I remember a couple of years back that the beaders here got together and did several exchanges and swaps and such. I had a few ideas to throw out there to see if anyone was interested. Let me know what you think. Add you own ideas! Lets see....

Ugly bead exchange. C'mon we all have em.

The I have know idea why I bought this bead or what for exchange.

Lonely bead exchange. I will use it really I will.

Bead kit exchange (make little kits for each other)

Artist swap (you get someones name and make them something)

This is a good idea! To add, I would suggest a leftover bead exchange. Like when you buy a whole strand but only end up using two of the beads, and don't have a clue what to do with the rest.

That's a great idea...goodness knows I've got beads like that too......

Yeah, me too. How exactly do the exchanges work?

I would love to participate in bead exchanges. I am knew to this site so I don't know how it all works, but I will be checking back to find out if it has gotten started.

Good luck!

Im thinking once we have an idea what we are going to exchange and  enough people interested to exchange that something with...we do it,

Either by posting, example: Jane beader posts that she has an ugly bead to exchange and Joy Beader replies, Yes I would like to swap ugly beads with you. And they trade info and live beadily ever after. Pictures afterwards would be great.

Or: 1. We pick what we are doing. ( ugly bead swap, leftover bead swap etc) This is important so someone sending an ugly bead doesn't get a necklace or someone sending a kit doesn't get a leftover bead....imagine the confusion. I think a price limit would be a good idea too.

2. You post here with what you like and don't like, possible allergies, could you send more than one thing (packages get lost) etc.

3. Everyone interested emails someone who takes charge of this monster with their names and addresses by a certain date, and that person in charge then draws names out of a hat or bead box and randomly gives you someone to swap with.

If anyone else has another solution to how to do an exchange by all means post!

Hi laughingsalmon,

What a great idea! It's my understanding that when they used to do exchanges on the old forum, one person would take charge and collect all of the names and address. Then the coordinator would assign who would send beads to whom. Maybe something like this:

1. Annie Anderson - sends beads to . . .

2. Bonnie Burns - send beads to . . .

3. Carrie Conway - sends beads to . . . Annie Anderson.

So that mixes it up so that everyone is getting beads from different people instead of a direct swap between only two people.

However, that is just one idea.

Good luck getting everything organized!

Lindsay
 

Thats a good idea!! Let me know when you get everything worked out. I would do it, definately.

Yeah, what Lindsay said. ( Thank you, btw for the info/advice)

Ok, so since im the one that brought it up I guess everyone can e-mail me, that is unless someone else wants to be in charge.

How does this sound?

We swap leftover, lonely, and why did I get these beads.

Price limit is no one bead or package of beads over 15.00 dollars. Including shipping example: beads: 8.00, envelope: 2.00, shipping: 5.00, getting beads in the mail: priceless.

Everyone interested needs to e-mail me at laughingsalmon@gmail.com no LATER than May 15th (that shoud be enough time)

Tile your e-mail Beadstyle Bead Exchange and include: Your name. Your address. Your screenname. Your E-mail Address, Yes or No if you will mail internationally. Yes or No if you are able to send more than 1 package in case someone's swap partner drops off the face of the planet, package gets lost, eaten by a monster...etc.

Interested Beaders can post here what they like, what they don't like, allergies, and what they are looking for.

After everyone has gotten their package, pictures would be nice. A finished project with what you received would be great too.

This is for ANYONE.

I would like to participate in the bead exchange.  But, I have one question.  Does everyone the beads to match or just mixed up left overs and should we put the discriptions of what the beads are in the package.  (I think the discriptions should be put in so we know what we have.  Like I can't tell if its gold plated, filled, or base metal.  Or maybe some kind of Jasper I've never seen before.) I think I can find lots of beads that might go together that I don't know what to do with but someone else might.

Also, you should include an amount that everyone sends to you for shipping so you will not have to pay for it.

 Tell me what ya'll think?

Imabeadin

Imabeadin, I don't think the beads need to match nessasarily,( I think a mix would be fun) descriptions would be a great idea, so if your partner really likes a certain bead and wants more, they know what they are. If you are not sure what a bead is, maybe your swap partner might know.

And about shipping,

Everyone will be emailing me with addresses as such, I personally won't be mailing the packages for everyone, you would be mailing your package to your selected partner. But if you have a budget, and can't mail to someone say on the other side of the Country or Internationally, just let me know when you email me. I can try to find a partner for you that is close by to reduce shipping costs.

When I did this a few years ago, I sent a package, and I payed about 5.00 dollars between the shipping and the little mailer envelope.

Just wanted to add a tip:

 In the past I've been able to find small (8x11) bubble envelope mailers in the dollar store near my house. They usually come in a package of two. 

I've never participated in a bead swap, I'm looking forward to exchanging! 

I am really excited about this.

I have sent off my email already and I can't wait until July - when I anticipate that my package will arrive.

Dear laughing salmon

 i just discovered this site but i have been part of a bead swap before and it was very exciting knowing that i was getting a box of surprise!! types of beads. Will e-mail you off list to get my name in the running for the beads, thanks for taking on the project

 Becca the beader

Yes beading is as important as breathing

Remember to post here what you like, what you dont like, what you are allergic too and what you are looking for.

I would hate to see a beader that hates green and is allergic to silver get green beads and silver findings.

Also, I made the deadline for signs ups May 31st but may move it up at bit if signs ups continue to increase. I'm not trying to leave anyone out, but I completly forgot that I was going on Vacation the last week of May. Duh.

We have 6 people signed up so far (including jewelrybyerin I haven't received your email yet but you get counted too)

Yay.

Do you know when the new deadline will be?

I smoke so if that will bother anyone, don't give them to me. 

Does anyone like polymer clay beads?  I also make them, so if anyone might like to have some home made polymer clay beads I can send some.  I have some really nice ones.  Faux Turquois, mulit-colored tubes, rounds, bicones, many more.  I also have some really nice mixed colored hearts that you can wire wrap.  I won't send polymer clay unless someone asks for it though. 

I like any blue, purple, pink, black, white, dark greens and mulit-colors, but am alergic to plastics.

This has got me excited.  I've really been in a slump in making jewelry or beads for the last 6 or so months.  I'm glad I caught it.  Thanks for coming up with it.  I keep missing out on the ones in the polymer clay forums that I belong to.

Imabeadin

aka Cindy

I leave May 16th for Vacation so Sign up Deadline would be May 15th.

How does that sound? Is that enough time?