Bookmark Collector

For those interested in another outlet for your swapping obsession, I want to let you know about Swap-bot. I’ve recently joined their swap-facilitating site, and have participated in several of their bookmark swaps.

Basically, once you join there are approximately 500 active swaps you may participate in. All of them are arranged by other Swap-bot members, not the hosts of the site. Swap-bot just provides the tools and the community to facilitate its members in arranging their own swaps.

The types of swaps vary wildly. I’ve participated in exchanges of free bookmarks, of handmade bookmarks (any type), and exchanges of very specific, handmade bookmarks (book thongs, with guidance on how to make them). However, there are LOTS of other swaps covering a huge range of interests. For example: hand-dyed yarns, photographs, craft supplies, cookies, CD’s, advent calendars, hand-made items, artists’ cards, etc. Some have elaborate, multiple steps: I read about a swap where a stuffed animal is sent to each person who then takes a picture of the item at a local site & sends it on to the next person: the originator gets the stuffed animal back along with all its photos.

A swap is started by any member, who is then the coordinator for that swap. The swap has a sign-up deadline. Everyone that is signed up (and approved by the coordinator) by the deadline is matched with partners and there is another deadline for sending the swap items. The recipients then rate their parters items (it’s a simple rating system - did the received item meet the criteria, not meet the criteria, or exceed the criteria - but it all gets expressed as stars and hearts).

As a member, you receive a “score” based on this feedback from your swap partners. Some swaps are limited to members with minimum scores, and others are open to everyone, including newbies.

I’m sure this sounds more complicated than it really is. I found it to be easy, and a lot of fun. And it’s a great way to expand your collection while meeting new swap partners.

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