Usagi

All this talk of Halloween has me hoping someone will run a 12 days swap for that. ;-)

Ooooooh! That would be fun! Someone should do a 12 days!

 

This!

I'll run one, if there aren't other volunteers. Arlith's 12 Days swap last year was awesomely fun. Also, this would be a good excuse to make a Halloween tree....

How about 13 Days of Halloween, starting on October 21 and Finishing on November 3, so that it could incorporate Dia de los Muertos?

Would a two week window between shipping deadline and start of the 13 days be enough to let internationals play?

 

 

Would anyone be interested in a Renfaire clothing swap?

Obviously it would not be a circular box type of swap due to sizing issues and stuff, but...

I am on medical leave and broke, but I need new garb to wear to Festival this year, heh....so I thought this would be a common thing we all may have to swap with eachother?

Someone in SCA once told me that local groups often organize seasonal jumble sale/swap meets to trade and sell garb.If swaps turn out not to work because of sizing or shipping constraints, that might be worth looking into?

 

Also, randomly--and probably not anytime soon-- but would anyone be interested in a swap where people make a journal/book of shadows/quote book/book of days for each other? Say, it would be a set amount of pages in a blank book that you would either illustrate or embellish, along with the cover for your swapper to be able to write in. I know that Joann's and Michaels have some really cute 8x11" blank canvas books for about $10. Or scrapbooks would work. Or even just a blank journal that could be modified. You'd add stickers and pictures and quotes based on your swappees tastes, and maybe(in the case of a quote book or recipe book) start them out with a few pages of good stuff, and they could fill up the rest with their own things. Or is that totally confusing/too labor intensive for swap timeframes?

All my opinions at once!

 

Backthatelfup, your Winter Solstice swap last year was really fun. The RPG swap sounds awesome, also.

 

I love Halloween swaps.

 

FragranceLush, an ATC swap sounds like a blast. But I agree that 3-5 would be a more manageable number-- for me, at least.

 

Ih8perfume, seed swap is awesome anytime. I'll play.

 

Lastly, would anyone be interested in another sample box swap, say, soonish(and by soonish I kind of mean signups opening maybe this weekend)? I think the samples have taken a leaf from my imps and are secretly breeding.

I've been thinking about this for a while, I've been wondering if anyone would be interested in an Autumn/Halloween themed box swap. Like decorate a box for imp/bottle storage and swap them. There's a chain of dollar stores in Canada that have cheap wooden boxes that would be perfect.

 

That sounds cool! What would the box dimensions be?

I'm all for a Halloween swap.

 

What is a build a box swap?

 

Build a box is where you make a sample box based on your swappee's profile. Basically, we try to see if we can be more awesome than the sample box subscriptions services.

Coltostallion, Arlith, and ih8perfume: Yes! We should have many Halloween swaps! I was thinking craft swap, decoration swap, card swap, digital swap(Brokewitch was *insanely* fun), music swap, candy swap...

Halloween just seems made for swapping.

 

Coltostallion, the Build-a-Box is not circular. It's a one on one swap, where you get a questionnaire and send your person a box full of awesome samples, and someone sends you one, too. You could totally play. Join ussss...

 

Arlith, do you mean you would rather not do a circular imp testing swap, but rather a one on one "surprise!" imp swap?

 

Also, the Why the Brides? swap sounds awesome.

 

Ih8perfume, I can add some 13s to the circular swap...

Yes, the box would come back to me one day. That way-- if all goes well-- perhaps it could become the awesome seasonal past LE sniffing Circle, or something.

 

Okay. I will get that one questionnaired(it should be fairly straightforward, address, will you be gone any time during the next three months,...??? Should there be an allergies question?)

 

Okay, for those of you who were in the Build-a-Box, were there any questions or concerns you feel would have been beneficial to be in the questionnaire that weren't last time?

 

I'll try to get that one up soon, also. Personally, I am being kind of overrun with samples of awesome things I already have or have tried. Still looking forward to my Ipsy bag, though. Come to me, shinieeeees.

