Green Lunch Bags - Newbies and Flakers

OK, some of us have made mistakes in the past, and our ratings are keeping us out of a lot of the swaps. Let's face it, we deserve our penance. It is a great system for protecting people from sending their blood, sweat and tears, all for naught. However, I still want to swap.

And some of us have simply not done enough swaps to get into the swaps we want.

I want to improve my rating, earn some hearts, and get some stuff in the mail.

This swap is open to anyone with a rating of 4.0 OR UNDER. There will be no angels. We all need to step up and earn our ratings and hearts. If you agree to this swap, you might get paired up with a flake and get nothing in return. In my case, it would serve me right. This does NOT give you permission to slack off though. Join this swap to improve your rating, not to scam a prize from someone. (ok if your rating is too high you can still sign up as long as you are cool with the risks)

And you MUST rate your partner once you receive your bag. This is crucial. It is the whole point, improving our ratings. And if they do an exceptional job with the choice of bag, and of the contents, give them a heart.

This is an International swap, because it is always fun to get stuff from foreign lands. OK I live in California, and find anything from the east coast pretty foreign - so don't be sad if you get matched with someone in your own country. ;)

Here was going to be the short description (oops): - You will send to ONE partner. - You will send them a sturdy, used, re-usable bag, that is large enough to use as either a lunch bag, or a project bag. - You will put some goodies inside the bag. Check your partner's profile for ideas on this. Or surprise them with something fun, useful, obscure, funny (keep it tasteful), ... oh, sorry, this is the short version... - Do not break the bank on this swap. We are trying to get ourselves into good swapping habits and deliberately taking a risk on other's who have flaked is only fair, but no sense going broke and being unable to afford another swap. - Invest about $3 (or the equivalent) in the goodies. And yeah, you can spend more if you are lobbying for hearts, or have a brilliant idea, but don't be sad if you get $3 worth of strangeness in return ;) - This is an INTERNATIONAL swap, so you will likely spend more on shipping than the contents.

Can you believe that was the short version? Well then read on, I can type for ages: 1) I want to encourage re-using bags. There are many options; fabric, welded plastic grocery bags, crocheted plastic grocery bags, used gift bags, used brand name store bags, crochet or knit from a frogged sweater or project, salvaged clothing conversions, and so forth.

A lot of my co-workers bring their lunches in shopping bags with store names on them. Many of these are very strong, have well-attached handles, and are even pretty. (or manly - guys can swap too)

2) Cultural exchange. The only thing better than getting a new-to-you, re-usable bag, is getting one with stuff inside! Once you find out who your swap partner is, you will investigate whether any of your local stores and products do not exist where you partner lives.

For instance, someone in London with a partner in the US, could send a Marks & Spencers shopping bag with a French Connection UK sample product inside. (check out your partner's profile and PM them if you are unsure if they would find that offensive)

Someone in San Diego, CA could send a San Diego Zoo shopping bag with Jer's Chocolates inside. (OK bad example... chocolates melt too easily) Maybe a little souvenir, or if they do pack a lunch, some reusable plates and forks.

Because the point is to re-use the bag, don't go buy something just for the sake of getting the bag. Choose a bag from your regular shopping escapades and gifts received.

You may purchase the bag if the store sells them to encourage you to give up your plastic bag fetish, or you may use a bag you already have. (If you buy the bag, you may be a little chintzier on the contents)

I am suggesting lunch bag sized (something like 5"x8"x8"), but perhaps your partner does not pack their lunch, but really needs a convenient project bag. You could PM them to see if they care about the size of the bag, or you can just try to catch their vibe from across the cosmos.

Do NOT send a plastic grocery bag. Those are exactly what we want to eliminate with this. UNLESS you fuse a bunch together to make a durable re-usable version, or crochet a bunch into a long-lasting, never-going-to-the-landfill bag. (This swap has a short turn around time, so you probably would have the bag already made, or close to completed)

If the bag is pretty, your partner can get crafty with the remains, if they wear the bag out beyond its usefulness as a carrying device. And if you are a crafty type, I'll bet you can think of items from which you can MAKE a bag. (Swap-botters are pretty clever folk)

The store does not have to be exotic, but it would be fun if that happens to be do-able. You can look up some of your local stores online and see where they do business. Maybe your local yarn store? A mom & pop hardware store? You get the idea.

The contents can be something you think your partner will use, or something to make them more curious about where you live, or simply pretty.

Postcards, a Theme Park map, crafting supplies, sample products (make sure it is legal to ship - there are a lot of limits on shipping liquids and perishables), recipes, toys (does your partner have kids? 'act like a kid?), photos you have taken, fat quarters, yarn, stitch markers, ATCs, stickers, stationery, pens, stress balls.... kudos to anyone who can carry forth the green theme in their bag's contents. You have free reign as long as you have researched your partners allergies and vehement dislikes.

OK I am actually going to stop blathering along here. :) But I have to confess it has been fun going on and on here. Bonus if you got through my entire description. If you PM me and promise you really read it all, I will send you something silly and of little value. ;)

Oh, and if you can, take a photo before you send, or ask if your recipient can take one once they get it. I would like to post them so more people might join next time.

Feel free to PM me with suggestions, before, during and after this swap. This is my first hosting attempt.