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Single Stamp Surprise Swap #3--USA

Launch gallery slideshow

Single Stamp Surprise Swap #3--USA
Swap Coordinator:phillaine (contact)
Swap categories: Challenges  Miscellaneous  Newbie 
Number of people in swap:43
Location:Regional - United States
Type:Type 2: Flat mail
Last day to signup/drop:August 17, 2010
Date items must be sent by:August 23, 2010
Number of swap partners:3
Description:

For this third swap, we'll each have 3 partners! :D
This means we’ll have a bit more time to prepare, too.

The purpose of this swap is to make someone's day a little brighter,
without needing to spend a great deal of money--
just the cost of a single postage stamp.

It's really the thought that counts in this one.
I'm hoping that everyone will enjoy this
and I plan to continue doing single stamp surprise swaps
if I get a positive response!

Anyone with a 4.9 rating or higher (or no ratings)
is welcome to participate--if you do have negative ratings
and would like to contact me for a private swap
to get your ratings up, I'd be happy to swap with you.
I will angel this swap if necessary.

Here are the rules:

You must have a well filled-out profile!

You must read your partners' profile!
Please try to send them things related to their interests
that will make them smile :)

You will send each partner 1 envelope of goodies
that only takes 1 stamp to send
(USPS guidelines are posted below).

Items can be used, new, or handmade, but should be
in like-new condition.
Please send something of a quality you would like to receive.

In order to receive a 5, your items should meet the criteria
of being related to your partner's profile interests and be
thoughtfully put together (only sending a postcard or a quick "hello" note does
not qualify as being particularly thoughtful).
You should be able to send at least a few nice items, no problem.

Please rate anyone a 5 as long as they meet these criteria.
Hearts are of course at your own discretion.

Some ideas for items that will be under the weight limit and machinable for the
USPS single-stamp rate:

ATCs
ATC blanks
inchies
stickers
bookmarks
ribbon
fabric scraps
stamps
special mailing labels for your partner
swap cards created for your partner
stationery
envelope seals
die cuts
special papers for scrapbooking/crafting
window clings
recipes
poems/stories/photos or images you think they'd like
a nice letter

This is still a fairly quick turn-around swap in order to help people get good ratings.
Please do not sign up if you can't get your envelope ready to send out
by the send date.

Here are the USPS criteria for a single stamp:

First-Class letter dimensions:

Rectangular (NOT SQUARE)
At least 3-1/2 inches high X 5 inches long X .007 inch thick
No more than 6-1/8 inches high X 11-1/2 inches long X 1/4 inch thick
Maximum weight is 1 ounce for a 44 cent stamp.
Letters that are considered nonmachinable are subject to a surcharge. 
Length is the dimension parallel to the address.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Have fun swapping!

Discussion

AshleyNoelle20 08/ 9/2010 #

Are new people allowed to sign up?

thebragal 08/ 9/2010 #

It says you must have a 4.9+ OR no rating so yes, newbies can join!

phillaine 08/10/2010 #

welcome newbies! :D

ladydy5 08/13/2010 #

A few items in one stamp envelope if bulging in anyway over 1/4 inch thick may cost you a surcharge. I had that happen many times. So best to watch for that. The things on the list seem fairly easy to keep the one stamp thing.

phillaine 08/13/2010 #

Thanks for the reminder :) That's the challenge, and why I made the list. If anyone else has ideas to add for machinable items, please share them and I'll add them to the list! :D

bluehairedmary 08/14/2010 #

I really enjoyed this swap the last time, even though I think I spent over $1 on one envie's postage! Doh! This time, I am going to really challenge myself to condense the awesomeness!

ctyankee 08/15/2010 #

I love these one-stamp swaps, too! I was in the last one & have joined this one as well. Phillaine, please remind people that ONE STAMP = ONE OUNCE, & that putting one item into an enveope does not meet requirements. It's easy to stuff an envelope with goodies & still meet the one-stamp (one-ounce) challenge, but putting one or two items into an envelope does not. :)

phillaine 08/17/2010 #

Thanks for the reminder, ctyankee: this is why I posted above: "In order to receive a 5, your items should meet the criteria of being related to your partner's profile interests and be thoughtfully put together (only sending a postcard or a quick "hello" note does not qualify as being particularly thoughtful). You should be able to send at least a few nice items, no problem."

I've been able to send easily a half dozen things, depending on what they are. If you're not sure on the weight, I use a kitchen scale to measure, and that helps. To be machinable, it can't be thicker than 1/4", though. So spread it out flat! :D

And most importantly--HAVE FUN!! :D

phillaine 08/17/2010 #

I want to be sure that I'm not misunderstood-- it IS quality and thoughtfulness that is more important that quantity. A few very nice thoughtful or handmade items is better than throwing in a bunch of stuff that's not really related to your partner's profile just to get more items in. It's just that I want to avoid having someone put together something very thoughtful and getting one or two relatively meaningless things in return. We've got a good group of people, so this shouldn't happen, just being proactive ;) I've had nothing but good experiences with these in the past.

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