Comments on: Swap Angels and Administration

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:37:39 +0000

I would not pay to do a swap. I realize there is work in coordinating the swaps.. but your swappers are the ones that put out all the currency expense… to add more to that just to participate… I would not join this group and that is why I came here. To see what your swap was about. If I have to pay to play- I am going somewhere else. There are a lot of swaps out there and they are free. Don’t make people chose to leave because they just can’t pay for fabric- materials- postage AND a administration fee to pair people up. Make it easier on yourself- not harder on your fans.

By: Fall-Inspired Mini Quilt Swap / Quilting Gallery

Fall-Inspired Mini Quilt Swap / Quilting Gallery — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:16:21 +0000

[...] want to thank everyone that voted and left comments or sent emails on the swap admin post from a couple of weeks. I read all comments, and have debated how to proceed. For now, things [...]

By: Darlee Byron

Darlee Byron — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:03:58 +0000

Here are my thoughts. For people concerned about the fee, they could be on a list to have a partner in their own country, should lessen the postage costs. I wouldn't worry about the expertise level, this should stay fun. But adding that question hopefully would make your job easier. If there is no fee, is there a way to lessen the contact emails back and forth? I don't think making the swaps smaller would benefit anyone. I agree that participants should have a blog or something so there is some way of accountability and getting to know them a little. Perhaps you could have an FAQ page people visit to find answers so you have less emailing to do? I'd pay the fee. Sometimes being involved in less is better, or if the fee is too much, be a swap angel maybe that could replace the fee for the next swap? Good job Michele! .-= Darlee Byron’s latest post: More Blogging =-.

By: Kristi Van Os

Kristi Van Os — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:49:24 +0000

I'm torn - I have no problems with paying an administration fee and would be happy to do so. It just might mean that I would most likely participate in fewer swaps. As to experience levels….I’m also torn on that one. Being a novice swapper, I like the fact that these are gifts of kindness and are made in friendship. How wonderful it is to go a visit another blog enjoying like things. Michelle Thanks so much for hosting and doing it so well. .-= Kristi Van Os’s latest post: A New Blog =-.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:42:21 +0000

Would this be a one time fee or 5.00 per swap?

By: Charis

Charis — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:57:01 +0000

I didn’t vote because I don’t mind doing a $5 per swap, but if we had a lot of swaps it would probably add up and be a deterrant…

that said… could you sign up with paypal so that we could contribute through that method. I had already been thinking of contributing, but I’d sure like to be able to do it through paypal.

I really appreciate the work you do in organizing all this and yes, you do deserve and have definitely earned some… I’m a new quilter (doing it the “real” and “correct” way) and so I’m learning so much by doing these small projects and not feeling quite so overwhelmed by jumping in for a big quilt project right out of the gate.

rag quilts are so much more forgiving, they don’t require near as much of the detail oriented work, and precision, what’s precision?

By: Deborah

Deborah — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:53:13 +0000

Michele,

I really appreciate the enormous amount of work you do to make these swaps available. I don’t mind paying a fee since I know it would help compensate for your time.

I agree with Maya that it should be required to have a blog, flickr account or website before signing up for a swap.

Another thought is to only allow someone to sign up for a swap if they’re already successfully completely a swap or if someone who has completed one recommends them and agrees to Angel the swap if their friend doesn’t follow through.

It looks like a toss up as to whether we tend to overstate or understate our abilities lol. Maybe we could just have a box on the registration where we can list the number of years/months we’ve been quilting and check a box (if we want) indicating that we prefer to swap with someone with an equal number of years.

I am would like to volunteer to be an Angel for the Summertime swap so please let me know if you need me.

By: Maya

Maya — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:27:27 +0000

Personally I don’t mind paying a fee to participate, but I can see how the idea of making a payment online may discourage folks from signing up.
Perhaps one way to keep things under control would be to limit the number of participants (as is done for most swaps like these). Kudos to you for handling such large swaps!
If your web hosting service allows you to create new email accounts easily, you could set up a different email address for different swaps that folks have to use to communicate with you, so you are not dealing with one huge bucket of email that you have to mentally sort out each time.
I love the idea of having an experience level so partners can be better matched. Have you considered restricting swap participation to those who have a web presence – either a blog or flickr account? It helps to get a rough idea about one’s partner’s preferences. Though someone says ‘quilter’s choice’ it would prevent the possibility of them just hating the colours one chose! :)

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:53:08 +0000

Hi Michele,

I to am torn about the fee. If I were to join in the swap I would be responsible for the mailing of the item and it may determine if I could join or not do to economics and all. As far as the experience level I feel we all judge our abilities so high that we may feel we fall short of others expectations. I like the fact that these are gifts of kindness and are made from love. If I were to receive a gift I would cherish the fact that someone thought enough to do so out of kindness. I don’t know if this helps you or not but these are my thoughts on both subjects. I love your work and inspirations to inspire us all. Keep up the great work.

By: Teresa L

Teresa L — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 07:07:51 +0000

I have no problems with paying an administration fee and would be happy to do so. It might mean I participate in fewer swaps as our budget is very tight with the current economy but I understand admin. costs.

As to experience levels….I’m torn on that one. Being a novice swapper and beginning quilter, I’m still learning all of this so my quilt is certainly not perfect and is not anywhere near as wonderful as some of those in the Flicker group. But I think we should all feel equally able to participate, learn, and contribute to others through this process.

THANKS Michelle for hosting and doing it so well. We are indebted to you for sharing your talents and expertise and bring us altogether. However you manage to make it work, I LOVE IT!!! This has been a great experience and I haven’t even received my surprise in the mail yet!

THANKS!

Teresa/MarieSews