Mar 29th 2010 12:01:41 pm

You already know that I love altered matchboxes, but what you might not know is that I have never tried making a “matchbox chest of drawers.” That is going to change, though, because I have signed up for this week’s featured swap: hosted by . For this international swap, each participant will send a three-drawer matchbox “dresser” to their one partner. The dresser should be decorated in a spring theme and each drawer should contain items based on three specific categories:

• Drawer 1: Spring Colours. Fill this drawer with items that are the colours of spring (yellow,lavender, pink etc.) Of course, please check your partner’s likes and dislikes for colours. If they only like blue,for example, there is lots of pale blue shades to choose from.
• Drawer 2: Spring Words: How does spring make you feel? What does it mean to you? Share your thoughts in phrases or words with your partner. Are there special holidays that happen in your country? Let them know!
• Drawer 3: Spring Fling This is a profile surprise you can pop into the last drawer!

The matchbox chest of drawers are created by stacking together three separate 32-count matchboxes. If you need help with yours, check out the . I also really like made by Swap-bot user, , on Flickr. You can find many more ideas by searching on Flickr.

Only users who have completed at least five Type 3: Package or Craft swaps can participate and you must have a 4.9 overall rating, or higher. The sign up deadline is not until April 30th, so you have time to complete the pre-required swaps and tell your friends about this fun spring swap!

1 Comment » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Mar 26th 2010 01:51:23 pm

Wow! Spring is a happening time! There is National Craft Month, National Letter Writing Month, April Fool’s Day, Easter, Earth Day – who knew there were so many fun occasions to craft for?!

• Tomorrow, March 27th, at 8:30 pm is . To participate, and to show your support for the call to action against climate change, just turn out your lights for one hour. Nearly one billion people turned out for Earth Hour 2009 – involving 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents. Cool!
• Easter is coming up on April 4th… Isn’t that Peeps-themed bunting seen above just too cute? You can learn how to make your own over on .
• And, over on Homemade Mamas, you can learn how to make . So sugary sweet!
• AND, if you are really ambitious, Foodwhirl will show you how to make your own
• April is National Card and Letter Writing Month! There are sure to be plenty of letter-writing swaps on Swap-bot this month, but if you really love letters, you can also join – you could win a big prize!
• I really love this from Project Wedding. The garlands could be made for any fun occasion.
• Do you love handmade and sustainability? Then, you must check out , a beautiful online marketplace for sustainably handmade goods.
• For more earth-friendly craftiness, check out and .
• Enter to win a copy of Martha Stewart’s upcoming book, Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts, by commenting on this before Sunday.
• Speaking of giveaways, you have until March 31st to enter the sponsored by user, , right here on the Swap-bot blog.

3 Comments » Categories: friday link love

Mar 23rd 2010 10:06:39 am

Artist Trading Cards are one of the most popular items swapped on Swap-bot. So, even though I have featured ATC swaps many times before, I couldn’t resist sharing this fun variation for this week’s swap: ATC Yourself . The swap is hosted by and it requires each participant to create two ATCs with an image of themselves.

From the swap description: “You could embellish a picture of yourself, or draw a self-portrait, but try to be creative and make something to be proud of – it’s got your face on it!”

You send one of your cards to each of your two partners in the swap, and you receive two cards in return from two different swappers. The sign up deadline is March 30th for this international swap, so go get !

(Artist Trading cards are 2.5 x 3.5 inches in size – like other types of traditional trading cards. Find out more info about ATCs .)

No Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Mar 21st 2010 03:06:13 pm

Another week quickly passes, and like usual, I have bunches of crafty links to share!

• First and foremost, have you heard about ? It is an exciting conference for serious crafters that is going to be held in October in Chicago. I () will be attending and representing Swap-bot and I am super-excited for the event. There are going to be awesome speakers from the professional craft world, plus breakout discussion sessions, a crafty expo, and PARTIES! woohoo! If you dream of making crafting your career, CraftyCon is for you! Check out the for more information and to get your tickets.
• I just discovered and promptly submitted the Swap-bot blog to the map. The site is organizing craft blogs by geography and quickly creating an extensive directory. Go check it out and submit your crafty blog to the map!
• and just revamped their websites and they look like fabulous places for knitters and crocheters, with and a . Anyone out there a fan or user of these sites?
• This on My Paper Crane just might be the coolest kid’s party I have ever seen! Check out the amazing and . Wow!

Some Newly Discovered Craft Blogs:

• – “A place to find the latest opportunities for artists, crafters, designers, and makers.”
• – “Experiments in art, craft, and food.”

