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6 Reasons I Love Swap-bot

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There are many of them, but here are my Top 6!

For those of you who don't know what Swap-Bot is, it's only the COOLEST online handmade swap network EVER!! Here is the intro from their website:

"Do you like sending and receiving snail mail? Do you like writing letters, making crafts, or putting together fun packages? You should try swapping! Swap-bot is a online service that organizes group swaps and a community of creative individuals. Swap-bot takes the hassle out of participating in group swaps by organizing all of the participant information and doing all of the partner assignments. On Swap-bot, you can host swaps, join swaps, and chat with other swappers from all over the world. Give it a try!"

Here is the link to their website: http://www.swap-bot.com

There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of reasons to love Swap-Bot, but I have narrowed it down to my 6 personal favorites. They aren't necessarily by precedence, just rattling them off the top of my head. There are definitely more to come...

1) Postcard Swaps

Really, who gets postcards anymore?

Some handmade postcards that I've made from recycled materials for swaps.In the digital information age, where we have gotten so used to communicating through email, text messaging, IM, and Twitter/Facebook updates, snail mail is suddenly a very special thing? When was the last time that you received a HANDWRITTEN letter or message in the mail? And I mean, US Postal Service mail. Unless you're Santa, a member of a boy band, or a Congress person, I would imagine not very recently.

Getting a postcard in the mail is such an exciting thing to experience. The fact that this little card, with a pretty picture on it, and a friendly message written just for you, was physically in another part of the world a few days ago and is now physically in your hands, is quite an astounding realization. I've received antique postcards, postcards with pictures of the senders' home towns, handmade postcards, funny postcards-- each one is charming in its own way!!!

2) Matchbox Swaps

Good things really do come in small packages!

A matchbox I made and sent to my cousin to celebrate spring!Imagine getting a yellow padded envelope in the mail. Oh boy! It's from my Swap-bot partner! You run into your room, giddy with anticipation, and you rip open the envelope. Out comes a tiny, sparkly, little box. It's an embellished matchbox!

One would think, what can you really put in a matchbox? You'd be surprised at the treasure trove that a matchbox can contain. You slide open the little box and you are suddenly showered with tiny stickers, kawaii note papers, crystal embellisments, erasers, ribbon, and anything else your swap partner managed to squeeze in there!

How could anyone pass up an opportunity to get one of these in the mail? They're so special!!

3) Mini-zines

Zine is pronounced "zeen"

Most people mispronounce this word like "mine" rather than "seen." A zine is like a "magazine," but it's handmade, and self-published, and they can be hard to come by. I LOVE swapping zines with people! I think I've traded at least 40 mini-zines with other Swap-bot members. They are in a variety of topics-- everything from art, to weight issues, gardening, celebrities, poetry-- everything!

Here's a link on how to make a simple mini-zine .

Collecting zines is totally addicting. There are some very talented people out there!!

4) Getting Hearts!

Love to feel Loved!

When you swap with other folks on Swap-bot, they can rate your swap, and the rating ends up on your profile as an indication to others of how reliable of a swapper you are (lord forbid you ever get labeled as a "Flaker" meaning you flaked on a swap!). You can be rated on a scale of 1-5, 5 being the best, and you have to really screw up to get a 1 (or have a really big misunderstanding with your swap partner). Luckily for me, I've gotten all 5's on my swaps, but for extra special packages, your swap partner can give you a HEART! And boy, I LOVE HEARTS! When I get a notice that someone has rated me, I immediately go to my profile to see if I got any hearts! I try hard to make my swap partner feel special, so those hearts are really nice to get!!

5) Reading Other Members' Profiles

Getting to know your neighbors!

Most swaps require that you have a complete profile to make sure you're a legit member, and as a result, you get to learn about your swap partners. Find out where they're from, what they like and dislike, a little about their background. It creates a real warm environment on Swap-bot because it adds a personal touch to knowing who you're swapping with, and gives you ideas for how to make them happy, and vice versa. Everyone on swap-bot is committed to the handmade movement!

6) Swap-bot on Flickr

See What People are Swapping!

Do it. Go to www.flickr.com and look up "swap-bot" and you'll find a plethora of creative goodies that swap-botters have exchanged! This is total eye candy for a crafty obsessed person like me. Don't be ashamed. There is nothing wrong with ogling other people's crafty bits. :)

Who Am I on Swap-bot?

Come check me out too!!

So, I've only listed my first 6 for now. I plan to add more soon, and increase the number. For you swap-bot lovers out there, feel free to comment and tell me what you like as well!!

In the meantime, come visit me on Swap-bot. My user name is Fuzzington. Here's is my profile: http://www.swap-bot.com/user:fuzzington. Hope to be swapping with you soon!!

Thanks for stopping by and reading this Squidoo Lens! :)

Reader Feedback

  • outsource123 Nov 30, 2010 @ 5:29 am | delete
    Great lens guys!
  • LadyLovelace Oct 20, 2010 @ 5:34 pm | delete
    This is completely new to me, but it sounds like just my kind of thing - heading off to check it out!
  • WeddingZazzle Sep 27, 2010 @ 4:06 pm | delete
    I've never heard of this. Sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing the info. Blessed by a SquidAngel :)
  • fuzzington Sep 27, 2010 @ 4:44 pm | delete
    WeddingZazzle, thanks so much for blessing my lens! You should definitely check them out! It's so much fun!
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fuzzington

I am an engineering geek from 8am to 5pm, M-F. The rest of the time I'm a die hard artsy fartsy craftsy person, primarily as a pipe cleaner artist. Do... more »

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