STS (Shop The Swap) Spring Market 2022 Discussion

Hello! I am getting ready to host the Spring STS (Shop the Swap)! :shopping:

I’m planning on opening it during the first week of March. If you’re interested in joining in, then please watch this thread for updates and discussing the swap! I’ll update this first post with all the info over the next few days. Looking forward to seeing what you all will be offering! :blush:

If you are new to the STS, here are links to prior rounds to look over and get a feel for this swap. :blush:
STS 2020
STS Spring Market 2021
STS Fall Market 2021

:cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping:

DATES:
Signups will run 3/1 (Tues) through 3/12 (Sat)
Set up your shop no later than 3/14 (Mon)
Claims accepted from when you’ve set up your shop through 4/8 (Fri)
Last call (over/under) from 4/9 (Sat) through 4/14 (Thu)

:cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping: :cherry_blossom: :shopping:

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FAQs

What happens if I am away from my home base during the swap?
If you are traveling or otherwise unable to keep your shop open, you can close for a short period of time (a week or so). Please be sure to message your swap organizer so that everyone is in the loop.

Can I offer custom items in my shop?
Custom items can be offered, but they must be finished and sent in a timely manner (so keep this in mind and only offer custom items that you can finish quickly). When completed, custom items should be posted and reserved on hold for the person you made them for. The person can then submit a formal claim for the custom item.

Can I offer items that are not crafted by me?
A small amount of handcrafted items from other people may be offered in your shop, but the majority of the items should be made by you. Please be mindful of the potential of hurt feelings when selling items made for you in other swaps. Crafted items from others must be credited with the name of the creator or you will be requested to remove that item.

How do I price my items?
Charge what you think is fair for your crafted item! It might be worthwhile to take into consideration factors such as time invested, supply cost, popularity, etc.

How do I generate sales?
There are no guarantees that claims will be made from your shop. To make a sale you may need to adjust your prices, restock your shop with new crafted items/supplies, or run special promotions such as flash sales or weekend specials.

What should I offer in my shop?
Use the discussion thread for brainstorming any new items to offer in your shop! Or talk about what you can make to gauge interest from your fellow STSers. And if you’re in the market for something you’d like, go ahead and post your request in the discussion thread. Someone may be able to make it happen!

Can I put an item on hold if requested to do so?
Putting items on hold (for a short duration) in your shop is at your discretion. Only items that are currently listed in your shop can be put on hold. Holds should only be accepted when your shop is open. If a shop is closed and you are itching to claim something, please message the shop owner and ask that they let you know when they reopen so you can claim. Please do not ask people via private message to hold items for you until you can submit a proper claim; this is not an acceptable way around the “first properly formatted claim wins the item” rule.

My points/claims don’t match what I think they should.
Is something wrong?
If it has been awhile since you made the claim, or if the organizer admits to having been sloshed/sick/tired/attending to life in the real world since the points tally and/or claims list was last updated, go ahead and send her a message. If your claim is a few days old and has not shown up on the claims list, please send her a message to inquire about it. No worries, we’ll sort things out.

Do I have to list my claims (bought and sold items) in my shop?
Aren’t you keeping track of my points?
Yes! I am keeping track of your points, and in any disagreement, mine is the list that counts (just kidding, or am I…). Seriously though, it makes it easier to resolve any discrepancies if I can compare your list to what I have in my records. I do go through the shops on occasion to add up points and make sure we’re all on the same page.

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Plopping myself on the fence. :thinking:

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I should be in! I’ll have a weird bit in the middle while I’m moving, but should be able to swing it. :grin:

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I debate joining this swap every. Single. Time. My main hesitation is that I don’t have ready made stuff and I always seem to have gift WiPs needing attention to be done on time taking up whatever craft time i can eek out of my days.
But once again, I’m thinking on it…

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@fishstix43 - yay! :smiley:

@Abbeeroad and @AntBee - would love to have you both in the swap! Antbee, are there any smaller projects that might be fun to make that don’t take a lot of time?

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We now have dates! Signups start March 1, all other dates listed in the first post! :blush:

There aren’t really right now. I think with WiPs, a swap, and some planned time-sensitive projects on the docket already I’ll have to be a responsible adult and watch this round from the sidelines. Maybe I can work up some stuff over summer to be able to take part in Autumn.

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I say this to myself every.single.round :smile:

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I’ve never done one of these but seriously thinking about it.

My concern is the postage … if my items aren’t small or flat, doesn’t it add up to quite a bit?

And … is there an approximate dollar value associated with each point? I saw some things listed as 1 point in past swaps that would cost me $20 to buy locally but at the same time 4 simple notecards for 1 point. How do you determine the point value?

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Would love to have you in the swap! :slight_smile:

Yes, postage could cost a lot if you are shipping something heavy or that isn’t flat/small. If you are concerned about shipping, I suggest looking up the approximate cost for shipping something before adding it to your shop, or offering smaller, flatter items to keep shipping costs down.

As for pricing, its what you think is a fair price for your item. You could think of it as the time you invested or the cost of supplies, or a mix of the two. And you can also use the guidelines for approximate small, medium, large items in the swap rules page. The $20 item for 1 point may have been purchased on sale, or someone being generous and just wanting to see the item go to a happy home where it will be loved. :slight_smile:

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We have some travel scheduled over this timeframe so I am going to sit this round out. For those considering it, give it a try! I always use this swap to find handmade items beyond my capabilities for gifts and to send some of my handmade things to good homes.

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Swap signups are open! :grin:

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Oh I may need to join this one. It’s one of my favorites

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I participated in a STS a long time ago and it was a lot of fun!

USPS is sending small parcels to New Zealand again, but I do wonder whether the postage costs and time might still be a bit too challenging. Thinking hard ……

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Sent in my Q! Working on getting my pictures so I can open this weekend.

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Welcome to the swap! :blush:

Hope you all can join us!

Due to lack of interest, I’m going to go ahead and pull the swap. Hopefully there will be enough interest later in the fall. :slight_smile:

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oh boohoo

When does the Fall STS usually begin? I am planning on joining and wanted to get a head start on creating a few items.