Birth bead swap (Sending time!)

[DesireeH]

Birth bead exchange to make a labor bracelet! :love

I got the last addy this morning so I just sent out a PM to everyone with their send to addy groups! Have fun!!!! :heartbeat

Ship date by Saturday, October 15th. :)

[birthjunkie27]

I'd definately be interested! It makes sense to have each mama send out a single bead to each of the other mamas....and how about a little note or something along with the bead. Such as an affirmation or well wishes or whatever. But yes, I'm definately on board.

[selazenby]

Sounds nice - I'd love to participate.

[Spark]

I'm in! :thumb

[DesireeH]

Cool! Let's do it! How about everyone who wants to participate sign up by Monday, Sept 26th at midnight?

[Spark]

Sounds good to me! :) you'll probably want to edit your original post and put dates to know in there. Go ahead and set the dates. We'll follow. Great job leading, BTW! :)

Oh, I realize I didn't respond to the how many beads to send part. I think I'd probably be maxed out at about 5. Just the addressing and stamping after picking out the perfect bead for the person. But, if that's just me, then heck, I'll go with the flow and do whatever.

[DesireeH]

5 is good too. Then if like 10 people sign up we can just do 2 groups or whatever. We'll make it work somehow! LOL

OFF TO EDIT! LOL

[cariadanam]

I would love to be in the bead swap, count me in!

ETA: Im willing to do up to around 10 beads or so

[Nosy]

I'm interested. I missed this activity with my pre-natal yoga class and baby #1 because I had DS early. (Ok, I know I don't post here much but I'm due with #2 Dec 27).

[StarCat]

I'm interested. If I understand correctly someone will post specifics on how to make it?? (for us non-crafty folks!) ;) also can someone explain what type of beads?? I mean I know there are a million different kinds and we want to get something special for each different person we send to but is there any kind to avoid getting? We have a bead store here in town and they have so many I would be confused without guidelines!

[DesireeH]

I dont know much about beads either! LOL I was just going to pick out ones that looked special for each person. If there is a type to avoid please tell me! :) LOL They sell clasps in packages of 2 at the bead/craft stores too so I was just planning on putting mine on a string of some sort (hemp or fish wire or whatever) and then adding clasps (they tie on).

[atozmama]

I am in for whatever number of beads is decided upon. :)

[Minnow_]

I'm in. Either 5 or 10 beads is fine with me.

[DesireeH]

Well so far I count 9 of us. So if we get one more person maybe we can do the 10 bead thing? Or maybe even 9! LOL Is that too many for the ones that wanted to do 5?

[girrllie]

I'm in! I think I could just do 5 beads though, that's assuming we're sending them to different people, right? If we're sending all 5 beads to the same person, then I could do 10 beads. But 5's my limit in terms of addressing envelopes to different people, etc.

I think this will be great!!!

[persephone3]

i'd like to participate too! :thumb

[Slightlycrunchymama]

me too, just please post a mail by reminder, im kinda placenta brained already :)

[littlemomma]

Count me in!!!

[TakeItEasyMama]

I'm just getting into the swing of this but am enjoying it immensly. I did this at a Blessing Way I hosted it and it was the best!! If there's room, I'd like to participate. Beads could represent the senders empowering birth stories vs. being specific to each mama we're getting to know. Just a thought. Thanks

[DesireeH]

Okay! Bumping this! Sorry, I had relatives from out of town staying with us the past 8 days so we were running around all over and sharing the computer, LOL. Anyways! There are 14 of us so far. One more person want to join? LOL Then we could do a 5 bead one and a 10 bead one for the ones that want to do 5 and the ones that want to do 10.

Everyone that wants to participate PM me your addy and I will make a list that I can forward on to those participating.

[DesireeH]

Bumping! :) The first thread is updated with date info as well. :)

[xkoliex]

I'll be your last person! Either 5 or 10 is fine with me! :thumb

[DesireeH]

Okie dokie!!! Thanks mama!! :love

I have info from:

Spark
cariadanam
girrlie
atozmama
starcat
littlemomma
Takeiteasymama
xKoliex
minnow
nosy
selazenby
birthjunkie27
mama2my2

I still need addy info from:


persephone3



Thanks mamas!

