RealMickeysGirl
DIS Veteran<br><font color=9966ff>I think my frien
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2005
Wow, I can't believe that the packages are on their way. I have learned a lot by hosting the May 6 Character Swap. Over all, it was a great experience and I would have no problem hosting another one.
Just a few things I learned are:
1. No matter how hard you try, you can't get all of the air out of ziploc bags.
2. Ziploc bags are slippery when they are piled together.
3. Three swaps will not fit into a priority mail flat rate envelope. You can't get enough of the air out of the bags.
4. Borders are to long for a lot of ziploc bags - If I ever host a swap again, borders will be off the list unless they can be made in such a way that they can be broken down for shipping (two pieces that can be put together on the page).
5. Some people will put a specific recipient on their bags - I didn't realize that this was the case until I had already packed some envelopes and noticed the names on the baggies didn't match who made the item - it was the name of the person that the baggie was suposed to go to. (This means that some of the recipients of the May 6 swap will have things addressed to another swap member but it should be ok because the items are the same).
6. Three priority mailing flat rate envelopes will fit into one of those big tyvec envelopes and will keep the contents from getting bent.
7. Keep the DISname and the Real name of participants on a list somewhere and refer to it frequently. (I had pre-addressed some of the envelopes and had to then figure out what DISname they went with - because the progress post listed everyone by DISname and I had to figure out who to flag as sent.)
8. Hosting is a big responsibility - but a fun one.
9. Sometimes you get surprises in the shipments - Thanks to all who sent goodies with their elements. They are much appreciated and a wonderful surprise.
10. Keep a supply of priority postage stamps available so you don't have to stop what you are doing and go get more stamps. You will end up using them at some point anyway - just keep a batch on hand.
11. It is great when participants put their eyelets and fibers in little baggies inside the bigger baggie - Helps a lot with scanning the items into the computer when posting the images online.
12. You get to see a lot of good work by some wonderful scrappers from all over the place. One of the things I enjoyed seeing is what part of the country each scrapper lives in.
Just a few things I learned are:
1. No matter how hard you try, you can't get all of the air out of ziploc bags.
2. Ziploc bags are slippery when they are piled together.
3. Three swaps will not fit into a priority mail flat rate envelope. You can't get enough of the air out of the bags.
4. Borders are to long for a lot of ziploc bags - If I ever host a swap again, borders will be off the list unless they can be made in such a way that they can be broken down for shipping (two pieces that can be put together on the page).
5. Some people will put a specific recipient on their bags - I didn't realize that this was the case until I had already packed some envelopes and noticed the names on the baggies didn't match who made the item - it was the name of the person that the baggie was suposed to go to. (This means that some of the recipients of the May 6 swap will have things addressed to another swap member but it should be ok because the items are the same).
6. Three priority mailing flat rate envelopes will fit into one of those big tyvec envelopes and will keep the contents from getting bent.
7. Keep the DISname and the Real name of participants on a list somewhere and refer to it frequently. (I had pre-addressed some of the envelopes and had to then figure out what DISname they went with - because the progress post listed everyone by DISname and I had to figure out who to flag as sent.)
8. Hosting is a big responsibility - but a fun one.
9. Sometimes you get surprises in the shipments - Thanks to all who sent goodies with their elements. They are much appreciated and a wonderful surprise.
10. Keep a supply of priority postage stamps available so you don't have to stop what you are doing and go get more stamps. You will end up using them at some point anyway - just keep a batch on hand.
11. It is great when participants put their eyelets and fibers in little baggies inside the bigger baggie - Helps a lot with scanning the items into the computer when posting the images online.
12. You get to see a lot of good work by some wonderful scrappers from all over the place. One of the things I enjoyed seeing is what part of the country each scrapper lives in.
