Shadow Exchange Guidelines and Ideas

Random image of a bookmark I found in a thriftstore book years ago. I have a hard time looking at the bookmark because I feel so sorry for the sad lonely man on a bummer. I hope he called to rap.

Below are some parameters and dynamics, totally up for revision and input. Just leave a comment here with any ideas you have.

Shadow Exchange

Here's how it works:

-I will stuff a small flat rate priority USPS box with a variety of beads and findings and send it to the first person on the exchange list.

-That person will go through everything and remove whatever they would like, replacing the removed items with similar quantity and quality items, so the box is stuffed again. They will send the box to the next person on the exchange list.

-That person will go through the box and repeat the same process of removing whatever they'd like, and replacing it, and then send the box to the next person.

-And so on and so on and so on...

-Until the very first person (me in this case) receives the box back, filled with a crazy mixture of things from everyone.

Ideas

-Participants must have some affiliation with the forum at Fanciful Device's blog.

-The box should remain in one person's possession for a maximum of three days. With 8 people participating, that's around a month for the box to complete its full circle journey back to the original person.

-I will keep the names of the participants, and let people know who they send to, and provide email addresses so people can privately give home addresses and work things out.

-To prevent too much dilution of supply, let's say you must switch out at least 1/16th of the stuff, but no more than 1/2.

-Don't fret over exact number of replacements--no 'bead for bead' kind of anal OCD thing. Just the general spirit of replacing similar value and amounts will suffice. The idea of keeping the box stuffed should be a good guideline.

-Also don't fret too much about the aesthetic of the next person on your list.

-It might be fun to take photos and blog about what you're taking/replacing. how do others go about this kind of exchange in that respect?

-I'm not sure if the priority boxes can be reused. But, they're free from the Post Office. If you aren't in the habit of going to the post, you can leave a note for your carrier to drop an empty one off for you with your mail delivery. just ask for a 'small flat rate priority box.' It's really the most economical way of shipping. The amount of supplies you can stuff into a regular box and pay a regular first class rate with is about $10 otherwise. The boxes are 4 something online and just over $5 in person. So make sure you have a small flat rate priority ready.

-What else have I not taken into consideration?

update:

-One thing I didn't take into consideration is the idea that people could possibly be receiving from the person they were partnered with in the first exchange. I was thinking there is going to be such a mixture of items that it likely won't matter much, but the idea that 1/2 the loot can be replaced is a lot of stuff from the same source. We obviously all loved our sources, but of course the idea here is to mix it up, so if you see your previous partner's name above or below yours on this list, please contact them and make arrangements to send to the next person on the list instead. Let me know, and I will amend the list as it develops. I have amended the list order a bit, and the updated one is in the comment section below.

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As I was thinking about this, it struck me that one's placement on the list is loaded with 'trade off' dynamics. This is one of the things about it that appeals to me. For example, being first, I have to wait forever for the payoff. But--I get arguably the most interesting score from it all--a hod podge from every single involved--but they are almost all rejected items! But I get to keep the whole box. And also, I get to see if there are any of my original items left--things no one wanted! Surely there will be. Makes me want to put really good stuff in it. Trade off, trade off, trade off. I love that.

Likewise, the second person on the list only gets stuff from one person, me. But--they don't have to wait very long to get a bunch of new stuff. Quick payoff.

So--leave comments with ideas and/or expressing your interest in the exchange. Beacause people have replied here, there and everywhere, I can't guarantee that your placement will be in true order of request, but I'll make it close. But it's all a trade off anyway, like I mentioned!

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