I am finally back to getting my sjnur together, cleaning out stashes and whatnot, and there need to be more awesome summer swaps!

 

So, how about that rares/LEs swap?

 

I've been contemplating it, and come to the conclusion that it should probably be small-- say nine people (because it can always be run again), and have double that number of rare/LE scents to start.

 

*There would be one bag of Testers- full imps for people to skin test.

*And there would be one bag of Keepers-- 1/3 to 1/4 imps of each scent, in multiples of three.

*Every participant would be entitled to two of the keepers.

*If you wanted to take more than the two freebies, you would have to add something to test. But, other than that, adding testers and samples would be completely voluntary.

 

*I was thinking that each person could keep the parcel for one week. Is that enough time to test, do you think?

*The package would go small, flat priority box. With as many imps as there are in it, it would probably be the cost of priority to send it first class anyway. And, with Priority, the tracking is included and there's a bit of random insurance, in case of FUBAR.

*This swap would be US only. Both cost and time frame make a Global circular swap prohibitive.

 

Also, would there be a preference to having DCs included in the scents? I have Madrid, Magdalene, and the Unicorn, and would be pleased to include those-- but only if people were interested. It's also totally cool if everyone wants to keep it LE.

 

Question number two:

 

Is anyone interested in another Build a Sample Box swap?

 

Question three:

 

I'm probably going to sound like a nutjob, but can we talk about potential Halloween swaps? Anyone with me? I've been really thinking I'd like to make one, but it would need to start in September or so, so that everyone could have awesome Halloween goodness. It could also be expanded to include Dia de los Muertos, All Saints' Day, Guy Fawkes, and other awesome Holidays that fall in that end-of-October/beginning-of-November window.

Fandom swap! I will keep an eye out.

 

Okay, I will get on making decants and sorting rares.

I think what I will do is this:

 

There will be one bag with full decants. They will clearly be labeled TESTER, which will mean that they can only be tested and not kept.

Then I will have another bag with, say, 1/4 decants of the same scents(x4 or 5). If you fall in love with one of the testers, then you can take one of those, and at least you will have a bit until or if you choose to go on a quest to find some.

 

It will be up to each participant to include anything, if they wish-- but it will not be required. It's mainly like DJ Sin mentioned, to let people who haven't had a chance to sniff things they might be curious about.

There would be a limit of two freebies, and then you could take additional minicants if you contributed a new scent for testing. Or, is that too confusing?

 

So, next question: do you think it's inappropriate to not list the actual imps in the sign up information? I could clear the list with the mods first, a la a mystery package on the Sales forum.

It seems kind of strange to me, but I have a new fear of people signing up for things just to swaplift. I know almost no one would do that, but yeah...

I would propose to send the list of decants I'll be including in a group mail once people are signed up. Then participants could bow out if it turned out there was nothing they wanted to try.

Is that too weird/paranoid???

 

Why do I never think of uncomplicated swaps???

 

Alternatively, I could just do a Bat sniffing circle.

 

Ih8perfume, an ALL THE 13s! sniffing circle would be totally fun.

Okay, OT, but Em- seriously, your avatar nearly made me snort tea. That is *awesome*.

 

Ih8perfume, I don't know. I think it's kind of subjective. Some "rares" aren't really that sought after, and other things of which there should theoretically be a ton of (hello, DCs that were popular) are extremely sought after, because no one wants to part with them.

 

If I understand the one you would like, that would be the hybrid one.

So, there would be a decant, and people could test that, and if they liked it they could take one of the 1/4 decants to keep-- so long as they replaced it with a tester of another thing. But they could not take the full decant.

I have the feeling that putting in just one decant of each thing and being, like, 'take one and replace with something else' might end up being kind of sad, since the sought after ones might disappear long before everyone had a chance to test them.

Perhaps it would be best as a 'test only-- and add, if you wish' kind of swap.

I'd be excited for a fandom/favorite series swap, also-- so many possibilities for themed gifting.

