I won’t be joining this time around, but I’ve been enjoying the conversation, so take this with a grain of salt.
I love using STS for Christmas shopping. Stocking stuffers are always welcome.
Some ideas: handmade garbage disposal cleaners (their made with baking soda and get rid of the bad smell that garbage disposals can get sometime), keychains, jewelry, small stuffed toys/amigurumis, makeups bags, zipper pouches, hair scrunchies, pot holder…
Also this bag! I’ve been obsessed with this bag, I bought the pattern, but I haven’t had time to try to make it. The pattern designer also had a purple whale one which is absolutely adorable!
@Reese52 - I do use it for gifts! 2 of my siblings have bdays in December as well, so I’m always looking for things. I prefer crafts that serve a functional purpose. My sister in law has decorated her kitchen in Fiestaware turquoise, so any kitchen items in that color I would snatch up!
I definitely want one of your pencil cases!
I have a large dog and would love items for him.
I’ll try to think of more things, but my philosophy is to make what you want to make and see how it goes! lol
My son’s music teacher (outside of school) has a largish dog. He puts different pup bandannas on her, especially seasonal. Ooo if her name could be embroidered on it, that would be fun.
I concur.
Oh, I have an elf on the shelf that could use some little booties. He just has plain nubs right now.
There’s crochet patterns that I have wanted to tackle, but I don’t know if I’m ever going to get to them. Both on Ravelry: Science the Candy Corn Rat and Breezy Bee. They are both little creatures from the show Adventure Time.
I also was going to repurpose holiday cards into gift tags, but that also has not happened. So, if anyone wants to tackle making a grip of gift tags with fun ribbon ties for winter, I will use them. Yeah, I’m more snowflakes/mittens/ice skates rather than St. Nick/Christmas trees/ornaments. My house is mostly woodland in the snow theme for the winter holidays except for my white tree up front that has pink glass ornaments. Ooo a pink tree skirt! With white ric rac?! Mmm.
What else? I like, um, the used underneath papers when someone is creating something. The bleed-through or paint smeared. Gah, there’s a name for those! I guess I’ll just say handmade papers. Those are fun to have around for projects.
Birthday cards for kids between ages 7 and 11. I just ran out of my set. I was going to make more with my Lawn Fawn stamps, but I’m working on stuff for this swap plus my geocaching stuff plus trying to keep my house tidy
@saintcady Are you going to have plant stakes again this year?
Stocking caps for when it gets cold. My sister loves Mushrooms, so I try to get her mushroom stuff every year. Cat toys for my fur babies. Anythng I can leave on my co-workers desk for the holidays, chapstick holder, candles, those hot chocolate spoons, small stocking I can put candy in, stuff like that.
When it says signups star September 9th, does that mean that’s when shops can start to set up? Or does that mean shops can open and swaps start on the 9th? Also, what is the over/under week? I’m sorry if this information is out there and I’ve just missed it. If that’s the case, can someone please direct me to where I can find this info?
You can open up your shop as soon as you are approved during the sign up period.
The over/under week is if you have over or under the starting 5 points. The over people choose from the under people until everything is balanced. I believe I have a two week grace period from when an item is sent until it gets to its destination, which is the Final date.
I remember the first time I did this swap it sounded so confusing. But don’t fret! Once the swap starts you figure it out very quickly and if you have any questions we are all here to help!
Here are the guidelines from last year’s swap if you want to review them.
I printed out a list of items with inspiration photos that I am hoping to make still, because I keep forgetting and going from craft to craft to craft which not all are for this swap. The list has helped quite a bit to gather supplies. Staying on task is a different story😅
Thank you, @susieoregon ! I had read through the guidelines a few times previously but apparently did not retain some of the info and also forget that that was the place to find the info, so thank you for the link!
It does all feel a bit overwhelming, so I appreciate the comments of encouragement!
One question - I read in the FAQs that a shop has to be open for the entirety of the swap. What happens if someone doesn’t have a ton of items and they sell out of the items they do have available?
I’m not sure that has ever happened! As long as you had 5 items to start and end up with 5 points after all your items have been claimed, I don’t think you are obligated to craft anything more and could close your shop.
I tend to do a lot of crafting during the swap so I’m always adding little bits to my shop.
I have not had that happen, but I haven’t hosted for very long. If you end up with 5 points and no items…unsure! I guess we’ll cross that bridge when or if we get to it.
One question - I read in the FAQs that a shop has to be open for the entirety of the swap. What happens if someone doesn’t have a ton of items and they sell out of the items they do have available?
Can I close my shop early and leave the swap?
Unless there are extenuating circumstances, then no. When you join the swap, you should plan on having your shop open for the duration of the swap except for short periods of times when you are away from your home base. Please be sure to message your swap organizer so that everyone is in the loop.
Technically, you will need to have your shop remain open for the duration of the swap until over/under week. But there is no rule about how often you stock your shop during the swap, so your shop could theoretically be open but empty at that point. You can also list some supplies too.
You might want to have a few extra things on hand because people do re-stock their shops throughout the swap and you might want to claim one of those newer items and so will need to generate some more points. It also helps to keep the swap going and fun because if no one is updating their shops, then the swap can stall.
It also helps to keep the swap going and fun because if no one is updating their shops, then the swap can stall.