SWAP is OPEN, link in first post

[AllisonK]

Swap is open in the Trading post. Here is the link:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...00#post8883400

Original Post:
I need a poll if I am going to org this. I'm just too tired to weed through all the replies to figure everything out.

So please answer the questions and once we have picked what and how we want to do it I will edit the thread in the swap forum.

If other please tell us what your ideas are:

I have seen bead swaps done 2 ways:

#1: All moms buy beads for everyone and send them to each mom so if we had 30 people you would buy 30 and mail 30 packages of single beads out. Then mom would string or whatever she chooses to do.

#2 All moms buy beads for each participant and mail them to the swap organizer (with shipping money to ship your beads to you, could do paypal or mail it with your bead) who then strings the beads and mails them to each mom. So you would mail one package of 30 and swap org would mail 30 stringed beads out. If done this way I can go buy beading string and post what size it is so all beads will fit on the same string.

Lets try and get this figured out soon!

See post #6 for a different idea

[mommycakes]

I voted for option #2. I do want to do a bead swap--I just wonder if it'd be better to save it until we get closer to birth. We chose birth beads for my friend's blessing way last September. She was in the home-stretch and really liked all the beads/positive energy to carry her through that last month and labor.

I dunno, just my .02.

[jillybeans]

at the last option! I don't really care what we do.

[doulanichole]

I really would like to do a swap and perhaps save the bead swap for closer to the end...as a labor necklace.

[NJ*Doula]

I agree that we should do a different swap now, then do the bead swap (with option #2, the less we all have to spread out addresses around, the better) later on.

[AllisonK]

So how about a surprise swap then. Last time I did a bead swap we did it towards the end too. It was a lot of fun to get the beads and all the messages/thoughts from all the moms at the end of the pg.

We could do a surprise mommy swap say a $20 value. Each person would post things that they would like for THEMSELVES! Once everyone is matched up you look at their list and go and get them something. I can match people up and then all you do is mail it to your match. So you will get a $20 package and mail a $20 package. Thoughts on this???

[AllisonK]

bump

[JustJamie]

I would love to do a swap, but am not personally interested in a bead swap.

[NJ*Doula]

Allison, I like that idea!

[cicely_m]

Random Things Swap sounds great!
I, too, am interested in a swap but not all that interested in beads... I was trying to get excited about them by thinking of a nursing necklace, but I would much rather share other things.

[zonapellucida]

I love the last option

ETA I didn't vote for it!!!

[1Plus2]

Originally Posted by JustJamie

I would love to do a swap, but am not personally interested in a bead swap.

:

[damselfly41]

What kind of beads?

[nugglemama]

I have no money to participate in a swap, but I look forward to seeing what everyone recieves

[mommycakes]

I love the surprise swap--a pamper the pregnant mommies swap! It's a great idea for now/2nd trimester. The beads will be so awesome at the end of our pregnancies. My thought is that we'll all know each other a little better, feel closer and appreciate the energy/connection that comes with each bead and note. Then we can all have a cool birthing necklace to hold, wear or view as our babies come into the world with the blessings of all the MDC mommas we've become close with over the course of our pregnancies.

I'm in!

[kaspirant]

I'm in the middle of organizing a bead swap atm and I personall would love to do something else right now and the beads later so that it can be more personal...

I love the idea of a pamper the mama swap...and I already know what I'd LOVE to send because it was my all-time favorite from when I was pregnant with DS1....

[Lolafanana]

I love the surprise swap for the mommies. Everything is all about babe so it would be really nice to have this about the mommas!

I'm in for that!

[XanaduMama]

Another vote for the surprise swap. I'd still like to do the bead swap toward the end, but we can talk about that next year!

[JasonsMom]

It sounds like a lot of fun but thought I better vote no. I'm just too parinoid about miscarrying right now and I'm in Canada. Stuff always takes so darn long to cross the border and wouldn't want anyone waiting. I'm used to it, so it doesn't bother me, but I can understand lots would. I'm sure I'll enjoy hearing about what you all get though!

[jillybeans]

suprise swap sounds good, but could we make it like 15-20?