Spoil Us, (Local) Craft Goodies

Hello, and welcome to the Spoil Us, (Local) Craft Goodies. This is a big swap with a lot of requirements, but it is so much fun to make a parcel and to receive one that has so many lovely things in it.

This swap has crafting as theme. We all have a (or more) favourite craft(s). And most of us would like to try and learn about other crafts. Or would like to have a new, nice project to make. For this swap you will make a DIY-kit with instructions of YOUR favourite craft for your swap-partner. This way we all get to learn something about a (new) craft or project. The craft is your choice, so it can happen that your partner also likes to do that, but that wouldn’t be a problem, because everybody loves to receive lovely things to work with, right?

If you want to take a look on already send and received swaps, you can take a look at the following address: http://spoiluslocalgoodies.blogspot.nl/

Please read the entire swap description to prevent mistakes that might get you a lower rating than you deserve.

Let's start off with the list of things to send:

Things to send:

• 3 things about crafting in your town/country. For Example: brochures for workshops, catalogues or advertising mailings from a craft store, etc.

• 3 sachets of tea/hot coco/coffee to enjoy while crafting.

• 3 edibles. What do you like to eat when you are having fun with paper, scissors, fabric or glue? I like a bag of chocolate candy next to me. That is easy and it doesn’t crumble on the project I am working on at that moment! If you send sweets/candy, you must send at least 5 and they will count as 1 (no matter how many you send). Chocolate bars and candy bars count as 1 if they are approximately 15 cm / 5.9 inch in length. Everything you send must be properly wrapped, unopened, and undamaged. Nothing you send, can go bad in the mail.

• 1 DIY-kit: make a DIY-kit with instructions of YOUR favourite craft for your partner. This kit includes a clear description (preferably with pictures to make it more clear) and all the items that are needed for the project. For example: if you would send a Quilt-Kit, the kit would include a pattern, a how-to quilt (step for step, because we will assume that our partners are novices in this area), the fabric to complete the project, a needle, a timble and thread. You can cut the pieces in advance, but that is an option not a requirement.

• 1 craft magazine. The magazine has to have articles with craft tutorials or inspiration/ideas. Send something that matches your swap partner's interests. The magazine can not be folded, damaged, or rolled up. You can send a magazine from your own collection or bought at a thrift store. As long as it is in good condition.

• 1 local craft or something you’ve made yourself.

• 1 wishlist gift.

• 3 random Craft items. Can be anything you want to, as long as it's not trash. Nothing can be broken, damaged, torn, stained, dirty, and so on. (For example, things like candy wrappers fall under "trash".)

• Write a note or a letter to your partner in which you describe for example what your favourite crafts are and what you would like to learn or do more often if you had the tools/time/space/etc. It would be nice to put in some pictures to illustrate your story.

How To Pick the Goodies

When you put the parcel together, pay attention to your swap partner's profile. While you can never be a 100% certain your swap partner will like the goodies, you can not send things that are on their dislikes list. If you are uncertain about an item, I encourage you to contact your swap partner about it. And similarly if you receive something you feel is covered in your Dislikes List. If you receive something that's on your dislikes list and your partner won't make up for it, rating a 3 would be recommendable. However, you have to keep in mind that these are not wishlist-/profile-based swaps. So if you receive something, you don't like and it wasn't mentioned in your dislikes list to begin with, rating a 3 wouldn't be right. Of course, we're all different so when you leave something open to interpretation, there's a possibility your swap partner sees it differently. If there's something you and your swap partner can't seem to solve, you can always come to me - but I'd rather you solve it between yourselves. We don't make that big of a group and as long as we're reasonable towards each other, we keep the atmosphere pleasant and healthy.

Quality of items

I know I'm getting repetitive, but nothing you send can be broken, torn, worn (out), damaged, et cetera. These are gift parcels, so do send them as if you were giving a gift. Make it as special as you can, for example: don’t put all the paper items at random in a box, but bundle it, bind it or put in a beautiful decorate envie or something. For an extra special touch, you can wrap the items, so that your partner receives a beautiful box full of gifts (This is not required, just a suggestion!)

Do not send second hand clothing, beauty products, etc. If you do send clothing or beauty products, make sure they are sealed or that the price tag is still on them. If they are not sealed or if they come without price tag, include the receipt.

If you send handmade items, please make sure they are of a good quality (this means that you could sell it on Etsy).

Cost-Effectiveness

Minimum spending limit per item is 1 USD, or 0.75 EUR, or 0.62 GBP. Maximum spending limit per item is 10 USD, or 7.50 EUR, or 6.20 GBP. If the DIY-kit is going to cost more, you can spend less on the other items of course. The money you spend on the goodies does not have to be more than you can spare. But it's the shipping costs, that can make it pricy.

Keep in mind that the shipping costs will at least be the minimum costs of a gift parcel. These are things that can not be sent in an envelope. But you can greatly affect the amount of the shipping costs, as the costs increase with the weight. You could send lightweight items (for example a paperback instead of a hardback) or small items, just make sure they are worthwhile.

Also, if the post office asks you the overall value of the parcel, set the price at approximately 20 euros/dollars. That way your swap partner won't have to pay a customs fee when picking up the parcel.

Communicate! If you're delayed or have questions, always let your swappartner and me know. Communication is important!

Rating

Please rate your swap partner appropriately. As a coordinator I need you to rate a 1 when you got flaked on, because I need to be able to keep this a flake-free zone. The same goes for rating a 3 if the parcel did not meet the requirements. But if your swap partner makes it up to you, do change your rating accordingly.

Send your photos

It would be lovely to see photos of the goodies you receive. Pouffia puts them up on this blog:Spoil Us, (Local) Goodies. She’ll treat all your info with discretion. Only your username, country, and your swap partner's username and country will appear on the blog. Add your thoughts to the photos if you want. On the blog you will find the email address you can send it to or the link to Pouffia’s Flickr account.

Suggestions?

If you have any suggestions for future swaps, let it know in the forum.

Questions?

PM me. :)