 

Meanwhile, I am considering doing a traveling tester swap.

 

I've come to the conclusion that I have several rares which-- while I love them with lovely love-- realistically, I'm probably not ever going to blaze through my whole bottle unaided(not that I want to use them up, because then I will be sad).

I also realize that there are lots of lovely forumites out there who might be wanting to try some of them, and just not gotten the chance.

So, I've been toying with two ideas.

 

1)I make one decant of each scent, and it goes traveling from person to person-- each person testing the decant and returning it to the envelope, to be tested by the next person.. and so on and so forth... And if someone wants to add a rare decant of their own, that is awesome-- but not required.

 

2) I make five testers each of various rares, the package goes traveling, and people can take any testers they like when it reaches them-- so long as they add a tester of another rare/LE scent. That way, the package is everchanging and an awesome surprise.

 

I'm kind of leaning towards #2, because participation, and also surprises. But I would love to have opinions or suggestions for other options(combining both methods?).

 

Also, international buddies: I would be totally happy to send a similar package to the international realms, if someone wanted to run an international one-- or I could start it and it could return here at the end? US-->International postage has gone raging insane since the start of the year, so I don't think a free-for-all would be feasible.

 

Anyway, I'm waiting to close up my current swap. But I would appreciate any thoughts anyone might have.

Hmm, my summer go-tos:

 

light and bright

Akuma

Kumiho

Night-Gaunt

Water Dragon

Aizen-Myoo

 

more heady/sultry

Cottonmouth

Green Tree Viper

Blossoms in Springtime

Dragon's Musk

Kabuki

 

cooling/quiet

any of the Lick Its (but especially Lick It, Again)

Squirting Cucumber

Host of the Air

The Deep Ones

The Unicorn(but more for early summer, before it is truly roasting)

Water Snake!
It came in the mail yesterday, so please bear in mind the new, fresh state of this bottle when reading the descriptions. After a day of wear, I have the feeling it will settle into something even more wonderful in a month or two.

Bottle: It has an effervescent citrus kick, and a subtle heady floral quality-- kind of earthy. I'm thinking maybe Indian jasmine.

Wet: Going on, the strong, almost citronella citrus kicks up, bringing along something a bit syrupy. The floral is there, and it still reads a lot like deep jasmine to me. It isn't high-pitched or offensive. But there is a certain spiciness to it. I have to keep sniffing my wrist. The immediate words I get are 'deep, contemplative, floral Sweet Tarts'-- not very helpful, I know.

Dry: after about an hour, this becomes more subtle, slinkier, more creamy and calm. It's almost the gorgeous, sunshine water skin scent of Water Dragon, but just a little different. Water Snake is more clean, and a touch floral still. Nine hours later, it is very faint on the skin, a delicious hint of liquid joy.

I have been anticipating this blend since Water Dragon, but I tried not to let my love of the one color my impression of the other. They do bear some similarities, but each has unique characteristics that make Water Snake a new and exciting wearing experience.
Water Dragon is still my favorite Lunar New Year scent. But Water Snake is nice enough, and unique enough-- despite similarities-- to warrant keeping this bottle.
This will get good wear during balmy summer days. It's a very happy, prosperous scent. I highly recommend trying it, whether you loved Water Dragon or not(but especially if you loved Water Dragon-- because it's completely different in the same vein).

Sigh. Ok. I understand the reasons. I just hoped we could get shipping down to less than $2.

 

I think I've almost got it figured out. I will go through my info and try to get the swap up this week if possible!

 

I think that if you use the 4x7 bubble mailers, the shipping cost should still be around $3, including the DC.

If you do, say, everyone sending to 3 people with between 3-5 varieties of seeds each, it should keep the total cost of the swap to around $20 per person(total cost assuming that everyone is buying seed packets. Cost would be less for those who had their own seeds to share). Everyone would still end up with at least nine things of seeds to plant.