[selazenby]

Hey - I wanna play! :LOL Did you get my PM with my address info?

[Nosy]

Sent you my address! BTW, I can do 10. Thanks again!

[Spark]

Erin, I'm sure you're in. :D It would make sense because the list has only 13 names, I'd assume you and Desiree were just left off.

Desiree, thank you for organizing this! It's great to see what I need to know in the title. :thumb And, I think it's such a great plan to feel connected! :D

[DesireeH]

Oops! Sorry, I got you too! You are right here on my list checked off as having addy, I dont know why I forgot to type your name! It's there now. LOL Pregnancy brain! :love

[selazenby]

Yay! Thanks!

[atozmama]

So if we are signed up for 10 beads, will we send out 10 or 9, with ourselves being the tenth? I am sure this would be made clear once I get the actual mailing info. Just wanting to know.

[DesireeH]

Well 9 (or 4 if you are in the 5 group) really because ourselves are included in the 10 or 5 number.

[DesireeH]

I emailed the last person so hopefully we will hear soon and I can send the addy list tomorrow. :)

[DesireeH]

I just got the last addy about an hour ago so I am working up a list and will pm you all this afternoon with the addies! :)

[DesireeH]

PM'd everyone (except Minnow, your box is full! I'll try again later! :)

[TakeItEasyMama]

Did we decide when we would send the beads? Let's talk about them. What's the preference?
Thanks

[DesireeH]

In the original post it was/is Oct 15th (saturday) but I know it was a few days late so if you need a few extra days, that's ok too. :)

[birthjunkie27]

So, what kind of beads are we going for here? Big, small? Any ideas?

[StarCat]

I was going to ask the same thing! I just want to be sure I do it correctly. Can anyone who already has done this at a blessingway or through a swap post a pic of a finished product? or maybe find a pic online or a pic of some beads that would be a good example?

Thanks! :)

[littlemomma]

Does postage cost more than the typical 1 stamp to Kelowna, BC?

[DesireeH]

I went and got some medium sized beads. They arent the tiny ones but they arent the huge bulky ones that would hurt on a bracelet either. I've never done this before but I looked at bracelets I had to get an idea. LOL

I'm not sure on the canadian postage. I think if it's as light as a letter you only need one stamp. I sent a thank you card to someone in Canada a few weeks ago and they let me use one stamp. Depends on the bead you are sending probably though.

[TakeItEasyMama]

I have two thoughts on the beads.
Once, when I hosted a Blessing Way I invited everyone to bring a bead they thought would contribute to a POWER necklace. It was quite a beautiful assortment of personality.

My second thought is that we send beads that represent something-like our own thoughts on empowerment. I really look to green colors for life and love myself. I thought I would find some green jewel tones. I also like fertility beads. I've seen some carved ones-alas, I don't have access to that store anymore.

Just a thought.

[DesireeH]

Whatever wishes/beads/thoughts you want to send it up to each individual! That's what makes it fun and different! :) I'm sure the bracelets will be very unique and gorgeous when they are done! :)

[TakeItEasyMama]

Hey Mamas,

Just returned from PO mailing my beads. I wrote HAND CANCEL on them all so the beads wouldn't get squashed in the machines. SO, they added an extra .12 to the price and said it would take a few extra days.

So, if you're on the five bead list, mine are coming slow but safely.

Thanks. Hope yall are feelin' good. My babies moving up and down and up and down. Either I can't breathe or I can hardly walk. Pretty funny.

[DesireeH]

Mine are all packaged and ready to go! I'm taking them to the post office in the morning (Saturday) so you should all have them soon!

[girrllie]

I just bought the beads today, so they'll go out Monday. Sorry if they're late everyone! At least they will get there before anyone gives birth :). And I just got my first one today! Thanks Jessica!

Edited to add: Also meant to say that this is really cool. I'm having a blessingway in November and all of the beads will go on my necklace. I'm so excited about it!

[birthjunkie27]

I also got my beads today and they'll go out on Monday. I can't wait to see what everyone else chose!

[atozmama]

So how are you all mailing your beads, more specifically what kind of packaging? I finally found the bead store near me Saturday and bought them. Wow what a choice of beads! I never realized here were so many out there. I am going to go back sometime and make myself a nursing necklace or two also.

