive your package and take time to ooh and aah over all the beautiful swaps you received. I am anxiously awaiting a Mini Catalog swap and a Sale-a-bration swap ~ hoping to find both in my mail box today.  It is such a treat to see how your friends use the products in the new catalog!  I hope that you enjoyed this article and that you will be that person who organizes a swap this month!  Susan Elise