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NOV: Round Robin Mailart Zine

Launch gallery slideshow

Swap Homepage:http://farstarr.blogspot.com/2010/09/mail-art-round-robin-zine.html
Group:Zines, mail art & other cool stuff
Swap Coordinator:FarStarr (contact)
Swap categories: Challenges  Handmade  Mail Art 
Number of people in swap:10
Location:International
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:September 27, 2010
Date items must be sent by:June 29, 2012
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

Here it is.. finally..the long-awaited round robin mailart swap! :)

I am going to limit this swap at 10 people so that it will be more manageable. If there is a ton of interest, I can run it again.

The nitty-gritty:

We will each make a booklet by folding 5 8 1/2 X 11" (A4 will work for our international friends) pieces of either 110 lb. cardstock or 90 lb. watercolor paper and sewing it down the middle (by hand or machine). It could also be stapled if you absolutely couldn't sew. Just make sure that the pages fold over neatly.

Holding the booklet closed you will treat it as a fat postcard and do a journal page, collage, or painting on one side and use the other for the address, note and stamps. Apply stickers or small pieces of packing tape to the three open sides for mailing. If you would like people to stick to a theme, please put that in your first note to the partner you send to.

I sent a couple of experimental booklets out and you can see them here . They seem to be traveling well and I'm pretty sure this idea will work.

When you get the first mailart zine in the mail, cut open the tape, fold over a page and again treat the booklet as a fat postcard. Try to complete your page and move it along to your partner as soon as possible~~at least within two weeks. I set up this thread to keep track of whose booklet you have and how we are progressing. It would also be great if you would photograph or scan your work and post it here. Please try and cover addresses when posting photos online unless your mailing partner has indicated that it is okay.

I will make sure after assigning partners that they all work in a circle. If not, wait and I'll reassign partners.

We will all work in each booklet eventually. At the end of the process we will each have our own round robin mailart zine that has traveled far and wide! Note that since we are an international group, you may be sending to the same international partner 10 times. Please do not sign up for the swap if that could pose a problem.

Please post any questions below or on the forum page.

You already had to have a rating of 4.9+ with no recent no-sends, 1s or 3s to join this group anyway, so the same stands for this swap. But I will still double-check before assigning partners, so if you have what you feel is an unfair comment or rating, just PM me & we can try to work it out. :-)

Please communicate with your partner and/or myself if you run into any problems that might cause you to send late.

Discussion

pengrafyx 09/20/2010 #

I have a question about the paper we use - can we use patterned cardstock instead of plain cardstock or watercolour paper? Would that be outside the parameters you had in mind? Do you think people would mind collaging/writing/painting on top of coloured cardstock. I'd make it suitably neutral - not overpowering - just not blank. Thanks!

FarStarr 09/20/2010 #

Yes, you can use patterned or colored cardstock. I actually used a light brown cardstock for mine. It just needs to be a heavier weight than plain old scrapbook paper. I don't think anyone would have an issue with non-white backgrounds.

crescendo 09/20/2010 #

What was the postage cost for sending your booklet (US and international)? Did it go at small packet rate, or large envelope rate or other? Thanks!! This sounds lilke a great project.

FarStarr 09/20/2010 #

Mine were 3 ounces each and I was able to use the "large envelope" class. I imagine that the booklet will get slightly heavier as it travels, but I don't see them going up more than an ounce or two with the extra collages.

FarStarr 09/20/2010 #

I just ran it through the USPS site and it was $1.22 for US and $2.92 from the US to the UK.

StephL 09/24/2010 #

What a cool idea! I'm joining for sure.

FarStarr 09/24/2010 #

Thanks, Steph!

FarStarr 09/26/2010 #

I'm hoping to edit the swap date and assign partners when we get to 10. I'll email everyone first to make sure you're still in.

Peony 09/26/2010 #

OK, I couldn't resist. I'm moving around that time, but this looks like too much fun!

starrgazer 09/26/2010 #

I am eagerly anticipating this swap. I am open to date changes because I don't want to wait. Too cool!

FarStarr 09/26/2010 #

Thanks, starrgazer!

pahasiga 09/27/2010 #

I agree, too - why to wait a month?

FarStarr 09/27/2010 #

Yeah! We are up 10 players! I just emailed everyone to be sure that we are all ready and willing to play!

Don't worry, Peony, we'll make sure the zines get to you where ever you are!

FarStarr 09/27/2010 #

A couple of questions have come up:

The first one was about the weight:

My booklet started out at a little less than 3 ounces, which is about 80g.

The next question was about when the first round will be due:

I was hoping that we would be able to work with a two week or less turn-around for each zine as it comes to you. I'm thinking that it would be unreasonable to set send-by dates as there is a lot of International travel going on. So, you get a zine, you send it on within two weeks. We can keep track on the ZMACS forum.

I'm waiting to hear from a few more people before I assign partners. :)

RougeCRO 09/28/2010 #

I'm sorry everybody that I have to leave this swap! It's really great idea and I was so excited. But shipping costs are not normal here! If would get partner across ocean (which is more likely) even when I send first one it would cost me 5$, and it would be more for each one next! Have fun, I'm sure you will!

FarStarr 09/28/2010 #

No worries, RougeCRO! We'll see you in another swap, I'm sure...

Now...Do any of you lurkers (watchers) want to come play??? We still have one opening.. :)

oreon 09/28/2010 #

I'm so in! I cleared my swaps & now have room to play!

FarStarr 09/28/2010 #

Assigning partners worked!!

Farstarr sends to Oreon

Oreon sends to papercaper

papercaper sends to kimbeewa

Kimbeewa sends to starrgazer

starrgazer sends to Moose

Moose sends to pahasiga

pahasiga sends to AmyMarie

AmyMarie sends to StephL

StephL sends to Peony

Peony sends to Farstarr

Moose 09/28/2010 #

Would we start sending now already ? Or is the "send by" date the date that the booklet HAS to be sent ?

FarStarr 09/28/2010 #

I was hoping that everyone would be on board with sending the first round within 2 weeks, but I'll leave the send-by date the same just in case anyone hadn't planned on starting sooner.

Just remember though that even if you don't have your booklet started you may be receiving other booklets that need to be passed with 2 weeks of receiving them.

Moose 09/29/2010 #

OK, i actually signed up with that november send by date in mind, but i think i'll manage to get it out sooner !

FarStarr 10/12/2010 #

Hold on to your mailbox @oreon The fish are coming!

Kimbeewa 10/15/2010 #

Sending today to @starrgazer

StephL 10/26/2010 #

I sent my zine (#1) and @amymarie s (#2) today, so you should be getting a full mailbox @peony :)

FarStarr 10/27/2010 #

That means I'm next when peony is done...woo hoo!!

Moose 11/13/2010 #

I sent my mine and the first ones I got out today. I was a few days late with these two, but I will get the next ones out within two weeks ! I had another time consuming swap on my hands, but that's due on Monday and once that's out, I have the time to concentrate on this very cool swap !

StephL 01/14/2011 #

I've seen four of these so far, including my own. I was just wondering if they are all moving.

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