Swap-bot Time: December 25, 2024 8:55 am
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ATC Megaswap With A Catch #3

Launch gallery slideshow

Swap Coordinator:KatarinaNavane (contact)
Swap categories: Challenges  Art  Artist Trading Card (ATC) 
Number of people in swap:19
Location:International
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Rating requirement:4.90
Last day to signup/drop:May 31, 2013
Date items must be sent by:June 30, 2013
Number of swap partners:20
Description:

The first two of these were a lot of fun and it has been a while, so I'm hosting another round of it!

-Be sure to read the entire description before signing up!-

For this swap you will be sending one ATC to each of your twenty partners. It's a lot of work but the cards are sender's choice so you can send ones you already have made or make your cards ahead of time. All media are welcome.

HOWEVER, here's the catch! At least one significant element of your cards must be uniquely made-by-you. If your card is a collage, it can't be possible to re-create your card completely with supplies bought off the rack.

There are a lot of ways you could do this--you could make your own background paper with inks or starch or paint, you could hand draw or paint part of your card, you could carve your own rubber stamp, you could start with a photo you took or your own digital art, you could add a handmade embellishment of some sort (wire? polymer clay? fabric?). The possibilities are endless and if you come up with even more ways to do this, feel free to add them in the comments section!

--A change from the previous rounds! Since there was some confusion last time about how significant the unique handmade portion had to be, this time I am specifying that at least one quarter of the time spent on your card should be spent on your unique element(s). I am not going to specify on size, since a lot of effort can go into a small element, but the unique element should be significant, not an afterthought.

The nitty gritty (Read carefully!) :
- 20 cards, one each to 20 partners, Sender's choice in both theme and medium.
- Standard ATC size is 2.5 by 3.5 inches. They should be at least card stock thickness. Be sure to at least sign the backs of your cards--all other info is optional, but most people like to include some additional information as well.
- This is an international swap so assume you will need more than one stamp to send at least a couple of your cards. Don't join if you can't afford it.
- The Catch: Every card must have one element that is unique and handmade by you. If this element is not obvious, mention what your unique element is in your note. You must put time and effort into your cards (more than a few minutes apiece!) and at least one quarter of that time and effort should go into your unique element.
- Include both your swap-bot screen name and the full name of the swap (ATC Megaswap With A Catch #3) somewhere in or on your envelope. This can be on the back of your card, if you like.
- Rating requirement of at least 4.9 and if your rating is less than a perfect five I want a legitimate explanation of all one and three ratings. If the explanation is not either on the rating comments or your profile, then PM me BEFORE signing up for the swap explaining how you got the poor ratings and what you did to try to rectify them. I reserve the right to remove anyone from the swap at my discretion. As with previous rounds, I will angel if I have to (or find angels if you're sick of cards from me) but really don't want to have to this time. No flakers!
- Sorry, but no newbies. You must have completed and been rated for at least 10 type three swaps to be allowed to join. No Exceptions! This is a big commitment and I don't want anyone getting in over their head. You should also have made and swapped at least a few ATCs before, although this doesn't have to have been on swap-bot. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Discussion

Wingy 04/30/2013 #

hmm watching for now

Julesdn 04/30/2013 #

Unfortunately that would cost me $48 to post, so I will wiat for a smaller "mega" :)

KatarinaNavane 05/ 1/2013 #

The international letter rate in New Zealand must be high! In the US, sending a flat letter internationally only costs $1.10, and a slight lump for a thicker ATC or embellishment is only 20 cents extra. Still not cheap to send 20 of them, this is indeed a high value swap, but at least here the rules are such that there is no need to pay package rate for ATCs.

GrrrMeoww 05/ 2/2013 #

Let me know if you do a US version of this~ I love the idea, but I think my husband would kill me if I tried to send 20 International letters at once....that's half of what I spend on groceries for the week! :P

atcdesigner 05/ 2/2013 #

I'd be interested in a US version, also.

KatarinaNavane 05/ 3/2013 #

I will not be hosting a US version of this. However, if another experienced host wanted to do so--after this version is over, please!-- I would be glad to give my support and wording to a US only version, as long as they gave credit for the idea and phrasing. I would definitely join it, too!

If someone would like to host it, starting sign ups once partners are assigned for this one, send me a PM.

jringling 05/ 5/2013 #

What happens if 20 people do not sign up? If it turns out to be 12 or less, I may join in...

sugarskull 05/ 7/2013 #

With @KatarinaNavane permission, I will be hosting a US only version of this swap :) I will message anyone you has said they're interested once I set up the swap, after June 1st.

Lizard 05/10/2013 #

@KatarinaNavane Here in Australia, this would be letter (not postcard - as it is in an envelope) rate and the very cheapest is $2.70. So I understand exactly where @Julesdn is coming from. I also wonder how 'good' the ATC would be after a person has made say 9 or 10 of them ... :\

KatarinaNavane 05/12/2013 #

When it comes to quality, that is why I have a month to signup and a month to send. You should be spending significant time on each card, and should have plenty of time to do so. No worse than if you joined 20 one partner swaps in a month. I have made between 1500 and 2000 ATCs in the last 4 years and the quality has decidedly immproved as I've gone. They don't have to be all the same, of course, nor do they have to be all different if you choose to do a series or edition.

KatarinaNavane 05/12/2013 #

You can also use cards you have already made but not swapped yet, if they fit the criteria. I have a backlog of about 200 cards made but not traded at any given time, I'm sure I'm not the only one who makes faster than they trade.

wolfeagle 05/12/2013 #

I always love this swap. Thanks for hosting it again.

Camiliann 05/22/2013 #

I always have extras i make, thanks for creating the swap again, but i have all new ideas so i wanna try something new, cant wait,,,, Wendy

eepy 05/22/2013 #

I haven't done ATCs in ages, but I had fun in this swap the last time, so I'll sign up again. Thanks for hosting this Internationally.

We should get the US and Canadian post offices together for a special cross border rate!

myartistry 05/25/2013 #

I'd be interested in a US swap and also would consider a smaller megaswap ;)

KatarinaNavane 06/ 1/2013 #

@sugarskull has posted the US version. If you're ambitious, feel free to join both! http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/149609

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