What is a Circle Journal and a Journal Book swap?
What is a circle journal?
Briefly, a circle journal is a sort of art scrapbook in which many
artists contribute pages or two-page spreads. Traditionally, a
number of artists would create a group in which each would make a
journal dedicated to a specific theme (or none at all, leaving page
design to each artist's choice). At intervals chosen by the group,
each artist would mail the journal to the next artist on the list,
in a circle or round robin fashion. With the last mailing of the
cycle, each of the journals would once again be in its owner's
hands, now filled with beautiful art by the other members of the
group.
Circle Journal Groups at AFA
Mailing entire journals each month can be costly. When members
experience a crisis of some kind, it's possible for mailings
to go off schedule. Finally, journals filled with beautiful artwork
can be lost (or damaged) by the postal service or a member
who goes MIA (missing in action.)
For that reason, Circle Journal groups function as page trades. Each member chooses a theme, and at appropriate intervals, members mail individual pages or spread to each other.
The Group Leader is responsible for arranging the mailing schedule, pairing partners for each month of the rotation. (For example, if Alice and Beth are January partners, they will make pages for each other. In February, they will each have other partners for whom to create pages.) Leaders will also check to see that members are active in the group thread and that pages are being created and mailed in a timely fashion. Leaders will also get complete contact information for each member (real name, street address, telephone number/s, email, etc.).
Groups will be composed of no more than six people in each.
To join a group in which pages are mailed, you must have a trader rating of +15 and have successfully participated in three swaps. If the Board changes these guidelines, this post will be edited to reflect the new requirements.
REQUIREMENTS for Book Journals in which an entire book is mailed
Because these types of swaps requires a huge, very long-term commitment of time and resources, and because it is absolutely heartbreaking when a journal book goes missing (unfortunately, it happens), there are special requirements for participation in a swap of this type.
- Be an actively trading AFA member (defined as: positive iTrader across 2 swaps in the last 3 months)
- Have 3+ months in good standing (no neutrals or negative iTraders)
- Have an iTrader rating of 25+
- Be willing and able to do your very best work on a strict, inflexible time line, over a long period
- Be willing and able to complete the set number of journal pages in the themes chosen by your fellow participants depending on the journal group guidelines
- Have the cash resources necessary to ship the journals around the world using First Class or airmail. Tracking is not mandatory but could be requested by the group.
Limited sign ups for first-time participants. Individuals new to circle journals and book journal swaps at ATCsforALL.com can only sign up for one journal group initially. After the successful completion of their group, they are welcome to sign up for multiple groups but must check with a Moderator before signing up for more than three(3).
Circle journals and book journals are tremendous fun! Visit the Gallery to view the wonderful art members have created for each other's journals. Then, when you can't wait any longer - jump in!