Swap ideas for the new year (2007)

[PrincessNancy96]

I was wondering about sizing too.. I was thinking w/ an element only swap.. doing 8-10 people and only doing 2 groups... This way you could sign up for both groups...and you'd get either 8-10 sets of items per group..
Also, I'm going to have a 3 week deadline.. if I don't hear from you by the 3 week deadline, I'll give you 48 hours and than I'll angel those spots.. I don't want anyone waiting like the Rare Chac. Swap.. I know some of that was due to my family emergency and I kept everyone informed...which helped me emotionally too....but I think it's awful we waited for a package that still has not arrived..

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I think we might want to arrange the swaps so we have no more than a big swap (parks, character), maybe a single element swap (tags, pockets) and a embellishment swap due in the same month. I think people got into a little trouble with so many page kits at the same time.

I also wonder what people are thinking about the size of the groups. I know before I started swapping that there was a lot of talk about groups becoming too big. I remember seeing one with 24 people. So we did a lot of 5-6 people swaps this year, but it seemed like everyone signed up for multiple groups. It seems like people like getting a lot of different stuff, so I'm wondering if the small groups are just a little too small. But I think they are good for newbies.

I was thinking the same thing, maybe only 1 kit swap a quarter? I also like 6 people per group. I suppose for the element only it could bump to 8 with the exception of World Showcase which is 11, 12 if you include the African Outpost. For newbies I will stick only with 6 if I am hosting.

ETA I'm up for multiple groups depending on the subject.

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

 

[Mickeyteacher]

I was wondering about sizing too.. I was thinking w/ an element only swap.. doing 8-10 people and only doing 2 groups... This way you could sign up for both groups...and you'd get either 8-10 sets of items per group..
Also, I'm going to have a 3 week deadline.. if I don't hear from you by the 3 week deadline, I'll give you 48 hours and than I'll angel those spots.. I don't want anyone waiting like the Rare Chac. Swap.. I know some of that was due to my family emergency and I kept everyone informed...which helped me emotionally too....but I think it's awful we waited for a package that still has not arrived..

I agree- if you can not check in I will angel spots. I think it is wrong to hold a spot and not follow through. I Think that it would be nice if you are a hostess and notice on another swap that there is someone who has flaked, that you tell the other hostess only if they sign up for the other swap. In my case, I think if I know I have a flaker, they will have an earlier deadline- if their package is not in by that deadline- I will angel it. That way the angel can still get everything done and shipped in a timely fashion. Does that make sense?
Also, I like smaller group. I did several swaps where we made 24 of one element- I like to have 6 spots- However I think I should do 12 spots for the monthly swap.

S

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

In my case, I think if I know I have a flaker, they will have an earlier deadline- if their package is not in by that deadline- I will angel it. That way the angel can still get everything done and shipped in a timely fashion. Does that make sense?
S

Like being on probation. I agree!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I was thinking of 8-10 per group but making the element numbers smaller so it's not so overwhelming... and meticulous (however you spell that word)... like instead of 2 journal boxes do, do one.. instead of 2 tags, do one... instead of 4 square, do 2... kind of mix it up a little.. add a few others pieces, like a match book, a puzzle piece, a sign (not a title but a sign like for a ride)...

ETA: I like the idea of a earlier deadline too... I totally agree with that... I'll do angel spots in a heartbeat in addition to mine.. especially since everyone was so kind when I need angels!!!!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Has anyone thought about timelines for each swap... Like 6 weeks or so? I just think when we have extended the time for months we end up w/ more problems.. I know that I the way it's been w/ mine... or a 4 week deadline..that would allow swappers to check in routinely..

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Read this on another forum. how about for a general swap have different teams. One for elements and one for page kits. Same theme but like Team Imagine does elements and Team Magic does page kits.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Has anyone thought about timelines for each swap... Like 6 weeks or so? I just think when we have extended the time for months we end up w/ more problems.. I know that I the way it's been w/ mine... or a 4 week deadline..that would allow swappers to check in routinely..

I say it depends on the swap, kits maybe 8 weeks, elements 6, and store bought would be 4.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Alright I need to get off this thing and go install the MIL's computer. Note to self, post 50 is where you left off. Keep the ideas coming everyone. Once we get a good idea of what we have I can fill out the calendar. I will also put a link to the calendar on this thread.

C-YA

 

[ddavis860]

I agree- if you can not check in I will angel spots. I think it is wrong to hold a spot and not follow through. I Think that it would be nice if you are a hostess and notice on another swap that there is someone who has flaked, that you tell the other hostess only if they sign up for the other swap. In my case, I think if I know I have a flaker, they will have an earlier deadline- if their package is not in by that deadline- I will angel it. That way the angel can still get everything done and shipped in a timely fashion. Does that make sense?
Also, I like smaller group. I did several swaps where we made 24 of one element- I like to have 6 spots- However I think I should do 12 spots for the monthly swap.

S

I agree too. That way the host is able to keep things on track. That seems to be a terrible imposition for a host, waiting for that last package that is "in the mail" with no DC number.

I like the smaller swaps too, unless it makes sense for it to be bigger, like the monthly swap. I just get bored doing the same thing over and over

I'm loving the ideas! Everyone here is so clever! It's like Christmas when it comes in the mail.

