I found this cool site called Swap-Bot, http://www.swap-bot.com/ and it's been keeping me pretty busy lately. This site deals with swapping items, mostly craft related, with partners from all over the world. When you sign up for a swap, on the last sign up date, the computer randomly selects the partner you send your items to.I am hooked on their ATC swaps. ATC's are artist trading cards, that measure 2-1/2 x 3-1/2. They can be made from any medium; stamping, paints, pencils. stickers, scrapbook paper, etc, and embellished any way that you would like. You trade these cards with other ATC collectors, similar to baseball card trading. The only rule for creating an ATC is that it must measure 2-1/2 x 3-1/2, and the backing you use for the base of the card must be a heavy duty card stock or chipboard, which can withstand glue, all of your embellishments, and of course the US Postal system.
The picture above are 4 ATC's I made for the baby ATC swap on Swap-bot. When creating your cards, you are limited only by your own imagination, and the theme of the swap. I enjoy using various scrapbook papers and Jolee's stickers, as well as patterned ribbons, and lots of sparkly things.
Between my business, and the kids, it was hard finding the time to do something just for me, but making these ATC's only takes an hour or so a night, and it gives me something to look forward to. If you have the time to give something new a try, check this out. You can sign up for as many or as few swaps as you have time for, so if you're afraid you might not have the time, just try one at first. You can always join more swaps later. Happy swapping! :)
4 comments:
This sounds like a blast!
It is awesome! If you aren't too into crafts, there are lots of other swaps going on, so I'm sure you can find something. When you go to the site, click on the Find Swaps link, and then browse through all of the swaps they have listed. Some of them have requirements, and won't let newbies join (because of past flakers) so just watch out for those. But, I just started last week, and already have 8 completed swaps under my belt, so it doesn't take long to meet their requirements. :)
I love stamping - just can't do it until after the girls go to bed because they want to help me or do their own project and it's just a huge mess that they don't clean up.
Do you have to make postcards or just something that won't fall apart in an envelope?
There are lots of different swaps that you could use your stamps on. ATC's, postcards, handmade greeting/holiday cards, recipe cards, notecards, bookmarks, handmade envelopes, glue books, etc. Here are a few links to get you started:
http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/20308
http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/18606
http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/19463
http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/19953
http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/19723
http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/20029
If you need any help, just let me know. I think you'll really enjoy it. It's really nice to spend some time working on something you enjoy, and being able to go to the mailbox and get something nice from someone else, instead of the usual bills. It has helped me get motivated to get all of my work done during the day, so I can have time to spend working on my swaps at night. I look forward to it every day. :)
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