[DesireeH]

I just wrapped them in tissue paper (like the decorative stuff for inside gift bags) and put them in an envelope.

[DesireeH]

Melia, I got yours! Thank you so much! It's very pretty! I cant wait to string it on to make the bracelet! Thank you for the well wishes too!! :love

FYI- I did the hand cancel thing too but they didnt say it would be longer than usual but if it is, then you know why. LOL

[StarCat]

Yipppeeeee....I got my first 2 beads, I already have 3 strung on my bracelet...I"m putting them on as I get them (otherwise I will lose them...I have total placenta brain!) So I have my own and Melia's and Aubin's- its looking good. It made me so happy to get the letters/beads! :) My beads are out and on the way. I didn't do the hand cancel thing but I wrapped them in a little piece of bubble wrap so hopefully that will be okay.

[birthjunkie27]

Aubin, got your bead! Thank you so much!

Melia, I got your envelope and note, but the bead wasn't in there. There was a small hole at the bottom of the envelope so it must have fallen out somewhere in transit. :( Thank you for the note though, it was very sweet. :)

[DesireeH]

Thank you Aubin! I got yours today too! Very pretty! Did they make you add that custom form? They didnt tell me I had to add one to yours so I am hoping there is no problems!

[littlemomma]

OMG!!!! I hope that doesn't keep happening!!! I mailed my beads out before y'all, so I didn't even think about all the bubble wrap, etc, y'all have been talking about! That totally sucks. Please let me know if this keeps happening and I'll see about getting some more beads. Sorry. Melia

[cariadanam]

Melia, I received mine - there was a hole on the bottom but luckily the bead stayed in!

Thank you!
Julie

[DesireeH]

Melia, I received mine - there was a hole on the bottom but luckily the bead stayed in!


Me too!

[TakeItEasyMama]

Heather, I love my bead!! What a great card too. Very nice presentation. Thanks so much!!

[birthjunkie27]

The beads I sent out were sent back to me! 5 of them anyway, and I'll bet the other 5 will be back here today. Apparently beads can't be sent in a regular letter envelope. Grrrr. :irked: I'll have to go to the post office and ask the "proper" way to send them.

Sorry ladies!

[DesireeH]

I sent mine in a regular envelope too, I hope they get there! Let me know. I put them in tissue paper so maybe they wont notice. I told the guy it was beads and he just had me use a special stamp (50 cents) so he could hand cancel them.

[Minnow_]

Heather, I love my bead!! What a great card too. Very nice presentation. Thanks so much!!
Yay! I'm so glad you like it.

I got your card, but there was a hole in the envelope and the bead must have fallen out. :( Such a sweet card, though!

[birthjunkie27]

Just got back from post office. They just had me pay an extra .12 per envelope.

[StarCat]

uh-oh...hope mine are okay. I didn't hand cancel or anything. they haven't come back yet though and I mailed them on Tuesday. Oh well, even if they do we still have time to get them to each other in time.

[girrllie]

Heather - I got your bead - it's beautiful! As is the card!

I just weighed my envelopes and they were all .37, so I just put a stamp on them. I did write Hand Cancel on the envelope and didn't know you needed extra $$ for them to do that! Hopefully you will all get your beads!

[birthjunkie27]

Yay! I got beads today from Rebecca, Desiree, and Kelly. Thank you so much ladies.... I get all teary eyed every time I read one of the notes that came with the beads...I just can't believe the tremendous amount of love and support that can come from someone you've never even met. I can't wait to use these beads during labor and birth and know that you are all "with" me, supporting me and cheering me on. And I can't wait till you all use yours and I can send my love and support to you. :heartbeat

[atozmama]

I agree with Bethany. I am suprised at how much I am loving :heartbeat the notes and cards that are coming with the beads, which i have gotten from Desiree, Rebecca, Melia, and Aubin so far. I am trying to think of a way to make a poster or something out of the card and notes to easily see during labor.

[birthjunkie27]

I am trying to think of a way to make a poster or something out of the card and notes to easily see during labor.


Great idea!

[DesireeH]

I got yours too today Rebecca, thank you! I love it!