 

[Caitsmama]

I like groups of 8-10 for element swaps.. Hosting the pirate swap was a breeze, i only had 2 groups of 10 and each person did one element. These page kit swaps are starting to fry my brain!! LOL
And i think a faster turnaround is better.. i think when there is too much time until the due date, that is where you run the risk of people jumping ship..

Also, i would LOVE LOVE to do a DCL circle journal.. and mabye another DCL swap!!

 

[bookmama]

omg there are so many i want to participate in. the monthly swap, and the universal, the pet. this list goes on and on. I'm really going to watch the openings so I don't overwhelm myself.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

I really like the idea of the smaller groups/fewer elements. I am going to try not to do as many swaps next year. . .must catch up on scrapping! I also like the idea of having the "check-in" deadline and all of that. I know that that was a frustration to me with the holiday swap, and I think that would help!

I would be interested in doing a small element swap in each park, since I know I will eventually use that stuff! Now, I must find a way for them to let me post at work so I don't miss sign-ups!

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

Brooke, LOVE the new pic in your siggie!!!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Brooke, LOVE the new pic in your siggie!!!

Thanks!! I just figured out how to do that today. I was so proud of my "techie" accomplishment!! We won't mention that it took me 6 times to get it right!!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I'll never tell Brooke!!!

 

[KatDisney]

I wanted to chime in as well..

I also agree that a few less "swaps" each month would be nice. But you also don't want to be exclusive either. Maybe set up a schedule of certain swaps and leave room for a couple of smaller swaps . It is hard to say no. I know that I personally LOVE the smaller groupings. I also like making 1-2 elements. The not so far out there due date is better as well, because not so many people forget, get to busy or simply just flake out. I think usually a month is plenty of time to do a swap with 10 people, especially if your only making one or two elements.

I know I've had a few touchy moments with all the swaps I was in but that was my own doing, I signed up for to many and then was unable to fulfill my commitment. It was not that I was trying to be a flaker. Life just happened. So I have set a new years resolution. I am not going to over whelm myself again. I am going to find the "fun" in swapping and just do 1-2 at a time. If I finish those and another opens up then I am free to join if thier is room.

How would the swaps be regulated? so to speak..

 

[PoohBearLovinMama]

There are so many great ideas here!

I guess I'm the oddball out! But, I really love doing and getting page kits. That way all I have to do is find a background page, arrange the page kit and slap my pics on. I get so many pages done that way! But I agree that should really be limited to 6 people per group max otherwise it just gets overwelming.

I LOVE the different teams ideas that Buffy had! That way everyone can join a swap and yet be able to get exactly what they want/need. I think this is the best idea!

I also love the idea of limiting how many swaps are due in a month and how long you have to complete them. That way you won't have 4 or so swaps ending in one month with sign ups that happened 4 months earlier. It can get very hectic, especially if something comes up or people (like me ) forget that they're actually in a swap. But maybe exclude embellishment swaps (Primas, Oriental Trading Co.) since you just buy stuff for those.

How would the swaps be regulated? so to speak..

What about having like a DIS board Swap Goddess who is kind of in charge of keeping track of what swaps are going on (like the swap calander) and making sure that too many swaps aren't ending at the same time.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Wow, what a great thread. I'm new to swapping, but I too have been thinking of ideas since I saw the concept LOL.

To start with the non-Disney stuff, I am *VERY* interested in the pet swap. I only do Disney scrapping, but I realized I had a ton of cat pics that I am doing nothing with and really would have fun with that. I'd like to request, though, that you divide it up into dog and cat, LOL. I don't need doggie parts...and I'm sure others don't need my kitty parts.

As for Disney - I'd definately be up for New England E's park swaps. That sounds like so much fun - I'm all about park-specific scrapping. I think MK would be a great place to start.

I also really, really like the idea of the World Showcase swap. I'm planning a WS layout right now for the pics I'm going to take on my next trip, and had planned on doing it as soon as I got back but I'd wait for a swap if that was going on. It might also be fun to do a paper trade with that one as well - there are some great country papers out there (flags and such), but it's hard to find them all in local stores. I was actually going to order a bunch over the internet. Would be more fun (and a lot cheaper) if people got multiples of what they have available locally and traded those for sets as well.

I like the idea of shorter swaps as well. I don't have the longest attention span, and many months for one swap doesn't sound as much fun. I'm a newbie, though, so what do I know.

I also like the idea of trading store-bought stuff as well...I've become quite a good scrap shopper (mainly thanks to the help from people on the scrap forum!) and would have fun getting deals and stuff on those.

In the spring, after I've participated in a few, I would like to host a simple one. I'm a big eBayer, so I go to the post office more days than I don't and am a GREAT mailer, if I say so myself LOL. I'd really like to do maybe a Tower of Terror/Haunted Mansion swap, or possibly a Living Seas/Nemo one (since many people will be experiencing that attraction for the first time). If I hosted an attraction swap like that, one of my contributions could be some actual in-ride photos that people could add to their own, if that interested anyone (I take lots of inside-attraction pics).

Sounds like so much fun...I can't wait to try!

NED