Creative Crafts Handmade

The Handmade Creative Crafts collection site will provide references and ideas

Craft swaps are an excellent way to share crafts with others. In addition, it also helps the crafter to connect with like minded individuals. These days, craft swaps are commonplace in the scrapbooking world. They can be done in person or through the internet.

YouTube has a vast and growing scrapbook community and crafts swaps occur frequently. Usually, one person hosts the swap. This person is responsible for organizing, collecting addresses, and setting the overall theme for the swap. It tends to work out better this way because there is one person watching the entire operation. This helps to head off trouble later on during the swap. The organizer works to make sure that everyone gets his or her package. In addition, they can pair people together that have similar tastes in scrapbooking. This provides for a smoother craft swap.

The most successful swaps that I have seen have included low cost items. Handmade cards are excellent. Scrapbookers come from different social economic classes. Simple craft projects makes it affordable for everyone. More people will participate if the cost is low.

Sometimes, holding a craft swap is not feasible for various reasons. In cases like this, a craft challenge will work. This is one way to encourage more people to participate. The organizer posts a project idea on a YouTube video or on a blog and requests that fellow scrappers or crafters submit videos or pictures of their interpretation of the project. These are very successful. I once saw a Craft Challenge for Valentine's Day. The challenge was to make a card without using the traditional Valentine's Day colors of red, pink, and white. The cards I saw were just beautiful. Everyone found a unique way to complete the challenge. I saw the most creative color combinations. I had not realized that it was possible to make a Valentine's Day Card with other colors.

If someone is going to hold a Craft Swap or Challenge, that person must realize there is a time commitment required. The organizer must create the subject and the project so that it will attract the maximum amount of participants. In addition, he or she must set due dates for the project. If a prize is to be awarded to a winner, that should be disclosed at the beginning of the process. It usually helps to offer prizes of scrap booking or craft supplies. Paper Roses, vintage lace, buttons, and tags make great challenge prizes.