APR: DIY Mail*art*o*mat **EDIT**

~ image above shows an ATC I received from the lovely @hollycm6 ~

Swap description: Mail+art+o+mat
Huge thanks to @fieldstudio31 for first introducing me to the Art+o+mat concept with her original DIY Art-o-mat swap (closely followed by the DIY Craft-o-mat swap for this very group!). I thought it was time for another round, but decided to adapt/theme it slightly, just for fun. :)

Traditional Art+o+mat pieces fit inside a box which measures 2 1/8" x 3 1/4" x 7/8" (54mm x 82mm x 21mm) – there is a printable template available here. The box is then wrapped in cellophane and vended from Art+o+mat vending machines across USA (as I am in the UK, I am sad to say I have never seen 'the real thing' :( ). However, as there will be no vending machines involved with this swap, I will not be a stickler for the exact box size: an altered (standard) playing card box (or similar) is fine as an alternative if that is easier for you than printing the template above. To stick with the concept, though, the box should not be matchbox style.

Decorate the outside of your Mail+art+o+mat box using your own mail art style, in a manner to complement the contents; then fill your Mail+art+o+mat box with an item or items which are handmade and mail art-themed. Some ideas for contents:

• a booklet, mini-sheet, or strip of artistamps
• a micro-zine
• mailing labels
• mail art stickers
• envelope seals
• miniature envelopes
• a hand-carved rubber stamp
• a set of mail/postal themed inchies
• a crafted item made from re-purposed junk mail
• a crafted item decorated with used postage stamps
• a crafted mail art 'accessory' of some kind
• just be creative!

Wrap your filled Mail+art+o+mat box with cellophane or similar wrapping. (When I made my DIY Craft-o-mat box I mutilated a greeting card cello-bag for the wrapping.) The wrapping does not strictly need to be cellophane, but should be transparent so that the box within is clearly visible.

Swap requirements

• 1 partner = 1 Mail+art+o+mat box sent and 1 Mail+art+o+mat box received
• Send on time!
• Please do not include FBs/slams/decos etc
• Your Mail+art+o+mat box should either follow the traditional Art+o+mat dimensions (see template linked above) or an altered standard playing card box or another similar sized handmade box (try this box template from Mirkwood Designs). The size should not exceed (approx.) 1/8th of a standard letter-size or A4 sheet of paper and be no smaller than the traditional Art+o+mat box. The style should be playing card rather than matchbox.
• Your Mail+art+o+mat box should be decorated by you, and enclose items handmade by you. This means no store-bought or vintage items for this swap, unless customised/altered by you. This is not a stash swap.
• Whether one or several items are enclosed within your Mail+art+o+mat box, please ensure at least (approx.) 50% of the inner space is filled (e.g. a single loose artistamp will not suffice!). Use tissue paper/bubble wrap/etc to pad out any unfilled space.
• Wrap your Mail+art+o+mat box in cellophane or similar before packaging.
• Package your Mail+art+o+mat box well, both inside and out, so that it is not crushed in transit.

The obvious bit
As well as meeting requirements as outlined on group homepage participants must have no late swaps on their dashboard, no 3 ratings in the last 3 months, and no 1 ratings in the last 12 months. I will check before assigning partners, so please contact me if you are concerned. I will take extenuating circumstances into account, but the happy swapping of the majority is the most important factor.