[TakeItEasyMama]

You should have all received mine by now. Minnow, are you the only one missing a bead on the five list? I'm so sorry. I'll send another one asap.

[TakeItEasyMama]

Heather - I got your bead - it's beautiful! As is the card!

I just weighed my envelopes and they were all .37, so I just put a stamp on them. I did write Hand Cancel on the envelope and didn't know you needed extra $$ for them to do that! Hopefully you will all get your beads!

The beautiful coconut bead arrived. How cool!! Thanks so much!

[girrllie]

Awesome! I was starting to worry a little :)!

[cariadanam]

Just wanted to let everyone know, I finally was able to go down and get the beads yesterday. I will get them in the mail Monday or Tuesday.
Julie

[Spark]

Just wanted to let everyone know, I finally was able to go down and get the beads yesterday. I will get them in the mail Monday or Tuesday.
Julie

Whew, good. I don't feel like the only one then!!! :bag: I just got my beads. I'm sorry I'm so late! (It figures, here in the Baby Shower swap I was the first to send and now I'm holding up the rear... at least I have good company with Julie! :love)

Also, I'm getting envelopes in the mail, but with my whole scare a couple weeks ago, I decided to wait to open them until closer to when I want to birth! :LOL: But, the thing is... I'm only supposed to get 4, but I have more than that here. Did something happen?

[atozmama]

Also, I'm getting envelopes in the mail, but with my whole scare a couple weeks ago, I decided to wait to open them until closer to when I want to birth! :LOL: But, the thing is... I'm only supposed to get 4, but I have more than that here. Did something happen?

Yes, Desiree gave those of us on the 10 list your addy too so we could send you some support and encouragement if we wanted too. :)

[Spark]

Yes, Desiree gave those of us on the 10 list your addy too so we could send you some support and encouragement if we wanted too. :)


OMG!!! :grouphug You guys!!! :love

Oh, gosh, that is sooo sooo kind. :hug Golly, thank you. I can't tell you how touched I am by all the kindness and sweetness and outpouring of love. Thank you guys. Wow. That is so kind. :bawl

[DesireeH]

:hug :heartbeat :throb

[xkoliex]

I too, am late in sending out my beads.. :bag: With working full time still and trying to get everything ready in my room for the baby, I just haven't had the time to get to the right stores.. :irked: But I have them now and will be sending them out on Wednesday. I still have to write the notes and I also have my last concert to attend for a while. Nine Inch Nails, here I come!

[birthjunkie27]

Nine Inch Nails, here I come!

Oooh, I'm jealous!

[Spark]

:hug :heartbeat :throb

:hug Sneaky and Sweet!!! :hug

[persephone3]

ooh ooh ooh, Spark, open mine now. i sent strong baby stay put vibes with it, you'll see. (from Jenny Hoffman in Baltimore; it may be in a small box? i can't remember.)

Heather, thank you for the beautiful bead! And Elizabeth, i love the natural element of the coconut bead, since i'm going for a natural, unmedicated, uncomplicated birth. and Jessica, the bright green reminds me of my vitality and the strong lifeforce of this baby. one more bead to go, and i'm taking them over to my jewelry-making friend's house to put them all together. thanks again for all the well-wishes; it's great to know we're all in this together! :throb

[birthjunkie27]

Has anyone gotten any of my beads yet? Bethany Romero from IL. I sent out all 10 last week, received 5 of them back in the mail for not enough postage...re-sent those 5 and have no clue what ever happened to the other 5. So if anyone's recieved mine please let me know.

[atozmama]

I got yours Bethany, on Tuesday I think. It is beautiful! Thankyou. :love


In case any one else is wondering, so far I have recieved beds from 5 mamas....Bethany, Aubin, Desiree, Rebecca, and Melia. Alsmost time to make my braclet!!!

[xkoliex]

I also got yours Bethany, yesterday, but there was a hole in the envelope and no bead =(

[DesireeH]

Bethany, I got yours today! It's beautiful, thank you!

[birthjunkie27]

I'm sorry Nicole. :(

So many of my beads have *barely* made it to me (holes in the envelopes). One was missing the bead as well. Desiree's envelope to me had been completey torn in half and looked like it had been run over. At least the post office had the courtesy to stick the two halves in another envelope and send it that way (and believe it or not the beads stayed put!)

