As I was completing my most recent card swap, it occurred to me that some of my newer customers and readers may not know what a card swap is, or how to participate in one. This post is for you!
I swapped these Perfect Blend cards with my recent Stamp-A-Stack attendees who participated!
A card swap is where you swap some of your cards with cards other people have made. You will make all of your card swap projects the same, and make the number of swaps you are told by the coordinator. Here are some important things to know when participating in a card swap:
WHO IS SWAPPING?
Most of the swaps that I participate in are with Stampin’ Up! demonstrators. That is important to know only because sometimes that determines some of the swap guidelines (see below). Your card swap might include a variety of different stampers.
WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE SWAP?
There is someone coordinating the card swap, so you’ll want to know who that person is and how to get a hold of them in case you have a question or encounter a problem.
WHAT ARE YOU SWAPPING AND WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES?
I’m using the term “card swap” throughout this post, but you might be swapping something else. You may be participating in a swap of 3-D projects, scrapbook page ideas, artist trading cards, card fronts, or something else entirely. It’s very important to know what is expected of you so that you can follow the “rules” of the swap. As I mentioned before, most of my swaps are with other Stampin’ Up! demonstrators, so a common parameter is to use only current Stampin’ Up! product.
HOW MANY SWAPS ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO MAKE?
The card swap coordinator will let you know how many swaps you are expected to make. Sometimes they might say you should make 14 +1, which just means you are making 15 swaps – 14 for participants PLUS one for the coordinator. As a general rule, I make 2-3 extra cards beyond what I’m swapping. I like to have my own copies of my swaps and I might as well make them while I am making all the rest!
WHERE/WHEN ARE YOUR SWAPS DUE?
There is always a swap deadline you should follow. Some swaps you will exchange in person and some card swaps you will mail to the coordinator who will collect all of them and send them back to you. Don’t miss the deadline, or you will make everyone wait for their cards (if they are being mailed) and you risk not being asked to participate again.
Finally, one last piece of advice for you in card swapping: Never speak poorly of another person’s swap contribution. Everyone has different styles and stamping abilities. If a swap you receive doesn’t follow the guidelines then you could mention it to the swap coordinator, but otherwise just let it go and enjoy the projects that others have worked so hard to create for you!
