The New Year New Member Swap - Due March 7, 2024

Great cards!!
I posted mine too big the other day too. So, when you click "insert" it will give you the option of Thumbnail or Full size, you want Thumbnail.:)
 
Wait one question--is it okay to use some stuff I've already made for this, since it's "open" or am I expected to make all new cards? (I haven't listed any of these to be traded yet).
 
Hi! Add me in, please! Ready to go again :)
@Haikoo I would love to add you to this swap.
Wait one question--is it okay to use some stuff I've already made for this, since it's "open" or am I expected to make all new cards? (I haven't listed any of these to be traded yet).
Hmmm, I am not 100% sure that I understand your question. In particular the part that says, “all new cards” confuses me.

Cards for this swap must all be original one-of-a-kinds, per the swap parameters. If your ATCs are “repeats” then they are not eligible for this swap. Also, if the ATCs are ones that you made previously but could not swap/trade, this is not the right swap for that either. You could submit them to a clearance or de-stash swap.

But, if you mean that you created your ATCs 3 months ago(or whenever) but are just now offering them for swapping, that’s fine. It doesn’t matter when you made them. 🙂

Should I add you to the list?
 
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Oops! :huh:

I did see your post @tatntole, I didn’t mean to leave you waiting. Sorry.
By the time I worked my way through the threads of the swaps I’m hosting and to my mailbox and the Convos waiting for me there, it slipped my mind.
It’s a good illustration for everyone tho, of why it is helpful to the host to request their addy via Conversation (or whatever method they specify in their swap parameters) so things don’t slip through the cracks.
I will send you a Convo momentarily.
 
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@Haikoo I would love to add you to this swap.

Hmmm, I am not 100% sure that I understand your question. In particular the part that says, “all new cards” confuses me.

Cards for this swap must all be original one-of-a-kinds, per the swap parameters. If your ATCs are “repeats” then they are not eligible for this swap. Also, if the ATCs are ones that you made previously but could not swap/trade, this is not the right swap for that either. You could submit them to a clearance or de-stash swap.

But, if you mean that you created your ATCs 3 months ago(or whenever) but are just now offering them for swapping, that’s fine. It doesn’t matter when you made them. 🙂

Should I add you to the list?
Sorry I worded it poorly! Yes, I'd like to use some cards I made a few months ago but have not swapped :D

Please add me!
 
Sorry I worded it poorly! Yes, I'd like to use some cards I made a few months ago but have not swapped :D

Please add me!
No apology necessary. It is not unusual for me to need clarification on things that other folks have no problem understanding, lol.
Welcome to the swap!
 
It has been a busy week. Today I was finally able to go through each of the envies that I received on Thursday. Everyone’s art looks fantastic! Thank you to everyone who included a host card, extra postage, or other special extras. You Rock!

I did discover a few issues as I worked through the envies.
Not to worry tho, as this is a new member swap, that is something that I anticipated. ;)
Later today I will try to make some time to discuss them, so we can all learn from the experience.
 
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I thought I would start by talking about Return Envelopes. Every US participant in this swap should have included an SASE with their ATCs. It turns out there are a lot of specifics that might not be all that obvious. These are some things that I have learned from hosting and playing in swaps…

- Quality
If the condition of your returns is important to you, you should give some thought to the quality of the SASE that you submit. Thin envies, and envies that don’t seal well put your artwork in danger! They also put the burden of mitigating that danger on the host.

- Size
Submit an appropriately sized envelope. For ATC swaps, the standard is a “business” sized envelope. Standard business envelopes are 4 1/8” x 9 1/2”. They are sometimes called No. 10 envelopes. Business envelopes that are slightly smaller (No. 9) or slightly larger (I don’t know what they are called, lol) are also fine. Business envies give your host the room to package your returns for optimum safety. Using business envies also helps to keep shipping costs down. When sending letters with 1 First-Class Mail Forever stamp the maximum thickness allowed by the USPS is 1/4”. An envie that is smaller than business size will be thicker when it is packed and require more postage. That postage comes out of your host’s pocket, and it can add up. If you must send an SASE in a less than ideal size, the best practice is to include extra (loose) postage.

- Address Your Envelope
SASE means Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. Put your addy on the envelope, do not send a blank envie.
Follow the rules provided by the USPS.
Never use a return address sticker as your address label. It is too small and is not acceptable to the USPS.
Do not use cursive. Print your address by hand, machine, or rubber stamp. I know some swappers are of a generation that was taught to use cursive as proper etiquette for addressing a letter. Unfortunately, modern postal sorting machines do not read cursive, and a lot of humans have trouble with it too.

- Return Address
Do not put your own addy in the spot for the return address. According to @Art101,
“Never put the "return address" the same as the "to mailing address" (which you might do if you were sending a SASE, or mailing something to yourself on a trip). Because, if the postage falls off, the post office will NOT send on the letter/package, and they will NOT return it to the "sender" if it is the same as the "to" address. [They have a theory that people will send things free to themselves by just not putting on postage.]”
You can leave the spot for the return address blank.
I sometimes receive SASEs from experienced swappers that have already entered my address in the spot for the return address. I can’t speak for other hosts on this subject, but I love that! It really lightens my workload as a host.

- Postage
Use a “Forever” stamp if you can. There have been so many postal rate increases in the last few years that I have lost track. Forever stamps maintain their value. If, instead, you use 68 cents worth of stamps, and rates go up before your returns are sent out, your host will have to make up the cost out of pocket.

- Backside
A lot of hosts appreciate it if you write your user name and swap title on the flap of your return envie (and the original mailing envie as well).

- Read The Entire Swap Intro Post Thoroughly And Carefully
Different hosts and different swaps will have different/additional rules for return envelopes, among other things. Don’t assume that you know what is expected. Neglecting to read the rules, regardless of how long or boring or repetitive they are, is just plain rude and disrespectful. Swap hosts put a lot of time, energy, and work (and sometimes money) into creating and running swaps so that you can have a great swap experience. Return the favor by reading and following the rules. They are not arbitrary. Additionally, failure to meet swap parameters may result in your cards being returned to you unswapped.

Please feel free to ask questions or discuss. I am also happy to hear your feedback. This swap (and every swap) is a learning experience for me too.
 
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Jez, thank you for posting this information. I did not know that the machines couldn't read cursive and I have been so guilty of using cursive on all my envelopes. This practice will cease immediately! It's a miracle all my envelopes have made it to their destination. I will do better going forward. :)
 
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