 

So, I decided to go for the sample box swap first, and then do Mini tins maybe in April. I'm not sure what else you could use than an Altoids tin. I was actually thinking about it, because I haven't had Altoids in years, either. My initial thought was those little would boxes they sell at craft stores for 99c. But I suppose that we could just say 'boxes within X dimensions' and enjoy the results. There are some amazingly crafty people on here, and it might be kind of awesome to see what people come up with.

 

Anyway, working on the sample box questionnaire, and should have it up for approval tonight.

Thank you, Em- for posting the altoid swap IGI. Those are even more adorable than I remember. And thank you for the feedback on card swap time frames. Yeah, I agree that card and ATC swap are about the only thing that can squeak by with just four weeks of work.

 

Okay, I will try to decide between crafting tins and sample boxes, and hopefully make a questionnaire for approval this weekend.

for swaps!

 

 

Ooh! Good idea about Tying seed swap to Spring Equinox. I will do it, but it will have to be very small if I am going to be the one running it.

 

Things are crazy at my house right now. Looking at the possibility of either changing my daughter's school or homeschooling. So I don't know how much time I will have in the coming months.

 

But I think I can manage something small. I will mull it over and see about getting something started in the next couple of days. I think the big box of seeds and stuff will probably be the way to go.

 

Those kinds of swaps would just have set swap parameters (i.e. send this and not that) rather than a questionnaire, right?

 

My only concern with a travelling box would be time frame, and repeated exposure of seeds to elemental extremes. Other than that, I am totally in.

Perhaps you could ask that people include their last projected frost date, and order the traveling box by that?

If you do want to have some sort of questionnaire-- or if you would have liked to do another format but for the time constraints-- I would be glad to help figure out a quick and simple one.

They're already bringing out the new seeds and rootlets here. It's so exciting!

 

Mini shrines? What?! WHERE?!

 

Edited to add: Is anyone running a Spring Equinox/Seed Circle? Eh? Buehler?

 

It was a swap once or twice long ago. I think they were made of match boxes or Altoid tins, and they were adorable.

 

Oo, Seed Circle...

I have kind of a survey question about small craft swaps:

 

For smaller craft swaps (ie ATC, create-a-card, mini shrines, etc.) is four weeks-- from receiving your person to mailing deadline-- a reasonable time frame? Or do you like more time? less?

 

And, in the vein of suggesting swaps, I really liked Sunshinedaisybliss's idea of the build-a-beauty-box swap, with everyone filling out a questionnaire, and then creating a sample box for your person, including 5-7 samples(one of which would be full size?) and some "lifestyle" extras like tea, snack cakes, perfume, etc..

You'd end up with a box of about ten things tailored to your questionnaire answers, and it would be fairly inexpensive because most of it was travel/sample sized. If you get sample boxes, shop Sephora, get GwP stuff, you might even be able to do all but the super sample without buying anything.

Any interest?

 

Also, how about a White Day swap?

Oooh! This is so up my alley as I'm also a total newbie in search of my first 6 or perhaps even 12 imps!

 

 

I'm turning the big 3-0 this year, but I'm barely 22 in my mind and most likely in my demeanor as well. People tend to think I'm in my early 20's. I was very 'mature' as a teen, but the older I got, the more I realized how much I missed by always being so serious and so I seem to grow 'younger' in my attitude as I grow older in my body Or maybe it's just the realization that life is here to be enjoyed/lived and not just survived, haha.

 

I'm short - 5'2", petite/slim, I have what others have called 'porcelain' skin that is nearly translucent (I keep joking about looking like a vampire - think Interview with a Vampire with their visible veins, not Twilight, lol). My hair is naturally dirty blond, but color my hair with henna, so it's amber/coppery now and has been for the past 10 years - it's hip length right now. My eyes are hazel and turn green in the sun. I keep joking about having two personalities, but it is actually kind of true ... but I guess others would just call it being a bit moody. I can be very outgoing, fun, funny, weird and up to all sorts of 'no-goods,' and the next day I'm quiet, introverted and back to my 'serious' and a bit insecure self. I've had a rather tough childhood and I consider myself the 'eternal immigrant' as I've left my homecountry at 16 and I'm still 'out in the world' and who knows where I'll be in the next 5 years. English is my second language and in total I speak three languages and understand perfectly two more ... and get freckles in the spring, lol. My train of thought is very wild and all over the place - I say the most non-sequitur things in the world that leaves some folks just dumb-founded and confused if they don't know me

 

I've studied International Affairs, think Politics, have always loved discussing and arguing about them. I always wanted to go non-profit and 'fix the world,' but that has just never happened ... yet ... unfortunately.

