5 Beautiful Things---U.S. Only

I would love to do this, but I've been burned on 3 big swaps already. Can we have more than one partner to up our chances of getting at least one good swap partner?

jewels--i am hesitant to change to 2 partners only because there are a lot of parts involved in this swap. personally i think 2 partners would be cool...how does everyone else feel? let me know and i'll cosider changing it. i hope you will join anyway and this swap will renew your faith... -amelia

like jewels I've been burned lately... 2 partners would be better. maybe I'd sign up then...

i feel like the quality of the items would go down quite a bit if i had two partners. i would much rather have one and make it really nice.

I agree with cranialbleeding. Most of the people who have signed up so far have 5.0 ratings so they seem reliable. If the new members have a good history in other swaps, they should get a chance to join too.

I agree with staying with one partner. I can't imagine doing anything of any quality for two. I feel so bad for those people who are burned. Whoever gets me will get a nice package - if you sign up, then stick with it. It makes you feel good all over to send that package - I think the sending is the most fun of all!

I feel like keeping it at 1 partner is a good idea, but screening all newbies is also a good idea because I have hosted a few swaps with people who just delete their profile after receiving their items, so that they don't have to send anything.

Dear All, Thanks for all of your input! I think I am going to keep this swap at one partner, simply because I agree that the quality of the items and the amount of time we can put into it will be greatly lessened with mulitple partners. \ -Amelia

Hey Everyone, I have a question...A fellow swapper wanted to extend the swap date to June 7th so that the products could be of the utmost quality. How do you all feel about a longer swap? Please reply to this, or send me a messege. Thanks! -Amelia

I would love it to be longer. I want to send some really special stuff - not just a bunch of "things." This to me is really a special swap. That would give us 8 weeks (or a bit more if you actually started creating now) which is an average of about a week and half for each "beautiful thing." Cute things would be quicker, or three things would be faster, but five is something that takes some thought and hard work. I am starting now (and praying fervently that what I do will match my partner's likes). Bottom line: I vote longer time.

I would like the deadline to be later too. The extra time will help make the "beautiful things" more tailored to my partner's interests and colors.

I'd love to extend the deadline, too! :O)

i was just thinking....feel free to contact your partner once they are assigned to ask any more question about likes, dislikes, sizing, etc.

I just noticed the ATC Mega Swap ends on June 7th so I think a lot of people are thinking ahead. :) (At least I do here - I wish I could extend that to other areas of my life! LOL) I am really hoping to see that date change - I have a little box here of things to make I think are beautiful things and this is going to take some time but I am going to proud to send it. :) I also suspect I may have a tug-of-war with the post office with the package cuz I'm gonna wanna keep it! LOL Again - compliments - it is a great swap - I love classy things like this.

The date is changed to the 7th of June! I will make sure and send out an emil to everyone in the swap around the middle of May just as a reminder about the upcoming deadline. I hope everyone as a wonderful time completing this swap (I know I will!) -Amelia

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can breathe much easier now! :)

Hi, Amelia! I think this swap sounds like a fantastic idea! I also like keeping it down to one partner so that we could all focus on our gift-making tailored to one person. However, because this swap is a special one, and to address the possibility of someone not getting something in such a special, time-heavy swap (meaning the giver has put a lot of time in their items), I think this should not be a "newbie" swap (no "newbies) - there are plenty of other swaps that don't require much where they have the opportunity to earn ratings and we can always do this swap again in the future). I think everyone who signs up should have a high rating, and while I would prefer NO "No Sends", I can deal with 2 (I know things happen that is not always the Sender's fault). I also think that another good "weeding out" process is to require that the swapper have done at least 1 or 2 substantial swaps before joining this one (substantial vs. letter and postcard swaps). I am one of the swappers who is tired of seeing people sign up for these swaps, especially the bigger ones, to take advantage of good-natured and REAL swappers. This swap is too special and involves too much of "us" to have someone not receive.

Thanks for listening to my "thoughts". :)...Karla

I totally agree with Karla. Sorry to the newbies, but too many people take advantage. It really isn't ThaT hard to delete you profile and sign up under a new one - I have seen this done with too many swaps. With the special nature of this swap, it's just not worth the risk.

Hi Amelia. This sounds like a fun idea and I'm glad we have so much time to prepare our items. I do have a concern, there is someone with a "1" rating in the list of participants. If you'd like to learn more about that person check the forums for the "serenityrae22/loveanatomy" thread. It would make me reeaally nervous to do this swap if she were still on the list at partner assignment time. Thanks for listening...

FarStarr---tomorrow before partners are assigned i will check the list of participants and ban any users below 4.7 rating, etc. hope you enjoy the swap! -ameliabarnaby

I am so on the fence about this now. The problem with bad swappers is getting a bit gruesome. I have dropped several because of it. I do high quality work, I believe, and although I haven't been burned yet, I feel that it is only a matter of time.

I think it is terrible that a few people ruin it for all of the good people but I am relatively new here and don't know all of the names like you old-timers. I must confess to being a bit gunshy. Ok, more than a bit. A lot right now.

Dear Everyone---- A huge sorry to all honest newbies in this swap, but due to so much concern in messeges i have recieved from other members, I have decided to ban newbies. I will repeat this swap in the future, and I hope everyone earns ratings and joins the next one. I am sorry for big disappointments. Happy swapping! -Amelia

Amelia i sent your package out today

Wow Aya, I just looked at the gallery. I better get moving with mine! I really like the buttons and the stamps-neat!

Be aware there are people who don't return the swap. I am out on this one because it happens to often.

It looks like there are 3 swappers that may have disappeared. I hope their partners think twice before sending to them.

I am almost ready to send my package. I just looked at all profiles and didn't see one deleted one. Which three are gone? Thanks! :O)

Package ready to go to Triceramolly today (and I do see she has rec'd 1's for her last few swaps... :O)

Sorry, not technically disappeared but maybe gone due to unavoidable incidence (previously good swappers receiving lots of recent 1's) I think it's always a good idea to contact your partner before you send if you see that happening.

Two down, three to go!

Noelle - your 5 are in the mail. I hope you like them - please let me know when you receive them :)

finally i have finished my 5, they will be in the mail monday or tuesday, depending on when i can stop by the P.O.
Dianne

hee hee..that's one of the problems with being able to see your partners now..I'm so excited Belle!

Aya Rosen, I am sending out your package tomorrow! Let me know when you recieve it, and I hope you love it!!! -Amelia

I uploaded pics of a couple of beautiful things...

No problem Amelia - I can't waitto see what I get...

Mandy, yours is going out tomorrow, sorry, i tried really hard to get the package ready for the po by today but just couldn't make it. either way, it will be there soon! Dianne

No worries, Dianne!

I received wonderful beautiful items from Belle the Cat. Thank you so much!