Trimester Swaps? - Page 2

[justme77]

I am so so so in! What a wonderful idea!

[Alcyone]

I thought that each mama sent all the beads to the coordinator who would divvy them up and send a whole set to each person. This would be a lot cheaper overall, although one person would be paying lots more in postage than everyone else. Perhaps we could all chip in (paypal or something?) to the coordinator for postage if we do it that way. I have to say, it would seem silly for 30 people to each pay international shipping for a single bead to get to me.

If the coordinator is NOT doing this, then what do they do?

[truelife]

Originally Posted by Alcyone

I thought that each mama sent all the beads to the coordinator who would divvy them up and send a whole set to each person. This would be a lot cheaper overall, although one person would be paying lots more in postage than everyone else. Perhaps we could all chip in (paypal or something?) to the coordinator for postage if we do it that way. I have to say, it would seem silly for 30 people to each pay international shipping for a single bead to get to me.

If the coordinator is NOT doing this, then what do they do?

The first part that you wrote was exactly right. The only thing different is that when the one mama sends in all her beads to the coordinator she also sends in a self addressed stamped envelope for the coordinator to send her her 30 beads from everyone else.

So for example:

-30 women sign up
-I buy 30 beads (if I want one of my own)
- I send my beads and my S.A.S.E. to the coordinator
- She divides all the beads into everyone else's S.A.S.E. and sends them back out (doesn't cost her any extra money apart from her own beads)

[Charmie981]

I'll coordinate a bead swap. It seems pretty easy compared to a regular swap, which totally overwhelms me.

So the question is, do we want our bead swap to be first or do we want it to be closer to September? I think I'd love for making my necklace to be a "I'm sick of being pregnant" project, so personally I'd rather do it later.

Ideas for a regular swap:
-Mama pampering items (since many of us feel like crap right now!)
-gender neutral baby items...diapers, clothes, blankets, whatever...
-pregnancy/birth books
or all of the above.

Usually swap packages are supposed to be about a $15 market value, erring on the side of generosity if you have an questions .

[triana1326]

I'd love to be in on this. My mom was a jeweler so she's got tons of beads left over.

I'd volunteer to be the coordinator, but I haven't been on this forum long enough yet...

[justme77]

Thanks Charmie. I can help in any way (if needed of course). Sounds fun and pretty easy -- so do we just estimate that the beads wont weigh over a certain amount (for the s.a.s.e.)? We have plenty of time to work out the kinks. I'm excited. Yes, I get excited about such little things right now -- and sad/hurt/upset even easier hahaha

[funfunkyfantastic]

I don't think we should wait too long to do it. I mean, You can start making your necklace whenever you want, once you've received the beads. If you wanted to wait till the last minute to make your necklace, it wouldn't matter because we'd all already have our beads. I'm just saying some of us might want to start earlier than others.

[TrippyLongstocking]

ok ok this sounds great now! Making alot more sense! So we wait to see who all wants IN and then we buy that amount of beads.. send them to one person with a self addressed envelope and then the person who coordinates sends us each our beads! YAYYY!
I had some serious pregnancy brain trying to think about how this would work this last weekend
So yah, IM IN!

I also dont think we should do it that late. If you want to make your necklace later than thats cool but some of us are far away so it could take a LOONG time to get our beads!

[justme77]

Maybe we should start a 'master list' of who wants in and then set a timeline/deadline of when you can add yourself until. Like -- you can sign up until ...... ??? Just suggestions....

[funfunkyfantastic]

How about, Everyone sign up by March 31st, and send by April 15th? All they need to remember is to get their beads sent by tax day! lol.

[Angey]

How long is it again...that you have to be a memeber... to participate? I would really like to be a part of this. I just registered Saturday.

[Quaniliaz]

I'd love to do a bead swap!

If we want to do another swap before/after that, I can coordinate. But I'm pretty low on creative energy right now - so I'd need to see some interest in this first.

[funfunkyfantastic]

Originally Posted by Angey

How long is it again...that you have to be a memeber... to participate? I would really like to be a part of this. I just registered Saturday.

I don't believe we will be judging on the length of membership. I think it's just whoever wants to join.

[Charmie981]

Well, it will have to be hosted in the swap forum, which has requirements to view. I don't know exactly what those requirements are, but the DDC guidelines are very clear that any DDC swaps must be organized through the swap forum by a qualified organizer.

So, the next step would be to start a "September DDC Bead Swap" thread over there with dates and such. If no one beats me to it, I'll do it tomorrow. I'm BEAT today!

[Alcyone]

MDC Swap Board Rules and Guidelines

Access to the board is restricted to members who have been registered for 6 months and have at least 150 posts.

Organizers must have participated in at least 4 swaps before taking on the coordinator position. This is to include at least one swap of the same type you are organizing (i.e. traditional, craft, reverse, etc...)

Organizers shall not be in charge of more than 1 swap at any given time.

Participants shall not be involved in more than 3 swaps at any given time.

it does sound like new people wouldn't be able to participate at all. Anyone here been involved in at least 4 swaps? I've never done any.

[minmoto2]

Yup, sounds like newbies won't be able to participate...or me..I've been on MDC for over 3years, but just don't post very often. Hoy vey Maybe I will work on getting some posts in before the end of March & then join

[Ilovelife]

I just checked back in here. Yay! It sounds like there is some interest. As far as new members, is it allowed to "sponsor" them. If it's okay with MDC, I'd be willing to help out a couple people. So I would sign up for 3 necklaces and get 3 packages of beads from the organizer (Charmie---thanks!) and then send 2 of those packages out to new members who couldn't officially join. We could either do SASE again or send pp to cover the shipping. The shipping would be double for the new folks that way, but at least they could participate. I don't really see how MDC could care about that. I mean it would be the same if I knew someone IRL that wanted something from a swap or coop here & I bought it for them, right?

[Alcyone]

Originally Posted by minmoto2

Yup, sounds like newbies won't be able to participate...or me..I've been on MDC for over 3years, but just don't post very often. Hoy vey Maybe I will work on getting some posts in before the end of March & then join

Only 46 to go! Just go through all the old threads in the DDC and add your 2¢.

I love the sponsoring idea, and if anyone else is in Europe and needs sponsoring I will totally help out. Wouldn't make much sense if you're not on the same side of the ocean though!

[Charmie981]

I'm sure I've done a TOTAL of 4 swaps in my lifetime at MDC, but I've only done two recently and I've never done a bead swap....

Is anyone qualified to organize according to the guidelines?

[justme77]

ok, i'm lost again. and i thought i was following well. hehe. where is this 'swap forum?' and you have to have 150 posts to even view it? guess i better get posting.

sorry about all lower case. typing one handed while dd nurses.