 

Now, my hobbies are mostly taking care of my sweet little daughter, spending time with my dear husband, reading fantasy novels, listening to music and creating with my hands (fibre arts most of all). I still have that crazy party girl in me, but she gets to come out and play only once in a long while - most of the time it's just mellow family life, school and work for me. I love spending time in the country and in the nature and my favorite time of year is autumn/fall. I do not really have a favorite color, but at the moment it is turquoise - green/blue, blue and orange.

 

I wear mostly jeans and a plethora of various tops or dresses. I do not follow fashion and I never have. There is nothing better than an awesome second hand store find when it comes to clothes I do not get off on buying over-priced brand name clothes as I think it's a waste of resources. I recycle everything that can be recycled, I'm a proud user of cloth menstrual pads and try to eat only locally grown organic food. But I am not a hippie, lol. Not that I have anything against hippies

 

 

 

I'm looking forward to your suggestions, folks. I'll be so grateful

(spoilering mine, for length and reference )

Russalka, my immediate thought-- on reading the young-minded, twin personalities description-- was... two scents, actually: Delirium and Delight.

 

Delirium : Non compos mentis, indeed! A contrary, conflicted scent, bubbling with merry madness. Contains apple, rose, and lemon.

 

Delight: In ancient India it was believed that a specific combination of flower petals, when strewn across a couple's bed, would amplify desire and sexual pleasure. This blend is a blend of the same floral essences, refined into a gloriously sinful perfume blend. Frangipani, with rose, tuberose, and jasmine.

 

Both are lovely on their own; youthful, energetic, and feminine-- without seeming generic. I think they might also play nicely off of each other if you layered them.

 

 

Can a newbie play this game? I'm afraid I can't give recommendations yet, but I'd love to get some recommendations.

 

Here's a quick and dirty personality sketch. I'm quiet, introverted, intellectual and serious--a day-dreamer and a thinker with a strong philosophical bent. I love both science and creative pursuits. There is a wild side to me that few people see and I have great sense of humor that lies hidden until I know a person well.

 

Mules are jealous of my stubborn streak. I'm also ridiculously unconventional because I see things differently than most people do.

Hi, WoodSage! What sprang to mind for you was Mokey Fraggle. She's introverted, intellectual, and a day-dreamer, and her scent capture a very introspective, slightly magical feeling that might suit you quite well.

 

Mokey: Mokey is an artist, poet and philosopher. She seems to be in touch with some sort of higher Fraggle consciousness. Mokey is fascinated by the beauty and intricacy of the world around her, and is always seeking new ways to share this feeling with others.

 

A gentle, contemplative fragrance: lilac blossoms, violet sugar, orris root, stephanotis, and osmanthus.

 

For that stubborn, powerful streak, perhaps you might like something more like Wanda(Her scent is a deep red merlot with a faint hint of leather, sexual musk and body heat over crushed roses, violets and myrtle) or Hellcat (A soft, sensual, luxuriant blend with a wicked bite: hazelnut, buttercream, honey mead, rum and sweet almond ).

 

Just my two cents.

to the forum, to both of you, BTW. Hope to see you around, here and there, finding many lovely scents to enjoy!

Just got my decant.

 

Imp:

Musky, Herbal; a little reminiscent of snake oil with citrus. It’s dark and slinky.

 

Wet:

Woody, musky; possibly catmint(as opposed to catnip; catmint has always smelled more musky and herbal to my nose), and generally herbal. It’s really good, and very intriguing. Can’t stop sniffing my wrist.

