SWAP GUIDELINES

Card Swaps - 5 or 10 cards 

1.  SHIPPING - You are responsible for ALL postage, forward and return. My zip code is 89511. Full address will be emailed. Swaps must be sent early enough so they arrive to me BEFORE the last day of each of the swap months. Any cards received later will be held and swapped the following month. 
  • 5 CARDS will send as a “large envolope” with 3 Forever stamps as long as the envelope is less than a quarter of an inch thick. (Unpadded and not folded over). 
  • 10 CARDS are considered a “package” and rates will depend on your location. (Between $4-$6) Packages need to have a tracking number that you are responsible to keep track of. This means either taking your package and return envelope to the post office clerk to be posted and shipped, or printing and attaching your own paid shipping labels. You can do this through USPS website, or an online paid postage/shipping subscription company. I use pirateship.com that shares their discounted USPS shipping prices with anybody that would like to use them without charging a fee. (Another alternative is sending 2 sets of 5 cards in separate envelopes with 3 Forever stamps for postage). 
  • Return Envelope - Include a self-addressed return envelope with a per-paid return shipping label or postage. Please put your address for both the forward and return address. If there is a postage problem, the swaps will get to you with postage due rather than coming back to me.
  • Local - If you are local to me, we can arrange drop off and pick up of your swaps. I have no problem hanging onto them until you can get them.
2. Protect your cards -
Please put all your cards in a Ziploc bag with your name to protect them from wet weather and rough handling by USPS. You don't want all your hard work to be compromised. Also, cards with glitter, bows or other embellishments, which stand away from the card front, will need to be placed into individual clear sleeves, a sandwich bag or a card sized envelope. Swapping is easier when the cards do not get caught up on each other, glitter does not rub off onto other cards, and there is also less likely to be damage to the cards during shipping.

3. There is NO theme - 
Create the card you want each month. Try a new technique, use those favorite sets, or the ones that you haven't had the occasion to use, even though they've been in your stash for years. (We all have them!) November is the only month there is a suggested “winter” theme. 

4. Quality cards only - 
We are looking for your best work. Cards need to be neat and clean of extra glue and ink smudges. Have clear images and no crooked layers (unless that's what you're going for). Poor quality cards will be returned to you. You can use any brand merchandise. But, please use card stock that is of good thickness and quality.  

5. Cards must be similar -
Please send a set of cards that are similar in size, layout and design. Small things like color, paper design, ribbon, ect. can be different, as long as the cards are still mostly similar to each other. 

6. Complete cards on the inside -
Sometimes the work on a card front is wonderful, but when the card is opened, there is nothing. :( It feels unfinished. So create something for the inside too! If your card stock is dark, place a piece of lighter colored paper inside so that it is easier to see writing. It could also mean you may add other things such as a strip of patterned paper which matches the front of the card, or stamp a small image. No sentiment needs to be stamped. But the card should look finished when it is opened.

7. DO NOT put your name on your cards - 
Feel free to put your name on a Post-It Note or scrap piece of paper in with your card if you would like. But please don’t permanently apply your name on the card. When this group first began, the members felt more likely to use the cards if the back was not stamped. So we leave names off.

8. You do NOT need to include a recipe - 
Of course you are welcome to if you would like.

9. You do NOT need to include an envelope -
(Unless you like to stamp the envelope to match the card). If your card is not the typical card size, then please DO include an envelope. (See #2 above also). 

10. This is most important...HAVE FUN! Let's enjoy our hobby!

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