I can't wait to start stringing the beads together. :)

[DesireeH]

Oh no! Sorry it came like that! Was there still 3 beads in it?

[birthjunkie27]

Yes, Desiree, there were still three beads in it. I don't know how they made it, but they did! :)

[cariadanam]

Hi everyone, sorry Im behind in responding, my monitor blew out and I was in withdrawels for days!

Anyway I received beads from Bethany, Melia, Rebecca, Desiree, and Kelly. Thank You!!!

But nothing from: Nicole, Jenny, Erin, or Aubin

I think everyone should have gotten mine by now, I mailed them about a week ago.

Julie

[atozmama]

I got yours Julie, they are beautiful! Good thing you had them wrapped so well, there was only one layer of tissue left keeping them in the envelope by the time I got it.

[cariadanam]

Akk Aubin, I forgot to add extra postage for yours and it came back to me. I will resend it monday or tuesday, sorry!

Julie

[DesireeH]

I got yours too Julie but the beads were gone through a hole. That's okay though! Thank you for the lovely note!! I swear these post office people drop the letters on the floor and trample them! LOL

[cariadanam]

I got yours too Julie but the beads were gone through a hole. That's okay though! Thank you for the lovely note!! I swear these post office people drop the letters on the floor and trample them! LOL

That is soooo frustrating, I paid for it to not go through the machine and I thought I put ample tissue paper around them, arrggg. Probably whoever used the bubble wrap had the best idea.

Did anyone else not get theirs? I will go down and get some more to resend.

Sorry Desiree!

[DesireeH]

No no! No need to resend or apologize, it's not your fault! Some of the ones I sent came ripped open to people too (and I did the hand cancel thing too! I swear they dont care!)

[Nosy]

I apologize mamas, but I just got your birth beads out this weekend. I have had a pretty rough last few weeks thanks to my husband's employer and little games they were trying to play about keeping him out of town until the baby's birth. Now that is finally settled (he's home!), so I finally got the birth beads out that I bought weeks ago.

I really apologize for my tardy participation in this, and I hope you get them without incident this week.

I wouldn't let myself open any of the letters I got until I did my part, so I have that to look forward to tonight.

[Spark]

Ok, so I'm still sitting on this tempting stack of notes and beads. I haven't opened a single one yet. I'm really really waiting until I'm ready. Somehow I feel like the sheer power and love from them all will send me into labor! :lol AND, i'm not QUITE ready yet!

Have you heard all the stories about women going into labor right after their blessingways? I just feel like something similar might happen with me. Silly? Maybe. But, I'm still waiting. I don't quite feel it's the "right" time yet.

At the same time, i'm really ready to post thank yous! Did anyone get theirs from me? I haven't seen. I didn't "Hand Cancel" them. :( But they were all in thicker cards with some fabric wrapped around.

[Spark]

ooh ooh ooh, Spark, open mine now. i sent strong baby stay put vibes with it, you'll see. (from Jenny Hoffman in Baltimore; it may be in a small box? i can't remember.)

Oooh! I will do! :thumb

I didn't consider that possibility! :lol I could be opening up a bunch of Baby Stay Put letters! :lol Taht might just throw a kink into my "Throw me into labor" idea! :laugh:

REally it was SO nice of you to add me to your lists. :grouphug I really really appreciate it.

[TakeItEasyMama]

SPARK! I got the most beautiful amber colored beads right at the end of last week. !! Thank you thank you thank you!! I LOVE amber. Now open mine. I chose a green bead for life power.

Your beads were the perfect match for the arrangement I had going.

I just had a blessing way and got more beads, too. Now, I have the necklace of my dreams.

What's this about Blessing Ways triggering labor?

All the ladies at the BW were impressed that we had all swapped beads online. There was so much character in our exchange. Thanks to you all.

This chatting has been a blessing in itself to me.

[Minnow_]

Spark, I got your beads, and I've tied all of mine up in the fabric you sent, to keep them safe until I can string them together.

So I have amber beads, a coconut bead, a pretty green bead, and a kitty bead. Yay!! Thanks, everyone.