 

Dry: creamy, musky catmint; ooey gooey and delicious.

 

Verdict: I want a bottle, and can see wearing this a lot during the winter months.

Inganok Jewelers; it's my ultimate creepy dungeon scent-- yet it still smells good.

Lilly, I PMed you.

 

And now, a quick question:

 

Who'd be interested in a lightning ATC swap round, starting, say, next weekend? The mailing deadline would be December 17th, and the theme would be BPAL Yules.

I would love to start a art swap but have never runa a swap before and was hoping someone would help do one with me? The theme would be

"Cheesy Fantasy/Romance Book covers" or something to that effect. Not even sure where to start so advice/help would eb appreciated

 

Oo! Me! Me!

 

I'd be so all over the cheezy romance cover artswap! I'll help. Why is there no jumping up and down icon?

 

I wonder if there would be any interest in a makeup/B&B/cosmetics samples swap? I have SO MANY samples of various product (eyeshadows, mineral makeups, lip balm/gloss, soaps etc etc) and also there's all the GWP items I've accumulated - piles of stuff I've never even touched.

 

I'm thinking there would need to be some rules around cleanliness and hygiene - ie unused samples would be preferable - but it would be kinda neat to receive a swappee's 'beauty' profile (colour of hair, eyes, skin tone etc) and find stuff they may like - or even just send random packages of sparkly goodness to play with.

 

Sooooooooo... what say you, oh forum? Does this sound like something people might be interested in?

 

I'd love to do this. I also have packets, GWP things, and all that jazz. I'd love if they could go to a better home.

Recipe Swap sounds delicious. And imagining a thread full of pictures/descriptions of people's successful recipes is just mouthwatering.

Clearly, what happened here is that I smashed my nose into the banister. That's why it's bloody.

It also explains why the only thing I can smell is that polished, fragile wood smell. It smells a bit like fine sandalwood.

It must have happened when I was following that elusive, spicy musk scent I got from the bottle. I know it went up the stairs, then...

 

BAM!!

 

Sandalwood.

I say something pushed me. I'm pretty sure it's sitting over there, in those dark shadows, snickering and smelling fabulous.

 

Verdict:

Really good lasting power, *definitely* apply with a light hand. Can't wait to see how this ages.

Recommended if you like refined, slightly warm, woodsy scents.

 

ETA: Just layered a drop of Infernal Lover over this, and I smell fabulous. Take that, Slenderman!

...

Edit: Maybe if it was something like, you should try to get your package to your swappee by the 1st of December, but if its later than say the 12th (otherwise they'd end up opening stuff after Christmas and that'd ruin part of the fun), then you get a spanking? And do the start opening them when you get them (but if you get it beofre the 1st you have to wait)? Or too many rules? OPen when you get your package? I like that too.

 

Aiiieee! So much to think about and so little time!

 

Edit again....

The make your own Birchbox sounds fun!

 

So does the mystery swap! (I always want to buy mystery grab bags at places.) For the mystery swap, it might be fun to do something where its a bottle (or imps or whatever), plus a little snack or something...that way if all your bottles suck, then you have a treat to eat. Then again, that brings up other issues, with people not being able to eat certain things. So, probably not such a great idea....I just like getting edibles in packages.

 

I think that sounds like a great rule set; not too much at all. I also like the idea of a tiding over package, for those that get there early.

 

Snacks are a great idea!

There could be a question before assignments went out for everyone to put anything they were allergic to. We'd institute a swap-wide ban on those things.

I've been thinking that it would probably be a good idea to gauge what people were planning to send first also. That way, someone who sent off an LE bottle didn't end up with five GC imps, and so forth. But I was thinking, a 5mL of scent requirement would be good-- sniffies, testers, etc would be totally optional for the sender.

 

I'd be doing an allergy question for the sample box swap, also. Because there must be a 'lifestyle extra'! But it's so sad to see someone go 'I can't touch my Birchbox, because I have a nut allergy.'

