December Birth Bead Swap *reminder*

[stellimamo]

Just wanted to remind everyone that the deadline for singing up for the Birth bead swap is quickly approaching, only about 2 weeks left.

Also I wanted to just let any new mama's that have recently joined our DDC know that we are doing a birth bead swap. Just check up top in the stickies for more info. (I'm guilty of not looking at the stickies sometimes... so I figured some other mamas migt be too)

[DucetteMama21842]

Wow! That snuck up quick!

[SheBear]

Got a question. I've found some great beads, but I don't know if they are a good size or not....I don't want to get them too huge compared to the rest, nor too tiny to string easily. Anybody wanna share the approx. size of the beads you plan to use? The ones I'm eyeing are between 12-18 mm (approx. 1/2-3/4 inch).

[*MamaJen*]

Wow, that did sneak up fast. When you were planning it, it seemed years away. As far as size goes, I think it'll be nice to have a variety of shapes and sizes.

[DucetteMama21842]

Exactly. That's what would make each one unique. Hey- are we making necklaces or bracelets?

[Sihaya]

Danile, I was under the impression that we were just trading the loose beads and then making them into what we want after we get them. I know I will want to make mine into bracelet(s)/anklet(s) as I'm not used to wearing jewelry and I think a necklace would bother me in labor.

[SheBear]

I'm just going to string mine and prolly just hold it or hang it somwhere to look at during labor. But I'm hoping after the birth to restring it, adding beads if necessary, to make a nursing necklace. Knowing my tendency for procrastination, though, there's a good chance the babe might wean before I ever get that accomplished!

[DucetteMama21842]

Okay!!! Thank you so much!! That would be much easier.

[stellimamo]

I think a nice array of sizes would be nice. If the hole in the bead looks like it would be difficult to thread (not able to get a needle through or hard to get a piece of string through) I would pass on the bead though.

Yes we are just sending loose beads then I will sort them so that each mama gets one bead from everyone...

Right now we have 31 mamas signed up!

[DucetteMama21842]

Wow.. I must have been totally confused. So we buy 31(appx) beads that are the same and just send them with some string?

[stellimamo]

Yup you buy apprx 31 of the same beads and send them to me. Then I will redistribute them. No need to send string, just buy whatever you would like to sting your beads on when I send them back to you.

[starry_mama]

Can someone explain how we are getting them beads mailed BACK to us? SHould we send another envolope? How about postage? How do we know how much postage will be? SHould we slip a couple of bucks into the package?

[*MamaJen*]

Are we doing the affirmations as well?
Can anyone think of a good way to keep the affirmations with the bead as they're redistributed? It would be nice to know which mama they came from. Or would that be getting too complicated?

[stellimamo]

Originally Posted by starry_mama

Can someone explain how we are getting them beads mailed BACK to us? SHould we send another envolope? How about postage? How do we know how much postage will be? SHould we slip a couple of bucks into the package?

CHeck out the sticky.. I think from post 40# or so we talked about using flat rate shipping boxes in the US. Please Please don't send cash.. I really don't want to be resonsible for that.

[Sihaya]

Originally Posted by starry_mama

Can someone explain how we are getting them beads mailed BACK to us? SHould we send another envolope? How about postage? How do we know how much postage will be? SHould we slip a couple of bucks into the package?

All of this info is in the original post, posted in this DDC and in the Yahoo Group. Have you read that yet?

Oops, double post with Erin

[stellimamo]

Originally Posted by newmamatobe

Are we doing the affirmations as well?
Can anyone think of a good way to keep the affirmations with the bead as they're redistributed? It would be nice to know which mama they came from. Or would that be getting too complicated?

I was thinking about this the other night. They only thing I came up with was for everyone to individualy put one bead and one affermation in a baggy and then send them... but that is alot of waste...

[Sihaya]

We could string a bead to each affirmation instead of using baggies. Would that work?

[starry_mama]

Originally Posted by Sihaya

All of this info is in the original post, posted in this DDC and in the Yahoo Group. Have you read that yet?

Oops, double post with Erin

Wow. Can I drop out of the bead swap?

[starry_mama]

So I just went and looked at the sticky. I asked the question towards the end of the thread, it was answered later that same day, but I somehow missed it. I didn't even realize it was a sticky. I didn't re-ask the question to inconvenience anyone, I was actually trying to make sure I understood BEFORE I mailed anything and did it wrong. I have never taken part in anything like this, and I'm not very familiar with all of this PO stuff. I'm a basic one stamp on an envelope kind of girl.

Anyway, this seems like a lot more drama and work than I thought it would be, and thats the last thing I need with 2 kids and being pregnant. Thanks anyway mamas!

[SheBear]

I was figuring to just put a short length of thread (sewing) through each bead, then attach it to each note. Or it would be simple enough to wrap the note around the bead and tape it. Or small envelopes from the scrapbook store (or the florist) would work too. Although, TBH, I don't want to spend much (money or time) on the packaging and so forth. I'm not getting *expensive* beads, but they are nice ones, and I can't bring myself to spend more on the packaging and shipping than on the gift itself, lol! My mother would cringe at such a thing, and I have to agree!