Some Newly Discovered Food Blogs:

Happy Spring! (…to all the Northern Hemisphere folks out there…)

No Comments » Categories: friday link love

Mar 17th 2010 07:39:30 am

On Sunday, March 14th, four members of the met up in real life. Swap-bot members , , , and met at in Chantilly, Virginia. Clay Cafe Studios is owned by OrigamiGrace and she hosted the fun make and take pottery experience.

RobinT reports: “Just wanted to let you know that swappers are meeting, greeting, crafting and having fun!” Yay! I love it!

5 Comments » Categories: Swapper Report

Mar 17th 2010 07:18:12 am

We are still thrilled that Swap-bot is featured on CraftCritique.com this week. Also, check out the interview of me, Rachel Johnson, and then browse through the tons of other informative craft product reviews on CraftCritique.com.

No Comments » Categories: press

Mar 10th 2010 08:37:06 am

March is National Craft Month! What a terrific reason to celebrate! For those of us who love to craft, vow to try a new crafting technique during National Craft Month; or perhaps you can teach someone how to do your favorite craft. National Craft Month can also be the perfect excuse to pull all those half-finished projects out of their hiding places and get them done. For those who don’t make crafts, what better reason to start crafting? Crafting has many benefits; it can help reduce stress, bring families closer together, and you can learn new skills also!

In celebration of National Craft Month, long-time Swap-bot member, , is generously sponsoring a fabulous handmade giveaway. She will be sending one lucky winner the beautiful handmade purse seen above filled with the following handmade items: a potholder, a coffee cozy, a set of four machine sewn coasters, crocheted doorknob cover, homemade sewn headband, and a small sewing kit. What a wonderful prize!

has been an active and supportive member of Swap-bot for over two years. You can read more about her craft and sewing projects on her blog, , and see photos of her projects and swaps on her .

To enter this giveaway, simply comment on this blog entry with your answer to the following question: What will you be doing to celebrate National Craft Month?

The giveaway is open for entry all month long. One winner will be randomly selected and announced on April 2nd. You must have a Swap-bot account to enter. Make sure to include your Swap-bot username in your comment. Also, by entering this giveaway you are indicating that you will allow your mailing info to be released to Biasbabe if you win.

Good luck and happy crafting!

167 Comments » Categories: Giveaways

Mar 9th 2010 07:40:39 am

Ernie the Envie is Swap-bot’s cute logo mascot. He is a happy, little airmail envelope who loves snail mail. If you love sending and receiving snail mail, too, you should sign up for this week’s featured swap: hosted by . For this easy and fun USA-only swap, just make one handmade card for your one partner. The only requirement is that your card feature Ernie the Envie in some way. You should also write a little note and sign your card before sending it to your partner.

If you meet the requirements listed in the , sign up for this swap before March 12th. You can use the image of Ernie above for your card, or you can find more images on the . To see more Ernie crafts, check out my . I just LOVE Ernie-themed creations!

No Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap

Mar 5th 2010 11:01:55 am

Is it Spring, yet? At least it is March… that means the sun is on its way! For now, enjoy these bright and cheery links:

• Don’t those flower corsages above look lovely? They are from a
• Crafty Chica has started her 30 Days of Glitter project in honor of her newly released novel – check out .
• I just discovered , a blog all about kindness. I am still checking it out, but it has lots of inspiring images, plus giveaways! Love it!
• Speaking of kindness and positivity, I also just found , a blog about “living happily ever after now.”
• ReadyMade magazine says – the pictures look so good, I might just have to attempt it!
• I found this Etsy store via Twitter and I thought it was super-cool and perfect for upcoming Earth Day: . They sell items handmade from recycled paper, including plantable gift tags tags with flower seeds embedded inside.
• If you live in or near Chicago and would like to attend an in-person clothing swap, check out coming up on March 20 & 21.
• Would you like to be a craft reporter for a day? Craft Critique is looking for craft product review articles.

No Comments » Categories: friday link love

Mar 2nd 2010 07:48:20 am

Earth Day is April 22nd! To celebrate, why not join this week’s featured swap: the hosted by ?

For the swap, you must send one of each of the following earth-friendly items to your one partner:

1. A reusuable bag (organic, felted, handmade, crocheted, knitted etc).
2. At least US$10 worth of Earth Friendly products – think recycled, organic, repurposed, reused, thrift shop, handcrafted…check your partner’s profile…support green companies if you feel the need to purchase from a store.
3. Handwritten note of your Top 10 Tips for a more sustainable and green lifestyle.

This international swap is open for sign up through March 15th. You will then have plenty of time to gather your items and get the package mailed to your partner in time for Earth Day. Make sure to read the full before signing up and have fun celebrating sustainable, eco-friendly choices!

No Comments » Categories: Weekly Featured Swap