 

Also, I just realized that it's about the right time to start a cozy textile swap. Too many awesome things!

For those who missed it last round, BrokeWitch is a 100% free swap. No money at all to be spent. That's the rule. Basically, you search out free stuff on the internets for your witchee--music, images, paper crafts, e-cards, patterns, recipes, ebooks, whatever you think your witchee would like. It doesn't sound like fun, but we had a blast last time.

I would love to do another BrokeWitch-- and I would be happy to help organize, if you need someone. This was an amazing swap last year!

 

Although I have been waiting for SW for over a year or so, I cannot take part this time.. I am in a crazy job situation (again/still?), and money is rather tight.

But: I was wondering if those who cannot or do not want to take part in SW would be interested in something like a "Fall Cleaning Swap"?

I guess I am OK with shipping costs - for either one or even two packages - but I cannot aford buying gifts right now.

So why not use and take what I already have to make someone happy? Same style as the Spring Cleaning Swap.. just, you know, in fall.

Anyone else interested?

 

Too bad I am an international, or I'd suggest doing a circular bottle and imp swap with a box that's sent around from person to person, and you take stuff and put new stuff in. I have.. way too many bottles that I would like to rehome one way or another.

 

Aww, Honey. I'm in the same monetary boat. We will persevere! I'd be up for a "...Cleaning" swap. I missed the last one, and it looked pretty awesome.

 

As to the circular bottles/imps swap (and I have given this disturbing amount of thought over the years ): it would be possible to run it was a two part swap. One box could go around the US, and the other around the EU(or general international). Then they could switch. It would still be potentially costly for the internationals, though.

 

You could do a mystery packet swap type deal, where everyone in the swap gets together say, three packets(a certain amount of imps, or a bottle, or whatever was decided), seal them, then, once they are sealed, everyone gets their assignees, and writes the addresses randomly on one of the three packets. That way, no one would know what they were getting, and it would be a surprise! Okay... perhaps I'm the only one who thinks that would be awesome. I admit it, I was that kid, who was always asking 'Mom, can I have a quarter???'

 

 

I know Christmas-time gets pretty heavy with fun swaps....but I've got an idea (that I stole from a Diva swap on paperbackswap, I used to play there a lot), and thought I'd see in anyone was interested.

 

So the swap was The 12 Days of Diva (Of course, we'd change the name here and a few of the rules and such)....

 

the general idea is, you shop for your person and send them a box with 12 presents in it, they are wrapped and numbers. Then, on a scheduled start date, everyone opens one present each day and posts about it, until the presents are gone. So, the package recieve by date is pretty strict, the presents have to be in your buddy's hands before the start of opening day.

 

Does this sound fun to anyone? Should I scrap the idea, since its not really mine....I'm a little worried I'm being bad because it is a swap from a different place.

 

Oo! Oo! Meeeee! If you are going to run this in November/December, I am definitely in! I'd be totally comfortable with a receive by date and a set start-of-opening date. If the package came early, we could set up little BPAL swap shrines or mini trees/stages, and just power through the restraint of the package tearing until the day.

 

And, now, just to add to the chaos... I've been toying with a couple of swap ideas, also.

 

1. Sample Box swap.

Can you do it better than Birchbox/Ipsy(MyGlam)/Glossybox, etc?

The idea would be to-- based off of a short questionnaire-- design a sample box for your partner, including four to seven deluxe samples(or samples and a full size item), covering a range of categories(beauty,skincare,lifestyle,organization). You'd include a note or card about why you selected each item for your person, and maybe hints or tips?

I always see so many people unhappy with how their sample box doesn't seem to match their profile. I thought it might be a fun experiment to see whether we could do better as a swap.

 

2. Fall Craft/Decorations swap

Either making a fall-based craft for your partner, or making a series of awesome craft decorations so they can swag their homes with Awesome. Obviously, at this point, the swap would be something of a Lightning round.

 

P.S.

I apologize for the wall of text.

Just a heads up: I posted the ATC swap topic, pending approval.